## Ch-104.
—
At the sudden declaration, the Faceless Killer blinked several times.
He did not answer immediately. After a brief silence, he studied Haryeong’s face—then cast a sideways glance at Yuri.
“Surely you are not declaring departure because I said an assassin must not have a lover?”
“No.”
“Then why suddenly declare departure?”
“I intend to quit being an assassin.”
“You are not returning to the Tang Clan. So why abandon the assassin’s path now?”
“It is hardly a profession to boast of. Gate Master, I ask that you kindly support this adorable disciple’s fresh start.”
It was often said that no occupation was inherently noble or base—but the profession of assassin inevitably bore a poor reputation.
“Very well.”
The Faceless Killer answered without hesitation and continued with a nod.
“According to the laws of the Tiger-Slaying Gate, a disciple who wishes to depart must have their dantian crippled and the hand that wields weapons severed. Since you use daggers with both hands, both hands must be cut. Though that would be unsightly, so in my mercy I shall only sever the tendons.”
“I throw more daggers with my left hand.”
“Just now you threw with your right. You hold chopsticks with your right yet throw daggers with your left?”
“I withdraw my request to depart.”
Haryeong did not attempt further negotiation.
“You have chosen wisely.”
The Faceless Killer replied expressionlessly.
From his mannerisms alone, Yuri could not help but think he resembled Haryeong.
‘She was treated like a ghost in the Tang Clan until fourteen and then sent here.’
Looking more closely, it was not merely their speech. Perhaps it was imagination, but even the shape of their eyes seemed slightly alike.
“Since the Gate Master does not permit my departure, I suppose I must continue this dishonorable life as an assassin.”
“Assassin is a fine profession.”
“I will select my next commission personally.”
Haryeong abruptly turned and beckoned Yuri with her finger.
“As of today, I shall become Escort Assassin to Cloud Dragon Yuri. Gate Master, please pray that your disciple completes her commission safely.”
“So it is decided.”
Yuri answered in step with her.
After staring at the two of them, the Faceless Killer slowly turned his head.
His gaze settled on Estor, who was mournfully staring at the shattered dumplings.
“You intend to escort Cloud Dragon rather than Sword Dragon?”
“I shall escort both, incidentally.”
“You lack the skill to escort two dragons. Does it make sense for an escort to be weaker than the one escorted?”
“That is not for me to decide, but for them.”
“Excellent.”
The Faceless Killer nodded, face still blank.
“But as you know, the Tiger-Slaying Gate’s fees are high.”
The moment he finished speaking, Haryeong reached into the subspace linked to her necklace.
“Here.”
Jewels spilled out—the gift left behind by the Agwi.
Yuri narrowed his eyes as he watched their “shared assets” being used at her discretion.
“You have earned much.”
The Gate Master picked up several sizable gems and tucked them into his robes.
“Is that all your business in returning to the Tiger-Slaying Gate?”
“Was there no word from the Tang Clan?”
“None.”
“Any news of my nephews and niece?”
“After escorting you from Guangxi, they quarreled with the White Tiger Sect. No matter the Tang Clan’s prestige, the White Tiger Sect has pride.”
“What happened?”
“Is it not obvious? Pride requires strength to uphold. Tang Museok, Death Chasing Ghost, intervened personally and subdued the White Tiger Sect’s disciples. That ended it.”
“What a pity. Had Tang Museok not been present, my nephews and niece would have rampaged like naked thunder spirits and killed them.”
Had disciples died, it would have escalated into open war between the Tang Clan and the White Tiger Sect—and naturally drawn the support of the Orthodox Heaven Alliance.
“After leaving Guangxi, their movements are unclear. They are likely waiting for Tang Clan orders in a Salho gate hideout. They will move soon enough.”
“Do you know the whereabouts of Fist Wolf Bakered?”
At that question, the Gate Master’s brows rose.
“And why do you ask?”
“It is information required to complete my commission.”
He knew from reports that Fist Wolf had stayed in Lutran two years ago.
“So it is information needed by Cloud Dragon.”
“He is my escort target—and employer.”
“The fee has been received, but the commission is not yet formally concluded.”
What sort of nonsense was that?
Even Haryeong blinked in disbelief, but the Faceless Killer paid no mind and looked directly at Yuri.
“You may know this, young hero, but the Tiger-Slaying Gate does not accept just any commission. Especially escort commissions.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Once a commission is sealed, an assassin must lay down their life for the one they guard. But we have no wish to die for some incompetent wretch unworthy of it. Therefore, as Gate Master, I intend to determine whether you are worthy of escort.”
“At twenty-two he has earned the dragon epithet and recognition from the Sword Emperor. Who are you to judge his worth?”
“I am the Gate Master of the Tiger-Slaying Gate.”
He answered firmly, then looked at Haryeong and Estor.
“The interview must be one-on-one.”
He did not appear inclined to yield.
Clicking her tongue, Haryeong rose.
“Let us go downstairs and have a bowl of noodles.”
Estor’s expression brightened slightly as he looked at the ruined food.
Soon the two left, and in the wrecked room Yuri sat across from the Faceless Killer.
