Chapter 263
Chapter 263
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 263
>Chapter Title: Blood Slaughter
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Among the Top 10 Guilds, the sole assassination guild—and one shrouded entirely in secrecy.
Most of its members hid behind assassin classes, but information on the guild master was classified to the extreme.
No one even knew her face.
She always wore assassination robes and a mask that covered everything from the eyes down, hiding herself meticulously.
What was known was that she was a woman with blue hair pinned up in a bun.
[You have been killed by player 'Sina.']
That was the only greeting before death, her name.
A prodigy of assassination.
Born to be an assassin.
The archetype and pinnacle of assassins.
That's why her name was always preceded by flashy modifiers.
For her flawless execution, she earned rave reviews as "the most assassin-like assassin." She was competent.
Too competent, perhaps.
Did her perfection breed one bad habit?
"...Boring. No stronger prey around?"
The intense catharsis of successfully assassinating a worthy foe.
Even she, with her ice witch poker face devoid of emotional highs, could bask in a dopamine feast in that moment.
That was why she always prowled for strong prey.
But the strong were finite.
Her list of prey was running dry, which had soured her mood lately.
'Should I target the Top 10 Guild guys? ...No, hold back. Can't break the unwritten rule.'
Objectively, every one of those Top 10 Guild members outclassed her.
But assassination was a different field from straight combat.
The thrill of taking them out already sent shivers down her spine, but it'd make her everyone's target.
She couldn't sacrifice her future for instant gratification.
"Parrying machine? Delrock's God?"
Her frustrated eyes naturally latched onto Kaiser.
A name she'd heard a month or two ago, but not then the center of attention.
'Just dismissed as some past ghost back then... And he cleared a disaster raid the Top 10 Guilds couldn't?'
Such growth in that short time?
Even accounting for the Empress, Sword Saint, and Armory Lord with him, it was absurd.
But the evidence video was undeniable.
Especially that light trajectory parry—it was unbelievable even watching it.
'...A true powerhouse.'
Kaiser. A powerhouse.
One whose skill could stand toe-to-toe with the Top 10 Guilds.
He wasn't fully matured yet, but that didn't matter to her now.
'How will he react? Can he escape my kill?'
Parrying machine, God's reincarnation.
She wondered if this grandly hyped man could slip her noose.
How he'd counter—it intrigued her to no end.
'Got him.'
Curiosity was the greatest motivator, or so they said.
In the end, she set out after Kaiser, pouring effort into tracking him.
She even expressed intent to join a meeting she'd always skipped.
Rustle—
"Pretty far out. Feels like we've walked over 30 minutes already."
-We'll arrive soon though, right, Master?
-Lizariza!
And now.
Her efforts bore fruit.
'White-furred spider-monkey thing, robed dwarf, and Charlie... That's Kaiser.'
Less than a day later, she'd spotted Kaiser and his guardians passing deep into the southern forest.
Perched in a tree overlooking them, she pieced together intel.
'Dwarf specializes in swarm tactics. Legion Leader's tricky. Charlie tanks aggro, spider creates variables... They're outside Guardian domain, but all support roles ultimately. Main threat's Kaiser himself.'
Assassination basics: prior intel.
From class basics to minutiae like strengths, traits, habits.
Only after full recon could one claim to be a master assassin.
'Intel's thin, so not perfect... but I nailed his fatal habit.'
And not just that.
She'd analyzed the guardians' combat styles and tendencies too. Countermeasures planned.
But this was all premised on combat breaking out.
She was certain the odds were under 1%.
'Parries? Bring it on.'
Prey she marked died without knowing how or why—that's why she crushed stronger foes and claimed a Top 10 Guild spot.
[Activating Legendary Skill, 'Phantom Assassination Eclipse.']
[Stealth activates, undetectable even by Legendary Insight. Movement speed rises in stealth; attacking breaks stealth with 500% boosted damage.]
[Unique Ability 'Sustain' activates.]
['Phantom Assassination Eclipse' gains effect: Ignore dispel for three attacks, maintaining stealth.]
'If you can.'
It was the cheat synergy of a Legendary Skill and Mythic God's Unique Ability.
The sole owner among ten billion players.
Her assassinations were guaranteed kills.
'Where to start? Head? Heart? No, legs first, then slowly...?'
Half her face masked, yet her icy features flushed with excitement.
Then.
Kaiser abruptly halted.
Sina swallowed hard, watching his cold-stropped stance.
But her tension proved needless—he resumed walking soon after.
'Of course. No way he'd spot... What?'
She'd just sighed in relief when—
Flash!
Kaiser's form vanished.
Stunned by the blink-speed event, Sina jolted up but froze.
A cold blade pressed her throat.
"Voyeur? You seemed to enjoy peeping."
No need to turn.
[Mark generated.]
The overhead message confirmed it was Kaiser.
'How?'
Doubt flashed, but her body reacted faster.
Instead of turning, she pitched forward.
Using gravity, she landed swiftly, hand slipping into her robes to hurl something backward without looking.
