What's up with him?
The whole trip, he's been shifting, fidgeting, letting out those little sighs like a bored child… and now?
Now he's still. Like a statue. Like a brick.
If he didn't eerily glance at me every now and then, I would think he's dead!
Even his breathing is quiet.
But why, why do my eyes linger on him?
Not to mention that… sensation earlier.
I'm sure it came from him. Just for a moment, the air turned heavy.
Heck, heavy is an understatement.
I've felt killing intent before. Bloodlust. Hostility. This wasn't any of those.
It was worse.
Pressure. Pure, suffocating pressure.
But how? He's not supposed to have this kind of presence. He's just a rich Young Master from a well-off family.
And yet… the longer I think about it, the less sense it makes.
No. Stop it. You're imagining things.
…So why won't the unease leave me?
I don't ca-
CRACK!
An arrow punches clean through the side panel, quivering inches from my knee.
I lock eyes with him.
He's smiling.
------------
Oops.
I think I smiled there.
Couldn't help it.
This attack is exactly what i need right now.
The next arrow tears through the opposite wall, grazing my sleeve before burying itself in the cushioned seat.
The masked woman is already moving, one hand snapping to her hip, the other pulling on the sheath.
Curved blade? Fancy.
Outside, the sound of hooves grows louder. Fast.
I part the curtain just enough to catch sight of them. Bandits? Not quite. Their equipment is too good. But it's not good enough to be tied to a noble. Who are they?
Regardless, this is perfect.
I let the curtain fall back into place. My heart's not pounding from fear.
It's from anticipation.
''Stay down.''
She says sternly. Leaving no room for an argument.
Sorry sweetheart, but that won't do.
Instead, I lean forward, as if to follow her instructions, but my attention is on something else.
A crest.
Small, intricate, hanging down on a golden chain from her belt.
I need this. I've seen enough of these in the Han estate to know exactly what it is.
A family token. The kind that opens doors and calls in favors. The kind that starts wars...
My gaze shifts to her mask.
Good.
She's focused entirely on the riders, posture tense, blade not fully drawn.
One breath. Two.
Silent Pulse Breathing.
My hand moves, slowly and deliberately, i let my hand linger just for a short moment.
Anytime now... Come on carriage, run over a stone for me...
THUD!
Clasp!
Mine.
I slip it into my sleeve, leaning back into my seat just as the next arrow slams into the panel behind my head.
Her gaze shifts to me, but before she can react, the wall explodes inward.
A gloved hand seizes my neck, yanking me clean off my seat.
The world flips, well, at least it did before my face slammed into to dirt.
My ears are ringing, my vision blurring, but I hear the riders shouting.
''Take him!''
Hands grip my arms, dragging me toward the forest.
Perfect.
Exactly where I want to be.
.
.
.
.
[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~