Morning sunlight filtered through the massive canopy, falling in dappled patterns across Elbaf's vast land.
The air still carried the lingering warmth of last night's bonfires, and from time to time, the deep conversations of the Giants could be heard in the distance.
Jin An had just finished the meeting and was walking alone along a quiet path, contemplating the coming battle.
His fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt at his waist, his gaze deep like an undercurrent lurking beneath a calm sea.
Yet amid this rare tranquility, the air before him suddenly rippled unnaturally, as though some unknown force were tearing through space.
Jin An's pupils shrank sharply, his muscles tensing in an instant as his battle instincts reacted almost immediately—
With a tap of his toes, he abruptly leaped to the side.
"Boom—!"
Almost at the exact moment he dodged, a violent explosion erupted where he had been standing. Flames shot into the sky as a deafening shockwave, accompanied by flying rubble, swept outward in every direction.
A fierce wind rose, kicking up clouds of dust, and the hem of Jin An's clothes snapped wildly in the gale.
As he landed, one knee bent slightly and one palm pressed to the ground, he swiftly adjusted his center of gravity, his eagle-sharp eyes sweeping over the heart of the smoke.
This had been a precise and lethal attack—
If he had hesitated even slightly, he would likely have been swallowed by the blast.
Yet not only did Jin An show no panic, a cold smile instead appeared on his face.
He slowly straightened, pushing lightly with his thumb. The blade slid an inch from its sheath, faintly reflecting the morning light.
"Hiding in the shadows... Looks like some restless rat."
His voice was low and faintly mocking as he stepped