REWRITE!!!
—————
Night never truly fell over Syrup Village.
Small lamps still glowed inside the houses, their faint yellow light spilling through wooden windows. It was weak, but enough to create a fragile sense of safety. From a distance, the village looked peaceful. If someone passed through without knowing anything, they might believe this place had never known violence.
I stood behind an old wooden fence, watching Kaya's mansion from afar.
"This is the last night before everything moves."
I let out a slow breath.
"And I can't afford a single mistake."
Shadow Sense was fully active. It wasn't sharp like it had been in Orange Town. Instead, it spread outward, thin and wide, like a net feeling through the dark. I could sense movement around the village. Light footsteps. Controlled breathing. People who did not want to be seen.
Not one or two.
Several.
I spoke to myself quietly.
"More than I expected."
I changed my route, avoiding a direct approach to Kaya's house. I moved along the edge of a small forest bordering the village. Damp soil softened my footsteps, and every time I nearly stepped on a branch, I shifted my weight away.
I stopped.
Shadow Sense pulsed sharply.
Two ahead.
I pressed my back against a tree trunk and peeked through the leaves.
Two men dressed in dark clothes crouched among the bushes. Short weapons hung at their waists. They didn't speak. They communicated only with brief nods.
"Outer guards."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"I can't leave them roaming freely."
The system appeared, brief and restrained.
—
[Hidden Quest Active]
Title: The Shadow That Chooses
Status: Ongoing
Note: Limited intervention permitted
—
I nodded slightly.
"Alright."
I picked up a small stone and tossed it to their left. Not hard. Just enough.
One of them turned his head.
"There was a sound."
The other stood up slightly.
"Check it. I'll stay here."
One of them moved toward the noise.
I waited until there was enough distance between them.
Then I moved.
I stepped out from behind the tree and closed in on the remaining guard. I was within three steps when he sensed something wrong.
He turned fast, his hand reaching for his weapon.
I struck his wrist with the edge of my palm. The weapon flew from his grip and hit the ground.
He let out a muffled cry.
I shoved his shoulder, forcing him back two steps, then kicked the side of his knee.
He dropped to one knee.
I didn't stop.
I locked my arm around his neck from behind and dragged him down. I applied just enough pressure to stop resistance without cutting off his breathing completely.
"Quiet," I whispered into his ear.
He struggled briefly, then froze.
I loosened my grip slightly.
"How many of you are moving tonight."
He gasped for air.
"Many."
"A number."
"Five. Six. I'm not sure."
I tightened my hold again.
"Who's in charge."
He went silent.
I exhaled slowly.
"You already know the answer."
"Kuro," he finally said, his voice hoarse.
I released him carefully and struck the side of his neck with precision.
His body went limp.
I dragged him into the bushes and tied him quickly.
I turned just as Shadow Sense flared again.
The other one was coming back.
I crouched behind the bushes and waited.
The man returned, irritation on his face.
"There was nothing there."
He stopped.
His eyes scanned the area.
He saw the dropped weapon.
He froze.
I lunged from cover and slammed into him before he could shout. We hit the ground together.
He tried to elbow me.
I caught his arm and rolled my weight, pinning him. My knee pressed into his chest. My hand locked his jaw.
"Don't scream."
His eyes widened.
"Who are you," he whispered in fear.
I looked straight at him.
"Someone who doesn't want this village burned."
He went still.
I pressed a nerve point on his neck with my thumb.
He lost consciousness without a sound.
I sat there briefly, steadying my breath.
"Two."
I murmured to myself.
"There are still more."
The system appeared again.
—
[Hidden Quest progress updated]
Intervention successful
Canon deviation: none
—
I stood and looked once more toward Kaya's mansion.
One of the windows was still lit.
"She doesn't know anything," I said softly.
"And she shouldn't."
I moved away from the unconscious guards and deeper into the village perimeter.
The night was far from over.
And this was only the beginning.
—————
I moved away from the two restrained bodies and into deeper shadow.
"Two down," I told myself quietly.
"Still not enough."
Shadow Sense refused to calm. Instead, it grew busier. A stronger pulse came from the western side of the village. Movement there was different. Slower. More controlled.
I muttered under my breath.
