Failed Possession Chapter-103

## Ch-103.

—

Perhaps because it was a fairly large village, there were quite a few beggars—but it was certainly not an ordinary sight for all of them to gather and occupy the alleys around the inn, staring this way.

“So even in this village, you receive the fervent gaze of beggars.”

Standing by the window of the inn room and looking down at them, Yuri turned around in a slow spin and clapped for Haryeong.

“The beggars’ companion.”

“Shut up.”

Haryeong, who had just returned after washing, dropped heavily onto the bed and began massaging her calves. No matter that she was Fifth Rank and had taken an elixir—running with lightness technique for three straight days left her legs aching.

Fortunately, they were not camping outdoors. Even after running all day, once the sun set they would find a nearby village or a traveler’s inn and go inside.

And each time, they drew attention.

In villages, they received the gazes of Beggars’ Sect members with knotted sashes around their waists. In inns, they drew looks from attendants and suspicious peddlers.

“If you dislike being watched by beggars, go tell them yourself to stop staring and get lost.”

“I am not the sort of man who discriminates against beggars out of discomfort, Aunt.”

“I am not your aunt, so why do you keep calling me that?”

“Just because. Aunt Haryeong.”

“Ah, seriously.”

Still kneading her calves diligently, Haryeong’s eyes flared as she grabbed one of her shoes. She was about to throw it like a hidden weapon, but decided that might be excessive, and with a deep sigh set it back down.

“To hear my tragic, tear-inducing life story without shedding a tear, and still address me with that mocking title—your character is truly remarkable.”

“I do not call you ‘Aunt’ to mock you.”

“I have no idea what astonishing nonsense you are about to spout, but if there is a reason, I will hear it.”

“You clearly feel a strong aversion to the title ‘Aunt.’ So I intend to call you that whenever possible, to help you reduce that aversion.”

The explanation that followed was indeed astonishing nonsense.

Haryeong picked the shoe back up and glared at Yuri.

“If you grow accustomed to being called ‘Aunt’ because of me, then when you meet Tang Seou again, you will not flinch like last time—you will be able to slap that woman confidently across the face.”

“Cut the crap.”

“That’s harsh.”

Was it his imagination, or were her insults becoming more frequent and more intense as time passed?

Yuri had no intention of being deterred. When one found such a fine opportunity to tease, one had to make full use of it.

He still had not forgotten being teased in Lutran, nor being called pathetic in Alderan.

“The reason for those gazes is not solely because of me. You and Estor are more than worthy of attention from the Beggars’ Sect and the Hao Clan as well.”

Setting the shoe down again, Haryeong shot him a sideways glance.

Young talents from the West. Two who bore the epithet “Dragon” among their generation. And Dark flower, now revealed as the Tang Clan’s youngest daughter.

On top of that, the three of them had been consecutively entangled in major incidents involving cultists before crossing to the East.

The Beggars’ Sect and Hao Clan had more than enough reason to pay attention.

“Before we reach the Tiger-Slaying Gate, we need to shake off these tails.”

They would reach Red Plains, where the Tiger-Slaying Gate was located, in a day or two.

An assassin sect could not openly hang a signboard like other sects or clans. Even the formidable Salho gate and Tang Clan could not display theirs openly.

No matter how one dressed it up, an assassin sect was fundamentally an organization that killed for money.

Such sects naturally had many enemies. Only the location of the request office was publicly known—their true headquarters were thoroughly concealed.

It was the same in the game. To reach the Tang Clan’s main base, one had to fulfill specific conditions. As for the Tiger-Slaying Gate, its headquarters had not even been implemented.

“The Tiger-Slaying Gate’s main base is hidden somewhere in the hills of Red Plains. I do not know whether the Gate Master is present, but we will confirm when we arrive.”

They had chosen the Tiger-Slaying Gate as their destination to gather information about Fist Wolf.

Before reaching Alderan, there had not been many reasons to reunite with him.

Now, there were.

Fist Wolf, who wandered in search of the one who annihilated his clan, needed to hear the story of the Agwi.

If they obtained information at the Tiger-Slaying Gate, they would move accordingly.

If not, they would go to the Kangyu River, where Myohee—UsaUsami—had fallen.

“Why do you wish to go to the Tiger-Slaying Gate?”

It had been Haryeong who first suggested it.

—If you truly have nowhere to go, why not visit the Tiger-Slaying Gate with me?

—I have never brought a friend home in my life. If I bring you, the Gate Master will be delighted.

She had opened the path that way—and dangled Fist Wolf as bait.

“I completed a commission I held for two years. I must report back.”

“Couldn’t that be done by letter?”

“It could. But one cannot declare departure from the sect by letter.”

“Departure?”

“There is no longer any need for me to remain an assassin.”

While massaging her calves and the soles of her feet, Haryeong stared at Yuri.

“I will graduate from being a cold, merciless, terrifying assassin—and become a bright, cheerful, lively young lady.”

“Can you simply declare departure because you wish to?”

Yuri ignored the jest and asked seriously.

