The moon hung low, veiled by thick gray clouds as two figures moved silently through the dark forest trail leading toward Tyronvale — a fortified city known not for its size, but for who protected it.
Daryn Althos.
One of the Seven Fangs.
Former strategist. Deadliest mind in the guild.
And now... the Chief Warden of Tyronvale, protector of royals.
Zehn and Kael stood beneath a dead oak overlooking the glowing city gates.
"You're sure he's still loyal?" Kael asked quietly, resting his hand on the hilt of his dagger.
Zehn's reply was firm. "I'm not sure of anything. But if Daryn betrayed us… we'd all be dead ten years ago."
Kael didn't argue.
---
They approached Tyronvale from the eastern cliff side, far from guard patrols. Zehn raised his hand and invoked the system silently:
> ❖ [Shadowstep: Active]
❖ [Mana Required: 42/1200]
❖ [Cooldown: 18s]
In a blink, their bodies vanished into wisps of black mist — reforming atop the southern wall. From there, they slipped down silently, like wind over silk.
Inside the city, nobles partied while soldiers patrolled lazily, unaware that monsters in human form walked among them.
---
The manor of Daryn Althos stood at the city's heart — tall, cold, military-perfect.
But before they reached it… Zehn stopped.
He felt it.
Presence.
Unnatural. Sharp. Watching.
> ❖ [Passive Skill Triggered: Sixth Shadow Sense Lv.4]
❖ [Threat Detected: Class A+ Assassin]
❖ [Status: Tracking You]
Kael whispered, "You feel that?"
Zehn's eyes narrowed. "Yes. Someone's already sent a killer. They knew we were coming."
> ❖ [New Sub-Mission Triggered]
❖ [Assassination Attempt Detected – Identify the Blade Whisperer]
Zehn turned into an alley, pulling Kael silently behind him. They ducked low, pressed against the wall, motionless.
And then…
The air twitched.
A blade sliced past Kael's ear, embedding into the stone with a quiet shnnk.
A figure materialized in front of them — clothed entirely in dark crimson. Masked. Silent. Holding a blade that shimmered with ghostlight.
> ❖ [Assassin Title: Blade Whisperer – Rank S]
❖ [Affiliation: Crimson Lotus Guild (Infiltration Unit)]
❖ [Bounty Target: Zehn Caelum — Priority Alpha]
"You weren't supposed to be real," the assassin murmured, voice distorted. "You were a myth. A warning story told to scare traitors."
Zehn didn't respond.
Instead, he walked forward.
Kael muttered, "Zehn—?"
Too late.
The assassin dashed forward in a blur.
But Zehn… didn't move.
Until—
> ❖ [Skill Activated: Shadow Lock – Domain Hold]
❖ [Success. Target movement sealed for 1.2 seconds]
And that was all he needed.
Zehn vanished and appeared behind the assassin in the same breath. A blade of pure shadow formed in his hand — curved, crackling with purple arcs.
With one clean motion—
SLASH!
A scream echoed… before being muffled by blood.
The assassin fell, convulsing, unable to move — Zehn's dagger embedded cleanly between the ribs, piercing both lungs and silencing the voice.
He leaned in.
"Tell your masters," he whispered coldly, "The King of Shadows has returned."
But the assassin was already dying.
> ❖ [Enemy Defeated – Exp Gained: 14,000]
❖ [Crimson Lotus Agent – Identity Token Obtained]
❖ [New Enemy Faction Added to Database]
Kael stepped over the body. "Well... that confirms it. We're not ghosts anymore. They know you're alive."
Zehn stared toward the Althos Manor at the city center.
"I don't care who knows now."
---
Inside the Manor – 5 minutes later
Daryn Althos stood at the balcony, dressed in silver armor trimmed in deep indigo. He looked older than Zehn remembered — sharper, colder.
As they stepped inside the grand hall, Kael kept one hand ready, just in case.
Zehn didn't bother hiding his presence.
Daryn turned. Their eyes met.
A long silence passed.
And then… Daryn smiled.
"I was wondering how long you'd wait before returning, Sovereign."