Chapter 14 – Whispered Knives and Shadowed Smiles

The silence after Aria's reveal was thick enough to cut with Soulcut.

Kazuki sat still, the crust of bread softening in his grip. "So, you know I'm not from this world. Do you know what I can do?"

"Bits," Aria admitted, eyeing him carefully. "I know you're strong. I know you're dangerous. And I know you're not aligned with anyone around here. That makes you rare. Valuable."

Kazuki studied her. "And what do you get out of helping me?"

"Grendel used to be free," she said. "Before the smiles turned sharp. Before the Demon Emperor's shadow slithered into our streets. My older brother tried to resist… he vanished a week later. I want to find out who betrayed him. And stop them."

> [Side Quest Unlocked]

"Brother in the Mist"

Objective: Discover the fate of Aria's brother, Elias.

Bonus Objective: Keep Aria alive.

Reward: Unknown

Failure: The town may fall completely to the Demon Emperor's influence.

Kazuki exhaled. "That's a big ask."

"You've got big shoulders."

He gave her a look. "Careful, you're dangerously close to becoming likable."

"Then I'm failing miserably," she said with a wink.

Later that night, Kazuki left his room cloaked in his newly improved [Conceal Presence] skill. Aria had given him a map of the town and marked a meeting spot—an old bell tower overlooking the market square. Supposedly, it was where Elias last met with someone he trusted… just before disappearing.

> [Active Skill – Conceal Presence]

Status: Perfectly Hidden

Detection Chance: 0% (unless by divine or demonic perception)

MP Drain: 2/sec

He moved like a ghost. Silent steps, no trace, not even a flicker of his aura leaked out. It was like being a shadow—no, it was better. He wasn't there unless he chose to be.

He reached the bell tower. Time had worn it down. The bricks were cracked, the wood slightly warped, the rope to ring the bell frayed and weathered.

Kazuki crept inside.

Nothing. Just cobwebs, dust, and silence.

Then he saw it—carved into the wall behind the bell's pulley system. A single word, etched in deep with shaky hands:

"Watcher."

Kazuki frowned. "Celestia, you reading this?"

"I am. That's a title used by the Emperor's shadow agents. Spies. Assassins. They infiltrate towns and report on loyalty. If Elias met with a 'Watcher'... he walked into a trap."

"Then whoever the Watcher is," Kazuki muttered, "they're probably still here."

> [Quest Update – Brother in the Mist]

Progress: 50%

New Objective: Identify the Watcher.

Optional: Interrogate without raising alarm.

Kazuki exited just as stealthily, looping around toward the tavern. As he passed the dark alley between the blacksmith and potion shop, he felt something... off. The air was too still. No night insects. No wind.

A trap.

He ducked just as a black-dagger slashed through the air where his head had been. A hooded figure emerged from the shadows, face hidden behind a silver mask shaped like a smiling child.

> [Danger Detected – Assassin-Class Enemy]

[Affiliation: Demon Emperor's Network]

[Name: Masked Blade]

[Threat Level: Moderate-High]

[Stealth Skill Detected – Warning: Your concealment has been pierced!]

Kazuki backflipped, drawing Soulcut in a single fluid motion.

"You're fast," the masked assassin said. "You're not from here. But the Emperor knows you're coming."

"Good. That'll make it more fun when I punch his teeth in."

"Cocky," the assassin murmured. "Let's see if your blood's worth the price on your head."

Kazuki activated [Soulcut], the blade humming to life as faint purple energy lined its edge. Their swords clashed in a burst of sparks. The assassin moved like liquid shadow, but Kazuki's body was honed now—months of training, dungeon dives, and trial by chaos had shaped him.

"You move like a soldier," Kazuki noted between strikes. "But you talk like a lackey. You sure you're not a disappointment in disguise?"

"You'll regret—!"

Kazuki feinted left, then ducked low and landed a rising knee into the assassin's gut. As the enemy reeled, he slashed across their mask, cracking it clean in half.

A young woman's face stared back at him. Pale, furious—and… familiar?

"Aria?" he whispered.

"No," she hissed. "Her twin."

A blast of shadow magic erupted from her palm, sending Kazuki flying back into a crate. He groaned, getting up. "Okay. That explains some things."

Before he could retaliate, she vanished in a ripple of shadow.

> [Quest Update – Brother in the Mist]

Discovery: The Watcher is Aria's twin sister.

Name: Unknown

Alignment: Demon Emperor

Status: Dangerous

Next Step: ???

"Your enemy wears the face of your ally."

Back at the inn, Kazuki reactivated [Conceal Presence] and slipped into his room.

Aria was sitting on his bed, waiting.

"Anything?" she asked.

He looked at her, really looked—searching for any signs of betrayal.

She smiled, just a little.

And this time, Kazuki believed it.

"For now? Let's say… I found a lead."