Chapter 487: Rumors Are Rife Among Assassins
Chapter 487: Rumors Are Rife Among Assassins
Geom Mu-geuk chose a table right in the center of the inn.
As they sat down together, Myeong Sin couldn't help but think that Geom Mu-geuk was placing a staggering amount of trust in him.
He’s letting his guard down.
Usually, in a suspicious situation, one’s instinct is to sit with their back against a wall. However, Geom Mu-geuk had taken a seat that was completely exposed from all sides.
Myeong Sin scanned the interior of the inn, his gaze flickering toward several corner seats.
In the end, it was a wise choice.
He had prepared various traps within the walls, anticipating that Geom Mu-geuk would want his back covered. By sitting in the dead center of the room, the Young Cult Leader had rendered several of those lethal devices useless.
Is it just a coincidence?
There was no way he could have known those traps were there. He couldn't have sat here intentionally.
Geom Mu-geuk looked toward the innkeeper and called out in a booming voice.
"Bring us your finest liquor and your best dishes!"
"Just a moment, please!"
The innkeeper hurried into the kitchen with a cheerful, lighthearted stride.
"The atmosphere here is quite pleasant," Geom Mu-geuk remarked.
Myeong Sin simply nodded. A part of him still didn't want to bring the Young Cult Leader here. He wished he could just stand up right now and walk away. He hoped Geom Mu-geuk would suddenly claim there was urgent business at the Demonic Cult and depart. If he did, Myeong Sin could carry out his duty, and Geom Mu-geuk would live.
But such a miracle did not happen.
"Are you still feeling upset?"
"Do not ever attempt such ridiculous meddling again."
Though you won't be able to, even if you wanted to, after today.
Geom Mu-geuk insisted to the end that he was telling the truth.
"What I said is a fact. It was written in the Main Cult's reports."
Myeong Sin stared out the window, his expression hardening.
Did the Underworld really annihilate my family?
If that were true, shouldn't he be digging deeper into this instead of turning his head away? If it were true, shouldn't he prevent the Young Cult Leader from dying here? Shouldn't he instead help him, fight alongside him, and avenge his kin?
But as he had always done, Myeong Sin turned away once more. He tried his best to remain in denial, reminding himself that this was likely just a wicked scheme concocted by the Demonic Cult.
Am I... afraid of him?
His gaze shifted toward the innkeeper in the kitchen—the Murder King.
Was he afraid of death? Or was he afraid of the foundation of his life shattering?
At that moment, Geom Mu-geuk spoke up abruptly, as if he had peered directly into Myeong Sin's innermost thoughts.
"Are you afraid of change?"
"..."
"I understand you. It is truly difficult to break free from something that has once taken hold of your soul."
Myeong Sin remained silent.
He felt that Geom Mu-geuk’s words might be the exact answer he was looking for. Just as he had never asked the Murder King why he had saved him, perhaps he had lived his life simply wishing for things to flow as they were, terrified of things becoming complicated.
Just then, the innkeeper returned with the liquor, his eyes locking with Myeong Sin’s.
"It’s been a while. How long has it been?"
"About three or four months, I believe."
The sight of the Murder King wearing a benevolent smile was jarring. He had completely transformed into the simple proprietor of a tavern.
Myeong Sin had witnessed the Murder King’s killings many times. This was the first time he had seen him so utterly immersed in a role.
The Young Cult Leader will surely die today.
It wasn't just the Murder King. Death traps were hidden everywhere Myeong Sin looked, and top-tier assassins were waiting outside.
"Now, have some wine first. The food will be out shortly."
Geom Mu-geuk offered a drink to the Murder King.
"Have a cup of my wine before you go."
"I would be honored."
The Murder King accepted the cup with a humble bow.
"How long have you been in business?"
"A long time."
"I knew it! I had a feeling the moment I saw you!"
Listening to their conversation, Myeong Sin was a coiled spring of tension. He didn't know when the Murder King would launch his surprise attack. The Murder King’s strikes always defied expectation.
Now? The moment he sets down the cup? Or the moment he pours wine for Geom Mu-geuk?
Myeong Sin knew how fast the Murder King’s hand was. And he was here too. The moment the ambush began, he was expected to assist and deliver the finishing blow.
Could this young Cult Leader truly survive a combined attack from the first and second-ranked assassins of the Underworld?
Unaware of the perilous situation he was in, the Young Cult Leader continued his leisurely conversation.
"Since you've been in business for so long, you must have experienced all sorts of things."
"I suppose so."
Right now, Geom Mu-geuk was full of openings.
Yet, the Murder King did not attack. He wasn't the type to miss such a perfect opportunity.
Was it to savor the moment? Or to enjoy a more dramatic climax? No, the Murder King didn't possess such human emotions. That was exactly why he was the greatest assassin.
