The young woman approached Noah, who remained crouched, her demeanor menacing as she fixed her gaze upon his glowing green eyes. Behind her, the red sphere dissolved into mist.

"Huh...?" Noah realized that he recognized the young woman.

Her name was Olivia Winter, and she was somewhat of a celebrity in The Arc. After the cataclysmic Great Fall, 400 years ago, when Earth had merged with another world, filled with monsters, a very small part of the human population had gained unique abilities. Since they had been affected and altered by the other world, these people had come to be known as 'Touched'.

Olivia was a member of The Vanguard, an independent group of Touched that had banded together. They would set out on expeditions beyond the city walls, support the military during monster invasions and often be the first to react when a lone abomination, or monster would manage to infiltrate into The Arc.

Due to her unique ability involving space manipulation, she had earned the moniker of 'Voidstrider'. Between Olivia's rare ability, prowess in battle, her passion for protecting the people of The Arc and her stunning good looks, she had become a sort of an idol, with adoring fans. Something which The Vanguard was happy to take advantage of, for public relations. With Olivia appearing in photoshoots and viral social media videos. Noah may or may not have had lewd thoughts about Olivia in the past, after viewing such videos.

Now, as far as Noah was concerned, a powerful and famous Touched had come to punish him for public indecency, which seemed a tad excessive to him.

"I'm really sorry, but I had no choice. I ate a bad Kebab..." A very flustered and embarrassed Noah tried to explain, but Olivia simply continued glaring at him with murderous intent.

Noah stood up and began putting on his pants, attempting to salvage what little dignity he had left. Before he even realized it, Olivia was right in front of him. 'Fast!' was all he could think as he was punched right in the gut.

It was common knowledge that in addition to their abilities, the Touched were also physically more powerful than normal people and Noah could now confirm it, as he got hit so hard, he felt as though he might hurl out his internal organs through his mouth. Instead, he collapsed on the filthy concrete, with his head almost landing atop the steamy pile of former kebab he had produced and his pants still hanging on his ankles.

Noah gasped, still reeling. 'All of this for public indecency?!'He tried to speak, but instead ended up vomiting bile mixed with blood.

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Olivia watched him gasping for air and holding his stomach as he squirmed on the floor. Noah's eyes had stopped glowing and returned to their natural green shade. This made Olivia stop in her tracks for a moment.

"This blood is on you, Silas." Olivia finally sighed and steeled herself, approaching Noah.

"Who's Silas...? My name is Noah!" His voice was hoarse, but Noah was able to speak again.

Olivia grabbed Noah's leg and dragged him like a sack of potatoes, across the filthy alley pavement. With her free hand, Olivia reached to her side and another glowing red sphere materialized.

"Please stop, I'll pay the fine!" Noah tried to plead, confused about what was even happening right now.

Olivia ignored his pleas and threw him into the red sphere, as though the overweight Noah was as light as a feather.

For just a split second, the scenery of the dark alley had turned into an all-encompassing crimson void, with endless shimmering vein-like shapes. Before Noah had time to process what he was seeing, he flew out of another red sphere and tumbled around on the ground, covered in sand and dirt.

'Sand?! Where the heck is there any sand inside The Arc?' Noah pondered.

The aching Noah got up, finally pulled his pants up and buckled his belt. He had no idea what was going on, but he was certain that he had quite enough of his privates flailing about.

Noah flinched and stepped back when Olivia emerged out of the red sphere. For a moment, he wondered if she had perhaps taken him underground, as this current surrounding was even darker than the alley. He could only see the sand and rocks illuminated around the glowing red sphere.

With how crowded The Arc was and free space being extremely limited, a lot of construction was being done underground.

'No, I can see the moon and the stars...' Noah realized, before turning his attention back to Olivia.

Whatever she just did, it took a heavy toll on her. She was covered in sweat, breathing heavily, and the stream of blood trickling out of her nose was much heavier, covering her lips and chin.

'This can't be legal. She's part of The Vanguard, not The Arc's police force.' Noah thought to himself. 'She can't go around beating up citizens for... eh, littering.'

Olivia began walking towards Noah, her steps strained and a bit wobbly.

'She's deranged, this is my only chance while she's weak!' Noah charged at Olivia, ramming her with his shoulder.

"Gaaaah!" It felt like running straight into an immovable concrete wall.

Noah fell backwards on the ground, clasping his bruised shoulder.

Olivia just stood there, gazing at him.

"...You said that your name is Noah?" She finally asked.

Noah nodded, still lying on his back.

"I am sorry about this, Noah." Olivia continued.

"Look, just let me go and we'll forget this ever happened." Noah felt somewhat relieved, as the powerful Touched at least seemed to be communicating with him, now.

Olivia sighed.

"All I can do is promise to give you a proper burial, Noah. I won't let the monsters eat you."

Olivia's expression hardened as she pulled her short sword out of the scabbard on her back.

'Monsters...?' All color drained out of Noah's already pale face as he realized where he was. 'I'm outside The Arc!'

Olivia's expression was grim as she began walking towards Noah.

"No! Don't do it!" Noah panicked and began to frantically crawl backwards.

"I'll make it quick; it won't hurt."