Marcus drew both Hellfire Daggers, their blades igniting with magical flames. The six Iron Rank guards approached cautiously, forming a semicircle.
"Surrender and you'll get a trial," one called out.
Marcus didn't respond. He moved.
His Bronze - High Stage speed caught them off guard. He was on the first guard before the man could raise his weapon, Hellfire Dagger cutting through his shoulder armor—not lethal, but the poison on the blade would paralyze him within seconds.
The second guard swung a sword at Marcus's head. He ducked under it, struck the guard in the ribs with a controlled punch, then moved to the third guard.
Ten seconds later, all six Iron Rank guards were down—paralyzed, injured, but alive. Marcus didn't kill unnecessarily when poison could do the job without leaving corpses.
The two Bronze Rank guards looked at each other nervously, then charged together. Better trained, better coordinated, enhanced with Bronze Rank mana reinforcement.
Marcus parried the first one's sword strike, his Hellfire Dagger leaving a burning cut along the guard's forearm. The second guard tried to flank him, but Marcus had trained in multi-opponent combat during his assassin work.
He used the first guard as a shield, forcing the second to adjust his attack. Then Marcus kicked the first guard into the second, and both went down in a tangle. A quick slash with his poisoned blade across each of their exposed arms, and they were finished.
Paralysis would set in before they could recover.
But now the Silver Rank officer had arrived, and he wasn't some pampered noble like the Baron. This was a military veteran, sword drawn, moving with the confidence of someone who'd survived real combat.
"Phantom," the officer said, recognizing the mask and reputation. "You've made a mistake killing Baron Blackwood. House Blackwood has connections. They'll hunt you."
"They can try," Marcus replied, his masked voice cold.
The officer attacked with Silver Rank speed and power. His sword came in a blur of strikes, each one enhanced with cutting mana. Marcus blocked with both Hellfire Daggers, the force of each impact rattling his arms.
This was the difference between ranks. Silver Rank - Low Stage versus Bronze Rank - High Stage. The officer was stronger, faster, and more experienced.
But Marcus was venomous.
He parried a particularly strong strike, letting it push him backward. The officer pressed the advantage, not noticing when Marcus's blade left a shallow scratch on his sword hand during the exchange.
The officer's next strike was slightly slower. His third strike slower still. By the fifth strike, his sword arm was shaking.
"What... what did you do?" The officer looked at his hand, seeing the small cut. Realization dawned. "Poison..."
He collapsed to his knees, sword falling from nerveless fingers. His Silver Rank constitution fought the poison, but Legendary-grade Serpent's Whisper was too potent. He'd survive—Silver Rank recovery was impressive—but he'd be paralyzed for hours.
Marcus heard more guards approaching in the distance. Time to leave.
He activated one of his Emergency Escape Scrolls, crushing it in his hand. Space warped around him, and suddenly he was three miles away in a pre-designated safe location—an abandoned building he'd prepared weeks ago.
Marcus removed his mask and became himself again. His heart was pounding from adrenaline, but the contract was complete. Baron Blackwood was dead, the evidence of his crimes secured, and Marcus had gained another rank advancement.
He checked his system status:
Cultivation: Bronze Rank - High Stage (48%) Starfall Guild Contract Payment: 45,000 gold (pending deposit) Guardian Amulet: 2 charges remaining Tournament Match: Semi-finals in two days
Good progress. Though the escape had been closer than he'd liked. He'd need to purchase a new Guardian Amulet tomorrow—25,000 gold, but worth it for the protection.
Marcus made his way through the dark city streets back to his warehouse, taking a circuitous route to avoid detection. By the time he arrived, it was 2 AM.
He still needed to prepare for his tournament semi-final match, sleep at least a few hours, and maintain his academy student persona tomorrow.
The dual life was becoming more demanding as his reputation in both identities grew. Marcus the alchemist student was now a tournament competitor attracting attention. Phantom the assassin was becoming legendary, with higher bounties attracting more dangerous contracts.
Eventually, something would have to give. He couldn't maintain both identities forever at this intensity level.
But for now, he'd keep pushing. Keep advancing. Keep accumulating power and wealth and security.
Marcus performed his nightly cultivation routine, absorbing three more high-grade mana crystals he'd created.
BRONZE RANK - HIGH STAGE: 54%
At this rate, he'd reach Bronze Peak Stage within two weeks. Then Silver Rank would be within reach—a goal that should take years, but Marcus could achieve in months through his methods.
As he lay down to sleep, Marcus thought about Lyra's words from earlier: "You have walls, Marcus. Big ones."
She was right. His entire life in this world was walls—barriers between Marcus and Phantom, between truth and lies, between who he appeared to be and who he really was.
Those walls kept him safe. Kept him alive. Kept anyone from getting close enough to discover his secrets.
And he'd keep building them higher, thicker, stronger.
Because walls weren't weakness—walls were survival.
And survival was all that mattered.