The Drake Blood Tales

As the massive tree began to sprout, Fallion and his team reunited with Blanchette. However, Blanchette quickly noticed the three of them were completely drained, their bodies trembling with exhaustion.

"You three look like you can barely stand," Blanchette remarked, her tone sharp yet protective. "Guess it's up to me to protect all of you while handling this guy."

"We're sorry..." Fallion muttered, his voice filled with regret.

Blanchette softened slightly. "Just stay close and be careful," she instructed before charging into battle. She unleashed a barrage of light beams, aiming to pierce the towering tree. But to her surprise, her attacks barely left a mark.

"If you think I'm just some run-of-the-mill assassin, I'm afraid you're sorely mistaken," came Mu Xianshi's voice, resonating through the forest. "I could easily rank in the top ten of the League if I wanted, but I don't have the patience to wrestle with those brutes."

"I couldn't care less about your ego," Blanchette snapped, her focus unwavering. She began to channel her mana, her hands glowing as she prepared one of her strongest techniques—the Cannon of Krest. A glowing orb materialized, growing larger as it gathered immense energy. She released it, and the resulting explosion shook the ground.

Smoke and debris cleared, revealing the tree still standing tall. Before Blanchette could react, a firebolt shot toward her with lightning speed. Her mana shield activated just in time, deflecting the attack.

"She's keeping her mana shield up this long? She should've run out of mana by now," Mu Xianshi mumbled from his hiding spot within the colossal tree.

Meanwhile, outside the forest, Yanmei and Gaz'mirna were locked in a tense standoff with Nagasaki. Yanmei threw a flurry of daggers, but each one was deflected by powerful gusts of wind conjured by Nagasaki.

Gaz'mirna attempted to close the distance, her steps deliberate and swift, but Nagasaki evaded every approach with effortless agility. To their frustration, he showed no intention of attacking.

"Are you even going to fight? At least let us through if you're not going to try!" Gaz'mirna demanded.

"Oh... no, no, no. I can't do that," Nagasaki replied with a sly grin. "That goblin would have my head if I let you in."

Yanmei narrowed her eyes, channeling her assassination art, Flowing Pierce. She darted toward Nagasaki, aiming for a precise strike. But the fierce winds pushed her back, tossing her lightweight frame into the air.

"Guess you need to gain some weight, little girl," Nagasaki taunted with a laugh.

"And you need to learn some manners, you windbag," Yanmei shot back, brushing herself off.

"What's so special about your lord, anyway?" Nagasaki asked casually, reclining slightly as though this were nothing more than a friendly conversation.

"Do I really need to spell it out for you?" Yanmei growled, her frustration mounting.

"Forgive me," Nagasaki said with a mock bow. "Just passing the time."

Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the area, its force reverberating through the forest. Nagasaki turned his head toward the sound, his eyes wide. "Wow, that girl really is energetic," he remarked, impressed.

Gaz'mirna seized the moment, leaping toward Nagasaki in an attempt to grab him. But, once again, he evaded with ease, his movements almost playful.

"Hey, we need a plan if we're going to catch this guy," Yanmei said, frustration clear in her voice.

"You're right," Gaz'mirna agreed, her brow furrowed. "His magic is incredibly strong, and his speed is ridiculous. If he actually wanted to attack us, he'd have won already."

Nagasaki, now perched lazily on a tree branch, smiled down at them. "You two are sharp. But I'm not here to win—just to keep you entertained."

As Nagasaki began playing a melody on his shamisen, his voice rose to tell a story about a young boy who deceived everyone around him—his family, his village, his friends, and even his enemies. The boy became known as The Deceiver and wandered the world, weaving lies and deceit wherever he went.

"That's actually a nice song," Gaz'mirna remarked. "I'd even enjoy it if my lord weren't in danger right now."

"Wow, thanks for the compliment, ladies," Nagasaki replied, grinning. "But don't worry about your boss. He and his crew are fine—finding a safe place far from the crossfire between those goblins and elves. Both of them are maniacs, I tell you." He continued to strum the shamisen.

Yanmei observed him closely. "His magic catalyst is that shamisen. If we could just find a way to destroy it…"

"I have an idea," Gaz'mirna said hesitantly. "But it's risky."

"At this point, standing in front of a League of Shadow member is already a risk," Yanmei replied, gripping her blade. "I'll take my chances."

"Whoa, these ladies are plotting something," Nagasaki muttered to himself. "Guess I should stay on my toes. Can't let them pass, but I'd rather not get hurt either." He adjusted his stance, ready to evade.

Gaz'mirna summoned her fire cloak, flames dancing around her. But to Nagasaki's shock, she turned and directed the flames at Yanmei, who writhed in apparent pain. Gaz'mirna then hurled Yanmei forward, her body enveloped in flames.

"Trying to counter my wind with fire? Not the smartest move I've seen, but points for creativity," Nagasaki taunted, summoning a gust of wind to disperse the flames.

