Chapter 11: The Assassin in Silk and the Smile That Lied

The sun had not yet risen, but Lucius was already awake.

He stood in the ruins of a forgotten shrine just beyond the forest. His sword sliced through illusions summoned by the system—a solo training module. Every strike came faster than the last.

[Tyrant Blade Mastery: 38% → 40%][Emotional Stabilizer: Weakening][Your soul is hungry.]

He paused, breathing hard.

Then—

THWIP.

A kunai buried itself in the stone pillar beside him.

Lucius didn't flinch.

"Come out."

A soft giggle echoed from the treetops. Feminine. Dangerous. Way too confident.

From above, a figure dropped.

She landed with elegance only someone trained to kill could possess.

Long black hair. Crimson eyes with slit pupils. A silk assassin's outfit that walked the tightrope between "practical" and "sinfully distracting." She twirled a blade in one hand and blew a kiss with the other.

"Hi, cutie," she said. "I'm here to murder you."

[New Character Discovered: Xayah Nocturne – Assassin of the Moon Court][Level: 72 | Race: Half-Shadow Elf | Status: Flirty / Very Armed][Hidden Trait Detected: "Obsession With Powerful Men"][Warning: 67% chance of seduction attempt before attempted homicide.]

Lucius narrowed his eyes. "You know who I am?"

"Lucius Nachtveil," she said, spinning her blade casually. "Demon Lord. Tyrant of the Ninth Circle. Owner of the hottest war criminal abs in three realms."

She leaned in slightly.

"I've had to kill 14 men this week just to get close to you."

Lucius sighed. "And yet you're flirting."

"Assassinating hot people is emotionally complicated," she replied cheerfully.

Back at camp...

Velda: "So who wants to bet Lucius is either fighting or accidentally seducing someone right now?"Claire: "Why does it always have to be both?"Zara: "If she touches him, I'm collecting heads again."Lilith: "Too late. I sense a blade... and a blush."

Lucius blocked Xayah's first slash with his sword, her second with his arm.

"You're fast," he muttered.

"You're sexy when bleeding," she countered.

He blinked. "…Is that your combat style?"

She winked. "Death by distraction."

[Skill Triggered: Assassin's Seduction LVL 3][Lucius: Mental Fortitude – PASS][Lucius: Emotional Confusion – DETECTED]

They clashed again. Her blades were poison-tipped. His aura flared with dark heat. It wasn't just a duel—it was a dance between predator and predator.

Finally, he pinned her against a tree, sword at her throat.

"Still planning to kill me?" he asked.

Xayah smiled. And blushed.

"…Maybe."

[Enemy Status Changed: "From Hostile → Horny"][New Bond Path Unlocked: Xayah – "Kill Me or Kiss Me"][Danger Level: Fluctuating wildly.]

Lucius stepped back.

"Why did you really come?" he asked.

She straightened her collar, smirk softening.

"The Moon Court sent me," she said. "But I've heard the rumors. About you. About your power. About the girls following you not because they're enchanted—but because you gave them something real."

Lucius frowned. "And what do you want?"

She tilted her head.

"…To see if a monster like you still has a heart."

Then she vanished in a puff of smoke—leaving only a note pinned to the tree with her kiss mark.

"See you at the Omen, my tyrant 💋"

[System Alert: Assassin Bond Path Initiated – "Deadly Desire"][Warning: Romantic entanglement may lower your guard. Or raise your power.][Next Major Event: The Black Omen Begins in 48 Hours.]