For the first time since his journey began, Jin Yu felt truly threatened.

  He gripped his sword tighter, eyes fixed on the approaching man, unblinking.

  The assassin strolled towards him, calm and unhurried, as if taking in the morning air.

  Jin Yu scanned around him for a possible escape route but was disappointed, as the area was wide and clear from his previous attack.

  Still, he stepped back, sword raised, not out of fear, but pure caution.

  I just started my adventure. I’m not dying here today.

  With a thought, his figure flickered, and vanished.

  Tens of miles away, he landed in a crouch.

  Then— “Fuck—!”

  He cursed and nearly stumbled.

  The man was already standing in front of him. Unmoved. As if Jin Yu had never left.

  So fast?!

  The assassin tilted his head ever so slightly. It felt like mockery.

  Jin Yu’s pride flared with heat. Ashamed and furious.

  In a flash, he activated his Divine Phase technique to its limit. His body became a blur as he phased in and out of the forest, flashing from shadow to shadow like a streak of ghostlight.

  One jump.

  Two.

  Three.

  Four.

  Five—

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  He skidded to a halt, chest heaving.

  Then—“Bitch!” he cursed again.

  The assassin stood in front of him. Again.

  As if he'd been tagging along.

  How do I escape if he’s just as fast as me?!

  Jin Yu's face twisted in rage.

  Who the hell took me seriously enough to send this monster after me?

  You better hope I don’t survive, I'll have my Father wipe out your whole fuckin bloodline!

  “Ready?” the assassin asked, his tone so casual it sounded like he was inviting Jin Yu to lunch.

  Jin Yu smirked through gritted teeth. “I should ask you the same.”

  He summoned the system.

  Just before he could activate anything..

  Clap. Clap. Clap.

  A slow, mocking applause echoed from the trees.

  “Well, well, well… you both did well,” a voice drawled. “That was quite entertaining. but... you see... I really don’t have time to waste. So…”

  A figure stepped out from the shadows.

  “…Can I take him?”

  He was masked and carefree, walking like he owned the forest. His presence was light, almost lazy, but unshakably confident. He looked at the assassin, not Jin Yu.

  “Albino?” Jin Yu blurted out.

  The masked man froze.

  “I thought they minced you up. You’re alive?”

  “Friend,” the man said stiffly. “I’d appreciate it if you just called me Seer. Thank you.”

  Jin Yu raised a brow. “Seer, huh?”

  “Now, Mister Assassin,” Seer continued, brushing the words like dust off his shoulder. “We’ll have to excuse you. My friend and I have pressing matters to attend to.”

  Without warning, he walked up to Jin Yu and grabbed his wrist, dragging him along.

  Jin Yu followed, stunned, mouth slightly open in disbelief.

  Is this albino rat sick in the head?

  Scoff!

  The assassin sneered, whether in mockery or irritation was unclear. But in the next heartbeat—

  Fwoosh!

  The short knife in his hand flew toward Jin Yu’s back. It was so fast that Jin Yu couldn’t react on time until a second later.

  A shiver ran down his spine and a cold sweat dripped from his head as he turned to look back.

  Seer stood behind him, two fingers pinching the knife like it was weightless.

  His face was unreadable.

  “That…” Seer said slowly, “was rude.”

  Gone was his jovial and carefree voice. Instead, his voice had turned cold, mechanical and devoid of emotion.

  The assassin’s stance shifted subtly. Serious now. Tension radiated from his body like a coiled spring.

  But Seer just tossed the knife aside like trash. “Go play.” he said and turned to Jin Yu.

  Jin Yu’s heart turned cold when he saw the assassin’s eyes suddenly turn white and lifeless, as if his soul had been snatched from his body.

  Jin Yu’s chest tightened. He looked back at Seer, now standing beside him again, smiling.

  “Sorry about that, friend” Seer said cheerfully, slinging an arm across Jin Yu’s shoulders. “I don’t like being insulted.”

  Jin Yu's gaze met those warm and friendly eyes and suddenly felt his gut twist in disgust.

  Seer was stunned by what he saw.

  Jin Yu slapped his arm off and walked away.

  “What was that?” Seer called out, shocked.

  “I don’t like two-faced bastards,” Jin Yu muttered.

  “What?!” Seer was taken aback.

  ------

  Moments later...

  “Stop following me!” Jin Yu snapped, glancing over his shoulder.

  Seer walked beside him like nothing was wrong, hands in his sleeves.

  “Why did you say that?”

  “I already told you,” Jin Yu huffed and phased away again.

  But when he reappeared—

  Seer was still there.

  “That's not fair,” Seer said. “I’m not two-faced. I just taught him a lesson. How’s that bad?!”

  “Agghhrr! Fine! But stop following me!”

  “No.”

  “I’ll attack you!”

  “You can't beat me.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so.”

  They both glared at each other, as if they’d attack at any second.