[{"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-86":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},1828623,2432,"Chapter 86: Shadows Moving in Different Directions","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-86",86,"\u003Cp>Shadows Moving in Different Directions\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor moved swiftly along the dirt road leading east, the wind brushing softly through his black hair as the distant trees thickened ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance to Mystery Woodland waited somewhere beyond that horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the bodies began to blur in his mind. He moved on without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far heavier thoughts filled his head these days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight narrowing of Victor’s gold-flecked eyes came with each step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane stood first, then Clara stepped close, Videl right behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear never touched his face, even when word came of killers on their trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just that his way of showing it looked different. Still, the feeling was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his grasp of their power shaped everything. Still, knowing what they could do changed how he moved ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane isn’t weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden image rose - her steady gaze, the quiet way she moved. Stillness lived in how she carried herself, each gesture measured. He saw it again without trying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane stayed silent most days, calm like still water. His face gave nothing away, never a flicker of what he felt inside. Stillness wrapped around him, heavy but steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beneath that calm exterior existed someone terrifyingly capable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor knew it better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had trained under him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listened to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Followed his methods without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins that targeted her were supposedly the weaker group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she also had Clara with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor allowed himself a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those poor fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara might appear refined and composed most of the time, but beneath that polite academy-girl attitude was someone who understood battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone who knew how to read danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone who could react quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane and Clara together were more than enough to deal with ordinary assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor wasn’t worried about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Videl...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Lane, Videl would most likely face the stronger group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the assassin leader had admitted their boss was going after her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An advanced-rank swordsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An intermediate-level mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor rubbed the back of his neck as he walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Videl couldn’t handle that level of opponent...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her dream of becoming the strongest hero would remain nothing more than a childish fantasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor respected her ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ambition without strength meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You need to prove it yourself, Videl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength isn’t given.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s earned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The road ahead darkened slightly as the tall trees of Mystery Woodland began to appear more clearly in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s thoughts shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To something heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Saulon Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albion’s family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s expression grew colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that Albion had already hired assassins meant one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Saulon Family was not an honorable noble household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor had lived through too many lifetimes to misunderstand this type of behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A proud noble child gets humiliated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He runs crying to his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family retaliates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not through honorable duels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But through shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dirty tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Predictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was one problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stopped walking briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared toward the distant forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know how strong they really are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the information he had gathered earlier, noble houses ranked Earl and above usually had powerful protectors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warriors equivalent to S-rank adventurers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they didn’t just rely on individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Private armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s current strength wasn’t weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t as strong as he had been in his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body was still young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mana channels were still maturing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Diana, the spirit of the scythe, supporting him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor could probably defeat an S-rank adventurer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But anything beyond that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t confident yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor clenched his fist lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to get stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one reliable method available right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dungeon Cores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beating heart of newly born dungeons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something he personally referred to as the heart of a young dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those cores contained dense condensed mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absorbing them would accelerate his growth dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s eyes glinted faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I need Mystery Woodland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind rustled through the forest ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper he went—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more dangerous things would become.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danger is exactly what I need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile — Fantom City\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet back alley stretched between two rows of stone buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was narrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only thin rays of sunlight filtered down from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several bodies already lay scattered across the rooftops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane lowered her bow slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another assassin fell from the rooftop with a dull thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the last one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her arrow had pierced straight through his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped quietly onto the alley floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara stepped forward, her blonde hair swaying as she glanced at the corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That was the last one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane didn’t answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her dark eyes scanned the rooftops carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making sure no one else remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when she was certain did she relax her stance slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn’t leave even one alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane turned toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He aimed killing intent at me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara crossed her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I noticed that part.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she gestured at the corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But we could’ve questioned at least one of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane shook her head lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice remained quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Victor told me something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane lowered her bow slightly as she answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn’t matter if it looks like a child...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or a pregnant woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or even an old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then finished calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as someone directs killing intent toward you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...kill them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara stared at her for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That really does sound like something Victor would say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane simply looked back toward the rooftops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind brushed softly against her long black hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara studied her quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You weren’t even surprised they attacked you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane shook her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Victor expected it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He did?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He said someone might try something soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara groaned softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course he did...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers pressed into the sides of her head. A slow circle moved just above her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That idiot really walks around like he’s inviting trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane gave no reply at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her silence on his actions spoke just as loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her voice came through low,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He always wins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara looked at her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no doubt in Lane’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just calm certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara shook her head and smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You trust him a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane’s eyes softened faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she glanced toward the road leading out of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...He’ll be fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara followed her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the city walls—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor was already approaching the dark boundary of Mystery Woodland.\u003C\u002Fp>",1121,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","4405d146366a5689e0fea188876097f44ea3cb2cc8beddf07a1bc83ecd895b15","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-87","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-85",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]