Bab 14: Shadows Unveiled

The night wrapped the city of Erinla in an inky shroud as Aduke and Ebuka made their way towards the inn. The streets were dimly lit by flickering lampposts, casting eerie shadows that danced at their feet. A slight chill hung in the air, hinting at the mysteries that awaited them in the darkness.

As they strolled along the cobblestone path, their footsteps echoing through the quiet streets, Aduke couldn't help but sense a peculiar presence nearby. She glanced over her shoulder, catching a fleeting glimpse of shadowy figures blending seamlessly into the night. Her instincts tingled with unease.

"Ebuka," Aduke whispered, her voice barely audible above the hushed murmurs of the night. "I think we're being followed."

Ebuka's eyes darted around, his senses heightened by Aduke's words. The flickering lamplight danced upon his face, accentuating the determination etched on his features. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice laced with a mix of caution and curiosity.

Aduke nodded, her gaze scanning the surroundings. "I caught sight of them a couple of times. They're keeping their distance, but it feels like they're tailing us."

Ebuka's brows furrowed, and a tinge of concern washed over his features. "We can't take any chances," he replied, his voice firm and resolute. "Let's find a way to lose them before they get too close."

They quickened their pace, weaving through narrow alleys and taking sudden turns, aiming to shake off their elusive pursuers. The shadows seemed to conspire against them, shifting and elongating as if reaching out to grab hold. Aduke's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with the possibilities of who might be tracking them and why.

After a series of evasive maneuvers, they managed to elude their pursuers, their panting breaths gradually slowing down. They found themselves in a quieter part of the city, away from the bustling streets and prying eyes. It was here that Aduke spotted a rundown building, its sign barely visible in the dim light, indicating it was an inn.

"Look, Ebuka," Aduke pointed, a glimmer of relief in her eyes. "There's an inn. We can take shelter there for the night."

Ebuka followed her gaze and nodded, a grateful smile playing on his lips. "Perfect timing," he remarked, his voice tinged with fatigue. "Let's hope they have a room available."

They approached the weathered wooden door of the inn and pushed it open, greeted by the warm glow of candlelight emanating from within. As they stepped inside, the creaking floorboards under their weight echoed through the air, drawing the attention of the innkeeper, an elderly woman with a kind smile.

"Welcome, young ones," the innkeeper greeted them, her voice gentle and welcoming. "Looking for a place to rest?"

Aduke and Ebuka exchanged a brief glance before nodding in unison. "Yes, please," Aduke replied, her voice filled with gratitude. "A room for the night, if you have any available."

The innkeeper's smile widened. "Of course, my dears. We have a cozy room ready for you. Just up the stairs, second door to the right."

They thanked the innkeeper and ascended the creaking stairs, their weariness gradually giving way to a sense of comfort and safety. As they entered their room, a wave of tranquillity washed over them, temporarily shielding them from the enigmatic shadows that lurked outside.

As the night deepened, the two men stealthily approached the inn, their intentions veiled by the darkness. They had been tailing Aduke and Ebuka, observing their every move, and their eyes glimmered with greed. The pair seemed rich and inexperienced, perfect targets for a quick score.

Silently, they scaled the outer walls of the inn, nimble fingers finding purchase on the worn bricks. The window to Aduke and Ebuka's room was their entry point, their gateway to the potential spoils within. With a delicate touch, they eased the window open, barely making a sound.

As they slipped into the room, their eyes gleamed with anticipation. The flickering candlelight revealed the bags of supplies placed neatly near the bed, promising a treasure trove of valuables. They approached Aduke and Ebuka, who were unaware of the intruders invading their sanctuary.

"Habibi," one of the men whispered, his voice laced with a hint of menace. "We know you've got some valuable stuff. Show us what you got."

Aduke and Ebuka jolted awake, startled by the sudden intrusion. Their eyes widened as they took in the menacing figures standing before them, their intent clear. Aduke's hand instinctively reached for her blade, while Ebuka clenched his fists, ready to defend their belongings.

"Who are you?" Aduke demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. "What do you want?"

The men smirked, their eyes fixated on the bags of supplies. "We're just here for a little wealth redistribution," one of them sneered. "Hand over your valuables, and we might let you walk away unscathed."

Ebuka exchanged a quick glance with Aduke, their unspoken communication revealing their resolve to protect what was rightfully theirs. Without a word, Aduke reached into her bag and retrieved the supplies she kept there and gave it to the intruders.

"Here," she said, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. "This is all we have. Now leave us in peace."

The men asked them to display their status screens, their eyes scanning the information displayed. A mix of surprise and disappointment flashed across their faces as they realized Aduke and Ebuka's status was not as lucrative as they had hoped.

[STATUS SCREEN] [Fabricated]

Name: Aduke Akande

Rank: 120 million (Africa)

Level: 0

Physical Power: 0.3

Elemental Power: 0

[STATUS SCREEN] [Fabricated]

Name: Ebuka Olayinka

Rank: 90 million (Africa)

Level: 0

Physical Power: 0.7

Elemental Power: 0

Everyone can edit their status screen. This will not affect their original prowess. Only rankers [ Rank 1-100] can see [Fabricated] if it is an edited status screen and in this case the robbers did not seem to notice at all.

