READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 25: Chapter ²⁵ Shadow Chess and the Game No One Knows They're Playing
Chapter 25: Shadow Chess and the Game No One Knows They're Playing
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Narration Mode Activated
"Here's a fun fact: when you're the center of a mysterious conspiracy involving shadowy councils, crazy assassins, and your questionable past as a dragon god, you don't really get to relax. Welcome to another day in the life of Akira Tanaka, professional magnet for chaos."
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It's lunchtime, and I'm sitting in the cafeteria with Reina, who is lecturing me about—well, something.
I'm not really listening.
"…and that's why you can't just wing it during the quiz tomorrow, Akira!" she says, stabbing her chopsticks into her bento box for emphasis.
"Sure, sure," I mumble, staring at my rice like it holds the answers to life's mysteries.
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Blobby pops out of my bag, its voice a cheerful buzz in my ear.
"Boss, guess what! I found something super interesting about the shadow council!"
I blink, snapping out of my daze. "Wait, you know about them?"
Reina frowns. "Who's them?"
"Nobody!" I say quickly, shoving Blobby back into the bag.
"Suspicious," Reina mutters, narrowing her eyes.
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After lunch, Kira corners me in the hallway.
"Meet me on the rooftop after school," she says, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Can't wait," I reply dryly.
Reina, who is standing nearby, crosses her arms. "Why do you always meet on the rooftop? Is that, like, your secret base or something?"
"It's just quiet," I say, waving her off.
Reina doesn't look convinced, but she doesn't press further.
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Narration Mode Activated
"Reina might be my best friend, but she has a sixth sense for trouble. I'm starting to think she's onto me. Not that I blame her—between Kira's constant stalking and Blobby's loudmouth tendencies, my life isn't exactly subtle."
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On the rooftop, Kira wastes no time.
"The shadow council is moving," she says, leaning against the railing.
"Moving where?" I ask, genuinely curious.
"Not literally," she says with an exasperated sigh. "They're planning something. And it involves you."
"Shocker," I mutter.
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Kira narrows her eyes. "This isn't a joke, Akira. Do you understand what's at stake?"
"Vaguely," I admit. "But honestly, I'm still stuck on the whole 'reincarnated dragon' thing. That's a lot to process."
Her gaze softens for a moment. "You don't remember anything, do you?"
"Nope. Just flashes here and there. And even those make no sense."
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She looks like she wants to say more but stops herself.
Instead, she pulls out a map—a detailed drawing of the city with several points circled in red.
"These are potential targets," she says, laying it out in front of me.
"For what?" I ask.
She hesitates. "For…awakening your power."
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Narration Mode Activated
"Oh, great. So not only do I have to worry about assassins and secret councils, but now random places in the city might explode just because of me. Love that for me."
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Blobby, who has been eerily quiet, suddenly chimes in.
"Boss, I think this is where I come in!"
Kira gives it a wary look. "What do you mean?"
Blobby puffs up proudly. "I can sniff out magic! If there's a trap or something weird going on, I'll find it!"
Kira raises an eyebrow. "Can it really do that?"
"Define 'really,'" I say, not entirely convinced myself.
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Despite her skepticism, Kira decides to test Blobby's abilities.
We head to one of the marked locations—a small, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city.
The place reeks of dust and decay, and the air is unnaturally heavy.
Blobby flutters ahead, its tiny form glowing faintly.
"This place is definitely cursed!" it announces.
"Cursed how?" Kira asks.
Blobby spins in circles. "Like…super cursed! Bad vibes everywhere!"
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Kira groans, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This is ridiculous."
"Welcome to my life," I mutter.
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Before we can leave, the ground beneath us starts to tremble.
The air crackles with energy, and a deep, guttural growl echoes through the warehouse.
"Oh, come on!" I shout. "Can't we have one normal day?"
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The shadows around us coalesce into a massive, wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes.
"An Abyss Beast," Kira says, drawing her blade. "Stay back, Akira!"
"No argument here!" I reply, scrambling for cover.
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Blobby, however, has other ideas.
"Boss, this is your chance to shine!" it shouts, bouncing toward the beast.
"Blobby, no!" I yell, but it's already too late.
The blob launches itself at the creature, splatting against its face like an overly enthusiastic pancake.
The beast snarls, shaking its head furiously.
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Kira takes advantage of the distraction, charging forward and slicing through the creature's leg with precision.
"Now, Akira!" she shouts. "Use your wind magic!"
"Right, right!" I stammer, focusing as hard as I can.
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A gust of wind blasts from my hands, slamming into the beast and sending it crashing into a pile of rubble.
For a moment, everything is still.
Then the beast dissolves into black mist, leaving behind an eerie silence.
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Kira sheathes her blade, turning to me.
"Not bad," she says grudgingly.
"Thanks," I say, trying not to collapse from exhaustion.
Blobby flutters back to me, looking very pleased with itself.
"See, Boss? We make a great team!"
"Yeah, sure," I mutter.
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As we leave the warehouse, I can't shake the feeling that this is just the beginning.
Kira seems to sense it too.
"They're testing you," she says quietly.
"Testing me for what?"
"For the real fight," she replies, her expression grim.
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Meanwhile…
In the shadow council's lair, the members are gathered around a new glowing orb.
"It has begun," the leader says, their voice cold.
"And the Abyss Beast?" another asks.
"Just a pawn," the leader replies. "The king's awakening will come soon enough."
The camera pans out, revealing a map identical to Kira's—except this one has far more locations marked.
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End of Chapter 25