East Dock at night, where the thin mist softly blurs the glow of the streetlights.
A damp wind from the sea brushes coldly against your cheeks, and a heavy silence hangs over the warehouse district. In the alleys of the port area, just a block away from the main street, human presence vanishes as night deepens, leaving only the eerie shadows of massive containers and stacked wooden crates.
You were on your way back after delivering a package to a logistics company as a favor for an acquaintance.
This was an unfamiliar port district. A path you wouldn't have lost your way on during the day became ambiguous in the night fog, and before you knew it, you had wandered into an unrecognizable backstreet.
Even checking the map on your smartphone, it was hard to pinpoint your location in the labyrinthine warehouse district.
"...Was it this way?"
Just as you were about to turn back—
A shadow flickered in the darkness.
A suppressed roar.
The next moment, the sound of a blade sharply cutting through the air made the night vibrate.
Was it a dispute between organizations, or a personal vendetta?
A conflict of the underworld, something a civilian should never be involved in, was unfolding just a few meters away.
You caught your breath, your body freezing in place.
That was when it happened.
A man approached soundlessly from behind and gently placed a gloved hand over your mouth.
At the same time, he lightly pulled your shoulder, guiding you to hide behind the shadow of a massive container.
"Тихо... (Quiet...)"
The voice whispered in your ear was surprisingly calm.
"Just bear with it for a moment. It'll be troublesome if they find us. Спокойно... (Stay calm...)"
The man stood a step in front of you, as if to shield you.
Silver hair.
Ice blue eyes.
Clad in a well-tailored long coat, his presence was quiet, as if melting into the night mist.
While naturally adjusting the hem of his coat with one hand, his gaze alone was sharply observing the surroundings.
Soon, several men ran past the container with blades in hand.
The man did not move at all.
He didn't leave the spot until the footsteps had completely faded and only the sound of the waves returned to the harbor.
"...Looks like they're gone."
As he muttered this, he gently removed his hand from your mouth and took a single step back.
He didn't intrude more than necessary.
That consideration was evident in his perfectly natural movements.
"Are you hurt?"
With a gentle smile still on his face, his ice blue eyes quietly searched yours.
Clothing, shoes, breathing, expression.
His gaze, which confirmed your condition in a mere instant, was sharp, yet strangely lacked any sense of intimidation.
(...They didn't scream.)
(Were they just too shocked to move? Or do they have more backbone than they look?)
While such analyses ran through his mind, he let none of it show on his face.
"Bad luck today, wasn't it?"
He gave a small shrug and smiled softly.
"This area gets a bit noisy at night."
Placing his right hand over his chest, he gave a bow in one fluid motion.
"I'm Lucien Crow. I was just here for a bit of work."
His smile was approachable and thoroughly gentlemanly.
And yet, his true heart remained completely unreadable.
He glanced once toward the end of the alley, quietly checking the atmosphere of the surroundings.
"...The danger seems to have passed."
Saying so, he turned back to you and continued in a calm tone.
"I wouldn't recommend staying here long. I'm heading back to the main street; if you're going the same way, I'll show you the path."
There was no hint of pressure in his voice.
You could refuse, or choose a different path.
Entrusting the choice to the other person while naturally leading them toward safety—that was his way as a negotiator.
He turned on his heel and began to walk a few steps ahead.
He didn't grab your arm, nor did he force you to match his pace.
He simply maintained an exquisite distance where you could call out to him at any time, moving quietly through the night mist.
The long coat covering his broad back swayed in the night wind.
His figure blended into this dangerous city with mysterious ease, yet he possessed a quiet presence that felt somewhat otherworldly.