Kai returns to Loot Alley with a swollen knee and takes in the slums' harsh but lively atmosphere. While moving through a smaller alley, he collides with a silver-haired girl and instinctively catches her before she falls. Their exchange quickly turns flirtatious, and Kai becomes fascinated by her confidence, her sharp humor, and the fact that she does not recognize him as the prince.

Because Kai wants to know what kind of Elite she is, he reaches for her power with his own ability. He feels nothing. That result should mark her as a possible Ordinary and, by the kingdom's rules, force Kai to arrest or kill her. Instead, his uncertainty and attraction make him hesitate, and he lets her walk away. Only after she leaves does Kai realize that his coin pouch is lighter and that the girl has pickpocketed him.

Before Kai can act on that discovery, four men corner him and demand his coins. The attackers include two Brawnies, a Blazer, and a Crawler, and Kai fights them by borrowing their powers one after another. He burns one man with stolen fire, throws off another with Brawny strength, and uses the Crawler's wall-running ability to close the distance on the Blazer. Although Kai gains the upper hand, he is slowed by his earlier injury and by a burn from the Blazer's fire.

When the Blazer finally recognizes him as Prince Kai and the future Enforcer, Kai prepares to strike. At that moment, a tall Silencer steps into the alley and uses his power on Kai. The attack overwhelms Kai with intense pain, strips away his strength and borrowed abilities, and leaves him collapsing helplessly to the ground. As Kai fades toward unconsciousness, he notices a gleam of silver hair behind the Silencer, linking the final threat to the girl he met moments earlier.