Chapter Fifty: The Shadow Lurker

Research and invention were never Chu Yun’s passion; his current pleasure lay in enhancing his strength. Whether it was leveling up or seeking out magical equipment to boost his power, both piqued his interest.

“It’s time to find a place for the night.”

Dusk had settled in. Chu Yun drove his carriage out of the slums, intending to find somewhere to rest. The oppressive atmosphere within the impoverished district left him uncomfortable.

Once he left, the streets grew much brighter; this was the liveliest time for Blackstone City. After a long day’s work, the city’s residents, adventurers, and travelers all indulged in their leisure hours. Most gathered in taverns to chat and listen to bards recite their poetry. The more amorous lingered in establishments of pleasure. For those seeking excitement, the underground arenas offered adrenaline-fueled spectacles.

Chu Yun had spent several days in the wild and was in no mood for entertainment; all he wanted was a comfortable inn and a good night’s sleep.

The Lionheart Tavern was the most renowned establishment in the Kingdom of Ailnor, with branches in each major city. It offered not only food and drink, but secure, comfortable lodging. The only drawback was the price.

But money was not something Chu Yun lacked now, and he had never believed in denying himself life’s comforts.

“Honored Mage, what kind of room would you prefer?” The receptionist, noticing the emblem upon Chu Yun’s chest, addressed him respectfully.

“A quiet VIP room, if you please.”

A VIP room cost one gold coin per night, ten times the rate of the inn at Rockstead. There were even more expensive suites, but as Chu Yun was alone, he had no need of them.

“Very well, honored Mage. Here is your key. We will see to your carriage and mount.”

After accepting ten gold coins from Chu Yun, the attendant handed over the key.

“Honored Mage, we offer a full range of dining options. As a VIP guest, you may enjoy three complimentary meals daily in the private dining hall.”

“In addition, there are many entertainment facilities and activities on our third floor, all at your disposal.”

“If you require special services at night, I can arrange that for you as well—though such luxuries do incur additional fees.” The attendant offered a knowing look.

Chu Yun declined and made his way swiftly to his room. It truly deserved the VIP title; the thick walls provided excellent soundproofing, and noise-dampening spells had been cast upon the floors.

He was about to step into the bath when a shadow suddenly materialized behind him.

Or rather, it had been there all along, concealed by some spell. Now, with a single movement, the invisibility unraveled and the intruder was revealed.

Chu Yun’s heart raced—he had no time to cast a spell. A cold dagger pressed against his throat; the slightest move would slice his artery without mercy.

“Don’t move.”

The intruder didn’t seem intent on killing Chu Yun outright. Otherwise, he would have acted already. Even so, the mirror in Chu Yun’s pocket was already activated, ready to whisk him away at a moment’s notice. If he entered the Mirror World in front of this man, however, he would be forced to kill him to silence him.

Was the dagger faster, or his escape? Chu Yun hesitated, choosing not to risk it yet.

His composure seemed to please the figure behind him.

“I ask, you answer. Any hesitation, and your life ends. Understood?” The voice was cold, heavy with threat.

Chu Yun narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. “Ask what you will. I’ll answer fully and honestly.”

As he spoke, he had already made up his mind. This insolent fellow had outlived his welcome.

His adversary was confident, not taking Chu Yun, a mage now caught at close quarters, seriously. After all, a mage deprived of distance had little chance to cast.

“What did you say to Miss Lysa just now? Why were you inside with her so long?”

So it was about that, as expected. Other than the auction house, only Lysa’s side could have attracted trouble since Chu Yun had arrived in Blackstone City. He hadn’t expected his enemies to act so quickly or so rudely.

“We discussed a business deal. Are you one of Viscount Carl’s men?” Chu Yun replied unhurriedly.

“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t!” The man’s grip tightened, the dagger biting into Chu Yun’s neck and drawing blood.

“Speak—what business deal?”

“Ahem, at this rate, I’ll hardly be able to speak. Ease up a bit—do you think I could cast a spell faster than you could kill me?”

The man, proud and dismissive, didn’t consider this frail-looking mage a threat. He released the dagger and kicked Chu Yun to the floor, raising a crossbow to his head.

“Miss Lysa has invented a device capable of flight. I thought it was promising, so I decided to invest and help her fulfill her wager with Viscount Carl.” Chu Yun, rubbing his bruised side, remained calm.

Hearing this, the man’s face darkened. “Don’t you know the Viscount forbade anyone from helping her? Didn’t she tell you, or do you simply not care about the Viscount’s orders?”

His tone grew heavier, as if he might kill Chu Yun at any moment.

Yet at this range, he could threaten Chu Yun no longer. Chu Yun’s resolve hardened.

“Viscount Carl’s orders? What a joke. He’s just a viscount—why would I care about his commands? If he angers me, I’ll kill him too!” Chu Yun couldn’t help but curse.

A crossbow bolt flew in the next instant. Clearly, the man intended only to teach Chu Yun a lesson, not kill him outright—the shot aimed at a less vital spot.

But Chu Yun was prepared. The moment the trigger was pulled, he dodged, vanishing abruptly and leaving behind only a mirror.

The man was shocked, eyes darting warily around.

Chu Yun did not attack immediately.

He was now in the Mirror World, locked in combat with the man’s reflection.

The assassin’s mirror-image was much weaker than his real self, lacking the advantage of stealth and surprise. After being struck head-on by Chu Yun’s first arcane blast, he lost the initiative.

“Lightning Bolt!”

“Burning Hands!”

Two more first-tier spells struck in quick succession. Paralyzed and wracked with tremors, the assassin’s reflection was soon reduced to ash by fire.

Chu Yun’s rage cost him dearly in mental energy, but even though his foe was a second-tier rogue, he had no defense against such magic.

Aside from a bit of experience, the unlucky assassin also dropped the equipment he’d used to turn invisible.

The chance of gear dropping from a slain reflection was extremely low. Since his first rusty dagger from a goblin, Chu Yun had never seen another drop. In the real world, killing another person didn’t yield drops from the Mirror World; only when Chu Yun personally slew the reflection did such fortune occur.

Perhaps it was due to magical equipment, but this time, Chu Yun had finally gained another piece of gear from a reflection slain by his own hand.