Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: A Game of Hide and Seek
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"By the way, Death Shadow had better pull it off..."
A thread of unease crept into Blood Shadow's heart. The martial prowess Dan Hyeong-u had displayed today was truly extraordinary. No matter how remarkable Death Shadow's Hidden Shadow Technique was, it was uncertain whether it could truly evade Dan Hyeong-u's eyes.
"No, the Cult Leader surely..."
The Blood Demon had declared that no one in the world could detect Death Shadow's Hidden Shadow Technique. No matter how strong they were—even if the God of Martial Arts descended, Death Shadow's technique could never be uncovered.
"If the Cult Leader spoke so confidently, then it must be true. There's something beyond the realm of martial arts at play."
There were many things that couldn't be explained by martial arts alone. Blood Shadow had witnessed quite a few such phenomena while at the Blood Demon's side.
Blood Shadow's heart settled a bit.
"Cough."
Blood Shadow jumped in fright. A coughing sound came from right behind his back. Whirling around in shock, he saw Death Shadow crouched there. Blood was trickling from Death Shadow's mouth.
"Death Shadow! What on earth happened?"
Anxiety flickered in Blood Shadow's eyes.
"I underestimated him too much. I tried approaching amid the chaos, but that was my fatal mistake."
Blood Shadow's face twisted at Death Shadow's words. Though he hadn't noticed at all, it was clear Death Shadow had attempted to steal the Blood Shadow Sword when the martial artists had swarmed in earlier.
"Were you caught in that qi storm from before?"
Death Shadow nodded at Blood Shadow's question.
"I never imagined someone could unleash a qi storm like that."
Blood Shadow shuddered involuntarily. Death Shadow gave a wry smile at the sight.
"Heh. Don't worry. I'll succeed next time for sure. He can't possibly keep the Blood Shadow Sword on him even while sleeping."
Death Shadow muttered to himself, recalling what had just transpired.
It had truly been a fleeting moment. As the crowds manipulated by the Shadowless Unit members charged toward the Henan Escort Bureau, he had slipped through the chaos toward Dan Hyeong-u, who held the Blood Shadow Sword. No one had noticed, and no one could even see Death Shadow.
Death Shadow's Hidden Shadow Technique wasn't something visible to the eye. It dissolved the body into mist, scattering it everywhere. No one could detect it. This was a special ability Death Shadow had possessed since birth.
And then the qi storm had raged. What uncanny timing. He'd just reached his target's side when that colossal qi storm hit.
The storm hadn't been intended to kill, but Death Shadow had been too close. It left him with internal injuries, light though they were.
Recalling up to that point, Death Shadow ground his teeth.
"I got careless. But nothing changes. I'll bring back the Blood Shadow Sword no matter what."
Vowing as much, Death Shadow vanished using his Hidden Shadow Technique.
Blood Shadow stared blankly at Death Shadow's form dispersing like mist before his eyes. This was a monster in a different sense from Dan Hyeong-u.
Presence and form vanished simultaneously right before his eyes, yet he sensed nothing.
'I need the Blood Shadow Sword.'
Blood Shadow thought it sincerely. To survive among monsters like Death Shadow and Dan Hyeong-u, he had no choice but to become one himself. And to become a monster, the Blood Shadow Sword was essential.
Death Shadow, concealed by his Hidden Shadow Technique, moved to a quiet spot and treated his internal injuries. They were minor, so it didn't take long.
The martial arts Death Shadow had learned from the Blood Demon were the assassination technique Heartbreaker Dagger and the Hidden Shadow Technique known as Death Shadow Step.
True to its name, Heartbreaker Dagger shattered the heart. One could stab a dagger into the heart or press a hand to the body and force internal energy in to crush it—Death Shadow preferred the sure method of stabbing a dagger into the heart.
Death Shadow Step, as the name implied, was a movement art akin to a Hidden Shadow Technique used by assassins. It was a supreme assassination martial art allowing concealment and movement anywhere.
Neither Heartbreaker Dagger nor Death Shadow Step could be mastered through ordinary effort. Death Shadow had achieved great success through training that courted death.
And by fusing them with his innate abilities from birth, he had reached an even higher realm.
The Hidden Shadow Technique that even peak masters couldn't detect, combined with Heartbreaker Dagger that could shatter their hearts—it was a power perfectly suited to his name, Death Shadow.
After healing, Death Shadow waited for nightfall. Though Blood Shadow and a few Blood Shadow Unit and Shadowless Unit members were nearby, he paid them no mind. They couldn't see him anyway.
