The Return of The Demon Emperor karsu!

The next evening – the market

The market was pulsating with life, the voices of the sellers intertwining with the clamor of the shoppers, and the air was saturated with the scent of spices and perfumes. The sky was overcast, and the wind blew gently, moving the curtains of the stalls and scattering some of the fallen papers on the ground. Amid this uproar, the daughter of the first merchant—dressed in her luxurious crimson gown and dazzling jewels—appeared strolling among the stalls, surrounded by five extremely cautious guards whose eyes monitored every movement around her.

At one of the dark corners, Karsu observed the scene with narrowed eyes, concealing himself among the shadows as if he were part of them. His mind worked with cold precision, weighing the possibilities.

(Karsu to himself):

"This is my chance. No room for mistakes. Five guards... three possess Qaz Rock, one Qaz Enhancement, and the other... Qaz Shadows. I will start with the weakest."

He vanished into the darkness as if he had never been there, using Qaz Shadows to merge with the gloom of the market. A swift movement—no sound, no trace. He appeared behind the first guard, the tip of his sword slicing through the air with a deadly silence. A precise stab below the neck, and the man fell like an empty doll without even being able to scream.

The second and third did not realize what was happening until one of them felt something wrapping around his feet. Qaz Threads. Thin threads, like snakes, closed in around them, binding them for a moment—enough to bring them down with two swift strikes to the back of the head.

(Karsu, whispering): "Two remain."

The guard with Qaz Enhancement turned around, growling angrily:

"You bastard! You will not escape alive!"

He advanced with frantic speed, his muscles bulging thanks to his Qaz Enhancement. The ground trembled under his steps, but Karsu had anticipated this. A quick, sidelong movement—he evaded the heavy blow, then released from his palm a sharp thread that coiled around the guard's wrist and pulled him forcefully, disturbing his balance for a moment. It was enough for Karsu to kick him below the knee—a precise strike that made him fall to the ground with a stifled groan.

"Only the last remains... the user of the shadows."

Out of nowhere, and from the very shadow of the girl herself, emerged the last guard. His eyes were sharp, his face determined as if it were carved from stone. He attacked fiercely, as if he had burst forth from the void, his sword launching with a dark gleam toward Karsu's neck.

But a dangerous smile appeared on Karsu's face.

"Finally, you appeared."

A fierce battle erupted. Two swords clashed, sparks flying. The guard moved between the shadows, attacking from unexpected angles, but Karsu was not an ordinary opponent. He sensed the incoming attacks before they were executed. Every blow, he dodged with deadly smoothness, responding with precise strikes that hit the weakest points in his opponent's body.

The guard retreated, his breaths quickening.

(The guard, gasping): "How... how do you know my movements?!"

Karsu, with cold eyes, replied:

"You revealed yourself... when you stepped out of the girl's shadow, that was your first mistake."

He gave him no chance to respond. With a swift movement, Karsu drove his sword into a vital point below the guard's ribcage.

(The guard, whispering as he fell): "Ah... you knew of my existence... all along?"

Karsu did not reply. He withdrew his sword without care, leaving the corpse to fall with a muffled sound.

Suddenly, screams erupted. The market, which had been bustling with activity, turned into utter chaos. The voices of women and men mingled—some fleeing, others hiding behind the stalls.

"He's a killer! Call the guards!"

Karsu did not move. He remained calm amidst this whirlwind of chaos. Eyes stared at him, but he focused on his target. He advanced slowly toward the girl, who was astonished, her body trembling. He suddenly extended his hand and released threads that wrapped around her mouth and wrists, binding her.

He then turned to the wounded guard, the one with Qaz Enhancement who was barely breathing, and said:

"Tell your master... to come to the forest. Alone. If he wishes to reclaim his daughter alive."

The guard was bleeding heavily, but he shook his head with difficulty. He understood the message.

Before Karsu disappeared, the sounds of the guards' horns began to rise from the edges of the market. But it was too late.

His body vanished into the shadows... as if he had never been.