Breaking the sound barrier, Adrian descended from the sky and landed heavily on the ground.
A loud thud echoed through the empty street as the earth beneath his feet cracked from the force of his high speed impact. Dust scattered across the ground.
Dressed in a black uniform with a dark cape flowing behind him, Adrian slowly raised his head. His cold gaze fell on the stunned young man nearby and the hooded girl standing beside him.
"Brother!"
The moment she saw him, the little girl ran toward him as fast as her legs could carry her.
The frost in Adrian's expression softened the instant he saw her. He bent down and lifted the girl into his arms.
It was his younger sister, Rachel.
"Didn't I tell you to stay at Baron Winters's house?"
Adrian looked at her seriously while holding her.
"I... I..."
Rachel lowered her head under his stern gaze. Her fingers twisted nervously as she spoke.
"I saw those aliens take you away, so I ran out to find you. I thought maybe I could help."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I didn't want to lose you, brother."
Adrian's expression eased a little after hearing her words.
"Is that so?"
Rachel suddenly brightened, as if remembering something important. She quickly lifted the handbag she had been holding and proudly handed it to him.
"Brother, I got this for you."
She smiled as though she had discovered treasure.
"When I passed a store, I heard people say it was very valuable. I thought if I gave it to you, you'd be happy. Didn't you and Mom say Dad's treatment needed money?"
Standing nearby, Arthur had been listening to the entire conversation.
The moment Rachel mentioned taking the handbag from a group of people, everything became clear.
So that was why those people had been chasing her earlier.
Anyone would chase after a thief if their expensive belongings were stolen.
Adrian looked down at the handbag Rachel was offering him. His expression shifted slightly.
"Your intentions are good," Adrian said calmly. "But this is not something you should involve yourself in. Next time..."
Before he could finish speaking, Rachel immediately raised her hand.
"Next time I won't!"
Adrian paused.
Facing his little sister, who had already learned how to answer before being scolded, he suddenly felt a familiar headache coming on.
He let out a quiet breath before shifting his gaze toward the blond young man standing nearby.
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Who are you?"
The blond man stepped forward.
"Arthur. Arthur Curry."
He scratched the back of his head before continuing.
"I work at the lighthouse nearby."
Arthur Curry.
Adrian's eyes flickered slightly when he heard the name.
Aquaman.
However, looking at the young man in front of him, Adrian quickly dismissed the idea that this Arthur had already become the King of Atlantis. The man wasn't holding any trident and looked more like an ordinary guy than a legendary ruler of the sea.
At this stage, he was probably still just a lighthouse worker trying to figure out his place in the world.
Adrian studied him for a moment before speaking again.
"So... you."
Arthur coughed awkwardly under Adrian's sharp gaze.
"Cough."