Who is it?

Liam's mind raced as he assessed the situation. The sound of someone tampering with the lock had already indicated that whoever was outside wasn't there for a friendly visit.

This was an intruder, someone with malicious intent, likely out to steal or, worse, kill. But the original owner had nothing of value in this dilapidated home, so the intruder couldn't be here for theft.

He was likely here for murder!

If so, then who would want Liam dead? Was this someone with a grudge, or someone hired to do it?

When Liam's thoughts reached this point, a person's name slowly emerged in his mind.

Paul Phillips.

Daphne's new boyfriend.

Paul had long suspected that Daphne's disappearance was connected to Liam, so he had already threatened him multiple times, vowing that if Daphne didn't return soon, Liam would pay with his life.

It was just that the original owner never expected Paul to actually follow through on those threats.

But when Liam gave it a thought, it all made sense. After all, he was just a powerless orphan, while Paul came from a wealthy family with powerful connections. His uncle was the director of the Bureau of Punishing Evil, a force similar to the police on Earth but focused on ordinary citizens and low-level warriors.

The original owner really left a big mess.

But Liam didn't have time to dwell on that now.

The most pressing matter was to deal with the immediate crisis, so Liam forcefully suppressed all the disruptive thoughts and started to rationally analyze the situation.

Since the person outside is trying to pick the lock and still has to rely on these petty tricks to enter, his strength and skills can't be too high. Moreover, considering I'm just a weakling and Paul's an arrogant bastard, he likely didn't spend much to hire the assassin... That means this person is probably a level 1 warrior at most. Not to mention, judging by how careless he is, making so much noise... he's either an amateur or a pervert who thinks he's toying with me, like a cat with a mouse. But if that's the case...

Liam's eyes gleamed with a murderous light as he came to a conclusion.

I might just have a chance.

With his mind made up, Liam wasted no time and opened his system panel to see if he could use the available soul points to boost his combat power.

[480 soul points are required to upgrade to the first level of warrior.]

[Unlocking supernatural ability and upgrading to the first level of mystic requires 500 soul points.]

[Unlocking the supernatural ability requires 50 soul points.]

[50 soul points are required to improve proficiency in the body-forging technique.]

[50 soul points are required to improve proficiency in the Sunlight Fist technique.]

Liam only had 80 soul points that he got after the system devoured the original owner's soul.

It seems my best bet is to unlock my supernatural ability and hope it's useful.

The body-forging technique and the Sunlight Fist technique, both taught for free at the academy, were the most basic forms of martial arts, offering only slight physical enhancement. Given the current situation, Liam naturally wouldn't be foolish to waste resources upgrading them.

[50 soul points have been consumed to unlock supernatural ability.]

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Suddenly, darkness engulfed Liam's vision, plunging him into a void devoid of light. Despair and loneliness clawed at his heart.

Fortunately, the sensation passed as quickly as it came.

[Supernatural ability unlocked: Shadow Control]

Liam felt a surge of unfamiliar energy coursing through his body—it was the mystic energy. At the same time, he could sense, albeit faintly, that he now had the ability to manipulate the shadows around him.

Nonetheless, Liam wasn't finished yet. He had no intention of saving the remaining 30 soul points, so he planned to modify his dagger.

Focusing on the dagger in his hand, Liam directed his thoughts to the Soul Devouring System.

[Adding deadly toxins to the dagger requires 1000 soul points.]

So expensive!

The cost far exceeded his expectations, forcing him to revise his plan.

[Adding deadly toxins to the dagger. The dagger will break after one use. Cost: 100 soul points.]

Still too costly. He had to adjust it again.

[Adding sleeping toxins to the dagger. The effect will take hold after 1 minute. The dagger will break after one use. Cost: 30 soul points.]

Liam made continuous modifications and finally came up with a slightly cheaper effect.

I hope it will be useful.

As the soul points were consumed, a black light swept over the dagger.

