Book 1: Chapter 6: Truth and Doubts

While Unit 04 was finishing up their plans and countermeasures for running into enemies or monsters on their way to Silver Lake City, Unit 05 decided to give Unit 04 more room to operate and leave their current position. However, they did not go unnoticed by the leader of the unit 04 team. 

"Why is Unit 05 here, and are they tracking us or something else?" Death Sword thought to himself while pondering for a few seconds. Death Sword shook his head and finished making arrangements. 

"Purple Night and Fall Night will scout ahead. While Jagged and I will take the near. In doing so, we can keep moving and watch our backs."

"Death Sword sounds like a good idea, and I agree with the plan. Plus, it gives us a chance to see what Fall Night can do in a solo or team setting." 

Sifir looks at Death Sword and Purple Night with narrow eyes through his mask. 

"Why do I have to go with the Death Sword word and not the rookie?"

Everyone looked at Jagged like he was dumb, stupid, or an idiot. Not knowing how to respond to the looks that unit 4 members gave Jagged. Jagged chuckle: "C'mon! Little Nighty Night will be in good hands with me. I am like a great neighbor; you can count on me."

"Not everyone is stupid enough to believe the words that are coming out of your mouth, Jagged. It seems like you have bones to pick with every new member we have." Purple Night spoke coldly to Jagged. 

"I do not like Purple Night. It was just that guy got to pick his own codename, and we could not." Jagged replied quickly.

"I was able to pick my codename, and so did Death Sword. You are the idiot who couldn't keep his mouth shut. Hence why you got the codename Jagged." Purple Night shut down the Jagged argument. 

"The Elder already warned you in the mansion, Jagged. I would hate to see you perish in the Elder's hands before I can make you scream in a thousand cuts from the Noble Death sword." Death Sword stares intensely at Jagged. Jagged felt a pain in his heart when Death Sword just spoke like it was a death sentence. 

Meanwhile, Sifir looks at the surrounding area. It was a little too quiet for his liking. 

"I think we should start to move before we attract some unwelcome company."

Everyone senses the surroundings and finds them devoid of life. A few things pop up in their heads, and they decide that Sifir is right to move now before they get stuck in a battle that provides no benefits. 

"Should we get some steed or are we traveling on foot?" Jagged asked with a depressed tone. 

"We are traveling on foot right now. Did you listen to our arrangement?" Purple Night shouted coldly at Jagged. 

"I heard you. Maybe?" Jagged spoke softly while playing with one of his machetes. 

"I should crack open your skull and see what really makes you think jagged." Purple Night was able to reach for the small pouch on her belt. Until Death Sword stopped Purple Night. 

"Fall night, let go! Before I lose my cool so much and hurt this knuckle head!" Purple Night's voice roars out with anger.

The unit 04 members split into a two-man team. Purple Night and Fall Night advanced, and Death Sword and Jagged Blac stayed behind, covering their backs. Making sure they weren't ambushed by unknown enemies. 

"Jagged, if you keep talking nonsense. I will rip off your mask and make you suffer." Death Sword spoke like a king to his subjects. 

Gulp! "Why are you guys always messing with me like I am wrong?!?" Jagged spoke like he was wrong. 

"Jagged, again, don't make me repeat myself. You know our mission, and the mission comes first. Everything else can be handled after." Death Sword did not mince his words when speaking to Jagged. 

"Yes, leader." Jagged replied dejectedly. 

"Let's move and watch out for people who might be tracking us." Death Sword said coolly. 

Jagged nodded and began to move with the Death Sword. In the meantime, Purple Night and Fall Night moved a good distance from the other members of Unit 4. While they were moving, both Purple Night and Fall Night spoke very little until they came up against the Golden Bear cub.

What makes Golden Bear deadly is its high endurance and high defense. The high defense came from thick, tough fur. In addition to being thick, the fur had small, sharp hairs that could damage the nervous system of its target. 

"Fall night, you will handle this cub. It should be at the peak of the minor realm of life and death, the peak awakening stage. Show me why the Midnight clan has such high prestige and can do it. Hehehe." Purple Night softly giggled, and the soft voice that could tempt was the strong-willed male. 

"No problem. This should be fun." Fall Night said excitedly. 

The Golden Bear cub is fierce, even if it is at the beginning of its growth. Fall Night, size up the cub and move quickly to the cub. Fall Night speed wasn't world-breaking. It was just that when Fall Night moved, most people could not register the movement. This was because Fall Night used nine execution steps, with the first step being a half-step. The half-step is unnoticeable, which makes it deadly if the cultivator does not pay attention, no less a beast.

Purple Night looks at the fight between the Golden Bear cub and Fall Night. Purple Night was thinking to herself how Fall Night had changed a little bit. "Fall Night personality changes very quickly when it comes to fighting. It's almost like it's a game. Hmmm. This could be a little problematic if that is the case."

