Chapter 15: Blades in the Dark
Chapter 15: Blades in the Dark
After selling the monster materials, I had amassed a small fortune in AstraCoins. Now, it was time to put that wealth to good use.
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Exploring the Marketplace & Buying the Flying Knife
Walking through the bustling market of the Border City, I took my time scanning through various weapon shops. Warriors of all levels came here to buy, sell, and trade. The selection of weapons was vast—blades, spears, gauntlets, and even high-tech ranged weaponry. However, I had something specific in mind.
After checking a few shops, I found a sleek high-frequency flying knife in one of the elite weapon stores. The blade had micro-vibrations, increasing its cutting power exponentially. The shopkeeper demonstrated its flight stabilization and how it responded to mental power control.
"This will cost you 50,000 AstraCoins," he said with a smirk.
It was expensive, but with my newly unlocked mental power, this weapon would be a deadly force multiplier. I paid without hesitation and secured the knife in my spatial pouch.
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Using Lifespan to Break Through to Foundation Stage Level 5 in Mental Power
Now that I had my weapon, it was time to make another leap in power.
Sitting in my temporary lodging, I summoned the system interface and directed my attention toward my Mental Power Cultivation.
[Spend 120 years of lifespan to advance from Level 2 to Level 5?]
Without hesitation, I confirmed. A surge of immense energy filled my mind, and I felt my mental control expand exponentially. The once-vague connection with the flying knife sharpened into absolute precision.
[Mental Power Upgraded: Foundation Stage Level 5]
I could now sense movements within 200 meters and control my flying knife with ease. A satisfied smirk formed on my lips.
Lifespan Remaining: 166 Years.
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Final Preparations in the Border City
After the breakthrough, I bought some essential supplies—compressed food, energy bars, and extra ammunition—before making my way toward the city gates. My goal was clear: head deeper into the wilderness for stronger prey.
As I left, I noticed a few warriors glancing in my direction. Some held gazes of admiration, but others… carried something more dangerous—greed.
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Sensing the Threat
The moment I stepped outside the city and moved deeper into the wilderness, I felt a disturbance in my expanded mental perception. Seven individuals were trailing me from a distance.
Two at Foundation Stage Level 5 and five at Foundation Stage Level 4.
They were cautious, maintaining distance, waiting for the right moment to strike. I smirked. Fools.
Instead of confronting them immediately, I continued walking further away from the city. I needed the perfect battleground—one where I could unleash my full strength.
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The Ambush Begins
After an hour of travel, I stopped in a small rocky clearing, surrounded by towering trees and uneven terrain. It was perfect.
I pretended to check my supplies, giving them the illusion that I was unaware of their presence. And then, as expected—
WHOOSH!
An arrow shot through the air, aimed straight for my head. I tilted slightly, dodging effortlessly.
"Come out," I said coldly. "I know you're there."
Laughter echoed as the seven figures revealed themselves. The leader, a rugged man with a scar across his face, stepped forward.
"Smart brat, but too late. Hand over everything, and maybe we'll let you live."
I simply raised my hand.
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Fierce Combat and Killing Them All
Before they could react, my mental power surged, and the flying knife zipped through the air like lightning.
SHNK!
The first enemy's throat was sliced open before he could even scream.
"He's a psychic user!" someone shouted, but it was already too late.
I manipulated the flying knife with deadly precision, taking down two more before the remaining four rushed in with weapons drawn.
One swung his axe at me, but my speed was faster. Dodging to the side, I kicked him in the ribs, sending him crashing into a tree. My Titan Body training made my strikes far stronger than the average warrior.
CLANG! My dagger met another's sword, and I twisted, slicing across his chest.
The last two attempted to flee, but I wouldn't allow it.
With a flick of my wrist, my flying knife cut through the air—one to the skull, the other to the spine.
Silence followed.
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Looting the Corpses
With my attackers dead, I searched their bodies.
They had spatial pouches filled with AstraCoins, weapons, and even a few rare monster cores. Total earnings: 35,000 AstraCoins.
The biggest reward, however, was the lifespan I absorbed.
2 Level 5 enemies = 5 years each → 10 years
5 Level 4 enemies = 4 years each → 20 years
Total Lifespan Gained: 30 Years
New Total Lifespan: 196 Years
I smirked. They thought I was prey. They were the real prey.
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A New Resolve
Looking down at the lifeless bodies, I clenched my fists.
This world is ruthless. Strength is the only truth.
With my new power, I had survived my first true human battle. But this was just the beginning. Stronger enemies, greater battles, and bigger ambitions lay ahead.
With renewed resolve, I turned toward the deeper wilderness. It was time to hunt.
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END OF CHAPTER 15.....