The blood-red setting sun reflected down, intertwining with the many buildings and casting patches of shadow.
Red and black constantly interwove. Every movement of that figure passed through the gaps between those colors, swift and concealed, yet carrying a certain graceful flair.
Like a dancer moving between shadow and light.
But...
The technique was not refined enough.
"Flashy but impractical."
That was Qin Ran's assessment.
He was not deliberately disparaging the person. From Qin Ran's perspective, he could confirm that the other party's Stealth technique had at least reached the proficient level, perhaps even slightly higher. However, in order to incorporate those flashy techniques, the person deliberately made every movement carry the graceful drift of a dance. In Qin Ran's eyes, that was not worth the cost.
The fundamental purpose of Stealth was to conceal one's tracks.
To prepare to approach or withdraw from a target.
The key was concealment, while speed came second.
Looking good?
Sorry.
In Qin Ran's eyes, no matter how beautiful a movement was, if it ended in a one-hit kill, it had no reason to exist.
He pictured what might happen once the other party approached, as well as how he should respond.
Then...
A soft hum suddenly arose.
It came from the person approaching outside the little restaurant.
It was a very soothing hum.
There were no lyrics, nor any instrumental accompaniment.
There was only the murmur of a woman's voice.
The tune flowed gently, like spring water running through a stream, slipping into people's hearts before they realized it.
Aike De and Lin Amy, who had been eating, stiffened. With somewhat vacant expressions, they raised their heads, set down their chopsticks, and stood up, their bodies beginning to sway clumsily.
As though they were dancing.
But it was more like unconscious writhing.
Their