Thud—whoosh!
-Wh-whoa? What the—!?
-L-Liza!?
-Old chap! This... an enemy!?
A lasso.
Unusually long, it instantly bound Zidhard's neck and Elizer's body.
Some special option—Charlie swung his sword at it, but not a scratch.
-Left side?
Stealthed and invisible, but Charlie was once Knight Citadel Commander.
He gauged trajectory from the lasso's path, drawing his sword—but something heavy stomped it back in.
-This... a foot?
As if prepped, Sina stomped it down effortlessly, slapping a sealing talisman on.
[Sealing Talisman applied to target's sword.]
[Sword unusable for 40 seconds.]
-!?
Charlie neutralized for 40 seconds.
[Using Heroic Skill, 'Concussion Trigger.']
[Next hit inflicts severe concussion: stun and temporary stat drop.]
[Concussion amplifies with damage.]
['Phantom Assassination Eclipse' boosts strike by 500%.]
Boom!
Sina head-kicked the dazed Charlie airborne, then looked up.
All in under 3 seconds.
Do-hyun, watching every beat from above, let out a dry chuckle.
"This is... practically a ninja."
Zero wasted motion, even in surprise.
Binding Zidhard and Elizer first meant she knew Charlie draws post-engagement.
She'd come prepared...
'What? Did I make enemies lately... Yeah, sure did.'
Post-World Quest, he'd turned most Top 10 Guilds and high rankers hostile.
That level meant high ranker at least.
-Damn it, frustrating! Where's it coming from? Come out and fight fair!
-Lizariza! Liza!
-Ugh... My apologies, liege. I've no face.
Charlie slumped against a tree, clutching his spinning head.
Zidhard and Elizer raged bound nearby, but Sina ignored them, staring up at Do-hyun's tree.
"What're you looking at?"
Only blue hair and eyes visible, but her gaze screamed murder.
Meeting her killing intent calmly, her brows furrowed sharply.
"...How'd you do it?"
"Do what?"
"My stealth blocks even Legendary Insight. Never heard you had better detection."
That was it.
No wonder she stood so boldly—well-founded confidence.
'What kinda cheat skill is that? Wait, stealth holds post-attack?'
Traits and Unique Ability combo, probably.
Without Truth Eye, he'd be in trouble.
'Truly worthy of God's Eye... I trust you.'
Ever-reliable Benevolent trait—did she take his inner praise as mockery?
She crouched, drawing a shuriken-like dagger.
"Won't talk? Fine. Impressive trick, but I'm prepared for this."
"Failed sneak attack and now you yap. Villains like you always blubber and flee after monologuing."
"...Enough. I'll cut that mouth first."
No bluff—she hurled the dagger at his lips.
Pinpoint precision, but Do-hyun didn't flinch.
Backstab incoming anyway.
[Using Backstab.]
[Mark fades.]
Behind her now, he stepped forward, thrusting—Mt. Tai stability.
Reverse Heaven Stance, First Form: Initiate.
But what?
Whoosh—crunch!
She twisted preemptively, backspinning her reverse-grip dagger at him.
Neck-aimed, spinning ferociously.
'Crazy?'
Reflex parry triggered, but the dagger froze inches from his throat.
Whoosh—
Do-hyun slashed empty air.
In his slo-mo vision, he saw it:
Her dagger, tongue-flicking like a snake tasting prey.
'Huh?'
Sword fully swung, gap exposed—she struck then.
He dropped the blade clean, rolling left.
Even that readied, her dagger arcing variably mid-swing.
But his outreached hand summoned Skyblade between them.
Clang!
"Knew it, but tricky weapon."
Regretfully eyeing her gripped dagger, she smirked.
"How's that? Still think I'll cry and run?"
"Stuck in your heart? Victims always say that—got a history?"
"...Snap out. Your fancy attacks won't work on me. Guardians can't help now."
"Dunno. Cocky after one upper hand?"
"One?"
Dagger reverse-gripped, she advanced slowly.
Smirking derisively.
"You know people have habits?"
"..."
"Duh, you would. Master of mind games and spacing. Used it well so far. But overlooked your own habits?"
"I have habits?"
Her retort was matter-of-fact.
"That signature step? Always right foot first. Backstabs for max efficiency. Breath timing, stance-based attack paths."
"..."
"All mapped in my head. My winning strat—and why I'm here."
She tapped her temple with a finger, eyes turning dismissive.
"Hyped as Delrock's God or whatever... but just this? Top 10 Guilds would've crushed you without me. Oh, lucky you—I'll savor first."
"Habits, huh..."
She smiled, eyes crinkling.
Gripping Skyblade thoughtfully, Do-hyun smiled back.
"Change habits you don't like."
"...What?"
"Thanks for the tip. I'll end it quick."
Sina's eyes went from baffled to insane-person stare.
Habits were scars etched by years of repetition. Not flipped on a whim.
But why?
'...He's serious?'
Do-hyun's gaze brimmed with near-certain resolve.