As the fire vanished, Yanmei spun mid-air, hurling a flurry of daggers at Nagasaki. He dodged them with ease, laughing at their attempt. However, he failed to notice Gaz'mirna, who had crept behind him and grabbed him tightly.

"Oh… oh…" Nagasaki stammered, realizing his mistake.

Yanmei charged toward him, her blade gleaming with shadow magic.

"Fine, fine. I guess it's time to show you my secret ability," Nagasaki said, smirking even as Gaz'mirna held him tightly.

He leapt into the air, carrying Gaz'mirna with him, and prepared to stomp the ground to unleash a powerful gust. But before he could, Yanmei used her shadow magic, Unearthed Veil, to liquefy the ground beneath them. The earth solidified again, trapping Nagasaki's feet.

"Okay, okay! I surrender! Just don't kill me!" Nagasaki exclaimed.

"What?" Gaz'mirna blinked, baffled.

"Hah?! This guy's really a member of the League of Shadow?" Yanmei said, equally confused.

"Look, this kind of situation isn't my specialty," Nagasaki admitted. "I usually ambush people—use my wind magic to redirect their arrows and daggers toward their allies. I'm not a one-on-one fighter, which is why I stick with that goblin over there."

"This guy's strong enough to hold us off, but…" Gaz'mirna trailed off, clearly unimpressed.

"Hey, don't be like that. You'd be singing a different tune if I were the one setting the ambush," Nagasaki said defensively.

"So, what now?" Yanmei asked, crossing her arms.

"Just tell the goblin you beat me," Nagasaki suggested. "But at least pretend I put up a fight, could you?" His expression was deadpan.

"Maybe we should break the shamisen first?" Gaz'mirna said, eyeing the instrument warily.

"Please, no! It cost 100,000 Verak!" Nagasaki pleaded, clutching the shamisen protectively. "It's not just an instrument—it's a magical catalyst!"

"Fine," Yanmei said, rolling her eyes. "But first—Unearthed Veil!"

She buried Nagasaki deeper into the ground, leaving only his head exposed.

Gaz'mirna smirked. "Now we don't have to worry about him following us."

The two women rushed off toward Fallion's location.

As the sound of their footsteps faded, Nagasaki sighed, his head still stuck above ground.

"Well, here's hoping no stray bomb finds me," he muttered.

Then, a sly smirk crept across his face. "Not that it matters… not that it matters at all."

As Gaz'mirna and Yanmei stepped into the forest, they were suddenly teleported back outside.

"What just happened?" Gaz'mirna asked, bewildered.

The two tried again, only to find themselves standing outside the forest once more.

"Wait, something's wrong," Gaz'mirna said, narrowing her eyes.

"Yeah, I can see that," Yanmei replied dryly.

They turned their gaze toward Nagasaki, still buried in the ground with only his head sticking out.

"What?" he asked nonchalantly.

"How do we get into the forest?" Gaz'mirna shouted.

"Why not try hopping like a rabbit?" Nagasaki suggested with a smirk.

"Very funny. We know this is your doing," Yanmei said, pointing her dagger at him.

"Whoa, scary!" Nagasaki exclaimed, feigning fear. "Maybe you two just aren't fated to enter. Or maybe… just maybe, I haven't finished creating a way for you to get in yet."

Suddenly, Yanmei heard a soft, soothing melody. Before she could react, she found herself buried underground, with only her head above ground—mirroring Nagasaki's predicament.

"What the—Yanmei, what happened?!" Gaz'mirna exclaimed, startled.

From above, she heard Nagasaki's voice, though his head was still visibly stuck in the ground below.

"Didn't you just bury her?" he teased, now perched on a tree branch.

"No, I didn't!" Gaz'mirna shouted, scanning her surroundings.

"Yes, you did," Nagasaki replied with a smirk.

"Of course she didn't. Unearthed Veil is my ability!" Yanmei snapped.

"My bad, my bad," Nagasaki said, feigning innocence. He strummed his shamisen, and suddenly Gaz'mirna and Yanmei's positions swapped.

"What's going on?" Gaz'mirna muttered, confused but beginning to piece things together.

"See? It's your doing, kunoichi," Nagasaki said, pointing at Yanmei.

"What do you mean?!" Yanmei shouted, exasperated.

"Well, Unearthed Veil is your ability, isn't it?" Nagasaki replied slyly.

Yanmei gritted her teeth and charged at him again, but his gust of wind repelled her with ease.

Gaz'mirna rose to her feet, frustration etched on her face. "We can't waste any more time!"

Nagasaki smirked. "How about we play a game instead?"

"Game? We don't have time for this!" Yanmei growled.

"Relax. I'll give you three statements—two are false, one is true. Pick the true one, and I'll let one of you pass. Choose wrong, and…" He grinned mischievously.

"And what happens if we choose wrong?" Gaz'mirna asked warily.

"I'll ask another question." Nagasaki's tone was light, almost cheerful.

"That… doesn't sound so bad," Gaz'mirna muttered.

"Alright, kunoichi, this one's for you. Here are your options:

You will die.

You won't leave this place.

You have excessive body fat in your chest."

