This was different from his earlier suspicions.
This time, Qin Ran was absolutely certain he had been discovered.
Not just because of the whistling arrow, but because he had distinctly sensed malice!
And...
It came from inside the room he occupied.
Qin Ran stood alert and immediately activated [Tracking].
Anyone who passed through a place left traces.
No matter how skilled they were at concealing their movements.
But when Qin Ran saw the beings radiating that malice, he froze.
Souls!
The souls of the two Steppe People he had just killed!
They glared at him with hatred, their eyes threatening to devour him!
"No, that's not right!"
"They aren't souls!"
Qin Ran frowned at the two souls.
His expert-level [Mysterious Knowledge] was enough to let him distinguish the outward forms of souls.
The souls before him looked very much like souls, but they certainly weren't. Nor were they evil spirits. They were something between the two.
That, however, did nothing to stop Qin Ran from attacking.
Whoosh!
His leg swept out like a battle-axe, obliterating the two peculiar souls lunging at him.
[Extraordinary Legs], the Transcendent option of [Hand-to-Hand Combat], gave Qin Ran exceptional offensive power even against soul-type creatures.
Clink!
A Soul Crystal fell from their remains.
Qin Ran picked it up, slipped it into his pocket, and ran toward the door.
Footsteps and battle cries were already reaching his ears.
Bam!
Qin Ran raised his foot and kicked the door.
The sturdy solid-wood door tore free of the wall, frame and all, and slammed into several unsuspecting Steppe People standing outside.
With the sound of snapping bones and tearing sinews, the Steppe People tumbled down into the riding square of Thunder Fortress.
Their drawn-out screams cut off the instant they struck the ground.
A fall from a cliff