The storm broke just after midnight. Rain poured like bullets, hammering the rooftops of the Li estate. Wind howled through the cracks of the old mansion, but inside… Li Tian stood calm, centered, silent.
He watched the monitors in the surveillance room. One by one, red dots began appearing on the digital map of the grounds.
Ding![Enemy Detection: Tier-B Assassin Unit – Qian Bei Commanding]Estimated Attack: 3 minutes.Objective: Eliminate Target (Li Tian). Secondary: Capture Yanyu alive.
Fox's voice crackled in through the comm.
"They're surrounding the eastern wing. It's a classic silent triangle formation. Your call—evacuate or engage?"
Li Tian's eyes glinted.
"I'm done running."
He switched channels.
▸ To: All House Guards ▸ Message: "Withdraw. Let them in."
Meanwhile – Yanyu's RoomYanyu stood at her window, wrapped in silk. Her brows were furrowed as she stared into the rain. Something was off. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that always came before—
Crash.
The lights went out.
Then a whisper of movement behind her. Cold breath on her neck. She turned sharply—but saw nothing.
"Too slow."
A hand wrapped around her mouth from behind.
Yanyu twisted, bit down hard, and slammed her heel backward into her attacker's shin. The man grunted, but didn't let go.
Until—
CRACK.
He was yanked off her like a rag doll. Thrown hard against the wall.
Li Tian stepped into view, his knuckles cracked and bloody.
"You don't touch what's mine."
System Notification[Guardian's Resolve Activated]• +300% strength • +50% reflex • Adrenaline Surge: Temporarily immune to pain
New Passive Unlocked: [Alpha Threat Aura]• Host exudes an oppressive aura that causes hesitation and fear in weaker enemies.
The Fight BeginsTwo more assassins entered. One lunged for Yanyu. The other threw a dagger aimed straight for Li Tian's chest.
Clang.
He caught it mid-air. In one smooth motion, he spun and drove the blade into the man's thigh, twisted, and slammed him into the floor.
The second reached for Yanyu—but she had already moved. Fast.
Her hand darted to the table, grabbing a broken lamp base. She swung wide, and it shattered across the attacker's skull.
Li Tian blinked.
"You've improved."
"I had to," she said, panting. "You attract trouble."
Before he could respond, the main door was kicked open.
Qian Bei entered, soaked in rain, blades strapped across his back like wings.
He smiled.
"Trash husband… It's been a long time."
Flashback – 5 Years AgoLi Tian stood in a burning village. Blood soaked the dirt. Qian Bei faced him, younger, cocky, brutal.
"You're too soft," Qian sneered. "You hesitate. That's why you'll never lead."
Li Tian had turned away then. Chosen exile over war.
Now?
He cracked his neck.
"I've learned," he said.
Qian Bei drew two blades. "Good. Let's see what the trash has learned."
Boss Battle Begins[New Mission: Survive or Eliminate – Qian Bei] • Threat Level: Tier-A • Bonus: If defeated, gain [Shadow Execution Style – Lv. 1]
Qian Bei moved first—fast, like lightning. His blades blurred. Li Tian dodged the first strike, blocked the second with his arm, and countered with a punch that nearly dislocated Qian's shoulder.
But Qian was faster now. He twisted midair, landed low, and swept Li Tian's legs out from under him.
Ding! Injury Detected: Rib Fracture – Minor
Li Tian grimaced. He couldn't outpace him. Not without—
System Override Suggestion: Activate Forbidden Skill – [Pain Severance] • Temporarily disables all pain receptors • Caution: High physical risk
Li Tian didn't hesitate.
[Confirm Activation] – YES
The pain vanished.
He stood. Moved.
And became a storm.
The Turning PointThey clashed again. This time, Li Tian didn't dodge—he walked through the blade, grabbed Qian Bei's collar, and headbutted him so hard the man's nose broke instantly.
Qian stumbled.
"You're insane," he hissed.
"No," Li Tian whispered. "I'm awake."
With a roar, he disarmed Qian Bei, slammed him against the wall, and raised the dagger—
But stopped.
Because Yanyu had stepped into the room. And her voice broke through the haze.
"Li Tian."
Just his name.
He looked at her—really looked—and dropped the blade.
"I won't become the thing they made me to be."
Instead, he knocked Qian Bei unconscious.
System ReportMission CompleteSkill Acquired: [Shadow Execution Style – Lv. 1]Trust with Yanyu +20Bond Effect Strengthened: Yanyu now believes in your protection.
AftermathThey stood in silence as Fox and the emergency team swept in to clean up.
Yanyu finally looked at him and said, "You were willing to die."
Li Tian nodded. "For you? Every time."
She stared at him. Then did something neither expected.
She leaned in. Kissed his cheek softly.
And whispered, "Then maybe I was wrong about you."