Chapter 5496

“Intruder!” Scarface bellowed, his shout cracking through the alley like shattered glass.

He whipped a black chain from beneath his cloak and snapped it toward Flaxseed’s hiding place with the violence of a man strangling a serpent.

The links bristled with backward barbs, each joint bleeding a greasy, ink-black mist. This chain was made to drink spirit itself, a punishment far crueler than death.

Flaxseed knew better than to stand his ground. He pivoted and ran, loose robes flapping behind him.

The white-robed swordsman was faster. Golden arcs peeled from his blade and streaked after Flaxseed like falling meteors, driving the trickster into a desperate zigzag retreat.

Each sidestep shaved moments from his life. Sword light slashed new seams across his coat, smoke curling from the fresh cuts.

“Take him alive-do not let that rat slip away!” Scarface barked as he charged.