Escaping One's Gaze - Dan Heng (HSR) (Patreon)

[Story Collab with https://www.deviantart.com/solusslayer44 SolusSlayer44]

Dan Heng looked down at the floor, curious at how his little experiment turned out. With access to most of the research and data they’ve been collecting on all of their trailblazing he was most intrigued in discovering an alchemical formula to reduce one’s size. Such a feat hadn’t even been discussed on Xianzhou, much less tested on live human beings. So when he had caught a thief trying to infiltrate the Astral Express, the guard and archivist decided to take action.

“Hmm, so you’re awake.” He remarked, seeing the tiny man flinch at the sound of his voice.

“What did you do to me!?” The thief squeaked out, sounding more like a toy that belonged in March 7th’s room and less like a human-being. 

“Simply tested a new formula on you, a bit of research I unearthed from another star system and it seems like it’s paid off. Now… it’s time to decide your punishment.” Dan Heng smirked as he saw his captive freeze up in panic. 

“No, you got this all wrong! I–I was just trying to gather some data for this mercenary group.” The man stuttered out, trying to plead his case. Dan Heng was curious as to who was trying to spy on the express and knew he could probably extract some intel with questioning later. 

“Is that so, well in that case I’m sure Welt and Himeko will show you some leniency.” The truth was Dan Heng wasn’t sure that he would tell anyone about this experiment anytime soon as more ideas bloomed for him.

“Y–yeah, so if you let me go…” His prisoner barely got a chance to speak before Dan Heng plucked him up between his thumb and forefinger. It was interesting at how delicate the man was, a simple press would surely crush several bones and organs without him trying at all. 

“Whoever said anything about letting you go, you still have to pay for what you did.” He tsked, feeling as the man panicked in his grasp, trying his best to escape even though it risked him falling a couple hundred feet towards the ground. 

“Now what would be a fair punishment for a thief like you, in Xianzhou we typically imprison them for a few years before bringing them back into society, though I don’t think you’d like to be trapped in my room for so long.” He looked around to the stacks of books and the warmth that was seeping through from his CPU. 

“How about a chance to gain your freedom?” Dan Heng asked, chuckling as he saw the tiny man looked at him skeptically.

“What did you have in mind?” His prisoner asked, yelping as Dan Heng dropped him on the floor right between his feet. He could feel a thrill run through him as he realized that both of his boots probably towered over the pest like buildings. 

“Easy, you just have to outrun me, if you reach the door you win.” He knew that there was no way the thief was going to win this as was caught within minutes of sneaking onto the Express.  

“You have a ten second head start, make it count.” Dan Heng started to count as he saw the man scramble to his feet and begin running. No doubt he was trying to move as fast as he could, but at his size it was probably only inches of ground being covered.

Hitting zero, the archivist decided to take his time and savour this moment, making sure to make each step count. He watched as his captive wobbled on his feet as he stepped closer, probably since each step had caused the floor to shake a bit. 

He swore he could hear a litany of squeaks erupt from the prisoner; he was probably begging for his life or cursing him out. Honestly, Dan Heng didn’t care either way as his job was to send a message to anyone who dares threaten the Express or his companions.

“Well… time is up.” He coldly remarked, noticing his shadow was now looming over the man who was glancing up at him. It reminded him of the citizens of Xianzhou glancing at statues of god’s with reverence and fear.
Carefully lifting up his foot, Dan Heng noted how the tiny man was barely the size of the tip of his boot. How pathetic, he thought as he got ready to bring his foot down and finally end this permanently. Unless… This pest found some other ways to entertain him.