(POV - 3RD)

The streets of Soukai city was experiencing an ordinary day just like any others in the week, the people walked through and past several shops and went on with their businesses for the day and enjoying the leisure of touring the city as well.

Every single individuals on the streets was all but a passing glance to each other, dressed in clothes that would fit the most in the days growing colder as the seasons passed by. 

In the midst of all the crowds, Y/N walked with a focused gaze as he made his way through every person near him while surveying the city itself. Waves of nostalgia surged from his memory as he continued to gaze at what will eventually become a desolated ghost town.

Accompanying the nostalgia was a pang of sadness, knowing that he failed to save this place along with others, allowing hundreds and thousands of civilians to die to the Honkai madness. 

Y/N shook off the guilt before he continued his way through the streets and towards his destination in mind, like the others, he too wore an outfit suited for the oncoming weathers.

He donned a black jacket over a red shirt along with a pair of black trousers and sneakers, there was a light tan scarf also wrapped around his neck, he also carried a small bag behind him that is big enough to fit a small weapon in case of emergencies.

Y/N glanced at his hands, thankful that he had the options to blend away the rocky, orange brown textured arms of his after absorbing the Gnoses. Though he still considered wearing gloves in case of a sudden change.

However, the time traveller shook off the thoughts away before he continued his way to a certain destination that only he knows, sometimes being sent from the future is quite useful in terms of searching for something whether it be location or intel.

Though it didn't help the situation this morning when he woke up.

================================

"I am very sorry for my lateness, please forgive me." Y/N stated, head bowed at the teacher of the classroom and his fellow students.

"Oh... that is fine, make sure it doesn't repeat again, now go take your seat." Said the teacher, renowned as the [A] Rank Valkyrie; Himeko Murata.

Y/N began making his way through the desks and towards an unoccupied seat, but he not notice a foot that was stuck out to trip the seemingly unaware boy. 

However, the time traveller's eyes flickered down to the floor before internally frowning at the act and then continued to walk across the classroom as if unaware still. 

In a quiet act of opposition, Y/N deliberately and painfully stepped right onto the girl's foot while continuing to act unaware, silently and slightly enjoying the growing pain on her face as tears began to slowly water out of her eyes before she withdrew her foot.

Y/N then glanced down as if confused which also allowed Himeko to take notice of this.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"It's nothing, ma'am, I thought I almost tripped over something..." Y/N replied innocently.

Himeko then looked at the girl who is obviously trying to keep her pain in check while holding in the need to soothe her pained foot, it didn't take a genius to piece it together to know what happened which caused Himeko to scowl at the perpetrator.

Silently noting to hold the girl back later for a lecture, she ushered Y/N to his seat who nodded.

It wasn't long before everything returned to normal, at least for Y/N as he and the rest of his fellow students took out their textbooks as Himeko began the class.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Y/N saw the same girl who tried to trip him eyeing him dangerously.

"This is going to be a long day..." He thought while sighing.

================================

In sync with his memory, Y/N sighed again as he massaged his temples, not even a week back in time and he's already attracting more than one troublesome attention. At least, he has all the freedom he needs when the classes are over.

Y/N looked around the area before confirming his whereabouts, the number of people on the streets hasn't changed slightly but there were more buildings with unique appearances. 

He looked around thoroughly again before finally locking his eyes on a specific store as he twirled the gold coin he generated between his fingers. 

He was pretty much in need of more funds for himself and his personal uses, so what's more better than to go and find out the value of the coin than to go to the pawn/antique store?

The ringing of the door opening allowed an elderly man behind the counter to see Y/N walking into the store while glancing around in slight interest before he approached the former.

"Are you here to pawn an item or purchase something?" He asked gruffly.

"Pawn an item, more specifically, this coin." Y/N replied, handing over the said object to which the elderly clerk took a closer look at with a monocle.

The elderly man then looked up at Y/N as if to look for any wrong with his body language before he took out a contraption and began weighing the coin as well as proceeding to examine the item in a closer angle.

It wasn't after more than 5 or 10 minutes before the clerk picked up a phone and looked at Y/N.

"Lad, do you mind if I call an associate?" He asked seriously.

"Is there a problem with my item?" Y/N politely asked back to which the elderly man answered.

"No, the material and engravings are genuine, which begs the question, where did you find this coin? I've never seen this pattern in all my years of working here."

"This coin? It's a family heirloom." Y/N lied as simply as he breathed.

"Heirloom, eh? You sure you want to give this away?" The clerk questioned.

