Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Straight-Line Maze Escape
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The farm assassins were quickly dealt with.
The tasks were completed out of order.
The original sequence was to enter the farm pasture, take out the low-rank assassins, then go into the house to deal with the high-rank assassin, the special-rank assassin, and the guild master.
But Master Bae blew up one of the farmhouses with a heavy shell.
All the assassins rushed out at once.
The mission to eliminate the high-rank assassin was completed first.
Followed by the special-rank assassin, Crook.
He approached with stealth, but could he evade Gyeon Dal-rae's watchful eyes?
A restraint talisman was attached, rendering him immobile, and Gobang tore him apart.
Eliminating the low-rank assassins came last.
Master Bae's guided missiles, the Vampire, and Bardin were more than enough.
Raxus just rode Hyeolrang around aimlessly.
He went out searching under the pretext of treasure hunting, but it seemed he didn't find much.
And finally.
Guild Master Jericho.
"Kyaaaah! P-please... kill me. Q-quickly! I'll talk. No, I will speak."
It was the Mad Demon's Bone-Grinding Torment.
Frankly, he didn't feel the slightest bit sorry for him.
A scumbag among scumbags.
To send a son to his father to be killed?
To make the father suffer for the rest of his life because of that deed.
Utterly shameless bastard.
A scumbag among scumbags.
Guild Master Jericho started spilling everything.
Who was the mastermind?
Surprisingly, it was the Imperial Family.
The Emperor was the mastermind.
The one who held the Cruel Assassins Guild in his hand and manipulated it.
The reason the assassination guild had survived for 60 years.
It was possible because the Imperial Family had its back.
But why on earth?
The Lexington Marquisate was pro-Emperor.
They were the commanders leading the Imperial Army, a solid sword of the Imperial Family.
To bring down such a house in one fell swoop?
That dog of an Emperor bastard.
Whatever his goal was, he committed acts without hesitation that even back-alley thugs wouldn't stoop to.
So, the next mission on the 79th floor is the Emperor?
Well, just do it.
It's to resolve Kosak's grudge.
Anyway, the mastermind was uncovered.
And then.
Ding.
A ticket and high-grade magic stone reward.
This time, he didn't miss the badges.
He proceeded directly to the 79th floor.
Emperor Calios of the Baration Empire had dreamed of absolute imperial authority, unchecked from the moment of his coronation.
The obstacle to absolute imperial authority was, of course, the nobility.
To him, the pro-Emperor faction and the noble faction were all the same.
Pro-Emperor?
Do they support the Imperial Family for free?
In the end, it's about interests.
You have to give something up.
Politics is a living, breathing creature.
It is not fixed.
The pro-Emperor faction could turn into the noble faction overnight, and the noble faction could support the Imperial Family for their own interests.
That's just how nobles are.
They're all the same.
It's better to have a balance.
Two noble families of similar strength checking each other, maintaining a tense equilibrium.
That way, neither side grows too powerful.
The more they fight, the weaker both become.
Then, a variable occurred.
The Empire's strongest swordsman, Swordmaster Hartman, sided with the Lexington Marquisate.
The scales tipped.
Nobles who had been neutral flocked to the Lexington Marquisate.
The pro-Emperor faction rapidly expanded its power.
Isn't it good if the pro-Emperor faction becomes strong?
Not at all.
Quite the opposite.
A pro-Emperor noble whose power surpasses the Imperial authority... He might have to run the Empire while constantly watching their mood.
The power of the Lexington family had to be weakened.
How?
Remove the one who disrupted the balance.
Swordmaster Victor Hartman.
But he was strong.
There was no way to deal with him by force.
So, he decided to break him from within.
By kidnapping Hartman's young son.
It worked.
The Empire's greatest swordsman was broken.
The Lexington family also collapsed.
The balance of power returned to normal.
Actually, there was another reason for dealing with Hartman.
Like any knight who wields a sword, Calios also dreamed of becoming a Swordmaster.
But he couldn't break through the wall.
He couldn't even get close.
Just ordinary, mediocre skill.
The realm of a Swordmaster was far, far away.
Calios burned with jealousy.
Why could Hartman do it, but not him?
They were the same age.
He had more opportunities to become a Swordmaster.
Anyway, the plan succeeded.
Emperor Calios extended a hand to the despondent Hartman.
He recognized his succession to the marquisate and even gave him the position of Imperial Army Commander.
At the same time, continuous gaslighting.
Only with you can we check the wicked Duke Rowland's house.
The ones who kidnapped your son must be Rowland's people.
Let's build our strength together and uncover the truth.
Time passed.
Emperor Calios gradually built up his own independent power.
He secured funds, seized military authority, and built a solid foundation for imperial power.
The time had come.
The time to sweep away both the pro-Emperor and noble factions at once.
He sent the son, who had been kidnapped and raised as an assassin, to Hartman.
