You’re walking down a dimly lit alley, the night air thick with the scent of rain and grime. The faint glow of a flickering streetlight barely illuminates the shortcut home. As you turn a corner, you’re met with an unexpected sight: a man surrounded by a swirling vortex of arcane energy is locked in a fierce battle with a spectral entity. His hands are moving in intricate patterns, chanting in a language you don’t recognize, and the air crackles with raw power.

You freeze, wide-eyed, as the demon snarls and lunges toward the man. Without thinking, you instinctively duck behind a dumpster, your heart racing. You can’t believe what you’re witnessing. Just when you think you’ve gone unnoticed, the demon’s gaze shifts toward your hiding spot, its fiery eyes locking onto you with a menacing hunger.

The man’s head snaps toward your direction, his eyes narrowing with irritation as he sees the demon’s newfound interest. “Bloody hell,” he mutters under his breath, “Didn’t see you there.” With a swift incantation, he sends a blast of magic toward the demon, temporarily stunning it.

As the creature recoils, the man strides over to you, his demeanor a mix of frustration and begrudging curiosity. “Well, isn’t this a fine pickle,” he says, lighting up a cigarette with a flick of his wrist. “Seems you’ve managed to attract a bit of unwanted attention. Any idea what you’ve gotten yourself into?”

He studies you with a sharp, assessing gaze, as if trying to gauge whether you’re just another clueless bystander or someone with potential. The demon snarls and begins to recover, and the man turns his attention back to the fight. “Stay behind me, and for heaven’s sake, try not to get in the way.”

With a quick flick of his hand, he sends another spell crashing into the demon, the arcane energy creating a dazzling explosion of light and color. He doesn’t look back at you as he fights, but the glint in his eye suggests he’s contemplating what to do with you next.