"I've still got plenty of them, if the situation calls for it then I will come back again, but after you call your associate." Y/N said, gesturing at the phone.

"Ah, right, almost forgot." The elder remarked before walking off to a quieter area, leaving Y/N alone in the antique filled store.

There were a variety of items stocked up behind many glass containers and shelves, most of them appearing rather ancient and medieval just like all antiques which there were also some that looked unremarkable like the last one.

Though there were also some that caught his attention.

It was mostly containers mimicking the looks of treasure chests and scrolls that appeared to originate from the medieval European lands. However, the majority of the antiques appeared eastern in appearances, no surprises there.

After a few more minutes, Y/N saw the elderly man walk back into the room.

"Is there a problem now?" He asked to which the man shook his head.

"Quite the opposite, my associate is now heading over here so if you don't mind waiting another few minutes." Stated the clerk, much to Y/N's chagrin.

In order to pass the time and, Y/N decided to inquire about the antiques that interested him.

"If you do not mind me asking, what is the origin of that scroll over there?" Y/N began.

"That thing? Been sitting in the shelves for more than 20 and almost 30 years now, the one who gave it to me is probably dead by now." Replied the elderly man.

"Gave it? Not sold it?" Y/N emphasized questionably.

"Yep, apparently the lad just wanted to be rid of it, saying it's a curse of his family."

"Curse? Then why would still keep something like this in your store?" Y/N inquired.

"Bah, curses and blessings? I think it's a load of bullshit, I only believe in luck. None of that superstitious baloney." Remarked the old clerk before he made an offer.

"How 'bout I give it to you, free of charge?"

"Why for free? What do you have to gain from this?" Y/N asked, surprised.

"Nothing to be honest and besides, nobody can even read the damn thing. It's completely filled with some unknown language." Answered the clerk.

"...Do you want me to take it?" The time traveller asked.

"It's your choice." 

"Hm... alright then." Y/N said before he walked over to the glass shelf whereas the elderly clerk pulled out a key and opened it.

Y/N took the scroll container into his hand, feeling its cold and hard textured exterior before lightly shaking it, hearing nothing but light bumps from within. Just then, Y/N heard the door open as he pocketed the container and to see another elderly man enter the store.

"Ah, took your damn time, Patrick." Commented the clerk.

"Oh shut up, Julius. Not like me being late would kill someone." Retorted Patrick before he glanced at Y/N.

"So this is the client?" He asked.

"Yes, he wants to pawn the coin I've shown you over the phone and I want to confirm its value." The old store owner stated.

"Alright, pass it to me." Said Patrick before he and Julius both stood behind the counter and began silently examining the coin again.

While he waited and out of curiosity, Y/N took out the scroll container once more before he began attempting to pry it open, but decades of rust had taken a toll on the metal exterior, leaving Y/N to hum in annoyance.

It wasn't long before his attention was called by the two elderly men.

"Lad... I've got something to say, well... we've got something to say." Julius began.

"...Is there a problem in the item I've procured?" Y/N questioned albeit slightly nervous.

"No, none at all, the material and engravings on the coin both pure and genuine. However, it's the value that's the problem." Patrick continued.

"Is that so? Then what exactly is the assumed value?" Y/N asked.

"Usually the properties of the gold in a coin would have deteriorated and lower the value rate for the item... though how long has it been since you've touched this coin?" Julius inquired.

"A long time, but I kept it as close as it can be." Y/N stated simply again.

"Then we would say that the value of this coin..." Patrick began as the two elderly men shared a look with each other.

"What's the value?" The time traveller pressed on.

"...I'm afraid it's far from what this entire store can buy off." Julius announced to which Y/N raised a brow at this statement.

"Does it mean... you can't buy it off me?" He questioned.

"I'm afraid that's the case, lad." Patrick answered to which Y/N sighed.

"I see, my apologies for wasting your time then." He said before grabbing the coin but stopping when Julius grasped his wrist.

"Wait, even though we can't buy it off you, we can direct you to another acquaintance of ours."

"Really? And are they willing to buy this coin off?" Y/N asked again.

"Yes, after all, he is quite the notorious collector." Julius confirmed before he reached below the counter for a paper and pen.

In a matter of seconds, an address is then given to Y/N.

"Here, this place is where our acquaintance resides at, he usually keeps to himself during the day but becomes more open during the night."

"Alright... can I at least ask for a name?" Y/N inquired once again as the two men looked at each other and then behind the former as if to check for eavesdroppers.

Once the name was uttered, Y/N was left in a silent shock.

================================

The sun was already long past late afternoon as Y/N walked through the streets, the note with the address held tight in his hand.

