Chapter 17: 'Childs Play'
IK's eyes gleamed with bloodlust as he sneered.
"Huh… how'd you get down here without me seeing you? Are you so excited you couldn't wait your turn?"
Jin ignored him. In the next instant she was in front of him, blades flashing. Her aura erupted, bloodlust pouring out like a tidal wave. Sobering waves of power surged toward IK, aiming to cleave him in two.
He retreated instantly, expelling a violent gale. The wind sliced forward, cancelling out her sabre slashes. But before he could mock her, Jin vanished again — reappearing beside Ana. Tears of frustration streaked Ana's face as Jin caught her, pulling her free from IK's grasp.
All that earlier ferocity had been a feint — a calculated strike to force IK to release Ana.
Ana's voice trembled, weak but filled with concern. "No, Jin… you can escape with Tor. You have the power to do that much. IK is dangerous. Even if you defeat him, you'll only make a stronger enemy."
Jin's tone softened, calm and maternal. "Don't worry. Take a good rest. When you wake, all this will be gone like a dream."
Ana's eyes fluttered shut as Jin fed mana into her, soothing her injuries. Saints under IK encircled them, but none dared approach. Confusion rippled through the attackers — how could such a little girl wield so much power? Twice she had moved faster than their eyes could follow, even against their young master.
Tor landed lightly on the ground, sighing. "You're doing something unnecessary."
Saints rushed toward Ana and Jin, but halted as they struck a barrier. Jin's mana flowed into Ana, healing her internally, while the barrier absorbed every mantle attack. Ten third‑level saints hammered at it, but their power vanished into endless space.
Tor stepped forward. "I'm sending this back now."
In an instant, their own attacks reappeared behind them. They had no time to react — blown away by their own force. The barrier dissolved, faint but discernible to trained eyes.
A cloaked figure lunged at Jin from behind, dagger poised. Tor appeared behind him, whispering, "So sneaky." His fist connected, blasting the assassin through a building wall.
Jin bowed lightly. "Young master, I'm fine now. Sorry for troubling you." She sent Ana to the room opposite her own, where she and Tor had been staying.
Tor walked calmly toward the ruins. "I guess I have to do something about Taka too."
In the hole where Taka lay beaten, two level‑three shadow mages kicked him mercilessly. Their laughter echoed, cruel and careless, as if his broken body were nothing more than a toy.
Tor's presence filled the space, heavy and detached. He had watched Jin cradle Ana, her compassion softening the storm. That choice lingered in the air around him.
One of the mages turned, sneering at the newcomer.
"Hah, you're the little shit who was up there. If IK gets the girl, then I want this boy."
The arrogance hung sharp in the air.
Tor's gaze hardened. He appeared before the speaker, disgust etched across his face. His fist drove forward, spatial energy tearing through flesh and bone. The mage's chest burst apart in a mist of blood, laughter cut short in silence.
"Shut up," Tor said, voice calm, almost bored — but the weight behind it was absolute.
The second mage froze, horror dawning as he realized the shift. Tor's eyes reflected spatial lights, cold and merciless, yet untouched by blood.
"Monster… there's no way you're from the Spatial Fortress. The law of isolation for the twelve clans forbids this. You'll be killed once it's found out."
Tor's voice was detached, almost bored. "Weren't you the ones who called it a massacre to silence? How did you put it… kidnapping and sabotage?"
He walked toward Taka, who clutched his hoodie with his remaining arm, tears streaming down his face.
"Please… save Ana and run away," Taka whispered, voice muffled with emotion.
Tor's gaze was unreadable. "My uncle always said: if you want the best, acquire the power to protect it first. This level of plotting is child's play."
He touched Taka, sending him into sleep. In a blink, Taka vanished — transported to Ana's room.
Tor turned back, smiling faintly. "Now, Mr. Shadow Man… what will you do?"
The second mage panicked, trying to blend into darkness and flee. But Tor appeared behind him, hand gripping his head. Spatial energy surged, bursting the mage's skull into mist.
The man hadn't even realized he was dead.
"Trying to run from space… too naïve," Tor commented, standing in the wrecked building, blood dripping from his fingertips.