"Is this it?" one of them grumbled, looking at his partner. "frickin small fries" his partner said holding his laughter

With a smirk, the intruders turned to leave, their plans foiled by the realization that their targets were not the wealthy newcomers they had anticipated. Aduke and Ebuka watched them retreat, a mix of relief and lingering unease settling over them.

They exchanged a silent nod, their eyes filled with determination. This encounter served as a reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows, and their resolve to protect themselves grew stronger. They would remain vigilant, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in Erinla's mysterious depth

As the robbers sneaked away, believing they had successfully deceived Aduke and Ebuka, Ebuka's mischievous grin began to form. He couldn't resist the opportunity to reveal their true power. With a swift motion, he called out his actual status screen, his fingers navigating through the interface to display the updated information.

"Hey, before you go," Ebuka called out, his voice brimming with confidence. "Take a look at this."

The robbers turned back, their curiosity piqued by Ebuka's sudden change in demeanor. They approached cautiously, eyeing the status screen in his hand.

[STATUS SCREEN]

Name: Ebuka Olayinka

Rank: 50 (Africa)

Level: 10 (peak) (>>Evolution<<)

Physical Power: 5 (peak) (+5 after evolution)

Elemental Power: 10 (peak) (+10 after evolution)

Weapon: Golden Staff

Skills: Staff Techniques, Wushu, Bojutsu

Ability: Cosmic Manipulation (1/10 skills unlocked)

As the robbers read the information, their eyes widened in disbelief. The reality of their failed attempt to deceive these seemingly naive travelers began to sink in. Aduke, too, proudly displayed her own updated status screen.

Name: Aduke Adekoya

Rank: 80 (Africa)

Level: 5

Physical Power: 4

Elemental Power: 10 (peak)

Ability: Personal Clairvoyance (1/1 skills unlocked)

The robbers exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the grave mistake they had made. These two individuals were not to be trifled with; their true strength concealed behind a façade. Fear gripped their hearts as they realized the dangerous game they had unwittingly played.

"Now, we'll be taking back what's rightfully ours," Aduke said, her voice calm but assertive.

Ebuka cracked his knuckles, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Consider this a lesson learned. Don't underestimate people based on appearances."

With lightning speed, Aduke and Ebuka launched into action, their enhanced abilities showcased in a dazzling display of skill. The robbers stood no chance against the formidable duo as they swiftly disarmed and incapacitated them.

Then they securely tied up the defeated robbers, they made a quick call to the innkeeper, informing him of the situation. The innkeeper, understanding the gravity of the situation, immediately agreed to contact the local authorities. With the robbers temporarily incapacitated, Aduke and Ebuka decided to head back to their room to gather their belongings.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room within Erinla City, the boss of the two robbers grew increasingly restless. He paced back and forth, his mind plagued with worry. His henchmen should have returned by now, carrying the spoils of their ill-gotten gains. The longer they took, the more concerned he became.

"What is taking them so long?" the boss muttered to himself, his voice laced with frustration. "They were supposed to be back by now. Did something go wrong?" [Abi shey dem dey whine me ni]

A knock on the door interrupted his anxious thoughts. One of his trusted underlings cautiously entered the room, sensing the boss's growing impatience.

"Boss, we've received word," the underling said, keeping his voice low. "The men haven't returned, and we've lost contact with them. It seems something unexpected happened."

The boss's eyes narrowed, a mix of anger and concern flickering across his face. He clenched his fists, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew that crossing paths with skilled individuals in Erinla could lead to dire consequences, but he hadn't anticipated his men encountering such formidable opponents.

"Find out what happened," the boss commanded, his voice steely. "If those fools ran away, I'll personally make sure they regret it."

The underling nodded, quickly exiting the room to carry out his orders. The boss, now alone in the dimness, contemplated his next move. He couldn't afford to let this setback go unanswered. The theft had been a carefully planned operation, and the interference of Aduke and Ebuka threatened to unravel everything.

With a determined glint in his eyes, the boss made a call, contacting his most skilled and ruthless enforcer. It was time to regroup, reevaluate, and devise a new strategy. He would not allow Aduke and Ebuka to undermine his power and influence in Erinla City.

Back at the inn, Aduke and Ebuka finished packing their belongings, their minds still reeling from the encounter with the robbers. They knew that their actions would have consequences, but they remained resolute in their mission. They couldn't let fear or intimidation deter them from uncovering the secrets of Erinla.

As they made their way downstairs, they noticed the innkeeper speaking with the police. The robbers, still bound and helpless, were being taken away, their fate now in the hands of the law. A sense of justice washed over Aduke and Ebuka, knowing that their actions would protect others from falling victim to the criminals' schemes.

Leaving the inn behind, Aduke and Ebuka resumed their exploration of Erinla City, their hearts brimming with determination. They were now more aware of the dangers lurking in the shadows, but their resolve to uncover the truth burned brighter than ever. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, forging their path through the enigmatic realm of Erinla.