Hartman killed his own son.
Upon realizing it, he went mad.
He unleashed his burning vengeance on the Rowland Ducal house.
Hartman was exiled to Alto Island.
The bloody purge began.
Complete absolute power.
He eliminated all noble families that seemed remotely strong, whether they were noble faction, pro-Emperor faction, or neutral.
Swordmaster?
What can you do with just brute strength?
You lack intelligence.
You'll never know.
That he was the one who planned all this.
Calios raised a glass of celebratory wine alone in his secret room.
He was an unusually cautious man.
He had a hundred rooms like this.
He didn't sleep in the same room every night.
He always moved his residence.
All to avoid assassination.
Having run an assassins guild, he knew.
That a single moment of carelessness leads to the worst outcome.
An emperor with absolute power is naturally a public enemy.
How many would rejoice if he died?
But right then!
Kwa-kwa-kwang! Kwa-kwang!
A tremendous roar from outside.
Simultaneously.
"Enemies! Enemies have invaded!"
"Catch them!"
"Where are the guards?"
"Release the dogs!!!"
Invaders.
Daring to enter the Imperial Palace!
'Could it be assassins?'
But Calios wasn't worried.
The Emperor's secret detached palace was built like a maze.
Winding corridors, countless forks, a hundred rooms.
Even if it were a special-rank assassin, they couldn't get here, and even if they did, how could they find which of the hundred rooms he was in?
Thump! Thud-thud!
So he calmly sipped his wine.
Thump! Thud-thud! Thump-thump!
Even when he heard the sound of something collapsing.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Even as that sound grew closer and closer... Huh?
'That's too close.'
Kwoong!
A giant fist punched through the wall.
Wuddeudeudeuk!
The wall was ripped apart violently, and a large head popped through the hole.
"Found you. Emperor."
What?
Joo-hyuk entered the 79th floor.
As expected, it was the Imperial Palace of the Baration Empire.
He immediately began the conquest.
But the worst possible mission appeared.
Basic Mission: Breach the Baration Empire Imperial Palace main gate (Time Attack: 10 min)
Additional Optional Mission: Breach the Baration Empire Imperial Palace inner wall (Time Attack: 10 min)
High-Difficulty Optional Mission: Enter the Baration Empire Imperial Palace audience chamber (Time Attack: 10 min)
Extreme-Difficulty Optional Mission: Eliminate Emperor Calios in one of the 100 secret rooms of the Imperial Palace secret detached palace (Time Attack: 10 min)
"This is..."
All time attack missions.
The given time for each was a mere 10 minutes.
And the extreme-difficulty optional mission?
Eliminate Emperor Calios in one of the 100 rooms of the secret detached palace?
Also within 10 minutes?
Was this mission even meant to be cleared?
While he was pondering this.
Ding.
The timer was already ticking.
"...Let's proceed."
First, the main gate.
Zzziiiiing!
Pajujujuk!
A heavy shell fired by Master Bae struck the Baration Empire Imperial Palace main gate directly.
Kwaaaaang!
The collapsing gate.
Guards scattering in panic.
Simultaneously, Joo-hyuk and all his summons breached the gate.
As expected, the basic mission wasn't difficult.
Next.
Forfeit? No way!
"Alright, let's go!"
"Where's the inner wall?"
"Just follow the path, I guess."
"Hoe!"
"This old man will look for it."
Whoosh!
The Mad Demon rose into the air using Void Step.
"Over there!"
Rumble rumble.
The group ran forward.
Imperial Palace guards and knights blocked their path.
Kwa-kwang!
Crescent Blade Qi attacks rained down from the sky from the Mad Demon.
"Go quickly! I'll provide cover."
Spot! Spapot!
Joo-hyuk and Kosak used Shadow Step, Gyeon Dal-rae levitated, Gobang carried Bardin, Master Bae used tactical movement, Jepetto transformed into a bat, and Raxus rode Hyeolrang.
And they breached the inner wall.
This is where the real problem began.
Entering the audience chamber.
There wasn't just one or two buildings inside the inner wall.
They were similar in size, and perhaps because it was night, they all looked alike.
"Where's the audience chamber?"
"Let's split up and just barge into any building."
"Huh?"
"Woof woof!"
"It's a bit dark."
"Light!"
"Not here!"
"The other way!"
"Gasp! That's where we came from."
"Is it here?"
"No, no, go back out!"
"Let's catch one and ask."
"Hoe?"
"We don't have time! You hamster who only knows treasure!"
"T-time!"
"It's okay! If worst comes to worst, we can reset."
"Over there! That way!"
"Oh!"
"Quickly quickly!"
"Is this it?"
"I think so."
"Phew."
"Exhausting."
"I'm already sweating."
They found the audience chamber by a hair's breadth.
Entering the audience chamber.
The throne where the Emperor sat to receive his subjects.
