The footsteps grew faster, the sound echoing faintly through the space as if someone was running towards her.
Ling Xuan shut her eyes, her body went still as she focused, trying to determine whether what was approaching was human or monster. She listened carefully, her breathing almost unnoticed while her grip on the sword tightened slightly.
The sound came again. But this time it was faster and heavier. Her ears quirked up slightly as a subtle frown settled between her brows.
Then suddenly, it became too fast to follow, as if it had blurred into something unnatural, and for a brief moment, Ling Xuan could no longer clearly track it. A quiet warning rose in her chest.
Suddenly, a huge dark figure lunged from the darkness, its claws tearing through the air as it aimed directly for her throat. Ling Xuan moved at the exact same moment, her body shifting to the side with precise control as her blade rose in a clean arc.
