Roland's heart tightened.
'To be able to evade normal Perception at this distance and in this manner, yet trigger my [Lonely Barrier]...'
Without the slightest hesitation, his body instinctively lowered its center of gravity. It was as if invisible roots grew from his feet, anchoring him firmly to the ground.
The hand holding his sword quietly adjusted its grip. It looked relaxed, but his Power was already like a fully drawn Bowstring, ready to be unleashed.
"Who's there?"
The instant the words left his mouth, the patch of Shadow marked by [Lonely Barrier] rippled violently, like the surface of water after a stone has been thrown into it.
A figure coalesced with shocking abruptness from that empty space, as if he had always been a part of the Shadow and was only now revealing his physical form.
It was the Assassin, Jia Xiu.
