Tian Yu stepped forward, gripping his sword tightly.
The Concept Wraith hissed at him, its twisted body shifting and twitching like smoke in the wind. It was fast—but so was he.
Without saying a word, Tian Yu slashed.
His blade cut through the wraith's body, but it didn't seem hurt. The creature laughed.
"Your attack did nothing," the wraith growled, voice deep and strange.
Tian Yu smiled calmly.
He didn't rush. He stood there, staring at the monster. Then, after a few seconds—
CRACK.
The Concept Wraith suddenly froze. Its chest started to glow, revealing a core hidden inside its body. It was like a beating heart made of dark crystal.
"You see," Tian Yu said, eyes burning with confidence,
"my sword causes damage a few seconds after I strike. I call it After-Image Damage. It messes with the enemy's head."
Shiro's eyes widened.
"No way... That's Metro-style techniques . He's fighting like someone who's been trained by the best. This guy's a prodigy…"
The wraith screamed and lunged again. Tian Yu dodged with ease, and with a quick strike, he sliced the core into clean pieces.
The wraith vanished into ash and silence.
Tian Yu stepped forward, brushing dust off his shoulder.
"That wraith was only E-Rank… but it could speak. That's not right."
"Someone must be controlling it. Maybe someone strong."
His voice dropped lower, steady as steel.
"Maybe… the Great Byron Edelmar himself."
Everyone went quiet.
Hlanya looked at him.
"If that's true, what now?"
Tian Yu glanced toward the dark horizon.
"Then we prepare."
"Muthir Jasha doesn't walk alone. He's got monsters. Soldiers. Maybe worse. We don't charge in half-awake."
He turned to the others, eyes serious but calm.
"We do this smart. We do this fast. And we leave no trace."