"They're learning."
I followed a narrow path between houses where no lights reached. Darkness layered upon darkness. The smell of wet earth mixed with old wood.
I stopped when I heard whispers.
Two voices.
One low. One younger.
"Don't rush. We wait for the signal."
"I hate villages like this. Too quiet."
I pressed my back to the wall and closed my eyes briefly.
"Signal," I repeated silently.
That meant coordination.
I peeked out.
Two men stood back to back. One facing the village. One facing the forest. A simple formation, but effective.
I spoke to myself in my head.
"I can't take them one at a time."
I took a deep breath.
"It has to be fast."
I threw a small stone onto the roof behind them. It bounced and clattered loudly.
Both turned at the same time.
"What was that."
I burst out of the shadows and attacked the one facing the forest.
I struck the back of his neck with my palm.
He stumbled but didn't fall.
He spun around and slashed at my throat with a knife.
I ducked and rammed my shoulder into him.
His back slammed against the house wall.
The knife fell from his hand.
I drove my knee into his stomach.
He doubled over, coughing.
I twisted his arm behind his back.
He screamed, barely holding it in.
But before I could finish disabling him, rapid footsteps came from my side.
The second one.
I released my grip and turned.
A blade flashed toward my chest.
I shifted right. The tip sliced my clothes.
I grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward.
He tried to kick.
I blocked with my leg and shoved him down.
He hit the ground hard.
I didn't give him time.
My heel slammed into his chest.
He gasped.
The first one tried to stand.
I turned and kicked his jaw.
He collapsed again.
I stood between them, breathing heavily.
"You're loud," I said calmly.
I looked at them one by one.
"How many are left."
The younger one stared at me, terrified.
"We were just the advance group. The others are already at the shore."
I froze.
"The shore."
Closer than I'd expected.
I exhaled slowly.
"Kuro ordered this."
He nodded frantically.
"He wants everything ready before dawn."
I nodded once.
"Alright."
I struck the younger one's neck first. He dropped.
The other reached for his fallen knife.
I stepped on his wrist.
He screamed.
I leaned down and whispered.
"This village isn't yours."
Then I struck his neck.
Silence returned.
I bound both of them and dragged them behind an empty building.
The system appeared, heavier this time.
—
[Hidden Quest progress updated]
Intervention increased
Warning: Mental load rising
—
I closed my eyes briefly.
"You're right," I muttered.
"This is getting dangerous."
I walked to the edge of the village and looked toward the sea.
In the distance, faint silhouettes of small ships floated.
A small campfire burned on the shore.
Black Cat Pirates.
I spoke quietly to myself.
"Kuro is waiting for morning."
"I don't need to stop all of them."
"I just need to make sure they don't move too early."
I turned back toward the village, climbing onto low rooftops. I moved from building to building with controlled steps. I stopped atop a storage shed overlooking the road to the shore.
Shadow Sense locked on.
Two more. Moving fast.
I waited until they passed directly beneath me.
Then I dropped.
I landed behind the first and drove my elbow into the back of his neck.
He collapsed silently.
The second spun and swung a short baton.
I raised my arm and blocked. Pain flared, but I held.
I grabbed the baton and yanked.
He lost balance.
I kicked his stomach.
He fell.
I stepped on his chest.
"Stop."
He froze.
"You won't win tonight."
He stared at me, shaking.
"Are you one of them."
I shook my head.
"I'm nobody."
I struck his neck.
He passed out.
I stood there, breathing hard.
"Six."
I wiped my face.
"That's enough."
The system appeared.
—
[Hidden Quest nearing completion]
Existence stability maintained
Intervention limit approaching
—
I looked toward Kaya's mansion again.
The light was still on.
I spoke softly.
"You'll wake up tomorrow."
"And you'll never know how close you came to dying tonight."
I left the village and moved into the forest.
I needed distance.
I sat beneath a tree, hugging my knees.
I whispered to myself.
"Kuro hides behind manners."
"I hide behind shadows."
"The difference is…"
I exhaled.
"I choose who I protect."
Dawn was still far away.
But this night had already lasted long enough.
I had done my part.
Tomorrow, the stage would belong to them.
And I would return to my place.
Behind the curtain.