Chapter 85: Chapter 85 - Hidden assailants [3]
The dark figure watched in disbelief as Zhao Shi stood there, defying the very nature of the Domain.
"How did you...?" His voice was filled with disbelief and frustration.
"You're only a human," He said, his eyes wide in shock. "How did you find this space?"
Within the arcane arts, a Domain was a special space, a pocket dimension created by those with high mastery in their attribute talents. It was accessible only to the creator and their intended target. Anyone else who accidentally entered a Domain would lose their mind in the endless, shifting realm and ultimately die.
Only another Domain user could hope to survive and find a way inside such a space. Yet, Zhao Shi, despite being a mere human, had managed to breach this Domain and find the exact location where Spark and the cloaked figure stood.
"How should I say? I walked inside, I suppose." Zhao replied as his hand reached for the cloaked figure.
The figure's disbelief quickly turned to panic as he tried to leave. Before he could make a move, Zhao Shi moved with blinding speed. He grabbed the dark figure by the back of his neck, lifting him effortlessly. The figure struggled, but Zhao Shi's grip was firm, his strength overwhelming.
The figure's glowing eyes flared with anger and fear as he was gripped by a hand akin to a tiger's jaws. "You... you can't do this. This is my realm!"
Zhao Shi tightened his grip, the figure's struggles growing more frantic. With a swift, decisive motion, Zhao Shi hurled the dark figure to the ground.
The impact reverberated through the Domain, causing the very fabric of the space to shudder. The figure gasped for breath, his control over the Domain weakening.
"Be gentle with him, Butler Zhao," Spark said, his tone calm. "We've yet to ask him why he ambushed me."
The chains around Spark disappeared, and he landed on the surface, patting his wrinkled cloth. He stepped closer to the dark figure, who lay panting on the ground.
"Why did you ambush me?" Spark asked, brushing off his clothes.
The cloaked figure's eyes flared with anger as he remained silent, refusing to answer.
"You don't want to answer, huh?" Spark gestured to Zhao Shi.
Zhao stepped hard on the figure's back, the crackling of bones echoing in the oppressive silence. The dark figure spat blood, his gaze defiant. "You will find no answers from me."
Before Zhao Shi could react, the figure's body convulsed, a dark mist seeping from his mouth and nose. His eyes rolled back, and with a final shudder, he lay still.
"A secret method," Zhao Shi muttered, frowning. "He chose death over revealing anything."
As the figure lay lifeless on the ground, the Domain began to collapse. The desolate landscape dissolved into nothingness, and reality reasserted itself.
Spark and Zhao Shi found themselves back on the empty pathway, the night sky above them once more.
The aftermath of the battle left the pathway eerily silent. The headless bodies of the cloaked assailants lay scattered around, their lifeless forms a stark contrast to the serene night.
Spark stood calmly amidst the chaos, his eyes reflecting the moonlight as he surveyed the scene. Zhao Shi, ever vigilant, moved to Spark's side, wiping the blood from his hands onto a cloth. His gaze shifted to his young master, waiting for further instructions.
Spark looked up, his expression remaining aloof. Suddenly, a shattering noise echoed through the air, like glass breaking in the distance. The sky above seemed to ripple momentarily as if an invisible barrier had been breached.
"Young master, what was that?" Zhao Shi asked, his voice steady but curious. Discover magic at m-vl-em-pyr
"Just someone spying on us," Spark replied nonchalantly.
In an instant after the shattering sound resounded, three figures appeared in the sky, descending gracefully to the ground.
As they landed, they immediately knelt before Spark, their white robes billowing softly around them.
"Forgive us, we were careless, young lord," said one of the white-robed figures, his head bowed in humility.
Spark's gaze remained steady, a slight nod acknowledging their presence. "Don't worry; it's not your fault. They had set up a formation blocking outside senses after all."
These three were the peak Astral Ascendant stage guardians of the Dwight family. The formation had prevented their senses from reaching inside and muffled the noise within. The moment it shattered, they detected something amiss and appeared in the sky above without delay.
The guardian who had spoken first looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of regret. "We should have detected the formation sooner. This lapse is inexcusable."
Spark waved a hand dismissively. "It's done. What matters is that you are here now."
The second guardian, a man with piercing red eyes, rose to her feet, surveying the scene with a critical eye. "We will ensure this does not happen again, Young lord."
The third guardian, a stoic man with a scar running down his left cheek, remained kneeling, his expression unreadable. "Your safety is our utmost priority. We will strengthen our surveillance."
"No need," Spark waved dismissively. "I don't want a group of old fogies watching me everywhere I go."
He turned his attention to Zhao Shi, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Butler Zhao, your performance tonight was excellent."
Zhao Shi bowed slightly, his expression humble. "Thank you, Young master."
The first guardian stood, his white robes rustling softly. "We will remove these bodies and investigate further into their origins. This attack was too coordinated to be a mere coincidence."
Spark nodded. "Do as you must. Ensure no trace of their presence remains."
The guardians moved swiftly, they began gathering the bodies, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any lingering threats. The night air grew calm once more, the earlier violence fading into the past.
As the guardians worked, Spark gazed up at the sky, his mind already contemplating the next steps. The attack had been unexpected, but it had provided him a valuable information. His enemies were getting bolder, their methods more desperate.
Yet, despite the danger, Spark remained unfazed. His aloof demeanor never wavered, his confidence unshaken.
"These people are getting more daring by the day," Spark muttered.