The 60-second timer was flashing red in Omar's peripheral vision.
[09... 08... 07...]
Kenji was a whirlwind of white light. His katana, vibrating with high-frequency mana, was actually chipping away at Kaelen's spectral armor. Every time the blades clashed, the shockwave felt like a physical punch to everyone remaining in the ballroom.
"You're strong, Ghost," Kenji hissed, his eyes fixed on Omar. "But your master is just a weak human. Once you vanish, I'll take his head as a trophy for the Shadow Market."
Omar didn't panic. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the [Void-Grenade] he had looted from the agents in Chapter 8.
"Kaelen! Back to the Emporium! Now!" Omar roared.
[03... 02... 01...]
With a final, earth-shaking strike, Kaelen vanished into a burst of violet smoke just as Kenji's blade was about to pierce his chest. Kenji stumbled forward, his momentum carrying him toward the empty space where the Knight had stood.
"Now, the Merchant dies!" Kenji screamed, spinning around to strike Omar.
But Omar wasn't there. He had used those few seconds to dive behind the Auctioneer's podium. As Kenji rushed him, Omar didn't draw a sword—he tossed the Void-Grenade directly at Kenji's feet.
"Wait, that's a—"
CRACK!
The grenade didn't explode with fire. It imploded. A miniature black hole opened for a microsecond, sucking in the air, the light, and most importantly, the Mana from the surrounding area.
Kenji, who relied entirely on his mana-boosted speed, felt his strength vanish. He fell to his knees, gasping for air as the "Void" stripped his magical defenses.
[Target: Kenji is in a 'Weakened/Suppressed' state.]
[Condition Met: Use 'The Merchant's Contract of Forfeiture' now?]
"Yes!" Omar shouted, stepping out from behind the podium.
He slammed a blank, glowing parchment onto the stage. A golden chain erupted from the paper, wrapping itself around Kenji's neck.
"What... what are you doing to me?" Kenji's voice was barely a whisper. He felt his memories, his techniques, and his very essence being pulled out of his body.
"I'm doing a trade, Kenji," Omar said, his voice cold and devoid of pity. "Your life is worth nothing to me. But your 'Skill'... that's a best-seller."
[Forfeiture Successful!]
[Item Acquired: Skill Orb - 'The Shadow-Step Flash' (Rank: A+).]
[Item Acquired: Kenji's Soul-Bound Katana (Rank: Rare).]
[Penalty: The target has been stripped of his Awakened powers.]
Kenji collapsed, now nothing more than an ordinary, middle-aged man. He stared at his hands in horror. He was no longer the "Blade of Lyon." He was a nobody.
"Laila! Now!" Omar signaled.
Laila blew the back wall open with a concentrated mana-blast. Through the dust, the sounds of police sirens and Guild helicopters were getting closer.
"We have to go, Omar! The high-rankers from the city are coming!" Laila grabbed his arm.
Omar looked at the unconscious Kenji, then at the terrified elites in the room. He picked up his briefcase and the new Skill Orb.
"System," Omar whispered. "[Relocate Entrance: Home.]"
A door of black wood appeared out of thin air in the middle of the rubble. Omar and Laila stepped through just as the first tactical team of the Atlas Guild burst into the room.
The soldiers found only a ruined ballroom, a group of traumatized billionaires, and a legendary assassin crying on the floor because he had forgotten how to hold a sword.
The Merchant of Marrakech had officially become the Ghost of Casablanca.