Rain.
Not hard, not dramatic. Just enough to silver the city in hesitation.
Lina arrived at the recording studio with a hood over her head and new confidence in her step. She was here for a voice-over gig tied to the campaign she'd trended for—her face now officially "the voice of resilience."
Inside, she was greeted by a tall man in his early twenties, head bowed slightly as he adjusted the mic settings. A technician, maybe. Or an assistant.
"Lina Vale?" he said, without looking up.
"Yes."
He turned.
And she blinked.
Sharp features, cool skin tone, wind-swept hair tied back in a loose knot. His expression was unreadable—somewhere between indifferent and thoughtful.
"You're late," he said.
She raised a brow. "I'm three minutes early."
He looked at his watch. "You're right."
Then he walked past her, calm as still water.
> [System Alert: New Key Character Detected – Profile: Riven Tao]
Profession: Sound Engineer / Studio Owner
Traits: Aloof, Emotionally Restrained, Strategic
Bond Potential: Medium. Romance Probability: 52%
Warning: Unknown motives.
She turned slowly. "You own this place?"
"Yes."
"You always talk like you're narrating a crime drama?"
He smirked faintly. "Only when I meet people whose voices already know how to hide things."
Lina didn't know if that was a compliment or a warning.
---
The recording went smoothly—until it didn't.
Halfway through the session, the sound system glitched.
Sparks crackled behind the wall.
Riven was already moving—flipping a switch, grabbing a nearby panel.
Lina stepped back instinctively.
He didn't.
Calm. Calculated. In control.
When the lights steadied again, he exhaled.
"That was sabotage," he said. "Someone tampered with the circuit."
Lina's eyes narrowed. "Mira?"
"Possibly. Or someone who wants you silenced, not humiliated."
"Why would someone want me silenced?"
He looked at her then. Not with flirtation. With precision.
"Because your voice is becoming dangerous."
---
When she left the studio, the rain had stopped.
But her thoughts hadn't.
> [New Connection Established: Riven Tao – Tier 1 Acquaintance]
Passive Skill Unlocked: Enhanced Auditory Memory (Short-Term Recall Upgraded)
> Note: Audio logs may now be stored with 98% accuracy.
She opened her phone.
Listened to a clip of Mira's voice from a past event.
Analyzed the tone, the tremble, the rhythm.
And smiled.
"Good," she whispered. "If I have to face her again, I want every syllable remembered."
---
Meanwhile, across the city, Kael stood in his private study, eyes on a series of photographs laid out on his desk.
One showed Riven Tao, walking out of the same building Lina had just left.
He didn't react.
Didn't speak.
But his jaw tightened slightly.
Then he turned off the light.