Chapter 13: Assassins of Chisatsuden
"The night wind seems rather ominous today, does it not?" Moye asked.
"Does it? Perhaps it's just because we're next to water?" I shrugged. "By the way, does everyone in this world have spirits?"
"Technically yes, but most people choose not to activate them," Moye said, "because it'll classify them as spirit wielders and dangers could come if they do not train themselves fast."
I nodded and closed my eyes, trying to sleep, but insomnia decided to show up so I just gave in. I stood up and went onto the terrace, thinking about the bizarre events that had happened in just two weeks as the "ominous" breeze blew on my hair.
A dragonfly skipped over the lake, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Kasumi really got me this time with that tea." I sighed. "Never going to drink tea past noon again."
I was about to walk back inside when the still water suddenly broke its silence. Three shadows lunged themselves at me.
"Who's there?" I yelled and dodged.
No response. The figures disappeared without a trace, and I knew it would be unwise of me to go out of the light where nothing could be seen.
"They're in the water." Moye yawned. "Out of your range for sure."
"Well, nothing we can do." I shrugged. "Wait, where did Kasumi go-"
I was interrupted by a loud splashing sound.
"There you go." Kasumi pointed at three figures that suddenly appeared on the ground, an innocent smile on his face.
"Who sent you?" I ripped away their masks and asked the middle one who seemed like the leader.
"Hah!" He simply laughed, and chewed something in his mouth as his two comrades swiftly followed suit. All three of them were instantly killed, and a red mist flew away from their bodies northwards.
"You'll get no information out of them." Moye stopped Kasumi from searching their bodies. "They're probably assassins from Chisatsuden*."
"Chi-Chisatsuden?" I asked, settling myself after witnessing deaths in front of my very eyes.
"A guild of assassins. They've given up their humanity to the God of Assassination, Kesshuu, in exchange for their deadly abilities," Moye explained. "They will kill literally anyone, even their own family, as long as they get paid."
"That sounds like a rather... dangerous group." I gulped.
"They also have their own leveling system, in stars; their best assassins each have five stars above their head. Interestingly, Chisatsuden will send in assassins for a mission from worst to best." Moye continued, "They never assassinate anyone below their skill level - it's considered a shame to them."
"I'm surprised they even have principle in their brains."
"Oh, you'll be plenty surprised to see how organized they are." Moye shook her head. "Right now, you need to be ready at all times for their next attack; a star's difference is pretty significant."
"Right." I nodded.
The rest of the night went pretty smoothly. After enhancing my spirit, I had much less of a need for sleep, so I was able to get away with just a couple of hours.
"I'll be cheering for you in the crowd." Kasumi patted my shoulder as I headed off to the arena to prepare for my area-tier battles.
"And making tea," I added.
"And making tea." He chuckled, and I did too.
After a fifteen minute walk, I was greeted by a big sign with "Sakura Area Matches" printed on it.
"Uh... this is our meet-up place?" I scratched my head. "But it's literally just the same lake."
I was wrong. When it turned noon, the lake was slit into two and a path appeared, leading to a timeworn well.
"Is that the Evergreen Well you mentioned?" I asked Moye, who confirmed.
A dome constructed with Qi energy appeared like last time, but it was above the lake and centered around the mossy well.
"Won't this wake Xuanwu?" I tilted my head.
"Probably, but it never seemed to be a bother to that big turtle." Moye shrugged.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to reveal your opponent using your favourite draw!"
Following the announcement, a container with bamboo sticks was passed around, and I found my opponent - a red-haired man who looked like he had been bodybuilding since he'd been born.
"Kid." The body builder walked up to me. "If you step back now, you can avoid getting ripped apart."
I simply ignored him and stepped to the side, waiting for my match - last night's event was too much to process in such a short time.
A few duels had gone by while I meditated to keep myself concentrated. When it was finally my turn, I picked up Hanakanko and walked up to the dome.
"Nanao Shiya, from the Shiya family." My bulky opponent saluted me, but his eyes showed disdain towards me.
"That's the seventh son of the Shiya family," someone in the crowd murmured.
"Seems like Nanao's already pissed."
"Yeah, looks like that boy with a sword is in big trouble. Quite unfortunate for him to get paired up with someone from the Shiya family."
"Reiken." I returned a slight nod.
As soon as the fight started, Nanao immediately charged at me, using what seemed like brute force and nothing else.
"Interesting," Moye said in my mind. "A bodymaster."
"What's that?" I asked, parrying Nanao's punch with my sheathed sword.
"Someone who trains their physical power to the maximum," Moye explained. "Their spirit is only used to enhance their body further."
"I'll make sure to never arm wrestle him, then," I said as I blocked another punch.
"Is running the only thing you do?" Nanao yelled.
"Enough messing around. I know you're hiding your strength," I replied. "You'd be wise to use all of your power while you still have the chance to."
"You little-" Like I expected, that really triggered him; he instantly called out his spirit. Shortly after, he charged, for the third time, towards me, but far faster. I knew I could've avoided the attack, but I wanted to see how strong he was and ultimately how strong I was, so I braced the hit.
"Well.," I wiped some blood from the corner of my mouth. "Guess your clothes didn't explode for nothing."
He did look a lot more... frightening; his whole body was red like hot metal, and so were his eyes, and he was almost twice as tall as I was.
"You can run but you can't hide!" He yelled in a hoarse voice.
*Chisatsuden: 血殺殿