World of Rules

... 

Far from the city, where towering trees blocked the moonlight, three figures in black cloaks gathered.

They stood in silence, none of them uttering a word. It was as if their mere presence was enough for communication, as if each could read the thoughts of the others. After a moment, they moved quietly through the forest, their steps making no sound against the damp leaves. Their journey was short—after a brief distance, a grand structure appeared before them.

It was a mansion—not large, yet far from ordinary. Its dark walls seemed to absorb the starlight, surrounded by stone fences guarded by men standing motionless, as if they were part of the scenery. These were not mere guards… among them were Base Masters of the First Rank, First Class. Their presence alone was enough to cause unease.

The three figures halted, their eyes scanning the area intently. There was nothing suspicious—no signs of an ambush, no indication of an unexpected threat. Yet one thing was clear: these guards were not just here to protect the mansion—they were guarding something inside.

They did not move closer. This was not the time for recklessness. Each one of them dispersed in a different direction, vanishing into the forest as if they had never been there.

Hours passed. The sun set, and the heavy shadows of the night took over.

At midnight, they regrouped at the same spot.

“The mansion doesn’t seem suspicious,” said the Master of the Xiu Family in a calm voice. “But the guards aren’t just here for protection. There’s something inside.”

The Master of the Mu Family smirked. “The Moon Pearl, without a doubt.”

They all knew this was no ordinary mansion; it concealed something valuable—something worth the risk. But despite that, they had a plan and were supposed to wait for the right time.

However, the Master of the Lian Family was impatient.

“Why wait?” he said, his voice low but brimming with excitement. “We’re already here, and the treasure is right in front of us. Why not act tonight?”

The other two did not respond immediately. A break-in now was risky. They had planned everything carefully to avoid mistakes. But…

Sometimes, greed overpowers wisdom.

In the end, none of them could resist the temptation.

“Alright,” said the Master of the Xiu Family after a brief pause. “We’ll do it tonight.”

And so, without realizing it, they were about to take a step from which there might be no return.

---

After a short discussion, their decision was final. There was no turning back—the plan was set into motion.

The Master of the Xiu Family was the best suited for this mission. It wasn’t a random choice; his Base was of the Darkness Element, making him the perfect candidate for silent infiltration.

Without hesitation, he separated from the others and rushed toward the mansion.

The shadows cloaked him like a part of himself. He crept between the trees, neared the stone walls, and then vanished into the darkness. No sound, not even a whisper of wind, betrayed his movements. The guards remained at their posts, unaware of his presence.

With practiced skill, he scaled the walls and slipped inside. The interior of the mansion was dimly lit, with only a few torches flickering along the walls. The air was slightly cold, carrying the scent of aged wood.

A long corridor stretched before him. Numerous guards patrolled it, their eyes scanning their surroundings, hands gripping their weapons. Yet, none of them noticed the Master of the Xiu Family.

He moved without a sound, like a phantom. Even when a guard stood mere inches away, he did not hesitate—he simply passed by, blending into the shadows.

He advanced until he reached a grand room.

Silently, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was luxurious, yet nothing within it hinted at hidden treasures. Ornate chairs adorned with gold, an intricate carpet, ancient paintings hanging on the walls.

But nothing more.

He began his search. Moving carefully, he inspected the walls, touched the floor for irregularities, overturned tables in search of hidden mechanisms. But… nothing.

He frowned. This made no sense. The place was heavily guarded, the men outside watching as if their lives depended on it. This was no ordinary mansion—there had to be something.

He did not give up.

Leaving the room, he silently moved toward the bedroom.

It was just as luxurious as the previous room. A grand bed, long curtains, a finely carved wooden wardrobe. But this was more than just a bedroom—it concealed a secret.

He resumed his search.

Checking the tables, opening drawers, lifting the carpet for anything unusual.

Then, after a moment, his eyes landed on the bed.

He moved closer, examining the floor beneath it, and noticed faint scratches on the wood—as if something had been dragged repeatedly.

Acting swiftly yet cautiously, he gripped the edges of the bed. With slow, measured force, he pushed it aside without making a sound.

Beneath the bed… was a basement entrance.

He stared at it for a moment, then a slow smile crept onto his lips.

This was what he was looking for.

Without hesitation, he opened the hatch and descended, leaving the bedroom behind as he stepped into the unknown.