30 – Stripping you away, what will be left for me?
The mission entrusted to Skuld was,
“Assess the level of danger posed by the target individual. If they have hostile intentions, eliminate them on the spot.”
How dangerous could this individual be to warrant such caution? With half anticipation and half nonchalance, Skuld waited in the guild.
Just in time, other members of the Black Thorn guild also brought news that the guildmaster, Black Rabbit, had gone to meet the key figures.
– If you wait, the commander will bring them here.
He’s bringing them. It brings back memories. I definitely received a mission.
“My sister’s mission was to uncover the hidden forces behind the magicians.”
As an assassin with the main mission of assassination, I couldn’t understand Guildmaster Black Rabbit’s way of handling tasks.
Approaching the Tower of Magic and unleashing large-scale magic like that was practically a declaration of war.
Why bother with dialogue to resolve it? There must be an easier way.
“My sister is too kind, so she disguises as a target.”
By throwing a direct blow like this.
The opponent will either fall, surrender, or risk their life and reveal their true intentions that were hidden.
That was usually how it went.
“What’s this?”
This time it was a bit different.
Lucion had a somewhat trained body. But he was not a former inspector.
According to what I heard, he was said to be a magician who could wield 5th level magic. However, from the perspective of someone who was still learning magic properly in the Tower, he only knew the basics of “magic.”
But he didn’t emit the scent of abundant divine energy. The priests seemed to have more divine energy.
Howard, nestled in the arms of a priest, proved that. He possessed a purer divine energy than any Howard I had seen before.
That was due to the influence of the priest’s divine energy, unrelated to Lucion.
“Who are you?”
It was a perfect defense.
I know well all three attributes: swordsmanship, magic, and archery.
I can deflect sword strikes, anticipate and block attacks that ignore defense, and even intercept magic aimed at someone behind me.
By showcasing my divine power coating, it is clear that I possess almost all the elements necessary for combat.
It is a realm that even a man in his late teens can hardly reach.
Such jealousy arises to the point where I genuinely want to kill. That kind of thing must not exist.
To achieve mastery in all areas like Lucion, it is necessary to excel in one field and then extend a hand to another.
The man in front of me.
He had reached the pinnacle in one area.
Unless you try hard, you cannot understand this irrationality. Do you know the feeling of bitterness when you realize that no matter how hard you try, you cannot reach the talent of an overwhelming genius, when you feel there is a wall?
Baekto-rabbit would usually accept and move on, acknowledging the difference in talent cannot be overturned.
But this has crossed the line.
And it has crossed it by a lot.
If Baekmyo, who had eliminated quite a number of dangerous individuals and roamed around, had not been there, it would be an absurd situation where I would beg, “Please kill me.” It is the target that one must curse because they cannot do it themselves.
“It must be an unhappy life.”
The young genius has many enemies.
He becomes the main target of assassination requests. Killing them and tearing off their ears is the main duty of the Osran assassins.
Therefore, I am certain.
“I will make it clear.”
Assassination requests have not yet come in properly. If there is a bounty on my head, I will be engaged in battles with assassins every day.
Even if Baekmyo expands his influence to become a remarkable assassin, he still cannot compare to the Osran elite.
Lucian’s notoriety might lead to a wanted assassination in the capital city of Osla.
Osla, with a population of over ten million, is a place where geniuses abound. The number of individuals who can be considered prodigies reaches the hundreds of thousands. So, the death of one or two geniuses hardly makes a ripple. In fact, it often pushes the mediocre excellence to strive further.
To achieve such a level at such a young age is a guarantee that life ahead will be anything but ordinary.
“My friend also said the same thing. Don’t feel too unjust about it. It’s fate, after all.”
He gazes at Lucian through his real eye.
“He really… doesn’t have much luck in appearance, either.”
The White Rabbit pitifully looks at Lucian. After all, he won’t last long anyway.
Forget about the extraordinary genius; take care of the priest next to him instead.
The priest race is not a bad race to befriend.
They provide essentials and do away with unnecessary things.
Of course, he did his job properly.
He engraved Lucian’s face in his mental notepad and started writing words beside it.
Danger Level – “The Power of the Black Tower.”
It means that to definitely kill Lucian, the whole Black Tower needs to come forward.
When the scale gets this big, he becomes a subject of negotiation rather than elimination. But the White Rabbit doesn’t remember ever negotiating.
It’s cheaper to hire a stronger assassin to kill him than to match the cost of negotiations.
“So… here…”
The White Rabbit cautiously lowers his head.
With his head lowered, he slightly raises his real eye to get a better look at Lucian.
Now is the time to lower him.
All eyes were focused on him.
The owner of the blue eyes was staring at him.
So cold it was chilling.
Is it really true that they’re only seventeen?
An overwhelming presence emanated from him that even the Hundred Rabbit, who had captured over a hundred people, couldn’t comprehend.
He was genuinely curious.
So, he asked with clear hostility.
“You’re not going to fight back?”
If it were you, could you defeat 【Black Thorn】 alone?
#
Lucion did not draw his sword.
The Hundred Rabbit is unbelievable.
The memory of surpassing millions of demons was still etched in Lucion’s soul.
One should never trust someone who can’t be trusted once.
That was Lucion’s principle.
“If I defeat you, what will be left for me?”
“Well… I guess you’re right.”
The Hundred Rabbit pondered Lucion’s words.
