Chapter 14 – The Target on Her Back
The confrontation with the Northern Shadow Assembly changed everything.
They didn't retreat because they were defeated.
They retreated because they were collecting data.
And now…
They had chosen their target.
Selene.
---
A Hidden Mark
Two days after the village battle —
Selene was reviewing strategic reports inside her private chamber.
Aria had gone to train reinforcement units.
Audrey was meeting village elders about reconstruction.
Selene sat alone.
Suddenly —
Her system bracelet emitted a faint red glow.
She frowned.
"This signal…"
Before she could react —
The room temperature dropped drastically.
A dark formation appeared beneath her feet.
Runes activated instantly.
It was a teleportation trap.
"Impossible —!"
The barrier around her room shattered as spatial energy distorted the environment.
A masked assassin materialized directly behind her.
His voice was calm.
"Target confirmed."
---
The Capture Attempt
Selene reacted instantly.
She spun around and launched a lightning spell at point-blank range.
The assassin raised a dark shield — absorbing the attack.
He countered with a shockwave that slammed her into the wall.
"Your combat capability is impressive…"
"But predictable."
More figures emerged from shadow portals.
Three additional operatives.
Selene realized quickly.
This wasn't random.
It was a coordinated extraction mission.
They weren't here to kill her.
They were here to capture her.
---
Strategic Weakening
One assassin activated a suppression rune that locked spatial movement.
Another deployed a mana-draining net across the room.
Selene attempted to break through —
But the environment itself was being sealed.
Her breathing became heavier.
"These artifacts…"
"They prepared specifically for me…"
One assassin approached slowly.
"Your connection to Audrey makes you valuable."
"Alive."
He extended his hand toward her.
"Come quietly."
"Or we force compliance."
Selene's eyes hardened.
"I would rather die."
She prepared a final spell.
But before she could release it —
The suppression field intensified.
Her mana output dropped dramatically.
She was trapped.
---
Golden Interference
Outside the building —
Audrey suddenly stopped mid-conversation.
His system activated violently.
Faction Member Under Extreme Threat
Location: Detecting Spatial Distortion
His eyes widened.
"Selene…"
Golden energy exploded around him.
He vanished instantly.
---
The Rescue
Inside the chamber —
The assassin reached out to grab Selene.
Suddenly —
A golden blade sliced through the wall and intercepted his arm.
SHIIING!
The attacker jumped back.
Dust exploded as the structure collapsed.
Audrey landed between Selene and the assailants.
His eyes were cold.
"You made a mistake."
The assassins recognized him immediately.
"Target has arrived."
"Proceed with elimination."
Three of them attacked simultaneously.
Audrey converted massive amounts of gold into combat acceleration.
He moved faster than sight.
One assassin's weapon shattered.
Another was knocked unconscious with a precise strike.
The third attempted to activate a self-destruction rune —
But Audrey sealed his movement with a golden restraint field.
---
The Commander Reveals Itself
The leader — who had remained hidden — stepped forward calmly.
He observed Audrey carefully.
"You respond instantly when she is threatened."
"Predictable."
Audrey tightened his fist.
"Touch her again…"
The commander smiled.
"That is exactly why we targeted her."
He activated a hidden device.
A massive teleport anchor triggered outside the building.
Energy surged violently.
Suddenly —
The entire structure began destabilizing.
The commander spoke calmly:
"We failed to capture her."
"But we succeeded in forcing you to reveal your protective priority."
He raised his hand.
"Data complete."
A portal opened behind him.
He stepped inside.
Before disappearing completely, he added:
"Next time…"
"We won't target individuals."
"We will target everything you value."
The portal closed.
---
Aftermath
Silence returned.
The room was destroyed.
Selene collapsed briefly — exhausted but alive.
Audrey rushed to her side.
"Are you injured?"
She shook her head slowly.
"…They came prepared."
She looked at him.
"They studied my weaknesses."
Audrey's expression darkened.
"No."
"They studied my attachments."
Aria arrived moments later after sensing the disturbance.
She saw the damage.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Shadow operatives?"
Selene nodded.
"They attempted abduction."
Aria's gaze shifted toward Audrey.
"Then it's clear."
"This is no longer about power."
"It's about breaking your emotional stability."
Audrey stood slowly.
His golden aura flared.
"Then let them try."
"If they attack what I protect…"
"I erase them."
For the first time —
The war had shifted from political conflict…
To psychological warfare.
---
🔥 End of Chapter 14