Chapter 67: Futile
A few seconds passed as Astra surged toward Asher, flooding his Astra veins with radiant energy. He doubted the assassins could track him through the Astra he drew, after all, throughout the forest, countless monsters also absorbed Astra in varying degrees.
In this chaotic symphony of energy, he was merely one among millions, an indistinguishable current in a vast, flowing Astra. The perfect cover.
Amid the stillness, the system’s chime broke the silence.
[Ding]
[Illusion Mind Invasion Detected. Mind Shield Activated.]
Asher’s breath caught as the notification flickered before him. ’An illusion,’ he realized.
Not even a minute had passed since he concealed himself, yet he had already been discovered. Just like before, with the arrow, he had barely hidden for a few seconds before being exposed.
Though the system warned him of the illusion, Asher remained motionless. He didn’t react. Instead, he stood still, his body slack, eyes distant, like a man truly caught within the illusion’s grasp.
Within moments, another assassin emerged atop the tree. She didn’t hesitate, every passing second was an opportunity for her target to shatter the illusion.
Closing the distance in a swift, silent dash, the bracers on her forearms shifted with a faint metallic whisper as twin hidden blades extended downward. Their sleek edges glinted beneath the moon’s silver light.
Without pause, she swept her arms in a crossing arc, aiming to sever Asher’s throat with a meticulous twin-blade strike.