Ethan and Elena emerged from the mouth of the cave, carrying their new treasures and the weight of untold secrets. The rain had started, soft at first, but soon turning into a cold, drenching downpour that painted the stone paths crimson beneath their feet.
We should move quickly,
Elena whispered, eyes scanning the mist-Shrouded path. I don't like the feeling of this.
Ethan nodded, but it was too late.
Three dark-robed figures dropped from the surrounding cliffs, each radiating a dense killing intent. Their faces were hidden behind demon masks etched with blood-colored patterns.
Hand over the storage rings, one of them growled. Leave your sword. Walk away, and we let you live.
Typical bandits?
Ethan asked.
Elena shook her head,
No, These are trained assassins. Probably hired.
Then they chose the wrong targets,
Ethan said, stepping forward.
The first assassin dashed in, blades flashing like coiling serpents. Ethan parried quickly, then countered with a burst of frost Qi that locked one of the blades in ice. His Frostwind Steps carried him behind the attacker, and with a clean strike, he slashed across the back, sending the man sprawling.
Elena faced off with the second assassin. Her fists glowed faintly with electric inner energy, striking with brutal precision a legacy of her ancient martial lineage. Her punches cracked bones through reinforced armor.
The third assassin, cloaked in shadow techniques, nearly caught Ethan off guard with a surprise feint. Ethan threw down a vial of poison mist powder, clouding the air. He vanished into the haze, reappearing beside the assassin and slicing cleanly with the Dragon Slayer Sword.
For ten minutes, the battle raged. Rain mixed with blood. Swords clashed, fists struck, and defensive formations flickered across the ground. The assassins were skilled, but they hadn't counted on facing two experienced cultivators who fought as one.
In the end, only one assassin remained, panting and bleeding.
Who sent you?
Ethan demanded, pressing his sword against the man's throat.
The assassin sneered.
You won't survive long enough. We are merely the first wave. Others will come. Stronger than us.
Ethan glanced at Elena,
Then we'd better be ready.
He knocked the assassin out cold and took his ring.
They vanished into the rain.
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of glowing crimson eyes watched from the ridge above, hidden by
the downpour.