Chapter 14: The Assassin’s Awakening – Testing Phantom Reaver in Real Combat
Liam stepped out of the Tomb of Forgotten Shadows, his breath steady despite the intensity of the battle he had just fought. The cold night air carried the scent of damp moss and old stone, a sharp contrast to the burning remnants of the Spectral Wardens that had fallen before him. His Midnight Fang, now infused with Shadowflame, pulsed faintly in his grip, the crimson veins glowing with residual energy.
The fight had been brutal, but the rewards had been worth every risk.
A familiar notification hovered before him.
[Status Window Opened]
[Player: Revenant]
[Level: 10]
[Class: Rogue]
[HP: 2,400/2,400]
[Mana: 950/950]
[Strength: 22] [Dexterity: 30] [Agility: 28] [Endurance: 18] [Perception: 20]
[Title: First Blood]
[Skills: Shadowstep, Phantom Reaver, Shadow Rend]
Liam studied the updates carefully. His HP and Mana had increased, but what really caught his eye was Phantom Reaver, his new skill after absorbing the Shadow Assassin's Core. It was a game-changer, allowing him to leave behind shadow clones that attacked for 50% of his damage whenever he used movement abilities. Combined with his speed and stealth, this would make him nearly untouchable in combat.
He rolled his shoulders, eager to test the ability in real combat.
The only problem? He needed a target.
Liam's lips curled into a smirk. Velantir was full of people looking to kill him.
It was time to return to the city.
The moment he reentered Velantir's outskirts, he felt the shift in the air.
The bounty on his head had made him a marked man.
Bounty hunters, rogue guild members, and greedy solo players had turned the streets into a battlefield, hunting for any trace of Revenant. Most of them were low-tier scavengers, but a few had actual skill.
As Liam moved through the dimly lit alleyways, he spotted a group of three bounty hunters lingering near a tavern's entrance.
One of them, a tall man in heavy armor, muttered to his companions. "They say he's untraceable now, but that doesn't mean he's untouchable. Sooner or later, he'll show himself."
His companion, a dual-wielding rogue, scoffed. "Yeah? And when he does, we take him down fast. Fifty gold is too good to pass up."
Liam's smirk widened. They were looking for him?
Then he'd find them first.
He moved silently through the shadows, his footfalls making no sound as he maneuvered into position. The rogue was standing slightly apart from the others, a perfect opening.
Liam activated Shadowstep, blinking forward in a blur of motion. His dagger sank into the rogue's back before the man even realized he had been attacked.
[Backstab Activated!]
[Critical Hit!]
[-2,500 HP]
The rogue choked on his own breath before collapsing into pixels.
The other two bounty hunters reacted instantly, the armored warrior unsheathing a massive greatsword while the mage beside him began casting a fire spell.
Liam Shadowstepped again, blinking behind the mage. He activated Phantom Reaver, and for the first time, the ability came to life.
A shadow clone of Liam split from his body, mirroring his movement as he struck the mage from behind.
The real Liam's dagger sliced through the mage's ribs while his clone delivered an identical strike at the exact same time.
[Phantom Reaver Activated!]
[Shadow Clone Attacking for 50% Damage!]
The mage let out a strangled scream as both daggers pierced him at once.
[-1,800 HP]
[-900 HP]
The combined attack shredded the mage's health bar, and he barely had time to react before Liam finished him off with a quick slash to the throat.
[You have slain a Bounty Hunter Mage!]
[EXP Gained: 2,800!]
The warrior was already mid-swing by the time Liam turned, his greatsword crashing down with devastating force.
Liam Shadowstepped away, his clone remaining behind just as the blade smashed through the illusion.
The warrior's eyes widened in shock. "What the—?!"
Liam didn't give him time to recover.
He dashed forward, his dagger flickering in the air as he activated Shadow Rend. His blade ignited with Shadowflame as he delivered a vicious cross-slash, carving through the warrior's armor.
[Critical Hit!]
[-2,700 HP]
The warrior staggered, blood spilling from the deep gash in his chest. His movements were slower now, his balance thrown off by the pain.
Liam didn't let up. He twisted his body, bringing his dagger down in a final brutal thrust straight through the warrior's heart.
[You have slain a Bounty Hunter Warrior!]
[EXP Gained: 3,200!]
[Level Up! You are now Level 11!]
Liam flicked the blood from his dagger as the warrior's body dissolved. He opened his status window again.
[Player: Revenant]
[Level: 11]
[HP: 2,600/2,600]
[Mana: 1,050/1,050]
[Strength: 24] [Dexterity: 33] [Agility: 31] [Endurance: 20] [Perception: 22]
[Skills: Shadowstep, Phantom Reaver, Shadow Rend]
His stats had increased again, boosting his speed and reflexes even further.
This had been a test run, but Phantom Reaver had already proven its worth.
His ability to leave behind a shadow copy that actually attacked with him made him almost impossible to predict in battle. Against slower enemies, it was devastating.
The bounty hunters had been skilled, but they had never stood a chance.
Liam turned, vanishing into the shadows before more bounty seekers arrived. He had done enough here for now.
As he moved through the back alleys, he considered his next move. He had already claimed a unique skill and boosted his level. But he was still far from finished.
Jason and his Eclipse Guild were growing in power. Eventually, they would come after him directly.
Liam's smirk returned.
Good.
He was looking forward to it.