Chapter 152: The Shadow’s Trail
Andrew had been following the assassin for three days.
Three very boring days.
He crouched atop another rooftop.
Watching.
Waiting.
Eating roasted peanuts.
"...Come on."
"Do something interesting."
The cloaked figure moved through the streets below.
Calm.
Patient.
Almost ghost-like.
Andrew never got closer.
He simply watched.
The first night—
The assassin slipped into a noble's residence.
Andrew stayed on the rooftop.
A few minutes later—
A scream.
Then silence.
The assassin walked back out.
Blood dripped from the tip of the scythe.
Andrew remained still.
"...One."
The second night—
A merchant.
Again.
Andrew watched from afar.
No interference.
"...Two."
The third—
A military officer.
Same method.
Quick.
Clean.
Professional.
Andrew finally understood.
"...You're choosing them."
Not random victims.
Specific people.
Every target held influence.
Every target supported Taai.
Every target advocated cooperation between the city's factions.
Whoever the assassin worked for...
They wanted Muscle City divided.
Andrew scratched his chin.
"...Interesting."
Night had fallen once again.
Andrew followed from an even greater distance than before.
No mistakes.
No rushing.
Just patience.
The assassin entered an abandoned alleyway.
Then stopped.
Another hooded figure stepped out from the darkness.
Andrew immediately flattened himself against the rooftop.
"...A meeting."
He carefully inched closer.
Close enough to hear.
Barely.
The assassin spoke first.
Short.
Direct.
"...The important figures..."
"...Supporting peace..."
"...Supporting Taai..."
"...Have all been eliminated."
Andrew narrowed his eyes.
So that was the objective.
The second hooded figure chuckled softly.
"I have finished my part."
Andrew couldn't see the face beneath the hood.
Only the posture.
Relaxed.
Confident.
The hooded man continued.
"We shall begin..."
"...A few days from now."
"...Everything is ready."
Andrew memorized every word.
The hooded figure turned.
Without another sentence—
He simply walked away into the darkness.
The assassin remained where she stood.
Watching him leave.
Andrew frowned.
"...That's all?"
His stomach suddenly answered.
Grrrrrrr...
The sound echoed far louder than he wanted.
Andrew froze.
"..."
The assassin froze too.
Silence.
Andrew slowly looked down at his stomach.
"...Traitor."
The assassin's head tilted upward.
Directly toward him.
"...Ah."
"So much for stealth."
The assassin vanished.
Andrew's eyes widened.
"...Fast!"
A sharp whistle split the air.
Instinct took over.
Andrew threw himself backward.
A massive scythe carved through the rooftop where his head had been a fraction of a second earlier.
Wood exploded.
Tiles shattered.
Andrew landed on another rooftop.
Grinning.
"There you are."
The assassin said nothing.
Only attacked again.
Steel flashed.
Andrew drew one of his own scythes.
CLANG!
The impact sent sparks flying into the night.
Andrew laughed.
"I was getting tired of following you anyway."
The assassin disappeared once more.
Only for another slash to appear from behind.
Andrew twisted.
Barely avoiding it.
"...Still fast."
The assassin never answered.
Only attacked again.
And again.
The rooftops of Muscle City became a battlefield beneath the moonlight.