Darkness.
That was the first thing I felt.
It was suffocating, like drowning in an endless void where I couldn't feel anything—not even my own body. Then, in the distance, I saw it.
A light.
Small and faint, like a spark in the dark.
Something about it pulled at me. Called to me.
I reached out toward it, desperate to grasp it, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't move. I could only watch as the light drifted farther away, like an escape I would never reach.
"Arc…"
The light was saying something.
At least, I thought it was.
All I could hear was my name. The rest felt muffled, censored somehow, as if the world itself refused to let me hear it.
"ARC! WAKE UP!"
My eyes snapped open.
A brown-haired girl hovered over me, her dark eyes filled with worry as she stood above me in the alleyway.
"Arc, are you okay?" she asked, grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet while brushing trash off my clothes.
"Yeah… I'm fine, Alice. Thanks."
I glanced around. We were still in the alleyway. To my left, crowds of people passed through the streets, their appearances strange enough to stand out—but honestly, that was the least of my concerns right now.
"Arc, the plan was a success! The goods are secure, sir!" Alice gave me a shaky salute, beaming with pride.
"Good. Then let's head back to the hideout."
The words came naturally, even though my mind still felt foggy. Somehow, I already knew the way. Alice followed closely behind as we made our way through the narrow alleyways.
The moment we reached the exit, a dark-skinned man stepped into our path.
Pointed ears.
Cruel eyes.
And a face twisted with rage.
"BOYS! I FOUND THEM!"
Shit.
These were the people we'd robbed.
Getting caught wasn't an option. In this city, orphans ranked somewhere below dirt. Nobody would care if we disappeared.
"Alice," I whispered, leaning closer, "run south. I'll go north."
"Got it, boss."
Without hesitation, she darted into a connecting alleyway. A few men hidden nearby moved to intercept her, but I wasn't worried. Alice could handle herself.
I sprinted the opposite direction, weaving through the maze-like alleys while changing routes constantly.
"GET HIM!"
"DON'T LET HIM ESCAPE!"
"KILL THE BRAT!"
Looks like I'd become popular.
A mob thundered behind me, but they were wasting their time. These alleyways were my territory—the only advantage people like us had in this rotten city.
To them, my movements probably looked random.
They weren't.
Every turn, every jump, every narrow passage had been planned from the start.
I'll lose them soon.
That's what I thought.
Then I reached the final alley exit and froze.
Golden hair.
Green eyes.
Polished silver armor.
And at her side hung a silver-blue sword I recognized immediately.
Imperial Knight Elena.
"…Seriously?"
I let out a long sigh.
Of all the possible people who could've shown up, it had to be her.
Didn't this woman have hobbies?
Well… if things had come this far, there was only one option left.
I straightened my posture and walked toward her with my hands raised dramatically.
"Imperial Knight Elena! I, Arc, have come to turn myself in!"
I flashed her my brightest smile.
Elena stared at me for a moment before grabbing me by the collar.
"Arc," she said flatly, "this is the ninth time."
Then she started dragging me away.
"Since you've got this much energy, you can use it at the training grounds."
Man.
Today sucks.