Ryu stood frozen in the middle of the dark, damp alley, the paper in his hand crumpled from his tight grip. The information "Shadow Fox" had provided was too heavy for him to bear immediately. The "target list" of the Seven Hunters... and the word "Artificer" highlighted so prominently... it swirled relentlessly in his mind. The image of Da Vinci and his miraculous golden brush superimposed itself over the fear that began to grip his heart.
"Da Vinci... is a target?" Ryu murmured to himself, his voice hoarse. "I have to hurry back and warn everyone!"
But leaving Siren's Haven now was no easy task. He had just narrowly escaped "Fenril," and "Shadow Fox" had warned him that the "Hunters" might already be on his trail. He had to be many times more cautious and careful than before.
Ryu took a deep breath, trying to gather his wits and composure. He decided he needed to find a safe place to study the information on the paper in detail first. Perhaps there was some clue he had overlooked, and he needed to plan his escape route from the city as carefully as possible.
He began to move again, navigating the labyrinthine alleys of Siren's Haven under the cover of night. His sharp eyes scanned for any sign of danger constantly. Every shadow, every unusual sound, made him suspicious. The feeling of being watched grew stronger and stronger.
Eventually, he reached another rather deserted old warehouse district, not far from where he had clashed with Fenril, but in a different direction. He chose the most dilapidated warehouse, one that seemed unlikely to attract attention, as his temporary hiding place. After ensuring it was safe, he built a small fire from scraps of wood he found inside. The flickering light illuminated his tense face and the paper he began to unfold.
The list contained names of people he didn't recognize and broad "descriptions" of targets, such as "leader of the southern resistance group" or "scholar possessing ancient tomes." But what caught Ryu's eye the most were the hastily scribbled notes next to some names or descriptions: "Verified by 'Night Hawk'" or "Confirmed by 'Shadow Serpent.'" This meant the Seven Hunters weren't working entirely independently but were coordinating and sharing information!
And most importantly, the words "Artificer – Foreigner – Power of creation from nothingness – High-level threat – The Emperor wants him" were circled in red ink, with a small symbol of an "eye" next to it.
"An eye... could it be 'Eagle'!" Ryu exclaimed softly. "He actually saw Da Vinci use his power that time!"
The terrifying truth began to dawn. The Nebula Empire not only knew of Da Vinci's existence but also considered him a high-level threat and wanted him captured! His mission now was not just to gather intelligence but to bring this information back as quickly as possible to prepare for what was coming.
Suddenly! Faint footsteps sounded from outside the warehouse!
Ryu quickly extinguished the small fire. Darkness enveloped the area. He drew his katana, ready, his heart pounding. Instinct told him this was no ordinary patrol.
"Come on out, little mouse. I know you're in there," a familiar deep voice called from the dilapidated warehouse door. "The stench of your blood is so strong I could smell it from halfway across the city."
Fenril! He had tracked him down!
Ryu gritted his teeth. He knew hiding was futile now. "What do you want from me?" Ryu shouted back, while looking for another escape route.
"Hahaha!" Fenril laughed loudly. "I just... want to 'play' with you a little longer. It's not often I find a little mouse who's so good at running. It's incredibly fun."
The warehouse door was kicked open violently! Fenril's figure appeared in the entrance, the dim moonlight revealing the wide smirk on his face. His eyes gleamed with obvious amusement.
"Let's see how long you can run this time," Fenril said, slowly drawing his pitch-black sword, as if savoring the moment of the hunt.
Ryu knew he was cornered. He couldn't escape through the door, and the warehouse didn't seem to have any other obvious exits. He had to fight!
"Shadowless Sword Dance: Raging Tempest!" Ryu decided to attack first. He lunged at Fenril with all his speed, his katana lashing out like a furious storm, aiming to wound his enemy and create an escape route.
Clang! Clang! Bang!
Fenril met Ryu's attack with an even wider smile. He didn't just parry but also found opportunities to counter with simple yet powerful and deadly strikes. His black sword seemed alive, moving freely and unpredictably.
"A little better... but still not enough!" Fenril roared, increasing the speed and ferocity of his attacks!
Ryu quickly found himself on the defensive. He could feel the vast difference in power and skill. Every time their swords clashed, the impact sent a jarring force through his hands, making them numb. Sweat streamed down his cheeks, but he continued to grit his teeth and fight.
"You know, little mouse... what I like most about the 'hunt' is... the look in the prey's eyes when they start to lose hope," Fenril taunted as he continued to corner Ryu. "It's truly a beautiful sight."
Ryu desperately tried to find an opening in Fenril's defense, but it seemed this hunter was flawless. He was faster, stronger, and had far more combat experience than Ryu.
Shlick!
"Arrrgh!" Ryu cried out in pain! Fenril's sword had managed to slice through his guard, cutting into his left side! Fresh red blood began to flow from the wound. The pain shot through his body, making his knees weaken slightly.
"Hahaha! Now it's getting fun!" Fenril laughed maniacally. He didn't rush to finish him off but deliberately inflicted pain on Ryu slowly.
Ryu stumbled slightly, using his katana to support himself so he wouldn't fall. His eyes glared at Fenril with anger and a determination that refused to give up. "I... I won't let you... do as you please!"
He gathered his last ounce of strength and lunged at Fenril again! But this time, his target wasn't Fenril directly, but a large wooden pillar supporting the warehouse roof!
"Shadowless Sword Dance: Earth Render!" Ryu's sword struck the base of the wooden pillar with all his might!
Boom! Crash!
The pillar snapped and came crashing down rapidly! Along with it, debris from the roof and large wooden beams began to collapse!
Fenril's eyes widened slightly in surprise that Ryu would choose to destroy his own hiding place. He leaped back, narrowly avoiding the falling debris.
Dust and splinters filled the air once more!
Ryu seized this opportunity! Though injured and weakened, he was still lucid enough to look for an escape. He saw a small gap created by the collapsing roof. It was very narrow, but perhaps just enough for him to squeeze through!
He threw himself towards the gap without a second thought!
"You think you can escape me a second time, you foolish little mouse!" Fenril's voice thundered close behind. He no longer paid attention to the falling debris but pursued Ryu rapidly!
Ryu managed to squeeze through the narrow gap! He found himself behind the warehouse, in an even darker and narrower alley. But at the end of the alley, he saw the dim lights of a main street! That was his salvation!
He was about to break into a run! But then...
Thwack!
A short knife flew from the shadows, embedding itself precisely in his right thigh!
"Ugh!" Ryu collapsed to the ground instantly! A new wave of intense pain washed over him! He tried to get up, but his leg had no strength!
Fenril's figure appeared at the entrance of the alley Ryu had just escaped from. He was walking slowly towards Ryu, a look of immense satisfaction on his face.
"I told you... how much fun it is to play with struggling prey," Fenril said, raising his black sword high, preparing to end Ryu's life coldly.
Ryu closed his eyes. He knew he wouldn't survive this time... "Kiana... Elder... I'm sorry..."
But then! Before Fenril's sword could fall!
Bang! Bang!
Two gunshots rang out in quick succession! Metal bullets struck the arm holding Fenril's sword squarely!
"ARGH!" Fenril cried out in pain and shock! The black sword flew from his hand! He whirled around to look in the direction the bullets had come from, his face contorted with rage!
A figure leaped down from the roof of a nearby building. The figure wore dark, practical leather attire. In both hands, she held a pair of pistols, smoke still curling from their muzzles. "What do you think you're doing, bullying a kid around here... you damn mad dog," a gruff female voice spoke.