Chapter 12: Shadows Against Titans
Hayden's reputation had spread like wildfire. Rumors of the Player who had conquered the Obsidian Citadel solo reached the ears of every S and SS-Rank hunter. Some were curious, some skeptical, and some… hungry for a challenge.
At the edge of the Twilight Mountains, Hayden sensed multiple high-level presences converging. Kael, Althea, and two other SS-Rank hunters stood there, their expressions a mix of intrigue and caution.
Selene observed from the cliffs above, analyzing the battlefield. Today, she would not just watch she subtly manipulated the terrain, ensuring Hayden would have an advantage if anything went wrong. A faint, protective smile tugged at her lips.
Kael stepped forward, sword drawn. "So the dead weakling has risen. Let's see if you can survive us all together."
Hayden's system pinged:
[Combat Probability Against Multiple SS-Rank Hunters: 78% | Player Advantage: High]
[Optional Action: Negotiate or Fight]
Hayden smirked. "I don't want trouble. But if you attack…" He let the sentence hang, letting the tension speak for itself.
The hunters lunged simultaneously. Hayden vanished with Shadow Merge, appearing behind Kael and delivering a precise, non-lethal strike that sent him stumbling. Shadow Clones attacked the others, forcing them to defend instead of striking.
Selene stepped closer from her hidden vantage, subtly redirecting ambient energy to weaken the hunters' attacks. No one noticed her interference but Hayden's system recorded the subtle changes.
[Observation: Ally Detected | Assistance Unseen]
Hayden's strikes were fast, calculated, and devastating. Shadow Manipulation twisted darkness around him like a living weapon, controlling space and movement, while Shadow Strike allowed him to bypass defenses with surgical precision.
One by one, the SS-Rank hunters realized they were outmatched. Their attacks became desperate. Hayden remained calm, moving like a phantom.
Finally, he stepped forward, shadows swirling like a storm. "Enough," he said softly, almost kindly. "I don't wish to harm anyone unnecessarily."
The hunters lowered their weapons, breathing heavily. The respect in their eyes was palpable. Even Kael and Althea, who had mocked him before, now regarded him with awe.
Selene's gaze lingered on Hayden. His calm control, intelligence, and raw power had captured her attention fully. She didn't approach him directly, but a subtle protective instinct had rooted itself deep within her.
As Hayden walked past, his system alert pinged:
[New Task Unlocked: Form Alliances | S/SS-Rank Hunter Recognition Increased]
[Hint: Potential Allies and Rivals Approaching]
Selene followed at a distance, her admiration growing alongside the subtle desire to see him succeed and survive. The Player, once weak, had now become a force the world could not ignore.