Then why?
Suddenly, Geom Mu-geuk said something completely unexpected.
"Since you are an experienced innkeeper, please give me some advice on a concern of mine."
Myeong Sin tensed. Advice? What on earth is he going to say?
The words that followed were beyond eccentric; they were a physical shock to Myeong Sin.
"A certain person found out who their true enemy was quite late in life. But it turned out to be someone they had been close with for a long time. What should one do in such a case?"
Myeong Sin never imagined he would say such a thing to the tavern owner.
Could it be? Has he realized the innkeeper's identity?
No. If he had realized it, shouldn't he avoid saying such things? It was so far beyond common sense that Myeong Sin’s mind reeled.
The Murder King replied smoothly.
"The nature of that friendship would be the deciding factor."
"One side was using the other, while the other side mistakenly believed them to be their savior."
At that, the Murder King immediately frowned.
"An enemy who went so far as to use them? What a truly cruel person. If it were me, I would certainly take revenge. Even if my own strength were lacking, I would hire an assassin to get my vengeance."
Myeong Sin thought both men were extraordinary—Geom Mu-geuk for asking the question, and the Murder King for mentioning assassins so casually in his answer.
He was also surprised by how natural the Murder King’s response was.
Could someone answer so boldly about taking revenge when they had something weighing on their conscience? The claim that his family was destroyed by the Underworld must surely be a lie intended to drive a wedge between them.
But what if the Young Cult Leader’s words were true? Could the Murder King have forgotten the fact that he was using Myeong Sin?
Of course, it was likely just a faithful answer to the question, but Myeong Sin’s heart was so frayed that a single poke in one spot made his whole body writhe.
He still didn't know where the truth lay.
"Well then, please enjoy."
As the Murder King returned to the kitchen, Myeong Sin looked at Geom Mu-geuk.
"Why did you tell that story to that man?"
"Shouldn't one ask a third party for an objective judgment?"
"Your premise wasn't objective to begin with."
Geom Mu-geuk looked Myeong Sin in the eye.
"I understand. You've only known me for a few days, but you've spent decades with him."
Geom Mu-geuk took a drink. Myeong Sin watched him, his breath held.
Is the wine poisoned?
Without a hint of suspicion, Geom Mu-geuk emptied his cup.
"But a few days might be enough to overcome decades. Because this side is the truth, and that side is a lie. Even a hundred years of lies cannot equal a single night of truth."
Myeong Sin had to admit at least one thing.
"You are truly persistent."
"I agree. It is likely because I am so persistent that I was able to accomplish the things written in your report."
Myeong Sin’s eyes wavered. Throughout the conversation, his instincts had been screaming at him. This man is telling the truth. He had trusted these instincts his whole life as an assassin; why was he refusing to believe them now?
"And as I said before, this is also for my own protection. Even if you never believe me, I can comfort myself knowing I tried this hard. I am a persistent man, and at the same time, a selfish one."
Meanwhile, the Murder King finished preparing the appetizers and brought them out. Geom Mu-geuk picked up his chopsticks and tasted the food.
"Delicious! As expected, my eyes did not deceive me!"
"I'm glad it suits your palate."
"Come, come, have another cup."
"I really shouldn't..."
Seeing Geom Mu-geuk relax more and more around the innkeeper, Myeong Sin’s heart grew frantic. He had to make a decision soon.
Would he believe the Young Cult Leader? Or would he not?
And consequently, would he help the Young Cult Leader? Or would he not?
The life and death of the Young Cult Leader, as well as his own fate, hung on this single decision.
If he believed the Young Cult Leader, he would likely die. There was no way the Murder King would let him live.
But perhaps he could save the Young Cult Leader? If he were lucky, could he succeed in his revenge and live as a decent assassin who accepts a single-coin contract?
At that moment, a voice transmission from the Murder King reached Myeong Sin.
— Someone is guarding him.
The reason why the Murder King hadn't ambushed the wide-open Young Cult Leader was finally revealed.
— Their stealth is extraordinary.
It was a level of skill that even Myeong Sin, the second-in-command of the Underworld, had failed to notice.
— We must eliminate that person first.
And at that same moment, a voice transmission from Hwi reached Geom Mu-geuk.
— He has noticed my presence.
Hwi had realized that the opponent was aware of him.
From the beginning, Geom Mu-geuk had known the innkeeper was the Murder King. The only person who would be waiting for him at a place Myeong Sin led him to was the Murder King himself.
Geom Mu-geuk pulled something from his robe and placed it on the table in front of Myeong Sin.
It was the single coin he had offered before.
Myeong Sin saw the coin, and so did the Murder King.
