Chapter 38

621 found himself seated in a meditative stance, his eyes closed as he focused on replenishing his depleted Qi reserves. The strain of experimenting with the spikes had taken its toll, leaving him feeling drained and fatigued.

But even in this moment of rest and recuperation, his mind was alive with possibilities, his thoughts racing as he contemplated the next steps in his journey of self-discovery and growth.

621 began to explore the potential applications of his metal manipulation abilities in defensive strategies.

He envisioned a shield of swirling pseudo-metal, hovering protectively around him like a barrier against the onslaught of enemy attacks. With each breath, he willed the image to take shape in his mind, imagining the intricate patterns and formations that would make up the shield's structure.

But as he pondered the logistics of such a defence, 621 couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty creeping in. Creating a shield that hovered around him would undoubtedly require a significant expenditure of Qi and mental energy, resources that he was already struggling to replenish after his earlier exertions with the spikes.

And even if he could summon forth such a shield, 621 wasn’t sure if it was enough to withstand the ferocity of enemy attacks in the heat of battle, thus he pondered some more.

The idea of a suit of pseudo-metal armour began to take shape in his mind. He envisioned intricate plates of pseudo-metal, interlocking seamlessly to form a protective barrier around his body. Each piece of armour would be imbued with the same resilience and strength as true metal, yet lighter and more flexible, allowing for greater mobility in combat.

He imagined the individual plates coming together, layer by layer, until they formed a seamless whole that encased him from head to toe.

But as he delved deeper into his visualization, 621 couldn't shake the sense of uncertainty that lingered in the back of his mind—it was undoubtedly a monumental task. And he couldn’t help but wonder about the significant amount of Qi and mental perquisite required to create such a thing; he wanted something simple yet effective at the same time.

“Right..there was that..”, he recalled.

He thought back to the time he had fought Vulture, remembering the odd Qi barrier that had manifested around him during his initial attempt of assassination.

“Instead of Qi, I could attempt to form a pseudo-iron barrier…but the expenditure”, he sighed unwillingly.

The crux of the problem lay in the Qi consumption of each defensive strategies, unlike the metal spikes that he had materialized which were small and easy to conjure, the former required him to protect his every body part unless he only created something equally small and only protected some parts of his body just like his first idea about the revolving shield.

“There must be something…” he whispered, thinking back to all his past encounters.

He thought about the metal skillbooks in the Alexandrian Pavilion, the 6 other tomes which he had briefly perused, one in particular resurfaced through his memories.

“Ironclad Resilience” he mentioned with nostalgia, “Right it was an idea of barriers and armour…but was that all there was to it?” he tried recalling the pages, but it was useless for he had merely read through a couple before moving on to the other skillbooks.

He tried with difficulty to create an idea for defensive strategies that met his current standards, but the more he looked, the less he saw.

That was of course, until a particular idea came to mind.

..

"Qi infusion," he murmured softly to himself, the words carrying a weight of familiarity and tradition. But then, with a raised brow and a hint of curiosity in his tone, he continued,

"Pseudo-metal Qi infusion."

As he spoke the words aloud, 621 felt a surge of excitement coursing through him. The idea of blending the ethereal essence of Qi with the tangible properties of pseudo-metal opened up a realm of possibilities, offering a unique fusion of ancient wisdom and new innovation.

With a tilt of his head, he began to envision the intricate process of pseudo-metal Qi infusion. He saw himself channeling his Qi with focused intent, guiding it through the intricate pathways of his meridians as he infused it with the essence of pseudo-metal.

Deep inside his mental landscape, 621 simulated the process of infusing his skin, muscles, and bones with the metallic qualities of pseudo-metal Qi. He could almost feel the sensation of power at his fingertips, but it was merely a theory, one that he had yet to test.

A sense of caution washed over him as he contemplated the potential risks and consequences of pseudo-metal Qi infusion. 621 understood that delving into such uncharted territory carried inherent dangers.

Learning from past mistakes, he knew that he couldn’t afford to rush headlong into experimentation without first considering the potential consequences of his actions.

With a furrowed brow, he began to envision the worst-case scenarios that could arise from petrifying his muscles and skin with pseudo-metal. He imagined his movements becoming stiff and rigid, his once-flexible limbs encased in an unyielding shell of metallic substance.

