Chapter 218
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: Chapter 44: Dark Annihilation (3)
Four Thousand Four hadn't demanded they fight to the death. The order was to eliminate the targets and immediately go into hiding. It wasn't about digging potatoes endlessly—it was a strategy of strike and vanish.
Yet everyone fought with everything they had, pushing themselves to the brink.
Vanguard slew four men. After taking out his target, he cut down three more in the counterattack that followed right on its heels.
That was his limit.
"Heh heh!"
Vanguard let out a self-mocking chuckle.
He prided himself on having grown stronger after killing the standby assassin.
In truth, he'd grown considerably stronger. These were foes who would have dropped him long ago in the past.
But that was it. He couldn't hold out any longer.
Shh shh shh!
The bugs were on the move.
"Heh heh heh!"
Vanguard laughed again.
He didn't have the strength left to twitch a finger, yet the bugs kept swarming relentlessly.
Through countless close-quarters battles, he'd come to one realization.
When it was time to let go, you had to let go.
He lay back comfortably and stared up at the sky.
If you couldn't struggle anymore even if you wanted to, then this was the end of the line.
Accepting that with body and soul brought a strange peace.
'Time to call it quits.'
He felt no aversion to death.
There'd be plenty of people waiting in the afterlife—those he'd staked his life to protect, gone on ahead.
How would he face their resentment?
If they blamed him for not living out their full lives because of his father, or his father-in-law, how could he bear it?
Shh!
The movement stopped.
Preparing to attack? Fools... Couldn't they tell the difference between someone still fighting and someone who'd already given up? Come on, come on. Let's get this over with quick.
"What are you doing?"
A familiar voice suddenly rang out.
Vanguard lifted his head and looked toward the source.
His eyes went wide.
"Let's go."
The approaching figure turned his back indifferently.
"Cold bastard. If you're here, at least help me up."
"Doesn't look like you need that much help."
"I do. You think I'd whine like this if I didn't? If you hate it, cough up some golden sore salve."
Shh! Thud!
The newcomer—Four Thousand Four—pulled a jar of golden sore salve from his bosom and tossed it over.
"Urgh!"
Vanguard groaned as he pushed himself upright.
Five swords were buried in his body. There were over ten gashes where weapons had grazed past. He'd used up his own salve ages ago.
He truly had no strength left, not even to move a finger.
"With at least four bugs on you... Your Shadowless Wall must've reached a whole new level."
"Just apply the salve."
"Why? More of them coming?"
"If we don't hurry, we don't know what'll happen to Hanbi and Fox. I arranged for the Zhuge family to link up with Hanbi, but Fox vanished—we have to find him."
"If he vanished, he's probably done for."
Vanguard grumbled as he hauled himself to his feet.
He wasn't in any shape to move normally, but what choice was there? He couldn't just lie there in the heart of enemy territory.
Heavenly Annihilation Division assassins were accustomed to endless combat.
If they'd been janitors from the lesser bugs instead of stalkers, they'd be experts at hit-and-fade instead.
His mistake was not giving the stalkers precise orders.
Four Thousand Four had figured he wasn't in a position to issue commands. He'd assumed they'd handle it themselves—they breathed together, ate together, thought together.
But what reason did the dead have to fight to the end?
Strike and hide. Eliminate the target, hide with everything you've got, and keep watch for anyone who shows.
Vanguard, Jaja, Hanbi, and Fox had pushed two stages beyond what Four Thousand Four had envisioned—all while taking the full brunt of the Nonuple Three Factions' retaliation.
Jaja had withdrawn only after the worst possible fight.
Hanbi had fought his worst as well. And now he was fleeing for his life with all he had.
Of course, for stalker assassins, flight was just another counterattack.
Knowing attack was the best defense, they only pretended to retreat.
Preparing for the next fight.
Hanbi would die in that next one. His condition was already poor; he'd manage one or two more foes at best before a glorious end.
Provided someone from the Zhuge family arrived in time.
Just like Four Thousand Four had for Vanguard—or the bugs would devour him.
'This is my fault.'
Four Thousand Four keenly felt the blame for not issuing clear orders.
If any of them died, it was because he'd skipped saying "eliminate the target and immediately hide—withdraw at once..." Those last two words: hide immediately.
The one who gave the orders bore the responsibility.
But how to take responsibility when the man was already dead?
Those who command assassins must always remember they could drive them to death.
A harsh lesson.
Yi Jeong was dead.
Fox had tracked him down and erased him flawlessly with a venomous spider.
But Fox's trail ended there.
"Hiding like this, no one'll find him. Looks like a good spot."
Vanguard muttered.
Four Thousand Four silently stared at the bowl shop where Yi Jeong had holed up.
Nonuple Three Factions warriors protected Yi Jeong.