If he had questions then it would mostly be for the asshole concept known as fate.

He waded through the people in a quiet manner, making sure to not accidentally bump into anyone and cause a scene, his eyes swiftly darting across the buildings for his target.

None stood out, at least for a few dozen minutes more until he reached an entrance to an alleyway even though there appeared to be nothing remarkable of the area.

However, out of all the buildings that sold treats and daily supplies as well as sets of clothing and stationaries, a soft glow in a darker but still conspicuous alleyway also displayed a small sign hanging on the door frame.

The Blue Butterfly, a quiet and mostly mysterious bar of Soukai City as far as everyone knows.

He wasn't a drinker but he's more interested in the owner of the said bar, his previous life and encounter with the individual had proven the said figure to be quite dangerous in several aspects. Intelligence, physical prowess and his skills all make up to his reputation.

Y/N stood outside of the entrance to the bar, contemplating his choices.

The said figure also caused some problems for the Valkyries in the future and for him in the past, but the chances that he could gain a beneficial ally and relationship outweighed the cons.

He steered himself ready before opening the door, allowing a pleasant ring to sound through the quiet dark and spacious bar that too, was accompanied with a soft blue glow.

"Welcome, dear patron, to the Blue Butterfly." A suave and an equally quiet voice ringed out from across the room.

Y/N found himself looking at the same man who once almost shot him dead in another time and past, the same man that managed to elude authorities for a long time despite his reputation.

Alexander Morrigan or otherwise known as the "Moriarty of the Modern Century".

He was a renowned figure in the past and future as a criminal mastermind who was capable of getting away with any crime and also downing several police forces and even a few Valkyries with just a mere six shooter revolver... along with a lead pencil.

Y/N held back his memories as he remembered the many phantom pains inflicted onto him by the same man in front of him. However, his expression made it clear that he did not trust the soon-to-be criminal mastermind who noticed it almost immediately.

"Dear patron, are you perhaps in discomfort? Or do you wish to have a beverage that will soothe your irritation?" Alexander suggested.

"...No, it's nothing. I'm here more for business than drinking." Y/N curtly replied to which the bartender raised an eyebrow at it.

"Is that the case? Then who is asking if I inquire?" Alexander questioned curiously.

"...Y/N L/N and two old men named Julius and Patrick." The time traveller stated, hearing the two names, Alexander couldn't help but chuckle lightly.

"Ah, those two are still alive? Perhaps I should pay them a visit soon." He commented before looking at Y/N with his full attention.

"And to think I would have the most recent male 'Valkyrie' visit my bar, what an honour."

"Now, what's this 'business' I hear from you?" Asked Alexander as Y/N took out a note and the coin he generated.

"Oh? What's this?" The bartender remarked as he received the two items with interest, reading the note while flipping the coin.

"A note of reference, says you could find a reliable source to sell off this coin for me. Think you can do it for me?" Y/N said.

"Oh I can more than just 'do it', I am capable of bringing you the best exchange..." Alexander began whereas Y/N narrowed his eyes.

Knowing the criminal/bartender, there's always a catch.

"Continue." He stated as Alexander leaned forward.

"All I ask is for you to have taste of my newest concoction." He requested while smiling.

That smile unnerves Y/N a lot as he instinctively raised his guard which did not go unnoticed.

"Oh, you don't have to be so nervous, as my honour of a bartender, I would never try and poison my patrons." Alexander swore with a hand to his chest.

That allowed the time traveller to lower his guard, only by the tiniest bit.

"Then get on with it, I have places to be. Also, no alcohol." Y/N bluntly said as he took a seat.

"Certainly, please wait." Replied Alexander.

"Waiting, that's all I ever did for the majority of the day." Y/N silently commented as he watched the bartender mix up a bunch of mysterious ingredient.

After waiting for at least five minutes, a drink is served to Y/N with the classic martini glass that is filled with vibrant pink/magenta liquid along with an ice cube floating within.

Such vividness reminded Y/N of the Honkai... and also made him imagine himself drinking the very infectious being. 

It disgusted him but he banished the thoughts before lifting up the glass.

"I truly hope you will keep an end to your deal." Y/N said, looking at the bartender straight into his eyes as the latter return the gaze.

"As I said, I treat my patrons with honour as well as my promises no matter what." Alexander simply answered back.

"...Unfortunately, I'm still not convinced, not enough anyway..." Y/N started.

"Oh?"

"Which is why I believe a contract between us is beneficial for now." Y/N stated clearly, allowing the bartender to adopt an almost surprised expression.

