Chapter 143: Nameless (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 143: Nameless (2)
“You want me to rent you a room?”
“That’s right.”
The man looked down at Jin with an expressionless face.
He was a giant, easily over two meters tall, with a rugged, intimidating countenance. The milky-white Nameless uniform usually made cadets look a bit more approachable with its bright color, but that wasn't the case for this man.
He looked less like an assassin and more like a brawler or a mercenary captain who favored a heavy axe.
Jin had wandered the streets until sunset before choosing this man. His criterion had been simple: footsteps.
A cadet whose footsteps could be heard without even trying was a beginner. One whose steps could be caught with a bit of focus was intermediate. Those who made almost no sound at all were advanced.
And those whose presence could only be perceived by heightening every single sense were the ones destined for the Nameless Hall.
Based on that standard, Jin judged this man to be an intermediate cadet. He had already dealt with beginners—the gatekeeper and the coachman—so he wanted to skip that level. Targeting an advanced cadet from the start, however, felt like an unnecessary burden.
“Wouldn't it be better to go to an inn?”
“I’d rather not have too many guests visiting me at night. I’ll pay you well, so please, I’m asking a favor.”
“How unpleasant…”
The man’s brow furrowed slightly.
It wasn't because of the sudden request for a room. The man had no choice but to interpret Jin’s words as a provocation: ‘You aren't capable of killing me.’
“Seeing as you entered with a Nameless Pass, you must be the successor of some martial family, and you likely possess impressive martial prowess for your age. I understand your confidence. However, this is Samil. This is a land where fair duels do not exist.”
“I am well aware. That’s why I’m avoiding the inns. If you won't give me a room, I’ll look for someone else.”
“I’ll lend it to you. I won't take any payment. You’ll likely pay with your life instead. Do not forget that you brought this upon yourself.”
“Thank you.”
After a five-minute walk, they arrived at the man’s house, a two-story structure.
Jin decided to use the relatively cramped room on the second floor. As soon as they were inside, he immediately suggested they have dinner.
“Don’t worry about the food being poisoned.”
“I didn't think you were that much of an amateur. I’ll enjoy the meal.”
It was a practical meal—a mix of meat, eggs, and vegetables. As the man had said, the food was fresh. Jin swallowed his food quickly, emptying his bowl before the man, and sat at the table, quietly watching him.
Even if he’s only intermediate, he’s certainly not at a level where I can afford to let my guard down.
He appeared relaxed, but it would be a lie to say he wasn't tense.
The man could release poisonous gas from under the table, aim for Jin’s throat with the fork he was using to spear his meat, or fire poisoned needles hidden in his sleeves.
If Jin let his guard down for even a moment, any of those things could happen.
Even if he possessed superior martial strength, he had to consider far more variables when facing a trained assassin.
Two poisoned needles in his sleeves. And seeing how he always leaves the center of his mouth clear when chewing, he’s hiding a needle or poison liquid in there, too. But I can’t let those be my only focus.
What he’d learned about the basic habits of assassins during his time as a cadet was proving helpful.
— When dealing with an assassin, you must think of them as magicians. Or swindlers, Young Master. If your eyes are drawn to the weapons they’ve subtly revealed, they will strike with a real dagger from a completely unexpected place.
That was something Garon Altemiro, his beginner class instructor, had told him once. Furthermore, the various pieces of advice his comrades in Tikan had given him before he left for Samil were now coming in handy at the perfect moments.
In particular, Jin had been keeping several of Quicantel’s warnings—who knew the Nameless well—in mind ever since he entered Samil.
— One thing to watch out for while you’re in Samil: no matter where a door suddenly opens, do not take your eyes off what you were already looking at. The moment you reflexively turn your head, you’re a dead man.
Clack!
How had he ended up with such great instructors and comrades?
Thanks to them, even when the front door suddenly swung open to his left, Jin did not panic and kept his eyes fixed on the man.
What’s with this guy? Did he know the door was going to open?
The man, on the other hand, had expected Jin to turn his head. He had planned to use that opening to throw the tablecloth—which had a sedative coated on its underside—over Jin’s face and strangle him to death.
But he couldn't make his move. Even three seconds after the door opened, Jin maintained his upright posture, his gaze unwavering.
Creeeeak, creeeeak…
The open door swayed on its hinges, letting out a metallic screech.
And yet, no one entered. Only the bleak evening wind brushed past Jin and the man.
— It’s one of their unique training methods. Instructors disguised as cadets will occasionally open doors without a sound and just pass by. It’s a guaranteed test for houses with visitors. Seizing an opportunity while staying tense twenty-four hours a day is a basic virtue for assassins.
If he had come to Samil without hearing this from Quicantel, he would have been in grave danger.
Jin stared at the man for a moment.
“Should I go close it?”
When Jin asked, the man suppressed his shock and nodded.
He’s not an easy kid. No, he’s unnerving. Even if he’s young, is this what an elite from a martial family is like…? I was almost the one who got caught. I’ll have to watch him for a few days and take my time. He’s not someone I can take lightly.
