Night stretched across the wasteland.
Cold.
Silent.
Waiting.
---
Rai stood at the edge of the settlement.
His gaze fixed on the darkness ahead.
---
Behind him—
Lucian cracked his neck.
"So…"
"We hunting ghosts now?"
---
Karn adjusted his blade.
"…Not ghosts."
"…Something worse."
---
Ruun stepped forward.
"…Higher ranks of the Shadow Order won't be easy to find."
---
Rai spoke calmly.
"They'll come to us."
---
Grik blinked.
"…Wait, what?"
---
Rai turned slightly.
"…We make ourselves a target."
---
Lucian grinned.
"Oh?"
"Now that sounds fun."
---
Ruun sighed.
"…Of course it does."
---
Plan — Bait the Shadows
The next morning—
The settlement moved differently.
---
Scouts spread out.
Noise increased.
Movement became visible.
---
They made no attempt to hide.
---
Grik shouted orders loudly.
"Move the supplies out!"
"Keep it open!"
---
Lucian walked around like usual—
Loud.
Annoying.
Drawing attention.
---
Ruun stood beside Rai.
"…We're exposing everything."
---
Rai nodded.
"Yes."
---
"…They'll think we're careless."
---
Ruun finished the thought.
"…And strike."
---
Rai's eyes remained calm.
"…Exactly."
---
Evening — The Trap Springs
The sun dipped below the horizon.
Darkness returned.
---
Then—
Rai's eyes shifted.
---
"…They're here."
---
Ruun immediately responded.
"…Positions."
---
Lucian grinned.
"Finally."
---
Karn's grip tightened on his weapon.
---
The air shifted.
Shadows stretched unnaturally.
---
From the darkness—
Figures emerged.
---
Not like before.
---
These ones—
Were different.
---
Their presence was heavier.
Stronger.
More controlled.
---
Three of them.
---
Each wearing a black cloak.
No masks.
---
Their eyes glowed faintly.
---
"…So this is the vessel."
---
Rai stepped forward.
"…You're higher ranks."
---
One of them smiled slightly.
"…We are the Second Circle."
---
Lucian tilted his head.
"…Sounds weak."
---
One of them looked at him.
"…You'll die first."
---
Lucian grinned wider.
"Try it."
---
Ruun whispered,
"…Careful…"
"These are not like the others."
---
The air grew heavier.
---
The three figures stepped forward.
---
Then—
All at once—
They vanished.
---
BOOM
---
The ground exploded.
---
Lucian blocked a sudden strike.
CLANG!
---
Karn intercepted another.
CRACK!
---
Ruun barely dodged a third.
---
"…Fast!"
---
Rai stood still.
Watching.
Analyzing.
---
Then—
He moved.
---
FLASH
---
He appeared behind one of them.
---
THUD
---
His fist slammed into their back.
---
The figure flew forward—
But twisted mid-air—
Landing smoothly.
---
"…Impressive."
---
Rai's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You're stronger than the First Blade."
---
The three figures stood together again.
---
"…Of course."
---
"We are closer to the Abyss."
---
The word echoed.
---
Lucian scoffed.
"…Yeah yeah, we'll get to that."
---
He rushed forward.
---
BOOM
---
His sword clashed with one of them.
---
Karn followed instantly.
Supporting from the side.
---
Ruun stayed back.
Watching carefully.
---
"…Their movements…"
"…they're synchronized."
---
Rai saw it too.
---
They moved like one.
---
Sharing vision.
Sharing intent.
---
"…Connected."
---
One of them smiled.
"…Yes."
---
"The Abyss sees through us."
---
Rai stepped forward.
---
"…Then I'll cut that connection."
---
Dark energy rose around him.
---
The battlefield trembled.
---
Lucian laughed.
"HAHA!"
"Now we're talking!"
---
The three figures tensed.
---
For the first time—
They felt it.
---
Pressure.
---
From Rai.
---
"…This is dangerous…"
---
Rai's eyes darkened.
---
"…Tell me where the Abyss is."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
They smiled.
---
"…Find it yourself."
---
The air twisted.
---
Dark energy surged from their bodies.
---
The ground cracked.
---
Their forms began to distort.
---
"…We are only the gate."
---
"…The Abyss…"
---
"…is coming."
---
Rai's expression didn't change.
---
"…Good."
---
Because now—
The hunt had truly begun.