The two servants still within my grasp, her kowtowing figure in front, I begin to wonder what even is happening.
'Did she say that a remnant of a Soul Formation cultivator is within her?'
Part of me wants to turn around and disappear into the night, but the other one is thinking of multiple different uses for her.
'While this is a dangerous game, if I play my cards right... so be it, I'll play along.'
''So be it. I will give you a chance.''
My hands slowly slide from their shoulders all the way to their necks, as my fingers wrap around the necks of the two servants.
''But if you betray me, or your loyalty wavers...''
SNAP!
With minimal effort, I snap the necks of the two servants in uniform. Even as their bodies hit the ground, my gaze does not waver. It remains firmly locked in place, staring directly into her eyes.
THUD!
''That goes for your master as well. If she ever wants a chance at getting a new body, that is.''
With the two servants dead, I retract most of my Fear Qi, but leave just enough to appear intimidating. My gaze shifts towards the two dead bodies, then back at the woman.
''Take all their valuables. You will need them for travels.''
I take a step back, letting her scavenge on her own. And just as expected, without a word, she quickly makes her way towards the bodies. Neatly taking their coin pouches, weapons, and even some pieces of armor.
''S-senior, thank you for the chance. We won't disappoint you.''
THUD!
Her head slams into the ground once again, with the sound being even louder than when the two bodies hit the ground... together.
''Senior mentioned travels. Where would you like me to go?''
She speaks, bits of her confidence back as she is able to speak without interruption. Her eyes still don't dare meet mine, knowing that doing so might yield unfortunate consequences.
''As you are right now, you are useless to me. But your future...''
My voice gets deeper and colder as I go on,
''Makes you desirable.''
Hearing my words, a brief relief flashes over her eyes, as if a heavy burden drops from her shoulders.
''But before that...''
Step... Step... Step...
I make my way closer and closer to her, all the way until she's directly below me.
''Look me in the eyes.''
Hesitant, but not bold enough to disobey, she slowly raises her head, her eyes meeting mine for the second time.
BOOOM!
All my Fear Qi releases in an instant, the whole forest shakes and screams momentarily, before returning to silence. All the Fear gathers in one direction...to her. Her body trembles violently as the terror seeps deep into her bones, scattering the leftover resolve she's mustered.
[You've gathered 8 points of Fear.]
[You've inflicted permanent Trauma on 2 people.]
'There we go. It might not give me many points, but it will leave a nice permanent impression.'
The pressure disappears within half a breath, its disappearance as sudden as its arrival. Shocked, breathless, and terrified, Xue Lian falls down, barely supporting herself with her trembling hands.
''With this, I've marked you. From this point on, doing anything foolish...''
A twisted smile curls up on my lips as I stop my sentence in the middle. The implication is clear, but untold. Lian's imagination will take care of the rest.
..
Lian's POV
A silence. From the moment he released his Qi, there was only silence coupled with muffled sounds of my master, who was repeating the same word, as if possessed.
Impossible... This is completely impossible...!
As the pressure subsides, I get a better understanding of my master's words. Impossible. Was that what she kept repeating over and over again? I don't know. I can't think, my body won't listen to me. What kind of terrifying being is this?
Lian...
'M-master...? Is it over yet...?'
My thoughts are in a mess, even communicating through thoughts is too difficult for me in this state.
The being in front of you... is a monster.
I've never heard my master's voice like this before. She's not scared... No. She's terrified. I can feel the remnant within me trembling, as if on the brink of destruction.
When he marked you... I wanted to see what he had done to you. To your soul...
Her voice trembles, even without a physical body, her very soul shakes from terror.
This isn't on your soul… no, it's deeper. He touched something that should not be touched.
'Should not be touched? Master... I don't understand... I'm tired...'
There are myths and legends on certain...concepts.
She continues,
The higher your cultivation is, the more aware you become of certain laws... but noone has been able to overcome them... until now...
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 2 546]
[Trauma: +519/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be Great too!