Chapter 16 - The Assassin Had Terrible Timing
Eli grabbed the nearest weapon.
A frying pan.
The intruder stepped into the doorway wearing black clothes and a ski mask.
His system identified him.
[UNKNOWN CULTIVATOR]
[QI GATHERING I]
[INTENT: THEFT / ASSAULT]
Eli raised the pan.
The man stared at it.
“Seriously?”
“I cook aggressively.”
The intruder lunged.
Eli’s Beggar’s Loop spun automatically.
Qi rushed through his arm.
The first strike hit the pan hard enough to dent it.
The second missed Eli’s head by inches.
He backed into the kitchen.
Bad idea.
Then he saw the stove.
Better idea.
He kicked a bag of flour into the man’s face.
White powder exploded everywhere.
The intruder coughed.
Eli slammed the frying pan into his knee.
Then the shoulder.
Then, because the system literally flashed NOW, the side of his head.
The man collapsed.
[VICTORY: HIGHER-REALM OPPONENT DEFEATED.]
[DEFIANCE +20]
[BODY TEMPERING V]
Eli immediately called Maya.
She arrived with Mr. Zhou twelve minutes later.
Mr. Zhou removed the intruder’s mask.
Maya went pale.
“That’s Owen Price.”
“Friend?” Eli asked.
“Night Class member.”
Eli’s stomach dropped.
Mr. Zhou searched Owen’s pockets.
He found a Vane Foundation access card.
And a small glass vial filled with violet liquid.
Mr. Zhou’s expression became dangerous.
“Void stimulant.”
Maya whispered, “Those are illegal.”
Eli looked at Owen unconscious on his kitchen floor.
“Apparently so is breaking and entering.”
Mr. Zhou looked at him.
May you like
“This is bigger than your ring now.”