It was simply awe-inspiring.
“You’re amazing.”
“What’s the matter?”
Lucion is speaking.
“If I cut you, what remains?” he says.
He’s saying that he can cut you. He’s clearly asserting his superiority.
From Noble mtl dot com
Moreover, as Lucion says, it’s true that nothing remains even if you cut a hundred times. It may actually start a war.
Lucion’s words are both a protest and a struggle.
In addition, he asks firmly,
“We came as guests, didn’t we?”
Why does the reception look like this?
Is this what Black Claw is like?
Is Black Claw a place where they attack someone who came to the town for the first time and even found the guild?
To put it simply, it’s a reasonable political move.
White Rabbit bowed even lower.
He’s not just a late teenager genius, but he also knows how to handle situations.
“I’m sorry. I’m just here to carry out my mission.”
“Mission…?”
Lucion’s gaze falls on Black Rabbit. After all, Black Rabbit is the guild master of Black Claw.
“Is it what Kanan ordered?”
Black Rabbit’s ears shot up in surprise.
“What’s going on? I didn’t order this!”
Lucion understands.
It’s deliberate pressure.
‘I usually don’t take on roles like this.’
In his past life, he was a lord. He had to maintain charisma.
But now, as a novice, etiquette, posture, and security were all unnecessary.
So, even taking on a somewhat unfortunate genius position would be acceptable.
‘He showed proficiency in handling a sword, but in Osran, being widely talented is genius. Handling a sword in the late teens is nothing special.’
He judged that taking an aggressive approach would be advantageous in the conversation.
“Well, then.”
Lucion, still holding the arrow, the [Eye of the Rushing Stone], tightly in his hand, crushed it.
He paid no attention to the falling arrow dust. He just glared at the Black Rabbit as if asking it to take responsibility.
“What’s this? Who ordered it?”
A surprise attack at the base of the Black Claw.
The responsibility lies with the Black Rabbit.
You’re the guild leader, right?
Lucion deliberately pressured the Black Rabbit, and the White Rabbit, unable to stand seeing the Black Rabbit suffering, stepped forward on its own.
“Please don’t be so hard on the guild leader. It’s a request from the Adventurer’s Guild. They asked us to confirm whether you’re a dangerous person or not.”
Adventurer’s Guild.
Truly a significant transfer of responsibility. The Central Guild would likely support Black Claw, which had built friendships for a long time, unless there was a compelling reason not to.
Lucion pondered deeply.
The words of White Rabbit might indeed be true.
The Central Guild had stepped forward to identify whether he was a dangerous individual.
The significance of that.
“White Rabbit.”
“Yes.”
Lucion asked with cold eyes, questioning if an evaluation had been made.
The evaluation of White Rabbit could determine Lucion’s life in Panathia.
“…Yes. Very—. He is an extremely dangerous individual.”
Lucia, who had been quiet, realized that the situation was unusual and exclaimed, “What? That can’t be!”
Lucion, a dangerous individual?
“Don’t worry. Sister Lucia. I’m fine.”
White Rabbit presented a warm smile to Lucia. But it was so cold when dealing with himself.
That wasn’t the important thing.
Lucion let out a bitter laugh.
“Sister? Sister??? White Rabbit, you clearly know you’re older. Where from!”
Lucion regretted that he had directed the trajectory of the sphere he had swung towards the ceiling at White Rabbit.
But White Rabbit’s focus was already on Lucia.
“Howl doesn’t embrace bad people.”
Note: The original Korean text had some gender-specific terms that were adapted accordingly.
“Ah.”
Lucia looked down at Harold nestled in her arms.
Harold vouching for it.
Then, what about Lucion? Wouldn’t everything be resolved if Lucion embraced Harold?
Lucia, glancing around, attempted to hand over Harold, who was in her arms, to Lucion.
However, Harold made sure not to approach Lucion.
“Er-rrr.”
Lucion’s hand.
Was stiffening.
###
Lucion’s blocked ‘Pressure ㅡ [Crushing Stone]’ petrifies everything it touches.
Even with strengthened hands through divine power, it was countered by the sacred power of White Rabbit, and his hand was petrified. Moreover, the petrification was spreading towards the arm. Slowly spreading, the petrification would eventually stop even the heart.
Harold, though wanting to approach Lucion, couldn’t dare to. It could solidify together. Of course, Lucion could do it himself, but seeing Lucion not doing it despite being able to, there was irritation, even barking.
Lucion remained calm.
There was no urgency, even though he was currently petrifying.
Like calling Tyre, he called Lucia.
“Lucia.”
The White Rabbit stuck out its tongue. As a joke or not, let’s not tease or provoke that person. Once that person decides, they might really tear us apart.
“Not Harold, but I need you.”
“Huh?”
Plop. Lucia’s face turned bright red.
What are you saying, Lucion? There are so many people watching.
Lucion approached Lucia, who was stuttering.
“Only you can heal me.”
hahahaha. Lucia had to wonder if this situation was a dream. Did Lucion ever say such things before?
Because so many unrealistic things were happening, dreams and reality were becoming blurred. That’s why his tone seemed a bit more mature.
“What should I do?”
Lucion reached out his hand.
Now Lucia could finally notice that Lucion’s hand was turning gray.
“Ah!”
She remembered. The memory of when Lucion had a wound on his hand and she blew on it to make it heal.