The Assassination [2]

Kael stood firm, a shadowed figure of lethal intent, his eyes locked onto the Spirit Master. The room seemed to shrink around them, the walls closing in, making the air heavy with anticipation.

"You've grown bold after defeating my disciples, child," the Spirit Master said, his voice a deep rumble. "But bravery alone won't save you."

Kael smirked, his hand tightening around his blade. "Bravery? No, I'm not brave. I'm simply better."

With a roar, the Spirit Master charged, his blade a blur of deadly light. Kael moved, his body a whisper in the wind, dodging the initial strike with ease. The clash of their swords sent a shockwave through the room, the sound of metal on metal reverberating like thunder.

CLING CLING

Kael used the terrain to his advantage, darting around furniture and leaping off walls. The Spirit Master was strong, but Kael was fast, his movements unpredictable and precise. He struck from the shadows, his blade finding openings in the Spirit Master's defense.

"You can't hide forever!" the Spirit Master growled, swinging his sword in a wide arc.

Kael ducked, rolling beneath the swing, and came up behind his opponent. He lashed out with his shadow-infused blade, aiming for the Spirit Master's back. But the Spirit Master was quick, spinning around and blocking the strike just in time. The force of the collision sent sparks flying.

The Spirit Master countered with a powerful downward slash, but Kael was ready. He sidestepped, the blade missing him by mere inches, and retaliated with a swift kick to the Spirit Master's midsection. The older man grunted, stumbling back.

"You'll need to do better than that," Kael taunted, his eyes gleaming with cold amusement.

The Spirit Master regained his footing and launched a series of rapid attacks. Kael deflected each one, his blade moving with almost supernatural speed. He ducked and weaved, his movements a blur of shadows and steel. The Spirit Master's frustration grew, his attacks becoming more erratic and desperate.

Kael saw his opportunity. With a deft flick of his wrist, he disarmed the Spirit Master, sending his sword clattering to the ground. The older man's eyes widened in shock as Kael pressed the advantage, driving him back with a relentless barrage of strikes.

"You've underestimated me," Kael said, his voice calm and confident. "And that's your downfall."

The Spirit Master summoned his spirit energy, a protective barrier forming around him. Kael's blade struck the barrier, sending a ripple of energy through the room. The force of the impact pushed Kael back, but he quickly recovered, his mind racing.

He activated one of the secret techniques he had learned from the King of Assassins' manual: Shadow Doppelganger. A clone of Kael, made entirely of shadows, materialized beside him. The Spirit Master blinked in surprise, trying to discern which was the real Kael.

The clone moved first, engaging the Spirit Master in combat. The real Kael circled around, searching for an opening. The Spirit Master fought valiantly, but the clone was relentless, mimicking Kael's movements with deadly precision.

Kael took advantage of the distraction, slipping past the Spirit Master's defenses and striking from the side. His blade bit into the Spirit Master's shoulder, drawing blood. The older man roared in pain, his barrier flickering and weakening.

"You can't win," Kael said, his voice cold and merciless. "Not against me."

The Spirit Master's eyes blazed with fury as he lashed out with a powerful surge of spirit energy, dispelling the clone and knocking Kael back. Kael skidded across the floor, his body absorbing the impact. He rolled to his feet, a grim smile on his lips.

"Impressive," Kael said, wiping a trickle of blood from his mouth. "But not enough."

The Spirit Master, breathing heavily, squared his shoulders. "You may be skilled, but you lack the experience to defeat me."

Kael chuckled, a dark, unsettling sound. "Experience is overrated."

With a burst of speed, Kael closed the distance between them. He struck with a flurry of attacks, his blade moving so fast it was almost invisible. The Spirit Master struggled to keep up, his defenses crumbling under the onslaught.

Kael's unorthodox style kept the Spirit Master off balance. He used every trick he had learned, from feints and misdirections to dirty tactics. He kicked over a table, sending it crashing into the Spirit Master. He threw a handful of dirt into the older man's eyes, blinding him momentarily.

The Spirit Master swung wildly, but Kael was always a step ahead. He ducked and dodged, his movements fluid and precise. He struck again and again, his blade finding gaps in the Spirit Master's armor.

The room was filled with the sounds of their battle: the clash of steel, the grunts of effort, the sharp intakes of breath. The Spirit Master's movements grew slower, his strikes less forceful. Kael could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the weariness in his stance.

"It's over," Kael said, his voice a deadly whisper.

With a final, decisive strike, Kael disarmed the Spirit Master, his blade slicing through the older man's defenses and cutting deep into his side. The Spirit Master cried out, dropping to his knees, his hands clutching the wound.

Kael stood over him, his blade poised for the killing blow. The Spirit Master looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and respect.

"You fought well," Kael said, his tone almost respectful. "But not well enough."

He drove his blade into the Spirit Master's heart, ending the fight. The older man slumped to the floor, his life extinguished.

Kael turned to the merchant, who was cowering behind a desk. "Now, where were we?"

The merchant trembled, his eyes wide with fear. "Please, have mercy!"

Kael approached, his blade still dripping with blood. "Mercy? That's not something I offer."

"Th-This voice? Carl?? Yo-", the merchant tried to talk but Kael's blade was faster than his mouth.

SLASH

With swift precision, Kael silenced the Lothar The merchant, completing his professional and personal mission.

Kael looked at the corpse and said "Don't worry Mr. Lothar. I will take care of your merchant group and you daughter.

Kael stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving with exertion. The room was silent, save for the crackle of the dying lantern.

Kael wiped his blade clean and sheathed it, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "One step closer," he murmured to himself. "One step closer to my goal." As he turned to leave he heard footsteps nearing him.

TAP TAP TAP

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor. Kael's keen senses picked up the approach of the fifty guards stationed outside the mansion. They were rushing towards the room, alerted by the commotion.

Kael's lips curled into a predatory smile. His heart pounded with excitement at the prospect of another fight.

"Well, this should be fun," he said, his eyes glinting with anticipation. He positioned himself, ready to face the oncoming guards.

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DING

Quest Arrived

Quest Details: Give 10 genuine reviews to the novel Assassin's Redemption

Completion Rate: 2/10

Rewards: Extra chapters

Failure: Bad Luck for a week