บท 21: Kill Stealing Ghost

August made his escape by darting through the twisting tunnels of the cave. He could hear the curses and shouts of frustrated players behind him.

He was quickly earning a reputation as a kill-stealing ghost, a shadow that appeared out of nowhere to claim the final hit and vanish before anyone could catch him.

But the players were growing wise to his tactics. They began to form hunting parties, setting traps, and patrolling the areas where August had last been seen.

August had to stay on his toes, constantly moving, and changing his strategy to stay ahead of the hunt.

He tailed a group fighting a level 27 Shadowfang Drake. It was a serpentine creature with dark scales that shimmered like oil. It had a pair of leathery wings and a mouth filled with venomous fangs. Its attacks included <<Venom Spit >>, which coated the ground with toxic acid, and << Tail Whip >>, a sweeping attack that could knock multiple players off their feet.

August was biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment, but he noticed the other group members glancing around more frequently. They were on edge, aware that something was off.

Just as the level 27 Shadowfang Drake's health was about to reach the threshold, one of the players shouted, "There he is! I see him!"

A flash of bright light was cast on the surroundings which immediately exposed August's position.

<[ Dash Skill Activated ]>

August cursed under his breath and activated Dash, moving swiftly through the cave as arrows and spells whizzed past him.

He sprinted deeper into the cave, dodging traps that had been laid out, and used his Shadow Dance to create myriads of shadow clones so as to confuse the players.

As he reached a quieter area of the cave, August took a moment to catch his breath. His strategy had worked so far, but he knew he couldn't keep this up forever. The deeper he went into the cave, the stronger the beasts would become, and the more vigilant the groups would be.

But for now, the EXP gains were worth it. August smirked to himself, knowing that the deeper he went, the greater the rewards. He'd just have to be more careful.

With his eyes set on the next group of players, August continued his descent into the Cave of Shadows, ready to push the boundaries of what a solo player could accomplish.

...

While August continued his daring solo exploits in the Cave of Shadows, the real world was far from quiet.

In the dimly lit streets of his neighborhood, a lone figure stood atop a rooftop. Her alluring silhouette was framed eloquently by the moonlight.

She wore a black outfit that clung to her athletic frame, and her face was concealed behind a fox mask with intricate red and gold markings.

The mask's expression was almost mocking, the eyes narrowed and a sly grin spread across its lips. She scanned the quiet streets below, her posture tense and alert.

A soft buzzing broke the silence—a call coming through her earpiece. She tapped a finger to her ear, answering it.

"Report," a raunchy voice came from the other end.

The woman's gaze remained focused on the rows of houses below, her eyes lingering on August's neighborhood. "I'm at the location," she replied with a smooth voice that happened to be edged with frustration.

"I definitely picked up on the readings of another legendary item the last time we were here. It was brief, but there's no doubt about it."

A scoff came from the other end. "I told you it was a wild goose chase. You're wasting time on a false lead."

The woman's lips tightened beneath her mask. "No," she insisted. "I know what I saw. The energy signature spiked for just a moment. It was here. I'm certain of what I detected."

The voice on the other end sighed in irritation and skepticism. "Fox, you're clearly confused. Maybe you're picking up residual signals from the last item you stole."

She glanced over the edge of the roof, eyeing the spot where the first robbery had occurred over a week ago.

The house was still cordoned off by police tape, and a patrol car was parked nearby with its lights flashing in the distance.

"We barely had time to get away with the first item," she voiced with a tinge of regret. "If we weren't fleeing because of the incoming police after the heist, we could've gone after the second one. But it was real. I'm sure of it."

The person on the other end didn't seem convinced. "Listen, we've got bigger priorities. Stop wasting your time there and return. There's no point in sticking around for a phantom signal."

Fox remained silent for a moment, her gaze still fixed on the neighborhood. She didn't like being doubted, especially when she was so certain. "Fine," she replied finally, a hint of annoyance in her tone. "I'll pull out. But I'm keeping an eye out. If that signal reappears, I'll be ready."

"Do what you want," the voice muttered. "Just don't get caught. The Oni can't afford any more mistakes."

The line went dead, and she tapped her earpiece off. She took one last look at the neighborhood, her eyes narrowing behind her mask. "I'm not wrong," she murmured to herself. "I know I'm not."

In the next instant, she leaped off the rooftop, landing silently in the alleyway below. She pressed her hand against the wall, and a faint blue glow emanated from her fingertips. In an instant, she vanished from sight, using a supernatural ability to meld into the walls.

The only sign of her presence was the faint rustle of the wind as she disappeared into the night.

Fox may have been ordered to leave, but she wasn't the type to let a lead slip away. She would keep watching, waiting for the signal to reappear. She was certain another legendary item had been in this area, and if it resurfaced, she intended to claim it—no matter what it took.

...

Deep within the winding corridors of the Cave of Shadows, August continued his journey alone, relying on stealth and cunning to navigate the labyrinthine tunnels and evade the hunting parties still seeking revenge for his kill-stealing tactics.

The cave was filled with dangers, and without a team, he knew he had to be careful. His shadowed footsteps echoed faintly in the dimly lit tunnel as he made his way deeper into the cave, where stronger beasts were said to roam.

As he turned a corner, he heard the sounds of battle—a fierce clash of metal against bone, followed by desperate shouts.

-"It's too strong!"

-"I don't think our HP can hold out!"

-"Damn it! We should have gone for a weaker beast!"

August crept closer, keeping to the shadows, and peered around a spiky rock formation.

In the open cavern ahead, three players were locked in a desperate struggle against a massive beast.

The creature was unlike anything August had seen before—a level 28 Shadowmaw Brute.

It was a monstrous hulking beast with obsidian-like scales covering its body. It stood on two legs like a gorilla but had the elongated snout of a dragon, dripping with venom.

Its eyes glowed a deep crimson, and its claws which were as sharp as daggers, tore through the cavern floor with every swipe.

The beast's maw was lined with razor-sharp teeth, capable of crushing armor with ease. Its abilities included Venomous Breath, which released a toxic cloud that constantly drained HP over time, and Sonic Boom which could knock back and stun multiple players making their movements sluggish.

The three players were clearly struggling. Their avatars were battered, their armor dented and cracked. Their HP bars hovered dangerously low, and August could see the worry etched on their faces.

They had run out of healing potions, and the level 28 Shadowmaw Brute still had a substantial amount of HP left—enough to kill all of them and cause them to drop a level.

"Hold on, just a bit longer!" one of them, a tall female ranger with short green hair, shouted as she fired a volley of arrows at the beast.

Her username, Lilo, hovered above her head in a soft pink hue.