[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-83":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828620,2432,"Chapter 83: The Calm Before the Storm","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-83",83,"\u003Cp>The Calm Before the Storm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor smiled calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t have all day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed casually down the road that stretched deeper toward the wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distant tree line marked the outer reach of Mystery Woodland, the strange forest whose secrets had swallowed countless adventurers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still need to reach Mystery Woodland before sunset.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he gestured impatiently, flicking his wrist as if urging a group of late servants to hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can we start already?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thirteen men stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fully stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several seconds, the forest road fell into complete silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind whispered through the leaves overhead. Dust rolled lazily across the dirt path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the center of it all stood Victor—relaxed, hands loose, golden eyes calm as a quiet lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader of the assassins blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then blinked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression slowly twisted from confusion... into disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Into anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you mocking us?\" the man growled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m asking you to hurry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sharp motion he pulled a weapon from behind his cloak—a thick short sword, sturdy and practical, the kind often used by professional killers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel flashed under the afternoon light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other men followed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Metal rang softly as hidden blades, curved daggers, and narrow swords slid from beneath their loose robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within seconds Victor was completely surrounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirteen killers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every exit blocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor merely sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned casually and snapped a thin long grass from a nearby field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of wood cracking echoed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor examined the long grass briefly, testing its weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quietly suppressed his mana until it was barely detectable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a thin thread of mana flowed into the long grass —just enough to prevent it from snapping during impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One foot slightly ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long grass angled like a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the moment Victor settled into position—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins felt it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about his posture felt... wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like standing in front of a predator that had finally decided to play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader’s eye twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You think a stick is enough?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s lips curled into a vicious smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think it’s more than enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thirteen men felt as though they had just been slapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their patience snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ambush began instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first attack came not from blades—but from the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several assassins flicked their wrists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver flashes cut through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They flew toward Victor from multiple directions at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t move his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long grass in his hand blurred in green streak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every knife was knocked aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some spun harmlessly into the dirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others ricocheted into tree trunks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t even blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins were not surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their information had been clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor had defeated Albion, an advanced rank swordsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His combat strength had been estimated somewhere around Master rank, possibly nearing Saint rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those knives had never been meant to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had another purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins suddenly pulled back on their wrists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knives jerked violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin lines tightened behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of near-invisible threads snapped tight as they attempted to wrap around Victor’s arms, legs, and torso.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Binding him in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor noticed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spider silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sand spider threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An A-rank demonic beast known for webs stronger than steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Victor moved faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long grass flashed downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every thread was cut instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their minds struggled to process what they had just seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those threads were supposed to be nearly indestructible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Victor had cut them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a tree branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One assassin whispered in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That’s impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another clenched his weapon harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle had already begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Retreat was no longer an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader snarled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Attack together!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we overwhelm him—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were cut short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor suddenly tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something sliced through the air behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without turning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long grass flicked backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp metallic sound rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An arrow spun away from him, deflected mid-flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor glanced toward the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden within the shadows—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two archers shifted position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins’ final reserves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their arrows glimmered faintly with a green sheen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor chuckled quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So the cowards finally joined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More arrows flew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t move his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long grass danced through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every arrow was knocked aside with effortless precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins began to feel something unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor wasn’t using his mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from reinforcing the long grass—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything he was doing relied purely on physical skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reflex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could not touch him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is boring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader’s face twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor suddenly closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins froze again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What is he doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest breeze brushed against his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaves rustled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps shifted in the dirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heartbeats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sharpened his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sight disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everything else became clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long grass flicked sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dagger was knocked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long grass swung backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another arrow deflected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor twisted his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword strike slid harmlessly off the wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes remained closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins watched in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stood calmly in the center of their formation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deflecting every single attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the worst part?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked completely relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Journey to Become the Zenith* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With love,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scorpio_saturn777\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Journey to Become the Zenith\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--------------------\u003C\u002Fp>",1007,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","82c00bd29b9f0368cb6fe2619645e6cb30c43d94eb774ccdff9c5984a09d6200","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-84","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-82",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]