Chapter 26: Fated Reckoning
A/N: (So tomorrow might be EID??? No confirmation yet, but Eid Mubarak everyone. Of course, a chapter for our festivities is necessary. Enjoy reading, and honestly just comment what you thought and let me know. I love reading the comments and reviews because the interaction just makes me think more about what I write.)
[Kings Watch]
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{Legendary Guardian System}
+New Mission:
* Praxic Order's Plea: Scout the mysterious man responsible for the incident. Maintain a maximum distance of 1.5 Km with the target!
Rewards: System Lv 3. (Store Unlocked!) , +++Xp, Praxic Fire Seal
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Void dashed through the empty plains. His eyes surveying every inch of the surroundings. Bolting through at lightning speed, his figure seemed nothing more than a faint silhouette from the corner of one's eyes.
As he rushed, the tuner blinked, prompting him to change directions trying to match the direction.
Being as careful as he was, Void had been invisible the moment he had set foot in King's Watch. Knowing that the man he hunted could easily erase him from existence was good motivation to keep himself out of sight.
The tuner blinked again, as Void fluidly shot towards the signal.
His eyes landed towards a rugged terrain, littered with rocky hills and cliffs, the tuner blinked once more.
'He's there.' Void halted his steps, choosing to approach slowly instead.
Void's heart was pounding, as he took determined steps. Each stride inching him closer.
The tuner blinked as he put his foot through the boundary.
Instantly, Void couldn't shake the feeling that someone had eyes on him. But his sixth sense had not yet triggered. Confusing him to no end. His senses ran amok, as blood rushed towards his head.
Void gripped his wrist tightly, forcing himself to stay calm as his eyes surveyed the area.
Not even a single blade of grass had managed to survive in the bleak and barren landscape in front of him. But what gave him that sickening feeling... His own radar showed that he wasn't near any lifeforms.
From the depths of his heart, today was certainly the day he felt true fear. Like he was powerless, entering the boss's lair. He sincerely hoped whatever he felt was just a bad case of anxiety.
'I need to calm down.' Void put a fist over his chest as he heaved a deep breath and continued onwards.
Merging with the shadows at every chance he got, Void felt secure as he sneakily moved forward, a little at a time.
Every second, his eyes would shift towards his quest panel as his tuner would blink a few times a second.
Why? Well of course, Void knew the secret to finishing this mission safely.
His system was the biggest cheat he had, there was no way he wouldn't make full use of it.
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{Legendary Guardian System}
+New Mission:
* Praxic Order's Plea (0/1): Scout the mysterious man responsible for the incident. Maintain a maximum distance of 1.5 Km with the target!
Rewards: System Lv 3. (Store Unlocked!) , +++Xp, Praxic Fire Seal
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The moment his mission was marked as (1/1), Void would have come into 1.5 Km of his target.
However, like any experienced gamer, he knew there was no way this mission would end up being so simple. Void kept his senses clear, knowing that the moment he slipped and revealed his presence, he might lose his life.
He shuffled on his feet, sliding through the narrow nooks and crannies within the valley.
At a certain distance, his senses warned him. In fact, deep within himself he knew. The moment he got any closer, there was absolutely no way Shin Malphur, the great renegade would be unaware of his presence.
His body shivered at that conclusion. But could he give up?
'Have I come here only to turn back a coward?' He asked himself despairingly.
'The world is not so kind to offer everything I want on a plate.' Void cursed himself.
Unlike what he had expected, the system had not helped him in a long while. Void didn't know if that would continue.
But so what? Had he not come this far already? Had he not earned his place in this world? Training strictly for the last week was a testament to his will. He was no weakling to fall here.
He looked forward. The simple landscape now looked ever so devilishly shrewd. The cliffs now loomed over him. Void felt small, as if he'd be eaten alive by the world.
He was determined to finish this mission. As if a switch had been flipped. He was completely in the zone.
He kept going, hiding within the gaps he could find. His tuner started blinking, almost establishing the trace. Each breath he took seemed to weigh him down, yet he did not stop.
' I am close'
Void observed his tuner. Seeing it's strong response, he could estimate that he was currently 2-3 Km away from his intended target. Void's powers grew refined, now more than ever.
The moment he had accepted the possibility of his death. The light attuned towards his very core. Knowing full well that he could die, he continued, to his fated reckoning.
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[ King's Watch, Shin POV]
Still crouching leisurely on a boulder among the numerous cliffs, Shin observed the sight in front of him as he spun his gun around.
He already knew a squad would come after him and track him down. Naturally, he was ready. One shot was all it would take anyway. But what he saw right now, stunned him.
His eagle eyes locked on Void as he saw the hunter acting rather like a scared novice.
"How amusing" He laughed.
This was a Nightstalker? Shin chuckled, it was merely a cheap imitation. Shin expected the city to at least send a competent hunter to track him down.
He expected someone akin to a ferocious tiger, yet there was a harmless cub wandering around his territory. He could not help but laugh, as this scenario had put him in a jovial mood.
Shin's eyes narrowed, catching a glimpse of the tuner.
" Tracking my light signature to ambush me with a team in waiting." Shin sighed, swaying his head in frustration.
"The Praxic fire are far more annoying than I thought." He contemplated, his gaze locked onto the Nightstalker failing miserably to fade from his sight.
Shin lazily pushed himself off the boulder, as he stood erect, his cape fluttering in the slight breeze. He surveyed the area as far as his gaze would allow him.
As his eyes set towards the graveyard, he noticed something or perhaps someone but he kept his mouth pursed. A strange frown etched onto his face but disappeared soon after.
"I suppose some new company isn't unwelcome." His rustic voice resounded.
Thinking of toying with his tracker, his figure immediately flickered away.