If he had forced an attack on Jin just now, the Nameless instructor who had opened the door would have had him expelled from Samil by sunrise tomorrow.
Because that wasn't the way of the Nameless.
“Then, may I go upstairs and get some rest?”
“Do as you wish.”
Upon reaching the second floor, Jin immediately began a thorough inspection of the room.
He checked for external infiltration routes, hidden traps, and whether another assassin was already lying in wait. There were more than a few things to verify.
There doesn't seem to be anything particularly problematic on the second floor. There’s only one window, so the infiltration routes are limited, and it’s too small for anyone with a large build. There don't seem to be any special devices in the ceiling, floor, or walls either…
After finishing his inspection about an hour later, Jin sat on the edge of the bed and thought about the ‘instructor’—specifically, the one who had opened the door during dinner.
…The Nameless are beyond my imagination. Are all the instructor-level members at that level? How can a human be so ghost-like?
During dinner, Jin had been on high alert, his nerves taut down to his very pores, without a single second of rest. He had even been certain that the door would open suddenly to try and break his focus.
And yet.
Jin hadn't sensed the instructor’s presence at all, not even at the exact moment the door opened.
It was to the point where it felt like the door had opened on its own rather than by a person turning the handle.
It was a realm that felt impossible for Jin to reach, even if he spent years trying to erase his presence with spirit energy. He couldn't even fathom how deeply one had to hide their presence to achieve that.
That instructor could kill me whenever they wanted. Even if this wasn't Samil but my room in Tikan. Even if all my comrades were protecting me, I couldn't guarantee my survival.
Goosebumps ran down his spine.
I shouldn't get cocky just because I saw through a few shallow tricks from an intermediate cadet. If an assassin at the instructor level comes for me, I might be killed before I can even show them what Quicantel gave me.
Only now did Jin truly realize what kind of place he had entered.
However, there was more that Jin didn't know yet.
A startling fact that, if he were to find out, might make even Jin—who had overcome all sorts of hardships—lose the strength in his legs.
I think it’s him. Or is it? No, it is, right?
It was the presence of a woman who had been observing Jin the entire time, sitting upside down on the ceiling.
She had been stuck to his back every single moment, even as Jin finished his meal and inspected every corner of the second floor.
The moment Jin sat on the bed, she had taken her position on the ceiling.
For about an hour.
That was how long the woman had been observing Jin while maintaining a distance of less than half a step.
Is it? Is it not? Is it? Ugh, should I just ask? No. If it’s not him, I might have to kill him. His face definitely looks like him, though…!
Just as Jin sighed and drew Bradamante to maintain it, the woman’s eyes sparkled as she smiled.
The woman’s name was Yona Runcandel.
The greatest slayer of the Nameless and Jin’s eldest sister. The instructor who had opened the door earlier was her.
It’s Bradamante! It is the youngest! Wow! Good to see you, little brother!
Clap!
The moment Yona clapped, unable to suppress her joy.
A clapping sound?!
Jin reflexively shot to his feet and took a defensive stance. He whipped his head toward the ceiling, the source of the sound, but Yona had already repositioned herself behind him.
Whew, almost got caught.
As if she had no weight at all, not even a small wrinkle appeared on the bedding she now stood on.
Even as Jin spun around to inspect his surroundings again, Yona stuck to him like a shadow, remaining completely undetected.
Youngest, could you just pretend you didn't hear that?
It wasn't for nothing that she received all the affection and attention of the current Nameless King. The divine skill Yona was displaying was something even the Nameless King couldn't pull off.
Did I mishear? What was that? What on earth was it? I definitely heard something like a clap from the ceiling. Are my nerves so frayed that I’m hearing things? I can’t even use magic or spirit energy…!
In contrast to the delighted Yona, Jin was going crazy.
He had been breaking out in a cold sweat for over an hour, yet he couldn't discover the source of the clapping sound.
Was it that instructor from before? No, even if it were that instructor, they couldn't stay hidden in a space like this for this long.
Eventually, Jin concluded it was a hallucination or a trick of his ears. The situation was otherwise completely incomprehensible.
“Phew…”
But even as he sat back down on the bed, he couldn't let his guard down. He wouldn't be sleeping tonight.
He can’t find me at all since he hasn't properly opened his Mind’s Eye yet, heehee. But this is impressive. Just how much has he grown?
The last achievement of Jin’s that Yona knew of was 5-star.
However, the youngest she was seeing in person possessed an aura close to 7-star. That alone was surprising enough, but Yona hadn't forgotten how her little brother had thwarted all of the man’s assassination attempts on the first floor.
Even Sister Luna couldn't have done that at your age, I’m sure. Of course, she would have just counterattacked while being perfectly fine after getting stabbed by poisoned needles or daggers, but it would have been impossible for her to block them in advance so they couldn't even be attempted.
She felt so proud she wanted to hug her little brother right then and there.
Yona briefly considered revealing herself and praising him, but then she shook her head.
There’s a lot I can teach you, heehee. Let’s play together from today until you leave, youngest.