Journey to Become the Zenith

Shadows Enter Fantom City [Part 2]

There was no obvious reason for it.

No enemy presence she could clearly sense.

Yet the instincts she had developed through countless dangerous situations were warning her.

Someone was here.

Lane slowed.

Her fingers moved toward the bow at her back.

Then—

A blade flashed from the darkness.

She leaned backward.

The sword passed inches from her face.

Lane’s eyes narrowed.

”So that’s how we’re doing this?”

Ten figures emerged from the shadows.

Their faces were hidden.

Weapons appeared in their hands.

One stepped forward.

”Take her.”

The attack began immediately.

Lane drew her bow.

Three arrows appeared between her fingers.

She released them almost simultaneously.

Fwish!

The first arrow struck a man’s shoulder.

The second pierced another attacker’s thigh.

The third struck the hand of the man attempting to cast a spell.

”Wind Arrow.”

A sharp gust exploded from Lane’s bowstring.

The injured assassin was thrown backward.

Another rushed toward her.

Lane stepped aside.

Her elbow struck his throat.

Before he could recover, she twisted his arm and drove a short blade beneath his ribs.

He collapsed.

Another attacker came from behind.

Lane sensed him.

She spun.

Her bow became a blunt weapon in her hands.

She struck his jaw.

Then his temple.

He fell.

The remaining warriors surrounded her.

Lane’s breathing remained steady.

”Ten?”

She glanced around.

”Is that all?”

One of them cursed.

”Don’t let her escape!”

They attacked together.

The alley erupted into movement.

Fire magic tore across the ground.

”Flame Fang!”

A blade of fire surged toward Lane.

She leaped onto a nearby wall.

The attack struck the stone beneath her.

She pushed herself upward and landed on a rooftop.

Her bow was already drawn.

”Moonpiercer.”

The arrow flew.

It passed through one man’s magical barrier and struck him directly in the chest.

He fell without another sound.

Lane continued moving.

She never stayed in one place long enough for them to surround her.

Arrow after arrow flew through the darkness.

The assassins fell one after another.

Ten men.

Ten bodies.

And yet Lane’s expression barely changed.

Then she heard footsteps.

Slow.

Heavy.

Different from the others.

The final warrior stepped from the darkness.

He looked at the bodies around him.

Then at Lane.

His expression changed slightly.

”So you’re the one who killed them.”

Lane silently raised her bow.

The man sighed.

”I was sent here to kill a royal brat, but then this chick shows up. What the f*ck is with this chick?”

He looked genuinely irritated.

”Right in front of me, a beautiful girl was killing the ten men that those nobles placed on me.”

His eyes narrowed.

”Your ability in using a bow is superb, and your hand-to-hand combat is among the best I’ve seen.”

He drew his sword.

”Unfortunately for you, you’re no match for me.”

Lane’s eyes sharpened.

She fired.

The arrow screamed through the air.

The warrior tilted his head.

The arrow passed his cheek.

He moved.

Lane barely blocked the first strike.

The impact forced her backward.

Her boots scraped across the stone.

She immediately countered with a sweeping kick.

He caught her ankle.

Lane twisted her body and fired an arrow at point-blank range.

The warrior released her.

The arrow tore through the sleeve of his cloak.

His expression finally became serious.

”You’re troublesome.”

Lane said nothing.

She rushed forward.

Her bow disappeared.

A short blade appeared in her hand.

Their weapons collided.

Clang!

Sparks scattered into the night.

Lane attacked high.

He blocked.

She changed direction.

He countered.

She retreated.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Every time she found an opening, he closed it.

Every time she tried to change rhythm, he anticipated her.

Lane’s breathing gradually became heavier.

The warrior noticed.

”You stand no chance against me, kid.”

He pushed her weapon aside.

”I don’t really like killing talented kids like you, so just this once I will let you go.”

His sword lowered.

”Leave now and I won’t chase you.”

Lane froze.

For several seconds, she simply stared at him.

Then her fingers tightened around the hilt.

Did this guy ask me to flee?!

Her eyes slowly widened.

I am a woman of Victor.

And this man just told me to run?

The humiliation burned hotter than anger.

This man wants to shame me!

How dare he!

How dare he!

How dare he!

The warrior watched her expression change.

At first, he thought she was merely angry.

Then he felt it.

Mana began gathering around her.

The air grew heavy.

The stones beneath her feet trembled.

His smile disappeared.

”What...”

Lane’s entire body radiated a violent surge of mana.

The pressure exploded outward.

The warrior instinctively stepped back.

A cold sweat formed across his back.

The woman standing before him no longer felt like the same person.

Her beautiful face twisted with something far more dangerous than anger.

It was madness.

And beneath that madness was something ancient.

The warrior tightened his grip.

”So you still have something left.”

Lane raised her head.

Then everything changed.

The wild expression disappeared.

Her eyes became strangely calm.

Disappointed, almost.

The warrior’s instincts screamed.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

The woman looked at him.

And when she spoke, her voice was different.

”Now look what you’ve made me do.”

She tilted her head slightly.

”You actually pushed my current self to this point.”

Her lips curved into a faint smile.

”It’s too early for me to wake up, but you forced my hand.”

The warrior’s pupils contracted.

”What are you—”

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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Journey to Become the Zenith* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!

With love,

Scorpio_saturn777

Creator of Journey to Become the Zenith

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