## 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 me.


    "Leaving so soon, Knight?"


    The voice stopped me in my tracks. I looked up to find ten figures materializing from the shadows, surrounding me in a perfect circle. Each radiated the unmistakable aura of half-step Martial Marquis.


    "Umbral Covenant," I said, recognizing their distinctive ck 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''vee 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 me earlier. Mariana had been protecting me 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 de appeared in his hand. "You cane willingly, or we can take you in pieces." <kbd ss="ref-ef3">The authentic version is on *.</kbd>


    The others shifted, weapons emerging 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 ofughter 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 meridians. Golden light began to shimmer 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 me 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 metallic ng 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 hispanions.


    "Pathetic," I muttered.


    Four more converged on me simultaneously. Their coordination was admittedly impressive—attacksing from all angles, each targeting a different vital point.


    I stomped my foot. The ground shattered beneath us. The sudden quake disrupted their bnce 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 shed in their eyes. Good. They should be afraid.


    Hawk stepped back, pulling something from his robe—a small ck 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 me. It exploded into a swarm of shadowy tendrils that wrapped around my limbs like living chains.


    I didn''t resist immediately. I was curious about its power.


    "This artifact can restrain even a full Martial Marquis," Hawk boasted. "Your strength is meaningless against ancient magic."


    The shadows tightened, attempting to crush my bones. Around me, 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 ss.


    Hawk''s jaw dropped. "Impossible!"


    I moved. To them, I must have seemed 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 reced 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 me, 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 time for your threats," I said as the dagger ttered 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, sttering 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 me from behind.


    Sharp ws, some kind of artifact weapon attached to his hands, pierced my back. Pain red, but it was insignificantpared 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 me. His arm remained firmly in my grip, the metal ws still wet with my blood.


    "That," I said quietly, "was a mistake."