Chapter 6: Just Another Day

Another day passed in the city of Luciana. Sparks of metal clashing can be heard on its rooftops.

Alex clashes his folded blade with two Serpent ninjas and pushes them off. The third ninja front flips and attempts to strike at him, which Alex backflips away. But he did not account for the female ninja behind him as she slices Alex with a katana. Alex grits through the pain before swinging at the female ninja, which she leans her head back to avoid the attack. Alex vaults over the ninja who attempts to slash at him and shoots his rifle at them as soon as he lands on his feet.

Behind Alex's fight is Rena fighting off her group of ninjas. Despite Alex's dismay, he allowed her to fight alongside him. Rena slices off the ninja but another throws a smoke bomb at her face, blinding her. She flinches and yelps as she feels sword slices in a few places, not wanting to be overwhelmed, she releases a fiery shockwave around her, catching fire to any ninjas that get close to her before charging at them.

Alex had finished reloading his revolver rifle with his magic before side spinning the ninja that attempts to stab him then shoots him in the head. Another ninja comes at him as Alex parries two attacks before grabbing the ninja's shirt, rolled backwards, and uses his foot to flip him over before shooting at him in the air before the ninja falls off the build. Alex springs himself up on his two feet and views his surroundings.

Rena had finished killing a guy and sheathed her sword Iaido style, and turned his head in the opposite direction to see the remaining ninja charging.

"Alex!"

Rena calls out to him as she holds her sword still in the sheath two-handed, signaling that she will launch him.

But Alex has a different plan, he turns his weapon into scythe form and mist dashes at the ninja, phasing through the attack and slices the ninja in two by the torso.

Alex slices the air to get the blood off, then folds the blade back to its rifle form and aims at Shin, who is watching the fight from another building afar with his arms crossed.

The rest of his men beside him unsheathed their swords but Shin signals them to halt, they nodded and retreated with Shin being the last to leave until they were out of sight.

"Wow! For a guy who doesn't give up, doesn't really like getting his hands dirty. Am I right?" Rena attempts to quip as she puts the sheathed sword back on her left hip.

Alex simply gave her a cold look before turning around and jumping off the roof, leaving her alone as she sighs at her failed attempt.

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(Alex POV)

I used my magic to heal my wounds from that fight and walked away from the scene, away from her. As grateful as I am that assists me, I still do not trust her. It was already a hassle to deal with Shin and his ninjas, claiming to avenge his fallen son when he died by his own hand trying to kill me. Besides, they're not innocent.

I scoffed and continued walking. To kill some time, I let my mind wander about that night with Lana. I allowed one person to take the first step into my life and ended on good terms yet already I'm thinking about possibilities.

What if I lose her? What if she betrays me too?

What if she sees me for what I truly am...

...a monster.

'Wait, what am I thinking? Why is this bothering me now? Have I seen her as a friend?' he questions mentally and slips the thought.

Speaking of the thought, I stumbled upon the orphanage, where I conveniently saw Lana getting hit on by Charles Mane.

"What's the hurry babe? I just want to have some fun." Charles flirted.

"That's um...nice but I really should get going." Lana tries to dissuade him politely.

But Charles is too persistent. "Don't leave, just hang out with me and I promise you'll have the best time of your day...or perhaps your life."

He grabbed her arm and Lana tried to fight him off, telling him to let go. Seeing the scene has escalated, I realize I have to act now before things get out of hand. So I walked towards them.

"Hey!" I called out before grabbing his wrist, causing him to let go and turned his eyes on me.

"When the girl tells you to back off, You Back Off!" I warned him before pushing him away and placed myself between Lana and him.

Charles only looked at me with confusion and irritation. "Who are you and how dare you touch me!!! Don't you know who I am?!!!" he shrieked.

"Yes I do and I do not care. You're a spoiled rich brat who thinks money and charisma will give him everything he wants. So here's what you're going to do..."

I stepped closer to him slowly with the most intimidating look.

"...you will leave or I'll show you that money or fame will not save you from the things I would do to you."

Charles flinched in fear as he saw my eyes, then his demeanor shifted with him sporting a smug smile while shrugging indifferently.

"Heh! Fine, I'll take my leave for now. But mark my words I will come back for you beautiful."

He was looking at Lana, who turned away in disgust, then shifted his gaze on me with a serious expression.

"And you will regret this." he warned me silently as he walked to his car and drove off.

"Thank you for saving me." Lana said.

Then I turned to her. "He was only annoying me."

"Oh, are you sure it wasn't because I'm your friend? Hmm?" she teased.

"Whatever you say." I grumbled, looking away for a moment. I heard her giggle at my response.

Then I heard the doors opening, I looked to see a woman with a black suit and brown short hair making her way to Lana.

"Thank goodness you're safe. Are you hurt?" the woman asked.

"I'm fine Naomi, really." Lana assures her.

The woman named Naomi nodded before her eyes fell on me.

"And who is this?" Naomi asked, putting her arms in front of Lana to defend her.

"Oh, this is my friend, Alex. He saved me."

"It was nothing." I said sheepishly as I scratched the back of my head.

The woman was looking at me up and down with an expression difficult to make out, she didn't look displeased nor did she look happy.

"The Night Hunter? Really?" Naomi asked deadpanned.

Lana came to my defense. "He's a good friend, I promise."

"Well, if you think so then I'll take your word for it. I thank you for coming to her defense, but I must take her inside." Naomi says respectfully.

I nodded in response and the two girls walked back to the orphanage.

"I'll catch up with you!" Lana waved as she went inside, leaving me outside.

'So she's heard of my actions as the Reaper. Unsurprising. No doubt she would keep her away from me' I mused in thought.

Moments later, I received a notification from my phone. I pulled it out to see that I got a text from Miriam.

"Meet me at the clinic nearby the orphanage." it reads.

I stash away my phone and walked towards the direction of the clinic.

"Better go see what she has for me."