— Emergence from the Mist —
Ten seconds later —
The black mist churned, heavy with the stench of blood and rot. A low, unsettling hum rippled through the air as a twisted silhouette stepped out of the fog.
Its pale skin was stretched thin over veins that writhed like worms. Black mist leaked from its seven orifices, freezing its face in eternal agony.
It had once been a man.
Now, its tattered clothes clung to a body wreathed in dark aura, the faint patterns still marking it as one of the vanished villagers.
It jerked its head up.
Its eyes were pitch-black—stagnant like dead water.
"Is he... still alive?" someone whispered.
"A zombie?" another breathed, voice shaking.
Eren didn't answer, only feeling a heavy, oppressive force.
The aura it emitted was too deathly—not the anguish of a tormented soul, but the void of something completely hollowed out.
— That was no human.
It was hatred made flesh, all that remained when the soul was gone.
Xunhuan Lee's face flushed a deep red. Moments ago, he had dismissed Eren's warning. Now, the horrifying sight felt like a stinging slap across his face.
---
— First Clash with the Shadow Fiend —
"Roooaar—!!!"
Stimulated by the presence of the living, the corpse let out a piercing shriek. The sound wave cut through the air like a blade, painful to the eardrums.
In the next moment—
It lunged straight for Nadia, who was at the front!
Its movements were stiff, puppet-like, as invisible strings yanked it forward.
Dark energy swirled around its withered hands as its nails extended into metallic-white bone blades—sharp enough to carve steel.
These were no longer nails; they were weapons.
"So fast!"
Nadia's figure vanished almost simultaneously. Only a faint breeze brushed past—
Thud!
The corpse was sent flying several meters, crashing heavily into the muddy ground and sending rubble scattering.
Eren's eyes narrowed.
— This woman's strength was even more unfathomable than he had anticipated.
"Take this!"
Xunhuan Lee shouted, a cold glint flashing at his wrist as a throwing dagger shot through the air.
"Halt!"
A cold voice cut through the tension.
Nadia reached out with an almost casual gesture, and the dagger landed firmly in her palm. Her icy gaze swept over Xunhuan Lee.
"Who gave you permission to act? What if even a spark of life remained?"
Xunhuan Lee lowered his head. "Sister Nadia... I was wrong."
"Use your brain before you act next time."
Her voice was calm, yet carried a biting chill.
She then turned to Johan. "Check if there's any hope left for him."
Johan's eyes glowed with a faint golden light.
After a moment, his expression turned grim as he shook his head.
"The flame of life was extinguished long ago... this is just a corpse."
Nadia's brow furrowed slightly. She lightly tapped the corpse's chest with the tip of her foot—
Puff!
A cloud of black mist exploded into the air, but no blood followed. The corpse twitched slightly, like a puppet with its strings cut, before finally falling completely still.
"Rest now," she murmured—her cold voice laced with a fleeting trace of pity.
Eren crouched down, his fingertips lightly brushing the residual black mist.
It felt cold, slimy, as if it were still faintly pulsating.
He muttered to himself, "The shadow energy has completely corroded the flesh and blood. Even the soul has been stripped away. A 'Shadow Fiend' like this might not truly die, even if its heart is shattered."
"Shadow Fiend?" Johan raised an eyebrow, an intrigued smile playing on his lips. "Fitting name."
Just then—
Eren's nerves suddenly tightened!
He saw the Shadow Fiend convulse violently—and in the next instant, it sprang up abruptly, its bone blades aimed directly at Nadia's back!
Time seemed to freeze.
Nadia turned, but it was too late—the screech of tearing air was right at her ear—
However—
The Shadow Fiend's movement came to an abrupt halt.
Its head suddenly flew high into the air.
A nearly invisible silk thread quivered faintly, the dark energy at its end dissipating with the wind.
Shock swept through the group.
Only the black cat let out a low "Meow—", its golden pupils fixed intently on Eren.
Johan exclaimed, "Whoa! Eren, was that you? What kind of weapon is that?!"
Eren offered a faint smile. "I suspected the heart wasn't the weak point, so I prepared a backup plan."
He didn't explain the origin of the silk thread—everyone had their secrets, didn't they?
---
— Battle in the Black Fog —
Nadia's eyes flickered with approval as she nodded. "Eren, your judgment was accurate. Big Bear, Slim Fox, learn from this."
"Eren, you're awesome! You've got my back from now on!" Xunhuan Lee immediately scrambled forward, eager to please.
Eren shot him a disdainful look. "In a place like this, extra caution means an extra chance at survival. Remember—if you encounter Shadow Fiends again, aim for the head."
"Let's summarize three key points," Ethan said gravely. "First, do not underestimate the enemy. Second, avoid being injured by their claws. Third—destroy the head. Any other additions?"
Nadia responded succinctly, "No. Follow them."
No sooner had she spoken than Eren's brow furrowed deeply. He hissed in a low voice, "Everyone, be ready!"
"What is it?" Nadia asked.
Eren's gaze sharpened like a honed blade. "Over thirty Shadow Fiends—approaching fast."
"Over thirty?!"
The air instantly turned icy cold.
The black mist seethed wildly, and the sound of chaotic footsteps surged forward like a tidal wave.
In the next moment—over thirty Shadow Fiends appeared simultaneously!
Some walked upright, others moved on all fours, scuttling with spider-like speed, their eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty red light.
The grotesque sight made scalps crawl.
"Rooaaar!!"
The horde of Shadow Fiends charged like a frenzied wave!
"They are no longer alive—kill them all!"
Johan roared. With a flash of his blade, two heads instantly tumbled to the ground.
"Exhilarating!" He laughed heartily, like a berserker unleashed on the battlefield.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Xunhuan Lee released three throwing daggers in quick succession, slicing off three more heads. He grinned, "Haha! This is as easy as mowing grass!"
Eren joined the fray. The silk thread danced between his fingers like a scythe of death, sending heads rolling with precise strikes. The feeling of unrestrained execution was almost intoxicating.
Unconsciously, a bloody tint crept into everyone's eyes. Killing intent ran rampant, and even Nadia and Aveline were touched by the rising frenzy.
Kill! Kill! Kill!
"Meow—!!!"
A piercing cat screech stabbed into their minds like a needle.
Eren jolted back to awareness, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.
— The Shadow energy could silently erode their minds!
He immediately shouted, "Hold your minds steady! Don't let the bloodlust take over!"
Nadia caught on immediately,"The Shadow Fiends feeds on emotion—recite the Heart-Cleansing Mantra!"
The others snapped back to reality, hearts pounding with belated fear. Fortunately, the enemies weren't overwhelmingly powerful, and they were soon all eliminated.
"Eren, we have you to thank for that."
Nadia's tone remained even, but it carried a note of genuine appreciation.
Eren smiled wryly. "To be honest, I almost fell for it too. If not for Black Boss's reminder..."
He bent down and offered a formal bow to the black cat. "Black Boss, my thanks."
The black cat let out a "Meow," then perched arrogantly on Johan's head, crossing its legs and leisurely lighting a cigar.
And then—
Swish!
A shadow flickered behind Eren. A blade howled toward his neck like a streak of lightning.
Before Eren could even turn, the air vibrated violently—