Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Intruder (3)
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“Krgh!”
The Shadow Walker let out a groan filled with agony.
His ribs throbbed as if they were cracked, and his internal organs had been shaken up badly, making his whole body twist in pain.
‘How…… did that assassin get here……?’
He instantly recognized who had struck him.
How could he not?
She was the pinnacle among assassin-type rankers, just like him.
“……Gi So-yul?”
That made it even harder to understand.
She was never the type to get involved in conflicts with others.
An incredibly aloof existence who only cared about her own growth.
The object of admiration for all assassins.
‘For that assassin to show up at a workshop run by some B-rank hunter?’
The Shadow Walker slowly shook his head.
He couldn’t believe it.
‘Was there some recent issue?’
Ever since becoming a mercenary for the Five Stars Group.
He had been indulging in debauchery, so he was clueless about recent news.
“Disappointing, Shadow Walker. I thought you were a decent hunter, but to think you’d be doing dirty work like this from the shadows.”
Step, step.
She walked slowly toward the Shadow Walker, her dagger hanging loosely at her side.
It was a simple gait, yet it showed no openings whatsoever.
“Kh.”
Enduring the pain, the Shadow Walker gripped his sword again and stood up.
He had to stand.
If he didn’t, her blade would pierce his heart in an instant.
He opened his mouth.
“Gi So-yul, how are you…… here……?”
“How? Is it that strange for me, a member of the Demir Workshop, to be here?”
“What?”
It was absurd.
Since when had Gi So-yul been part of the Demir Workshop?
“Since when? Weren’t you originally with Parang?”
He was confused.
A ranker in the 300s would be welcomed with open arms anywhere in the world.
How could she be at a small workshop that didn’t even make money!
“…….”
Ptooey.
The Shadow Walker spat out phlegm.
Blood mixed with it, bright red.
‘Shin Jong-o, that damned punk.’
As expected.
They hadn’t just offered 300 billion for nothing.
Regret came flooding in like a tidal wave.
If he’d known an assassin like her was here, he wouldn’t have come even for 100 billion, let alone 30.
Life was more precious than money.
Swipe.
Gi So-yul didn’t bother answering his question.
She simply lowered her stance slightly and raised her dark dagger.
“W-Wait a second!”
The Shadow Walker hurriedly raised his hand.
Gi So-yul replied.
“What?”
“I was rude. Seems like there’s a misunderstanding between us. Can’t we talk it out?”
“Misunderstanding…….”
Gi So-yul let out a scoff.
“Do you pull a knife on someone in the dead of night over a misunderstanding?”
“T-That was because of that Shin Jong-o bastard……!”
“No excuses. You clearly tried to take someone’s life, and that alone is reason enough for you to die.”
She murmured in a cold voice.
Whoooosh……
A terrifying killing intent swirled around her.
‘This is…….’
Gulp.
The Shadow Walker swallowed hard.
For some reason.
The assassin before him was clearly enraged.
As if he’d touched a dragon’s reverse scale, no one could stop her now.
‘No choice?’
He had to fight now.
She was strong, but he was a ranker too!
Ssssh!
The Shadow Walker lowered his stance and swiftly melted into the surrounding shadows.
At the same time, dark energy surged from her side and rear.
A perfect ambush in the blink of an eye!
It was the maximum speed he could muster.
“…….”
But Gi So-yul didn’t move.
She didn’t panic, nor did she dodge.
Swipe.
She merely shook her right arm, gripping the dagger, a couple of times.
A clean motion without any wasted movement.
Slash! Slash!
The sound of something sharp slicing through the air echoed in the space.
“Kh, kheuk!”
The dummy targeting her vitals had already crumbled away.
The main body, the Shadow Walker, clutched his shoulder, blood dripping steadily.
He’d twisted his body upon sensing something off, luckily.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been his shoulder—it would’ve been his throat.
Tremble.
His body shook violently.
‘T-This…… I can’t even compete.’
In just one clash.
He fully grasped Gi So-yul’s level.
She was ranked 379th.
He was 720th.
He’d thought the 341-place gap was negligible, but it wasn’t.
‘An assassin who didn’t even hide in the darkness has this much power?’
He felt the difference in class.
Like an egg striking a rock.
In that instant.
Ssssh!
Gi So-yul’s form vanished.
“Huh?”
The startled Shadow Walker quickly scanned around.
‘Where? Right? Left? Behind? Or above?’
But her form wasn’t visible anywhere……
Puk!
The sound of tofu being sliced rang in his eardrum then.
At the same time, a heavy pain bloomed in his left chest.
“……Huh? W-What.”
The bewildered Shadow Walker blankly stared at his heart.
“When did she……?”
A dagger was embedded there.
Along with Gi So-yul’s cold gaze, which hadn’t been anywhere before.
A ghostly movement.
Grrrrk!
Immense pain surged in at once.
“Kaaaaah!”
He swung his sword hastily to strike her away.
Pshh! Puk!
She pulled out the dagger, slipped back lightly, and stabbed his heart again.
The time from pulling the sword out to thrusting it back in was just one second.
She murmured.
“Don’t feel too hard done by. You’re just getting back exactly what you tried to do.”
“Kh, khuuugh.”
He couldn’t speak anymore.
Blood frothed in his throat, and strength drained from his body.