The path leading out from behind it.
"Let's go."
Rumble rumble.
Joo-hyuk ran with his summons.
The Mad Demon was still outside.
To draw attention alone.
Perhaps because of that, not many guards were chasing them.
Anyway, they entered the detached palace entrance.
'...Damn!'
Just a brief look told him it would be tough.
Maze-like corridors.
Forks leading everywhere.
And doors visible here and there.
'Are those all rooms?'
A hundred rooms.
How to find him?
Open them one by one?
A minute had already passed just from looking around.
This would definitely be a failed conquest.
'Ha.'
Would it end without even seeing the Emperor's face?
Even if he reset and came back in, he wouldn't find him.
How to find a way... Wait!
"Princess!"
"Give your command."
"Let's go back to the audience chamber."
Rumble rumble.
They arrived back at the audience chamber.
"This is the chair Emperor Calios sat on."
Then he raised his hand and pointed at the wall.
"And that is a portrait of Emperor Calios."
"Ahh..."
"Is a tracking talisman possible?"
"I believe it can be done."
Gyeon Dal-rae took out a yellow Ghost Emperor Paper tracking talisman from her bosom.
Currently known information.
The target's name, the face from the portrait, the throne in the audience chamber where the Emperor sat.
"Knowing the exact location is difficult, but I can get a general direction."
That alone was enough.
Gyeon Dal-rae sat on the throne.
Like a queen.
Muttering, holding the tracking talisman, she chanted an incantation.
Whoosh!
The tracking talisman burst into flames.
It turned to ashes and floated upward.
"The direction has been revealed."
One problem solved.
But the maze and the limited time.
So?
"Princess, tell me the direction."
"This way..."
"Got it. Everyone, follow the warrior."
Swoosh!
Gobang enlarged.
He stepped back slightly.
Squeeak!
Kwang!
He charged forward, smashing through the obstructing wall.
"Awesome! He's a tank!"
"Hoeng!"
"It cannot compare to the Young Master, but it is truly exhilarating."
"Light!"
Squeeak!
Kwang!
Crash.
A maze?
Is there a need to follow the path?
Smash and go straight.
This is the real man's way of escaping a maze.
Squeeak!
Kwang!
Crash.
The decreasing time.
Gobang's flesh-and-battery rampage sped up.
Kwang! Kwa-kwang!
Crash.
Looking back, there was a straight line of holes.
Kwang!
Crash!
Kwang!
Crash!
"It is very close. The next one should be..."
Kwang!
A hole punched by Gobang's fist.
Simultaneously, a man visible beyond it.
His face was identical to the portrait.
"Found you. Emperor."
There was little time left, so no chance to check background information.
Roughly looking, it matched Jericho's testimony almost exactly.
"Is there a need for words? I'll finish him quickly."
Kosak approached Calios, emanating a chilling killing intent.
"You wretches!!! Do you know who I am?! I am the ruler of Baration, the father of all, the holy..."
"Shut the hell up!"
Kosak continued with a sinister smile.
"Then who do you think I am?"
"How should I know?"
"Lian Hartman."
"...What?"
"The son of the Empire's strongest swordsman, Victor Hartman. You sent me to assassinate my father."
"W-what is this?"
"Jericho spilled everything."
"......"
What is this?
Hartman's son?
Wasn't he dead?
But he really looked like him.
The spitting image of Victor Hartman in his youth.
"No time, so I'll ask. Why did you do it?"
Calios remained unshaken.
"For the Empire. To eliminate nobles who only seek their own gain and ignore the people's suffering, and establish a powerful imperial authority."
"Bullshit."
"Powerful imperial authority. Yeah, all good. That's what politicians do. Then you should have done it properly, killed him cleanly. Kidnap me, raise me as an assassin, and send me to my father to be killed? You devilish bastard. Because of you, the Demon King got unemployed."
Calios's pupils shook like aspen leaves.
"I am the Emperor. I had to protect the Empire. I couldn't kill Hartman by normal means. It was all for the greater good..."
Pfft! Kosak laughed.
"Greater good, nice. I'll kill you for a greater good too. For a greater good than this pathetic empire."
"What?"
"To prevent the destruction of the entire world."
Kosak drew his dagger.
"W-wait! If I die, the Empire will..."
"So what?"
Swish!
Thud.
Calios's head fell.
Shashashak!
A red ribbon knot was tied around it before it hit the floor.
The items were good.
He got the badges too.
Three Tower entry opportunities per day.
One still remained.
Ascending to the 80th floor.
Receive the mission.
Mission: Defeat the Lord of Monsters, Diamat (Copy).
⏰ Completion Deadline: Within 15 hours.
The goal was to conquer the 80th floor and also grasp the true nature of Diamat (Original).
And then catch the bastard hiding somewhere on Earth.
A short while later.
A world announcement rang out.
Now to go catch the original.