Lilo noticed the sky turning dark and rushed to the counter.
"Hey, granny, I think your onions are starting to rot," he said.
"Oh… is it, dear?" The elderly lady leaned closer, squinting. "My apologies. I didn't see it earlier while stocking. I forgot my glasses at home, so I can't see well." She sighed. "I'll give you fresh ones instead. I'm sorry, dear."
"I appreciate it," Lilo replied.
The old woman handed him fresh onions. Lilo paid quickly and hurried out, eager to get home.
As he walked, a sudden flash of light appeared in front of him.
Lilo stopped.
He already knew what it was.
The book appeared again, floating in the air. It opened by itself.
A message formed on the first page.
Don't go to the usual alley. Take another route.
Lilo frowned. "But that's the fastest way home. It's the safest too."
The book gave no response. It vanished.
Lilo stood still for a moment, then continued walking.
Each step felt heavy. A strange pressure filled the air, like something was waiting for him.
He reached the alley.
At first, nothing seemed wrong.
Then, from the corner of his eye, he saw it.
A silhouette.
A man.
The figure moved unevenly, struggling to walk straight. Something sharp glinted in his hand.
Lilo's heart pounded.
The shadow grew larger.
Closer.
A cold shiver ran down his spine as the shape became clear.
A drunk man.
Holding a small dagger.
His hand trembled as if ready to strike anyone in sight.
Lilo reacted fast. He dashed to the nearest wall and pressed himself against it, hiding from view.
He took a careful peek.
There was no doubt.
The man stood there, swaying, breathing heavily, reeking of alcohol.
And he was dangerous.
Lilo held his breath.
The man staggered forward, dragging his feet. The dagger hung loosely in his hand, but his grip tightened every few seconds.
"Where… where is it…" the man muttered, his voice rough and broken.
Lilo stayed still. One wrong move could give him away.
The man stopped.
Silence filled the alley.
Then slowly, the man turned his head.
Straight toward Lilo's direction.
Lilo's chest tightened. He pressed himself harder against the wall.
A faint glow slipped out of his bag.
Lilo froze.
The book.
It was reacting again.
The light pulsed once. Then again.
The man's eyes locked onto it.
"There…" he whispered.
He started walking toward Lilo.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
Lilo had no choice. He ran.
His footsteps echoed through the narrow alley. Behind him, he heard the man's uneven but desperate chase.
"Give it back!" the man shouted.
Lilo's mind raced. Give what back?
The book suddenly slipped out of his bag and floated in front of him mid-run.
It opened.
A new message appeared.
Turn left. Now.
Lilo did not argue this time.
He turned sharply into a darker, tighter path between two buildings. Trash bins blocked part of the way, but he pushed past them.
The man followed.
Closer.
Too close.
The book flipped its page again.
Stop.
Lilo stopped.
"What—"
The ground beneath him felt different.
A faint symbol glowed under his feet.
The alley fell silent.
The man rushed in, raising his dagger.
"Give it to me!"
The moment he stepped onto the same spot—
A blinding flash erupted.
The symbol lit up completely.
The man screamed.
Then vanished.
Gone.
No sound. No trace.
Only silence remained.
Lilo stood there, frozen, trying to process what just happened.
The book slowly closed.
Then, one final line appeared on its cover.
He was not after you. He was after me.
Lilo swallowed hard.
"What… are you?" he whispered.
The book gave no answer.
But deep inside, Lilo knew one thing.
This was only the beginning.