Chapter 1.13

"System."

The earrings buzzed as a soft voice replied,

"Yes Host.."

The system was now scared of its Host, looking at how bloodthirsty he was that night and how mechanical he sounds now gave it nightmares,

"Open the shop."

A mechanical beep sounded before a wide display of icons surface, showing different skills.

His eyes swept the the combat section, long ranged and short range, even a mixture of different types were in there.

He pondered, long ranges in this world consist of archers and mages, short range were warlocks and swordsman, of course there were more but he did not want to get embroiled in so many choices.

Clicking onto the swordsman icon, only two skills were displayed. One was 'HeiYe' and the other 'HongTian'.

And currently, the only one he could afford was 'HeiYe' but it was covered with a large red caution triangle, making it glaring to FeiNan's eye,

"System why does HeiYe have a caution sign?"

"Host...it's a cursed technique. It's really strong but alters Host personali-"

FeiNan licked his lips and pressed the icon, not waiting for the system to finish, as long as it is strong, everything else is secondary. As the shop confirmed his payment and the numbers on the scale decreased steadily.

A small sleek handle of a sword appeared, FeiNan grabbed hold of it and tugged hard, smoothly sliding out a slim black blade, the chinese characters '黑夜' engraved on the flat side.

Flipping back and forth the newly obtained sword, FeiNan tried to get used of holding a weapon that he initially only ever dreamt of obtaining.

"System, how do I practice using this sword?"

The system had its warning completely disregarded and can only helplessly reply,

"Host should look back at the screen..."

A small scroll popped out, an air on abandonment surrounded it as FeiNan completely forgot about it.

He awkwardly chuckled and pulled it out, unraveling the slighly tattered scroll, it shows various fighting stances and enchantments made just for the sword.

"Host needs to practice these skills under the moonlight every night."

"I see."

The earrings had no response.

FeiNan twirled it around, trying to feel it out. It had a slick elegant design, truely out of this world.

"So...How does the Protaganist get his weapon?"

"H-huh?"

"Don't play dumb, I know all Protaganists' have insane weapons. Tell me where his is."

"It's....in Dusk Woods near the area..all the way...into the forest."

FeiNan got what he wanted, not bothering to reply, he kept his sword sheathed by his side.

He was actually in a secluded area near the marketplace. Now that he does not have a private room, he could not chat with the system efficiently.

Walking out to the main street, the usual bustling area had quietened down considerably. Vendors and customers looked around wearily, doors and windows were also tightly shut. This gave an eerie feeling to FeiNan.

Walking up to the herb store, he sieved through the various products, offhandedly asking the vendor,

"What happened around here? It became so quiet."

The vendor brought his face down and covered a part of it whilst whispering,

"Haven't you heard? The Prime Minister's estate has been burnt to the ground! The emperor is furious. He ordered a platoon of soldiers to patrol the area and catch anybody suspicious....talking about suspicious, Mister your mask is too conspicuous, if you aren't careful you may get dragged away."

FeiNan only hummed in response, thowing a gold coin to the vendor, both for the tip and the herbs he bought.

Now he just needs to stay low and strengthen himself and help JunQing reach his protaganist status.

An evil glint reflected, his Sister said the man was a heir of a clan of Yu-something. He had to find out who this man was but most importantly kill him.

And rip his arm off.

__________________________________

Channeling the energy from the internal rage and sadness invedded deep in his chest, FeiNan took to practicing his sword.

Like a robot, every night FeiNan could be seen slaving himself away practicing the various movements within the scroll. At first it was incredibly awkward but the strokes eventually became smoother, his body bending according to his will and moving like flowing water.

Against the night sky, from far, one would see a graceful and gentle figure akin to a flower branch gently swaying against the wind. But as one moves closer, they would see fast and deadly strikes, each aiming at the vital part of a target's body, each strike was made to kill.

FeiNan actually enjoyed nights with just him and the tranquil surroundings. For some reason JunQing had began to stay away from him, his eyes aways travelled to the purple bruise around his neck.

But JunQing did not neglect FeiNan, he always brought home good food and occasionally some new clothes.

"Thanks."

"En."

That was their usual conversation.

But today was different, FeiNan had practiced his swordplay for quite awhile, his capability in combat greatly skyrocketed.

With the system's timely notifications, he knew that right now clearing at least 80% of the forest could be done, although the sword JunQing needed was all the way inside, if he pushed himself just abit, he would be able to reach it.

"JunQing I'm going out."

JunQing paused for a moment before continuing to polish his blade,

"Alright...but where are you going?"

FeiNan shoved various herbs and magic items into his space ring,

"Dusk Woods."

"What?!"

He dropped his blade and faced the young man, disbelief and slight anger clouded his eyes,

"Do you know how dangerous that is?!"

"...it's important."

JunQing's brows twitched, even he could not venture too deep into the forest and FeiNan wants to go there?

"I'm coming with you."

FeiNan tilted his head,

"Well..alright."

Slightly glad that he did not see the repulsion towards him that was evident the other day, JunQing quickly got his things and hurried to FeiNan's side.

They walked a good distance to the outskirts of the city, greeted by a dense dark forest. The piercing sunlight from above could not even penetrate through the canooy of the many trees.

JunQing stopped,

"Nan- FeiNan, wait here, I'll go get somemore stuff to help us, just in case. Do not go in there alone."

"Alright..."