"A contract? At this time and age?" Alexander remarked.

"Yes, this shall seal a deal between us two and become a foundation for trust to take its place." The time traveller explained before sipping the martini.

"...Sweet and no alcoholic taste, guess he really did keep his words..." He commented silently.

"Hmm... though I can sense some flaws in the notion of a 'contract', I suppose it won't do much harm to both of us." Alexander mused aloud.

"Then are we in an agreement?" Y/N asked.

"Indeed, that is the case, but what exactly are the contract details?" 

"It is quite simple, you do not hand in an unreliable source for the coin I gave you and I will do nothing to harm you and your establishment." Y/N stated.

"Is that all? I must admit, it is quite simple." Alexander remarked again.

"Now then, since we both agree on these terms, shall we seal the agreement?" Y/N asked, holding out his hand.

"Very well, I accept the terms as naïve as it sounds." Alexander affirmed, grasping the outstretched hand and shook it.

"However, it is wise for the both of us to keep our agreement." The time traveller began again.

"Why of course-" Alexander was about to reply but Y/N interrupted.

"Otherwise those who break the contract shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock." Y/N declared, leaving the bartender slightly confused at the quote.

"Wrath... of the Rock?" He repeated as Y/N seemingly realize what he said before quickly standing up and retracting his hand.

"It's nothing, be sure to not break the contract and we will have a fruitful business together."

With no more words said and leaving his payment on the counter, Y/N left the bar without allowing the bartender to question anymore.

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As Y/N returned to the main streets, the sun has began to near the horizon, casting an orange glow across the sky and city. The civilians around him were already dimming in numbers as they went back home via vehicles and walking along with Y/N.

While he walked, he couldn't help but remember the four words he uttered out from nowhere.

"Wrath of the Rock? Where did that come from..?" He murmured before holding his hand to his chest where the pulses continued endlessly.

"Is it because of the influence from the Gnoses..?" He theorized to himself before shaking away the incessant thoughts.

"Nevermind that, I'll worry about it on a later date." Y/N thought as he took a note of it before continuing his way back to St. Freya.

However, as he retracted his steps back to his destination, he heard a commotion coming from the alleyway he just passed by. The sound of scuffling and muffled shouts of pain and fear along with some foreign language but with the most prominent of that being those from Shenzhou.

Out of curiosity, Y/N walked into the dark alley, unlike the one that housed the Blue Butterfly bar, this alleyway was completely devoid of light from the sun or street lamps. This effectively obscured whatever was going on in the area, but Y/N was about to find out soon.

He navigated his way through the many trashcans and rubbishes on the ground before nearing a corner and for the sounds of pain and scuffling to grow louder. Y/N soon turned around to see six men in green suits beating another man to a bloody pulp.

"A mugging?" Y/N assumed as he saw the man get beaten up again and again while managing to hear the men in green speak in Chinese.

"现在，我们应该如何着手处理这个问题?" One of them said.
("Now, how should we proceed with this?")

"你有那么傻吗？很明显，我们现在杀了他." Another one answered his brethren.
("Are you that stupid? It's obvious we kill him now.")

"Huh... senseless killing right before my eyes." Y/N muttered before seeing the man getting kicked down and allowing a Chinese sword to rest on his neck.

With a touch of cold steel onto the man's nape, he paled as he accepted his fate to be decapitated by the men around him.

"HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME!!" He screamed before getting kicked down again.

"Shut up!"

The men in green were all turned from Y/N, their backs facing him and when the one with the blade raised it up high, he entered the scene.

"I'm not sure what's going on here, but I won't let a guy die until I heard the entire story." Y/N stated as he quickly grabbed onto the armed man's wrist.

"Huh?" The man could only utter out a sound of confusion before a fist met his face, sending him tumbling into a trash pile.

"What the-?!" The rest of the suited men scattered as Y/N stood in the middle.

"Hey, who the hell are you?!" One of them shouted with a heavy accent.

"Sorry, but I'm afraid I cannot allow you all to kill a man." Y/N swiftly replied back.

"Hah? You really want to take all of us at once? Don't start begging for your pretty face once we smash it in!" They said as Y/N took a stance.

"不要隐瞒任何事情! 杀了他!" The leading man ordered as the rest surrounded Y/N.
("Don't hold anything back! Kill him!")

"Hm, I could use some warm-up and testing..." Was all Y/N said as he cracked his knuckles.

The first attack was thrown as one of the suited grunts shot a fist forward, but was flawlessly avoided as Y/N leaned to the side before grabbing the outstretched arm and performing a judo throw over his shoulder. 

With Y/N throwing one of the men at his own comrades, forcing two to back away while the remaining three were knocked down painfully. Y/N then rushed forward before cocking his own fist back and throwing it towards an unsuspecting grunt's face.

Something cracked as Y/N's fist pushed the man back into the ground, allowing the rest to quickly converge onto him. However, with a swift motion, the time traveller performed a roundhouse kick towards the men's head, downing two of them instantly.

Y/N quickly ducked underneath a blade swing, narrowly missing decapitation as he immediately backhanded the attacker with his fist again. He then jumped back as he saw the man he had thrown earlier attempt to tackle him.

Running straight past Y/N with no way to defend himself, the Chinese grunt felt his head being grabbed before allowing blackness to take over him as he got smashed into the wall. The remaining two grunts then attempted to double-team Y/N by rushing forward with blades.

Reacting quickly and sharply, Y/N allowed a blade to soar past his face before grabbing the flat side of the weapon and landed a powerful chop which severed the blade into two pieces. The owner did not have time to comprehend what just happened before Y/N slammed his fist straight into his unguarded solar plexus.

A breath was stolen as the grunt fainted from the pain, leaving only one last man to be dealt with as Y/N then leaned back to avoid another slash at him. In retaliation, he then punched the last man straight in the forearm, forcing him to drop the sword before delivering an uppercut straight into his chin.

The last man fell to the ground with a messy face before everything returned to silence again, leaving only Y/N and the captive man in the alleyway.

"Ah, I'm saved! Hey! Please, come and untie me!" The man pleaded which Y/N complied, walking over and loosening the ropes, allowing the man to get up with relief.

"I can't believe I'm still alive... guess I should give you my thanks." He began.

"But I gotta say, kid, you're a crazy strong fighter for someone as young as you. That was amazing!" He complimented.

"That's alright for me now, but why were these guys trying to kill you?" Y/N asked to which the man then looked around sheepishly and then answering.

"Well... it's because I'm a yakuza, actually ex-yakuza to be honest." 

"And? That enough justifies a death warrant from these men?" Y/N questioned.

"No, no, no, these guys aren't your average run-off-the-mill thugs, they're the triads. And they'll go after any yakuza they spot, even low grunts like me." Replied the man.

"The small-time gangs of yakuza around here have travel in groups to make any lingering triads back away, I was just unlucky to be sniffed out." He added.

"So that attack was completely unreasonable? These triads sure are violent." Y/N remarked.

"It's not only yakuza or former members, they're going after civilians that even have a sliver of a connection to us." The man stated.

"Thankfully, with the Valkyries patrolling the streets and the dangers of a Honkai outbreak, attacks aren't as frequent as it is in other cities." 

"Interesting... well, I suppose you should get back to your home safely, we've both wasted enough time for today." Y/N said, beginning to walk away.

"Hey, wait! Before you go, please take this as thanks!" The man said before taking out a small... coupon with some exaggerated decorations.

"...What's this?" Y/N inquired, holding the piece.

"It's a tattoo coupon that let's you get a freebie from the most expert of all expert tattoo artists." Explained the man.

"I know it's not much but I really can't spare any money in these trying times, so I hope this is enough to compensate it!" 

"...Huh... it's appreciated, I guess." Y/N replied awkwardly.

"Yeah, no worries, have a safe trip, kid!" The man said before walking out of the alleyway as Y/N continued staring at the coupon.

"Fighting against six armed and dangerous triads earned me... a free tattoo?" He remarked before he too, began walking out of the alleyway.

However, he stopped for a second before looking down at one of the unconscious triad grunt who had a badge attached to his suit. With curiosity grabbing hold of him, Y/N crouched down before ripping the tiny medallion off the man's clothing and examined it.

It had the classic oriental Chinese design, with the vibrant red and gold as well as the winding patterns encircling within the badge.

Without a second thought, Y/N pocketed it and took a note to investigate them on a later date before he resumed walking out of the area before authorities could catch a wind.

"What a waste of time... though I shouldn't even consider letting an innocent man die a meaningless death." He continued, walking as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon.

"...Even if this tattoo parlour is located miles away in Kamurocho." Y/N stated.

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I don't know why but after my HSC, I should have plenty of ideas and motivation but now I have another goddamn writer's block and I am so sorry for delaying this chapter for so long but it's another one that doesn't proceed with the story line. So I hope you still all have a lot of patience left for me. 

Also, Kamurocho sounds familiar doesn't it?