Chapter 11: Rebirth in the Shadows

Selena drifted across the sea, her small boat swaying in the dense mist. Blood seeped from her wounded shoulder, staining the ocean surface a deep crimson. She gripped her flintlock tightly, her ice-blue eyes fixed on the distant Grey Mist City, where the fire still raged, illuminating the night sky. The echoes of explosions and the ironclad hooves of Lucien's cavalry still rang in her ears.

Finn rowed with all his might, his face smeared with blood, his voice low yet urgent.

"Miss, Lucien is on our heels. Three ships have set sail in pursuit, and archers are combing the coastline. We need to move faster!"

Lina knelt at the stern, her dagger still dripping with blood as she struggled to catch her breath. The ten remaining survivors, all injured, huddled together on the small boat, their expressions filled with fear and exhaustion.

Selena gritted her teeth and murmured,

"Lucien, you destroyed my foundation. I will remember this debt."

Her Tactical Insight ability was still active, replaying the battlefield in her mind—her carefully laid traps in Southern Gorge, the ambush in Blackpine Forest, the poison mist at the docks. The plan had been flawless, yet Lucien and his War God System had torn through it with brute force.

She clenched her fists.

"I underestimated his strength, but this is just the beginning. Next time, I'll make you kneel to repay me in blood."

Preparations and System Storage

Three days before the battle, Selena had anticipated the worst. She knew Lucien's Iron Cavalry was formidable. If victory was uncertain, Grey Mist City would not be safe.

Standing atop the third floor of the Merchant Guild's warehouse, she surveyed the stacks of gold and munitions below. She turned to Finn.

"The underground passage leads to the sea. Keep a small boat hidden for retreat. But there's too much cargo—our boat can't carry it all."

She narrowed her eyes.

"System, check storage options."

[Scan complete: Available for exchange—'System Storage' (Small dimensional storage, 10 cubic meters capacity, costs 500 Fate Points).]

"Exchange it," she ordered without hesitation.

"If Lucien wins, he will surely seize the warehouse and burn it down. I want him to find nothing but ashes."

[Exchange successful. 500 Fate Points consumed. Current Fate Points: 1140. Ability 'System Storage' activated—capacity 10 cubic meters, can store non-living objects.]

She closed her eyes, focusing her intent. A translucent cubic space appeared in her mind. She extended a finger toward the warehouse, and in an instant—

Thirty thousand gold coins, five barrels of gunpowder, twenty muskets, ten barrels of oil, and fifty short blades vanished.

The underground storage was now half empty.

Finn blinked in disbelief.

"Miss… where did it all go?"

Selena smirked.

"Where Lucien will never find it."

Turning to Lina, she commanded,

"The Mercenary Guild has eighty men. If Blackpine Forest falls, leave ten to guard the passage and protect the boat."

Lina nodded.

"Understood. I'll personally guard the exit."

To Vail, she said,

"Fifteen barrels of Black Serpent Mist—leave five at the docks. If we're completely overrun, ignite them to cover our retreat. Also, bury ten vials of 'Serpent's Kiss' poison in the underground vault."

Vail chuckled darkly.

"Miss, this toxin will have Lucien coughing blood in no time."

The night before the battle, Selena inspected the passage herself. The small boat was well-hidden behind the rocky outcrop west of the docks. The entrance was sealed with wooden planks, and the boat was filled with fake barrels of gunpowder and broken crates to deceive any pursuers.

"If Lucien burns the warehouse and seizes the gold, I want him to realize too late—he's been robbed blind."

She buried five vials of 'Serpent's Kiss' at the vault entrance, linking them to a fuse leading to the outer warehouse wall. If the enemy entered, the poison would detonate, sealing the exit.

Escape and System Storage in Action

When the battle collapsed, Selena saw Lucien ascend the cliffs and watched Vail die beneath his blade.

Without hesitation, she fled.

She used Shadow Step to teleport rapidly, leading Finn and Lina's remaining forces toward the docks.

Iron Bear had betrayed them.

Lucien's cavalry surged like a black tidal wave.

"Finn, light it up!" she shouted.

Finn ignited five barrels of Black Serpent Mist at the docks. The poison exploded, spreading a dense, choking fog. Lucien's cavalry coughed and reeled, creating an opening for their escape.

Selena sprinted into the underground passage, her mind commanding her System Storage.

In an instant, the contents reappeared on the boat—thirty thousand gold coins, five barrels of gunpowder, twenty muskets, ten barrels of oil, and fifty blades.

The boat sank slightly under the sudden weight.

Finn's eyes widened.

"Miss… how is this possible?"

Selena didn't look back.

"Row!"

Lina slashed the ropes, and the ten survivors pushed off into the mist.

Behind them, Lucien's pursuit ships were closing in. Archers fired arrows from the shoreline.

Lina deflected a shot with her dagger and cursed.

"Miss, they're gaining!"

Selena reached into her coat, pulling out a vial of Serpent's Kiss. She coated five bullets in the poison, loaded her musket, and fired.

Five shots.

The poisoned bullets streaked through the mist, striking the lead ship's archers.

Men collapsed, choking on their own blood.

The enemy vessel wavered, breaking formation.

"Finn, head for the reefs. Lose them in the rocks!"

Finn rowed furiously, guiding the boat into the jagged reef formations. Behind them, one of Lucien's ships smashed against the rocks.

Arrows fell short.

Selena slumped against the hull, her wound throbbing.

"System, detect pursuit."

[Detection: Lucien's forces—three ships in pursuit. Five hundred archers along the shore. Five hundred cavalry searching the city.]

She exhaled.

"Three days. It will take them three days to resupply and resume the chase. That's all the time we have."

She reopened System Storage, retrieving five barrels of oil.

The boat grew lighter.

Finn's rowing sped up.

Regrouping and Plans for Revenge

By dawn, the small boat drifted onto an uncharted island fifty miles south of Grey Mist City.

Thick forests covered the land, and Finn pulled the boat into a hidden cove.

Selena stepped onto the shore, ignoring the pain in her shoulder.

"Finn, check supplies. Lina, find fresh water. We rebuild here."

Finn opened the boat's storage.

"Miss, we still have all the gold, five barrels of gunpowder, twenty muskets, fifty blades, and four barrels of oil."

Lina returned from scouting.

"There's a freshwater stream inland, wild berries, and rabbits for food. Enough to last two weeks. There's also a cave for shelter."

Selena nodded.

"In three days, we recover. The gold will recruit men, and the weapons will lay the foundation. Lucien burned my city—I'll make him pay in blood."

She turned to Finn.

"Head to the southern port. Find Jerome. If that drunkard is alive, bring him here. This island is our new base."

Finn nodded.

"That slippery bastard probably survived. I'll find him."

Lina frowned.

"Lucien still has five thousand men. We have ten. How do we fight that?"

Selena smirked.

"Ten isn't enough? Then we'll gather a hundred. A thousand. He has cavalry—I have poison and strategy. Nightshade will rise again."

She whispered,

"System, open exchange menu."

[Current Fate Points: 1140. Available options: Advanced Dark Magic, Enhanced Shadow Step, Intimidation Aura, Rapid Wound Healing, Expand Storage Capacity.]

"Purchase Healing and Enhanced Shadow Step."

[Exchange complete. Abilities unlocked.]

Her wound sealed instantly.

She tested her teleportation—now covering twenty meters in a single step.

"Finn, set sail in three days. Lina, lay traps around the island. Bury gunpowder at all three entrances."

Selena gazed at the sea.

"Lucien, you burned my city, stole an empty shell. Next time, I'll burn your Iron Cavalry to the ground."