"The scent... where did it go?"
Tingyun stood at the edge of a narrow alley, her fox ears twitching as she sniffed the air. Her tail swished in agitation. "It was just here a moment ago. How strange."
March, Welt, and Stelle stood behind her, along with two Cloud Knights who'd been assigned to escort them. They'd been following leads all day chasing traces of Kafka's movements through the Luofu's districts.
And now the trail had gone cold.
"Maybe she doubled back?" March suggested, looking around nervously.
A voice came from behind them. Smooth. Amused. Familiar.
"When the trace of the hunter disappears, the hunter should think twice."
They all turned.
Kafka walked toward them slowly, hands clasped behind her back, a slight smile on her lips. She moved between the two Cloud Knights as if they weren't even there.
"It might mean the tables have turned."
"Kafka!" March's hand went to her bow immediately.
Tingyun's eyes narrowed, her gaze snapping to the two Cloud Knights flanking Kafka. They stood perfectly still. Didn't react. Didn't raise their weapons.
"What did you do to the Cloud Knights?" Tingyun demanded, her fan snapping open.
Kafka stopped a few paces away. She crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and tilted her head slightly. That same small smile remained.
"Just a little persuasion," she said softly, "to get them to listen to me."
Her eyes opened, focusing directly on Stelle.
"But you already know about that, don't you, Stelle?"
March and Tingyun both turned to look at Stelle.
Stelle's expression was confused. "What?"
Kafka's smile widened slightly, but she didn't elaborate. Instead, she turned, looking in the direction they'd been heading.
"What a hassle. This place is too far from the Diviner." She started walking away, her coat swaying with each step. "See you up ahead."
The moment she passed, the two Cloud Knights moved.
Their eyes were glazed. Empty.
They raised their weapons and attacked.
"Look out!" Welt shouted.
The fight was brief. March froze one in place with ice. Stelle's bat connected with the other's head, knocking him unconscious. Welt's cane blocked the frozen knight's strike before March shattered the ice, sending him sprawling.
Both Cloud Knights hit the ground, unconscious.
Tingyun checked their pulses. "They're alive. Just... asleep?" She looked up at the others. "What kind of technique was that?"
"Spirit Whisper," Welt said grimly, adjusting his glasses. "Kafka's ability. She can manipulate people's minds with her voice."
March shivered. "That's terrifying."
"Come on," Stelle said, already moving in the direction Kafka had gone. "We're losing her."
They ran.
Kevin sat on a floating cargo container, watching from above.
The Luofu's logistics system was extensive automated platforms carrying supplies between districts, following preset routes through the air. Kevin had simply found one heading in the right direction and sat down.
From up here, he had a clear view of the streets below.
He'd been following them since his conversation with Kafka. Not closely. Not obviously. But close enough to observe.
Let's see how accurate this script really is.
He watched March, Welt, and Stelle chase after Kafka's retreating form. Tingyun followed close behind, her tail streaming behind her as she ran.
Kevin's eyes tracked their movement for a moment longer.
Then he felt it.
A presence. Familiar. Powerful.
His head turned, gaze shifting to another part of the Luofu entirely.
Dan Heng.
The aura was unmistakable. Calm but deep. Carrying a weight that didn't match Dan Heng's apparent age.
He's here. He arrived on the Luofu.
Which meant things were accelerating. The pieces moving into place.
Kevin's attention returned to the group below, now disappearing around a corner as they pursued Kafka.
His expression remained neutral, but his thoughts turned to the Stellaron Hunters.
They're all so committed to their roles.
Kafka, unable to feel fear. It allowed her to do things beyond normal imagination. Walk into danger with a smile. Manipulate Cloud Knights without hesitation. Play her part in Elio's script with perfect precision.
Blade, consumed by his madness and his desire for death. The craziness that made him unpredictable yet somehow still following the script.
Silver Wolf, who viewed life as a game. Every mission a challenge. Every obstacle a puzzle to solve. Nothing was real to her except the thrill of winning.