Moments later, the dagger appeared worn and tattered, yet a closer inspection revealed it flickering with a faint, eerie light.

After preparing everything he could, Liam casually sat on the bed, pretending to be immersed in his mobile phone, all the while quietly waiting for the person outside the door.

His plan was simple: lull the intruder into a false sense of security and then strike when his guard was down.

The corner of his eyes kept sweeping towards the door, and the dagger concealed in his sleeve was ready for action like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to unleash its lethal bite at the perfect moment.

Oddly enough, Liam felt no anxiety. Instead, he felt a thrill—a twisted adrenaline rush that was impossible to describe.

Creak!

The door opened, allowing the soft glow of the moonlight to spill into the room.

A middle-aged man, wearing a gas mask and work clothes, looking like a repairman, stepped inside. He carelessly shut the door behind him, capturing Liam's attention. As if frightened by the sudden intruder, Liam jumped off the bed and ducked behind it. He trembled as he clutched his phone, his hands shaking as if terrified by the man's presence, and he stammered.

"Who… who are you? Get out, or I'll call the Bureau of Punishing Evil!"

"Heh… kid, the Bureau of Punishing Evil doesn't bother with places like this. They're too busy kissing the boots of the big shots. At best, they'll show up to collect your corpse, hehehe."

The middle-aged man's voice dripped with disdain, clearly displaying his contempt for the Bureau.

"I-I don't have any money… Uncle, are you here for me? Please don't kill me... If you're gentle, I'll cooperate... I promise."

Liam put down his phone and clasped his hands in front of his chest in a begging posture, revealing a delicate and lovely look.

The middle-aged man who was about to say something was momentarily taken aback by such an unexpected response, and this was exactly what Liam wanted. He immediately took advantage of the situation.

Swoosh!

A flash of silver streaked through the air. But instead of aiming for the man's chest or any other vital area, the blade was directed at his thigh, as if Liam had miscalculated due to inexperience.

The man, relying on his speed, instinctively moved to dodge, but in his focus on Liam, he failed to notice the subtle shift in the shadow beneath his feet.

Splash!

Blood splattered as a shadow spike suddenly pierced through the sole of his foot, halting his movement for a split second—just enough time for Liam's dagger to graze his thigh before shattering upon impact with the floor.

But that small cut was enough for Liam, his goal was achieved.

Based on the middle-aged man's actions so far, Liam confirmed his guess that he was indeed a first-level warrior, difficult but manageable.

Now, all Liam needed to do was buy time.

"Hold on, uncle. I'm really scared," Liam said with an apologetic smile that made him appear harmless, raising his hands forward in an instinctive reaction to stop the man. "It was really a mistake… You wouldn't mind, right?"

"Boy, you're really courageous. I didn't expect you to awaken your supernatural ability. However, without even entering level one, you won't be my match. I haven't killed a mystic yet!"

The middle-aged man's furious voice was filled with a hint of glee, as if he was pleased to be able to kill the noble mystic. Then, without waiting for Liam's reply, the middle-aged man lunged at Liam with a sudden burst of speed, swinging the silver claw hammer in his hand.

Whoosh!

The hammer whistled through the air, aiming for Liam's head. But Liam had anticipated the attack. He launched himself upwards, using his legs and waist for momentum, though his speed was no match for the man's.

But at that crucial moment, a shadow rope descended from the ceiling, yanking Liam out of the hammer's way just in time.

Unfortunately, Liam's bed was not so lucky.

Bang!

Under the hammer of the middle-aged man, the bed collapsed instantly and broke into wooden boards.

Nonetheless, Liam didn't even bat an eyelid. Clinging to the ceiling like a spider, he glared down at the man below. His eyes were cold, and his gaze was that of a predator. He muttered a single word:

"Shadow."

Instantly, the room was swallowed by darkness as the dim lights flickered out.

Shadows consumed the space, leaving only the faint glow of moonlight streaming through the window.