The Shadow of Y city (Mysterious Master)
1124 Words
Ruth returned to the house and showered in silence.
The next day, the four great families of Y City were in turmoil. One of the city's strongest men had been rendered useless by an unknown force, throwing the balance of power into question.
Among them, the Shanks and Rosario families eagerly anticipated a fallout between the Collins and Lynden families. Seeing this as an opportunity, they were poised to devour the weaker faction.
However, there was something even more intriguing to them. As two of the city's ruling families, both Shanks and Rosario sought to uncover the true cause of the Collins family's misfortune.
The previous night, word had spread that the young miss of the Lyndens had escaped. This piqued their interest, prompting them to increase surveillance on both families. Just before this revelation, a lead had surfaced, and they wasted no time in positioning their spies.
Yet, the outcome shocked them. The Lyndens returned empty-handed, while the Collins family suffered a devastating loss. Their second-class mage, Savy, was unconscious, and they had lost hundreds of men.
That night, emergency meetings were held within both the Shanks and Rosario households.
Shanks Family Meeting
Simon, the head of the Shanks family, was both elated and cautious. The power shift was promising, but the unknown factor behind it filled him with unease.
His eldest daughter, Sasha, reported, “Our men in the vicinity saw the Collins forces retreating in haste. When they ventured into the forest, they discovered hundreds of corpses.”
“A section of the forest was left in ruins, with craters marking the aftermath. The scent of blood was overwhelming, forcing our men to turn back. We need to identify the cause before making any moves. If possible, we should establish a good relationship with this mysterious figure.”
Simon nodded but questioned, “What makes you so sure it was a master? It could have been the work of a ferocious beast. The outskirts of the city are known as the Forbidden Land.”
Sasha shook her head. “Our men retrieved footage. The corpses we found had their chests caved in, skulls crushed, and limbs shattered—clear signs of an overwhelming physical force, likely a powerful punch.”
“Moreover, we found footprints resembling those of a human. That’s why I believe a master is behind this. What remains unclear is whether they are a friend or foe.”
Simon pondered her words before concluding, “Regardless of who they are, one fact stands out—they spared the Lyndens. This suggests an affiliation or another reason for their restraint.”
“I find it hard to believe the Lyndens could have ties to such a powerhouse. Investigating this matter on our own might be dangerous. If necessary, seek Armin’s assistance.”
Sasha acknowledged his instructions and began making the necessary arrangements.
Rosario Family Meeting
Meanwhile, the Rosario family held a similar discussion.
They believed the easiest way to uncover the truth was through Jenni, who had once been part of their family and had personally led the search for her daughter.
The head of the Rosario family issued a strict directive. He instructed his youngest daughter, Sofia, to approach the Lyndens and extract information.
At the Lynden Estate
Unaware of the turmoil unfolding around them, Visco and Jerrad grew restless over Melina’s disappearance. However, Jenni insisted they stay away from the forest.
Despite their frustration, they respected her judgment, knowing her capabilities. They also received confirmation that their family's sole heir was still alive, giving them a glimmer of hope.
Collins Family in Uproar
The Collins household was in chaos. Their losses were staggering.
Although Savy had received emergency treatment, his injuries were severe. His right arm had to be amputated.
Richard Collins slammed the table, seething. “Tch, what a disgrace. How dare you return empty-handed? How could you allow your uncle to face danger alone? You had hundreds of men, yet you failed to capture one girl.”
“This failure humiliates us! Shanks and Rosario will surely exploit our weakness. Until further notice, I forbid any reckless action.”
Raymond clenched his fists. “We could have avoided these casualties, but the Lyndens deceived us. They deliberately lured us into a trap. Are we just going to let them get away with this?”
Richard's anger burned as he declared, “They won’t escape consequences. If they fail to locate their girl, they will compensate us—far beyond the losses we suffered.”
Raymond, still seething, asked, “What about Uncle Savy? Will he be alright?”
Richard sighed. “He remains unconscious. The treatment is complete, but his dominant arm is gone. I fear for his future.”
Raymond struck the wall in frustration. “I should have been there. If I hadn’t been distracted by—” He stopped, gritting his teeth. “If only I hadn’t let my guard down.”
Richard's voice softened. “Recognizing your mistakes is good, but this was beyond your control. Even if you had been there, it’s unlikely you would have emerged unscathed. The sheer level of destruction suggests a master-level fighter—comparable to a fifth-class magic user.”
“You’re still one rank below that. Don’t act recklessly.”
Raymond nodded, retreating to his room. Richard sighed heavily. “What a price I’ve paid just to push my son through metamorphosis.”
Elsewhere…
Oblivious to the storm brewing around them, Ruth and Melina slept soundly.
The next morning, Melina awoke, lost in thought. She decided to step outside for fresh air but immediately sensed something amiss.
The growls of ferocious beasts reached her ears. Cautiously, she followed the sounds, only to freeze in horror at the sight before her.
A m******e. Countless bodies littered the ground. As a martial arts enthusiast, she recognized the terrifying power behind the attack—this was the work of a martial arts master.
A sense of unease gripped her. Why is a master-level powerhouse here? Did someone hire them? But such individuals are notoriously aloof and difficult to recruit…
She bit her lip, worry creeping into her thoughts. If this master is here for me, I have to leave. Staying here would put Ruth in danger.
She hesitated, then shook her head. Why am I worried about him? We only met a few days ago…
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Hey, what are you mumbling about so early in the morning?”
Startled, Melina turned to see Ruth standing behind her. Embarrassed, she quickly replied, “Ah, it’s nothing. I just wanted to remind you to be careful. I saw some dead bodies nearby.”
Ruth merely nodded, basking in the warmth of the morning sun.
- Writer
