[{"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-84":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},1828621,2432,"Chapter 84: The Difference Between Predator and Prey","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-84",84,"\u003Cp>The Difference Between Predator and Prey\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several seconds, the clash of steel and the whistle of arrows filled the quiet road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stood at the center of it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade of long grass between his fingers moved with effortless precision, cutting the air in short arcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dagger spun away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An arrow bounced harmlessly into the dirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A curved sword slid off the flexible grass as though it had struck iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thirteen assassins continued their relentless assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few seconds of attacking Victor, the men finally began to notice what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor had closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t moved from the very spot where he had been standing since the beginning of the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t even attacked them yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only time he had acted offensively was when he cut the spider-silk threads attached to their knives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from that single moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything he had done was simply deflect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deflect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deflect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deflect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization crept into their minds like a cold blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the assassins swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...He’s not even fighting us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader clenched his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another assassin whispered hoarsely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...He’s playing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man... this monster standing calmly in the middle of their formation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t see them as enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t even opponents worth taking seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he had been so nonchalant when they revealed their intent to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he had picked up a blade of grass instead of a weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization spread through them like poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader made the decision instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Retreat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The order was sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thirteen men scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their formation collapsed as they turned and ran in different directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t matter if they failed their mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t matter if they had to face punishment later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they escaped—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could come back another day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a better plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A better trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A better chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment they started fleeing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s voice rang out behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried mild curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where do you think you guys are going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those words reached their ears—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crushing pressure suddenly descended on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as though the air itself had turned heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A suffocating killing intent flooded the forest road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several assassins stumbled as their legs locked in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their hearts pounded violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat slid down their necks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only at this moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did they understand how much Victor had been holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This killing intent alone felt like standing before a raging storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their souls trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their instincts screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their bodies refused to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two screams tore through the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaahhh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins turned in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two hidden archers who had been perched atop the trees...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were still there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their bodies had been turned into charred silhouettes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burnt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two human shapes reduced to smoking charcoal on the branches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor lowered his hand slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint glow of dissipating mana faded around his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A casual one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small sphere of fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t want to use magic for this whole bout...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried a faint trace of disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you guys started running.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at the remaining eleven men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I had no choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he raised two fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now I’m giving you two options.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor spoke casually, as though discussing dinner choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Choice number one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You run.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I kill you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered one finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Choice number two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You stay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And fight me until the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decide now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do you want to die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Victor finished quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shamefully...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...or with honor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eleven men looked at one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their breathing was heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes darted from face to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No words were spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the decision was made instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each man chose a different direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They scattered into the trees like frightened animals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor watched them for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shamefully it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden gust of wind rushed past the fleeing assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could react—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right in front of one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How—?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade of grass flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin green line cut through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s voice followed calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You guys weren’t even good enough to be my training dummies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin never finished his scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heads fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bodies collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest road became quiet again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain began to fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Falling fast, red drops hit the dusty path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor wiped the grass blade against the sleeve of his coat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One person still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knees gave way beneath him, sudden. The ground met his fall without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking took hold of him, head to toe. A sudden quake ran through his frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond his sight -\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps crunched through the dirt where faces once looked up at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step by step, Victor moved closer. He did not hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet grin sat easy across his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frozen air scraped her throat. Every gasp came short, sharp, wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not quite a person was the one walking toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt like death itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A couple of paces out, Victor came to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Down a little he went, until his gaze met hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightness filled his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shiver ran through the leader’s mouth. The edge of their lip twitched. Quiet tension showed near their face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who ordered you to kill me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small turn of the head changed everything. The angle shifted just a bit, almost unnoticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to personally express my gratitude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s smile sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For sending me some training dummies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft breath escaped him then. He let it out like a whisper almost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I do have a complaint.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor leaned closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those training dummies...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...weren’t even good enough to give me a warm-up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1050,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","2b904f2e7bbf702639d3621298c05e38d68d59c95949f87a6235f6c21a1f2802","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-85","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-83",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]