The rooftops of New York were quiet.
Cold wind blew between the tall buildings as the city lights glittered below.
Felicia Hardy ran across the edge of a rooftop, her movements smooth and effortless.
She landed lightly on the next building and looked behind her.
No police.
No helicopters.
No witnesses.
A playful smile appeared under her mask.
"Too easy."
She tossed a small diamond necklace into the air before catching it again.
The moonlight reflected off the gem.
Tonight's job had gone perfectly.
But then—
A strange feeling suddenly ran through her body.
Like someone was watching her.
Felicia slowly stopped walking.
Her sharp instincts rarely failed her.
She turned around slowly.
The rooftop behind her was empty.
Just shadows.
She frowned slightly.
"Weird…"
Then suddenly—
A voice came from behind her.
"Stealing from museums this late at night?"
Felicia instantly spun around.
Her whip was already in her hand.
But when she saw the person standing behind her, she froze for a second.
It was the same man from earlier.
Arata.
Standing calmly in the shadows like he had always been there.
Felicia tilted her head slightly.
"Well… that's unexpected."
She smiled playfully.
"Did you follow me?"
Arata shrugged.
"Maybe."
Felicia crossed her arms.
Her eyes scanned him carefully.
"You're not a cop."
She paused.
"And you're definitely not normal either."
Arata chuckled softly.
"You're very observant."
Felicia stepped closer.
She walked around him slowly, studying him like a curious cat.
"You appeared behind me without making a sound."
She stopped directly in front of him.
Their faces were only a short distance apart.
"That's not something normal people can do."
Arata smiled slightly.
"Neither is jumping across rooftops while robbing a museum."
Felicia laughed.
"Fair point."
For a moment, the two of them simply looked at each other.
Felicia's curiosity was growing.
This man was strange.
Dangerous.
But also… interesting.
She twirled her whip around her finger casually.
"So, mysterious shadow guy…"
Her lips curved into a teasing smile.
"Are you planning to stop me?"
Arata shook his head.
"Not really."
Felicia raised an eyebrow.
"Then why follow me?"
Arata looked directly into her eyes.
"Because you looked interesting."
Felicia blinked.
Then she laughed.
"Wow."
She stepped even closer.
"That's either the worst pickup line I've ever heard…"
Her finger tapped lightly against his chest.
"Or the most confident one."
Arata didn't move.
Instead, he simply smiled.
'This woman really does behave like a cat.'
At that moment, the system notification appeared again.
New Trait Unlocked
Demon Physique (Stage 1)
Strength increasedSpeed increasedBody regeneration slightly enhanced
Arata felt warmth spread through his body.
His muscles tightened slightly.
Power.
More power.
Felicia noticed the slight change in his expression.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Something just happened."
Arata tilted his head.
"What makes you say that?"
Felicia pointed at him.
"Your eyes."
She smiled.
"They glow sometimes."
Arata chuckled quietly.
But before either of them could continue—
Police sirens echoed again in the distance.
Felicia sighed dramatically.
"Ugh… the party crashers are coming."
She stepped back toward the edge of the rooftop.
Then she looked back at him.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"You know…"
She tossed the diamond necklace toward him.
Arata caught it easily.
"You might be fun to play with."
She winked.
"See you around, shadow boy."
Then she jumped off the rooftop.
Disappearing into the night.
Arata looked down at the diamond in his hand.
The city lights reflected off its surface.
A small smile appeared on his face.
'Interesting woman.'
He looked toward the direction she had vanished.
New York was already becoming much more entertaining.
And this was only the beginning.