Chapter 266
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 266: The Startling Shadow
A few minutes ago, at the Demon Hunt Agency.
The air in the office was tense, a strange and unsettling energy seeping through its walls.
In the spacious hall, Alan, the newly appointed captain of the Night Watchers, stood tall in his black suit, a sharp contrast to the unease etched on his face. Before him, a team of elite Night Watchers awaited his orders.
Each member of this team carried the potential for awakening extraordinary abilities. Among them were two individuals who had already reached an advanced level—remarkable talents, even capable of leading other teams.
Alan shared a grim piece of information: a dangerous, mysterious creature was lurking within the agency. Its presence posed a threat unlike anything they had faced before.
Alan’s Rise
Though Alan was newly appointed, his strength had shocked many. Few had known the extent of his abilities until now.
Rumors circulated: had he been hiding his strength all this time? Had he deliberately pretended to be weaker?
Alan denied these claims outright.
“It’s impossible for me to hold back when protecting the innocent. How could I not give it my all?”
Still, his sudden rise in power raised questions. In the Night Watchers’ system, any noticeable improvement in extraordinary abilities required thorough documentation. This policy ensured that such powers did not spiral out of control.
The new director, once known
as the Raven Reaper, vouched
for Alan, attributing his growth
to Lin Bian’s inheritance. Out of
respect for Lin Bian and trust
in the director, most refrained
from questioning Alan further.
The Threat Within
Alan took a deep breath. His
instincts, bolstered by the
voice of the Savior in his mind,
warned him of an imminent
danger.
The creature lurking in the
agency, the Savior revealed,
was the most terrifying one
yet. Though it hadn’t shown
itself, Alan knew it was hiding
nearby.
Most of the agency’s
personnel had already left to
handle disturbances across
Tatsumi City, leaving only the
most skilled behind. These
included Alan, the Raven
Reaper, and Adelaide.
Alan glanced at his team, his
longtime friends. Despite his
new rank, there was no
animosity between them. But
the absence of Lin Bian, their
former mentor, weighed
heavily on them all.
The Startling Shadow
Alan’s assistant, Ai, stepped
forward. With her short hair,
glasses, and composed
demeanor, she exuded quiet
confidence.
“The wards have detected
nothing unusual,” she reported.
“Divination ceremonies also
revealed no trace of the
creature.”
She hesitated, then continued,
“There are two possibilities.
Either the creature has left the
agency or it possesses
abilities that render it
undetectable.”
Alan’s voice was firm. “It’s still
here. Nearby.”
Ai nodded, trusting his
judgment despite her doubts.
Alan’s thoughts raced. The
Savior had called the creature
the Startling Shadow. Perhaps
it was a shadow-based entity,
like a Shadow Fiend.
Suddenly, a bone-chilling
sensation swept over him.
Danger.
“Captain! Your shadow!”
Alan looked down. His shadow
had changed, elongating
unnaturally. A grotesque figure
emerged—tall, thin, with
hollow eyes and mouths on its
head. It laughed, a silent,
sinister sound.
The Battle Begins
The Startling Shadow moved
with terrifying speed, merging
into Ai’s shadow before
anyone could react.
“Captain…” Ai whispered, her
voice trembling. Her body
froze, then twisted unnaturally,
manipulated like a puppet.
A monstrous weapon emerged
from her shadow—a sword
with shark-like teeth, radiating
madness and terror.
Alan’s instincts screamed.
“Everyone, dodge! Don’t get hit
by that blade!”
The shadow blade swung with
immense force, splitting Alan
in two. But it was a trick. Alan
reappeared nearby, his
Substitute Puppet magic
saving him.
A Desperate Gamble
Alan hesitated. How could they
defeat this creature without
harming Ai?
Ai, consumed by pain, pleaded
through tears.
“Kill me… Please…”
Her words pierced Alan’s heart,
but he refused to give up.
Summoning his courage, he
used his Reanimation Spell,
sending knives imbued with
electricity to pin the shadow
down. The creature howled in
pain but refused to relent.
Alan called upon the power of
the Sun Anthem, a radiant light
that swept through the hall,
burning away the shadows.
But the Startling Shadow
retaliated, wielding its massive
blade with devastating power.
The Savior’s Intervention
The battle seemed hopeless
until a familiar voice broke
through.
“It seems we’re not too late.”
Alan turned, his heart leaping
with hope. A group of powerful
allies, led by the Emperor, had
arrived.
With a single strike from
Gungnir, a beam of pure light
descended, tearing into the
Startling Shadow. The creature
screamed silently, writhing in
pain as the light consumed it.
Yet, its strength persisted. The
battle was far from over.
Alan clenched his fists,
determination burning in his
eyes. He would fight until his
last breath—to protect his
team, his city, and the memory
of Lin Bian.
The Startling Shadow had met
its match.
To be continued…
