A Cold Night, A Deadly Foe
The wind howled through the ruins. The scent of damp stone and old moss clung to the air.
Liam’s body was still aching from the Phantom Knight trial, but he didn’t have time to rest.
A shadow moved.
The masked assassin stood on a broken pillar, dagger gleaming under the moonlight.
"You should not exist."
The assassin’s voice was calm, yet filled with something deeper—resolve.
Liam’s fingers curled into fists.
"Who sent you?"
The assassin tilted their head.
"The Grand Inquisitor requests an audience. But you… won’t be leaving alive."
The next moment—
The assassin vanished.
---
A Clash of Shadows and Steel
Liam barely had time to react.
A flash of silver—
He dodged just in time as the assassin’s dagger sliced through the air where his neck had been.
The assassin moved like liquid, flowing from one attack to the next.
Liam blocked a strike with his forearm—pain flared as the dagger bit into his flesh.
"Tch—!"
[SYSTEM WARNING: Vital Signs Dropping.]
Seraphis’s voice rang in his mind.
"You are injured. Retreat!"
Nyx laughed.
"No. Kill them first."
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Liam’s mind sharpened.
Retreat? No. That wasn’t an option.
This assassin… they weren’t normal.
If he ran, they would hunt him down again.
Liam gritted his teeth.
"Fine. Let’s end this."
---
Analyzing the Enemy
Liam focused on the assassin’s movements.
They weren’t using brute strength.
No wasted motion. Every step, every breath—precise. Efficient.
[SYSTEM ANALYSIS ACTIVATED.]
— Enemy Fighting Style: Phantom Blade Technique
— Weakness: Predictable footwork pattern
— Counter Strategy: Feint and disrupt momentum
Liam’s eyes narrowed.
"I see it."
The assassin lunged again—dagger flashing toward Liam’s ribs.
Liam didn’t dodge fully.
Instead, he moved just enough—letting the blade graze him.
The assassin expected a full retreat.
But Liam stepped forward.
His fist struck hard into the assassin’s stomach.
The assassin gasped, stumbling back.
"Wha—?!"
[System Alert: Counter Successful!]
Liam didn’t let up.
He closed the distance, striking at key points—the wrists, the ribs, the joints. Breaking the assassin’s flow.
The once-untouchable warrior was now on the defensive.
---
The Assassin’s True Identity
"Enough."
The assassin jumped back, flipping onto a fallen column.
For the first time, their stance was unsteady.
Then—
They removed their mask.
Liam’s breath caught.
"You…?"
A woman.
No older than him, with piercing golden eyes and short raven-black hair.
She touched her bleeding lip and sighed.
"No one has ever landed a hit on me before."
Liam clenched his fists. "Who are you?"
She smirked.
"Celica Valcrest. First Blade of the Grand Inquisitor."
Evelyn gasped behind him.
"Valcrest? As in—"
Celica wiped her dagger clean.
"The Grand Inquisitor is my father."
Liam’s heart pounded.
This wasn’t just an assassin.
This was royalty. Nobility.
The daughter of one of the most dangerous men in the kingdom.
---
An Offer of Blood and Chains
Celica watched Liam carefully.
Then, she did something unexpected.
She sheathed her dagger.
"I underestimated you."
Liam didn’t lower his guard.
"And?"
Celica stepped closer.
"My father still wants you dead. But…"
Her golden eyes gleamed.
"What if I gave you another option?"
Liam stayed silent.
Celica continued.
"You intrigue me, Liam."
She circled him slowly.
"Power like yours… it doesn’t just appear. I know what you are."
Liam’s blood ran cold.
Seraphis’s voice whispered urgently.
"She knows."
Nyx chuckled.
"Interesting. She is dangerous. I like her."
Liam exhaled.
"And what do you think I am?"
Celica smirked.
"A relic. A myth. A secret this kingdom tried to erase."
She leaned in, voice a whisper.
"The ancient prophecy speaks of you."
Liam’s chest tightened.
She knew.
Not everything. Not the system itself.
But enough.
---
A Dangerous Alliance
Celica stepped back.
"I could kill you now."
Evelyn drew her sword instantly.
"Try it."
Celica raised a brow.
"Relax, princess. I have no interest in following my father’s orders like a blind dog."
Liam folded his arms.
"Then what do you want?"
Celica smiled.
"A deal."
Liam’s eyes narrowed.
"What kind of deal?"
Celica’s golden eyes gleamed.
"You let me travel with you. I’ll help you stay ahead of the Inquisition. In exchange, I get to see just how powerful you truly are."
Evelyn immediately protested.
"No way. She just tried to kill you!"
Celica shrugged.
"True. But now I’m… interested."
Liam’s mind raced.
Could he trust her?
No.
But could he use her?
Maybe.
Nyx purred in his mind.
"She is dangerous. But danger is fun."
Seraphis sighed.
"Tread carefully, Liam."
Liam exhaled.
Then—
He extended his hand.
"Fine."
Celica grinned.
And shook it.
"Good choice."
---
Elsewhere… The Grand Inquisitor’s Warning
Deep within the Royal Palace, the Grand Inquisitor stood before a massive stone tablet.
Ancient inscriptions glowed faintly.
A hooded priest knelt before him.
"My lord… the prophecy is unfolding."
The Inquisitor’s gaze was cold.
"Yes."
His fingers brushed across the inscriptions.
Words carved into history.
"The One Who Holds Balance."
"A Choice Between Salvation and Ruin."
He turned away.
"Find him."
His cloak billowed.
"Before it is too late."
---
End of Chapter 10