Chapter 156: Chapter 156: SECRETS

Elder Tyron's eyes narrowed as he studied Shaun. Despite the young noble's arrogance and the grandeur of his entrance, the elder couldn't ignore the growing tension in the pit. "Shaun," he began, his voice low but firm, "remember, David is still an Awakened. Do not go all out. It would be beneath a king-ranked swordsman to do so."

Shaun smirked, brushing his golden hair back with a casual flick of his hand. "Of course, Elder Tyron. It wouldn't be worth my reputation to unleash my full strength on an opponent like him." His voice was laced with a confidence that bordered on condescension. "I'll give him a taste, nothing more."

Elder Tyron sighed. He knew the unpredictability of youth, especially one as proud as Shaun. Despite the warnings, there was an uneasy feeling gnawing at him. Nevertheless, he raised his hand and commenced the fight. The crowd, already on edge, leaned forward in anticipation. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that Shaun, a king-ranked swordsman, would finish David in an instant.

A servant scurried into the pit, respectfully handing Shaun a long, slender blade. The weapon gleamed under the sunlight, its edge sharp enough to cut through stone. Shaun took it with a practised grace, twirling the blade before positioning himself in a fluid, effortless stance. His eyes gleamed with the confidence of a man certain of victory. He looked toward David, ready to evaluate the so-called "monster" of the De Gor family.

But the moment Shaun locked eyes with David, something unsettling stirred within him.

It was as though a shadow of demons loomed behind David, dark and oppressive. An overwhelming presence gripped Shaun's chest. He blinked, momentarily disoriented. Surely, David wasn't using bloodlust to intimidate him? A flicker of doubt flashed through his mind, but Shaun quickly shoved it aside.

He's just an Awakened.

The idea that David could scare him was laughable. No, he would knock this boy out in a single blow.

Shaun took a confident step forward—then froze. His heart lurched as his vision blurred. For a brief moment, he swore his head had been severed from his shoulders. Panic surged through him, and he instinctively reached for his neck, expecting to find blood. But there was nothing. His hand met skin, unbroken and whole. Confused, Shaun looked up at David, who hadn't moved an inch, his gaze calm and indifferent.

Suddenly, a sharp, excruciating pain shot up Shaun's leg. He winced, looking down, convinced his leg had been cleaved in two. But again—nothing. No blood, no wound, just the echo of pain. It was as though his body was betraying him, playing tricks on his mind.

"What the hell is this?" Shaun muttered to himself, his confidence wavering.

David remained motionless, his bored expression barely hiding his growing impatience. "Holding back might bring you more trouble than you think," David said, his tone flat but edged with a warning. The subtle jab made Shaun's brows twitch in irritation.

His pride stung, Shaun pushed the strange sensations aside and rushed in with renewed determination. He was a king-ranked swordsman—this boy could not intimidate him. He lunged forward with a barrage of rapid thrusts, each strike aiming to end the fight quickly. But David was faster. Effortlessly, he sidestepped every blow, dodging with an almost inhuman grace. Each thrust met empty air, and the crowd watched in stunned silence.

From the noble booth, murmurs erupted. The spectators, once sure of Shaun's victory, now found themselves questioning everything. How could an Awakened evade the attacks of a king swordsman? Some of the nobles leaned forward, shouting to each other in disbelief. "Is this some kind of trick?!" one of them exclaimed, but no one could explain how David was making Shaun look like an amateur.

Shaun's frustration grew. His strikes became wilder, faster, yet they still failed to connect. With a final, desperate slash, Shaun swung his blade in a wide arc, expecting it to slice through David's defenses. But his blade met only the wind. Gasping for breath, Shaun blinked, confused. Where had David gone?

"You done yet?"

The voice came from above. Shaun looked up in shock to see David, balanced effortlessly on the tip of his sword, his arms crossed as if he were simply waiting for Shaun to catch up. The sight was surreal—how could anyone balance on a blade, let alone without cutting themselves?

