Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Chapter 2 Return (1)
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Whoosh!
Despite Sien's chilling warning, the assassins of the Blood Sword Squad chose not to take their own lives.
Instead, they kicked off the ground and charged forward at ferocious speeds.
The dungeon's uniquely complex terrain posed no obstacle whatsoever.
As the assassins closed in, Sien opened her mouth in a cold tone.
“There are always idiots like you everywhere. Even when I tell you the truth, you can't comprehend it.”
She had to admit, navigating the dungeon's labyrinthine layout with such agility was impressive.
But that was all it amounted to.
In a place like this, no matter how many people they threw at her, forming a proper encirclement was nearly impossible. It nullified the advantage of superior numbers.
But they were different.
This was precisely the kind of environment where space-affinity ability users could fight most efficiently.
“They must have figured they had a shot, right? They probably came up with some half-decent plan.”
“A few good hits, and they'll realize planning is pointless.”
Boom!
No sooner had she spoken than Sien slammed her zweihander into the ground.
“You sure about this?”
“Of course. Punks who skulk in the shadows stabbing people are more than enough for my fists. Honestly, even that's too good for them.”
“Wow! So cool, big sis!”
“Cut the nonsense.”
Martin made a fuss, and Sien smirked.
Even as they talked, her eyes remained locked on the Blood Sword Squad assassins.
The moment she judged the distance right, she stepped forward with her right foot.
Rumble!
A circular silver shockwave erupted outward.
It was the unique ability inherited by the Egrett family: Space Repulsion.
Crash! Boom!
The shockwave instantly pulverized stalactites and stalagmites scattered throughout the dungeon.
But that was just the beginning. The wave surged straight toward the assassins.
“Gah!”
“Argh!”
Two assassins struck by the blast vomited blood and went flying. The blood-red blades they clutched shattered completely.
Yet the assassins showed no reaction to their comrades' deaths. They stayed focused solely on their objective.
Over twenty of them then split into two groups.
The left group surrounded Sien, while the right targeted Martin behind her.
“Who decided that?”
Sien muttered in a menacing tone.
She pointed her right hand toward the ceiling.
Then snapped her fingers.
Boom!
The shockwave collapsed the ceiling, raining down countless stalactite fragments.
Slash!
The assassins didn't just take it lying down.
They swung mana-infused blades every which way, slicing through the debris. But they couldn't avoid their movements slowing.
Hum.
That was when it happened.
Sien's body suddenly vanished.
Almost the instant she disappeared, she reappeared above the head of an assassin who had stepped to the front.
Martin marveled inwardly.
‘She's a genius through and through. Freely teleporting amid chaotic melee and complex terrain.’
Mastering teleportation required precise coordinate calculations, which were notoriously tricky.
Yet Sien handled it effortlessly while overwhelming her foes.
Martin was genuinely impressed.
Boom!
Having shifted position via teleportation, Sien lifted her right foot.
Then stomped down hard. Directly onto the opponent's head.
Crash!
The assassin hastily raised both arms to block, but it was futile.
In the blink of an eye, his arm bones snapped, and his head exploded like it had been hit by a bomb.
Thud.
Sien landed gracefully on the ground. Without pause, she thrust out her right index finger.
She truly hated wasting even a punch on them.
What was more astonishing was that a single finger was enough.
One strike, one kill.
Each flick of her finger pierced a neck or chest. The assassins' breaths cut off instantly.
It was the result of the Egrett family's insane physical prowess combined with their Space Repulsion ability.
One of the assassins cried out in dismay.
“Ignore the guard! Prioritize killing the target!”
“So killing me was the goal after all.”
Martin muttered in a relaxed tone.
Neither the client nor the assassins could afford to touch Sien.
Vincent von Egrett.
The current head of the Egrett family and the strongest among the five branch families.
Even though Mathew von Gustin had recently reached the same realm, he hadn't caught up in prestige.
Vincent had transcended the limitations of being a branch of the Adalbert family, spreading his fame across the entire empire.
In his youth, he had even threatened the position of the previous head, Daniel, with his exceptional talent.
Sien was his one and only child.
If she died?
Even in the Alteria Empire, known for its many powerhouses, few could weather the aftermath.
Naturally, both client and assassins would avoid killing her at all costs.
Whoosh!
At their leader's command, over half the remaining assassins rushed toward Martin.
“The rest of you block the guard! Just hold him until the target is dead!”
It meant sacrificing their lives, but the assassins didn't care.
They threw themselves at Sien without hesitation, believing their comrades would surely kill Martin.
“Aren't you underestimating me a bit?”
A grin crept across Martin's lips.
Of course, he understood their mindset.
Sien was a genius who had reached the 5th Circle at age 23.
To them, the guy at her side could only seem pathetic. Just a half-baked talent with exceptional swordsmanship.
“But come on, assassins who target lives shouldn't get careless, right?”
The moment Martin's words ended,
Boom!
Nearly ten assassins slammed into the ground.
Immense pressure had crushed them down.
Gravity manipulation via Distortion of All Things.
The technique Martin had used to great effect in his previous life was now manifesting for the first time in this regressed era.
“I figured you'd turn the tables quick, but... isn't this a bit much, Martin?”
Sien had finished off all her opponents. She approached him, shaking her head.
“Space Domination is undoubtedly the strongest among space affinities. But to wield it at this level just two weeks after awakening it? It makes me want to argue with everyone who calls me a genius.”
“I've seen plenty. Watched how you and others deploy their abilities. By the time I awakened mine, I'd already thought up all the applications.”
“Not all thoughts become reality, you crazy monster.”
Sien finally shot back.
Martin smirked.
