The night fog wrapped around the dense outskirts of Shimla like a veil of secrets. The trees swayed with unease, as if nature itself was holding its breath.
Among them, silent and watchful, moved Aanya Mehra—a girl with eyes like still water and a bow that shimmered with pale-blue mana.
She was deaf. She was mute.
And she was deadly.
🎯 The Ghost of the Mountain
"We're here." Riya whispered, crouched next to Ankit behind a fallen log.
They were tracking down an elusive climber—one who hadn't joined any guild, had no known allies, and had single-handedly wiped out a beast tide on Floor 2 using only ranged attacks.
"Are we sure she's human?" Kaido muttered, checking his spear for cracks.
"I saw the replay footage from the Tower Arena," Toni said calmly, adjusting his spectacles. "Seventeen kills in ninety seconds. No wasted arrows. I want her."
Ankit narrowed his eyes as a faint rustle echoed ahead. Then, a glimmer—like moonlight caught on metal.
An arrow embedded itself in the tree an inch from his neck.
"She found us first," he muttered.
Aanya appeared like a breeze, hopping from branch to branch. Her bow—Stormpiercer—was made of translucent windwood, a material only found beyond Floor 3. She moved with no sound, no expression.
"Stop!" Ankit called. "We're not enemies!"
She didn't stop.
She fired again—this time at Kaido.
He deflected it midair, but barely. "Toni, what's the plan!?"
"Get hit. But lightly."
"What!?"
"She doesn't kill unless threatened. Let her test us. It's her language."
Ankit nodded and dropped his weapons, stepping forward with his arms raised.
💨 The Wind Listens
Three arrows flew. One skimmed his cheek. The next pierced his shoulder pad. The third hit the ground at his feet.
Then… she stopped.
Aanya landed before them, tilting her head, scanning each member. Finally, she reached into her pouch and pulled out a small slate.
With mana-infused chalk, she wrote:
"Why do you want me?"
Ankit took the chalk and wrote back:
"Because we don't need your words. We need your spirit."
She stared at it. Then smiled, barely.
🏹 Stormpiercer Awakens
That night, during a brief monster ambush, Aanya acted without hesitation. Her arrows danced in the dark, whistling through the storm.
Soul Art: Gale Echo – Whisper Volley
Fires 5 arrows of wind essence that target enemy weak points. Each arrow carries silence effect for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 2 minutes.
Five beasts fell in silence, never realizing their death had even come.
Afterward, she stood next to Ankit, writing slowly:
"You gave me a place without asking for noise. I'll fight for that."
📌 Chapter End Note: Guild Update
Aanya Mehra – The Silent Storm
Role: Long-range DPS, Stealth Hunter, Scout
Soul Weapon: Stormpiercer Bow
Background: Deaf-mute climber with extraordinary precision. Survived Floor 2 alone. Finds communication through action.
Joined: Chapter 28