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Chapter 95: A New Challenger
Chapter 95: A New Challenger
Seraphis moved through the dimly lit halls of the Assassin’s Guild, her boots making soft, deliberate clicks against the wooden floor. Her steps were filled with purpose as she approached the staircase leading to the Guild Master’s office on the second floor.
After her little "performance" the night before, things had been surprisingly quiet. No one dared whisper doubts about her authority, and she could feel the tension in the air. People were watching her differently now—with wariness, maybe even a hint of respect.
As she reached the second-floor hallway, she cracked her knuckles and smirked.
“Alright, old man,” she muttered to herself, lifting her foot, “time to break another—”
But before she could kick the door open—
It was already slightly ajar.
She blinked, lowering her foot.
“Tch.” She clicked her tongue. “Damn that old frog… he actually left it open.”
With an amused shake of her head, she pushed the door the rest of the way open and stepped inside.
An Unexpected Guest
The moment she entered the office, Seraphis immediately noticed something different.
The Guild Master, Hale, was sitting at his desk as usual, sipping tea—but he wasn’t alone.
Across from him, lounging on the black leather couch, was a woman Seraphis had never seen before.
But she knew exactly who she was.
Long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back like silk. Her piercing golden eyes shimmered with amusement as she glanced up at Seraphis. She wore a sleek, dark outfit—practical yet elegant, with an array of hidden weapons strapped to her slender frame.
And on the left side of her collar, embroidered in deep crimson, was the unmistakable insignia of an SSS-rank assassin.
Seraphis’ gaze narrowed slightly.
The woman was legendary—a ghost in the underworld, a shadow that few had seen and lived to tell the tale.
Her name was Theia Rivenblade.
And she was one of the strongest assassins in the world.
A Curious Encounter
Theia gave a small, knowing smile.
“Oh, hello there.”
Seraphis arched a brow. “Hello there.”
Hale, watching the exchange, let out a quiet chuckle but said nothing.
Theia leaned back into the couch, crossing one leg over the other. “So,” she said, tilting her head, “what are you up to?”
Seraphis crossed her arms. “Business.” She glanced at Hale. “Why is she here?”
Hale smirked. “She’s visiting.”
Theia chuckled. “More like checking up on things.” Her golden eyes glinted with curiosity. “And I was told about you.”
Seraphis’s expression didn’t change, but her fingers tensed slightly. “Oh?”
Theia smirked. “You caused quite the stir, didn’t you? I heard you’re rising through the ranks at an unnatural speed.”
Seraphis remained silent, waiting.
Theia leaned forward slightly, her smile widening. “So,” she said, “want to spar?”
A Test of Strength
Seraphis blinked, caught off guard for the briefest moment.
“Spar?” she repeated.
Theia nodded. “Yes. Spar with me.”
Seraphis narrowed her eyes. “And why exactly do you want to spar with me?”
Theia gave a light chuckle. “You’re pretty young for an assassin. And yet, you’re already an A-rank—almost at S-rank. What are you? Fifteen? Almost sixteen?”
Seraphis’s expression didn’t change. “What of it?”
Theia’s golden eyes gleamed. “I just want to see if the rumors are true.”
Hale sighed and took another sip of tea. “Don’t kill each other,” he muttered.
Seraphis exhaled, cracking her neck. A fight against an SSS-rank assassin? She wasn’t foolish enough to think she could win.
But…
She’d be damned if she backed down from a challenge.
She smirked. “Fine.”
Theia’s smile widened. “Good. Let’s go.”
The Battle Begins
The training hall beneath the Assassin’s Guild was vast, lined with wooden floors and reinforced walls to withstand even the most intense battles.
Theia stood across from Seraphis, a gleam of excitement in her golden eyes.
Hale sat on a raised platform nearby, watching.
“No killing,” he reminded them.
Theia smirked. “Of course.”
Seraphis rolled her shoulders, her fingers twitching as her metal playing cards hovered at her side.
Theia’s fingers brushed against the dagger at her hip.
Then—
BOOM!
The moment the fight started, Theia vanished.
Seraphis’s eyes widened as a blur of movement appeared behind her. She twisted just in time, her cards whipping up like a barrier—
CLANG!
A dagger clashed against them, sending sparks flying.
Theia was fast. Ridiculously fast.
Seraphis barely had time to react before Theia vanished again, appearing at her side.
SWOOSH!
A blade whistled toward her neck.
Seraphis barely ducked in time, her heart hammering.
She’s playing with me.
The thought sent a surge of adrenaline through Seraphis’s veins.
Fine. If Theia wanted a fight—
She’d get one.
Pushing the Limits
Seraphis’s metal cards shot forward, forming a spinning cyclone around her.
Theia dodged with ease, her body moving like a shadow, phasing in and out of existence as if she wasn’t bound by normal human limitations.
Seraphis gritted her teeth. She’s testing me. Seeing how I react.
Fine.
She lashed out, her cards splitting apart, twisting in the air like a storm of blades.
Theia smirked, weaving through the attacks with absurd precision.
“Not bad,” she mused. “But you’ll have to do better than that.”
Seraphis grinned. “Oh, don’t worry. I will.”
She flicked her wrist—
And her cards suddenly shifted form.
They merged together, transforming into a giant, gleaming scythe.
Theia’s eyes flashed with intrigue. “Interesting.”
Seraphis lunged.
The scythe sliced through the air, aimed straight at Theia’s midsection.
Theia sidestepped at the last second—but Seraphis was ready.
Her other cards snapped forward—
One grazed Theia’s cheek, drawing a thin line of crimson.
For the first time, Theia looked genuinely surprised.
Seraphis grinned.
The End of the Match
Theia suddenly vanished—and before Seraphis could react—
BAM!
A foot slammed into her stomach, sending her skidding back across the floor.
She barely managed to stay on her feet.
Theia let out a low chuckle. “You’re better than I expected.”
Seraphis smirked. “And you’re just as fast as the rumors say.”
Hale clapped his hands once. “That’s enough.”
Seraphis exhaled, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
Theia gave her a genuine smile.
“I think,” she said, “I’d like to see how far you’ll go.”
And somehow—
Seraphis had a feeling this wasn’t the last time they would cross blades.