Therefore, with a deep breath, he steadied his mind and resolved to approach the idea of pseudo-metal Qi infusion with the utmost care and deliberation. He would take the time to research, study the technique thoroughly and most importantly, listen to his instincts.

..

As 621 was lost in his thoughts, his mind swirling with questions and provoking uncertainties, he felt a sudden shift in the air around him. A subtle but unmistakable presence, familiar yet unsettling, pricked at the edges of his consciousness like the cold touch of a ghostly hand.

Instinctively, he turned his head in the direction of the source, his senses honed to pinpoint accuracy. There, beneath the shadows that danced along the walls of his chamber, he sensed a ripple, a distortion in the fabric of reality that seemed to defy distance and obstacles.

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Before he could even grasp the nature of this phenomenon, a familiar wave of a numbing sensation washed over him, enveloping his mind and brain in a surreal haze. It was as if his thoughts were being submerged beneath an icy sea, drowned out by the overwhelming presence that now permeated his entire mental landscape.

And then, a voice echoed through the depths of his consciousness, its tone devoid of emotion yet commanding in its authority.

"Shadow, heed my call," it intoned, resonating with a power that sent 621's thoughts into a spiral.

For a fleeting moment, he felt a sense of recognition, a string of memories buried beneath layers of secrecy and subterfuge.

But deep within him, he felt a rising feeling of excitement, a haunting smile slowly formed upon his lips for he knew what was to come.

621 stood up from his meditative stance and proceeded to exit his abode with a confident stride, his destination—the handler’s abode.

….

The heavy wooden doors of the church creaked open, revealing a world cloaked in darkness. 621 hesitated for a moment on the threshold, his senses prickling with an unsettling anticipation. As he stepped forward, the darkness seemed to swallow him whole, enveloping him in its cold embrace.

One by one, unlit candles flickered to life, casting feeble glimmers of light into the murky depths of the monastery. Each step he took was accompanied by the soft whisper of flames, guiding him deeper into the shadows with an eerie anticipation.

In the heart of the darkness stood the handler, a figure shrouded in black robes that seemed to meld seamlessly with the night. His presence was palpable, a looming specter that exuded an aura of authority and power. 621's eyes strained to pierce the veil of darkness, but the handler's gaze remained elusive, hidden behind a veil of mystery.

As 621 drew closer, the handler's form began to take shape, his silhouette etched against the backdrop of shadows. His hands were clasped behind his back, an unsettling gesture that spoke of hidden intentions and veiled threats. From the abyss of the darkness, gleaming yellow eyes locked onto 621 with a chilling intensity.

With each step, 621 felt a growing sense of dread, a primal instinct urging him to obey in submission. As he finally reached the figure, he sank to his knees, bowing his head in deference to the overwhelming force that loomed before him.

The handler stood before 621, his dark robes billowing slightly around him like a shroud of shadows. His voice, a solemn chant that seemed to resonate with the ancient stones of the monastery, filled the air.

"In the veiled chambers of the unseen realm, we find our souls bound to the eternal night. In the whispers of the abyss, we surrender our will to the ancient shadows. In the depths of darkness, we are baptized in the blood of the damned," the handler intoned, his voice a chilling echo in the dimly lit chamber.

"Servant of the Order of Shadows, bearer of the accursed pact, vessel of the forbidden lore, PAWN!” the handler boomed with a shout.

“Kneel before the abyssal depths and heed my call" he continued, his voice laced with both reverence and terror.

"May darkness descend upon thee, may shadows ensnare thee, and may the clandestine truths of our order wrap thee in their merciless embrace."

“By the pact sealed in blood, by the oath sworn in darkness, I extend to you this choice, OBEY or DEFY" he proclaimed, his voice rumbling like the tolling of a funeral bell.

621 felt his entire being shake with a profound sense of exhilaration as he prostrated himself before the handler, his words a chilling response to the handler’s ancient rite:

"I heed thy summons, Oh great one! I submit before the shadows as a vessel of divine decree, herald of annihilation, embodiment of Nahas. Thy command is my law, my blade a silent harbinger of doom upon the damned."

“Speak! for thy bidding shall be done, in darkness and in blood.”

