Silence overtakes the sect's gates. Even the whispers from before are now nowhere to be heard. Some of the terrified disciples look towards the Sect Master, as if begging him to do something.
[You've gathered 15 points of Fear.]
'Would you look at that...'
The mask hiding any and all of my facial movements, I scan the surrounding disciples, looking for someone out of the norm. And I find not one, but multiple people with potential.
'Four disciples look more curious than scared, while one of them looks... excited?'
I will need to pay special attention to these disciples, they might become useful later. My gaze returns to the Sect Master, and with a nod, I signal to him that it's time to move.
Misunderstanding my intentions, he takes a step forward and shouts in a low voice,
''Tiger Peak disciples! The man in front of you is your new Elder. You may refer to him as Elder Xu.''
Walking towards me, he continues,
''It is no secret that the disciples of the sect are causing harm in the outside world. This will not be tolerated any longer.''
His tall, muscular frame stands right next to me, and he infuses Qi into his voice, his tone harsher than before.
''Elder Xu's strength is equal to my own. But unlike me, he's not so kindhearted and tolerant.''
He glances at me for half a second, still unsure whether my actions will be beneficial, or on the contrary, harmful to the sect. Despite his inner struggle, he continues,
''Those that do well will be rewarded by me. The others...''
''Will belong to me.''
My gravelly voice cuts through his words like a blade.
The Sect Master's jaw tightens, but he doesn't speak nor protest. He lets the weight of my words linger in the air.
[You've gathered 24 points of Fear.]
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I take a single step forward. The dirt lifts under my feet as the suffocating pressure and Qi battle each other around my body. My masked face sweeps across all the disciples, sending shivers down their bodies as their eyes meet mine.
[You've gathered 21 points of Fear.]
''You all are a disgrace. An insult to the sect's name.''
I say, my voice reverberating across the sect's gates. Some disciples grit their teeth, others look down in disappointment, and some look at me with disapproval, as if I've wronged them.
''You steal, threaten, slash at the weak... That ends today.''
A murmur stirs from within the crowd. A few disciples rise in defiance as they cannot bear their arrogance and misdeeds exposed. From among them, a beautiful woman takes a step forward.
Her hair flows down like a river over her shoulders, eyes bright and delicate as a gem. Her lips curve with natural elegance, yet her figure would tempt even the saints. The moment she steps forward, a few gasps can be heard from the crowd. Not because of her defiance, but because of her sheer beauty.
She tilts her chin, voice clear and melodic, and meets my gaze as she speaks,
''Not all of us are the disgrace you claim. You hide behind a mask, yet dare to condemn us as one?''
The crowd nods uniformly. Their eyes fix on my mask, expecting me to show leniency for such a radiant face.
''Defiance without strength is nothing but noise.''
I take a step closer. My masked gaze fixates on her. My fingers gently tap on the mask in rhythm.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound echoes sharper than before. Every time my finger touches the mask, the pressure rolls onto her shoulders like a waterfall, heavy and constant.
[You've gathered 32 points of Fear.]
''Remember this. When I speak, it becomes the truth.''
Her knees begin to bend, unable to fight back against the ever-growing pressure.
''Not because of the mask I wear, but because my strength makes it so.''
I raise my hand, my palm facing the ground. With one fluid motion, I drop my hand down, and the beautiful woman crumbles under the weight of the pressure. Her delicate face rips into the dirt, as if a mountain itself collapsed on her.
[You've gathered 34 points of Fear.]
[You've inflicted a permanent Trauma on 1 person.]
The other disciples flinch, those who took a step forward in defiance quickly take one step back. Their eyes fix on the struggling beauty, each of them imagining themselves in the same situation.
[You've gathered 28 points of Fear.]
[You've inflicted a permanent Trauma on 5 people.]
''If you listen, if you obey, you will rise with me. You will gain enough strength to turn your words into law.''
Shadowless Step.
The world bends around me as I reappear in front of the struggling beauty, and with a scoff, I continue,
''But if you resist...''
My tone drops lower, Fear Qi infused into every syllable, every word,
''Then you will break under the weight of my truth.''
[You've gathered 42 points of Fear.]
I reappear next to the Sect Master, signaling him that it's time to go.
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi Condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 4 555]
[Trauma: +536/day]
[Infamy: +24/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]