Chapter 10: Blood under the moon
The night was quiet. Too quiet.
Kai's chest rose and fell steadily as he finished another set of squats. Sweat dripped down his brow, muscles trembling, but he didn't stop. One hundred push-ups, one hundred sit-ups, one hundred pull-ups. Every movement precise, every repetition a test of will.
His body ached. His limbs screamed. But his mind was sharper than ever. He wasn't just training to grow stronger—he was preparing for the moment when everything would demand more than he had. Tonight, he pushed harder than ever before. Determination burned in him like fire. He wouldn't be caught unprepared. He wouldn't fall so easily. Not ever.
He turned to leave the clearing, feeling the night air cool against his skin, when the forest went completely still. His instincts screamed at him, warning him before he even saw it.
A presence was behind him.
Too fast. Too silent.
Before he could react, a heavy blow slammed into his back, launching him forward. He crashed into a tree; bark splintered under the impact. Pain shot through him, but he forced himself up.
A blade flashed. He rolled, but the edge grazed his side. His vision wavered, breath uneven, yet he refused to falter.
The assassin stood a few steps away, calm and relaxed, weapon in hand. "Training alone at night," he said lightly. "You made this too easy."
Kai wiped the sweat from his face, determination blazing in his eyes. "…Try me."
The assassin smiled—and vanished.
Kai's muscles surged as he activated Physical Enhancement to the max. His senses sharpened. His heartbeat slowed. His body moved faster than ever—but it still wasn't enough.
A blur of motion. He was sent flying sideways into a tree. Another strike slammed into him from behind, driving him into the ground. Dirt scattered. His vision shook. He forced it back into focus.
"Come on," the assassin's voice echoed. "You trained all that… for this?"
Kai didn't answer. Survival consumed him. Each strike pushed him harder. Trees splintered. The ground cracked beneath sudden bursts of speed. Every impact rattled his body. Still, he rose. Still, he fought.
He staggered to his feet, muscles screaming, but his mind stayed sharp. He predicted movement by intent, reacting earlier, dodging faster, intercepting more strikes—but the assassin was relentless. Each attack pressed him back. Each hit tested the limits of his body.
"…Then I'll push further," he muttered, and something inside him stirred. A deep surge, a faint crimson glow around his body. Blood Enhancement. Halfway unlocked, it sent power through every muscle, every nerve. His speed spiked, strength surged, vision sharpened.
The next strike came—he blocked, countered, and forced the assassin back a step. He pressed forward, striking faster and harder, driving him back. For a brief, shining moment, the momentum shifted. Kai had a chance. He could almost taste victory.
"…Impressive," the assassin said softly. "But not enough."
Kai ignored the warning signs. The strain in his body increased, muscles tightening painfully, breaths coming uneven. His movements slowed just slightly, enough for the assassin to notice. And then—he vanished. Not a blur, not a flicker, just gone.
Kai froze, searching desperately. "…Where are you?"
"Here."
A shadow appeared behind him, impossibly fast, precise, unstoppable. A final strike pierced Kai's chest, clean and direct. His strength evaporated. His legs gave way.
Even as he collapsed, one last desperate strike escaped him—enough to force the assassin back a step. "…Still fighting," the assassin murmured.
Kai fell, vision dimming, body failing, yet determination never wavered. He had survived this long. He had fought with everything he had.
The forest returned to stillness. The assassin glanced at him one last time. "…Next time, survive longer," he said, then vanished into the darkness.
And in that silence, something stirred deep within Kai. Heavy. Ancient. Awakening.
A faint crimson glow spread from within.
"So… this is the vessel…"
"I will take it."
A pulse echoed, deep and powerful. And Kai's fingers twitched. The world shifted.
Sorry I have been sick but I will release more chapter to make up for it, don't forget to drop a power stone and comment your thoughts on the battle .