LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 19: Shadows in the forest
Chapter 19: Shadows in the Forest
Han Li stood at the center of the forest clearing, the glow of the Core of Ascension fading slightly in his hand. He felt its pulsing energy, an undeniable connection humming in his veins. Around him, shadowy figures emerged from the mist, each cloaked in darkness and carrying strange weapons that seemed to flicker in and out of reality.
"These guys again?" Han Li muttered, tightening his grip on the Blade of Eternal Flame. He glanced at Lian, who had her staff at the ready, green energy swirling around it.
"They're not ordinary cultivators," Lian whispered. "Be careful. Their energy feels...corrupted."
The leader of the shadowed figures stepped forward, his voice cold and mechanical. "Outsider, surrender the Core of Ascension. It does not belong to you."
Han Li smirked, raising his blade. "Yeah, that's not happening. You want it? Come and take it."
The leader tilted his head, as if considering Han Li's words. "Very well. We shall."
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The Shadows Strike
Without warning, the figures moved, their attacks swift and coordinated. One assassin lunged at Han Li with a curved blade, the weapon leaving a trail of shimmering light in its wake. Han Li sidestepped and countered with a slash from his flaming sword, forcing the attacker back.
Another figure charged at Lian, her staff crackling with energy. She blocked the first strike with a barrier of light, then retaliated with a burst of green flames that sent her opponent stumbling.
"These guys are relentless!" Han Li shouted, parrying another strike.
"They're after the core," Lian replied. "We need to finish this quickly!"
Han Li focused, his movements becoming sharper and more precise. He ducked under a wide swing and drove his sword into an attacker's side, the purple flames scorching through the dark armor. The figure collapsed, its form dissipating into wisps of shadow.
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A Divine Intervention
As the battle raged on, Han Li felt a familiar presence in his mind. This time, it was Tyra, the goddess of war. Her voice was sharp and commanding.
"Han Li, you're holding back. These are not enemies you can afford to toy with."
"Easy for you to say," Han Li thought back, dodging another strike. "Got any advice?"
"Focus on their patterns," Tyra instructed. "They're moving in sync, but their coordination leaves gaps. Exploit them."
Han Li nodded, watching the movements of the attackers more closely. He noticed the slight delay between their strikes, a rhythm he could predict. When the next assassin lunged, Han Li sidestepped and struck in one fluid motion, his blade igniting with fiery energy. The attacker fell, its body dissolving into shadow.
"Thanks for the tip," Han Li muttered, a grin tugging at his lips.
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Unleashing the Core's Power
The assassins began to retreat, regrouping around their leader. The mechanical voice rang out again. "The core is wasted on you, outsider. You do not understand its power."
Han Li raised an eyebrow, holding up the glowing crystal. "And you do?"
The leader extended a hand, and dark tendrils of energy erupted from the ground, snaking toward Han Li. Before he could react, the tendrils wrapped around his legs, immobilizing him.
"Han Li!" Lian shouted, firing a bolt of energy at the tendrils. The magic fizzled out on contact, unable to break the dark spell.
The Core of Ascension began to pulse in Han Li's hand, its light growing brighter. A surge of energy coursed through his body, shattering the tendrils and sending a shockwave rippling outward. The shadowy figures stumbled, momentarily disoriented.
"What just happened?" Han Li asked, staring at the core.
"It's responding to you," Tyra said. "But be cautious—its power is not without cost."
Han Li felt the energy settle within him, a newfound strength radiating through his limbs. He raised his blade, the flames burning brighter than ever. With a roar, he charged at the attackers, his strikes swift and unrelenting. Each swing of his sword sent waves of fire cascading through the battlefield, forcing the assassins back.
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A Narrow Escape
One by one, the shadowy figures fell, their forms dissipating like smoke. Only the leader remained, his cold gaze fixed on Han Li.
"You may have won this time," the leader said, his voice emotionless. "But you have no idea what you've unleashed."
Before Han Li could respond, the leader disappeared into the shadows, leaving only a faint echo of his energy behind.
"Well, that was ominous," Han Li said, lowering his sword.
Lian approached, her expression grim. "If they're after the core, it means this thing is more dangerous than we realized."
Han Li looked at the crystal in his hand, its light steady and reassuring. "Dangerous or not, it's ours now. We'll figure out what to do with it."
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A Beast Emerges
Just as they were catching their breath, a distant roar echoed through the forest. The sound was low and guttural, sending a chill down their spines.
"What was that?" Han Li asked, his grip tightening on his sword.
Lian's eyes widened, her face pale. "Something big. And it's coming this way."
From the darkness, a massive beast emerged, its glowing red eyes piercing through the gloom. Its fur was black as night, and its fangs gleamed like polished steel. The ground shook with each step it took, its growls reverberating through the clearing.
"Great," Han Li muttered. "Because this night wasn't chaotic enough already."
As the beast charged, Han Li raised his sword, the flames roaring to life once more. "Lian, stay behind me. This thing's not going down without a fight."
And with that, the battle began anew.
To Be Continued…