The Nightglow Firs cast soft halos through the gloom, draping the Fluorescent Forest like gauze and lighting Yano's path ahead.
Unlike the other young stonefolk, he made no effort to conceal himself. Instead, he strolled through the clearings between the trees at an unhurried pace, as though taking a nighttime walk, as if deliberately drawing out any hidden observers.
Nili sat on a high branch, propping her cheek up with one hand as she said curiously, "Didn't expect this kid to be so sensitive. He knows someone's following him."
As if to confirm her words, two young stonefolk with eager expressions appeared in a dark corner untouched by the fluorescent light.
"Ancestor, we request a duel with Yano." Their gazes passed over Yano and fell upon the shadows beneath the tree.
Yano also stopped, turned around, and fixed his eyes on the darkness.
The previously motionless shadow twisted and stretched slightly, condensing into a blurry humanoid silhouette. The figure gave a small nod, signaling its agreement.
Nili shifted into a more comfortable reclining position, looking as if she were enjoying a show.
"These little ones are smart. They know to first test the strength of their competition."
She tilted her head toward Chen Yu on her shoulder. "Who do you think will win?"
Chen Yu calmly shifted his position. "One move..."
Before he could finish, the taller stonefolk assassin took several steps back, allowing the other assassin to make the first move.
[Stealth]
The young man took a deep breath and lowered his center of gravity slightly. His figure rapidly blurred as he darted through the lightless shadows beneath the trees, arriving behind Yano in the blink of an eye.
[Ambush]
With a faint whistle as it cut through the air, the dagger probed toward Yano's