While Quiet Storm was finishing up their plans and countermeasures for any unforeseen enemies or monsters on the road to Silver Lake City, Ghost Unit 1 decided to give them more room to operate.
The leader of Ghost Unit 1 had worked with Death Sword before on other missions. He had always sensed a strange sense of danger coming from Death Sword, and the range of his spiritual sense was unnatural for his cultivation base.
"Leader, why did you have us move away from them? They can't all be that good at sensing our presence."
The Ghost Unit 1 leader looked at one of his members with a faint hint of irritation.
"You've never worked with Death Sword, so you don't know how he operates or what he can do. His spiritual range is not normal. Plus, he uses death aura in his abilities. He is especially keen on life qi and frequencies."
The member broke out in a cold sweat. Hearing this, he realized that Death Sword was truly scary.
"Leader, what can we do then?"
"Simple. We must always suppress our presence to the maximum. This could be good training for some of you who let your presence be known too freely."
The leader swept his gaze over his five-man team. Every one of them had a bad feeling about this so-called training.
"Leader, do you know anything about the other three?"
"I know a bit about Purple Night and Jagged Blac."
"Eh? You also worked with them as well?"
"No. Purple Night came from another team. She is known to be a good tactician who comes up with plans and schemes. She could become a future pillar for the Elder. Jagged is a wild card. From what I have heard of him, every team he was in, he was the only survivor."
"What do you mean by…"
The leader of Ghost Unit 1 simply stared at the team member who was speaking.
"He killed his team members when the mission was completed. It only came to light because the Elder requested the team to return, and he was the only one who showed up. I heard that the Elder was so mad that he tortured Jagged for three days and four nights."
Everyone was shocked by this revelation. The members of Ghost Unit 1 were suddenly excited to move away from Unit 04.
Ghost Unit 1 slowly backed away from Unit 04 from their already established position. They melted into the shadows, trying to maintain their suppression of their presence.
However, Death Sword did not overlook their movements several miles away. He didn't know who was following them, but to Death Sword, this was on par with how the Elder worked.
Always sending two teams.
One in the light and another in the dark.
'I wonder which of the Ghost units is here? Are they tracking us—or something else?'
Death Sword's voice was low as his gloved fingers tapped the hilt of Noble Death in a quiet rhythm that was somewhat melodic. After a few moments of thought, he shook his head and resumed issuing orders.
"Purple Night and Fall Night will scout ahead," Death Sword said, crossing his arms. "Jagged and I will take the near route. That way, we can keep moving while watching our backs."
Purple Night inclined her head slightly, her voice smooth as velvet but firm.
"That sounds like a solid plan, Death Sword. I agree. Besides…"
Her masked gaze shifted toward Fall Night, her eyes gleaming like twin moons.
"It gives us a chance to see what Fall Night can do—whether solo or working as a team."
Fall Night tilted his head toward Death Sword and Purple Night, his eyes narrowed behind his mask. His breathing was slow and heavy.
"Why do I have to go with Death Sword and not the rookie?" Jagged blurted out loudly, sounding like a spoiled child.
Every member of Unit 04 turned to him as if he had said something stupid. Their glances left Jagged blinking, unsure of how to respond.
He forced an uneasy chuckle.
"C'mon—Little Nighty Night will be fine with me. I'm like a great neighbor; you can count on me to do harm to enemies and little to him as well."
"Not everyone is gullible enough to believe whatever comes out of your mouth, Jagged," Purple Night said coldly. "It seems like you harbor animosity toward every new recruit we welcome."
"I don't like Fall Night. He's the one who got to pick his own codename when we couldn't," Jagged snapped.
"I picked my codename, and so did Death Sword. You're the one who couldn't keep his mouth shut—hence 'Jagged,'" Purple Night cut him off, her voice smooth and sharp.
"The Elder already warned you back at the mansion, Jagged," Death Sword said, his eyes hard as steel. "I'd hate to see you fall into the Elder's hands before I have the chance to make you scream a thousand cuts from Noble Death."
His stare never wavered.
Jagged felt a deep ache in his heart as Death Sword uttered words akin to a death sentence.
Meanwhile, Fall Night looked at the surrounding area. It was a little too quiet for his liking.
There was no chirping of birds, no sounds from crickets or other insects in the area. It felt as though the area they were in was devoid of life itself.
"I think we should start moving before we attract some unwelcome company, unless Jagged would like to play as bait while we make our escape."
"I do love a good massacre. I am the type who likes to give and not receive. They're always like that in my clan. Sharing is caring. And I do love to share the pain and misery. Would you like some, Little Nighty Night?"
"Ummm… No, thanks."
Everyone sensed their surroundings and found them devoid of life. A few thoughts immediately popped into their heads, and they decided that Fall Night was right to move now before they got stuck in a battle that provided no benefits.
Unit 04 slowly moved away from their current area, and that strange feeling disappeared.
"Should we get some steeds, or are we traveling on foot?" Jagged asked in a depressed tone.
"We are traveling on foot right now. Did you listen to our arrangement?" Purple Night shouted coldly at Jagged.
"I heard you. Maybe?" Jagged spoke softly while playing with one of his machetes.
"I should crack open your skull and see what really makes you think, Jagged."
Purple Night reached for the small pouch on her belt. However, Death Sword intervened and stopped her.
"Death Sword, let go! Before I lose my cool and hurt this knucklehead!" Purple Night's voice roared with anger.
The members of Unit 04 split into two-man teams. Purple Night and Fall Night advanced, while Death Sword and Jagged Blac stayed behind, covering their backs. They made sure they wouldn't be ambushed by unknown enemies.
"Jagged, if you keep talking nonsense, I will rip off your mask and make you suffer," Death Sword said, speaking like a king to his subject.
Gulp!
"Why do you guys always argue with me as if I'm in the wrong?" Jagged spoke as though he were the one being wronged.
"Jagged, again, don't make me repeat myself. You know our mission, and the mission comes first. We can handle everything else later."
Death Sword was unreserved in his remarks to Jagged.
"Yes, leader," Jagged replied dejectedly.
"Let's move and watch out for people who might be tracking us," Death Sword said calmly, with a hint of annoyance.
Jagged nodded and began moving with Death Sword.