"Fall night fighting prowess is in the middle stage of refinement. I am quite surprised that Fall Night has that much control over his body. That means Fall Night could breakthrough in fighting prowess quicker than his cultivation power. That would be a good thing in the short run."

While Purple Night watched the battle between Fall Night and Golden Bear Cub, Fall Night unleashed a palm strike that came out like a fierce dragon leaping out of the water. The Golden Bear cub saw the attack, and a cold sweat escaped all over its body. Trying to retreat and defend against the palm strike. However, when the palm strike landed, it ripped through the thick fur and cut right into the flesh. The golden bear cub let out a roar of pain. He stumbled a few feet back after receiving the hit. The golden bear cub screams in fury and anger. Calling for its parents to deal with its enemy.

"Damn. I guess I need to finish this beast before the mother or father comes. I cannot handle that." Fall Night let out a soft sigh. 

Fall Night dodged a claw strike from the cub and moved to the back. Unleased another palmstrike and continued to unleash it until the high defense of the cub was at the point where Fall Night could unleash a stronger attack. 

Fall Night slips past another attack from the cub and jumps in the air to dodge another attack that came to the midsection. Fall Night body started spinning in the air like a drill.

Out of nowhere, a large claw came out and devoured the cub in an instant. The cub was powerless against this attack. Being split right in the middle of the cub skull. Purple Night saw this and was shocked to see it happen. 

Purple Night could not tell what attack Fall Night used, but Purple Night knew it was quite powerful and fierce. She made a mental note now to watch out for this type of attack from Fall Night. 

Purple Night was lost in a daze from how Fall Night finished the battle. Fall Night found the beast core and started to skin the cub. The fur wasn't damaged and could be used to make a better cloak for the cold. Fall Night skinned the flesh and put the bones in the small-dimension bag. 

Purple Night snapped out of her daze. Seeing nothing remained, Fall Night was walking to her with a calm aura. Behind the purple night mask, she could only smile ruthlessly at seeing how quickly fall night moves. 

"We should keep on moving before the parents of that cub come. That's something I would like to void." Fall Night spoke to Purple Night calmly. 

"I agree. What was the last attack you used on the Golden Bear cub?" Purple Night's eyes glow softly behind her demonic mask. 

"That last attack I used is called Immolation Claw. It is a basic technique of the Midnight clan."

"Oh? That is a pretty strong attack. What was the attack you used before the last attack?"

Fall Night titled his head with a mocking smile behind his black mask. "It was a simple palm strike, Purple Night." Fall nights let out soft chuckles.

"You are so petty and stingy. Why can't you tell me? Huh, fall  night?"

"Purple Night, it was just a simple palm strike."

"I don't doubt that fall night. That palm strike was not simple by any means." 

"Purple Night, you really have a cute side. Let's keep on moving." 

"You are definitely a petty one, Fall Night." 

Both Fall Night and Purple Night continue to move toward the Misty Rain Forest. A few days later, Purple Night and Fall Night stopped right before entering the Misty Rain Forest.

"Fall Night, what do you know about this forest?"

"Not much, really, Purple Night. What I do know is that the Misty Rain Forest is not for the weak."

"That's really helpful, Fall Night. And here I thought a person from a big clan like yourself would have more intel about this forest.

"Let's wait for Death Sword and Jagged to come here. Then we rest,and we can split up again."

"It's not a bad idea there, fall night. But let me ask you something." Purple Night smiles with mirth behind her mask. Fall Night nodded for Purple Night to continue.

"What is the rule in this unit, Fall Night?"

"Strength, Purple Night."

"Now do you have the strength to command me, Fall Night?" Purple Night moves very close to Sifir, like a wife about to seduce her lover. Purple Night places one of her hands on the Sifir's chest. Without hesitation, Sifir moves away from Purple Night. However, there was a large wound on the Sifir chest.

Purple Night stands there, looking at Sifir coldly. "Who told you to move to Fall Night?"

This crazy... Sifir thought to himself.

"I am not interested in playing this game, Purple Night." Sifir narrows his eyes behind his black mask. A cold aura leaks out of Sifir's body.

---

"Do you think this is a game? Fine! Let's play a game called Fall Night. If you can defend against three of my attacks, I may forgive you. However, if you cannot defend against my attacks, you will be mine for the rest of your life."

About 50 miles away, Death Sword and Jagged watch as Purple Night and Fall Night square off. Both, Death Sword and Jagged were not surprised by this at all.

"How many moves can he last with the Death Sword?"

"Mhhmmm. Hard to say, but I will say at least Jagged. What I care about is his ability. Jagged."

"You are no fun, Death Sword. I think we won't last one move against Purple Night."

Death Sword did not say anything. Neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Jagged.

"Here is my first move, Fall Night."

"Whoa there, Purple Night. What do I win if I survive against those moves of yours?"

Purple Night did not slow down while Fall Night was talking. Purple Night taps her small pouch on her belt. Five talismans appear in the Purple Night hand. Purple Night tossed out the talisman, and then Purple Night clasped her hands together, forming hand seals. The talisman forms a small killing array.

Sifir used a half-step to dodge the attack. Yet, that small killing array did not stop moving. Sifir narrows his eyes, looking at that array. Sifir unleashed the same attack that killed the golden bear cub. Smashing the small array that Purple Night created. 

Purple Night taps her small pouch again. This time, 20 talismans appear in Purple Night Hand. Tossing them in the air. Purple Night clasped her hands again, and her quick-performance hands sealed.

"Heaven Earth Locked: Burial!"

Sifir did not know what Heaven Earth Locked: Burial was, and Sifir didn't plan to find out either. When Sifir saw the ground getting pulled up by those talismans, he became colder, and he started to release his aura. 

Something is wrong with the little brat, Purple Night thought to herself.

"Let's see if you can handle this purple night." 

Sifir kicked a large rock. The shattered, large pieces of rock interfere with the formation pattern of the talismen. Purple Night laughed at the attempt until Purple Night saw multiple pieces of rock shot at the talisman. Since this array formation is stationary, the array was a sitting duck. While the array was taking on damage. Purple Night was forced to take the array formation back.

"Very good, Fall Night. Now let's see if you can handle this."

Purple Night moved instead of releasing another set of talismans. Purple Night tapped the large bag, and a small, thin talisman appeared in Purple Night's hand. The talisman shot out of Purple Night's hand like a cannon ball. 

"I hope you like this gift, Fall Night. By the way, this is a seeking talisman. Have fun, Fall Night."

Sifir moves using the Nine Extinction Steps; the first step is a half step, and it stuns Purple Night. Even if Purple Night's battle prowess were in the late stages of refinement, there wasn't a big enough gap to stop the effect of the half-step. Sifir was cut several times by seeking talismans before being in front of Purple Night. 

Purple Night was shocked. By Sifir's movement technique. Still, Purple Night wasn't too shocked because she had killed plenty of people with great foot technique. The same simple palm strike whipped out like lightning and hit Purple Night's chest. Before Purple Night could stumble back, Sifir lowered his body. 

Another palm strike came out like a sweeping wave, and a palm strike hit Purple Night's legs. Flipping in the air, Purple Night could only defend against other strikes. A cold gleam in Sifir's eyes burst out, and it was planned for another strike. The same seeking talisman came flying toward the Sifir neck. Sensing danger, Sifir dodged the attack and moved back several feet. Only now does Sifir see several seeking talismans hovering around Purple Night. 

Purple Night was a little frustrated by the fact that Sifir put up a decent fight against her. Purple Night looks down at her chest and leg, and she frowns at the damage.

Purple Night knew it would take several days to heal from these attacks.

"You did good, Fall Night. I will forgive you today. Let's rest and have something to eat. Remember, you must have the strength to command."

Sifir stays quiet and looks down on his chest. The large wound didn't want to heal. The cuts from the seeking talisman left stinging pain. Sifir turned around and started walking into the Misty Rain Forest.

Purple Night narrows her eyes at Fall Night as she walks to the Misty Rain Forest. Saying nothing for a while. Purple Night decided to start walking to Misty Rain Forest after Fall Night. Both Death Sword and Jagged were very interested in the palm strike that sent Purple Night flipping in the air. They saw that palm strike come out and be unleashed with impeccable timing. someone who had a lot of battles against stronger fighters and battle prowess. 

"Let's not gather with them and watch them from a distance. This could be a good chance to study how the Midnight clan trained their people, Jagged."

"I am definitely not interested in their training method. However, that last palm strike looks more like a claw strike to me. Plus, if it were a little nighty night, I would have been able to follow up afterward. Purple Night would have had more injuries. Maybe I could use that move with my machete arts."

"Let us go Jagged. We will have time to figure out all the fall night secrets."

"Okay, Death Sword."

When both Purple Night and Fall Night enter the Misty Rain Forest. They both felt like their senses were being clouded and their sensing range was limited. 

"I guess the reason why it is called Misty Rain Forest is because of this rain-like substance that can cloud the senses of people who decide to enter the forest.

Until I can adjust properly, I need to take it slow. I bet these monsters in this forest have sharper senses than other creatures." Sifir was thinking to himself as he was walking through the forest. Paying no mind to Purple Night.

In addition, the monsters should be more aggressive, as should Sifir Ponder.

Meaning the battle would be more fierce and deadly. Even if escaping from battles could be done with ease, it still could be troublesome if not done in a timely manner. Purple Night also saw that even if Fall Night loved battles and tests, that palm would strike. That doesn't mean Fall Night hops into every fight blind or recklessly. Seeing this purple night could tell Fall Night battle instincts were high and should not be belittled even after fighting him.

Purple Night was pondering the idea that Fall Night did not give him fifty percent of his fighting prowess. Purple Night felt that she lost a great opportunity to capture Fall Night as an underling.