The moon hung high over Vale Village, its pale light spilling across snow-covered rooftops. The night was quiet — almost too quiet. Even the wolves of the north seemed to hold their breath.
Arden sat alone atop the mansion roof, legs crossed, eyes closed. His Qi flowed calmly through his veins like molten gold, circulating with perfect rhythm.
Qi flow stable. Core expanding.
He exhaled, releasing a thin trail of mist. His body felt lighter — sharper. Every sound, every flicker of movement within a hundred meters, he could sense clearly.
That's when he felt it — a faint disturbance. A heartbeat too controlled, a breath too shallow.
Someone was here.
He opened his eyes.
A flicker of shadow darted between trees, swift and silent. The air shimmered for an instant as a throwing knife sliced through the night, aimed straight at his forehead.
With a casual flick of his fingers, Arden deflected it midair.
"Assassin," he murmured, rising to his feet.
A soft voice answered from the dark, calm and emotionless."Target confirmed. Arden Vale — elimination commencing."
Then, she struck.
A blur of black silk and silver flashed across the moonlight. Her movements were so fast that even the snow seemed to freeze in her wake.
Arden's knife met her blade with a sharp clang! Sparks scattered like fireflies.
He grinned. "Impressive speed. You've trained in Shadow Step, haven't you?"
The woman didn't reply. Her eyes, hidden beneath a mask, glowed faintly violet — eyes of a killer who'd abandoned hesitation long ago.
She twisted, vanishing again. Arden spun backward, blocking another strike with his forearm. The impact cracked the tiles beneath their feet.
"Not bad," he said. "But you're still holding back."
Her tone was icy. "My mission requires no emotion."
Arden's smile faded. "Then I'll make you feel something."
The fight blurred into a storm of motion — knives, shadow clones, bursts of Qi energy lighting up the night.
Each clash echoed across the rooftops. The assassin moved like mist, her every step leaving only fading afterimages. But Arden anticipated her every move, countering with perfect precision.
After a dozen exchanges, she finally retreated to a rooftop beam, panting lightly. A small cut marked her shoulder — the first wound she'd taken in years.
"You…" she hissed. "What kind of monster are you?"
Arden wiped blood from his cheek. "A farmer's son."
For a heartbeat, silence — then she laughed softly. "Liar."
Her mask cracked slightly from their battle, revealing a glimpse of porcelain skin and silver hair.
Arden's expression softened. So young… no older than sixteen.
He sheathed his knife. "Tell me. Who sent you?"
The assassin hesitated. Her hand twitched toward another blade, but something in his eyes — that calm, commanding gaze — made her pause.
"…The Empire," she whispered. "The Second Prince ordered your death. He fears the 'Northern Child' who defeated a monster army."
Arden's gaze darkened. "Politics already, huh?"
He stepped closer. "And your name?"
The girl frowned. "You think I'll—"
"I asked for your name," he said firmly. His voice carried no anger, only quiet dominance.
"…Selene."
Moments later, Mira and Elyndra burst into the courtyard below, weapons drawn.
"Master! We heard fighting!"
Arden gestured for silence. "It's over."
They froze when they saw Selene, her arm pinned behind her back, bound by Arden's Qi threads.
Elyndra's eyes narrowed. "An assassin?"
Selene glared at her captors. "Do what you want. I failed my mission."
But Arden shook his head. "No. You succeeded."
"What…?"
He smiled faintly. "You found me. And now, you'll serve me instead."
Mira's ears perked up. "Serve you?!"
Elyndra frowned. "You're keeping her alive?"
"She's skilled, disciplined, and clearly desperate," Arden replied calmly. "Those who live in shadow can see threats the light cannot. I need that kind of blade in the North."
Selene's expression hardened. "You think I'll obey the man I was sent to kill?"
Arden turned away, his tone indifferent. "Then die. But if you live, you'll find that my shadow is safer than any prince's promise."
He released her bindings. Selene stood still for a long moment — then slowly knelt, lowering her head.
"…I'll stay. For now."
Arden nodded. "Good. From this moment, you are no longer a tool of the Empire. You are Selene of the North."
That night, the moonlight washed over the quiet village. Selene stood by the window, watching the snow fall.
Why… didn't he kill me? she wondered. He could have ended it in one strike.
Arden's voice echoed faintly in her memory:
"Those who live in shadow can see threats the light cannot."
For the first time in years, she felt something stir — not fear, not duty… but curiosity.
The next morning, Arden stood before a map of the northern territories.
Elyndra stood at his side. "You really think this assassin can be trusted?"
Arden's eyes gleamed. "Trust? No. But usefulness comes before trust. The Empire is watching us now — and I intend to make sure they regret it."
He marked several red points on the map — outposts, trade routes, and border fortresses.
"The North will rise," he said softly. "And this time, it will bow to no one."