"Damn it!" The vice leader of the Children of Argan spat through gritted teeth, his face twisted with rage as he watched the bizarre scene unfolding before him. He simply couldn't understand what had gone wrong.
"You son of a bitch, are you trying to mess with us? Are you looking for death?"
"Boss, this kid is clearly trying to screw us over! Look at him, he's practically begging to be killed."
"The Children of Argan aren't some pushovers! Anyone who dares to mess with us will end up as fertilizer for the wasteland. This brat better have a death wish!"
The tense exchange between the two men drew the attention of both Guan Tong and the vice leader, who narrowed their eyes warily.
Guan Tong: "Is the Children of Argan really this useless?"
"...Our leader is out handling some important business right now. If he were here, you'd already be dead meat. You got lucky..."
Before the vice leader could finish his sentence, several dozen figures had already surrounded him.
Guan Tong frowned and took a step back, choosing to observe from the sidelines.
The vice leader was just about to make his move against the Children of Argan when Shadow suddenly appeared at his side, brandishing a sword covered in strange patterns. In an instant, the blade wreathed in flickering flames slashed toward him.
The vice leader had been in the Children of Argan for a long time, and his battle instincts were far sharper than the average person's. He was deliberately testing Shadow, probing to see if his opponent's skills were as impressive as his appearance suggested.
Shadow typically fought alone, or occasionally coordinated with Guan Tong. Only then would he reveal his true power.
But this time, Guan Tong was standing right there watching his every move, and Shadow's blade was coming at him faster and faster with each swing. It was clear that Shadow was holding nothing back in his assault on the vice leader.
Everyone present, including the Children of Argan members, could only watch in stunned silence. All they could see was Shadow's bizarre fighting style, unlike anything they had ever witnessed before.
The vice leader struggled to keep up with the relentless attacks, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Yes, it's him..."
"Children of Argan, brothers! The vice leader is being overwhelmed!"
"Get him!!!"
The Children of Argan members surged forward, ready to join the fight, but before they could even take two steps, they were intercepted by a wall of black shadows rising from the ground.
In response to the Children of Argan's sudden movement, Shadow let out a cold snort, and the black shadows immediately solidified into countless tendrils that lashed out at the incoming enemies, forcing them to retreat.
"Master, leave this to me."
That strangely calm voice drifted over to Guan Tong, carrying an unsettling tone. Guan Tong's pupils constricted slightly, and a faint chill crept up his spine.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The black shadows transformed into a storm of blades, each tendril striking with deadly precision. In the blink of an eye, several Children of Argan members were sent flying, blood spraying from fresh wounds as they crashed to the ground.
In an instant, the entire scene fell into chaos. Aside from the vice leader, who was still barely holding his own against the shadowy onslaught, all the other Children of Argan members were either bleeding on the ground or retreating in panic.
"W-what the hell..."
The vice leader stared at Shadow with wide, disbelieving eyes, his voice trembling as he spoke.
Shadow ignored him completely, the corners of his mouth curling into a bloodthirsty grin as he tightened his grip on the sword.
Creak. Creak. Creak.
The blade let out a series of bone-chilling sounds as Shadow's power continued to surge.
"Shadow."
Guan Tong's voice cut through the tension, carrying a hint of inquiry in his tone.
Shadow paused mid-swing, lowering his weapon with a calm expression.
But just as the vice leader was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Shadow's silhouette flickered strangely. Before anyone could react, his shadow stretched out behind him like a living creature, writhing and twisting with eerie intent.
"What the hell is that thing?"