Chapter 2 — Brothers in the Shadows
The assassin camp was a place where childhood ended before it began.Most children clung to fragments of their old selves — memories of toys, warm kitchens, and laughter. But for Xiao Shen and Hong Ye, the only thing worth remembering was survival.
Night Training
Two figures moved silently in the courtyard under a cloud-covered moon.Xiao Shen's breathing was steady, the rhythm of a man who knew how to pace himself. Beside him, Hong Ye's footsteps were light, almost inaudible on the dirt.
They raced toward the obstacle wall. Hong Ye went first, vaulting over with a single smooth motion. Xiao Shen followed, adding a twist mid-air to land in a crouch."Too much flair," Hong Ye whispered."Too slow," Xiao Shen countered with a faint grin.
System Tasks — Duo Training
[Earth System — Daily Tasks Updated]
Shadow Sprint Drill: 200m in complete silence (Joint Task) — +0.2 Agility, +0.1 Endurance
Paired Knife Sparring: 30 matches — +0.3 Knife Mastery
Synchronized Breathing Meditation: 1 hour — +0.2 Mind, +0.1 Endurance
By setting joint tasks with Hong Ye, Xiao Shen noticed something new — completion bonuses were slightly higher when trust was involved.The system even labeled this as Synergy Effect: 10% Stat Gain Bonus.
First Trust Test
One night, Hong Ye brought Xiao Shen to the northwest fence — a place children weren't allowed to go. Beyond it was the outer training zone, patrolled by senior assassins."We get past here," Hong Ye whispered, "and we'll see how bad the world outside this camp really is."
It was dangerous. The risk of capture was high.But Xiao Shen's instincts told him this wasn't just about curiosity — Hong Ye was testing him.
They made it past three patrols, slipping into the rocky hills beyond the camp. From the ridge, Xiao Shen could see lights far in the distance — a small town, free and unshackled."That's where we'll be someday," Hong Ye said. "Not here. Not someone else's tool."
Growth in the Shadows
Weeks turned into months. Xiao Shen's stats climbed steadily:
Strength: 8.4 → 11.0 (adult-level)
Agility: 7.9 → 10.5 (faster than most trained assassins)
Endurance: 9.1 → 12.3 (could run 10 km without slowing)
Knife Mastery: Intermediate → Advanced Basics
Mind: Calm in any fight; could assess enemy strengths in under three seconds.
Hong Ye's own skills evolved alongside him — his leadership instincts sharpening every time they coordinated.
The First Kill Together
The opportunity came during a live mission: eliminate a rogue assassin who'd stolen from the camp.It was meant for three older trainees, but Hong Ye convinced the instructor to send him and Xiao Shen as backup.
In the abandoned warehouse, the rogue struck first, knife flashing toward Xiao Shen's throat. Xiao Shen sidestepped, his own blade cutting the man's wrist in a clean arc. Hong Ye appeared behind the target, driving his dagger into the assassin's back without hesitation.
It was their first kill together.Neither spoke about it on the way back.But the silent nod they exchanged said everything.
Seeds of Escape
By the time Xiao Shen was ten, he and Hong Ye knew every guard's patrol pattern, every blind spot in the camp, and the exact schedule of supply deliveries.Xiao Shen had even mapped an escape route in his mind — one that would need perfect timing and absolute loyalty from those involved.
Still, he waited. The Earth System's words echoed in his head from his first day here:
"Strength without discipline is wasted."
They weren't ready yet. But when the time came, the camp would never see them again.