“First, a customary question.”
Yuri held many curiosities about this man. In the game, even the name of the Tiger-Slaying Gate’s master had not appeared.
Had the man before him already been Gate Master thirty years ago?
How had he managed to prevent the Evil God’s Saints from luring Heavenly Thunder Orca into a trap?
And why had he taken in Haryeong, who had been treated as though nonexistent within the Tang Clan?
“Young hero—are you a possessor?”
The wandering thoughts in Yuri’s mind stopped cold.
He had always been wary of this question. Fortunately, his expression did not falter.
“No.”
“You would answer so regardless. Even if you were not, you would deny it. And if you were, you would still deny it.”
“Did you ask merely to hear that obvious reply?”
“As I said, it is customary. Even if you truly were one, I would not particularly care.”
Tilting his head, the Faceless Killer studied Yuri’s eyes.
“I have watched that disciple for over a decade. This is the first time I have seen her show such resolve. It seems to be your influence. What do you think?”
“I did not coax her.”
“Is that so?”
“This feels less like an interview and more like an interrogation.”
“If you expect to derive utility from her, it would be best to abandon that notion.”
At the phrase “derive utility,” Yuri’s brow twitched.
“You saw in Guangxi—being the Dark King’s younger sister does not earn one favor in the Tang Clan. Rather, it is no surprise she has not already been killed. So if you intend to secure ties to the Tang Clan through her—”
“That is unpleasant to hear.”
His voice had turned cold.
The Gate Master’s eyes sharpened.
“I speak for your sake. For whatever reason, the Tang Clan summoned her. One day, they may attempt to take her by force. Do you think defeating Dark-Soul Venomous Dragon in a spar makes the Tang Clan’s power laughable?”
“If the Tang Clan truly resolved to act, they could kill someone like me without a trace.”
“Correct. They possess that power. Rather than regret and flee later, it would be wiser to distance yourself now.”
“There will be no fleeing. What of you, Gate Master?”
“Me?”
“If Lady Haryeong were forcibly taken by the Tang Clan, what would you do?”
“Hmm.”
Instead of answering immediately, the Faceless Killer stroked his chin.
“Before she is my disciple, she is of the Tang Clan. I would first weigh that circumstance.”
“So you would acquiesce?”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I would go to the Tang Clan and hear their reasoning before judging. If it were truly a family matter beyond my interference, I would withdraw. If not, it would become a matter between sects.”
“I do not understand this notion of family.”
Yuri’s lips twisted.
“I have heard roughly how Lady Haryeong was treated in the Tang Clan. From that story, what I felt is this: she and the Tang Clan are not a proper family.”
Her mother, imprisoned when her possessor identity was exposed, had taken her own life.
Her father, shattered by the shock, succumbed to deviation and became a creature of poison devoid of reason.
She had been viciously bullied by her nephews and niece, yet no one stepped forward to protect her. Even her elder brother, who became Clan Head, ignored her.
Yuri—Lee Su-hyeok—could not help but feel strong emotions at Haryeong’s past.
He, too, had never possessed a proper family.
His parents had died in an accident when he was young. He had been left in the care of distant relatives. They had lived in the same house, but that had not made them family.
“Whatever reason the Tang Clan has for summoning Lady Haryeong is none of my concern. In that matter, what I value is not the Tang Clan’s circumstances, but Lady Haryeong’s feelings.”
Guangxi.
Haryeong had said she did not wish to go to the Tang Clan. That was why Yuri had sparred with Tang Seojin.
Fortunately, it had ended there.
But if there were a ‘next time,’ it would not end so easily.
Even so, he wished to stand by her will.
“…”
The dimness in the Gate Master’s eyes had cleared.
After studying Yuri’s face for a long moment, the Faceless Killer slowly nodded.
“Fist Wolf is in Dunjeong. Go into the city and seek the Jeongyeon Inn. If he remains in Dunjeong, an attendant named Uchil will guide you.”
“And if Fist Wolf has already left Dunjeong?”
“In that case, Uchil will provide other information.”
The Faceless Killer rose from the bed.
Yuri stood as well and asked,
“You will not ask why I seek Fist Wolf?”
“It is a virtue not to pry into a client’s private affairs.”
In other words, he had acknowledged Yuri as a client of the Tiger-Slaying Gate.
Yuri hurried after him toward the door.
“I have heard that, in the past, you saved Heavenly Thunder’s life. May I ask what happened then?”
He had asked Orca back in Lutran and received no answer.
In Alderan, when Orca had occupied Lacy’s body, he had not even dared ask. In their brief meeting, he had sensed the boundary Orca had drawn. For that proud archmage, the crisis involving the Agwi must have been an unpleasant and humiliating memory.
“There is no reason to tell you.”
With that, the Faceless Killer opened the door and left.
Yuri followed at once—but the man was already gone.
“Ha…”
He looked around and even spread the web of Lightning Domain, yet found no trace.
With a disappointed sigh, Yuri headed down the stairs.
He had not learned about Orca—but he had learned about Fist Wolf.
‘Dunjeong…’
In the game, it was the region where the Hwangbo Clan and the Yicheon Sword Sect had been located.