The other walked away, looking back two to three times just to check on FeiNan. Soon he was out of sight.

FeiNan stared at the ground and kicked up some dirt, noticing the lack of presence the system now has.

Moving aside the weird silence, FeiNan kicked a small pebble as hard as he could, and it shot right into the forest, disappearing in the dark shadows creeping beneath the branches.

Although FeiNan was a good citizen of his peaceful country and had never encountered serious danger. Something urged him to enter this death trap, maybe it was the sheer thrill of it all or maybe it was something else.

The leaves crinkled beneath his feet as he walked on the forest floor, a strong smell of damp wood wafted into his nose. He had long sheathed HeiYe but his right hand was still postured on the handle, ready to pull the blade out should anything unexpected happen.

"System, at my current skill how far can I walk?"

"Calibrating....System believes Host can bypass the first 40% fairly easily, beyond that would be harder but bearable, but at the 80% mark, every monster will be capable of inflicting life threatening blows."

Picturing a sharp clawed monster digging out his heart, FeiNan shuddered, his hand now gripping tightly on the handle.

"So where am I now?"

"Host is at the 25% mark, system will notify you once approaching 40%."

Slightly reassured by his little alarm system, FeiNan wiped his sweaty palms against his robes, licking his lips while muttering,

"Okok I'm ok..."

Taking in a few deep breathes he persevered on, not really knowing why he entered this forest but was more focused on venturing deeper, a strange magnetic force just pulls him forward.

In the eerily silent forest, a piercing shriek jolted FeiNan from his search, a familiar voice screamed,

"Someone help me!!"

Narrowing his eyes he quickly dashed towards the source of the call. Making a set of hand gestures, HeiYe unsheathed itself and zipped through the forestry, clearly the route of its hanging vines and prickly branches.

He stepped into a large grassy expanse, in the middle of it was TingXuan (FL) getting pinned down by a type of goblin. She waved her dagger crazily around trying her best to hack the creature to pieces, but she could do no damage as the goblin simply smacked the weapon away from her hands.

As its red eyes shone bright, it opened its disgusting large drooling mouth, ready to take a bite out of her neck.

"Host! Save her!!"

FeiNa was already on it as he quickly moved his hands accordingly and sent his sword flying towards the detestable thing. The dark blade pierced itself right through the body, spraying black blood all over TingXuan.

A painful gurgle rose from its throat before FeiNan flicked his fingers and the blade followed and sliced the goblin in half from the stomach up.

TingXuan watched in horror as it fell sideways onto the grasspatch, its fingers twitching slightly.

"Are you alright?"

"Thank you...wait..?"

Looking up at the familier voice, she met with the eyes of the youth that she took care of not long ago. Wiping her face of the goblin blood she shakily got up, still observing him.

"W-why are you here?"

"I'm here to gain experience, why are you here?"

"There're herbs that I want to collect in this forest.."

FeiNan nodded in understanding, of course she was a medicinal healer, she needed plants maybe not found in the market, that made sense. Looking at her disheveled hair, FeiNan thought of an idea and opened up his space ring.

Pushing around some stuff inside he fished out a glass hairpin, it is sturdy and tinted blue under the scarce light in the forest. Smoothening out her hair, FeiNan inserted it into her bun, nodding twice after making sure it was neat.

"I had this lying around, there's an enchantment on it that deters lower leveled monsters, it might wear off in the future, but it's for the herbs back then."

TingXuan jolted up and clutched at the blue hairpiece in her bun, her face turning three shades redder as she stuttered out while smiling,

"T-t-thank you.."

FeiNan smiled but his ears picked up the shifting of greenery. He stretched his hand and pushed TingXuan behind him, his other hand steadying his sword.

Narrowing his eyes at the dark forest, he sees a familiar tall figure emerge from the shadows. His dark black eyes seemed to burrow into FeiNan's soul.

"JunQing?"

The other did not respond, he just looked at the new addition quivering behind his friend and quirked his eyebrows.

FeiNan on the other hand whispered,

"System why didn't you tell me JunQing was here?"

"Host...I was trying to figure out why the FL was in the forest....Host...I think you stole the Protaganist's spotlight.."

"Wait what!!"

"Protaganist was suppose to save FL...not you.."

FeiNan massaged inbetween his brows as he sheathed his sword, he seems to be screwing with the plotline more than he thought.

Well I did kill my family...the plot is damaged to the point where its own mother won't recognise it.

FeiNan amicably approached him and smiled,

"I...I...was looking around."

The other snorted in response and turned away, not bothering to answer back. Reaching out his hand, the same red rope extended amd wrapped around FeiNan's neck.

"J-JunQing!"

JunQing tugged the rope and sent FeiNan flying towards himself. He lifted and carried him like he was carrying a sack of potatoes.

"Put me down!"

Surprisingly the cord did not hurt at all now, does it have different intensities of pain that JunQing could alter?

While he was struggling and pondering his predicament, he heard a big smack and a dull pain radiating around his.....ass.

"Y-y-you rouge!!"

He kicked and flailed around, but even if he had sword skills now, his physical body was no match for the muscular JunQing.

"Behave."

Like this, they left the gawking TingXuan all by herself.

Author's Notes:

TingXuan had to witness that blatant PDA and JunQing just ate FeiNan's tofu~~~

By the way, updates may be slower because this is the last chapter in my pre-done stash and I'm having exams next week. Sorry...(ㆀ˘･з･˘)