"You seem to have struck my shadow..."
A cold voice slithered into the White Wolf Saintess’s ears from behind.
The Soulshadow Tianyou—who should’ve been split in half by that slash—stood perfectly intact. Her hand flickered, summoning a Poison Kunai and three Poison Darts.
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
All projectiles slammed point-blank into the Saintess’s face!
Simultaneously, identical weapons ambushed her from behind, striking the shadowy ram-headed specter. Dark mist scattered where they hit, leaving perfect circular voids.
Not done yet. The front Soulshadow Tianyou materialized twin Crescent Moon Sabers. They spiraled through the air, blades biting deep into the Ram Skull Mask.
And still more—two additional sabers slashed across the Saintess’s shoulders from behind.
After this barrage, the White Wolf Saintess finally reacted. The shadowy ram-headed figure whirled, axe swinging wildly backward.
Her health bar had been whittled down to a sliver—just two segments left, glowing urgent crimson.
As expected, the specter’s eyes locked onto a retreating figure the moment it turned: its enemy, the dark-skinned, silver-haired imposter.
But Soulshadow Tianyou had already begun retreating. The axe swing would miss.
*"Mushroom skill’s cooldown is up..."* One successful face-toss, and victory was hers.
A Poisonous Mushroom materialized in her palm. Her lips curled slightly. At this range? Certain victory.
Her expression twisted instantly. The unthinkable happened.
The White Wolf Saintess hurled her white dagger first—straight at Tianyou’s face!
*"I—"*
Too late. Tianyou’s own health was lower. Even a graze meant death.
She gripped the mushroom tight but didn’t throw. Despair flooded her.
After all that fighting... was this how it ended?
A bitter smile tugged at her lips. Helpless against fate.
*"Master!"*
A sweet yet resolute cry yanked her from the abyss.
A golden blur shot forward. The tip of the Little Golden Staff slammed into the Saintess’s cheek. Little Monkey spun mid-air, driving the staff down in a spiraling smash onto the Ram Skull Mask.
**BOSS HEALTH DEPLETED!**
*CRACK!*
The mask shattered, revealing the Saintess’s flawless face beneath.
Her expression turned weary. The shadowy ram-headed specter let out a final, mournful howl before dissolving into black mist.
The Saintess herself knelt weakly, resuming her prayer pose. Her body dissolved into shimmering blue particles, drifting toward the azure sun above.
She vanished, leaving several glowing loot orbs behind.
Soulshadow Tianyou and Little Monkey flickered—both leveled to 25 instantly!
Tianyou slumped to the ground, frozen in shock.
The white dagger had vanished two centimeters from her face. She couldn’t shake the near-death moment.
*"Master!"* Little Monkey dropped her staff and lunged, shaking Tianyou fiercely.
"I’m... I’m fine, Little Monkey. Stop shaking." Tianyou took a deep breath, shaking her head. "You saved me this time."
"I... I wasn’t any help before..." Little Monkey mumbled, ashamed.
"No. Without you, I’d never have cleared this." Tianyou smiled softly.
*"Master..."* Little Monkey’s voice trembled.
"Come on," Tianyou stood, brushing black sand from her clothes. Even her usual calm couldn’t hide the excitement. Time to loot the boss!
She didn’t count the orbs—just swept them all into her inventory.
As she reached to check her spoils...
***BOOM!***
The azure sun on the horizon shattered. Fragments plunged into the inky sea below.
Darkness swallowed the underground world.
Pitch black. Tianyou couldn’t see her own hands. Only the roar of approaching waves filled her ears.
*"Master..."* Little Monkey clung to her leg, trembling.
"Don’t worry—" Tianyou’s voice lacked conviction. She had no answers.
The roar grew deafening.
Then—
Waves crashed over them.
Darkness.
---
My eyes snapped open. I bolted upright. The familiar triangular ceiling. Pitch-black outside the window. Cold sweat soaked my shirt. My little yellow dog, curled beside me, blinked up innocently, startled awake.
I stroked his head, sinking back onto the pillow. Staring at the ceiling, baffled.
I’d been forcibly logged out!
I scrambled to log back in—
---
Soulshadow Tianyou slowly opened her eyes. She sat up, glancing around. The forest near the newbie village. The entrance to the Hidden Map.
