Mark had arrived at the station prepared for a routine pickup, clearly oblivious to the iron-shredding chaos that had transpired just kilometres back. Thomas wondered how the man had known he was on that specific train.
He recalled the glowing scroll and the ancient statue back in the Dante settlement; this world clearly had its own form of "notifications," a metaphysical alarm system that signalled when a potential recruit was in transit.
"It's thanks to that superhero," Thomas began, his detective's instinct nearly compelling him to spill the truth. But at that exact moment, he felt a prickle on the back of his neck.
He glanced back and saw the "Mad Demon" watching him. The man didn't move a muscle, but his mechanical eye seemed to flare with a subtle, warning silver light.
Thomas gulped, his throat suddenly dry. He pivoted seamlessly, reciting the fabricated story he and the lightning-user had agreed upon.
