As Loyd walked down the street, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being followed. He turned around and saw nothing, but the sensation persisted.

He picked up his pace, trying to ignore the unease that crept up his spine. Loyd was used to danger, but this was different. He felt like he was being watched by something... or someone.

Finally, he arrived at his apartment and locked the door behind him. Loyd leaned against the wall and took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

As he walked to his bedroom, Loyd noticed that one of his subordinates, a shadow warrior he had absorbed a few days ago, was missing. He frowned, wondering where the warrior could have gone.

Loyd shrugged and decided to deal with it later. He was tired from the previous day's dungeon crawl, and he needed rest.

But as he was about to drift off to sleep, Loyd heard a faint noise coming from the living room. He opened his eyes and listened intently, trying to determine what it was.

It sounded like footsteps. Loyd got up, grabbed his sword, and headed to the living room, where he found the missing shadow warrior, crouched in a corner.

"What are you doing here?" Loyd demanded.

The warrior hesitated before answering, "Master, I sensed danger. I came to protect you."

Loyd was surprised by the warrior's words. He had never thought of his subordinates as protective. But he appreciated the sentiment and decided to keep the warrior by his side.

"Alright," he said, "Let's go for a walk. I need some fresh air."

Loyd and the warrior left the apartment, keeping an eye out for any potential danger. But as they walked, Loyd realized that he felt calmer than before. Maybe it was the presence of the shadow warrior, but he felt like he could take on anything.

They walked for a while, chatting about Loyd's experiences in the dungeon and the warrior's previous life before he was absorbed. Loyd found himself enjoying the conversation and the company.

As they were about to return home, Loyd noticed a familiar face in the crowd. It was the boy he had saved the previous day. The child was with his mother, and they both looked relieved to see Loyd.

"Thank you again for saving my son," the mother said, tears in her eyes.

Loyd nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him. He might be a lone adventurer, but he was still making a difference in people's lives.

As they parted ways, Loyd turned to the shadow warrior and said, "Let's go home."

The warrior nodded, and they headed back to the apartment. Loyd was looking forward to a good night's sleep, but he couldn't help feeling excited about the adventures that lay ahead.

As I walked through the busy streets, I could sense someone following me. Instinctively, I turned around and saw a figure lurking in the shadows. It was an assassin, and from the looks of his stance and the glint in his eyes, he was ready to take me down.

Without warning, he lunged at me, wielding a sharp blade. I reacted quickly, dodging his initial strike and countering with a swift kick to his midsection. But the assassin was skilled, and he recovered faster than I expected. He spun around and slashed at me with his blade, grazing my shoulder.

I gritted my teeth and fought back with a series of punches, each blow landing with a satisfying thud on his body. But the assassin was relentless, and he kept coming at me with renewed vigor. His speed and agility were impressive, and I had to stay on my toes to avoid his attacks.

As we continued to exchange blows, I noticed something strange happening. Shadows were starting to gather around the assassin, as if they were being pulled towards him. I realized that it was my power at work - the ability to absorb the shadows of fallen foes and turn them into my subordinates.

With a focused effort, I unleashed my power, and the shadows around the assassin swirled and coalesced into a group of shadow soldiers. They obeyed my every command, and I directed them to attack the assassin.

The shadow soldiers swarmed the assassin, overwhelming him with their numbers. He tried to fight back, but it was no use. In a matter of seconds, the shadow soldiers had taken him down, and he lay motionless on the ground.

I stood there for a moment, catching my breath and checking my wounds. I was battered and bruised, but I had come out on top. As I walked away from the scene, I couldn't help but wonder - who had sent the assassin after me, and why? It was a question that would need to be answered sooner rather than later.

With blood dripping down his face, Loyd staggered towards his father's house, his steps faltering. He knew he needed medical attention as soon as possible. He stumbled and nearly fell a few times before finally reaching the door. He pounded on it with his fist, calling out for his father.

The door opened, and Loyd's father gasped at the sight of his son's injuries. "What happened?" he asked, ushering Loyd inside and laying him down on the couch.

Loyd winced as his father examined his wounds. "I was attacked by a B-class assassin," he said, gritting his teeth against the pain.

His father's face hardened with anger. "Those damn assassins," he muttered. "I'll call for a medic right away. You'll be alright, son. Just rest here for now."

Loyd nodded, feeling his strength slowly ebb away. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, trying to ignore the pain that wracked his body. He knew that he had been lucky to survive the attack, but he couldn't help but wonder what would happen the next time he crossed paths with an assassin.

Loyd pondered why his immense durability passive didn't seem to work during the fight. He tried to recall what could have gone wrong. Maybe the assassin was simply too strong for him? Loyd knew he was powerful, but he also knew there were always stronger opponents out there.

But as he thought more about it, something else caught his attention. He remembered feeling a strange energy emanating from the assassin, and he couldn't quite place what it was. It felt familiar, yet different from anything he had encountered before.

Loyd decided to investigate further. He went back to the spot where the fight had taken place, and he started to search for any clues that could help him understand what had happened. After a few minutes, he found a small piece of paper on the ground.

It was a calling card, with a symbol he had never seen before. Loyd realized that the assassin was not just any ordinary thug, but a member of a powerful organization. He knew he had to be careful from now on, as this could be just the beginning of a much bigger conflict.

With this new knowledge in mind, Loyd made a mental note to stay vigilant and continue to train and improve his abilities. He had a feeling that he was going to need them soon.

Hashira

Nah bro that took wayyy tooo long ngl 1228 words
https://discord.gg/GawacFNHMv