Yanmei's face turned red. "What the hell kind of question is that?!"

"Pick the true one," Nagasaki said, his smirk widening.

Yanmei fidgeted, clearly flustered. "I… I have excessive body fat in my chest…" she muttered, blushing furiously.

"Wrong! That padding won't fool me!" Nagasaki declared triumphantly.

"P-padding?" Gaz'mirna asked, confused.

"It's NOTHING!" Yanmei shouted, her face even redder.

"Alright, daemon woman, it's your turn. Here are your options:

You will die.

You won't leave this place.

You will beat your children to death."

Gaz'mirna's face darkened as she considered the choices. Finally, she said, "If my children bring disgrace to me, my husband, or the name of the Drake Blood family, I will tear them apart limb by limb with my bare hands. That's my oath to everything I value."

When Gaz'mirna opened her eyes, she was lying in an open field. Yanmei lay unconscious nearby.

Gaz'mirna rushed to her side but froze when she heard Nagasaki's voice.

"Psst. She's not waking up, no matter what you do," he said, sitting casually on a tree branch, shamisen in hand.

"What did you do?" Gaz'mirna demanded, pointing her axe at him.

"The answer wasn't what I expected," Nagasaki said with a shrug. "You bent the rules—turned it into two correct answers and one false. Clever, really. Now go help your boss. But be warned: that goblin is one of the League's strongest. Compared to him, the geomancer who broke you was nothing."

Nagasaki tossed his shamisen down to her. "Here, take this if you want."

Gaz'mirna caught the instrument, glaring at him. "Why?"

"It's fate," Nagasaki said. "You'll bring it to your boss one way or another. I'm just choosing the easier path."

"If you touch her—" Gaz'mirna began.

"I won't," Nagasaki interrupted. "Now go. You're needed inside."

A loud explosion echoed in the distance. Without another word, Gaz'mirna grabbed her axe and the shamisen, then rushed toward the forest.

As Gaz'mirna disappeared into the forest, Nagasaki smirked to himself.

"Stupid woman. I made myself clear—two lies, one truth. And yes, you are needed inside," he muttered, brushing some dirt off his clothes.

Inside her mind, Yanmei found herself still wrestling with Nagasaki.

"Where the hell is Gaz'mirna?!" she shouted, hurling her daggers at him in a flurry.

"She's already gone. She answered my question—unexpectedly, but correctly. Now she's focused on aiding your boss," Nagasaki replied, effortlessly dodging her attacks.

Yanmei's frustration boiled over. "Damn you!"

Nagasaki grinned. "Now it's your turn again. Three statements, two lies, one truth:

You will die.

You won't leave this place.

You will betray your lord."

Yanmei gritted her teeth. "Damn it, I will not betray Fallion. So… I won't leave this place."

A sudden gust of wind struck her, sharper than before, leaving her skin cut and bleeding.

"You're truly dense," Nagasaki taunted. "I thought that all-muscle daemon woman was the dumbest of the two of you, but you take the cake. Or maybe it's just your shinobi nature—always so dishonest, even with yourself."

Yanmei growled but didn't respond.

"Well then, let's continue," Nagasaki said, his grin widening. "Three more for you:

You will die.

You will betray your friends.

You will betray your lord."

Yanmei's voice wavered, but she declared, "I… I will betray my friends! But never my lord!"

Another gust slashed through her, leaving her trembling. Blood trickled from her wounds, and tears welled in her eyes.

Nagasaki shook his head mockingly. "What? Going to beg for mercy now? Oh no, I don't fall for tears, beautiful as you are. I'm not so easily swayed—not by you, nor by anyone. That's why I'm not fully aligned with the League of Shadows."

He paused, then continued, "One last question:

You will die.

You will betray your lord Fallion Drake Blood.

You will betray your lord Fallion Drake Blood."

Yanmei's tear-streaked face twisted in realization. "Ah… I see now. It was always fated this way." Her voice broke as she whispered, "I'm sorry, Fallion. You've done so much for me, but I can't fulfill my promise. Take your brother home and live well."

Her resolve solidified, and she shouted, "I'm ready to accept it—even if it means I die!"

Yanmei jolted awake, gasping for air. She looked around and saw Nagasaki casually sipping tea and enjoying a meal.

"Ah, you're awake. Took you long enough," Nagasaki said, his mouth still full of food.

"You… What's the meaning of this?!" Yanmei demanded, pointing her dagger at him.

Before Nagasaki could answer, another loud explosion roared in the distance.

"I'm not going anywhere," Nagasaki said, waving her off. "Careful with that goblin, though. Finish your business first. If you want to talk, you know where to find me."

Yanmei clenched her fists but didn't linger. She turned and rushed toward Fallion's location.

As the sounds of her footsteps faded, Nagasaki leaned back with a smirk.

"What a foolish girl… Everyone in this world will die. My question was always the easiest one to answer. But not everyone is ready to face it." He sipped his tea, his voice quiet and reflective.

"How it happens, when it happens—that's not for me to decide. But it will happen."