Shadows of Ascension

82. The Stalker

Aiden, Riona, and Luca continue their journey through the vast and perilous Lawless Area. 

"The Lawless Area is huge," Luca explains. "Fortunately, we don’t need to go deep into it. The deeper you go, the more dangerous hunters there are." 

"That’s true!" Riona agrees, studying the map closely. 

"We started at the northernmost point of the Lawless Area," Luca continues. "It stretches from the western edge of the world to somewhere in the middle, but it doesn’t span too far north to south. We can cross it in a few days. The Celestial Blades are said to be directly south of us, so we’re on the right path. For the record, we are currently in the southern hemisphere." 

"Wow, Luca, you really know your geography," Riona says, impressed. 

Meanwhile, Aiden remains silent, his expression distant and cold. 

"Ever since we left the cave and stepped into the sun, I’ve been sensing something… an enemy shadow. The problem is, I don’t see anything."

His thoughts race. 

"It’s not a hunter using camouflage… this shadow doesn’t have a host. And it’s not a monster either. As far as I know, no monsters live in the Lawless Area. Besides, if there was a host, I would be able to sense them. But there’s nothing." 

A realization hits him. 

"Which means…"

Aiden stops walking. 

Luca notices immediately. "What is it, Aiden?" 

"We’re being followed," Aiden says, his voice calm but firm. 

Luca tenses. "A hunter with camouflage? That would explain why we can’t see or sense anyone." 

Luca releases a pulse of aura, scanning the surroundings for other hunters. But he finds nothing. 

"But Aiden… there’s no one here," Luca says warily. "Could it be another hunter so powerful that even my aura detection can’t sense them?" 

"It’s not a man," Aiden says, closing his eyes and concentrating. 

He focuses deeply. Then, suddenly, he moves—his hand shooting up into the air. 

When he opens his eyes, he’s clutching something with so much power, that it would be enough to kill such a creature.

A lifeless bat. 

"It’s still alive!" Luca exclaims in surprise. 

The creature twitches, its body barely moving. It’s an F-rank monster—the weakest class in existence. Harmless, incapable of fighting. Its only purpose… is to stalk. 

"Who sent this stalker-type bat here?" Luca wonders aloud. 

"It’s dead," Aiden replies, but instead of crushing it, he lets the bat go. 

The lifeless creature flaps its wings unnaturally and begins flying into the sky. 

Riona gasps. "It can’t be…" 

Luca’s expression darkens, realization hitting him like a storm. He turns to Aiden. 

"Only one person alive can control dead corpses," he says grimly. 

Aiden clenches his fists. His voice is heavy with certainty. 

"Shadowbane."