Death Shadow closed his eyes and rested. Though brief, he needed to recover fully for peak condition.
Night soon fell. A pitch-black night without even moonlight. Death Shadow moved with confidence, still cloaked in his Hidden Shadow Technique—no one could see him.
He leisurely passed between Blood Shadow and three Blood Shadow Unit members, heading for the Henan Escort Bureau.
Even at night, the bureau's main gate stood wide open. Of course, escort guards stood watch. The bureau rarely closed, as clients often arrived even at night.
Death Shadow strode boldly through the main gate. Now, he just needed to find where the Blood Shadow Sword was kept, and it would all be over. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dan Hyeong-u didn't particularly like the night. Nights meant being alone. Having lived so long in solitude, he enjoyed this bright, peaceful world and being among people.
Still, he didn't hate nights. Sometimes stepping out to gaze at the stars in the night sky was quite nice. Staring at the stars twinkling as if they'd pour down eased his mind. He'd inevitably lie down and try to sleep. Though it always failed.
Today too, Dan Hyeong-u stood quietly in his room, suddenly craving the stars, so he stepped outside. Naturally, he'd left the Blood Shadow Sword on the bed.
Looking up at the sky outside, it was clear without a cloud, allowing more stars than usual.
Though focused on the stars, Dan Hyeong-u's senses spread across the entire Heoryeong as always. Blood Shadow's group was naturally within them too.
An unfamiliar aura and people, but Dan Hyeong-u paid little heed. They weren't important to him.
As he gazed at the stars, Dan Hyeong-u's eyes widened slightly. An alien aura stealthily infiltrated the Henan Escort Bureau. It pierced into his senses abruptly, as if emerging from the walls.
Meaning it hadn't registered outside the bureau. Still astonishing now. Even inside, its form was unclear—a faint aura moving stealthily.
The aura prowled every corner as if searching for something. Dan Hyeong-u's head turned slightly, following its path.
The aura eventually approached Dan Hyeong-u's room and paused briefly inside. It wavered slightly, as if finding its target.
Dan Hyeong-u's eyes gleamed with interest. A first since arriving here. Rare even in hell, but they existed—demons slipping past his senses to approach. "Close" still meant over thirty ordinary steps away. Sharper senses made it impossible.
Dan Hyeong-u heightened his senses further. The faint aura sharpened somewhat, but remained vague.
He stood still, watching what it did in his room. It targeted the Blood Shadow Sword on the bed. Its faint, stealthy aura mingled with the sword's energy, staying faint.
The aura's movement suddenly accelerated—as if fleeing now that it had its prize. A faint smile tugged at Dan Hyeong-u's lips.
Dan Hyeong-u took one step in the aura's direction.
Swoosh.
His body blocked the aura's path. The aura's identity was Death Shadow.
Death Shadow recoiled in shock. Dan Hyeong-u had appeared before him out of nowhere—how could he not be startled? But he didn't panic greatly. Cloaked in Hidden Shadow Technique, escape was no issue. Few could catch him like this.
As if mocking Death Shadow's thoughts, Dan Hyeong-u swung his hand casually.
Thwack!
His hand struck precisely where Death Shadow was, dispersing the body melted into darkness momentarily. Death Shadow took a heavy blow.
Clang!
Death Shadow dropped the Blood Shadow Sword and fled, concealing himself desperately.
Dan Hyeong-u watched Death Shadow flee and flicked his hand again. Massive energy poured from it, sweeping Death Shadow's location.
Death Shadow hid with all his might.
Dan Hyeong-u paused before swinging once more. Astonishingly, he'd lost Death Shadow's presence in that instant. Resetting his senses had let the suddenly stealthier aura slip away.
Briefly, but in that gap, Death Shadow reached the main gate.
Death Shadow reappeared in Dan Hyeong-u's senses. He moved to pursue but stopped—the aura vanished perfectly beyond the gate. Fully concealed.
He could probably find it by scouring around, but saw no need.
Dan Hyeong-u stared briefly at where Death Shadow vanished, then picked up the Blood Shadow Sword and returned to his room.
A smile played on his lips. Tonight's game of hide-and-seek with Death Shadow had been quite fun. Soon, Death Shadow would try for the Blood Shadow Sword again.
Harboring anticipation, Dan Hyeong-u entered his room.
Chapter 8: Capturing the Moon and Moon Shadow
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