Part of it was how cute she looked, but he also liked that she hadn't noticed he'd manipulated gravity.
He'd use it often from now on.
“By the way, you okay using your ability like that? Innate abilities strain the body way more than auras.”
“Just a bit of throbbing in my mana circuits.”
“It's not just reaching 4th Circle in swordsmanship. The Lotaer Body Technique's breathing method... the effects are insane.”
“Couldn't agree more.”
Martin shrugged lightly, then walked toward the assassins' leader.
He peeled off the red mask.
“Ugh!”
Sien frowned.
The man's exposed face was horrific.
Not only was all the skin flayed off, but it was slashed up in places.
But she wasn't the only one shocked.
“M-Martin Adalbert! How the hell do you have an innate ability?!”
Martin smirked and countered.
“Why should I explain it to you? And don't get it twisted. You're not the one asking questions— I am.”
“...Whatever you ask, you won't get any answers.”
“We'll see. I guarantee it won't take long for you to change your mind.”
The Lotaer Body Technique could infiltrate mana into the target's body.
Distortion of All Things could destroy the body from the outside.
Combined, how much agony would a human feel? He'd find out today.
With that thought, Martin extended his hand.
Five minutes.
In that short time, he extracted all the information he needed.
* * *
“Man, I hope we get some good stuff today.”
“Yeah. Picking up nothing but low-grade mana stones every day is getting old.”
People armed with various weapons chatted here and there.
They were adventurers.
The general term for those who worked in dungeons.
Their types varied widely—some explored dungeon interiors, others hunted the monsters inside.
Dungeons yielded mana stones of all grades, and they fetched high prices.
Thus, adventurer was arguably the continent's most popular profession.
It wasn't easy, though; one had to pass the exams from the Adventurer's Guild, jointly established by multiple nations.
“By the way, Young Master Martin's return is less than a month away now. Wonder if he awakened an innate ability.”
No one was unaware that Martin had been kicked out of the family under the pretext of training.
It had been the biggest gossip in the Alteria Empire lately.
“Nah. Everyone acknowledges his overwhelming sword talent, but innate abilities are a whole different ballgame. Look at continental history. Plenty of people reached 5th Circle in swordsmanship or magic and still suffered without awakening one.”
“True. Most of them started rebellions. Claiming a world without discrimination for lacking innate abilities. They all failed, of course.”
“Exactly. Awakening an innate ability is pure luck. Even among high nobles, some never do it. Young Master is lucky, though. He could've been exiled immediately, but they gave him 100 extra days.”
“You never know. There are cases of awakening one later in life.”
“You call that common? How many were there? Be real. After 18 years without one, you think 100 more days makes a difference? No way.”
“Sigh. The branch heads and elders are too harsh. They gave false hope and just made things harder for him.”
“They want a solid pretext. Once he's gone, the branch heads can take Bareahein City and the dungeon. Their own little nation—who wouldn't tread carefully?”
“It's tragic. Never thought a millennium-old family would crumble so pointlessly.”
“Hell, lasting 1,000 years is impressive enough. Just hope those bastards don't harm Young Master....”
As the men gossiped fervently, the dungeon entrance opened.
“What the—?”
“Who the hell...?”
The adventurers instinctively turned and froze in shock.
There stood a young man everyone present knew.
Martin Adalbert.
The Adalbert family's sole direct descendant had emerged into the world.
And far earlier than scheduled.
‘The 100-day training shouldn't be over yet?’
‘Did he really awaken an innate ability?’
All eyes focused on Martin.
With over a month still left, everyone was dying to know why he had returned so soon.
One thing was certain: his presence was now unmistakable.
Nothing like when he first entered the dungeon.
“Young Master!”
The Adventurer's Guild staff rushed over, bowing deeply to Martin.
Even if nobles scorned him, that was their world.
To them, natives of dungeon city Bareahein, Martin remained an object of awe.
“Two months and a fortnight. Hope you've been well, Branch Chief Bairen?”
“I-I'm the same as always. More importantly, welcome back, Young Master. And sorry—we would've prepared if we'd known you were coming....”
“No need to apologize. I returned early.”
“Th-thank you for understanding.”
Bairen, head of the Bareahein branch, finally sighed in relief.
“I'll contact the main house and have a carriage sent.”
“No need. I plan to walk and look around the city. Anyway, I have something to discuss.”
“Please, go ahead!”
“Hm. Not here, though. It might put you in a tough spot.”
“Wh-what do you mean...?”
“Should I just say it? I don't mind.”
“I-I'll take you to my office! This way!”
Branch Chief Bairen said hurriedly.
He had instinctively realized that whatever Martin had to say was no trivial matter.
Moments later, Martin sat in the office's main seat.
He fixed his gaze on Branch Chief Bairen to his right.
“Aren't you managing the dungeon too laxly, Branch Chief Bairen?”
“Pardon? What do you...?”
Boom!
Sien, standing behind Martin, opened a sub-space.
A blood-soaked figure tumbled out.
It wasn't very noticeable, but even his clothes were drenched in blood.
“Gasp!”
Branch Chief Bairen's face went pale.
A former adventurer himself, he recognized it immediately.
The figure was a corpse.
Martin continued with a cold smile as he watched.
“Funny, isn't it, Branch Chief? The day the Adalbert direct heir gets attacked in Adalbert territory.”
“Th-these guys are...?”
“Yeah. Assassins.”
“Gasp!”
Branch Chief Bairen's face drained of all color, turning ashen.
Martin steepled his fingers as he regarded him.
“Want to discuss this matter more constructively?”
Branch Chief Bairen could do only one thing: nod vigorously.