Chapter 15: Veil of Uncertainty
The moon's silver glow spilled through the narrow window, casting faint, fractured beams of light across the darkened room. The MC sat motionless at the edge of his bed, his shadowy figure outlined by the faint glow of his Tebu system. It pulsed in his mind like a second heartbeat—a reminder of the power that now defined his existence.
Yet tonight, even that familiar rhythm felt unsettling. His thoughts raced, each one darker and heavier than the last. The recent battle replayed in his mind like a broken record: the clash of weapons, the chilling screams of the defeated, and the quiet, haunting stillness that followed.
His hand tightened into a fist.
"How long can I keep this up?"
The sound of laughter drifted faintly from the streets below, a stark contrast to the storm brewing within him. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, a time for new beginnings. But for him, there were no festivities—only the suffocating weight of the secrets he carried.
---
A Whisper of Danger
A faint creak interrupted his brooding. It was subtle, barely audible over the hum of the city, but it set his nerves on edge. His eyes snapped to the window. Outside, the streetlights flickered ominously, casting eerie shadows that seemed to dance and writhe.
The system's voice resonated in his mind, its tone cold and mechanical.
Warning: Host is being observed. Unknown entities detected within a 50-meter radius.
His blood ran cold. Grabbing his mask, he slipped it over his face, feeling the familiar weight settle against his skin. It wasn't just a disguise—it was his armor, a shield against the prying eyes of a world that would never understand him.
With practiced silence, he moved to the window, scanning the streets below. Figures cloaked in black moved through the alleys, their movements deliberate and coordinated. They carried no visible weapons, but the aura of menace they exuded was unmistakable.
"Who sent them? And how did they find me?"
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The Pursuit
Stepping into the night, the MC merged seamlessly with the shadows, his footsteps silent against the cobblestones. He followed the figures from a distance, his instincts honed and alert. They moved toward the outskirts of the city, their destination an abandoned warehouse shrouded in darkness.
He crept closer, straining to catch fragments of their conversation.
"The anomaly must be eliminated before it destabilizes further," one of them said, their voice low and gravelly.
"Failure is unacceptable. If we don't act, the balance will collapse," another replied.
The words sent a chill down his spine. They weren't just after him—they were after the very essence of the Tebu system.
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The Ambush
Suddenly, a faint click echoed beneath his feet. His body tensed, instincts screaming a warning. He leaped back just as the ground erupted in a shower of sparks and smoke, the force of the explosion throwing him off balance.
From the smoke, the cloaked figures emerged, their faces obscured but their intent clear.
"Reveal yourself!" one of them commanded, their voice reverberating with authority.
The MC straightened, his mask glinting ominously in the faint light. His voice was calm but carried an edge of warning.
"You have no idea what you're dealing with."
With a thought, he summoned one of his creatures—a shadowy wolf with eyes like molten lava. The beast growled low, its form rippling with barely contained power as it lunged at the nearest figure.
---
The Clash
The warehouse became a battleground. The MC moved like a phantom, his strikes precise and unrelenting. His wolf tore through two of the figures, its claws leaving deep, smoking gashes in their armor.
But his enemies were far from ordinary. One of them raised a hand, conjuring a shimmering barrier that repelled the wolf's attack. Another launched a barrage of glowing projectiles that forced the MC to dodge and counter in rapid succession.
Pain flared as one of the projectiles grazed his arm, the searing heat burning through his jacket. Gritting his teeth, he retaliated with a burst of shadow energy, the force of the blast sending his opponent crashing into a nearby wall.
Yet, despite his efforts, the numbers were against him. These weren't mere hunters—they were part of a specialized faction trained to deal with anomalies like him.
---
The Turning Point
As the battle raged, the MC felt the Tebu system stir within him, its voice cutting through the chaos.
Host is advised to retreat. Enemy strength exceeds current capacity.
Frustration boiled in his chest. He hated running, hated the thought of appearing weak. But the system was right—this wasn't a fight he could win.
Summoning the last of his strength, he activated a skill he had been reluctant to use. Shadows coiled around him, thick and impenetrable, creating a veil of darkness that swallowed him and his wolf whole.
The figures shouted in confusion, their attacks striking empty air as the MC vanished into the night.
---
The Aftermath
Back in his apartment, he slumped against the wall, exhaustion weighing down every fiber of his being. Blood seeped through the makeshift bandage on his arm, but he barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of the night.
The system's voice broke the silence, its tone unusually grim.
Host must evolve. Remaining stagnant will lead to inevitable failure.
He closed his eyes, a mix of anger and determination surging within him. The hunters had exposed a painful truth—he wasn't ready. Not yet.
But he would be.
As dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, the MC made a silent vow. He would grow stronger, not just for himself, but for the one person who depended on him. Whatever it took, he would uncover the truth behind Tebu and the forces that sought to destroy him.
This was only the beginning.