The legend of a masked assassin began to spread like wildfire through the underworld. In just two weeks, more than five high-level contracts had been completed. Entire bandit camps wiped out. Corrupt noble caravans destroyed. Rogue mages silenced. Every mission executed with ruthless precision—no survivors, no trace, only silence.
They called him The Ghost of the Blade.
But few knew the truth: behind the porcelain mask was the former Academy prodigy, Jon Snow, now a wandering blade in search of meaning.
---
Somewhere Within the Ebon Fang Mercenary Guild
Saji sat in a secluded stone chamber beneath the guildhall, meditating. The candlelight flickered as his chakra circulated steadily, mixing with his mana to refine his internal core.
Sweat ran down his brow.
The technique he used—Dark Vein Conversion—was a forbidden fusion method Celia once theorized in her research. Risky, unstable. But he had no choice. He needed to grow stronger… faster.
A sharp pain lanced through his body, but he didn't flinch. He endured it.
Then—
BOOM!
The chamber doors flew open.
Rio stood in the doorway, covered in dust and bruises, sword drawn. His eyes widened when he saw Saji, shirtless, his upper body wrapped in sealing tattoos and scarred from recent battles.
Rio (panting):
"I finally found you... you bastard."
Saji opened one eye, calmly.
Saji:
"...Rio."
---
Flashback – Two Days Earlier
Back at the Academy, Celia had secretly sent Rio encrypted coordinates using a location tracker she embedded in the prototype scroll Saji took. It was a gamble—she knew he might destroy it—but deep down, she hoped he wouldn't.
She was right.
Rio left the Academy under special permission and traveled through two kingdoms alone to track Saji down.
Now here he was, standing before the friend who abandoned him.
---
Back in the Present – Guild Training Grounds
The two stood in the open yard, watched by dozens of mercenaries, thugs, and assassins.
Rio (gritting his teeth):
"You left without a word. You made Flora cry. Celia cried too. And you didn't even trust me enough to say goodbye."
Saji said nothing.
Rio (raising his sword):
"If you want to stay here and rot in the shadows, fine. But you'll have to beat me first."
The mercenaries chuckled. No one challenged "The Ghost" and lived.
But Saji… nodded.
Saji:
"Alright, Rio. If you want a fight... I'll give you one."
---
The Duel
Steel clashed under the evening sun.
Rio came in fast, using a hybrid technique taught by Saji himself. Saji dodged it effortlessly, moving with the grace of a seasoned killer.
Kunai flew. Wind blades howled. The ground cracked from their footwork.
But even with his impressive growth, Rio was still slightly behind. Saji disarmed him, placing a blade at his throat—but hesitated.
Saji (softly):
"I left because I was afraid… that if I stayed, I'd end up dragging all of you down with me."
He withdrew his blade and stepped back.
Saji:
"Flora… Celia… You… You all matter to me more than anything. That's why I left."
Rio stood, breathing heavily.
Rio:
"Then don't shoulder everything alone. Come back… or at least let us fight with you, not behind you."
Saji looked up at the crimson sky, heart torn.
Before he could answer—
BOOM!
A powerful explosion rocked the guildhall.
An urgent scout ran up to them, blood trailing down his face.
Scout:
"Guildmaster Maeron has been captured. A rival mercenary syndicate—The Iron Fangs—ambushed his convoy!"
The Ghost's mask clicked back into place.
Saji:
"Rio. You said you wanted to fight with me?"
Rio (nodding):
"Always."
Saji:
"Then let's go save our Guildmaster."
---
Elsewhere – Iron Fangs Fortress
Inside a cold, dungeon-like fortress, Guildmaster Maeron sat chained and bruised, his cybernetic eye flickering.
A tall, pale woman in crimson armor stood before him.
???:
"The Ghost of the Blade… I wonder how long it'll take for him to come."
She smiled.
???:
"Let's see if the legend lives up to the name."