Chapter 27: Crimson Frenzy

In a cramped room where a fight could break out at any moment, a man suddenly ripped his shirt open.

Shadow-Wraith’s movements were undoubtedly grotesque, causing Fu Qian to frown. Even more grotesque was the body exposed by the torn fabric. Dark red, spiderweb-like blood vessels covered his entire upper body, carved deeply into every inch of his flesh. With each breath he took, these blood vessels writhed slightly, as if they might spring to life and sprout wings at any second.

"Crimson Mania!" Tan Mingxue, standing behind them, exclaimed.

"As expected of Team Leader Tan, identifying it at a single glance." Shadow-Wraith wore a smug expression, flashing a provocative smile at Fu Qian. "This should be enough to help you calm down, shouldn't it, oh mysterious master from beyond?"

"It isn't." Fu Qian flexed his wrists ruthlessly. "If you have nothing else to say, consider that your last words."

"Wait!" This time, both Shadow-Wraith and Tan Mingxue shouted in unison. Seeing that Fu Qian was truly prepared to kill, their reactions were astonishingly synchronized.

The smile on Shadow-Wraith’s face stiffened. "Are you crazy? You’d rather take us all down with you just to kill me?"

"Are you trying to get us all killed?" Tan Mingxue was filled with both shock and rage. "If you kill him and the Crimson Mania spreads, we’re all dead!"

"Is this thing really that dangerous?" Fu Qian frowned.

"You don't even recognize Crimson Mania?" Tan Mingxue’s mouth hung open as she stared at Fu Qian in disbelief.

"I don't. I thought he was stripping to show me his scars, trying to tell me he was fighting while injured and possessed an indomitable spirit despite his physical disability."

"Indomitable spirit my foot!" Both Tan Mingxue and Shadow-Wraith nearly coughed up blood.

"Crimson Mania can be considered a type of poison, but also a curse," Tan Mingxue said, quickly composing herself. "Once infected, the blood throughout the body will gradually heat up until it boils. As the flesh rots, the blood vessels migrate to the surface of the skin, forming these blood-colored webs. It is said that if the host is strong enough, these vessels can detach entirely after death to become independent entities, even possessing the characteristics of true life."

"This thing is highly contagious. If you kill him here, it will instantly saturate the entire space, and none of us will be able to escape."

"However, it’s not entirely without benefits. After infection, one's speed, strength, and overall combat capability see a massive surge; it acts as a stimulant to a certain degree." Taking a deep breath, Tan Mingxue looked at Shadow-Wraith. "As expected of the notorious Shadow of Annihilation, to think you could actually get your hands on this!"

"This stuff is extremely expensive. It cost me a great deal of effort, and I hadn't planned on using it here." Finding a kindred spirit in Tan Mingxue, Shadow-Wraith regained some confidence and huffed. "Unfortunately, an unexpected variable appeared, and I had no choice but to use it as an insurance policy."

"Did you never consider the consequences of doing this?" Tan Mingxue gritted her teeth.

"Rest assured, since I dared to use it, I naturally have foolproof measures in place. Once I send her off, I will have plenty of time to resolve this trouble." Shadow-Wraith gestured toward Wen Li, though his eyes remained fixed on Fu Qian.

"Shadow of Annihilation... sounds like a group?" Fu Qian ignored him and looked at Tan Mingxue.

"Correct, a well-known assassin duo—no, a trio of supernatural beings. They are responsible for many bloody cases and have been on the Night Watchers' wanted list for a long time."

"Let me guess: there’s a stone man who can enlarge his whole body, and a professional who specializes in hypnosis and poison?"

"Exactly. The three of them always act together, with Shadow-Wraith as the absolute core."

"I see, that ties everything together." Fu Qian nodded in satisfaction. *You three brothers owe me far too much SAN value.*

"Although I don't know where you popped out from... you are undoubtedly strong. I don't consider myself your match, even with the Crimson Mania," Shadow-Wraith said, looking at Fu Qian. "But now, the initiative is back in my hands."

"I should even thank you for bringing her here, allowing the Crimson Mania to reach its maximum potential."

"Now you only have two choices: step aside and let me kill Wen Li, or kill me and die together with us, and Wen Li will still die."

"I think even a child could solve this multiple-choice question."

"Of course, we could also stay in this stalemate. In at most an hour, the Crimson Mania in my body will erupt, and the result will be the same."

"Did you hear that?" After Shadow-Wraith finished his long speech, Fu Qian turned to Wen Li and asked, "You're going to die. How does it feel?"

...

Wen Li shuddered again, barely managing to stand by leaning against the wall. She certainly felt terrible. Too many things had happened today. Since a moment ago, a series of changes had occurred with lightning speed, and her emotions had been on a roller coaster. First poisoned, then saved, then held hostage by her savior, and then told she only had one day to live. Fortunately, the Night Watchers came to her rescue, but her captor was too powerful. Just as she found hope in reinforcements, she discovered another Night Watcher was an assassin in disguise. Now, she was firmly locked in a hopeless situation. For a moment, she felt utterly devastated and exhausted.

"What does it feel like to wait for death? Tell me."

"Fear. Perhaps a trace of relief," Wen Li said, inhaling sharply, her voice trembling. "You can mock this weakness, but I am not a powerhouse like you who is used to life and death. Please forgive me for not being able to take it calmly."

"Very good. You are honest enough." Fu Qian did not mock her as expected; instead, he offered a compliment. "Next, watch closely."

The next moment, Fu Qian’s figure vanished from where he stood.

*You...*

A intense sense of crisis washed over him. Shadow-Wraith didn't even have time to dodge before his neck was seized by a hand like an iron vice, slamming him into the wall behind him with a loud *thud*.

"Fu Qian, don't be impulsive." This scene made Tan Mingxue’s face turn ashen, and she instinctively took a few steps back. "Qi Xue will bring people here soon."

"Stop deceiving yourself."

"You can't hear a thing outside from in here. Are you certain that after this 'Qi Xue' arrives, they will still be looking for the Night Watchers?"

...

"Now, do you want to hear my take?" Fu Qian gripped Shadow-Wraith’s neck, slowly lifting him into the air with a smile. "Using mutual destruction as a bargaining chip to complete a mission—it looks very courageous. Unfortunately, your 'fearlessness' is built on the assumption that you believe you will never truly die."

"That is a completely different matter from being truly fearless in the face of death."

"Look at you now. Even caught in my hands, you subconsciously dare not resist for fear that the thing in your body will explode. Has this helped you understand your own essence?"

Fu Qian tightened his grip. The blood-colored veins on Shadow-Wraith’s body twitched rhythmically, as if they might burst at any moment.

"We... we can talk..." Using his last ounce of strength, Shadow-Wraith barely spat out the words. "...Mutual destruction... is unnecessary..."

"You still don't get it."

"It is very necessary—extremely necessary." Fu Qian shook his head while looking at Wen Li. "Do you understand now?"

"I..." The fear of dying at any second surged in Wen Li's heart. Yet, seeing the once arrogant Shadow-Wraith being held like a dog, she felt a strange sense of comfort. As she felt her emotions shift violently, in the next moment, Wen Li fell into a state of strange peace.

"I... I think I understand."