A warning alarm went off in Neo's head. After the first cry for help, he didn't hear any similar sounds. But Neo still followed his instincts and went in the direction he heard the cry.
All the lights in the street failed to reach the alley as it was covered in complete darkness. Neo took a step into the alley and wisps of shadows enveloped his foot.
His eyes narrowed.
There was an ability user around.
Outside Dungeons and Training Institutes, Hunters and Restorers were not permitted by the law to use their powers. Without the risk of Bizarros, they were just ability users who were no bigger than the laws of the Federation.
Though Neo only used his abilities against Bizarros, it wasn't impossible to turn against mankind if need be.
Neo continued to walk into the fog of shadows. Once his whole body was inside the shadowed alley, he couldn't use his visual and hearing senses. It was as though they were switched off.
Neo could only depend on his gut senses. He walked on a straight path with one hand shielding his face and the other gently stroking his path horizontally, ready to attack at the slightest touch.
Just then his fingertips brushed something. The smell of alcohol and pheromones found a way into Neo's nostrils.
He grabbed onto the material of the cloth in his hand and flung the person away. The abrupt action must have destabilized the ability user's control because the shadows began to disperse.
Light was able to pierce into the dispersing dark fog and Neo saw a young girl against the wall with tattered clothes and tear-stained cheeks.
She must have been the one he heard.
"Go. Call for help." Neo instructed, then he grabbed and pushed her towards the street, kick-starting her run.
Neo turned back to the ability user. The guy had regained composure and gotten back to his feet. There was no single sign of remorse in his eyes, only hate and annoyance. All directed towards Neo.
He raised his hand to launch an attack at Neo, but Neo ducked and swept the guy off his feet with a low kick. Then he grabbed the front of the guy's shirt and lifted him off the ground.
The guy, an alpha it seemed, was significantly taller and broader so he didn't accept being tossed around by Neo.
"Leave me the fuck alone, little bitch!" he swore at Neo.
He was about to repeat himself when Neo slammed him against the wall.
He pinned the guy firmly and said, "In accordance with the Federation Legal Code, Article V, Section 3, Clause 4a: Non-governmental ability users are not permitted to use their abilities on innocent civilians. Clause 4b: Registered Hunters/Restorers may utilize their abilities to discipline criminals in the absence of governmental ability users."
"So permit me to discipline you." Neo landed a punch to the guy's jaw, drawing first blood.
His next target was the guy's stomach, then he kneed him in the crotch. Neo let the guy fall to the ground and kicked his spine.
"Criminals like you are the worst. Preying on helpless civilians. I hope that you'll never repeat your actions after this lesson." Neo stepped on the guy's shin, forcing a pained groan from him.
Neo was about to pick up the guy using his collars when he felt something around his hands and feet. Wisps of shadows coiled his limbs, restricting his movements.
Neo looked back at the guy who had managed to scramble back to his feet while he was disoriented.
"You think this can stop me?" Neo raised a brow as he instinctively tried to summon his needle.
Two seconds passed. Nothing happened.
Right.
His powers were dormant now. What a pain. He would have to fight this guy manually.
Fortunately for him, this guy had not mastered his abilities and his shadow work was still messy. On the other hand, Neo was a pro at manipulating and understanding shadows.
Neo grabbed one of the shadow wisps binding his left hand. Instead of treating it like an ability, he took it like a normal rope and pulled it off with brute strength.
The shadow tore off his skin and scattered away.
The guy watched this with widened eyes. His surprise was understandable, of course. How could a person grab an element using their bare hand with no ability in action?
Realization finally dawned on him.
Neo didn't give the guy enough time to recognize him fully as he yanked off the last of the shadows on his body. He took a single step forward and the guy fell to the ground.
"I-I'm sorry." The guy began to stutter, crawling back.
"Don't be sorry yet." Neo leaned down to hit him again but a cold breeze blew on his back and he came down with a bad feeling.
He was about to look behind when a strong wind carried him away, sweeping him off his feet as he
flew to the far end of the alley.
There was someone else in the alley.