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M: TSIA Chapter 56: The First Messenger of the Black Lantern
🕑 Added 2025-01-16 12:28:29 +0000 UTC"Good," Lance nodded briefly. Lance rotated his wrist, loosening his muscles. In an instant, the hidden mechanism in his wrist was triggered, and a sharp short blade emerged, ready for battle.
Under the flickering light that swayed gently, Lance's weapon blade appeared dull, but it was merely an illusion. Death lurked at every edge.
Boom!
Without warning, Lance lifted his leg and delivered a hard kick, instantly knocking Albino unconscious. With a swift motion, Lance pushed the unconscious body forward, using it as a distraction. Lance's steps were so light and quick, almost like a shadow gliding over the ground.
Nobu Yoshioka reacted in an instant. Nobu jumped back, bent to dodge, then swung his sickle. The silver blade sliced through the air with incredible speed, cutting the air with a sharp sound that pierced the ears.
Baam!
The blades of their weapons clashed, creating sparks and a ringing sound that echoed throughout the room. Lance took advantage of the momentum, swinging his sword to block the next attack. Nobu's sickle hook missed by mere inches from Lance's body, but Lance immediately moved forward, closing the distance between himself and Nobu with terrifying speed.
However, Nobu did not remain still. Nobu deftly retracted his sickle chain, then coiled it around his arm, leaving only the short blade at the end for combat. In a matter of seconds, they had turned this battle into a closer and more intense duel: short sword against short sickle.
No one is superior.
Their movements were so fast and coordinated, as if the two men could read each other's minds. Nobu, with his cold composure, anticipated every move Lance made. In contrast, Lance, who was beginning to lose his patience, kept searching for a gap in Nobu's defense.
In an instant, dozens of exchanges had passed. The sounds of clashing weapons, the whirring of chains, and the rapid footsteps filled the room.
Nobu appeared fierce and resolute, but Lance showed signs of frustration. Lance knew that time was not on his side.
Long Island was one of the most secure places in New York. Although their location was quite remote, the chaos just now—from the slaughter of assassins to this deadly duel—would surely attract attention. Someone might have reported the incident.
Lance needed to end this fight quickly.
However, Lance faced a significant obstacle. In this place, filled with surveillance cameras, using magic was a risk Lance could not take. He could only rely on his ordinary fighting skills—something he rarely relied on completely.
As Nobu stepped forward with full confidence, Lance suddenly drew a hidden sword from his left hand. Lance's movement was quick, without hesitation, and before Nobu could react, Lance threw something to the ground.
Bang!
A smoke bomb exploded between them, enveloping the room in thick, dark fog. Nobu, whose vision was immediately obstructed, stepped back cautiously.
However, Lance had already seized the moment. Behind the smoke cover, Lance crouched low to the ground, moving like a shadow. With quick and agile movements, Lance leaped several meters in a single bound, moving in an unpredictable pattern. The smoke that obscured visibility became his ally.
From behind the fog, Lance emerged like a ghost. The hidden sword in his hand shot forward with incredible speed. In an instant, Lance was below Nobu's line of sight, and his sword swept with deadly precision.
Ssshhk!
The sword aimed directly at Nobu's heart, Lance's movement so swift that it seemed to defy the laws of nature. Yet, for Nobu, the moment felt like it was slowing down. Nobu saw the blade approaching, as if time had stopped.
Every inch of the sword's movement was clear, deafening like a waterfall crashing from a height. Nobu could only watch helplessly as the tip of the sword crossed the space, approaching mercilessly.
Suddenly, the sword's movement changed. Its speed increased dramatically, and its force became ferocious.
Craaack!
Nobu felt a sharp, shattering stab. The sword pierced Nobu's chest, cutting through his heart with perfect precision. Nobu's entire chest exploded into pieces, blood gushing forth, flowing to the corners of his mouth.
Nobu staggered, his body weakening. Nobu's eyes began to lose focus, becoming dull. Yet, even on the brink of death, a smile appeared on Nobu's stiff face.
"I will return... to you... again," Nobu hissed in a hoarse voice.
For Nobu, death was not the end. Nobu was part of The Hand, an organization known for its resurrection rituals. No one in The Hand feared death, for they knew that death was merely a temporary door. Nobu had been through this before. He knew he would return, to seek revenge.
However, Lance merely smirked. Lance's smile was cold, full of disdain. "No," Lance said in a calm yet confident tone. "You won't get a chance this time."
Lance moved his foot, where he released his sword from Nobu's lifeless body. The body fell heavily to the floor, Nobu's blood forming a pool that slowly expanded.
However, the battle was not over.
As if ignited by the death of their leader, a group of ninjas from The Hand immediately charged toward Lance. There was no fear in their eyes, only a terrifying determination.
They had one goal: to retrieve the body of Kagenobu Yoshioka.
The Hand's resurrection ritual could only be performed if the corpse remained intact. Therefore, these ninjas would sacrifice everything, even their own lives, to ensure Nobu's body did not fall into enemy hands.
But how could Lance allow them to get what they wanted?
Amidst the fog of blood and screams, Lance moved like a berserker, a killer who had crossed the boundaries of humanity. Lance's movements were brief, lethal, and calculated. Each swing of Lance's sword yielded results: one by one, the ninjas fell to the ground, their lives ending swiftly without significant resistance.
But even though Lance managed to take down many enemies, only one provided something more than just a lifeless body.
[Kill the ninja Kagenobu Yoshioka and earn 100 points]
A cold message appeared in Lance's mind, a mechanical voice that almost mocked him.
