Scy's POV
The moment the creature fell, I knew something had changed.
It wasn't just the strength I gained or the control I developed over my ability. It was something deeper than that, something I couldn't ignore anymore. The air itself felt different, heavier, like the world was reacting to me.
"…They felt it," I muttered.
Natalia looked at me, confused. "Who?"
"The ones watching."
I didn't need to explain further.
If someone like that cloaked observer was already involved, then there was no way they would ignore what just happened. A creature like that didn't just appear randomly, and the power I used to kill it… wasn't something that could stay hidden anymore.
"…So what happens now?" Natalia asked.
I looked toward the horizon, my eyes narrowing slightly.
"…Now they move."
We didn't stay in the forest.
There was no point.
If they were coming, then hiding would only delay the inevitable. And I wasn't interested in running.
As we returned to the outskirts of the city, the atmosphere felt off. People were moving normally, talking, trading, laughing… but underneath all of that, there was tension.
Unseen.
Unspoken.
But there.
"…Something's wrong," Natalia said quietly.
"…They're already here."
The moment those words left my mouth—
I felt it.
Five presences.
Heavy.
Controlled.
Nothing like the assassins before.
"…They're not hiding," I added.
"…What do you mean?"
"…They want to be seen."
We stopped walking.
And then—
they appeared.
Five figures stepped forward from different directions, surrounding us without rushing, without aggression, but with absolute confidence. Their movements were calm, precise, and synchronized.
Not assassins.
Soldiers.
No—
something more.
"…So you're the one," one of them said, his voice steady and cold.
I didn't answer.
Instead, I observed them.
Their posture.
Their breathing.
Their presence.
"…You're not from the Black Fang," I said.
"…Correct."
The man stepped forward slightly.
"We are the Royal Guards."
Natalia stiffened beside me.
"…Royal… Guards…?"
The name alone carried weight.
Authority.
Power.
And danger.
"…So the kingdom finally decided to act," I said calmly.
"…You should feel honored," another one added. "Not everyone receives this level of attention."
"…I didn't ask for it."
"…You didn't need to."
Silence fell between us.
The air grew heavier with each passing second.
"…You've caused enough disruption," the first guard continued. "Eliminating multiple operatives, displaying unknown abilities, and drawing the attention of higher authorities."
His eyes locked onto mine.
"…You are now considered a threat."
I let out a quiet breath.
"…And your solution is to kill me."
"…If necessary."
"…I see."
For a moment, no one moved.
Then—
"…Scy," Natalia whispered, her voice tense. "What do we do…?"
I didn't look at her.
"…Stay behind me."
"…But—"
"Just stay."
She fell silent.
The guards didn't attack immediately.
They were waiting.
Watching.
Analyzing.
Just like that observer.
"…You're cautious," I said.
"…We're not fools," one of them replied. "We've already seen what you can do."
"…Then you should know this won't be easy."
"…We never expected it to be."
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"…Good."
In an instant—
I moved.
SWOOSH.
A blade formed in my hand as I dashed forward.
CLANG.
My attack was blocked.
"…Fast," the guard muttered.
"…Not enough."
I twisted my body and attacked again.
CLANG. CLANG.
Two more strikes.
Both blocked.
"…Their coordination…"
I stepped back.
"…Interesting."
The other guards moved at the same time, closing the distance.
"Now."
They attacked together.
Precise.
Controlled.
Relentless.
Their movements weren't like the assassins.
They didn't rush.
They didn't panic.
Every step had purpose.
Every strike had intent.
"…This is different."
I dodged one attack, blocked another, then shifted my position just in time to avoid a third.
"…So this is the Royal Guard."
I raised my hand.
Multiple blades formed around me instantly.
Sharper.
Denser.
Faster.
"…Let's raise the level."
The blades shot forward.
But—
they reacted.
CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.
They deflected.
All of them.
"…They can keep up…"
For the first time—
I felt it.
Excitement.
"…Good."
The battle intensified.
The ground cracked beneath our movements, the air filled with the sound of steel colliding again and again. Their teamwork was flawless. Every time I tried to break through, another one would cover the opening.
"…You're strong," one of them said.
"…And you're holding back," I replied.
"…Of course."
"…Same here."
Silence.
Then—
everything changed.
I focused.
Not just on creating weapons.
But on my entire body.
That feeling again.
The one I had felt before.
The one that made me lose form.
"…Let's see."
My body shifted slightly.
Not fully.
But enough.
The blades around me changed.
Sharper.
More unstable.
More… alive.
"…What is that…?" one of the guards muttered.
"…Something new."
I disappeared.
Faster than before.
CRASH.
One of them was sent flying.
"…One."
The formation broke.
"…Now it's interesting."
The others adjusted instantly.
But it was already too late.
Behind me—
Natalia watched everything.
Silent.
Frozen.
"…Scy…"
She couldn't keep up anymore.
The fight had already gone beyond her level.
I stood in the center, surrounded by them.
"…You're better than the others," I said.
"…We're not finished."
"…Neither am I."
The air grew heavier.
Darker.
More intense.
And in that moment—
both sides understood.
This wasn't a simple fight anymore.
This was the beginning—
of something far bigger.