And Firefly...
Kevin paused.
She's Not as problematic like the others..
Whatever her role in Elio's plan, she seemed... different. Less chaotic. More grounded.
And then there was Stelle. The vessel. The one carrying the Stellaron.
Elio really knows how to gather people.
A collection of broken, dangerous, brilliant individuals each one perfectly suited to their role in the grand design.
Kevin's cargo platform continued its route, drifting higher as it moved toward a different district.
Below, the script continued to unfold.
Exactly as predicted.
For now.
"It seems you've decided, Jing Yuan."
The General stood on the cargo platform beside Kevin, hands clasped behind his back. His usual smile was absent. His expression was serious.
He raised his left arm, pulling back the sleeve.
A black ring encircled his wrist thin, seamless, radiating faint wisps of shadow.
"The sword transformed into this ring," Jing Yuan said quietly, studying it. His golden eyes reflected the dark metal. "Convenient. I can carry it without raising questions."
Kevin nodded. "Pretty nice, isn't it?"
Jing Yuan lowered his arm, his gaze shifting to Kevin. "You said you'd provide information in exchange for my acceptance." His voice was controlled, but there was an edge beneath it. "I've accepted your deal, Emanator of Nihility. Now give me what you promised."
Kevin met his gaze calmly. "What do you want to know first?"
"The mastermind behind this crisis."
Kevin's expression didn't change. "The Emanator of Destruction Phantylia. She's taken the form of that Foxian girl, Tingyun. Her goal is that thing on the Luofu you know of i am speaking, something that grants immortality. She wants an immortal body."
Jing Yuan's eyes widened slightly. Surprise flickered across his face before he controlled it.
An Emanator. An Emanator of Destruction, wearing Tingyun's face.
But he didn't let the shock show for long. His expression smoothed back into calm professionalism.
"I see." His voice was steady. "Continue. Who brought the Stellaron aboard the Xianzhou Luofu?"
Kevin paused. Just for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"The one we discussed earlier. Jingliu your master." His tone was matter of fact, not cruel, just stating truth. "She and another man named Luocha brought it onto the Xianzhou."
Jing Yuan went still.
Completely still.
The wind from the cargo platform's movement rustled his white hair, but he didn't move. Didn't blink. His hand gripped the edge of his sleeve tightly, knuckles white.
Master.
His mind raced. Memories flashed training sessions, her calm instructions, the way she'd smiled when he finally mastered a technique. The woman who'd taught him everything. The Sword Champion who'd stood as a legend.
And now...
She brought the Stellaron. She's part of this.
"I..." Jing Yuan's voice came out hoarse. He stopped. Cleared his throat. "I see."
Kevin watched him carefully. "I can only tell you this much. But don't worry everything will be taken care of. Just play your game of strategy, General. Let the pieces move as they're meant to."
Jing Yuan didn't respond immediately.
His golden eyes stared out at the Luofu stretching before them, the city he'd protected for centuries, the people he'd kept safe.
The black ring on his wrist pulsed faintly.
"Understood," he said finally, his voice quiet but firm.
Kevin stood, preparing to leave the platform.
"One more thing," Jing Yuan said.
Kevin paused.
"How do you know all of this?" Jing Yuan's golden eyes fixed on him. "Kafka said you know the script. But how?"
Kevin was silent for a moment.
Then he spoke, voice cold and distant.
"That's not part of our deal, General."
Without another word, Kevin's form blurred and vanished, leaving Jing Yuan alone on the cargo platform.
Jing Yuan stood there for a moment, staring at the space where Kevin had been. The black ring pulsed faintly on his wrist.
Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled.
A soft sound, quiet, almost to himself.
"It's been such a long time since something this interesting has happened." He looked down at the ring, a faint smile touching his lips. "i am feeling young once again."
The cargo platform continued its route through the Luofu's airspace, carrying the General toward his next move in a game that had suddenly become far more complicated and far more dangerous than anyone realized.