Chapter 40: The Assault (Part II)

Shadow Mu Yang pulled the triggers, and bullets once again sped forth. This time, the Blade Master, bereft of his golden shield, could only retreat.

In this world, the Blade Master ranked among the most formidable of all the Paradise travelers. He had originally intended to delve into deeper realms, but Paradise suddenly assigned him an assassination mission—the target was Mu Yang. At first, the Blade Master considered refusing, but upon closer inspection, the rewards were substantial, and likewise, the penalties were severe—essentially a slow death. So, he came.

Shadow Mu Yang unleashed two blasts at the Blade Master, and while the latter evaded, Mu Yang seized the moment and leaped into the Mirror Space. Yet the Blade Master refused to play by the rules; he slashed twice at Mu Yang, cleaving through part of the bullets. That opening allowed him to surge forward.

Mu Yang saw only a flash of the blade before his head soared from his shoulders.

“Unlucky,” he cursed inwardly.

His body swiftly regenerated. At the same time, he summoned the Bribe for recovery; the Bribe flew into his hand, and he fired at the Blade Master. Though his hand went numb, he managed to force back the Blade Master’s fierce assault, gaining precious seconds to recover.

Then, his first soul ring flared—Equivalent Exchange.

The Blade Master was marked immediately, but he produced a strange artifact that nullified the effect. Mu Yang tried marking him again, but it was impossible.

In the instant of marking, the Blade Master slashed several times at Mu Yang. Instinctively, under the chaotic assault, Mu Yang raised his pure white gloves to block.

Blades and white gloves struck, sending sparks flying. Years spent wielding other weapons had made Mu Yang forget that his gloves possessed a tenacity skill. The stronger the toxin, the greater the gloves’ resilience. Mu Yang’s own toxins empowered the gloves, enabling him to withstand the Blade Master’s attack.

Seeing Mu Yang parry with his bare hands, the Blade Master was genuinely surprised.

But surprise aside, the assassination mission continued. He pressed in, planted a bomb, and self-destructed.

At the moment of explosion, the golden shield reappeared, absorbing the devastating blast for the Blade Master. Mu Yang was caught in the blast, his flesh torn asunder, toxins scattering everywhere. The Blade Master was splattered with Mu Yang’s blood.

The toxins embedded in the blood instantly activated on the Blade Master, triggering a cascade of alerts.

“You have been afflicted by Blood Mist Toxin (High)...”

“Duration: 700 seconds…”

“Life reduced by 732 points per second…”

The Blade Master produced an antidote. Though it couldn’t dispel the poison, it eased the symptoms, reducing his burden.

Mu Yang’s body, pulverized by the explosion, rapidly regenerated.

“You’re tough. I’m out of here,” Mu Yang said, feeling ever more uneasy, yet still cursing as he turned away.

He dove straight into Mirror Space. Inside, Sadako was wounded; unlike Mu Yang, she lacked regenerative ability. Had she not fled quickly, she would have perished outside.

“Are you alright? Don’t die on me,” Mu Yang said to her.

“I’m not dead yet, but my soul has been injured…” Sadako replied, her face pale.

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