Rebirth of the thief who roamed around the world (BOOK 1)

Chapter 131 - Encounter

"Forget it then, I guess. Let's see how it plays out."

Nie Yan was still whittling away at the Zombie King's health, which by now had already fallen to twenty percent. Even though everything seemed to progress smoothly, he felt a slight tingling sensation in the back of his mind, warning him of danger. At his present level, his Awareness had already reached a terrifyingly high degree. So, if anything were to occur within his vicinity, he would be able sense it fairly quickly. Immediately, he pulled out another Web Scroll and activated it, causing a giant spider web to emerge out of thin air and fall over the Zombie King, leaving it temporarily immobilized.

Earlier, Night Shadow had arrived in the area and was observing the scene from a distance with an expression of indescribable shock. He, Tangerine, and Hidden Blade were regarded as prominent figures in Victorious Return. Even if they weren't in the top ten, they were at least among the twenty best players in the guild. However, as elites belonging to the prestigious Victorious Return, they were repeatedly hesitating over facing off against an Elite monster. Yet this Thief before his eyes had single-handedly taken out more than eighty percent of an Elite monster's health, and it looked like he was going to kill it soon and without even breaking so much as a sweat! This really was too unfathomable...

After inspecting him, Night Shadow discovered this player was called Nirvana Flame!

It's him!

Night Shadow recalled a certain incident. About a week ago, when their guild was sieging the Fishmen Village, one of their Elementalists, Violet Flame, had been killed by a Thief named Nirvana Flame. Not only that, but he had also managed to easily escape despite being completely surrounded by their members. Afterwards, this event became a huge topic of discussion among their guild members. Even if he wished to forget such a ferocious figure, he still wouldn't be able to!

He never imagined that he would encounter this person here!

As members of Victorious Return, they would always act unbridled without the slightest restraint. If anyone were to even slightly inconvenience them, the entire guild would have them pay back a hundredfold, to say nothing of a player who had safely escaped after killing one of their members and left them with no face!

Night Shadow faintly smiled. If he killed Nie Yan, aside from snatching all the experience and items from the Zombie King for his party, he would also be able to collect on the bounty from his guild! Just what kind of player wouldn't take advantage of such an opportunity!

Besides, the Zombie King was fully aggroed onto Nie Yan!

「Hurry over, I've found a big fish!」Night Shadow excitedly sent out a message to Tangerine and Hidden Blade in the party chat.

"Night Shadow found something. Let's meet up with him," Hidden Blade said after looking at the chat. After exchanging glances, they both rushed over.

It would be too much of a waste if he were to allow Nie Yan to finish off the Zombie King. So, while Hidden Blade and Tangerine had yet to arrive, Night Shadow entered stealth and gradually approached Nie Yan from the rear. Even as he closed in, his target's back remained completely exposed. Seeing this lack of response from his target, he reaffirmed the quality of his own stealthing ability.

Never did he expect, in the instant he was about to attack, Nie Yan would suddenly turn around.

Eye of Truth!

Nie Yan's eyes became bloodshot as they turned a deep scarlet red and blossomed with a frightening radiance. With Eye of Truth's assistance, he spotted a faint silhouette from the corner of his eye. As it gradually approached, the corner of his mouth curved into a disdainful sneer. You want to sneak attack me? It's not going to be that easy! He spun around and chucked a pouch of Flash Powder directly at the Thief's face.「Poof!」The glittering powder released a dazzling light and completely enshrouded the surrounding area in a bright radiance.

As Night Shadow approached, he suddenly found his target facing him with bloodshot eyes and shining with a unnerving light. It was as if this light could reveal everything, leaving him bare-naked and exposed. He was inwardly alarmed. C-could he have noticed me...?

He then saw a strange pouch appear in Nie Yan's hand, and before he was even able to react, a brilliant radiance blinded him as if a thousand needles were stabbing into his eyes.

S-shit-shit-shit, not good! Night Shadow felt an intense and imminent sense of danger. He quickly pulled back by activating Swift Retreat. However, since the terrain here was rocky and uneven and he had been completely blinded, he lost his footing after tripping over a rock.

Nonetheless, he was a top expert within his guild for a reason. He quickly realized that his sudden loss of vision was caused by the opponent's item. He regained balance of his body mid fall, and with his right hand as a support, he did a backflip and landed firmly on his feet. Though, in the same instant, he found himself directly staring at the cold edge of a blade.

His opponent's movements were as fast as lightning!

So fast!

As if he had fallen into a pit of despair, Night Shadow gave up all hope of surviving. When faced with such a sharp and decisive attack, it was impossible for him to dodge. Only now did he understand why Nie Yan was able to kill Violet Flame and escape their encirclement unharmed.