LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 13: shadow and silliness
Chapter 13: Shadow and Silliness
The air in the abandoned bandit camp was thick with tension. Han Li stood with the Blade of Eternal Flame at the ready, its faint glow illuminating the shadowy figure before him. The figure's voice was low and menacing, promising destruction.
"You've meddled in things far beyond your understanding," it growled.
Han Li rolled his eyes, lowering the sword slightly. "Oh, come on. Can we skip the dramatic villain monologue? I'm not here for an audition."
The figure paused mid-chant, clearly taken aback. "What?"
"You heard me," Han Li said, waving the flaming sword in lazy circles. "I've had enough theatrics for one day. I mean, first the bandits, now you? It's like I walked into some second-rate fantasy novel."
The figure bristled, its dark form seeming to grow taller. "You dare mock me?"
Han Li grinned. "I do. Now, are you going to tell me who you are, or should I start guessing? Let me see… Are you the Bandit King's secret pet demon? No? His emo cousin, perhaps?"
The shadow hissed, a sound that was supposed to be terrifying but instead reminded Han Li of a deflating balloon. "You'll regret this insolence!"
Before Han Li could respond, the figure raised a clawed hand, summoning a wave of darkness that surged toward him. Han Li sighed, activating the Ring of Veil to vanish from sight. The shadow's attack passed harmlessly through where he had been standing.
From a safe spot nearby, Han Li reappeared and leaned casually against a tree. "Okay, seriously. That was your big move? I've seen scarier shadows cast by a campfire."
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A Not-So-Serious Fight
The shadow lunged at Han Li, who easily sidestepped the attack. With a flick of his wrist, the Blade of Eternal Flame sent a streak of fire toward the figure, forcing it to retreat.
"I don't even know why you're here," Han Li said, dodging another clumsy strike. "Did someone send you, or are you just bored? Because if it's the latter, I've got better ways to pass the time."
The figure growled, clearly frustrated. "You… are insufferable!"
Han Li laughed. "And you're terrible at insults. Honestly, who trained you? Was it the Bandit King's ghost tutor? Or maybe you learned from one of those evil overlords who can't stop explaining their plans."
The figure let out an ear-splitting roar and unleashed another wave of darkness. This time, Han Li didn't bother dodging. He raised the sword and slashed through the attack, the flames cutting through the shadows like paper.
"Yup, as I thought," Han Li said, shaking his head. "All bark, no bite. Look, I don't have all night. Can we wrap this up? I've got a village to save and some tea to drink."
The figure recoiled, its form flickering. "This isn't over!" it snarled before dissolving into a cloud of smoke and disappearing.
Han Li sheathed his sword, letting out a sigh of relief. "Finally. I was starting to think it'd never shut up."
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A Sticky Situation
As Han Li made his way back to Eldralin, he couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the encounter. He'd faced bandits, divine challenges, and now an angry shadow monster with a flair for dramatics. What was next? A talking squirrel demanding tribute?
Lost in thought, Han Li didn't notice the trap until it was too late. One moment he was walking through the forest, and the next, he was dangling upside down from a tree, caught in a snare.
"Oh, come on!" Han Li groaned, flailing. "Who even sets traps like this anymore?"
A small group of villagers appeared, their faces a mix of shock and embarrassment. Among them was Mira, who looked like she was trying very hard not to laugh.
"Han Li?" she called, her voice laced with amusement. "What are you doing up there?"
"I was testing the village's defenses," Han Li said, deadpan. "They're very effective, by the way."
One of the villagers hurried forward to cut him down, and Han Li landed unceremoniously on the ground. He dusted himself off, pretending not to notice Mira's barely-contained laughter.
"You've had quite the night, haven't you?" she teased.
Han Li sighed dramatically. "You have no idea."
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Suspense Returns
Back at the village, Han Li reported everything to the headman. He shared the map he had found and described the shadowy figure, though he downplayed its threat. The villagers were relieved to hear that the bandits were scattered, but the news of a new, mysterious enemy left them uneasy.
That night, as Han Li lay in his small room, he couldn't shake the feeling that the encounter with the shadow was just the beginning. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he heard the voice of one of the gods—likely the God of Mischief—chuckling softly.
"You're in for quite the ride, mortal," the voice said.
Han Li groaned, pulling the blanket over his head. "Great. Just what I needed."
But as sleep claimed him, he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. Whatever was coming next, he was ready for it—or at least, he hoped he was.
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Cliffhanger
The scene shifts to a distant mountain range, where the shadowy figure reappears, kneeling before a colossal, menacing figure shrouded in darkness.
"My lord," the shadow hissed, "he is stronger than we anticipated."
The larger figure's eyes gleamed like molten lava. "No matter. Send the next wave. He won't stand against what's coming."
The chapter ends with the sound of sinister laughter echoing across the mountains, leaving readers wondering: Who is the true mastermind, and what new danger awaits Han Li?