The Return

Kai slipped through the shadows, his steps silent as he made his way back to the hideout.

The scent of blood still lingered on his clothes. The kill had been clean. Corvo and his backup were eliminated—no witnesses, no loose ends.

The mission was a success.

And yet, something inside him felt… unsettled.

It wasn’t guilt. He had accepted long ago that his hands would be stained red.

No, this was something else.

A feeling in his gut. A warning.

Something wasn’t right.

As he approached the entrance to the underground hideout, his system flickered in his vision.

[Warning: Presence of a High-Level Combatant Detected!]

Kai froze.

His instincts screamed at him. Someone dangerous was inside.

His fingers brushed the hilt of his dagger as he slipped through the hidden passage.

The moment he stepped inside, he felt it—a heavy killing intent pressing against him.

He wasn’t alone.

A New Threat

The torches flickered, casting long shadows against the stone walls.

Lucian sat on his usual chair, arms crossed, watching. But he wasn’t alone.

A figure stood beside him.

Tall. Lean. A predator in human form.

His cloak was black, blending into the darkness. Twin daggers rested at his hips, and his face was partially covered by a mask—but his golden eyes burned with amusement.

Lucian’s voice was calm. "You’re back. Good."

Kai’s eyes stayed locked on the masked figure. "Who is he?"

Lucian smirked. "Your next test."

The masked man grinned.

"The kid doesn’t look like much, Lucian. Are you sure he’s worth my time?"

Lucian chuckled. "Why don’t you see for yourself?"

The masked assassin stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, kid. Let’s see if you’re as sharp as your blade."

Then—

He moved.

A Fight in the Dark

Kai barely had time to react.

The assassin vanished.

A whisper of air behind him—too fast!

Kai ducked, just as a dagger slashed past his neck.

His system triggered instantly.

[Instinctive Combat – Lv. 3 Activated!]

Kai twisted, countering with his own dagger.

Clang!

The masked assassin blocked it with ease, his movements fluid. "Not bad."

Kai didn’t hesitate. He lunged, aiming for the throat.

But the assassin was faster.

He side-stepped, catching Kai’s wrist mid-strike—then drove a knee into his stomach.

Pain exploded through Kai’s ribs as he was sent skidding back.

He coughed, gripping his dagger tighter. This wasn’t like the fights before.

This wasn’t a noble.

This was a real killer.

And he was playing with him.

The Predator’s Lesson

The assassin tilted his head. "You’re too direct, kid. No finesse. No deception."

He vanished again.

Kai felt it—a flicker of movement to his left.

He spun, slashing—but hit nothing.

A sharp pain exploded across his arm as a dagger sliced through his sleeve.

Blood dripped to the floor.

The assassin laughed. "See? Predictable."

Kai grit his teeth. He was being toyed with.

His mind raced. Think. Adapt.

A Shift in the Shadows

Kai exhaled, steadying himself.

He couldn’t match the assassin in speed. He had to fight differently.

His eyes flickered to the dim torchlight, casting long shadows across the stone walls.

A plan formed.

Bait him in. Counter in the dark.

Kai deliberately left his right side open—a false weakness.

The assassin grinned. "Sloppy."

He took the bait.

The moment he moved, Kai acted.

He stepped backward—into the shadows.

The assassin’s dagger sliced through empty air.

Kai twisted behind him, his own blade flashing.

The assassin’s eyes widened—he hadn’t expected that.

A thin line of red appeared on his arm.

Kai had landed a hit.

A Predator’s Approval

The assassin stepped back, eyes glinting with newfound interest.

Then, he laughed.

"Well, well… Looks like you’ve got some bite after all."

Lucian smirked from the sidelines. "What do you think?"

The assassin sheathed his daggers. "He’s raw. Needs refinement. But he’s got potential."

He turned to Kai, amusement in his gaze.

"Name’s Varian. I’ll be your mentor from now on."

Kai wiped the blood from his arm, expression unreadable. "I don’t need a mentor."

Varian chuckled. "Kid, if you want to survive in this world, you’re gonna need more than instinct."

He grinned. "You’re gonna need to become a monster."

Kai’s crimson eyes flickered.

He wasn’t afraid of becoming a monster.

He had already taken his first steps toward it.

TO BE CONTINUED…