The ancient rite concluded with 621's proclamation as it echoed through the chamber, sealing his obedience to the Order of Shadows.

The handler, his yellow eyes glinting beneath his hood, nodded approvingly before revealing the details of his call.

"Marcus, an officer in the empire's fold, stands as a barrier to our cause," he began, his voice a whisper that carried the weight of destiny. “A willing soul seeks his demise.”

"Your mission is simple: Eliminate.”

With a simple closing of his eyes, the handler's dismissal fell upon 621 like a shadowy decree. There were no special goodbyes, no words of encouragement or reassurance, only the weight of duty and the cold embrace of darkness.

621 just bowed his head in acknowledgment, a silent gesture of obedience, before rising and turning on his heel to depart without another word.

..

621 moved swiftly and silently through the pocket dimension, retracing his steps back to the gate which led to the real world, his entire being blurring seamlessly in the shallow atmosphere of the artificial dimension as he still kept himself concealed from the other pawns.

It wasn’t long until he found himself at the exact same spot where the gate had descended from, he looked back at the looming buildings in the distance, his thoughts surveying the unscrupulous merchant establishment in the far corner of the dimension.

There was a thought at the back of his mind to tell the shopkeeper of his current departure, but he decided against it for he knew that the latter wouldn’t care one bit.

“I’m neither anyone of importance”, he shook his head “to him or to anyone”, he continued.

“I’m a nobody…” he paused silently, “a mere instrument.”

621 pressed onward, his gaze fixed in front of him, at the heavy darkness looming ahead. He bowed deeply as he requested the hidden entity with respect.

“Great guardian, I request thee to open the gate.”

The air around him seemed to crackle with anticipation, the weight of his request hanging heavy in the stillness of the night. And then, as if in response to his plea, a figure emerged from the shadows behind him.

The shrouded entity stepped forward with an air of quiet authority, their form obscured by the darkness that enveloped them. 621's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the guardian, a silent sentinel of the unseen realms, their presence a testament to the power that lay hidden within the Order.

Without a word spoken between them, the guardian began to weave silent incantations, drawing upon the ancient energies that permeated the air. As their hands moved with fluid grace, a shimmering portal soon materialized before them, its surface rippling with otherworldly energy.

621 felt a surge of anticipation coursing through his veins as he prepared to step through the gate. With one final bow of respect towards the guardian, he stepped forward into the unknown.

As soon as he crossed the threshold, the gate immediately closed behind him with a resounding sound, sealing him off from the Order’s hidden sanctuary.

He looked around the familiar underground cavern and found himself surrounded by the eerie glow of bio-luminescent plants, their soft illumination casting surreal shadows across the rocky landscape.

The air was cool and tinged with the scent of earth and dampness, a stark contrast to the artificial environment he had just left behind.

With practiced ease, 621 navigated the uneven terrain, his movements fluid and precise as he leaped from one rocky outcrop to another. Each bound brought him closer to the surface, closer to the world beyond the confines of the underground labyrinth.

Finally, he reached the top of the cavern, where a hidden mechanism awaited his touch. With a deft movement, he activated the mechanism, causing the solid stone wall before him to slide open, revealing the expanse of the real world.

Stepping through the opening, 621 emerged into the night, greeted by the cool breeze and the distant twinkle of stars overhead. He paused for a moment, allowing the cool night air to wash over him.

It was a stark contrast to the controlled environment of the pocket dimension he had just left behind. Here, the atmosphere felt alive, vibrant with the sounds of nocturnal creatures and the rustle of leaves in the breeze.

Breathing deeply, 621 felt a sense of liberation as the real world embraced him, his spiritual existence coming alive once more. No longer confined by the artificial constructs of the pocket dimension, he reveled in the raw energy of the natural world, feeling a connection to the earth beneath his feet and the vast expanse of the starlit sky above.

The darkness enveloped him like a cloak as he silently erased his presence, blending seamlessly into the shadows as he moved with purposeful determination.

With his instincts as his guide, 621 set off into the night, his destination clear in his mind. Each step brought him closer to his objective, his senses keenly attuned to the world around him as he embarked on his next mission with unwavering resolve.

“Let the hunt begin”, he smiled.