Myeong Sin felt that the moment had come to face the problem before him. Whether it was truth or a lie, what mattered more than the outcome was his own stance.
After staring silently at the coin, Myeong Sin finally spoke.
"Innkeeper, I have something I'd like to ask as well."
The Murder King was playing the role of the tavern owner perfectly, but he was inwardly surprised by Myeong Sin’s unscripted behavior.
"This humble man is popular today. Please, speak."
"Do you have any friends, innkeeper?"
It was an abrupt question, but the Murder King didn't show any surprise.
"I've been too busy making a living to make friends, but I do have one."
"What kind of friend is he?"
"He’s soft-hearted and gullible, easily deceived by others, but he’s a good friend nonetheless."
The Murder King likely thought Myeong Sin had said something unnecessary to the Young Cult Leader or had been bewitched by him. But Myeong Sin had something more important to do than clearing up a misunderstanding.
"Have you ever deceived that friend, innkeeper?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Didn't you say so yourself? That he is soft-hearted and gullible. Surely you must have had opportunities to deceive him, even if unintentionally."
"I wonder."
In the brief moment the Murder King fell into thought, Myeong Sin sent him a voice transmission.
— Was it the Underworld that annihilated my family?
He knew it was an inappropriate moment to ask, but if this moment passed, the question would become meaningless.
— A demon has taken root in your heart.
At the Murder King’s reply, Myeong Sin asked again.
— I asked you. Did the Underworld annihilate my family?
Having known him for so long, Myeong Sin seemed to know a great deal about him. The answer he had expected—and feared—came back.
— Yes, the Underworld handled it.
Myeong Sin was surprised by his own lack of surprise at this terrifying truth.
— As you know, it was just a job. If it wasn't us, someone else would have taken the contract. And do not forget. I was the one who saved your life.
Surprisingly, what made him angry at this moment wasn't the deed the Underworld had committed. It was the way the man admitted it so honestly and boldly.
Was this something that could be brushed off so easily? How lowly must he have thought of Myeong Sin?
But soon, he understood the Murder King. He was simply that kind of person. He was a man with nothing inside him.
"Why did you save me?"
He didn't use voice transmission; he simply asked aloud.
It was the moment Myeong Sin clearly declared his choice.
The Murder King did not answer. Instead, Geom Mu-geuk answered for him.
"Do not look for meaning in it. Even he doesn't know why."
The gazes of both the Murder King and Myeong Sin turned toward Geom Mu-geuk.
"It was likely just the whim of a child who followed his father on a killing mission. Sometimes you kill a bug, sometimes you save it and put it in a jar. Even if there was a reason, how significant could it have been?"
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze fixed on the Murder King.
"You don't know either, do you? You don't even remember."
The very moment that question ended—
Swoosh!
The sound of wind tearing through the air.
Clang!
A sharp metallic ring erupted.
A steel needle, deflected from right in front of Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes, flew through the air and clattered to the floor.
A single sword, blocking the path to Geom Mu-geuk’s face, was trembling slightly.
The person who had blocked the Murder King’s lightning-fast surprise attack was Hwi, who had revealed himself from the shadows.
The Murder King and Hwi stared at each other. The Murder King wasn't surprised at all, as he had already sensed the hidden presence. His expression suggested that the attack might have been intended to draw Hwi out.
An assassin and a guard.
A meeting between the man best at killing in the Murim and the man best at protecting. They were two people existing at the opposite poles of an antagonistic relationship.
"The Heavenly Demon's guard."
The Murder King recognized Hwi’s identity instantly. There could only be one guard with such skill.
"Rumors are rife among assassins about you."
A strange light flickered in the Murder King’s eyes. Despite being recognized, Hwi merely stared at him in silence.
Speaking on Hwi’s behalf, Geom Mu-geuk addressed the Murder King.
"Do you still think you can kill me?"
The Murder King showed no agitation, even though his first surprise attack had failed, Myeong Sin had learned the truth, and he was facing the head of the Heavenly Demon’s personal guard.
The Murder King’s eyes turned transparent. His killing intent was different from that of an ordinary assassin. Born without any emotion to begin with, his killing intent was as clean as snow and as clear as ice.
From this aura alone, one could feel it. No one would easily be able to stop the death this man dealt. This would be a truly difficult battle.
Amidst the thick tension, Myeong Sin picked up the single coin from the table and repeated the words the Murder King had said earlier.
"If it were me, I would certainly take revenge. Even if my own strength were lacking, I would hire an assassin to get my vengeance."
The Murder King continued to stare at him with transparent eyes.
Myeong Sin slowly tightened his grip on the coin in his palm. It was the moment he finally faced the life he had only ever run away from.
"You said this one-coin contract was to protect you? No. From now on, this contract is for me. Because you have commissioned me with this single coin."