After finishing their meal at the Bun Cha shop, Van Thien's group stepped back outside. The afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the capital. Ba Tu dusted off her hands and asked, "That's that. Where to next, everyone?"
Co Ba immediately replied
"How about Hoan Kiem Lake? I heard the scenery there is breathtaking."
Chu Nam nodded. "Yeah, I want to see it for myself too."
The group agreed and headed toward the Lake of the Returned Sword. Upon arrival, a cool breeze swept across the water, chasing away the city's sweltering heat. Van Thien could smell the fresh lake water mingled with the sweet, iconic aroma of Trang Tien rice-flake ice cream. Despite it being afternoon, the atmosphere was electric. Since it was the weekend, the surrounding shops were overflowing with people.
Van Thien looked around. He saw elderly men leisurely playing Chinese chess, older men and women practicing Tai Chi, and young people walking their pets. Couples strolled hand-in-hand along the paths—a heartwarming sight. A rhythmic thumping of music caught his ear; a group of teenagers were street dancing, while others nearby played shuttlecock or jumped rope. He could hear the laughter of children playing O An Quan (Mandarin Square Capturing) nearby.
"One, two, three... stop at the empty square! I'm capturing this whole pile!"
"Một này, hai này, ba này... đừng ở đây là ô trống nhé, tớ ăn ô này luôn!"
"Distribute them evenly! Don't you dare cheat by dropping two in one square!"
"Rải đều tay vào xem nào! Đừng có láu cá rải hai viên một ô thế chứ, chơi cho tử tế nhé!"
"Look, the pieces are almost gone! Calculate carefully or you'll go bankrupt!"
"Nhìn kìa, quân sắp cạn sạch rồi đấy! Tính cho kỹ vào, không là phá sản luôn bây giờ đấy nhá!"
In addition to the locals, there were many foreign tourists taking photos or resting on stone benches. As Van Thien approached the lake's railing, he looked out at the Turtle Tower standing stoically in the center. The evening sun turned the water into a shimmering mirror. Suddenly, his cross necklace vibrated slightly
At that moment, Ba Tu announced
"Alright, let's split up! Go see what you want, eat what you like. We regroup right here at 8:00 PM to head back!"
"Agreed!" Co Ba shouted. The family dispersed into smaller groups, and Van Thien set off on his own.
Meanwhile, on the warship hovering far above Earth, the Commander stared at the planet through a massive glass viewport. An officer approached.
"Sir, the experimental device is ready."
The Commander smirked. "Excellent."
He raised his hand. A figure clad in black armor, his right arm integrated with a massive war hammer, stepped forward. His voice was distorted and metallic.
"Duan Thiet (Sunder-Iron) reporting, sir."
The Commander handed him the experimental device.
"Go down. Reconnaissance first, then test this weapon. I want to see exactly how powerful it is."
Duan Thiet bowed. "Orders received."
The bay doors hissed open. He and four subordinates ignited their thrusters, plunging through the atmosphere like dark meteors.
Back on Earth, Van Thien felt a sudden chill. He squinted at the sky, sensing something approaching. Before he could process it, Minh—Co Ba's nephew—called out to him.
"Brother Thien!" Van Thien startled, looking down at the boy. Minh pointed excitedly.
"That bridge is so beautiful! Take me up there, please!"
Thien smiled. "Alright, let's go check it out."
Despite his smile, a sense of unease lingered. They walked onto the Huc Bridge. The structure was painted a deep crimson, standing out vividly against the emerald waters of Hoan Kiem Lake. Since evening had fallen, the bridge was illuminated, its lights reflecting brilliantly off the ripples. It was a romantic, peaceful scene.
Soon, their stomachs began to growl. Minh hugged his belly. "Brother Thien, I'm hungry. Can we get something to eat?"
"Sure, let's find a snack," Thien replied.
They descended the bridge and headed into the nearby Old Quarter night market. The atmosphere was chaotic and vibrant. Stalls sold everything from shoes and clothes to handmade souvenirs at bargain prices. Cries of vendors filled the air:
"Fifteen thousand each! Come and choose, everyone!"
"Super cheap phone cases! Three for fifty thousand!"
"Clearance sale! Thai T-shirts for forty-five thousand! Almost free!"
The shouts merged with the music of street performers. Deep in the market, the aroma of grilled skewers and Banh Khuc (Cudweed rice cake) wafted through the air.
"Hot Banh Khuc here! Banh Khuc..."
Van Thien stopped at a stall. "How much for a cake, ma'am?"
"Fifteen thousand each, son! Pick whichever you like!"
"I'll take four, please."
Van Thien took the warm package. The heat from the banana leaf wrapping seeped into his palms against the chilly Hanoi night air. As he peeled the leaf back, a thin wisp of steam carried the earthy scent of cudweed and premium glutinous rice. He took a bite; the outer layer was sticky and smooth, encasing a rich filling of mung bean, fatty pork, and the sharp kick of black pepper. It was more than just food; it was a feeling of home.
As they walked and ate, Van Thien noticed something. In a dark corner of the market, a pair of red eyes flickered in the shadows.
He looked around sharply. Minh noticed his distraction. "Brother Thien? What are you looking at?"
Seeing nothing, Thien turned back. "Nothing... I probably just misheard something."
They continued through the market until a piercing scream shattered the air.
"Catch him! He took my child! Help! Somebody help me!"
Van Thien whipped his head around. A man in black was sprinting away, clutching a young girl.
"Minh, wait here!" Thien shouted, immediately giving chase.
Minh didn't have time to react before the crowd surged between them. Van Thien was on his own.
The man in black darted into the narrow alleys of the Old Quarter. Dark. Narrow. A labyrinth of moss-covered stone walls. Footsteps echoed against the damp surfaces. A red glow from the man's eyes scanned the walls with a chilling intensity. He moved with unnatural speed.
But Van Thien stayed glued to his trail. Finally, they reached a dead end. The man in black stopped and slowly turned around.
Van Thien stood just a few paces away, his gaze turning cold. "You have nowhere left to run."
"...Release the girl."
A raspy, mechanical laugh echoed through the alley.
"...You think..."
"...I came here alone?"
Whoosh!
Three dark shadows stepped out from the gloom. Silent. Weightless.
Then—four pairs of red eyes snapped open simultaneously. The air in the alley seemed to freeze.
The man in black smirked.
"Let's see..."
"...how you handle the four of us alone."