Some power in the dark dagger hadn’t just pierced his heart—it had burst it.
Thud.
Blood trickled from his mouth, and soon he stopped moving.
The end of a ranker.
The global rankings shifted once more.
* * *
The Shadow Walker was dead.
The mighty ranker’s breath had ceased.
In just three strikes.
“My lord…….”
Taeyang murmured quietly.
“I’m sorry. To put you in danger because I couldn’t handle a single trash like that…….”
“I need to train harder too. My body isn’t following my will properly.”
Eldrin chimed in agreement.
There was genuine remorse in their voices.
“…….”
It wasn’t the bones’ fault.
I was B-rank.
Not a ranker yet, so their growth had limits too.
They must feel frustrated.
They were originally beings above even Gi So-yul in power.
‘They did well, actually.’
Thanks to them, I’d held out against a ranker with mere B-rank strength.
It was due to their know-how and seasoned skill in facing the strong with weak power.
“Dong-hoon.”
Gi So-yul approached me, carefully wiping her dagger with a disposable handkerchief.
She seemed…….
Strangely exhilarated after the fight, more than usual.
Just look at how her fingertips trembled holding the sword.
“……Are you okay? You almost got in big trouble if I’d been even a little late.”
“Thank you for saving me, Assassin. I’m fine thanks to you.”
I bowed my head deeply.
It was sincere gratitude.
I owed her my life again.
‘She really doesn’t mind the dagger.’
I smiled proudly.
[Repay benefactors even more generously.]
The creed I’d set was shining in this moment.
If my Blacksmith skill ever reached its peak, I’d make her an even better weapon.
VIPs of the Demir Workshop must remain eternal VIPs.
That’s how you build brand value.
“By the way, what was that earlier? You left Parang?”
Flinch!
At my question, her body trembled slightly.
Hm?
What’s that about?
Come to think of it.
I think I heard her say she was part of the Demir Workshop earlier too.
“Um, well…… Actually.”
As I watched her hesitate, Kim Jin-ah came down from the third floor.
She looked composed now, with a relaxed smile, having calmed her shock.
“Assassin. I’ve heard a lot about you. Thank you for the help.”
“No, just…… Who are you……?”
Gi So-yul scratched her cheek awkwardly and tilted her head.
For reference, this was their first meeting.
“Haha, I’m Kim Jin-ah. I just took on the vice-workshop master position.”
“Kim Jin-ah……? Ah!?”
Gi So-yul’s eyes widened.
“You’re the Kim Jin-ah from the Hunter Bank?”
“You know me?”
“I heard about you from Oppa. He said you’re a talent he desperately wants to recruit for the guild…… But how are you here?”
“It just happened that way. Anyway, to think Parang saw me that way—such a huge honor.”
Kim Jin-ah smiled softly.
As if she knew her own worth well.
Exuding natural confidence.
Soon, Gi So-yul looked back at me.
“I’ll be honest…… Actually, after announcing the S-rank weapon, I expected something like this to happen. I was a bit late because I had things to sort out.”
“I see.”
“Dong-hoon.”
“Yes.”
“You’re a hunter recommended by Seoul’s Five Stars. I have a duty to protect you.”
“…….”
“To be frank, you’re still weak. Not as a person, but you need protection to grow the potential hidden inside you. The world is harsh.”
I knew exactly what she meant.
She wanted to join the Demir Workshop.
That’s why she’d even left Parang.
It was incredibly grateful.
‘But.’
The old man had said.
-That bitch who challenged me. How long do you plan to keep her around?
-You’ve got someone way above your station protecting you right now.
You can’t grow strong just hiding behind someone.
Even in this harsh wilderness world, you have to face it head-on.
“……My goodness, Workshop Master? What’s with that troubled look?”
As I pondered, Kim Jin-ah gave me a what-are-you-doing expression.
“You should be cheering! The Assassin is joining us! Do you know who she is? World rank 379! 379th!”
“That’s true, but.”
“Oh my god.”
Kim Jin-ah shook her head.
Then she grinned up at Gi So-yul.
“Heehee, Assassin!”
“Y-Yes?”
Gi So-yul looked a bit flustered.
“If the Assassin is coming to Demir, we welcome you anytime! Come on in! For hiring matters, talk to me, the vice-workshop master!”
“……Is that so?”
“Of course! Our workshop master overthinks useless stuff! Come, come. Third floor, consultation room! What coffee do you like? Sweet latte? Or iced whatever?”
Hmm.
As I flinched, Kim Jin-ah shot me a fierce glare.
Stay put.
If you don’t want the windfall, don’t kick it away at least.
‘Well…….’
It doesn’t matter.
The old man just said it hoping I’d get stronger.
Realistically, Gi So-yul’s presence was necessary.
Like in that unavoidable situation just now.
It was obvious she’d be a huge help to the group’s growth.
Above all.
My heart wanted to accept her.
Accepting that feeling.
Heh.
A laugh slipped out.
‘Yeah, when have I ever listened so well to elders?’
I looked ahead again.
Gi So-yul was still silently watching me.
She probably wanted to hear it from my mouth, not Kim Jin-ah’s.
Fine.
“Assassin.”
“Yes.”
One of my strengths is quick decisions.
“Thank you for coming. Looking forward to working with you.”
It was the moment the first ranker joined the Demir Workshop.