Silence filled the forest.

But this silence wasn’t peaceful—it pressed down on everyone like something alive, suffocating, louder than any scream.

The smell of burned flesh still lingered in the air.

Shadow stood alone, busy reading the message that popped up in his head.

[ SYSTEM QUEST ]

Threat Removal Protocol Activated

Eliminate the 5 designated targets.

Condition: No survivors allowed.

Reward:

+30 System Points

___________

Shadow read the system’s message and smirked as his attention was shifted towards his targets.

Across from him, five figures faced him in a loose formation. All of them were awakeners. All of them exhausted. And all of them staring at him like he wasn’t human anymore.

Mike stood at the front, blood still running down his armor, his grip tightening around his weapon. Behind him, Leon and the wind mage steadied themselves, their mana clearly running low. The archer had already drawn her bow, the string trembling slightly between her fingers.

No one rushed forward.

No one spoke.

Until—

"What kind of monster are you?" the archer finally said, her voice shaking despite her effort to keep it steady. Her eyes were red, locked onto him. "Lara... she was the most innocent out of all of us. And you—"

Her voice cracked.

"—how could you do that to her."

Shadow looked at her for a moment.

Then shrugged.

"Nothing personal," he said calmly. "I liked her too."

A pause.

"Even if she was kind of a leech."

"You—!" the assassin snapped, her teeth grinding together as anger replaced whatever restraint she had left.

Leon stepped forward slightly, his expression hard.

"It’s useless," he said. "Look at him. There’s nothing left inside."

His gaze didn’t waver.

"Let’s just capture him and hand him over to the guild."

A brief silence followed.

Then—

"I agree," Mike said.

No hesitation.

No doubt.

At his signal, the group moved as one.

Mike stepped forward, shield raised, placing himself between Shadow and the others. Behind him, Leon and the wind mage lifted their hands, mana gathering—unstable, but ready. The archer adjusted her stance, already tracking Shadow’s movement, waiting for the perfect shot.

The assassin disappeared.

No warning.

No sound.

Shadow didn’t move.

Didn’t even shift his stance.

Just watched.

Then—

A blur behind him.

"Got you, fucker."

The assassin’s voice came from his blind spot as she lunged forward, dagger aimed straight for his shoulder.

A perfect strike.

Clean.

Fast.

Unseen.

For anyone else—

It would’ve landed.

But Shadow tilted his body slightly.

The blade passed by his shoulder.

Missed.

For a split second, the assassin’s eyes widened.

Too late.

Shadow’s hand moved.

His left hand shot back, grabbing her wrist mid-motion, stopping her completely. At the same time, his right hand closed around her throat, lifting her off the ground as if she weighed nothing.

Silence dropped again.

Heavy.

Unreal.

Her legs kicked in the air as she struggled, choking, her dagger slipping from her grasp.

____________

Author note: Even tho this is a fantasy novel, don’t expect unrealistic scene like Arya Stark’s.

____________

Shadow looked at her.

Calm.

Unbothered.

"A sneaky fox trying to jump me..." he said quietly. " You’re not the first animal who tried to do that."

His grip tightened.

"Not very wise."

Fire ignited in his right hand.

Not slowly.

Not gradually.

It exploded into existence.

The heat distorted the air instantly.

The assassin’s eyes widened in pure terror—

Then Shadow moved.

With a sudden, brutal motion, he forced the flames into her open mouth.

For a split second—

Nothing.

Then—

Her head burst apart.

Fragments scattered.

Her body went limp instantly.

Shadow released her without a second glance.

It dropped to the ground with a dull thud.

Silence.

Complete.

Absolute.

Then—

"No...!"

Mike’s voice broke.

Raw.

Filled with something deeper than anger.

He stepped forward, his expression twisted as he stared at the lifeless body of the woman he liked.

"...Nooooooo!"

Mike collapsed to his knees as if whatever had been holding him upright had finally snapped. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

From where he stood, he could still see her.

Or rather... what was left of her.

The assassin’s body lay twisted on the ground, headless, lifeless, reduced to something unrecognizable. For a moment, he didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. His mind refused to accept what his eyes were showing him.

Then it hit.

His shoulders trembled violently, and the tears came all at once—heavy, uncontrollable. His face twisted into something ugly, something broken, caught between grief, rage, and complete helplessness.

Shadow watched him in silence.

There was no sympathy in his eyes. No regret.

Only observation.

Then, almost lazily, he stretched his hand slightly.

"I think I used too much effort. That’s embarrassing."

The words hung in the air.

And shattered whatever restraint Mike had left.

"I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!" he roared, his voice cracking as it tore out of him.

Behind him—

The orhers’ magic began to gather again.

And this time—

It wasn’t hesitation.

It was pure killing intent.