The Return of the God Level Assassin [BL]

LI XU MIN's rapier flashed as he lunged with [Radiant Thrust], a golden streak aimed at YUN's chest. YUN twisted aside, his katana crackling with purple lightning as he countered with a sweeping slash. Li Xu Min pivoted, using [Luminous Parry]—his rapier meeting the blade with perfect timing, deflecting the strike in a shower of sparks.

The force of the block sent vibrations up his arm, but he didn't let it slow him. He followed up with [Shining Cross], his rapier carving two intersecting lines of light through the air. YUN dodged the first slash, but the second connected—the force making him stagger back a step.

Li Xu Min pressed the advantage. He used another [Radiant Thrust], but faster this time. YUN was already moving before his attack could land. The other's body blurring with unnatural speed as he activated some lightning-based dash skill. The rapier struck empty air, and before Li Xu Min could recover, YUN was already behind him, katana raised for a downward strike.

[Luminous Ward]—his defensive skill snapped into place just in time. A dome of golden light shielded him as YUN's blade crashed down, purple electricity webbing across the barrier. The impact still sent him skidding back, boots digging into the ground.

YUN pressed forward without pause, his katana carving through the air in another purple-lit arc. Before Li Xu Min could reset his stance, a second slash followed—then a third. Each strike forced him to either block with his rapier or twist out of the way, giving no room to counterattack.

The relentless assault pushed him back step by step, his boots scraping against the ground as he struggled to maintain footing. Li Xu Min knew he couldn't sustain this defensive struggle indefinitely.

It's time to change tactics.

Li Xu Min shifted left, baiting YUN into adjusting his stance—then he immediately snapped to the right. His rapier's tip glowed brighter as he prepared [Dawnbreaker Strike], the skill's power humming along the blade. A direct, punishing thrust meant to break through defenses.

YUN jerked sideways, but not fast enough. The rapier's light-wreathed point scraped across his shoulder, slicing through his sleeve and leaving a bloody mark. Although it didn't push YUN back, there's no way it didn't affect his HP.

YUN's eyes narrowed, clearly planning something.

The two of them circled each other slowly, boots scuffing against the ground. Golden light still clung to Li Xu Min's rapier, pulsing faintly with each breath. Across from him, YUN's katana flickered with restless purple sparks, the lightning crawling along the blade like live wires.

Li Xu Min studied YUN with razor focus. He noted every minute detail in the other's movements. He believed that YUN was also doing the same. The other's sharp eyes remained locked on the tip of Li Xu Min's rapier. And his relaxed shoulders and coiled stance made it clear that he was ready to strike the moment an opening appeared.

The air between them practically vibrated with pent-up energy—light and lightning swirling in the space between their blades. Neither moved. Neither blinked.

Then—

In the same heartbeat, they attacked.

Li Xu Min's rapier shot forward, golden light blazing. At the same time, YUN's katana arced down, a storm of purple lightning following its path.

The collision erupted in a flash of searing light and crackling lightning—a detonation so intense it forced spectators watching the live stream of the fight to shield their eyes. When the glare finally faded, only one figure remained standing amidst the settling dust.

***

Let's rewind a few minutes earlier, to the exact moment right after Luo Jin was eliminated.

Luo Yan nearly shouted when he saw the energy arrow strike his brother, but he bit back the curse just in time. Azrael was clearly hiding nearby. If Luo Yan revealed his position now, he'd lose any advantage he still had. He squeezed his eyes shut, drawing in slow, steady breaths. When he opened them again, all traces of panic were gone—only cold focus remained.

He looked at his [Shadow Walk] skill. It would be available again after another three minutes. He just had to wait until then and— His thoughts froze as arrows began appearing from the same direction where the arrow that pierced Luo Jin had come from.

Luo Yan's stomach dropped as he took in the scene—arrows materializing from that deadly angle, dozens of unstable orbs still rolling across the ground ahead. His body moved before his mind could process the incoming danger, spinning him around to sprint the opposite direction.

The explosion hit half a second later.

The blast's force slammed into Luo Yan's back, sending him flying forward. Thanks to the defensive item Luo Jin had given him earlier, his HP didn't drop—but the impact tore the Invisibility Cloak loose, the fabric fluttering up and away. Now exposed, he hit the ground hard, his back completely unprotected.

He scrambled to get up, but a sudden whooshing sound from behind made his muscles freeze. There was no time to stand - he threw himself sideways into a desperate roll. The arrow sliced past him, missing his body but spearing straight through the billowing Invisibility Cloak, pinning it to the dirt like a butterfly to a board.

Luo Yan didn't even have time to glance at the cloak—not with a storm of light arrows already descending toward him. He cursed under his breath and crossed his daggers overhead. Then he used [8th Movement Dance].

His body became a blur of motion, daggers whirling in precise, almost graceful arcs. Each swing intercepted an arrow midair, slicing through the glowing projectiles with sharp snaps of shattered energy. He didn't just block—he moved, stepping and pivoting like it was some deadly waltz. Left dagger up to cleave one arrow, right dagger sweeping low to catch another, his body twisting between the gaps in the barrage.

Luo Yan barely finished shattering the last arrow when his eyes caught it—a massive beam of condensed light energy, thick as a tree trunk, roaring toward him. The defensive item Luo Jin had already lost its effect. A direct hit would cripple his HP—maybe even one-shot him if it struck a critical spot.

So he bent backwards.