The competition was only three days away, and with the deadline fast approaching, Solace had plenty of time to explore, observe, and prepare. As he wandered through the bustling streets, he couldn't help but take in the strange beauty of the city. The combination of floating buildings and ancient architecture, mixed with the buzzing energy of technology and mana, made everything seem alive and in motion.
He moved through the crowds, blending in as best as he could, his Abyssal Eye working passively to analyze the people around him. Above their heads, floating like ghostly holograms, were level indicators. Most people ranged from Level 1 to Level 80—common cultivators, everyday citizens of this world. They seemed normal, nothing particularly remarkable about them in terms of strength, but Solace could see the subtle undercurrent of energy and potential each individual carried.
"System," he asked, his voice almost a whisper as he continued walking through the busy streets, "let's do a Gacha task. How does it work?"
[System Response]
[Gacha tasks are centered around assassinations, just like many other system functions. These tasks require you to create a target and eliminate them within a set time frame. You will receive a Gacha Roll as a reward upon completion. The Gacha rewards vary based on the difficulty of the task.]
[Ding!]
[Task: Assassinate - Create a target. Time limit: 24 hours. Reward: Gacha Roll.]
The moment Solace saw the task pop up in front of him, he smiled slightly. The task was simple—create a target and eliminate them. He had been expecting something along those lines, but the Gacha Roll intrigued him. What would he get? A weapon? A skill? Maybe something more? He didn't know, but it was an opportunity to gain something useful, and Solace was never one to turn down an opportunity.
His mind began to work quickly. He'd need a target, someone whose death would have consequences, but who wouldn't be too difficult to eliminate. His eyes scanned the surroundings, his mind calculating the possibilities, until the System provided him with the details of his first target.
[Target Created]
Name: Harlen Thorne
Level: 35
Occupation: Wealthy Merchant
Known Enemies: Multiple rival factions
Defenses: Well-guarded by hired mercenaries and bodyguards
Weakness: Overconfident, careless in public settings
Solace studied the information carefully. Harlen Thorne—a wealthy merchant with a Level 35 rating. He wasn't overly strong, but he had rival factions seeking his downfall, making him a potential target of interest. His defenses were strong, but his weaknesses were glaring: overconfidence and carelessness in public.
This was a good choice. Someone like Harlen would be able to provide him with the right challenge—his security wouldn't be foolproof, and Solace knew he could work his way around it. The Gacha Roll seemed like a nice added bonus, but the true value of the task lay in testing his skills against a high-profile target. The assassination would give him a good opportunity to refine his technique and tactics.
Solace moved quickly, slipping away from the crowd and into an alley. His Abyssal Eye flickered, and he activated it once more. The power of his space and shadow affinities flowed around him, and he blended into the darkness, becoming nearly invisible.
Pulling his Faceless Mask from his inventory, Solace slid it over his face. The smooth black surface concealed all but his haunting, pitch-black eyes. His features were now hidden, and he was no longer Solace, the young man with a purpose. He was the Faceless Mask, an enigma who could strike without leaving a trace.
He then began to change his clothes. He donned baggy black sweatpants, a simple long-sleeved shirt that matched his attire, and left his feet bare. His choice to be barefoot was deliberate—he felt more connected to the ground this way, more agile and in tune with his surroundings.
"Let's get started then," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible as he moved out of the alley, preparing for his hunt.
He would need to wait for the right moment to strike, to make sure Harlen was alone and vulnerable. Solace knew his target's movements well; he had been observing him for the past few days. Harlen was predictable, and his overconfidence would make him even more so. The merchant tended to frequent the same spots at similar times—there would be no surprise in catching him off guard.
But Solace wasn't going to rush it. He would study and wait for the perfect opportunity. The key to an assassination was always about patience, precision, and timing.
[Ding!]
[Task Progress - 1/1 target located. Time left: 23:45 hours.]
Solace moved through the city like a shadow, each step deliberate and silent. His mind was focused, calculating the exact path he needed to take. As he got closer to Harlen's usual haunts, his heart rate remained steady. He wasn't rushing. He would let the moment come to him.
Eventually, he found himself lurking in the shadows near an elegant tavern, the merchant's favorite spot. He could sense Harlen inside, surrounded by a few of his hired guards. Solace could feel the tension of the hunt, the quiet thrill that came with knowing that the only thing standing between him and his goal was timing.
The Abyssal Eye flickered once more as Solace surveyed the area. He focused on Harlen, who was enjoying his meal without a care in the world, surrounded by luxury. The guards seemed distracted, their attention not entirely focused on protecting their charge.
Solace knew this was the moment. He moved into position, and without a sound, he was gone, vanishing into the shadows, ready to strike.