"Eric Campbell, Golden Hall Knight. You boast exceptional physical defense and magic resistance, with a dragon-like vitality that grants immense endurance. But every strength comes with a cost. Your attack methods are limited, and your control skills are practically nonexistent. That's your greatest weakness."
Night Star's indifferent voice echoed through the room, seeming to come from all directions, impossible to pinpoint.
Such was the Shadow Assassin—dancing through crowds, yet nearly impossible to detect.
Duke Campbell's brow furrowed tightly. He had never shared details about the Golden Hall Knight with anyone, yet Night Star spoke of it so casually. This went beyond what a mere traitor could know.
His mind flickered to the "Stargazers" she had mentioned earlier, a fleeting, half-formed suspicion taking root.
But he quickly shook his head.
"Forget it. No time to dwell on that."
"Right now, killing this woman is what matters!"
He strained his ears, listening for any hint of Night Star's movements, hoping for a slip-up.
Soon, he got his chance. Unfamiliar footsteps sounded behind him. Without thinking, he unleashed an Alchemical Slash in their direction.
Only then did he turn, confident he'd see Night Star struck down. Instead, his skill hurtled toward one of his own subordinates.
The Duty Wielder saw the attack coming—a Tier Ten strike he couldn't withstand—and dodged to the side.
In doing so, he offered his heart to a waiting dagger.
Duke Campbell stared in shock. Night Star had predicted the man's dodge, positioning her dagger precisely where he'd move, letting him impale himself.
A chill ran through the Duke's body.
How… how did she do that?
More unfamiliar footsteps sounded behind him, but he no longer dared to attack recklessly. Was this an accidental misstep by Night Star, or a deliberate feint to bait his strike?
His hesitation gave Night Star more room to maneuver.
Without a Tier Ten Duty Wielder to hold her back, her assault grew ferocious. Most of the other Duty Wielders were only Tier Five or Six, and the vast gap in power allowed Night Star to dominate. As a Shadow Assassin, a class built for assassination, she cut them down before they could even spot her.
"No!"
"Help!"
"Duke, save me!"
The room's occupants dwindled. Duke Campbell, almost resigned, watched coldly as Night Star dispatched his last subordinate.
"This is over, lady," he said gravely. "I won't hold you accountable for their deaths. Their lives and belongings are my apology. Stop now. You know neither of us can defeat the other."
"No," Night Star refused firmly. "I told you, I came here to kill you because you threaten the Little Princess's life."
"What?" A flicker of surprise crossed the Duke's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Do you think I'm clueless? You colluded with the Shadow Cult, leaking the Little Princess's whereabouts to them, all so you could seize the palace under the guise of 'protecting the crown' after her death."
"For the Little Princess's safety, you're an enemy that must be eliminated."
"Where did you learn this?" The Duke's face darkened, no longer denying it, implicitly admitting the truth. "The Little Princess didn't have someone like you by her side. Are you a mercenary she hired? Whatever she promised you, I can double it."
"There's no need for us to be enemies. Once I control the palace, I can get you anything you want without going through that useless princess."
"And what do you think… I want?" Night Star revealed herself, her eyes glinting as she smiled at the Duke.
Seeing her face clearly for the first time, Duke Campbell froze. Despite his vast experience, he'd never imagined Night Star's beauty could be so striking.
It was flawless, without a single imperfection. If he hadn't met her here, he would have pursued her relentlessly—despite already having four wives.
He stood stunned for half a second until a high-tier Duty Wielder's instincts screamed, snapping him out of her spell.
"I fell for it!"
His face twisted. In a duel between masters, a split-second lapse was all it took to lose.
A piercing pain stabbed into his back. He roared, grabbing his golden greatsword and slamming it into the ground. A massive shockwave swept outward, but Night Star had already dissolved into a shadow, evading the attack.
He knew the shadow state couldn't last long. Counting silently to five, he swung a sword aura at the shadow, but it didn't revert to her form. Night Star had burned extra mana to maintain her shadow state.
Only after his sword aura dissipated did she reappear, slashing another bloody gash across him during his brief pause.
By the time he prepared to strike again, she had vanished, slipping into the unknown.
Only now, facing her directly, did Duke Campbell realize how thoroughly she understood him. Every move he made seemed anticipated, leaving him with a suffocating sense of powerlessness.
"Stop… stop!" he shouted, spinning aimlessly like a headless fly. "You can't kill me! You know my vitality is dragon-like! Let's call a truce! I'll compensate you—give you anything you want!"
"Sigh," Night Star said with mock regret. "You still haven't guessed what I want."
"What do you want?!"
"What I truly want—is your life!"
"No!" Duke Campbell let out a long wail, stumbling to his knees. "What's… happening… why can't I… stand…"
The poison had taken effect.
Night Star had been waiting for this moment. She had no intention of explaining, even as he became, in every sense, a "sitting duck."
Poisoning him hadn't been easy. The vial cost her a hundred gold coins, and without her past-life memories, she wouldn't have known where to find such a poison.
Even without poison, a Shadow Assassin could eventually wear down a Golden Hall Knight, but Night Star didn't like taking risks. Turning him into a "sitting duck" served another, more critical purpose…
She pulled out a white "gem" and switched to the Mage class.
Raising her staff, she aimed it at Duke Campbell's head.
"No… don't…" he pleaded.
Night Star ignored him.
Her staff erupted in blinding light. Under its glow, the Duke's body began to melt. His movements ceased, and his flesh and essence were absorbed into a gem—his Duty Crystal.
Night Star picked it up. It was no longer a Duty Crystal.
It was now a Mana Crystal infused with the full power of a Tier Ten Duty Wielder.
As she retrieved it, a soft sound caught her attention.
Clink.
A small stone fell at her feet.