Chapter 148: An Unexpected Victory (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 148: An Unexpected Victory (2)
Oul’s fighting spirit vanished. Though a dark and profound energy had just violently shaken the room, Veradin and Dante remained motionless, not even the sound of snoring escaping them.
The moment he entered, Oul had used acupuncture to paralyze them. Now, in place of his battle aura, he directed a concentrated killing intent solely at Jin, freezing the boy’s body in place.
Jin’s body trembled against his will, yet he felt no fear.
His trembling was merely a physical reaction; his current power was simply not yet at a level where it could fully withstand such pure killing intent.
I said it without knowing the full weight of my words, but for a figure like the Nameless King to be this enraged just because I mentioned Sister Yona… it must be a sensitive topic. It’s his reverse scale.
Oul himself had even called it a weakness. Even now, he only glared at Jin, showing no actual intention of reaching out to take his life.
I think I get the gist of it…
Jin quickly put the pieces together.
It was all thanks to the memories of being tormented by Yona over the past few days.
The Nameless King possesses immense martial power, but when it comes to the essence of the Nameless—the art of assassination—Sister Yona is a step ahead.
Back when he first stayed in the beginner cadets' dormitory, Yona had successfully hidden on that cramped second floor for over an hour, observing him. Since then, she had watched him from point-blank range, whether they were in an open field or a confined space.
She had never been detected. That was a divine feat, incomparable to simple assassination. At the time, Jin had mistaken it for his own inadequacy or assumed the top assassin of the Nameless was simply better than expected.
But that wasn't it.
If the goal were merely to kill someone before they realized it, the Nameless King could certainly do that. However, even he, the leader of the Nameless, could not do what Yona did.
Not just within the Nameless, but in the entire world, one would be hard-pressed to find anyone capable of mimicking Yona’s ability.
Suddenly, a conversation he’d had with Luna before becoming a provisional flag-bearer came to mind.
—Sister, are any of my siblings strong enough to be a threat even to you?
—In a one-on-one fight? Not yet. Maybe Luntia or Dipus… or perhaps you, in the future? But Yona is truly dangerous.
—Sister Yona? Because of her poison?
—No, because she’s an assassin. An assassin can take down anyone if their opponent lets their guard down.
At the time, he thought she was just teaching him about the dangers of assassins. Only now was Jin realizing the hidden meaning behind her words.
“Even tearing you limb from limb wouldn't satisfy my anger, but for Lord Cyron’s sake, I shall overlook this just once,” Oul said, his voice softening slightly.
The moment he spoke, Jin stood up and gave him a respectful bow.
The reason he brought up Father’s name was to establish a pretext. A justification for not killing me, even after I was bold enough to mention Sister Yona.
Jin felt even more certain that he wouldn't die at Oul's hands.
In fact, he was now convinced that the King had come here to save him.
The Nameless King came to find me to save us from Sister Yona. Even for him, the death of Dante and Veradin due to Yona’s ‘pranks’ would be a massive headache.
Jin suppressed a smile.
He felt the situation was ripe for a little intimidation, but a weakness was often more valuable when held quietly in one’s hand—accompanied by the subtle attitude that one could crush it at any moment—than when brandished openly.
Furthermore, in addition to Yona, he had gained another piece of leverage: Veradin and Dante.
“I apologize. I was immature and spoke out of turn. I will gladly accept any punishment you deem fit.”
“Do you think I can’t see what’s going on in that head of yours? You have the look of someone who has already read my intentions. No matter how bold you are, you wouldn't be acting this way unless you were certain you would survive.”
As expected of the leader of the Nameless, the man was sharp as a razor. Jin’s attempt to hide his expression had been futile, but he decided not to worry about it.
It was foolish to act with excessive humility before someone of this caliber.
“Since I have already committed a great discourtesy to the Nameless King with my slip of the tongue, I have no intention of repeating the mistake. You must have come to see me because of Dante and Veradin lying over there.”
“Correct. It wouldn't be a major issue if I killed you, a provisional flag-bearer, but they are different. If you follow my orders from now on, I will consider your slip of the tongue forgotten. I will also turn a blind eye to you associating with those two.”
“Please, give your command.”
Only then did the Nameless King seem to suppress his anger as he lit a cigarette.
“Starting tonight, real assassins wearing White Masks—not cadets—will come for you. The three of you must stick together, and while you are on the run, always head for the center of the city.”
From that, Jin deduced that the Nameless King could not control Yona.
If he wanted to save Dante and Veradin, he could have simply used his authority to remove them from the assassination list. Instead, he had come personally to offer advice.
“May I ask why?”
“Do you still have the energy to mock me?”
“No, sir. I will do as you command.”
“Also, when the sun rises the day after tomorrow, urge the two heirs to leave the city. By any means necessary. If they refuse, knock them out and send them away yourself.”
“You mean for me to remain alone.”
“You catch on quickly. The assassins will come a total of three times.”
Oul’s plan was simple: Yona had three chances. He would provide advice so the youngsters could handle the first two attacks, and for the final one, he would ensure they avoided the danger entirely.
If Yona ever found out about this, the Nameless could be turned upside down. However, if he claimed that Dante and Veradin had simply fled, she would likely forget about it soon enough.
After all, the person most important to Yona—Jin—would remain in the city until the final day of the bet.
Yona will surely send assassins in order: intermediate, advanced, and then top-tier. Besides killing Veradin and Dante, her goal is also to help her brother grow.
No matter what they did, the three of them could not handle a top-tier assassin. It went without saying that Jin would stand no chance alone.
After Veradin and Dante leave the city, it doesn't matter whether Jin lives or dies. Ideally, I’d like him to survive and keep Yona entertained, but that might be asking too much.
Perhaps, at the very moment a top-tier assassin was about to take Jin’s life, Yona might have a change of heart and save him herself.
In truth, Oul believed that was the only way Jin would survive.
Just as Oul finished his thoughts and was about to stub out his cigarette…
“Nameless King.”
“Speak.”
“You just told me to go and die. You’ve told me to stay behind alone when it would be a struggle even with my companions.”
“Are you saying you won’t do it?”
“Not at all. However, since I am risking my life, I hope for a reward—provided I successfully assist you.”
Oul nodded.
“Fine. I can grant that much. What is it you want?”
“Give me the Ten Thousand Poison Liquor.”
“You’ve gone mad.”
“Is that a no?”
It went beyond mere brazenness; Oul couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.
“Even if Lord Cyron himself asked, the answer would be no.”
“Hmm…”
As expected, that’s asking too much.
I was planning to get it through Sister Yona anyway. It would have been more certain and avoided future trouble if the Nameless King gave it to me directly, but even I have to admit I was being too greedy.
Since he had expected the refusal, he wasn't disappointed. He had just taken a shot in the dark.
“Ask for something else. If you speak nonsense again, I won’t give you another chance.”
When Jin clearly stated what he truly wanted, a strange light flickered in the Nameless King’s eyes.
“…Fine. That is a reasonable request in exchange for risking your life. However, you must ensure those two heirs survive.”
Oul’s agreement was conditional: the reward would only be fulfilled if Jin satisfied Oul’s terms and managed to survive.
“Thank you for your consideration. I will surely keep my word.”
Jin cheered inwardly.
From the moment he secured a promise from the Nameless King, Jin decided that nothing in Samil could stop him anymore.
As he was about to leave the inn, the Nameless King glanced back at Jin.
“And I will give you one piece of advice.”
“I am listening.”
“Do you know why we do not use our power recklessly, even though there are few people in this world we cannot kill if we set our minds to it?”
Having caught the point, Jin looked up at Oul respectfully.
Oul was gently rebuking Jin once more for brandishing the Nameless's weakness earlier.
“Because a weapon that can inflict a fatal wound at any time is more terrifying when held still. Furthermore, swinging such a weapon without thought will surely bring about a great calamity.”
Jin, in turn, was giving a hint back to the "grateful Nameless King."
“Hah! If you know that so well, then why did you earlier…?”
Oul cut himself off, his eyes widening in disbelief as he shook his head.
Wait, don’t tell me… Jin Runcandel, this brat. He didn’t actually know Yona was our weakness…! Did he just guess it was related to her because I didn’t immediately punish him for the destruction in the city?
Recalling how he had lost his composure the moment Yona’s name was mentioned, Oul felt a sense of shame for the first time in a very long while. A bit of self-loathing and a sense of defeat followed.
He, the master of this city and the King of Assassins, had just lost a battle of wits to a greenhorn.
I’m too embarrassed to even look at him, damn it. What a disgrace. Even if he is a pureblood, he’s only the thirteenth child and a provisional flag-bearer; it’s only natural he wouldn’t know the details of the relationship between the Nameless and Yona.
Out of consideration for the man’s pride, Jin bowed deeply, hiding his smirk.
“…You are impressive.”
After offering that short, blunt praise, Oul stepped out of the inn and vanished like the wind.
All the way back to the Nameless Hall, he felt a pang of regret—regret for the youngest son of Runcandel, who was almost certain to meet an early end at the hands of the top-tier assassin Yona would soon send.
Veradin and Dante woke up naturally around evening as the paralysis wore off, having no idea what had transpired while they slept.
* * *
“The Lord did not expect the provisional flag-bearer to be associating with the heirs of Zipple and Hairan… but we can deliver even more unexpected good news.”
“There is definitely something between Yona and the provisional flag-bearer as well. Now that we’ve identified the situation, the evidence will soon come pouring in.”
A group of men conversed inside the house of a Samil advanced cadet. The cadet himself was dead on the floor, strangled by a steel wire.
These were the men Joshua had sent.
“It’s not over until we report the good news to the Lord. And since the level of assassins targeting the provisional flag-bearer is constantly rising, keep a close watch. Do not forget his instruction that the provisional flag-bearer must not die yet.”
However, they were completely unaware that one of the top assassins of the Nameless was in the building directly across from them.
The top assassin had been hovering near them from the moment they entered the city, never leaving their side for a single second.