David leapt down, landing gracefully a few feet away. Shaun's eyes widened as he stumbled back. His thoughts were racing.

I've misjudged him. This is no ordinary Awakened.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He had to reassess. But what was he facing? This wasn't just talent—this was something far more dangerous.

David's expression turned serious. "You've had your fun," he said, his voice cool and detached. "I think it's time to end this." Enjoy exclusive adventures from m-v l'-NovelFire.net

The atmosphere in the pit shifted, becoming heavy and oppressive. The air seemed to thicken, and David, despite his skills, felt the weight of something far beyond his understanding pressing down on him. He narrowed his eyes, confused and wary.

"You're impressive," Shaun admitted, his voice low and tense. "But I hope you're ready for what comes next."

With that, Shaun vanished in a blur of speed, appearing in front of David in an instant. His sword flashed forward, aiming for David's chest. But David was faster. In a split second, a shadowy dagger materialized in his hand. With an expert motion, he parried the strike. Sparks flew as the blades collided, and David skidded back a few inches from the force of the blow.

A notification flickered in David's vision, and a system window popped up:

[

"You have used Wraithblade ."]

David frowned. Something felt off. Shaun's aura, which had been steady before, was now fluctuating wildly. It was as though it had spiked, becoming unnaturally intense. David glanced at the crowd, but no one seemed to notice the change. Only he could feel the abnormal surge in Shaun's power.

"Impressive, David," Shaun said with a grin, his voice tinged with excitement. "But now it's time to get serious. Show me what you can really do."

David hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to reveal everything, but Shaun was forcing his hand. He took a deep breath and let the energy within him stir. Blue and white lights began to swirl around his eyes, his usual aura building ["Celestial wheel"].

But then—something dark seeped into the energy, tainting it. A deep, foreboding shadow spilled from Shuan's body, mixing with the golden glow of his aura.

A system window popped up again, the message flashing in his mind:

["You have found the Demon's Shadow."] Sёarch* The Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

David's heart skipped a beat. His thoughts raced as he whispered to himself, "Corrupted mana…"

Shaun's mind raced as he faced David.

Who is this guy? How can an Awakened stand against a king-ranked swordsman?

It made no sense. Every time he thought he had David cornered, the boy would slip through his grasp, dodging strikes that should have been impossible to evade. The nobles in the stands were just as confused as Shaun, their whispers rising like a wave of uncertainty. Shaun felt the pressure of their expectations bearing down on him. He needed to maintain his image—no, more than that—he needed to find out what David was hiding.

But even as his frustration mounted, Shaun knew better than to unleash his full strength.

If I use Blade Aura, Elder Tyron will end this fight instantly, and I'll lose any chance to learn David's secrets.

His mind raced, trying to find a way around this conundrum.

A slow smile curled on his lips as a thought struck him—a secret he had learned from a being far more dangerous than any elder or king swordsman. Hidden deep within him was a power no one else knew about.

Corrupted mana.

Shaun's eyes glinted with dark amusement. He had learned to mask its presence from anyone he wished, a gift from his time under the demon's tutelage. The elders wouldn't be able to sense it, not unless he wanted them to.

David, though…

Shaun's gaze sharpened.

Perhaps I can force him to reveal what he's hiding—and report it back to the demon.

His mission, after all, wasn't just to win. It was to observe, to learn about this prodigy who shouldn't be underestimated.

Determined, Shaun lunged at David with renewed purpose. His blade moved faster than before, his corrupted mana subtly feeding into his strikes, strengthening his blows without alerting the elders. Each slash, each thrust was designed to probe David's defenses, to break past the calm mask the young De Gor wore so effortlessly.

"I'll figure you out, David," Shaun muttered under his breath, his strikes becoming more precise, more focused. His smile widened, a mix of excitement and dark anticipation.

You won't remain a mystery for long… and once I have your secret, my master will know that you are not to be underestimated.

****

AN: SORRY GUYS NO SECOND CHAPTER UNTIL THE POWER COMPANY RESTORES THE ELECTRICTY