Demonic Cultivator System

Dawn broke over the settlement, but its light barely pierced the gloom clinging to the streets. The air hung heavy, tainted by the metallic scent of blood and the unspoken threat of violence. After the attack in the shack, Lian Yue and I moved cautiously, scanning for any sign of danger.

The bodies of the three attackers lay untouched where we'd left them. No one dared to approach—whether out of fear or indifference, it didn't matter. The sight was a stark reminder of how little life was worth in this world.

"Something's wrong," Lian Yue muttered, her sharp eyes darting around.

"What do you mean?" I asked, lowering my voice.

"Those men weren't random bandits. Their attack was too coordinated. Someone sent them."

Her suspicion mirrored my own. We hadn't been targets of chance; someone had orchestrated this. The only question was who.

The answer came sooner than expected.

As we examined the bodies, the system's voice resonated in my mind.

"Host, the attackers carried matching insignias, suggesting affiliation. Analyzing... Affiliation confirmed: hired agents of a local information broker. The description matches the man you encountered at the tavern."

The one-eyed man. My jaw tightened. That bastard had sold us out.

"System," I asked silently, "why would he send them after us?"

"Possible motives: one, profit from your elimination; two, a contract with a third party seeking to impede your progress. Further data required."

Lian Yue crouched beside one of the bodies, pulling a medallion from the attacker's belt. The crude engraving of a single eye glinted in the weak light.

"Recognize this?" she asked.

"Yes," I said grimly. "It's his."

The tavern was bustling as we returned, its smoky interior alive with murmured conversations and occasional laughter. The one-eyed man stood behind the counter, pouring drinks for a group of grizzled cultivators. His expression was neutral, but I sensed the tension beneath it.

I approached, my sword resting loosely at my side. Lian Yue followed a step behind, her hand on her dagger.

The man looked up, his lone eye narrowing as he spotted us. "Back so soon? What can I do for you?"

I placed the medallion on the counter, its metallic clink silencing the room. "This. Recognize it?"

He glanced at it briefly, his face unreadable. "Can't say I do. Should I?"

"Don't play dumb," I said, my voice ice-cold. "The men who attacked us last night carried this. And they worked for you."

The tavern grew quiet, conversations tapering off as heads turned toward us.

The man's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Big accusation. Maybe they just picked it up somewhere. You think I'd bother sending anyone after you?"

"Do you?" I asked, stepping closer, menace in my tone.

His smirk didn't falter. "If I had, you wouldn't be standing here."

My hand shot forward, grabbing his collar and pulling him halfway across the counter. Chaos erupted as patrons rose, weapons drawn, but I didn't care.

"Listen closely," I hissed. "You have one chance to tell me who sent them. Speak, or I'll make you regret it."

Fear flickered in his eye as his bravado cracked. "Alright, alright! I was paid to send them. It was just business, nothing personal!"

"By who?" Lian Yue demanded, her voice like steel.

"I don't know! A messenger dropped off the payment. No name, no details. Just told me you were a target."

I released him with a shove, his explanation plausible but unforgivable. He'd taken the contract, and he'd crossed us.

"You've got one chance to make it right," I said. "Where's the messenger now?"

He rubbed his throat, hesitating. "East side of the settlement. Black cloak, always masked. You'll know him when you see him."

"If you're lying…" Lian Yue warned, her dagger gleaming.

"I'm not!" he protested, raising his hands. "I swear!"

"Don't test me again," I said, turning away.

The east side of the settlement was eerily quiet, its crumbling alleys steeped in shadows. It didn't take long to spot our target. The masked figure stood by a wall, his black cloak blending into the gloom.

"You're the one who marked us," I said, my voice sharp.

He turned slowly, his movements deliberate. "And if I am?" His voice was distorted, mechanical.

I drew my sword, the blade catching the dim light. "Then you'll regret it."

He chuckled—a low, grating sound. "Arrogant. You think you're the first to try? The strongest?"

Without warning, he lunged, a dagger flashing toward my throat. But I was ready. The Shadowfang Sword Technique guided me, my body reacting instinctively. I sidestepped and countered, forcing him back.

Lian Yue struck from the side, her dagger slicing toward his ribs. He deflected her attack, but the opening allowed me to land a strike, my blade cutting into his shoulder.

He staggered, blood darkening his cloak. "Not bad," he admitted, his tone grudging. "But still weak."

Before I could respond, he hurled a talisman to the ground. Smoke erupted, enveloping the alley. When it cleared, he was gone.

"Coward," Lian Yue spat, scanning the area.

"He won't get far," I said. "Not with that wound."

The system chimed in. "Host, the blood contains a traceable energy signature. Shall I initiate tracking?"

"Yes," I thought.

An invisible thread appeared in my mind, leading northeast toward the forest's edge.

"This way," I said, already moving.

The trail ended at a small, secluded house near the treeline. The energy signature pulsed faintly from inside.

"He's here," I said, unsheathing my sword.

"Let's end this," Lian Yue replied, her dagger ready.

We burst through the door, splintering it. The masked man sat slumped against a wall, clutching his bleeding shoulder.

"Persistent," he rasped, his voice weaker now.

"This is where it ends," I said.

He laughed bitterly. "Killing me won't change anything. You're just pawns in a game you don't understand."

"Maybe," I said, raising my blade. "But I know how to cut."

The last thing he saw was the flash of steel.