Bai Luo read carefully, but he didn't go through everything.
Out of the thick stack of documents, only a small portion was useful. Most of it was just Igor's logs—aside from some key details, like the specifics of infiltrating Sangonomiya, the rest wasn't worth his attention.
By the time Bai Luo finished studying the contents, it was already past midnight.
Earlier, he could still hear the logistics soldiers cleaning up after the bonfire party, but now, apart from the occasional footsteps of patrolling guards, there was no other sound.
"Should be about time, right?"
As an assassin, Bai Luo naturally knew the best time for things like assassinations.
Like now.
Electro energy visibly surged to life, and a faint scent of Mist Grass wafted in from outside.
"Giggle..."
A silvery laugh drifted through the window—but it wasn't sweet. Instead, it sent chills down the spine.
Accompanying the laughter was a strange buzzing sound, like the fluttering wings of some insect. Together, they created an eerie, unsettling sensation.
Mist Grass was a mysterious plant. Its pollen had unique properties—when properly prepared, it could produce subtle effects on certain monsters.
This effect was most pronounced on Electro Cicins. To them, it was like catnip to felines—dangerous yet irresistibly alluring.
When used, it was often twisted into wicks and placed in special lanterns, serving as a kind of lure.
The dim, ghostly glow of the Mist Grass Lantern attracted not just Electro Cicins... but also misfortune and death.
"Zzzzt..."
A flash of Electro energy shattered the window, and a basketball-sized Electro sphere shot toward Bai Luo at terrifying speed.
Alongside it came the Electro Cicins, intoxicated by the Mist Grass pollen.
They completely sealed off Bai Luo's escape routes, aiming to kill him outright.
"Earth Dragon Flash!"
The reverse-blade sword left its sheath, and a sword aura sliced through the incoming Electro sphere, cleaving it apart midair.
Skill: [Earth Dragon Flash]
Slash toward the target direction, dealing physical damage to hit units and reducing their accuracy by 30% for 3 seconds.
Originally, this move was meant to strike the ground, using shattered debris to disrupt enemies. But after being modified by the game, it became more focused on sword aura—though the accuracy debuff was still quite useful.
"Blink!"
The attacker clearly knew the Electro sphere wouldn't be enough to stop Bai Luo. The moment he slashed through it, she teleported into the room, her Mist Grass Lantern flickering with a faint glow.
The light cast eerie shadows across her masked face, making her appear even more terrifying.
"You came?"
Bai Luo casually gathered the documents on the table and smiled at her.
Both wore masks, but the atmosphere was oddly peculiar.
The Electro Cicin Mage didn't speak. Instead, she flexed her free hand—the one not holding the lantern.
Pale violet Electro energy crackled between her fingers, radiating danger.
Without wasting words, she raised her hand—and lightning struck down.
The Electro Cicins swirling around her also launched themselves at Bai Luo in suicidal dives.
Yet Bai Luo dodged every bolt of lightning with practiced ease, as if he knew her fighting style inside out.
Her lips pressed together, brows furrowed.
The Electro Cicin Mage's arm trembled slightly.
She knew exactly how terrifying this wanderer was.
Because he was the one who had truly wounded a god. Even if the details were exaggerated, the fact remained—he had made a deity bleed.
Someone like that... was beyond her ability to resist.
But he knew her name. For a spy, that was fatal.
If it were just her at risk, there might still be room to maneuver. But if others were exposed because of her, she would deserve death ten thousand times over.
So tonight, she had to come—even if it meant certain doom.
"Now you've really pissed me off!"
Her voice was laced with threat as she gripped the Mist Grass Lantern and teleported right next to Bai Luo, swinging it down like a weapon.
"???"
Bai Luo caught her wrist effortlessly, slightly exasperated.
Electro Cicin Mages were part of the Fatui's elite forces, but they typically fought from a distance, rarely engaging in close combat.
Even when forced into melee, they'd activate their shields first.
But this one? She was just swinging her lantern like a club.
This was a first for him.
She was really desperate.
Or... she was trying to die.
Snatching the lantern from her, Bai Luo tossed it aside.
Without its master's energy, the Mist Grass Lantern flickered weakly before its light died completely.
The Electro Cicins hovering in the air fluttered aimlessly for a few confused circles before settling onto the discarded lantern, slipping into dormancy.
Even without her lantern, the Electro Cicin Mage refused to surrender. She jerked her head up, aiming a devastating headbutt at Bai Luo.
But he blocked it effortlessly, pinning her down onto the nearby bed.
Feeling the pressure on her body, the Electro Cicin Mage gritted her teeth.
Violet Electro energy surged along the circuit-like patterns on her back, gathering at her spine.
She was going to self-destruct.
Before the lightning consumed her, countless memories flashed before her eyes.
Like her childhood friend Katarina.
Back at the House of the Hearth, Katarina and Lyudochka had always fought with her over toys.
Hah... They'd even argued over some handsome boy once.
But in the end, she wouldn't complete her mission in Inazuma, wouldn't retire with honors, wouldn't become an officer as promised.
Speaking of becoming an officer—she remembered that rookie she'd met in Chinju Forest.
Who knew what had happened to him? If nothing went wrong... he was either dead or, like her, working undercover in some faction.
With that face of his, he was born to be a spy.
If she ever saw him again, she'd tell him—his jam was sweet.
Sweeter than Sunsettias.
"Clang—"
The reverse-blade sword returned to its sheath, and a piercing metallic screech rang in the Electro Cicin Mage's ears.
The sound disrupted the gathered Electro energy, scattering it violently.
The released Electro power flooded the room, leaving a tingling numbness in the air.
Despair.
Nothing but despair.
The Electro Cicin Mage never imagined that even Lord Arlecchino couldn't stop her self-destruct ability—yet this man had dismantled it with a single strike.
"If you want to die, at least wait until we've caught up, Kseniya."
With a smile, Bai Luo removed his mask—revealing a face Kseniya knew all too well.
"Bai Luo?!"