The gates open with a soft creak, a shadowy figure slipping through the crack.
No sound, no presence, just waves of fluttering dark Qi within the darkness.
My hand pressed against the wound on my chest, warm blood dripping through my fingers.
I might have overdone it.
Shadowless Step.
The world around me blurs as I slip past patrolling guards, weaving through their blind spots one after another.
The corridors stretch wide, reeking of smoke and wine. Guards laugh drunkenly somewhere down the hall, their voices muffled by the distance.
No one suspects anything yet.
Silent Pulse Breathing working to its full potential, my existence disappearing from this world.
The only proof of my existence being the dripping blood, leaving a trail behind me wherever I go.
As I move deeper into the corridor, I spot two guards stationed at one single door.
I sense it...
Elder's Qi.
Two guards.
Both Foundation Establishment.
Unlike the one at the entrance, they seem to be well trained.
This… won't be quiet.
My grip on the dagger tightens, black mist coiling around the blade. My chest pulsates with pain with every heartbeat.
Shadowless Step.
I blur forward. My swing is clumsy, wild even. The first guard parries my surprise attack, but the sheer force behind it swings his hand away.
Without hesitation, my free hand hammers into his chest.
CRACK!
With a loud crack, his ribs break and his body is thrown into the wall.
[You've gained 2 points of Fear.]
The second guard lunges towards me, spear darting straight for my heart.
I can't dodge.
My body shifts just slightly as I lunge forward, the spear tearing through my shoulder.
Blood sprays. My body screams.
Dark mist gathers at my free hand as I slam into the second guard, the impact pulverizing his bones.
[You've gained 2 points of Fear.]
He crashes sideways, his spear breaking under the force, but not before the jagged head gouges deeper into my shoulder.
The first guard forces himself up, face twisted in rage and pain. His blade aiming towards my gut.
Shadowless Step.
My figure blurs and reappears right behind him, my dagger etched deep in his heart.
Finally, it's ove-
BOOM!
The Elder's Qi erupts from beyond the door, crushing, suffocating. His voice thunders like a storm.
''WHO DARES?!''
I stumble forward, body screaming in protest. My hand, slick with blood, presses against the door.
Almost there...
The door opens slowly, my hand leaving a bloody mark on it as I let go.
And there he is.
The Elder of the Xu family. Late stage Qi Gathering.
He's weak, but I need to sell the act.
''You…''
His gaze shifts to the trail of blood behind me, then drifts back to my numerous injuries.
''You're bold. I'll give you that.''
A smirk forms on his lips as he takes a step forward.
''But look at you. Your cultivation might be higher...''
He pauses menacingly.
''How unfortunate you're half dead already.''
He unsheathes his sword and charges headfirst, my body reacting instinctively. I parry the blow, but he doesn't stop. One blow after another, some of them connect, some of them don't, but my body's condition is worsening rapidly.
This won't do. I might actually die at this rate.
''Who sent you here?!''
The Elder shouts, his Qi erupting towards me once more, making me stumble backwards.
''You don't have to know. All you need to know is that you will die today!''
I shout with a desperate voice, willing to see it through.
Then -
''Elder!''
Multiple voices roar from the corridor, the metallic sound of armor getting louder with every passing second.
Dozens of guards surge toward the room. The Elder straightens his back and looks at me with a cocky smile.
''Catch him! Don't let him escape!''
The rush of footsteps closes in. My vision spins. My hand dives into my robe for balance, 'unknowingly' tugging free a small, golden token with a crest on it. It slips silently from my sleeve onto the bloodstained ground beneath.
Mission successfully failed.
Shadowless Step.
My entire body blurs as I rush into the corridor, pressing on my wound and giving it my all.
Shouts erupt behind me, steel ringing as the guards give chase.
My wounds pulse, blood pouring with every step, but the darkness of the night gives me an advantage.
I burst into the night, stumbling through the courtyard, my cloak dissolving into ribbons of black mist as I leap the outer wall.
Shouts echo behind me, but I'm already gone.
Back in the Elder's chamber, the bloodied token lies in plain sight, soaked crimson. The Elder's eyes narrow as he lifts it between his fingers.
His expression hardens.
''This...''
He sits down at his desk, brings out ink and paper, and sighs loudly.
''Yuexin...''
For a moment, his gaze burns with fury. Then, with sharp strokes, the paper fills beneath his brush.
.
A shadowy figure appears on the street nearby. Body in tatters, breath ragged, but a satisfied smirk can be seen forming on its lips.
Because tonight was a success.
The Xu family will rage.
And Yuexin's family will bleed.
Step by step, everything is falling into place.
Soon… they'll all understand what true fear really means.
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Early Stage ▸ Foundation establishment - Early Stage▸ +]
[Fear Points: 29]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 1500]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing]
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be Great too!
Powerstones: If we can reach 70 power stones in a week, I will make one more chapter a day for 1 week. Let's do it!