episode_0008

Entering the dark alley is not difficult.

Simply meeting the broker and facing the entrance to the dark guild, I easily stepped into the dark alley.

‘It’s always such a filthy place.’

I wasn’t a righteous person like the protagonist; I just tried to turn a blind eye and live.

But by touching this first, I can’t help but come out dirty too.

‘Anyway, there’s no turning back.’

If you mess with the dark guild, do you think the nobles will stay quiet?

Not at all concerning.

There are countless ways to hide your identity.

Since even faces are covered with masks, there’s no way to get caught just because someone recognizes you.

If it seems like it might be a problem later on, just reveal your identity and say you didn’t know who you were messing with.

‘A deadlock.’

From the other party’s perspective, there would be no answer.

What if some crazy person sought revenge for being touched, only to find out they were a warrior almost as powerful as the emperor?

Where could a situation worse than this be?

Even the nobles trying to help would likely cut ties or pretend not to know me.

‘The viscount. They’ll be in deep trouble.’

I can’t remember the family name, but they’re like trash experimenting on children.

Although not entirely certain, I was about 99% sure.

‘They’ll desperately try to stop it.’

If it gets out that such a request was made to the dark guild, I knew they would do everything to stop it. But once they realized the change, dealt with the dark guild completely, and brought out evidence, I wouldn’t have to worry much.

“By the way, where exactly is the dark guild located?”

Since the original work didn’t clearly specify the location of the dark guild, I asked a passerby.

“Do you happen to know where the dark guild is located around here?”

“The location of the dark guild… I think if you go straight that way, you should come across it. What business do you have with the dark guild?”

“I don’t think we’re close enough for you to ask me that.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t help my curiosity.”

Saying that, the passerby left casually.

Given that this is the dark alley, it wasn’t particularly surprising that most people here were abnormal.

Following the directions given by the passerby, I arrived at a certain place.

‘Is this it?’

A rather modest-looking building.

A faint scent of blood piercing my nostrils.

‘This must be it.’

This was indeed the place where those known as the dark guild resided.

Quietly, I opened the door and entered, greeted by a grim atmosphere and one person who seemed like a staff member.

‘An assassin.’

Was it just my imagination that this wasn’t the dark guild?

Even the person who seemed to be a staff member turned out to be an assassin.

Intrigued, I stared at the staff member and approached closer.

“How may I assist you?”

Welcoming me with a smiling face.

To confirm one last time, I asked her,

“So, the dark guild will do anything for money, right?”

“Half correct and half incorrect. We cannot accept requests outside of our specialty.”

“I see. So, is this the headquarters of the dark guild?”

“Yes, it is. This is quite peculiar. Ordinary guests wouldn’t usually inquire about such things.”

In an instant, the staff member drew a dagger and pressed it against my neck.

The smile I had just seen vanished, replaced by a cold and chilling expression.

“Who are you?”

“If you knew who I was, could you handle it?”

“Whoever you are, once you step in here, asking questions stops.”

“Is that so?”

Certainly, from their perspective, no matter how noble I might be, if I play dumb, that’s the end of it.

Unless I’m a high-ranking noble.

‘But they probably don’t think I’m a high-ranking noble.’

Those who use the dark guild are not high-ranking nobles, but ordinary ones.

Initially, knights and mages accompanying high nobles are much stronger than assassins in the dark guild. Why would they bother to make a request?

While knights and mages have different skills, if one sets their mind to it, they could show better efficiency than assassins, so there was no reason for high nobles to seek them out here.

“Not that it’s real, though.”

The problem is the existence of warriors higher than high nobles.

Of course, I just smiled as I had no intention of revealing such facts.

“If you don’t want to struggle in pain, it’s best to speak politely. Who are you? What is your purpose in coming here?”

“If I truly came as a guest, why do you care?”

“In that case, I will apologize politely. Of course, you must remove that ridiculous mask and reveal your identity.”

If the mask is removed and the identity revealed, the dark guild itself would disappear.

I barely managed to swallow the words that rose up to my throat.

“Do you really think I will lose? Just to a mere subordinate.”

“Even if you call me a mere subordinate, do not forget that I can slit your throat at any moment.”

“Indeed. Even an ordinary knight might find it somewhat challenging. However…”

I swiftly grabbed the wrist of the employee who was thrusting a dagger at me and twisted it while holding onto her head and slamming it into the ground.

Then I lifted her back up.

Being a trained assassin, she would likely feel considerable pain, yet she only furrowed her brow slightly.

She didn’t even let out a whimper.

“Impressive?”

“…Just because I caught one, doesn’t mean the job is done.”

“True.”

Thinking that catching just one assassin would solve everything was simply foolish.

At least…

“To consider the job done, the entire dark guild must be dismantled.”

At my words, the determination in the employee’s eyes intensified.

“Regardless of who you are, you cannot meddle with the entire dark guild.”

“If I tear apart the riffraff, who dares to say anything to me?”

The only ones who could say something to me were perhaps the Emperor or Lenain.

Lenain worrying about what to say to me was more like nagging, and the Emperor would probably commend me for this task.

In short, it meant that there was no one who could say anything to me.

However, whether he thought it was pretentious or not, the employee chuckled.

Then he clenched his fist.

“Now, it’s over for you. Other assassins besides me will gather here. You will receive torture where you cannot die even if you wish to.”

“That sounds terrifying. So when will the assassins come then?”

Even tigers respond when called.

As soon as I spoke, movements and presences could be felt all around.

However, it seemed like they were probing me without revealing themselves.

I said to them, “Stop hiding and come out.”

The assassins who had been hiding revealed themselves one by one.

“Who are you?”

“Do you have the courage to handle me once you know my identity? Then I’ll tell you.”

“He’s insane. Subdue him.”

The assassins rushed at me simultaneously.

Trails of daggers coming at me without gaps.

Observing them, I tossed the guy I had in my hand aside, drew my sword, and took a step forward.

Taking a deep breath, I created a sword aura before lightly swinging the sword after loosening the wrist holding it.

Hoecham (回斬)

As I swung the sword, the extended sword aura rotated, spreading in all directions.

The daggers coming in without gaps were deflected, and then I cut down the assassins.

The slain assassins remained lifeless, leaving only one I had ordered among them and the one who had initially confronted me.

“…You’re not an ordinary guy. You know how to use Aura.”

“Although he may seem a bit ridiculous, his abilities are plentiful, I must say. Have you felt like giving up? If you only spill the information I ask for gently, I might consider showing mercy.”

“Even just changing your gaze and speaking would earn you some trust.”

“When I see trash, I tend to lose control of my anger. I hope you understand.”

Nevertheless, it wasn’t entirely false.

If upon checking, the children were neither harmed nor dead, I had intentions of leaving them as they were.

If not, I wouldn’t let it slide.

“Anyway, that’s why I made a choice. Considering the situation, there’s still a possibility of sparing you. I am someone who keeps their word once spoken, even with this kind of gaze.”

“I refuse.”

“Is that so? Well, that’s truly regrettable.”

In truth, I didn’t feel regret at all.

After all, killing them wouldn’t prevent me from obtaining information.

“If you’re ahead, your comrades will follow immediately, so there’s no need to worry about being lonely.”

With those words, I swung my sword.

He continued to scream in agony.

I thought he might resist a little, but seeing me wield the sword, he seemed to give up.

“Well, how many people can handle a sword aura?”

Personally, I called it a sword aura, but in this world, it was a skill that could only be used by reaching the level of Sword Expert or the tip of Sword Aura, known as Sword Ora.

Fundamentally, in this world, individuals are divided into Sword Users, Sword Oras, Sword Experts, and Sword Masters.

And my level is that of a Sword Expert.

While it may not be common in other novels, if you look closely, there are quite a few.

This world is a bit different.

Due to thousands of years passing without the appearance of Sword Masters, Sword Experts practically received the treatment of Sword Masters.

Hence, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible why the assassin gave up.

“Someday, the protagonist will reach the level of Sword Master.”

At present, if one were to search for someone stronger than me, they would likely find very few.

Of course, this was merely speculation; I myself didn’t know for sure.

“The protagonist’s current level is at the tip of Sword Ora.”

In a way, there may not be much difference, but the disparity between Sword Ora and Sword Expert is quite significant.

However, the protagonist is a hero and a manifestation of talent.

Naturally narrowing that gap.

Yet, when I think back to how easily he defeated me at that time, it can be attributed to both him forgetting the fact that I am stronger than he thought and the hero being overly complacent.

“I’ll give you a choice. Will you follow your comrades or divulge the information?”

I asked while looking at the only survivor.

Though he didn’t respond, he seemed determined not to reveal any information.

“I’ve heard your answer well.”

I thrust my sword into his heart, ending his life instantly.

After retrieving my sword, I searched the building to find the children.