The ruins were silent once more, but the air vibrated with unseen attention.
I could feel it — eyes, divine and calculating, observing every move I made. The system pulsed urgently in my mind, warning me of the scrutiny.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Multiple High-Ranking Gods Monitoring — Probability of Intervention 78%]
[Suggested Action: Stealth, Strategic Withdrawal, or Preemptive Strike]
I let the shadows stretch outward, forming intricate patterns that obscured my presence. Every tendril acted like an extension of my will, scanning the horizon, ready to strike or defend.
The silver-haired woman appeared beside me, her eyes narrowing as she sensed the invisible watchers.
— They're aware… she said, her voice low. "You've made ripples stronger than you realize."
I nodded slightly, feeling the thrill of the hunt.
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Shadow Echo Efficiency +12% — Capable of countering multiple high-tier abilities simultaneously]
In the distance, a faint shimmer of light appeared. Not an attack, not yet — just the presence of the gods' agents. They tested boundaries, gauged power, but had not yet engaged.
I allowed a small smirk to form.
— Let them watch, I muttered. Shadows do not sleep.
With a swift movement, I sent tendrils of darkness over the ground, scouting and analyzing. Each shadow returned data to the system, predicting patterns, weaknesses, and likely countermeasures. The watchers would learn nothing — except that I was a predator not to be underestimated.
The silver-haired woman stepped closer, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face.
— You're preparing for something bigger, aren't you? she whispered, almost teasing.
I didn't answer, letting the shadows carry my presence forward silently. Yet a part of me acknowledged her words — a reminder that this world held more than just power, more than just gods to kill. Allies could be as vital as weapons.
[HINT: Character Bond Progression — Minor Emotional Effect Detected]
The wind carried a chill, and in the distance, I sensed the first signals of organized divine response. The hunt was no longer simple skirmishes — it was escalating into a storm that would shake the heavens.
And I, the predator in shadows, was at its center.