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[ King's Watch Void POV]
' 2 Km, it's not too far.'
He concluded, observing his scanner. Void's eyes shined blue, as he used his skill to see any nearby energy signatures.
He patiently waited before swiftly switching his cover spot.
Void glanced at his hands, surprised to still be within stealth. 'I've exceeded my last time limit.'
Void recalled, at first being unable to maintain his stealth for more than a minute. Yet now, for some reason he didn't feel too uncomfortable to stay within this state for ten or so minutes.
Suddenly, Void felt a chill down his spine as his sixth sense triggered.
'He is Here!'
He immediately checked the tuner, and sure enough it began establishing a link.
----------------------------------------------
{Legendary Guardian System}
+New Mission:
* Praxic Order's Plea:(1/1) Scout the mysterious man responsible for the incident. Maintain a maximum distance of 1.5 Km with the target!
Rewards: System Lv 3. (Store Unlocked!) , +++Xp, Praxic Fire Seal
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His system prompt had already changed. It wasn't yet done! He needed to maintain this link for thirty seconds for it to be viable.
Void took stifled breaths, as his mind raced to imagine all sorts of scenarios. But a single question immediately stumped all his thoughts.
"Do you plan to hide like a rat whole time?" A cold blooded voice resounded.
Void's breaths stopped, his heart plunging deep into his stomach as a sour feeling stuck in his chest.
"Did you really think I wouldn't know?" The voice chuckled.
Void grit his teeth as he knew what was about to happen.
"If you don't come out now, you're forcing my hand."
A metallic click resounded, as Void reluctantly canceled his stealth as he stood up from his hiding spot.
Seeing the tuner had twenty seconds left, Void knew he had to somehow drag this conversation along. Since he was already exposed, Void discretely opened his comms channel and muted any incoming messages.
Void stepped out from cover, as he held his hands up.
"It's an honor to meet the man with the golden gun." Void replied with a smile.
Shin was perplexed at the novice's reaction, his eye gauging every move Void made. Just a moment ago he seemed nothing more than a nervous wreck.
"It is indeed a pleasure to meet the newest Nightstalker of the city. Your abilities are, very hard to come by, kid." Shin replied, reserving his judgement.
His eyes stare into Void's, as he continues.
"But I don't suppose you're here just for show. After all, your fireteam seems quite eager to join our little gathering." Shin pointed towards his comms.
Void's transmitter buzzed, his comms channel was going wild. But he didn't pay it any attention.
The renegade slowly pointed towards Void's tuner, the device seemed to blink as it had almost finished linking with Shin's aura.
Facing the man in the flesh, Void seemed to stammer a little. Shin Malphur was a renowned hero, a figure of great controversy. One that many looked towards with hope, and with fear.
"I've heard legends of your power, so I couldn't help but call some friends over. I can't take you down alone can I?" Void replied, smirking, as he glanced at the tuner
'10 seconds'
Shin laughed again, startling Void.
"Fascinating. The Praxic fire made a good decision to choose you. Despite being a newly risen, your fearlessness and command of light is quite impressive. Don't worry, at least you will leave alive." He replied, noticing Void slightly shuddering under his gaze.
Void did not know how to react, but before he could say a word. A heavy pressure immediately weighed on his lungs, as Shin's presence seemed to grow.
' I can't breathe.' Void immediately felt powerless.
"As for your little team, I will be the judge." The Renegade spoke, each word hitting Void shaking him to his core.
Void's transmitter started buzzing uncontrollably, perhaps telling him to run, but it was too late.
The tuner blinked, as Void saw the progress.
'5 Seconds!'
His face scrunched up, would he fail now? Void sweat bullets as each second counted down, he waited with bated breaths. As the renegade looked down at him, sharp yellow eyes staring into his soul.
"Your Reckoning, starts now." He voiced.
Before he could even blink, Shin's hand already held the Last Word as the distinct gold barrel faced him, Void's eyes went wide, the familiar hammer plunged into gun as a shot rang out.
Void's legs refused to move under the pressure as the bullet shot through his waist, shattering the tuner. His body crumbled as a wave of pain pulsed through his body.
He could feel the solar energy burning through his very being. Unable to support his own weight, Void dropped to his knees. However, he knew that he would be safe as he saw the tuner's crystals shatter.
As if on cue, a distant bright star hurled itself towards them as it blasted towards the ground, startling both hunters.
The fiery comet landed directly on top of the two hunters, blasting everything else backwards as a huge dust cloud kicked up.
Void felt awe as he looked up, spotting three silhouettes promptly shoot down towards the ground in front of him.
"I hope we're not late." Eriana smiled at Void, her flaming figure resonating healing energy around her.
"Good job hunter, leave it to me now." Wei stood up, a dangerous rumble echoed in the skies as storm clouds gathered.
He felt a hand slap his shoulders as he looked behind,
"Good thinking on your feet hunter." Sai smirked as she walked forwards, unsheathing her daggers.
"As for you, quit hiding you might be the judge, but today, I am your executioner." Her smile faded, the daggers arced with light.
A resounding clap echoed, Shin's figure slowly drifted into view as the dust settled. Not an ounce of fear in his voice.
"Impressive lineup Kid." He looked towards Void, as Shin slowly loaded his gun.
"I must say, I missed the Praxic Fire. Quite welcoming of you three to show up like this. Unfortunately, today, I shall have the last word." He voiced, his killing intent pouring through each word.
In a matter of seconds, the battlefield lit up, before Void could even fathom it, a clash of auras had already begun as vast amounts of energy collided.
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A/N: Hope you enjoyed reading the chapter. Leave a like and review!! Don't forget to comment!!! Thanks for reading.