Lurking in the shadows just outside the elegant tavern, Solace kept his focus on his target, Harlen Thorne, whose every move was under the watchful eye of his surroundings. Solace blended seamlessly into the darkness, his form nearly invisible against the back of the tavern's stone walls. His Abyssal Eye gleamed faintly as he tracked his target's every movement, the information flowing like a current beneath the surface of his consciousness.
Though Harlen Thorne was only Level 35, a relatively low level for someone of his importance, his guards were a different matter. They were all Level 150 or higher—veterans, mercenaries with years of battle experience. The challenge wasn't in killing the merchant. No, the true difficulty lay in getting past the guards without raising any alarms. The task was to be seamless, precise, and silent. It was an assassination, not a brawl.
Harlen sat at a table inside the tavern, enjoying a hearty meal, surrounded by his usual cadre of elite bodyguards. Solace's Abyssal Eye scanned the room, assessing the best angles, finding the holes in the guards' watchful eyes. It wasn't enough to just kill Harlen. He needed to leave no trace, no sign of his presence. It had to be quick, calculated, and utterly invisible.
An hour passed.
Solace stood still, patient as ever, his eyes never leaving the scene. The sound of laughter and conversation filled the air, but to him, it was a distant hum. Every few seconds, his gaze flickered to Harlen and his guards, calculating, waiting for the perfect moment. Solace had learned to be patient—he had all the time in the world. His instincts told him that soon, an opportunity would present itself.
And then it did.
Harlen, finishing his meal, rose from the table with an air of confidence, his guards unaware of the plan already set into motion. He walked casually toward the back of the tavern, heading for the restroom. The guards remained at their posts, still watching the room, unaware that the moment Solace had been waiting for had finally arrived.
"Perfect," Solace muttered under his breath, his pulse steady. The opportunity he had been waiting for had come.
With fluid precision, Solace activated his Swap ability. In an instant, he appeared behind Harlen, his figure shifting through space with the grace of a shadow. The guards were none the wiser, completely unaware that the assassin had already entered the fray.
Harlen, oblivious, stepped into the restroom, alone and vulnerable.
Solace had already memorized the layout. He was invisible, and in an instant, the space between him and Harlen was closed. The trap was set.
| Swap |
The skill flickered to life within him, and Solace found himself standing directly behind Harlen in the narrow hallway leading to the restroom. His senses were razor-sharp, his breath steady as his katana gleamed in the low light.
He raised his blade, ready to strike. The precision of his movements was unparalleled; the slightest movement would draw attention, but Solace was more than capable of ensuring this moment would pass without a sound. He didn't hesitate. His katana flashed in the dim light.
[Ding!]
[Task Completed: Assassination of Harlen Thorne - Reward: Gacha Roll]
The body of Harlen Thorne crumpled silently to the ground, lifeless before it could even react. No blood, no struggle—just the cold, efficient precision of an assassin at work. Solace had used his affinity for space to make the kill, and his shadow abilities ensured the scene was clear and clean. Harlen was dead before he had even known Solace was there.
As Solace stood over the body, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. He had executed the assassination flawlessly, without a trace, without anyone even knowing he had been there. The guards were still blissfully ignorant, caught in their routine, their focus far from the bathroom.
The Gacha Roll was his reward, and Solace knew that this task was just one step in his broader journey. He turned, disappearing back into the shadows, his form melding with the darkness. He didn't need to stay and admire the success. The job was done. Now, he had to move on, and the only sign of his presence would be the small ripple of power he had just earned.
[Ding!]
[Gacha Roll - Results]
[Reward: The Perfect Apple]
The Perfect Apple is a rare and mysterious fruit that, once consumed, will transform the user's body into the perfect vessel for cultivation. It enhances the user's physical appearance to an unparalleled level of beauty, making them the most handsome and alluring person in existence. More than just a cosmetic change, the apple optimizes the user's body for the most efficient cultivation possible, improving the natural flow of energy and making the user far more attuned to mana. While it does not directly increase strength, speed, or other physical abilities, it provides the foundation for limitless cultivation potential, ensuring that the user's body will never be an obstacle to their growth.
Effect: Permanent
Solace raised an eyebrow as he read the description of the Perfect Apple. The reward was far beyond his expectations. An apple that could enhance his physical body and elevate his bloodline? It sounded almost too good to be true, but the apple's effects were undeniably potent.
The Perfect Apple would transform him into the most handsome person in existence—an appearance that would no doubt leave a lasting impression on anyone who saw him. More importantly, it optimized his body for cultivation, ensuring that his physical form was the perfect vessel to channel and cultivate mana.
However, the apple didn't directly increase strength or speed; rather, it was a foundational tool for Solace's future growth, setting him up to achieve limitless potential. This would allow him to cultivate at an even greater pace, his body no longer an obstacle in his pursuit of power.
Yet, Solace was patient. He had always been one to carefully consider his moves. As powerful as the apple's effects were, he wouldn't use it immediately. He needed to wait for the right time, when the effects would be most beneficial—likely after he had grown further, after he had reached a higher level where his body could truly take full advantage of the Perfect Apple.
For now, Solace placed the apple carefully into his inventory. It was a tool—an incredibly powerful one—but not one that needed to be used just yet.
"Not yet," Solace whispered to himself, slipping into the shadows once more. The apple was a powerful gift, but it was still part of a larger plan. He had much to do before he could unlock its full potential.
As he disappeared into the night, his mind turned toward the future—the Royal Wedding Competition, the Human Kingdom, and the power he would need to claim it. His first step had been completed, but Solace knew that the real work was just beginning.