Scy's POV
The moment we stepped into the shadows—
I knew.
They were already here.
Watching.
Waiting.
"…They're close," I muttered.
Natalia tightened her grip on my sleeve.
"…How many?"
"…More than last night."
I could feel it clearly now. Their presence wasn't hidden anymore. They weren't trying to stay invisible.
They were confident.
"…They think they can kill me."
A faint smile formed on my lips.
"Stay behind me," I said.
"…Okay."
We moved deeper into a narrow alley, the noise of the city fading behind us. The air grew colder, heavier… like something was about to break.
Then—
"Right on time."
A voice echoed.
One by one, figures stepped out from the darkness.
Six.
No—
eight.
All armed.
All focused on me.
"…You're the one who killed our men," one of them said, his voice calm but sharp.
I didn't answer.
"…You should've stayed quiet," another added. "Now you've become a problem."
"…And problems get removed."
Silence.
I looked at them.
"…You talk too much."
In an instant—
I moved.
SWOOSH!
A blade formed in my hand as I closed the distance.
CLANG!
One of them blocked, but the force pushed him back.
"…Fast!"
"Don't let him—!"
Too late.
SLASH.
The first one dropped.
The rest reacted immediately.
"Surround him!"
They moved in coordination, attacking from different directions. Swords, daggers, magic—all at once.
But to me—
it was still slow.
I stepped forward, weaving through their attacks.
Dodged.
Blocked.
Countered.
Each movement felt natural.
Effortless.
"…Is this all?"
I disappeared from their sight.
"…What—?!"
CRASH!
Another one fell.
Then another.
Panic started spreading.
"…He's not normal!"
"Fall back—!"
"…No."
My voice cut through the air.
I raised my hand.
Multiple blades formed around me, sharper, faster than before.
"…You came to kill me."
The air froze.
"…So don't run now."
"MOVE—!"
Too late.
The blades shot forward.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Bodies dropped one after another.
Silence returned to the alley.
Only one remained.
The leader.
He was breathing heavily, his body shaking.
"…What are you…?" he whispered.
I walked toward him slowly.
"…The one you shouldn't have targeted."
He took a step back.
"…You think this ends here?" he said, forcing a smile. "We're just the beginning."
"…I know."
I stopped in front of him.
"…That's why I let you live."
His eyes widened.
"…What?"
"…Go back."
I looked directly at him.
"…Tell whoever sent you."
My voice dropped.
Cold.
Heavy.
"…If they want to hunt me—"
I leaned slightly closer.
"…they better come themselves."
Silence.
Then—
he turned and ran.
Fast.
Desperate.
I didn't stop him.
"…You let him go," Natalia said quietly as she walked closer.
"…Yes."
"…Why?"
I looked at the direction he disappeared.
"…Because fear spreads faster than death."
She stayed silent for a moment.
"…You're scary."
"…I know."
We stepped out of the alley.
But before we could leave—
I felt it.
Something else.
Not the same as before.
Stronger.
Sharper.
Watching from a distance.
"…Someone's there," I muttered.
"…Another one?" Natalia asked.
"…No."
This one…
was different.
I slowly looked up.
On top of a building—
a figure stood.
Cloaked.
Silent.
Watching everything.
"…So you're the real one," I said.
The figure didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But I could feel it.
Intent.
Interest.
"…He's strong," I whispered.
"…Stronger than all of them."
For a moment—
we just stared at each other.
Then—
the figure turned.
And disappeared.
"…He left," Natalia said.
"…No."
I narrowed my eyes.
"…He just confirmed something."
"…What?"
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"…This is going to get interesting."