The shot came at noon.
Not from the shadows.
Not from behind.
From across the street, in front of witnesses.
Alpha Phantom felt it a heartbeat before it happened.
[Shadow Sense: Lethal Intent — Locked.]
He twisted.
The bullet tore through his shoulder instead of his heart, spinning him sideways. Glass shattered. People screamed.
Chaos bloomed.
Alpha hit the ground, rolled, and came up behind a parked car.
Sniper.
Professional.
This wasn't a warning.
This was permission.
[Emergency Cultivation Response: Triggered.]
[Blood Tempering — Forced Advancement.]
Heat flooded his veins—violent, uncontrolled.
Pain sharpened his mind.
Alpha grabbed the car door and ripped it free.
Gasps echoed.
Phones were already out.
Too late to hide now.
The second shot came.
Alpha stepped into it.
The bullet flattened against his palm.
Silence slammed into the street.
[Public Witness Threshold — Breached.]
Alpha threw the door.
Three floors up, glass exploded inward.
A body fell.
Didn't get back up.
People froze.
Then ran.
Sirens wailed instantly this time.
Nyx appeared beside him, eyes blazing.
"You just broke concealment," she said.
Alpha flexed his hand. The skin sealed slowly, deliberately.
"They made it public."
She grabbed his arm. "Then they'll come in force."
Alpha looked straight ahead.
"Good."
[Bloodline Resonance: Detected.]
[Hidden Attribute — Alpha Dominance: Awakened.]
The air shifted.
People felt it even if they didn't understand it.
Fear didn't spread.
Submission did.
Nyx stared at him. "Your presence…"
"Isn't hiding anymore," Alpha finished.
She swallowed. "You don't know what you just signaled."
Alpha turned to her, calm as ever.
"I told them where I stand."
[Power Base Progress: 38%]
[City Status: Unstable.]
Above them, helicopters circled.
Below them, the streets whispered one name.
Phantom.