Chapter 53: Narrow Escape
The Stepstones, Cutthroat Isle
"Summoned creature: Shadow Assassin, Level 5. Affiliated with singular lifeform code-named 'Ancient Old Gods.' Carrying item: Moonlight."
Jon, who had been deep in sleep, suddenly heard these words. Sensing that something was wrong, he quickly rolled over and sprang to his feet.
"Hiss…"
Soon, a chill as though he had stepped into the Lands of Always Winter surged from the base of his spine all the way to the crown of his head.
That sensation made Jon extremely uncomfortable, so he leapt from his featherbed and swiftly summoned his exclusive weapon—the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister—from his item space.
"Waa…"
With a shriek like metal scraping against stone, Jon saw a twisted humanoid shadow.
It possessed a form similar to that of a man, yet its body seemed composed entirely of shadow-stuff.
Its hands were shaped like dagger-like blade claws. Empowered by some strange force, those blade-claws flickered with a cold gleam, radiating a hair-raising aura.
Though the creature's outline was blurred, combined with the system's warning, Jon could be absolutely certain that this strange being was the legendary Shadow Assassin.
(Bad luck… truly bad luck. Who in the Seven Hells is trying to kill me? This thing is said not to vanish until it completes its task. Am I to die here tonight?)
Though his thoughts were in turmoil, Jon tightened his grip on Dark Sister, as though seeking reassurance from the faint warmth of the Valyrian steel.
Jon knew that perhaps only by relying on this ancient blade could he possibly defeat the shadowed monster before him.
"Waa…"
With another metallic screech, the Shadow Assassin let out a soul-piercing howl.
In the next instant, the twisted creature lunged at Jon. Its speed was astonishing, crossing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.
"Zheng zheng… Qiang…"
Though the creature moved swiftly, Jon was scarcely slower. With the aid of Dark Sister, Jon managed to withstand the Shadow Assassin's first flurry of attacks.
Its strikes were vicious, yet its patterns did not fully match its speed.
The thrusts and diagonal slashes left Jon room to parry and counter. As he had suspected, Dark Sister was indeed capable of blocking the creature's attacks.
Uncertain of the thing's origins, Jon had already prepared healing draughts in case he were wounded.
Yet as the fight continued, Jon realized the creature was not as invincible as he had first imagined. Had he not been wary of its mysterious nature, he might have fought with reckless abandon, as though in some game of his previous life.
As the exchange dragged on, Jon gradually discerned the creature's fighting rhythm. It seemed to battle him purely on instinct.
"Zheng zheng…"
"Waa…"
After several more exchanges, Jon seized an opening and slashed toward the Shadow Assassin's right shoulder. The creature raised its right-hand blade-claw to block.
"Boom…"
The instant their weapons collided, a violent surge of energy erupted from the Shadow Assassin's body. The air itself seemed to tremble.
In the next moment, its form burst apart into countless threads of black energy, scattering in all directions like a storm of arrows.
"Shua shua shua…"
"Zheng zheng zheng…"
Though the move was sudden, Jon reacted swiftly. He leapt backward while swinging Dark Sister in rapid arcs.
Valyrian steel clashed against shadow-energy, producing a cascade of deafening metallic strikes.
"Puchi… Puchi…"
Though Jon defended desperately, some of the threadlike strands pierced through his body.
"Ah—!"
A searing agony tore through him, drenching him in cold sweat and pressing upon him like an iron weight.
Until now, Jon's path had been smooth. He had always been the one dominating his foes.
Now, his body trembled, and Dark Sister nearly slipped from his grasp. Unable to retrieve a healing draught in time, Jon instead pulled the Staff of Recovery from his item space.
"Buzz… buzz…"
A burst of radiant light enveloped him, forming a luminous sphere. The wounds across his body closed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Waa—!"
The light also touched the Shadow Assassin. As though burned by holy fire, its expanding form shrank violently.
Watching the creature recoil as if drenched in acid, Jon realized he had stumbled upon its weakness. If he applied the correct method, he could deal it mortal harm.
He pressed the attack.
Staff in his left hand, sword in his right—when wounded, he healed himself; when steady, he struck without pause.
"Waa—!"
After six charges were consumed from the Staff of Recovery, the Shadow Assassin had withered into a shriveled mass, like a deflated wineskin.
With a final shriek, Dark Sister cleaved through it, splitting it in two. As its body collapsed into nothingness, the oppressive aura in the chamber faded.
"Bang bang bang! Lord Jon! Are you unharmed?"
"Come… come in."
Jon's voice was strained.
The bedchamber door burst open, and a wary Narsas entered with several soldiers of the Chainbreakers.
Seeing the room in ruin, Narsas blanched and hurried to Jon's side.
Jon looked wretched—his garments torn, dried blood staining his silk nightclothes like dark blossoms.
"I… I am fine. Only exhausted."
With his men present, Jon's tension finally eased, and he sank to the floor.
"Search the surroundings. Lord Jon, did the assassin flee?"
"It was no mortal man. Search the entire island. The true mastermind is likely a shadowbinder."
After resting briefly, Jon forced the words out.
Moments later, alarm bells rang throughout Cutthroat Isle.
Thanks to relentless training, soldiers rose instantly from sleep, donning leather armor and crude sandals before assembling near the Pirate Fortress.
The Chainbreakers were divided into three divisions.
The first, stationed within the fortress, numbered one hundred—mostly Northmen. Hunters and smiths' apprentices, groomed as elite troops. Skilled in archery and riding, they might one day become Jon's system knights.
The second division, largely men of the southern Free Cities, had been trained by Garo as spearmen. They drilled constantly in formation warfare. With greatshields and long spears, they would one day blunt even heavy cavalry.
The third division, also under Garo, served as dock guards, naval crews, and the foundation of a future intelligence network.
News of the attempt on Jon's life spread swiftly.
Though all believed Jon would survive, such defiance enraged the Chainbreakers.
Jon was their liberator, their guide, the man who had given them bread and purpose.
His insult demanded vengeance.
Thus, a sweeping search of the island commenced.
Though healed, Jon's blood loss left him pale.
"Lord Jon, you should rest," Frodo urged. Sam, Pippin, and Merry stood vigil beside him.
"What we face may not be an ordinary foe. I must remain."
Jon suspected the hand behind this attack belonged to a shadowbinder of Asshai—like Melisandre of Dragonstone.
The magic of this world was bound to gods.
If such a sorcerer lurked nearby, ordinary soldiers would be no match.
Moreover, Jon wished to see whether the system would mark the shadowbinder as a summoned entity.
If so… another magical item might be his reward.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics