The Holy Nation Assassin
“What?”
Liora furrowed her brow at words that felt more like a declaration than a suggestion.
“You want me to just run away without doing anything?”
“Yes. Since Bares even has information on the Spirit King's Trace, anything could happen at any moment.”
“We have evidence! If we just steal back what my uncle has, we can expose his crimes, right?”
“Even so, the feasibility is dubious. The city's elites have already bent to Bares' whims.”
-I agree.
-Yeah, all the judges are totally on Bares' side.
-Evidence getting buried: 101% chance.
-So what now?
-Idk?
It was obvious that clearly proving guilt with solid evidence was the right path. But everyone involved in the investigation and trial was under Bares' influence. Handing over the evidence now would likely make it vanish without a trace.
Kang Hanbit, who'd been listening, decided to address the viewers' doubts first, as promised.
“Does Bares know what you look like, Liora?”
“Only a handful know the young lady's face. Aside from Brooke, even most viewers here don't.”
“Then we're good! The pursuers so far haven't been targeting me specifically!”
Liora jumped into the conversation, raising her voice. It sounded reasonable at first glance, but Cown just shook his head.
“They're checking faces one by one to rule out targets. Add Brooke's description, and the pursuers will close in on you eventually.”
“I can just cover my face!”
“...That unusual reaction from the ring. It might be the effect of a magic tool tracking spirit power. There's info that the Holy Nation's tech can produce it, so Bares using one wouldn't be surprising. Can you hide that too?”
“Ugh...”
-Scary as hell;
-Obsession game strong.
-Makes sense with the Spirit King's Trace.
-Can't Black Dragon use it?
-You think?
-Fr, it'd be OP if he did.
-Sylph incoming lol.
Viewers started buzzing about the power of the Spirit King's Trace. But Liora just trembled, fists clenched tight.
“Stubbornness won't change anything. I'll arrange a safe house right away—prepare to leave. I'll handle the fight using this evidence.”
Cown pressed on firmly.
“No...”
Liora bowed her head and muttered something. As Cown took a step closer to hear, she exploded.
“I said no!”
She screamed and leaped upward.
“Young lady!”
Her movement was too swift; she vanished to the upper floor. Cown reached out but couldn't follow.
Hanbit, looking flustered, bolted after her.
“Hurry!”
He didn't even wait for Cown's reply, charging upstairs. The shabby room was empty.
“What's going on?!”
Cown followed, questioning. No time to answer—Hanbit kicked the door open and rushed outside.
Where'd she go?
Her unexpected outburst. Liora was so fast, even a short moment was enough to vanish from sight.
Thud!
Hanbit swiftly scaled the building's wall gaps to the rooftop. The alleys were too maze-like for a clear view, but he had no choice.
There!
His focused eyes caught the yellow-haired girl. Whoosh—spirit wind wrapped his body as if sensing his intent. He drew his sword and kicked off toward her.
Slash!
Wind-boosted speed propelled him forward. As he closed in on her back, he swung with full force.
Clang!
“...Huh?”
Her surprised voice rang with the sharp clash.
“Ugh!”
The massive impact from the collision shoved Hanbit back. But he couldn't retreat.
Thud!
“Kyaa!”
He grabbed her hand and yanked hard. As she stumbled back, he steadied himself, guarding the front.
“You read that, huh.”
A figure in black-and-white robes stood before them. Genderless, eerie voice. In their hand, a razor-thin, sharp sword.
-Who is that?
-Bares' guy?
-Holy Nation?
-Looks stupid strong;
As some viewers guessed, this was a Holy Nation assassin. The shadowy group handling dirty work from the darkness. Each one an extraordinary expert, naturally.
“Young lady!”
Cown arrived late.
“You okay?!”
“Huh? Uh...”
Liora, still dazed, nodded slowly. Cown, sword drawn, turned to the unknown foe.
“Who sent you?”
Clink—the assassin leveled their sword and spoke.
“Leave the girl and go. No need for pointless sacrifices once the goal's met. That's divine mercy.”
“Holy Nation bastards. What's the objective?”
“Seize the Norton family heirloom ring and eliminate its owner. That's all.”
