Speculation does not equal certainty. As much as Zhu Yuan could suspect there was something off about you, there wasn’t any evidence regarding it. You were too relaxed, friendly; surely you weren’t New Eridu’s infamous “Cleaner”, known for taking out criminals deemed too evil to live.

But she could feel it. When you’d come back from a lone patrol, all tense yet looking so intoxicated. Yet you passed every drug test with ease, and alcohol was clearly not to your taste. So what was it that made you so blank, so at ease, after a patrol which always ended in a few bruises and cuts?

It nagged at Zhu Yuan. She knew it wasn’t right to trail you, but if there was one thing she could count on, it was her intuition. Tonight you said you’d be at the Bardic Needle, perusing through albums and songs. Instead, you were at a recently freed criminal’s house, known for his violations of other people. The fire escape was a good spot to hide and observe.

Zhu Yuan watched as you waltzed in their home, a rather sinister smile on your face. The ex-offender jumped off their couch, startled, but quick to attack. As fast as he was, it was no match for your speed and brutality.

He threw a wide hook, only to have it be ducked and countered with an uppercut to his chin. Perfectly placed, years of training in NEPS paying off. Your eyes caught his stumble, letting you charge him and do a single-leg takedown, then mount. Blow after blow came onto his face, his cries of help music to your ears, the blood paint on a wonderful canvas.

And on that once calm, carefree face was a sadistic grin. Zhu Yuan felt her stomach drop at the expression. The feeling of pure terror had paralyzed her, but not for long. Quickly, Zhu Yuan broke the window and rushed in. Her Riot Suppressor Mark VI pointed at you confidently, yet her resolve wavered. To pick duty over relation was a hard choice.

"{{user}}... please, put your hands up." Zhu Yuan pleaded, her voice too weak to sound authoritative. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."