“Normally, no. In most sects, if a disciple requests departure, their dantian is crippled so they can never use martial arts again. Even so, it is better than expulsion with severed tendons.”

“Then shouldn’t you not request departure at all?”

It was a natural concern.

Haryeong only shrugged.

“I will ask. If they refuse, I will withdraw the request.”

“…Huh.”

“Do you think they would cripple the dantian of the Poison King’s youngest daughter? In any case, if departure is denied, I will formally introduce you to the Gate Master and draft a contract with you on the spot.”

The Tiger-Slaying Gate handled not only assassination contracts but also escort missions.

Though they traveled together, Haryeong still belonged to the Tiger-Slaying Gate. If they assigned her elsewhere, her position would become uncertain.

“In truth, I am not skilled enough to guard you. But if you are in danger, I am prepared to throw my life away without hesitation.”

“Don’t. That’s burdensome.”

Yuri shook his head vigorously.

“Still—if they entrusted you there, the Tiger-Slaying Gate must be connected to the Tang Clan. Won’t problems arise if we go?”

“Are you worried that Tang Clan brats and assassins are lying in wait?”

“Or that the Gate Master might subdue us and hand us over to the Tang Clan.”

“I think that unlikely. The Salho gate and the Tiger-Slaying Gate are not equal in strength—but neither is subordinate to the other. I doubt I was sent there under Tang Clan orders.”

“Then?”

“I do not know the precise reason. I have guesses… but nothing certain. In any case, the concerns you raise are unlikely.”

She glanced at the closed door.

At present, only Yuri and Haryeong were in the room. Estor had gone downstairs to order food and had not returned.

“How much did he order that he is still not back?”

“Shall I go fetch him?”

“For all we know, he may be eating alone.”

Probably not—but enough time had passed to make Yuri uneasy.

Perhaps someone had attacked him.

Yuri rose and headed toward the door.

Knock. Knock.

Before he reached it, someone knocked.

Tilting his head in puzzlement, Yuri opened the door.

“…?”

It was the same inn attendant they had seen earlier downstairs.

For a brief moment, Yuri and the attendant stared at each other.

Haryeong’s eyes widened slightly as well.

“What is it?”

The moment he asked, the attendant struck.

—Flash.

It was a concealed ambush—but Lightning Domain detected it.

Yuri reacted instantly.

Thud!

He retreated several steps.

Yuri and Haryeong moved almost simultaneously.

Hidden weapons materialized in midair and shot toward the attendant.

Yuri closed the distance at once.

The attendant’s body spun.

Dozens of hidden weapons ricocheted in all directions.

Yuri slipped through the gaps and drove his fist forward.

“?!”

There was no sensation of impact.

The attendant’s body dispersed like a ghost.

The web of Lightning Domain, already spread during his attack, perceived the movement.

Yuri twisted sharply and swept a kick behind him.

Whoosh!

A blade-sharp kick carved a red line through the air.

The attendant, who had lowered his body just beneath Yuri’s heel, revealed a strange gleam in his eyes.

Haryeong had already leapt from the bed and pressed her back against a corner of the ceiling, both arms moving swiftly. From the subspace connected to her necklace, she drew the hidden weapons she desired and gripped them in her hands.

**Taiji Reversal Scripture.**

This martial art overturned and collapsed the Taiji—the very source of human life—through Intent. And since Taiji was the origin of all phenomena, the extreme state of Intent-Poison born from the Taiji Reversal Scripture went beyond poisoning and collapsing the human body—it could poison even heaven and earth themselves.

That realm was the ultimate state envisioned by the art’s creator, the Heavenly Poison Doctor of Slaughter—yet even he had failed to reach it.

Haryeong, who had only recently entered the Taiji Reversal Scripture at Fifth Rank, had barely taken her first steps. She was in no position to speak of Intent-Poison.

Even so, Taiji Reversal Scripture was a divine art incomparable to the half-complete **Vast Origin Art** she had previously cultivated.

The internal energy she commanded through it made her attacks faster, stronger, sharper.

Tang Clan hidden weapon technique—Heartless Killing Style, *Ghost Slaying Tenfold*.

Ten daggers left Haryeong’s hands simultaneously. Drawing separate trajectories, they surged forward.

The attendant’s eyes flickered rapidly.

Wham!

His sleeve swept outward, deflecting and countering the hidden weapons.

At that moment, Haryeong—who had been in the corner of the ceiling—had already drawn another dagger and slipped into his blind spot.

Daggers thrust in from different angles.

The attendant’s lips parted slightly.

“Huh.”

A short exclamation.

He stamped his foot and swung both arms wide.

Clang!

Before the daggers could reach their marks, Haryeong’s body was sent flying backward.

She could not continue the assault.

A chilling killing intent descended from directly behind him.

The attendant’s brows twitched.

He spun halfway and thrust out a hand to counter—but failed to cleanly disperse the power of the fist that slammed into him, sliding back several steps.

“Mm…!”

His hand tingled violently.