“…”
Descending to the first floor, Yuri froze.
Tables had been pushed together and laden with food and liquor. Estor and Haryeong were thoroughly engrossed in eating.
Haryeong, holding a massive pork bone and gnawing at it, noticed Yuri and subtly set it down.
“Estor insisted we eat.”
“When did I ever say that?”
Estor protested indignantly.
Yuri felt a small sting of betrayal as he sat in an empty seat.
“Did the interview go well?”
“I do not know about well. The Gate Master disappeared somewhere.”
“He arrived without words; it is fitting he departed the same way. So, what did you discuss?”
“A little about Lady Haryeong. And I received information about Fist Wolf.”
Outside the inn, the Faceless Killer lingered briefly, listening to their conversation.
Hands clasped behind his back, he gazed at the night sky before clicking his tongue softly and turning away.
He knew beggars watched the inn from afar.
But beggars’ eyes could not perceive him.
‘Family… family…’
He did not know what the Tang Clan sought by summoning Haryeong.
It could be trivial. Her recent rise in fame might have prompted them to formally acknowledge her as part of the clan.
Or perhaps they sought to connect with Cloud Dragon or Sword Dragon through her.
Even the Faceless Killer did not know the true reason. In the Tang Clan as it stood now, he was ultimately an outsider.
Even beneath a brilliant moon, shadows ran deep.
As he stepped into shadow, he let out a dry chuckle.
A proper family. Family matters… To think that child would one day have someone to speak such words to.
‘…’
Much had changed in two years.
Not only her martial arts—but something deeper.
She had once hidden her emotions behind an expressionless mask.
Now…
He felt a stabbing ache in his chest and allowed himself a bitter smile.
He had taken her in because leaving her in the Tang Clan meant she might die at any time.
She had wished to become an assassin—so he had raised her as one.
At first, he could not help but feel disgust toward her. He had not wished to feel anything beyond that.
But when he began to see his sister’s reflection in the child who reported completed missions with a blank face—
He had realized something.
A child cannot choose their parents. What sin is there in being born?
Even if he could not be family… he must not resent or hate an innocent child.
With a long sigh heavy with self-reproach, he turned his thoughts elsewhere.
‘Fist Wolf.’
He had lied to Cloud Dragon.
Fist Wolf was not in Dunjeong.
It was certain he was somewhere in the East—but where that bear-like man roamed, even he did not know.
‘I should contact him.’
Whether to go to Dunjeong or not—that would be Fist Wolf’s decision.
—
—
Kwoooaa—
Blinding light swept like a storm, yet the barrier did not tremble in the slightest.
Naturally so.
The barrier encasing the entire mine and vein isolated the space itself and used the soul power of the Apex Lucionel as its key.
No matter what one did from outside, breaking or infiltrating it was impossible. Even the Apex Lucionel himself could not re-enter the barrier.
To enter the mine, either the Apex Lucionel must dismantle the barrier—or he must be struck so grievously that he could no longer sustain it.
‘Or kill him.’
Was that possible?
Even in the game, he had been second only to the Heavenly Demon in difficulty.
Even united, killing the Apex Lucionel had been arduous. Not only distrust among allies—he was not alone either.
The greatest problem was the War Church’s mad dogs.
Whenever a battle broke out, they appeared like flies and wreaked havoc.
‘That damned old man.’
Chuk Shin-do glared at the sky, seething.
Hyun-ya of the Cassword Mage Tower had unleashed ultimate magic for an entire day—but failed to break the barrier.
It was not the Apex Lucionel who counterattacked.
Instead, the Battle Saint—that vigorous old man—had charged at Hyun-ya in his stead.
Wrapped in bandages like a mummy, the Battle Saint roared, shaking heaven and earth.
“Are you at it again?!”
Hyun-ya’s pale face twisted.
Hundreds of layered defensive barriers rose between him and the Battle Saint.
Etherium.
A miracle of nature unintended by the gods.
Chuk Shin-do knew its immense value and potential.
Within the mountain sealed by the Extremum’s soul as key slept the largest aether vein yet discovered.
Was that truly all?
Had the Apex truly made his soul the key merely to protect a vein?
And why did that suspicious fellow Jicheon side with him?
“Graaah!”
Hyun-ya screamed as he was driven back by the Battle Saint’s assault.
“Ugh…”
At this rate, Hyun-ya would be beaten to death today.
Chuk Shin-do sighed heavily and shrugged off his jacket.
That could not happen.
Among the mages present, only Hyun-ya—the Tower Master—could even contend somewhat with the Apex’s magic.
“ Full-Moon Play.”
Just as he prepared to fly into a deadly game of tag with the Battle Saint—
A voice called from inside the tent.
“F… FS has sent a transmission.”
Chuk Shin-do froze and looked up at the sky, where Hyun-ya desperately fled the relentless Battle Saint.
“Hmm.”
It did not seem he would be caught easily.
Without further hesitation, Chuk Shin-do entered the tent.
The one who had never once initiated contact had suddenly reached out.
“What’s this bastard up to now?”
He tilted his head and muttered.
