After the "Ultimate Executor" mark fully appeared on Ye Xue's shoulder, the relationship between Rin and Ye Xue subtly shifted. Though Ye Xue had not fully recovered her memories, her subconscious reliance and trust became increasingly evident. She began unconsciously gravitating towards Rin more frequently, as if he were her only safe haven. Rin, meanwhile, poured all his energy into how to protect Ye Xue and how to confront the powerful and mysterious organization. He knew the mark's appearance meant the organization's attention would reach its peak, and danger was imminent.
As expected, a few days later, a sudden ambush struck them during a routine training mission.
It was a simulated wilderness survival exercise, with Rin and Ye Xue assigned to a remote mountain forest area. As they navigated through the dense woods, Rin's senses blared an alarm. He felt an icy killing intent, like a shadow, closing in from all directions—a killing intent purer and more lethal than ever before.
"Ambush!" Rin abruptly stopped, pulling Ye Xue behind him, simultaneously drawing his short dagger and scanning their surroundings vigilantly.
"Hmph, good reflexes," a cold voice came from above.
In an instant, dozens of figures darted out like phantoms from tree canopies, bushes, and even underground, completely surrounding Rin and Ye Xue. These assailants wore black jumpsuits and identical crescent-shaped masks. Their movements were precise and efficient, every strike aiming for vital points.
"They're the organization's elites!" Rin's pupils sharply constricted. These individuals' strength far surpassed that of ordinary academy instructors, even several times stronger than the "prey" in the Blood Pact Assessment!
A fierce skirmish immediately ensued. Rin and Ye Xue fought back-to-back, maximizing their respective strengths. Rin's dagger was as cunningly lethal as a viper, each strike drawing blood; Ye Xue's arrows weaved through the forest, precisely blocking enemy movements and providing perfect cover for Rin.
However, the sheer number of opponents, coupled with their seamless coordination, made them a well-oiled killing machine. Rin and Ye Xue gradually found themselves on the defensive, new wounds constantly appearing on their bodies.
"Thwack!"
A flash of blade light, and an assailant breached Rin's defense, lunging directly at Ye Xue behind him!
"Ye Xue!" Rin's pupils narrowed. He had no time to turn and block, only to watch helplessly as the fatal blow was about to strike Ye Xue's body.
In this critical moment, a cold roar suddenly erupted in Rin's mind!
"Unforgivable!"
An extreme fury and indignation instantly ignited the suppressed potential deep within him. His eyes instantly became hollow and profound, and a suffocating, icy aura emanated from his body. The air, as if frozen in time, solidified.
"Hum—!"
An invisible ripple, centered on Rin, suddenly spread outwards!
The surrounding assailants, all figures rushing towards Rin and Ye Xue, abruptly halted within a five-meter radius! Their expressions were frozen on their faces, swords suspended mid-air, and even splashing raindrops solidified in the air.
Time, as if completely frozen by Rin!
「Absolute Kill Domain: Second Form」!
This was the signature skill of "Blade of Demise" from his past life! A heaven-defying ability to freeze all enemy movements within five meters for a short period! In the past, he had only vaguely sensed its existence in his memories, but now, to protect Ye Xue, this power had fully awakened!
Rin didn't hesitate. His body moved like lightning, his short dagger blurring into black afterimages, precisely and fatally piercing the bodies of the frozen assailants around him. He knew this state couldn't be maintained for long; every second was precious!
Blood gushed, and the frozen assailants, upon unfreezing, slumped powerlessly to the ground.
As the last assailant fell, Rin's body trembled violently. The power receded like a tide, and a sense of exhaustion washed over him, his legs barely able to stand. He gasped for air, large beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead, his eyes clear with the realization of surviving a great danger, and a hint of shock.
He had done it. He had protected Ye Xue with his past life's Absolute Kill Domain.
Ye Xue, behind him, also looked with shock at the fallen assailants around them. She had felt that suffocating chill, but she had not been affected. She looked at Rin's somewhat pale face, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes.
Meanwhile, in a monitoring room far away at the academy headquarters.
"Adjudicator-sama! High-energy response detected! Target Subject 47's bio-signature briefly reached the critical threshold of the 'Blade of Demise: Signature Skill'!" a technician reported with a trembling voice.
The Central Adjudicator's gaze snapped to the screen, which showed Rin's battle in the mountain forest and the brief yet powerful energy fluctuation curve around him. On his face, finally, appeared a hint of feverish excitement he had never shown before.
"Confirmed without a doubt," the Adjudicator's voice deepened and grew hoarse, carrying an undeniable command. "'Blade of Demise' has awakened."
He abruptly turned to face the holographic projection screen behind him. The screen displayed a massive global map, woven with countless red lines, and numerous flashing red markers.
"Immediately initiate the Hunt Protocol!" The Adjudicator's voice was like a death sentence. "Targets: Capture 'Blade of Demise' alive, capture 'Cold Moon' alive. Prioritize capture; if they resist, lethal force is authorized!"
"Yes! Adjudicator-sama!" The technicians responded in unison, and the atmosphere in the monitoring room instantly became tense and oppressive.
The Hunt Protocol—this was the organization's highest-level operational directive, meaning they would spare no expense and utilize all their forces to apprehend the targets.
In the mountain forest, Rin supported Ye Xue, vigilantly looking around. He knew that while his awakening had saved them, it had also completely exposed him. The mysterious organization had now locked onto him as their true target.
"They're coming," Rin whispered to Ye Xue. A cold gleam flickered in his eyes, no longer the confusion of a cadet, but the resolve of the "Blade of Demise."
Ye Xue said nothing, merely clutching the snow owl wooden carving tightly. She could feel the powerful and familiar aura emanating from Rin, and also the immense danger that came with it. Her subconscious was guiding her towards an even more perilous, yet truth-revealing, situation.
A true hunt, centered around the fated "Blade of Demise" and "Cold Moon," had officially begun.