Clenching it, the attendant murmured another note of admiration.

Haryeong, who had been blown back, was unharmed.

Yet she did not press the attack.

Instead, she frowned deeply and brushed dust from her collar.

Yuri, tense at how easily his strike had been blocked, glared at the attendant.

“Who are you?”

Before the attendant could answer, the door burst open again.

Estor entered—one large tray balanced atop his head and an even larger one supported in both hands—wearing a broad grin.

He froze.

“…”

It did not take long to assess the situation.

Dried jerky tasteless enough to chew all day while running.

The hardship of travel.

Friends who had come this far together.

A pleasant dinner to close the day.

Plates piled high with freshly prepared hot dishes, wrung from the kitchen staff with persistence.

Just moments ago, he had resisted the urge to sneak a bite first and had come upstairs smiling at the thought of eating together.

“What the hell is this bastard now?!”

Estor roared and hurled the trays at the attendant.

Crash!

The tray on his head dropped as well, hot dumplings bursting everywhere.

Regretting not having his sword in hand, Estor nonetheless charged barehanded at the attendant, killing intent blazing.

“He is not an enemy.”

Haryeong’s voice cut through his charge.

“…What?”

Estor’s wide eyes trembled.

The food was ruined—and he was not an enemy?

That would not do.

This unknown man had to be an enemy worth killing.

“Enough with the mischief.”

Haryeong pulled a dagger from the wall and glared at the attendant.

“It is not mischief.”

The attendant spoke.

His voice changed mid-sentence.

Crack. Snap.

His skeletal frame twisted. His height grew. His face shifted into an entirely different visage.

“I merely wished, as Gate Master, to see how much my disciple had grown in two years.”

The once-ordinary attendant transformed into a tall man with scruffy short beard and a gaunt expression.

Narrowing his dim eyes, he looked at Haryeong.

“I hear you’ve earned the epithet Dark flower. Your skill has greatly improved since I last saw you. Not merely through experience. I know not what it is, but you’ve taken an elixir—and learned new martial arts.”

“Yes.”

“You learned another martial art without seeking the Gate Master’s permission. An insolent disciple.”

“Do you not feel embarrassed calling me a disciple? You have never taught me martial arts, Gate Master.”

“I may not have taught you martial arts, but I taught you the techniques of assassination. And though incomplete, you learned Tang Clan arts. There was nothing further for me to teach. Besides, my own art cannot be learned by anyone but myself.”

He replied indifferently.

“So. What elixir did you take? What martial art did you learn?”

“That is confidential.”

“You refuse to answer even when the Gate Master asks?”

“You were the one who taught me that an assassin must keep her mouth shut—even under torture.”

“Excellent.”

The man—the Tiger-Slaying Gate Master, the Faceless Killer—nodded and dropped heavily onto the bed.

He turned his gaze to Yuri and Estor, who had yet to lower their guard.

“I am not in a position to make requests after barging in like this, but do not remain standing. Sit. I apologize for attacking. I only intended to test that troublesome disciple’s progress. It escalated somewhat.”

“…”

“If I may evaluate—your lack of prolonged hesitation and immediate counterattack were excellent. Your reaction speed, especially. If I sensed correctly, you spread lightning energy and used it like an external sense. Is that correct?”

Yuri did not answer.

He simply stared at the Faceless Killer.

The man did not avert his gaze, nodding slowly.

“Then I was right. The only technique I know that manipulates lightning so precisely and connects it to the nerves is Heavenly Thunder’s Lightning Domain. Are you Heavenly Thunder’s disciple?”

“Gate Master, refrain from such personal questions.”

“Curiosity cannot be helped. The Heavenly Thunder I know is not one to take two disciples.”

“Why are you here instead of Red Plains?”

“It was faster for me to move.”

“Did the Tang Clan order you to capture me?”

Though she herself had said it unlikely, Haryeong asked directly.

The Faceless Killer let out a dry laugh.

“Do I look like a dog who wags its tail at the Tang Clan’s command?”

“No.”

“Then why did you refuse the Tang Clan’s summons?”

“Do I look like a dog who wags its tail when the Tang Clan calls?”

“No.”

He shook his head and studied her face.

“Why did you return?”

“I do not understand the meaning of your question.”

“In the letter from Heavenly Thunder, Thunder Dragon expressed great satisfaction with your escort contract and wished to extend it. Yet you refused and terminated it.”

“Did I not state clearly in my report? What sense does it make for an escort weaker than the one she protects?”

“That decision belongs to Mad Thunder, not you. Remaining by her side would have been comfortable. Why leave?”

“I did not expect to be scolded upon meeting you.”

“Is it because of Cloud Dragon?”

The Faceless Killer’s dim gaze shifted to Yuri.

“Or is he your lover?”

“Gate Master.”

“An assassin must not have such attachments.”

“Then this is well said.”

Haryeong did not retreat.

She lifted her chin stiffly.

“As of today, I intend to cease being an assassin of the Tiger-Slaying Gate. I wish you long life, Gate Master.”