Chapter 29: Beats of Rage
Before Daylan could make a move, a flurry of shurikens tore through the air, slicing into his skin. He glanced down at the wounds—calmly, almost detached—watching as blood soaked through his shirt, spreading fast.
The man smirked, wasting no time before launching another strike. As the shurikens sliced through the air, aiming for his head, Daylan turned toward him—his eyes burning with pure rage.
Loop sync... two seconds—He snapped.
In the blink of an eye, the shurikens turned pitch black in the Phantom's hands as he swung them forward. But the moment they left his grip—Daylan was gone. One by one, the lanterns in the tavern began to flicker out, gradually plunging the room into deepening shadows.
All the Phantoms shot to their feet, eyes darting and heads snapping in every direction, desperately searching for Daylan. But the only thing their eyes could track were the lanterns—flickering and dying, one after the other.
"You coward... Come fight me head-on like a man!"
Daylan stood on the wooden railing of the upper floor, shrouded in shadow, staring down at them with a mix of fear and fury.
Fractal Echo
He could hear them cursing him within, fear seeping through their forced bravado. He saw them clearly—so clearly—it was as if it were broad daylight. While they continued to search for him.
Without a moment's hesitation, he dropped from the rails—and before they could react, three of them lay lifeless on the ground. The screams came too fast, too sudden, leaving only the one who'd slain the captives still standing.
"You moron... fight me like a man," he growled, his voice cracking. He flung shurikens blindly across the room, retreating step by step as his eyes darted around, desperate for an escape.