I Reincarnated As A Shadow Assassin Now I'm Overpowered

Chapter 6: The Shadow That Watches

The city was silent.

Not the usual, restless kind of silence filled with distant voices and the shuffle of night workers. This was different. A hollow, unnatural silence—like the city itself was holding its breath.

I stood over Xyren's lifeless body, his words still echoing in my mind.

"Take it… you'll need it soon…"

My fingers tightened around the silver coin he had given me. Cold. Smooth. Too perfect.

[Contract Complete.]

[You have leveled up.]

[New Ability Unlocked: Shadow Chains.]

The system's notifications still lingered at the edges of my mind, but something felt… wrong.

I expected relief, satisfaction, or even a sense of accomplishment. But there was nothing.

Just a deep, creeping awareness—as if something unseen had shifted.

Selene's Warning

Selene stood nearby, arms crossed, her violet eyes studying me with that same infuriating amusement.

"You look troubled," she mused. "First time dealing with the aftershock of a contract?"

I remained silent.

She sighed, stepping closer. "Killing is easy. It's what comes after that gets complicated."

I held up the silver coin. "What is this?"

The moment she saw it, her expression changed. The amusement faded, replaced by something colder.

"Where did you get that?"

"Xyren gave it to me before he died."

Selene clicked her tongue. "Damn fool… Even at the end, he couldn't resist stirring the pot."

"What does it mean?"

She hesitated, then exhaled. "That's a Blood Coin. It's a token from the Veil Syndicate—a group even the Midnight Veil fears. Having one means you're either owed a favor…"

Her eyes flickered to me. "…or you're marked."

The coin suddenly felt heavier in my palm.

"So Xyren gave me a curse?" I asked flatly.

Selene smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe he was giving you a way out."

I frowned. "Out of what?"

She gave me a long, unreadable look. Then, instead of answering, she stepped back. "Keep it. You'll understand soon enough."

I studied her. "You knew this would happen, didn't you?"

She chuckled. "I had my suspicions. You handled yourself well, though. You're still alive, which means you might actually be worth something."

A breeze stirred through the alleyway, the city's silence stretching unnaturally long.

Then—a single, distant chime of a bell.

Selene's amusement faded. Her eyes darkened.

"Looks like we're out of time."

I tensed. "What do you mean?"

She motioned toward the rooftops. "You feel it too, don't you?"

I did.

The unnatural silence. The way the city's lights seemed just a little dimmer.

We weren't alone.

Something was watching.

The Predator in the Dark

I melted into Shadowmeld, vanishing into the darkness. Selene simply stood there, unconcerned.

Then, a whisper.

Not a voice. Not a sound.

A presence.

A shape moved atop the rooftops, faster than any human should.

I barely had time to react before a dagger embedded itself in the ground where I had just stood.

Selene dodged effortlessly, spinning away as three figures emerged from the shadows.

They weren't mercenaries or thugs.

They were assassins.

And they were here for me.

Hunted in the Night

The lead assassin stood at the edge of the rooftop, his midnight-black cloak billowing. His face was hidden behind a smooth, featureless white mask, but the way he carried himself screamed control and precision.

"You killed one of ours," he said, voice like steel. "Now we collect the debt."

Two others flanked him, their daggers already drawn. Unlike Xyren's wild energy, these three were cold, professional.

Assassins who had done this before.

A direct fight would be suicide.

Selene took a casual step back. "Looks like you have some admirers."

I didn't respond. I was already moving.

The moment the lead assassin twitched, I vanished into the shadows.

But he expected it.

He threw something into the air—

CRACK.

A light bomb detonated, scattering the darkness. My Shadowmeld shattered, forcing me back into view.

They knew how to counter me.

"Go." The lead assassin's order was swift, direct.

The two flanking assassins lunged.

A Fight for Survival

The first struck fast, his dagger a blur of silver. I barely twisted aside, his blade slicing past my ribs.

I retaliated—Shadow Strike activated, my dagger aiming for his throat.

But the second assassin intercepted mid-motion, blocking my strike with almost inhuman speed.

They were coordinated. Too coordinated.

I shifted into Phantom Step, gliding backward just as the first assassin swiped at my legs.

Selene, meanwhile, watched with her arms crossed, offering zero help.

"Not bad," she mused. "But you're not winning this like that."

I ignored her. Adapt. Think.

Their movements were tight, practiced. They weren't just using their eyes—they were tracking my presence, my movements.

So I needed to change the game.

I activated Shadow Chains.

For a split second, I felt it—the weight of the ability, the raw force behind it. The shadows around me twisted, forming dark tendrils that lunged toward the assassins.

One caught the first attacker's wrist—twisting violently.

SNAP.

His dagger clattered to the ground.

The second assassin reacted instantly, cutting through the tendrils before they could reach him. But it was too late.

I moved—fast.

I drove my dagger deep into the first assassin's heart.

The second one hesitated. A fraction of a second.

Long enough.

I vanished—then reappeared behind him.

My blade met his spine.

Two down.

I turned, ready for the third—

But he was already gone.

A Promise of Death

A breeze rustled the rooftops. The lead assassin's mask gleamed in the dim light.

For a moment, he simply studied me.

Then, he chuckled.

"Not bad," he murmured. "I see why they're interested in you."

I tensed. "Who?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his cloak—and tossed something toward me.

I caught it.

Another silver coin.

"Consider this an invitation," he said. "Try not to die before you understand what it means."

Then he vanished into the night.

The Shadow's Warning

Selene let out a low whistle. "Well. That was fun."

I turned to her. "Who the hell were they?"

She smirked. "Welcome to the real game, Shadowborn."

I glanced down at the second silver coin in my hand.

Whatever game this was… I had just been pulled in.

And there was no way out.

END OF CHAPTER 6