“...No need to hear more.”
Cown gritted his teeth, assuming position. But he wasn't foolish enough to misjudge the enemy's level.
“Black Dragon, take the young lady and flee Edlen.”
“Cown!”
“Young lady, I'll deal with this and catch up. Go first.”
“No!”
-Oh no;
-Flag raised.
-He dying?
-Yup.
The exchange felt like an eternal farewell. They understood each other's hearts, but that choice was impossible.
“Must innocent blood spill after all.”
The assassin's voice grew icier. As their sword shifted slightly,
Whoosh!
They lunged.
“Think I'll go down easy?!”
Cown, on guard, swung hard. Agile for his bulk. But the foe was beyond normal.
Swish—they twisted mid-charge, dodging effortlessly. Momentum carried into a follow-up.
Whoosh!
The blade rocketed toward his throat. Cown, mid-swing, couldn't evade.
“Cown!”
Liora's scream echoed.
Clang!
Hanbit wedged between, batting the sword away.
Whirl—the assassin regripped and slashed down at him. Cown reacted.
“Hah!”
Fist over sword, he punched at the face. Assassin blocked casually.
“You underestimate me?”
Crunch—crushing force gripped the fist.
“Ugh!”
Pain like shattering bones forced Cown back.
Shimmer—a faint white glow enveloped the assassin. Hanbit yanked Cown's shoulder.
“Move!”
Whoosh!
The sword struck again. Hanbit gripped his hilt two-handed, channeling wind into a cyan blade.
“Hup!”
He leaped, smashing down. Their swords met.
Boom!
A shockwave erupted outward.
“Urk!”
“Young lady!”
Cown caught airborne Liora, shielding her. Lifting his head, he saw only the assassin.
“Shit...”
Hanbit slammed into the wall. No pain, but the overwhelming power gap dredged up old memories.
-Wtf;
-He actually losing?
-Black Dragon getting wrecked;
-How to beat that?
-Story
-armor-
Drip—Hanbit pulled free, repositioning. Massive damage slowed him terribly.
“Curious power.”
The assassin eyed his sword, muttering. Unaware it was spirit force. The spirit mage purge a century ago had erased true spirit power from memory.
“Doubt you survive twice.”
Sword lowered, they advanced slowly. Cown charged.
“You think I'll just watch?!”
Two-handed swing. Assassin didn't even turn, just flicked a hand.
Bang!
Impossible clash sound.
“Ugh!”
Cown flew, crashing down. His sword snapped clean in half.
“Ah...”
Liora sighed shortly, then shook her head, gripping her dagger.
“All fools, one and all.”
Assassin's gaze shifted to her.
“Young lady...! Run!”
Cown struggled to rise. Pain wracked him unrelentingly.
“Hoo.”
Hanbit edged to Liora's side on barely working legs.
“Black Dragon...”
She whimpered his name. The assassin approached, sword ready. One swing, and they were done. The spirit necklace would buy only a moment.
Despair crashed into Liora's mind. It ignited fury.
“Because of you...!”
Her father's false charges and death. Even with her uncle and Bares' plot, the Holy Nation loomed behind. Rage filled her for those ruining her past and present.
“It's okay.”
Hanbit, knowing her heart, stood before her. Sword gripped despite his state. He'd faced this countless times.
“No ill will toward you. God watches—die without sin.”
Assassin lunged, sword low. As the cold edge neared their throats,
BOOM!
Fierce wind descended.
“Urk!”
A gale unlike before repelled the assassin.
“I told you to be careful.”
The welcome voice from within. Hanbit looked up.
“Master.”
“Focus on recovering. Can't lose a disciple after decades.”
The white-haired elder spoke sincerely. At the dire moment: Asla, Sword of Wind. Hanbit's master, Edlen's top expert.
-Whoa.
-Why's Asla here?
-Master ㅠㅠㅠ
-Backup OP;
-He got hit.
-Teacher, kill 'em pls.
“You...”
Assassin straightened, glaring warily. The elder met their eyes calmly, raising his sword.
“Come. I'll cleave your twisted faith with you.”