Through the Dragon's Eyes

Chapter Seven || Asphyxiate

The low rumble of engines surround you. Sitting as you had before upon your arrival in a similar craft just a little over a day ago, you await arrival to the drop point. You scan through the mission files on the small hologram from your watch to familiarize yourself with the content. A little over an hour later, you're standing at the door as the decent begins. You adjust the dark grey hooded paenula cloak that helps conceal your weaponry. Reaper advised you take it before you boarded the craft.

"You'll need to cover your weapons." He had said. "Things don't operate the same here as they do in Hanamura."

Translation, the city people aren't used to seeing constant weaponry just on display like the gangs do back home. Most things are handled on the down low. Gangs exist, yet the approach is much more in the dark. A darkness everyone is aware of, but doesn't seek out unless they're looking for trouble. However, to you it doesn't matter. No matter how it's dealt with, in this world, it will always end the same. On the opposite side of a weapon.

Speaking of weapons, your bow would be difficult to conceal, so you had to leave it behind in your room, settling for some kunai and a few smoke bombs. You hid your bow somewhere in the room only you can get to. Hopefully.

The doors slide open, revealing a bit of a space left between you and the rooftop below. Hopping out, you expertly land, the small transport almost immediately pulling away. Now on your own, your mind bears its sharpened edges to the task at hand as you pull up the hood of your coat and a black face mask over your mouth and nose. Given the rather chill weather, this wouldn't be considered abnormal.

It didn't take too long to find the signs you were looking for as you glide through the city market. The symbol of the bar matched the information and the cigar remains were found on the ground in the side alley where the footage displayed the man had stood merely about day ago. A click of your wrist watch signals a check in to Reaper. Phase one in effect. As you stand in the alleyway, you fetch a cigarette box out from your pouch. Within is three sticks alongside a small metal lighter. You gently slide one of the sticks out with your lips before then slipping out the lighter, flicking it open and snapping the flame alight with your thumb.

The warmth licks at your face as you close the distance between the lighter and the end of the cigarette, flipping the metal cap shut once you've sucked in a long, burning breath. Smoke coats your throat as you press it up past your sinuses to puff out through your nostrils. You brood, taking note of any further signs of where your target may have gone next. In the gravel beneath your metal boots, impressions can be seen. There are few other prints, so it is easy to tell it was most likely him. In fact, too easy to tell. This only confirms your initial suspicion that he in fact wants to be found. This could pose an issue. You have to instantly assume it's malicious. Regardless, you're ready.

You take a few more minutes to finish your cigarette before snuffing out what little is left in the outdoor ashtray. You follow the prints in the gravel back out into the bustle of the city. They implied a specific direction was taken on the way out before the surface switches to stone.

What kind of person is he, you wonder. One to stray as far away as possible from the wasp nest he just disturbed or stand right under it, poised and ready to take what he foolishly wrought upon himself. The latter seems to be truth, so if you're right, he won't be far. Following the prints out back into the main streets, you veer left in the opposite direction, convinced they're meant to throw you off. You continue down that street for several minutes, glancing at anything that catches your interest as if you were a mere traveler.

Merchandise from local farms such as pelt, food and more all set up nicely at their displays line the rather narrow stone walkway. You observe the people, families, couples, all enjoying their time stocking up for the incoming season. All wear rather similar clothing to yourself, yet more stylish in some respects. Nice long coats, fluffy hand warmers, boots, berets. Then, something a little more abnormal pulls your eye.