''Escort me. Now. And fetch the most skilled man in this place to join us. I have business that will not wait.''
...
Who is this b*tch?
I glance past her to the wide-open gates. Han's face is pale, lips pressed tight, looking at me apologetically.
To think they would fear her more...
I don't like it.
I raise an eyebrow, keeping my tone polite.
''And you are…?''
...
The question is ignored. Completely.
Instead, she turns her head slightly toward Han.
''You heard me. The most skilled man. Bring him. Now.''
Han bows so fast I'm worried his neck will snap. With his head facing the ground, he whispers silently.
''My lady, I believe that would be the Young Master you are pointing at.''
The masked woman tilts her head, finally looking at me properly.
A slow, deliberate sweep from head to toe.
Do I not get a say in this...?
''…Good. Then you'll do.''
That's it? No name, no explanation, just you'll do?
She turns on her heel without another word, the long tails of her cloak brushing past my leg.
''Follow. We leave immediately.''
Han steps closer as she strides toward the door, his voice barely above a breath.
''Young Master… refusal is not an option. Not with her. Even the Patriarch wouldn't be able to shield you.''
...Great, just what I needed. A big shot with a big ego.
I glance at her back as she pushes through the doors without looking to see if I'm behind her.
Han's eyes flick to me again, the tiniest shake of his head telling me to keep my mouth shut.
I know Han, I know. Stop making it look like I'm the problem.
I follow after her, making my way to the carriage.
''...''
I expected luxury, but isn't this over the top? This carriage is screaming 'Rob us, we have money.'
Half of it is from gold, while the other half seems to be coated in gold.
It doesn't even look good!
But then again, someone like her wouldn't travel in anything less.
She steps inside without a glance back, vanishing behind a curtain of deep crimson silk.
Han opens the door for me, his posture stiff.
"Safe travels, Young Master..."
He says it loudly, but I can't shake the feeling that his eyes are saying don't test her.
Whatever. Must be my imagination.
I sigh and step into the carriage.
Inside, the air is faintly perfumed. Faintly is an understatement... maybe it's my enhanced senses that I still can't control well, but it feels like I'm suffocating.
She sits opposite me, arms folded, her masked face angled just enough that I can feel her stare.
Not a word. Not a single sound except the rhythmic creak of the wheels as the carriage lurches forward.
Honestly, if she stays quiet the entire trip, it won't be that bad…
Besides the perfume.
...
...
...
I'm bored. How long has it been? Half an hour? Unbearable.
I lean back, stretching my legs slightly, the silence starting to itch at me.
''So... how long is this trip going to take?''
Her head turns just a fraction in my direction, enough to reveal the annoyance within her eyes.
''Long enough for you to stop asking questions.''
She replies flatly.
...Great. This is going to be fun.
Might as well see my current options.
''Status''
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Tremor Initiate - Late Stage ▸ Qi Gathering Stage 10 ▸ +]
[Fear Points: 27]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing]
27... This should be enough to take me to the Foundation Establishment, right?
[Host can spend 20 Fear Points to enter a new realm.]
[Proceed? YES/NO]
Here goes nothing, please no pain.
"Yes, proceed."
[Consuming 20 Fear Points…]
[Breaking realm barrier…]
Pain never comes.
Instead, the world freezes. All my senses focus only on one place, my dantian.
Something cold blooms inside my dantian.
Not just Qi. Not just power.
Fear itself, thick and heavy, begins to swirl in a spiral, sucking in more and more Qi from the surroundings.
When I feel like my dantian is about to explode - it stops. Suddenly, without warning.
[Realm Ascended: Terror Manifestation Realm – Early Stage]
The system's message brings me back to reality.
The wheels are spinning, birds are chirping, and two eyes are looki-
…she's looking at me.
Why's she looking at me? Did she feel something?
Not that I care.
I begin circulating Silent Pulse Breathing to suppress any possible Qi leaking out.
Right, how much for the next upgrade?
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Early Stage ▸ Foundation Establishment - Early Stage ▸ +]
[Fear Points: 7]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing]
[Next Stage Advancement: 1,500 Fear Points required.]
...
''...Huh?''
One. Thousand. Five. Hundred.
What is this, some kind of sick joke?
At my current rate, I'll be an old man before I even get close to the next stage.
And who will be afraid of an old grandpa?!
No. This changes things.
If I keep farming one fear point at a time… I'm finished.
Which means…
…I need crowds.
Big ones.
.
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Early Stage ▸ Foundation establishment - Early Stage▸ +]
[Fear Points: 7]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing]
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be even better! Gravemind is peacing out~