The narrow alleys of Hanoi's Old Quarter gradually returned to their nocturnal silence.
A night breeze drifted over the moss-covered walls, carrying the distinct, chilly dampness of the ancient lanes surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake. Van Thien stood in the center of the alley, holding the young girl in his arms. She had stopped crying, though she still clung tightly to his shirt. Van Thien scanned the area; the black-clad figures had completely vanished, leaving behind nothing but cracked pavement and scattered debris. He furrowed his brow.
"No trace left..."
With the priority of getting the child to safety, he pushed his questions aside. Carrying the girl, he navigated his way out of the labyrinthine passages. As he emerged into a wider lane, he heard frantic, heavy footsteps. The woman who had cried for help earlier lunged forward.
"Where is my child?"
Behind her were several police officers. Seeing the girl safe in Thien's arms, the woman let out a sob of relief. "Thank heavens!"
As Thien set her down, the girl immediately ran to her mother. "Mommy!"
The mother pulled her into a fierce embrace. "My baby! Are you okay? Oh heavens, I thought I'd lost you..." She turned to Van Thien, her voice trembling with gratitude. "Thank you so much, young man... if it wasn't for you, I don't know what would have happened."
Van Thien shook his head slightly. "She's safe now. Don't worry."
The police questioned him about the kidnapper, but Thien simply replied that the man had managed to escape. Whispers began to ripple through the gathering crowd nearby.
"Did you hear? A kidnapping right here in the Old Quarter market. How terrifying!"
Another person chimed in, "Goodness, really? They've lost all fear! Right in the center of the city, in such a crowded place... truly heartless!"
After a few more questions, the officers let Van Thien go, noting they might call him for a formal statement later. Thien left the alley quietly. Outside, Minh was waiting anxiously. Seeing Thien, he rushed over.
"Brother Thien! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Thien gave a faint smile. "I'm fine."
Minh peered into the dark alley, then turned back to him. "What happened in there? Was the child rescued?"
Thien glanced back at the shadows. "The child is safe, but the kidnapper got away."
Minh patted his shoulder. "It's okay, as long as the girl is safe. I'm just glad you're unhurt."
"It's over now," Thien said. "It's almost time to meet up with the rest of the group. Let's finish our walk and head back."
Minh nodded, and the two stepped out of the night market, returning toward Hoan Kiem Lake. The streets were as vibrant as if nothing had happened. The bright lights of the Old Quarter illuminated the bustling crowds, the music was still thumping, and people continued their evening strolls.
However, Van Thien's mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the memory of the glowing red eyes, the mutating bodies, and that strange red liquid. Where do they come from? he wondered.
Suddenly, an icy gust of wind swept past. The cross necklace around his neck vibrated softly, and a faint azure light flickered in his eyes for a split second. Van Thien froze. He turned his head toward the lake. In the distance, the waters of Hoan Kiem shimmered under the city lights, but for some reason, he felt a bizarre sensation—a presence. It was fleeting, vanishing as quickly as it came.
Thien narrowed his eyes. "Strange..."
At that same moment, in a shadowed corner of the Old Quarter, Duan Thiet (Sunder-Iron) received word that his subordinates had been neutralized. He contacted the warship's command center.
"Sir, the reconnaissance mission has failed."
The Commander chuckled coldly over the comms. "No matter. Proceed with the next phase of the plan."
Duan Thiet bowed his head. "Understood." He stared into the void, his red eyes flaring with malice. "You dare kill my men... Just you wait. We will meet soon enough." He then vanished into the darkness.
Back at the meeting point, Ba Tu spotted Thien and Minh and waved them over. "Over here! Where have you two been all this time? Making the whole group wait!"
Thien smiled apologetically. "We just got caught up exploring."
Minh started to mention the kidnapping, but Thien squeezed his hand and shook his head. Understanding the silent signal, Minh kept quiet. Ba Tu waved them off. "Alright, alright, get in the car. The driver's been waiting. Let's go before we're late!"
As the tour bus slowly rolled away from the Old Quarter, Van Thien leaned his head against the window. He reached up to touch the spot where the black-clad man had punched him; a dull, burning sensation still lingered. Through his shirt, he felt the necklace—it wasn't just vibrating anymore; it was growing warm.
He realized then that his enemies were not only strong; their technology was beg
inning to adapt to his energy.