Hancheong, Songam, Hwang Hak-yong, Yi Jeong, and Sado-gong formed the Five Directions, watching all sides, guarded by more Nonuple Three Factions men. Or rather, watching over their safety.
To the Nonuple Three Factions warriors, their lives meant nothing.
They only cared if someone attacked them or if they slipped away elsewhere.
This time, it was the former. So the hidden assailants had struck.
Which meant Fox had been attacked too.
Just like the others' grueling battles, Fox had no doubt clashed with a formidable foe.
He couldn't have just vanished.
'Fox's strength lies in the mountains. He knows them better than anyone. So he likely fled into the hills. Even if he fought, it'd be there...'
Four Thousand Four scanned the surrounding peaks.
He had to find which mountain Fox had taken.
Fox navigated unfamiliar mountains like his own backyard. He found paths through the thickest brush.
If he'd lured the enemy to a favorable spot for battle... which mountain would it be?
Thinking like Fox.
Recalling how Fox scouted paths during reconnaissance.
'Hard to track, but good for ambushes... That one.'
Four Thousand Four eyed Rock Mountain.
It wasn't the tallest visible peak. But white crags dotted it here and there. The ridges were steep, likely riddled with cliffs.
Fox's favorite terrain.
Four Thousand Four glanced at Vanguard.
"That one?"
Vanguard had followed his gaze. He could guess what Four Thousand Four had in mind.
"Watch the rear. Don't let anyone slip out of the mountains."
"Gotta have someone escaping for there to be a tail to follow."
Vanguard still thought Four Thousand Four was playing potato farmer.
No time for explanations.
"Eliminate them without fail. Anyone leaving the mountain."
Whoosh!
Four Thousand Four shot off without waiting for a reply.
Ugh... ugh!
A groan echoed.
Inaudible to normal ears. Only those versed in Whispering Secrets could sense it with their senses.
Someone was dying.
Shhh!
Four Thousand Four pursued the groan.
A man lay there. His face was pitch-black like ink—clearly poisoned with a deadly toxin.
'One hour since the strike.'
Four Thousand Four estimated the attack time.
The poison was Black Bone Acid.
Fox's sole deadly venom that turned the skin black.
Its lethality was beyond question.
One hour after infection, the discoloration completed and consciousness faded. Another hour, and death followed.
The time it took for two incense sticks to burn.
The recipe for Black Bone Acid was as secret as the one for Thunderclap Bombs.
Ughhh... ugh!
The poisoned man groaned.
Not from his mouth—from his soul. A writhing plea to be put out of his misery.
Consciousness gone, but his flesh still agonized. Thrashing against the toxin.
Snap!
Four Thousand Four pressed deep into the man's throat with a finger.
The neck vertebrae shattered naturally. It looked like he'd collapsed unconscious from impact.
Four Thousand Four sought the next groan.
The mountain was vast and treacherous. Roaring streams and winds drowned out faint moans. But the groans he hunted weren't voiced from lips.
Ughhh... ughhh!
He found it again. Another groan.
Whoosh!
Four Thousand Four launched forward without hesitation.
"Huff! Huff!"
Fox gasped raggedly for breath.
He'd backed into a dead end. He couldn't move even if he wanted to.
Daggers were buried one in each thigh.
The wounds looked deep and precise—likely severing muscle meridians.
No moving those legs.
Yet his foe didn't press the attack. Fox's poison arts were in play. Crippling the legs didn't guarantee safety.
Then why no killing blow?
The enemy was observing Fox. Like a beast caught in a trap, no need to rush. Calmly assessing, probing his background.
A Heavenly Annihilation Division assassin... acting independently... a type never seen before.
"Y-You gonna kill me or not?"
Fox spoke to the empty air.
No answer. They weren't dumb enough to give away their position with a reply.
"Man, they really know how to drag this out. Gotta off myself before you'll be satisfied?"
Fox pulled out a tightly wrapped oil paper packet.
"This here's Black Bone Acid. Thinking I'll just swallow it and bounce. That cool with you?"
Fox peeled back the layers one by one.
"Don't bother trying to figure me out. No matter how hard you rack your brain, you won't get it. Just write me off as some poison assassin and call it a day. Easier that way."
Fox unwrapped the packet fully.
He tipped the poison powder into his mouth.
"Ah! This stuff's super sour. Like chugging vinegar. Tastes like crap."
Fox's complexion shifted rapidly. Turning black.
"Urk!"
He clutched his chest in agony. White foam bubbled at his lips. But,
"That's not Black Bone Acid."
A chilling voice shook the woods.
"Similar, sure... What'd you call it? Slipped my mind."
"Black Spike Powder! You said Black Spike Powder, idiot!"
Fox snapped his head up and yelled. A brilliant smile lit his lips.