CHAPTER 96: THROUGH THE SHADOW

Shaan’s heartbeat pounded faster with every step he took up the stairs. Tension was written all over his face, and he kept glancing over his shoulder, making sure no guards had noticed him.

’’Damn it! Damn it!’ Shaan grumbled in annoyance. ’I never expected things to turn out like this. I must get out of here right now, before-

’Boom!’

A loud explosion sounded from below them, instantly making the entire room tremble. Shaan quickly grabbed hold of the handrail of the stairs beside him, making sure that he wouldn’t fall.

[What the hell was that? What’s going on down there?!]

"I-I don’t know at all, but we need to get out of here before anyone-" He froze mid-sentence. The sound of footsteps echoed up the stairwell, growing louder and drawing closer. "Oh, crap. It...it must be an officer. We’ll have to find a hiding place around here soon."

[Shaan, over there!] Robin Hood pointed his index finger to the side. [We need to get inside that tunnel right away. Hurry up.]

The two of them soon quickened their pace down the tunnel and hoped to find a safe hiding place. But luck wasn’t on their side; the tunnel led to a dead end, and panic ensued.

"Robin Hood, we have to turn back and find another hiding spot before—"

’Clack-Clack-Clack’

[Damn, we won’t have time. Those guards are already not far from our position. Robin Hood shook his head. [We have to hide right now or the guards will find us.]

"But, where? Where can we find...." Shaan paused for a moment, looking at a wooden box not far from his position. "Robin Hood, look at that. We can hide in there."

[Yes, yes, that’s a good idea.] Robin Hood nodded his head. [Hurry up, before the guards find us]

Without wasting another second, they rushed to the crate. Shaan flung open the lid and jumped inside. But Robin Hood didn’t follow. Instead, he closed the lid tightly from the outside.

"Robin Hood, what are you doing?" Shaan whispered, panic rising in his voice. "The guards are getting closer and you have to—"

[Hey, hey, relax. I’m an astral being, remember? I can disappear anytime I want,] Robin Hood said with a calm smile. [Just stay in there and don’t move. Call me when this is over.]

"Oh, right... I forgot." Shaan smacked his forehead. "How stupid of me."

In an instant, Robin Hood’s body glowed with a golden-yellow light. Slowly, his form dissolved into tiny golden particles until he vanished completely. Just seconds later, the sound of footsteps grew louder—closing in on Shaan’s position.

’Alright... those sound like the guards,’

Shaan whispered to himself, peeking through the small gaps in the crate. ’I just need to stay calm and not do anything stupid.’

"I don’t find the intruder’s whereabouts at all." The green-haired guard was seen walking towards the box. " Have you found anything?"

"Negative." The red-haired guard immediately shook his head. "I haven’t found anything at all. We should look elsewhere. The intruder’s whereabouts must still be around here."

"I agree," said the green-haired guard, walking away from Shaan’s hiding place.

’Oh my, that’s good. At least that guard-’

"Achoo!"

"What was that sound?" The green-haired guard suddenly froze. "I heard something just now."

’Oh, crap.’ Shaan immediately covered his mouth. ’Why do I sneeze now?’

"Yeah, I hear it too." The red-haired officer turned his gaze toward the box. "The sound is coming from there, and we need to check it out right away."

’Oh no... they’re— they’re coming.’

Shaan’s entire body froze. Both of his eyeballs dilated and did not blink at all when he realized that the two guards were walking towards him. This was bad. It appeared that his hideout was about to be exposed, and he had no way out.

’Damn it... If this keeps up, the only thing I can do is strike back.’

Gripping his dual short swords tightly, he saw that the two guards had already been in front of the box. They were preparing to lift the lid of the box, and Shaan was ready with his dual short swords.

’Just a little closer... Just a little more...’

He began channeling his mana, coating the blades of his short swords in a glowing layer of energy, fully prepared to take down both guards in a single, swift move. But just as one of them reached for the lid, the sound of footsteps echoed from behind.

"You two! What are you doing here?" another guard shouted. "The other guards are having trouble dealing with the threat below and need help as soon as possible. Quickly!"

"We got it." The two guards closed the box again, running after the other guard.

’Holy crap... that was way too close.’ Shaan exhaled deeply, loosening his grip on the swords. ’Now’s my chance to get out of here, before they come back and find me.’

Shaan slowly lifted the lid of the box slightly, then cast his eyes around. He carefully climbed out of the box and walked straight up the remaining steps.

’Now I just have to keep climbing these steps and hope I can find a way out of here.’

As Shaan made his way up the stairs, his steps stopped for a moment. Two doors in front of him were close together. Damn. He didn’t expect there to be two doors up here at all, one of which would lead him out of here. But which one? Which door should he choose?

"Robin Hood, where are you?" Shaan tried to call Robin Hood repeatedly, but there was no reply. ’Dammit... I guess I can’t reach him anymore. I’ll have to choose on my own, before another guard sees me.’

"That door... I’m sure that door will get me out of here."

Confidently, Shaan opened the door on his left and was shocked when he saw a guard staring at him. Shaan’s body froze for a moment. Oh, man. It seemed luck wasn’t on his side at all.

"Whoops... hehehe." Shaan forced an awkward smile and slowly began to close the door."I think I made a mist—"

"Intruder!"

Before Shaan could close the door, the guard jumped on him and knocked him to the ground. Shaan tried to grab his dual sword shorts, but the guard kept pressing on his body, making it difficult for him to move.

’Argh, damn it! I have to get out of here!’

Shaan exerted all his strength and hit the guard hard on the head. The guard started to lose his balance, and he quickly pushed the guard’s body away from him.

’Good, now’s my chance to-’

"Stop! And don’t move!"