I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Chapter 206: The Shadow's Strike

Adam mulled for a minute, trying to find an argument to help the red-haired girl. Yet, he found none. Continuing was a stupid decision.

"I'm sorry, Morgane." He said, shaking his head and closing his eyes before continuing, "I can't agree to put your lives in danger, especially when we can return tomorrow."

The girl's face decomposed, and tears rolled down her cheeks upon hearing Adam's disheartening choice. Of course, they could return, but she would have less time to search for her mother in exchange. 'It's my only chance,' she thought, gritting her teeth and resolving to use her last card.

"If we continue, I'll reveal one of the world's secrets." She started, whipping her tears and grabbing him by the arm. Then, she continued, "Only royals and their closest counselors know about it!"

Adam answered with a raised brow, "Can that secret turn us immortal? If not, I don't see what use I'll have for it once dead."

Silence echoed his sharp words as the girl plopped to the ground, hiding her face with her hands. Her muffled sniffs reverberated in the passage, causing Adam's eyes to slip to the side in guilt.

'I'm sorry, but I can't risk our lives,' he thought, snuffing his misplaced empathy and turning to the boy. "Let's move." He said, his voice firm.

However, Julius was too good-natured and stepped before Morgane instead of listening. "Let me fight until you recover your mana. I'm sure I can handle ghosts on the Poltergeist's level." He said, his eyes burning with righteousness, looking at his big brother in the eyes before adding. "If I fail, we can always leave."

'Why do you have to make things hard, fool!' Adam screamed inwardly, his veins throbbing. It was just a one-day delay. So, why the urgency? He couldn't grasp it. Feeling anger boil in him, he spat, "Fine! Lead the way.

If you lose, I'll train you for three months!"

Julius' eyes narrowed in focus, and his lips quivered at the threat. If not for Morgane's desperate pleas, he would have chickened out. 'You and grandpa Theo always taught me to help people when possible.' He thought, reaffirming his resolve. Without a word, he turned and helped Morgane up.

Then, taking her by the hand, he walked towards the canyon's depth, his steps resolute and his mind at peace with his decision.

Astonished by the sudden turn, warmth filled Morgane's chest. With a soft smile, she said, "Thank you, Julius. I'll do my best to help you!"

With a snort, Adam stealthily materialised his mana cape to hasten his recovery and floated behind them, his Luminous Wildblade in hand.

They travelled through the thick mist for five minutes before Morgane's eyes narrowed. She planted her feet firmly on the ground, causing Julius to look back after feeling resistance, and said, "One is swiftly approaching, but I can't tell where it is exactly. It feels like... like it is crawling beneath the ground."

Startled by her affinity's feedback, she hurriedly reviewed her knowledge of ghosts until her eyes widened.

"Strike your shadow!" She exclaimed after determining what their enemy was.

Echoing her words, Julius swiftly released her hand and swung his gladius. The ground shattered on impact as gravel flew into the air. Yet, he caught no sight of the enemy.

However, from his floating position, Adam saw everything. He witnessed Julius' shadow contort to dodge the strike before re-assuming its usual appearance. "Imbue your strikes with fire Qi." He advised, his eyes locked on the ghost's movements.

But before the boy could act, whispers suddenly invaded his mind. "Why are you helping the living? It's my first time seeing a ghost as mad as you!" The evil ghost said in scorn before detaching himself from Julius' body and revealing his appearance.

The group's eyes narrowed as they gazed at the irregular silhouette of a male. Entirely dark and featureless, its form shifted like a dancing shadows, confirming Morgane's deductions.

"It's a Shadow ghost. They blend in shadows to kill their prey covertly and induce fear to hinder them when they prove too strong." She warned, her taciturn voice already back, replacing the brief emotional moment they witnessed a few minutes ago.

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Julius nodded, thankful for the information, while Adam's face darkened. 'Why are they all trying to scare others?! Is it fun to awaken past traumas or dirty people we were close to? And how am I mad when they do that?' He thought, clenching his fists. Their abilities were just too hateful for him.

Simultaneously, Julius narrowed his eyes in focus. After experiencing their devious abilities, he knew what to expect and wouldn't succumb to fear. With his gladius gripped in hand, he imbued slivers of fire Qi before raising his arm to strike.

However, haunting whispers filled his mind, "Unfilial son. You abandoned your mother to escape alone! She is dead. DEAD! All because of you."

With gritted teeth, he ignored them and slashed his blade in a wide arc before taking a step forward and continuing his attack. He knew the ghost could contort to dodge his strikes, so he pressed forward, using his strength and speed advantage to gain the upper hand.

Orange lights crisscrossed in the air as he delivered a flurry of strikes upon his opponent, gradually lacerating its shadow-like body. Confident in his victory, he slashed his arm in a broad movement to end his adversary.

However, the ghost's eyes flickered with an ominous light when he noticed the mistake. It was the moment he had been waiting for. With an evil smirk, it used its last ability, manipulating Morgane's shadow, to backstab the arrogant boy under the girl's stunned eyes.

As the shadow turned into a spike and pierced the wind with a soft hum, Julius suddenly strained his muscles, halting his movement, and sidestepped, causing the creature's smile to freeze on his lips. Then, as if time resumed its course, Julius' arm came to life and lashed at his silhouette, burning his form and ending his life.