[Sixth Sense – Passive. Rank: B]

My body reacted before my mind could fully process what was happening. I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the shadowy creature’s attack, as its claws slashed through the air at the very place I had been standing. Stay calm, Jun, stay calm, I repeated to myself.

I couldn’t move the katana as I had in the video games I had played before, it suddenly felt heavier than earlier. “The Shade is too fast,” I murmured, hearing the subtle movements it was making, and I knew the next attack was coming in a few seconds.

The Shade screeched, letting out an excruciating noise however, it felt like another attack. Just then, various white rings could be seen through my eyes. The rings moved as the Shades moved. What the hell was happening?

As I was in thought, the Shade attacked me with its claws again, but I kept rolling and ducking away. I needed to find its weakness to help me defeat it. But the more I focused, the more I realized that these white rings were telling me something about the Shade. Then it hit: the critical analysis skill could help me point out the weaknesses was this it?

In mere seconds, I could now pinpoint the Shade’s weaknesses. The Shade relied on its speed and aggression, but I knew that it was sensitive to sound, and I had now figured out its attack patterns. It didn’t have a mind of its own; Shade kept screeching or clawing in the air. This would’ve been a difficult fight if it had a mind of its own.

Just then, the appendages, like tendrils, lashed out at me, but I sidestepped, letting them smash the ground. The impact created a small shockwave, but I remained focused. I had to remember this wasn’t like the games I used to play and that there were going to be no respawns. It was good to hurt like hell if it touched me.

“I can’t keep dodging after all.” I had to think of a way to attack its weakness now that I knew. My senses were picking up everything, which made it easy for me to strategize even if I was a novice. I smirked, realizing I could win this.

The Shade attacked me again, but this time, I tightened my grip on the katana, hearing the faintest of its moments. I swung the katana at a wide arc. The blade cut through the misty form of the Shade, and though it didn’t damage it physically. The small scratch that I had made immediately healed up like it was nothing.

I was thrown to the ground, but I didn’t give up and rose to my feet, spinning around with the katana in my hand, slashing the Shade again. This time, black shadowy mist oozed out of the Shade, but again, it instantly healed up. Its regenerative abilities were indeed something to look out for.

As the Shade was healing, the form flickered, like it was turning invisible gradually. Feeling ominous, I reached out to the Shade, but before I could, it disappeared.

Staying calm, I immediately closed my eyes, focusing and sensing the area around me. With my eyes closed, I slashed diagonally where my instinct told me to. Just then, the Shade attacked, screeching and sending shadow blasts toward me.

Surprised, I tried moving away from the trajectory, but the blasts grazed me a bit on my arm. My arm started dripping blood, showing no signs of stopping. Just one blast was this strong, if I got hit with any of them full force, I would be fatally injured.

As I recovered, the white rings appeared again, showing me the vital spot for the Shade. This Shade’s core was at the back… I had to break the core, or else it would keep regenerating.

Grasping my katana again, I swung it with all my might, sending a single decisive strike. I grunted, meeting resistance with the Shade as I tried cutting into it. The black substance continued flowing, but I didn’t stop. I twisted the katana and forced it in even deeper, making sure I cut through the back and broke the core.

The Shade let out a distorted scream as it staggered, and the shadow struggled to retain its form. The wound started healing again, but not on my watch. “I have to finish it”.

The Shade tried going invisible again, but I anticipated the Shade’s next move and slashed where I thought it would appear. My katana eventually connected again, and I had to make the final strike.

I tightened my grip and sent a series of slashes, breaking down the Shade. The white rings appeared, and I slashed where it showed me. The Shade began to disintegrate, not having a chance to heal. Then, I sliced through the core, which was revealed on its back, an opaque stone.

The Shade let out its final scream before it vanished, dissolving into the air. I breathed heavily, standing there with black colored blood on my clothes. I had won. “So, this is what it takes to defeat one single Shade…” I muttered, chuckling.

The sun had risen, and I had turned blind again. This was a true dilemma, but I didn’t dwell on it since there was no real solution for this. I was grateful for the [Night Vision] skill gifted to me. In deep thought, I realized how peculiar it was for me to have been given two S-ranked skills right from the start when I hadn’t even entered the Tower yet. It was an anomaly…

I was in deep thought after I had come back from fighting the first Shade ever. Even though I defeated the Shade, there were a lot of inconsistencies in my fighting style. I needed to make sure I had corrected these wrongs, and for that, I needed to train with these shades continuously. I couldn’t afford any weaknesses, not with what lay ahead. I took out the opaque stone from beneath the pillow, rolling it between my fingers. I felt it in my hands, it wasn’t smooth but felt like a rustic stone. I’m sure this stone was valuable, but I’ll have to see how I’m going to use it in the future.  

 I flinched as a sharp pain flared up in my arm, it looked like it wasn’t going away any time soon. The shadow blast that grazed me had left a scar near my elbow. “Pain is temporary,” I said, Ignoring the pain. I smirked, knowing that my plan was underway to reach the Tower. It was just a matter of time.

Hearing the footsteps with my hearing, I instantly put the stone back in its place. Just then, my maid barged inside the room, sounding worried. “Jun-sama, the Pavilion Master, has made an announcement.”

“What kind of announcement?” I asked calmly.

“It would be best if you came to see for yourself,” the maid replied. I could sense how worried she was as she wasn’t able to look at me in my eyes.

I nodded, and the maid dressed me swiftly. “Let’s see what this is about,” I sighed and proceeded to walk towards the main hall guided by the maid. “It’s right down this hallway.”

I followed the instructions given and arrived at a hall full of buzz and chattering. All courtesans seemed to have been gathered within this hallway, but why?

“This way,” the maid said, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward a specific area. “This is what I wanted to show you, Jun-sama”.

The courtesans nearby snickered, watching the scene unfold, and my face had the same stiff smile. The murmurs weren’t quite enough, and I masked my irritation. Did this bitch do it on purpose, but it can’t be? She was extremely loyal from the memories I had seen.

“Jun-sama, I must’ve forgotten during this mess and panicked. I apologize”, the maid said, dropping to the floor, her voice trembling.

“It’s no problem. Then could you explain to me what you were trying to show me?” I asked benevolently.

The maid nodded. “Of course, Jun-sama”. She pointed at the wall behind her and spoke, explaining, “The Pavilion Master has officially started to rank the courtesans within the Pavilion. The higher you are on the list, the more money you will earn”.

The maid sighed deeply at this predicament this wasn’t looking good for the low and middle-ranking courtesans.

“Where am I placed on the list?” I asked.

“It’s the 5^th place”, the maid replied.

I was internally shocked at how high I was up on the list. I thought I’d be in the middle since the only patrons I have are Shiro and Ryuji, and there’s also that I’m blind. Just how high up is the Kurokawa clan? That reminds me...I have to go meet him soon.

I nodded at the maid. “Then please guide me back”.

Moments flew by, and I was in the room with the maid. “What were the other names of the courtesans above me?” I asked. It was now time to get some information on the competition.

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