## Liam's Perspective
A cold wind swept across the ancient stone path as I exited the Celestial Apothecary Guild's gates. My mind was razor-focused on one thing: reaching Veridia City. Mariana needed .
"Leaving so soon, Knight?"
The voice stopped in my tracks. I looked up to find ten figures materializing from the shadows, surrounding in a perfect circle. Each radiated the unmistakable aura of half-step Martial Marquis.
"Umbral Covenant," I said, recognizing their distinctive black robes with crimson trim. "I wondered when you'd show up."
Their leader stepped forward—a tall man with a prominent hooked nose and cold, predatory eyes.
"I am Hawk," he announced, "and we've co to collect what the Pavilion Master promised us."
I raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly was that?"
"You." Hawk's thin lips curved into a smirk. "Mariana Valerius made a deal. She bought you one month of peace from us. That month ends today."
So that's why the Umbral Covenant hadn't moved against earlier. Mariana had been protecting even before her capture.
"Your timing is terrible," I replied, rolling my shoulders. "I'm in a hurry."
"Your schedule is no longer your concern." Hawk flicked his wrist, and a curved blade appeared in his hand. "You can co willingly, or we can take you in pieces." The authentic version is on *.
The others shifted, weapons erging from beneath their robes—hook swords, serrated daggers, and barbed whips designed to inflict maximum pain.
I sighed. "Ten against one. Is that all you brought?"
Hawk's eyes narrowed. "Your arrogance is—"
"Justified," I cut him off. "I'll give you one chance to walk away. I have more important business."
A ripple of laughter spread through their circle.
"He thinks he can frighten the Umbral Covenant!" one of them jeered.
"Your reputation is exaggerated," Hawk said. "We've studied your techniques. You won't find us easy prey like those fools you've faced before."
I didn't bother responding. Instead, I closed my eyes briefly, channeling energy through my ridians. Golden light began to shimr beneath my skin.
"Formation!" Hawk barked.
The assassins moved with practiced precision, readjusting their positions. Five darted forward while five maintained the circle. A standard pincer attack—sophisticated but predictable.
The first attacker reached with impressive speed, his hook sword whistling through the air toward my throat. I didn't even bother dodging. My forearm shot up, effortlessly deflecting the blow. The assassin's eyes widened at the tallic clang his weapon made against my bare skin.
I grabbed his wrist and twisted. Bones shattered.
His scream was cut short as my palm struck his chest, sending him flying backwards into two of his companions.
"Pathetic," I muttered.
Four more converged on simultaneously. Their coordination was admittedly impressive—attacks coming from all angles, each targeting a different vital point.
I stomped my foot. The ground shattered beneath us. The sudden quake disrupted their balance just enough. My fist connected with the nearest assassin's sternum. The impact lifted him off his feet before he crumpled to the ground, motionless.
"Earth-Shattering Strike," another assassin gasped. "He's using—"
"Nine Secrets techniques," I finished for him. "Very observant."
Panic flashed in their eyes. Good. They should be afraid.
Hawk stepped back, pulling sothing from his robe—a small black orb that pulsed with dark energy.
"The Shadow Convergence Artifact," he snarled. "Let's see how you handle this, Knight!"
He hurled the orb at . It exploded into a swarm of shadowy tendrils that wrapped around my limbs like living chains.
I didn't resist imdiately. I was curious about its power.
"This artifact can restrain even a full Martial Marquis," Hawk boasted. "Your strength is aningless against ancient magic."
The shadows tightened, attempting to crush my bones. Around , the remaining assassins closed in, confidence restored.
I'd seen enough.
Golden light erupted from every pore of my body. The shadows hissed and recoiled as if burned. I flexed, and the artifact's magic shattered like glass.
Hawk's jaw dropped. "Impossible!"
I moved. To them, I must have seed to vanish. In reality, I was simply too fast for their perception.
My fist connected with the orb still hovering in the air. The artifact—supposedly indestructible—cracked, then exploded into dust.
"An interesting toy," I said, now standing directly in front of Hawk. "But ultimately useless."
Terror replaced the arrogance in his eyes. He stumbled backward, drawing another weapon—a serrated dagger dripping with purple poison.
"Stay back!" he shouted. "I am protected by the Covenant's blood oath! Kill , and a thousand assassins will hunt you forever!"
I reached out faster than he could react, seizing his wrist. The bones beneath my grip turned to powder.
"I don't have ti for your threats," I said as the dagger clattered to the ground.
His face contorted in agony. "You don't understand what forces you're—"
My knee drove into his stomach with enough force to lift him off the ground. Blood sprayed from his mouth, splattering across my chest.
"I understand perfectly," I replied, letting his limp body fall. "You're in my way."
The remaining assassins hesitated, clearly reassessing their chances. One of them—braver or more foolish than the rest—made a decision. He lunged at from behind.
Sharp claws, so kind of artifact weapon attached to his hands, pierced my back. Pain flared, but it was insignificant compared to what I'd endured before.
I didn't flinch. I simply reached back, grabbed his wrist, and pulled.
The assassin flew forward, over my shoulder, his face a mask of shock as he found himself suddenly face-to-face with . His arm remained firmly in my grip, the tal claws still wet with my blood.
"That," I said quietly, "was a mistake."
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