20. Is This It?
Thud.
Joo-Yeon’s body sank completely into the bathtub.
‘I need to soak in this elixir for as long as possible.’
He couldn’t afford to waste time even to stick his head out.
He had to absorb the elixir’s energy as completely as possible.
Thump, thump… thump.
The elixir seeped into his body as his heartbeat gradually slowed.
Then, his body began to change.
Crackle.
His bones shattered and reassembled themselves.
His muscles, which were so thin they were barely visible, grew in size as they absorbed the elixir.
Snap!
His body was being remodeled in real time.
It was nothing short of a complete transformation.
It was an instant for his frail body to be filled with muscles.
＜Muscle potential increased to max＞
＜[Weakling] status improved＞
＜Status changed from [Weakling] to [Strong]＞
＜Bones that were so fragile they could break from a human’s breath have become as hard as steel＞
＜[Strong] : Steel-hard bones support the body. Increases physical durability / defense / bone strength＞
It wasn’t just his muscles or strength that changed.
＜Stamina potential increased＞
＜[Frail] status improved＞
＜Status changed from [Frail] to [Resilient]＞
＜The sickly body that could collapse at any moment has become a body that can withstand even the roughest storms＞
＜[Resilient] : Along with leather-like skin, fatigue doesn’t set in easily, and the body recovers from physical fatigue quickly. Increases skin strength / stamina / stamina recovery speed / self-recovery / resting effects doubled＞
His stamina had also increased noticeably.
The pains that had bothered him from his long life as a slave were also gone.
For one thing, breathing was easier.
Ha…
The feeling of having gravel in his lungs was gone.
It was as if I had a newborn body.
‘I could barely keep up until now.’
No wonder I took a carriage to get here.
If I was my old self, I would have run here from the labor camp for the sake of quick progression.
But with my current weak body, even that was difficult.
Even riding a horse was extremely tiring.
‘But I’m not sure how long it will take to grind stats in the early stages.’
As I thought about that, the light gradually dimmed.
The red energy in the bathtub also began to disappear.
It had absorbed all the effects of the elixir.
‘This should be enough to withstand one or two hits even without .’
But something was strange.
Normally, the bathtub wouldn’t emit light.
I would just soak in it and that would be it.
‘Why did it emit light this time?’
I didn’t have to think long about it.
The reason appeared right away.
＜Hidden Achievement Unlocked＞
From Noble mtl dot com
＜Knight’s Recovery＞
＜Healed and strengthened a frail body on the verge of death＞
＜[Physical Enhancement] Acquired＞
＜[Physical Enhancement]: Can enhance physical abilities up to 3x for 5 minutes (Cooldown: 72 hours)＞
I can enhance my physical abilities by 3x?
72 hours. So once every 3 days, with a time limit of 5 minutes.
But even considering that, it was a good ability.
‘Normally, buffs that enhance physical abilities have many restrictions.’
Berserk was a good example.
In exchange for doubling physical abilities, all strength would be lost for a certain amount of time.
Becoming a berserker that lost all reason and attacked everything was just the cherry on top.
Most other buff skills were similar.
But this achievement skill was different.
‘There are no aftereffects, just a long cooldown.’
I just had to rest for a bit and it would be gone.
To think I could get that just by soaking in a medicinal bath.
“It’s so easy. It’s ridiculous that I didn’t get it before.”
I had done something similar before, but I didn’t get an achievement like this.
‘Maybe it’s only possible in the early stages?’
Maybe it was an achievement that was only possible with a body that was sick and enslaved.
Normally, people upgraded their physical abilities by grinding stats in a safe place.
I would have done the same if I didn’t have .
However, there was no time to leisurely work on the stats.
That was also why he had raised the incident and come to the city quickly, even at the risk of danger.
‘It was worth it to feel uncomfortable breathing.’
That wasn’t all.
As his body grew stronger, the energy of grew stronger, the energy of changed.
‘Did Reflection get stronger too?’
Of course, there were gains outside of skills.
‘There were a few useful potions left.’
There was a secret space under the bathtub.
When he made this bathtub, he had left a few special potions, and a few of them were still left.
They were potions of Instant Acceleration, Flame Resistance, and Resistance Enhancement.
There weren’t many, but as they were top-grade potions, they would be quite useful depending on the situation, whether they were sold or used.
As he thought about that, the moon had already risen in the dark sky.
“It’s a perfect day to die.”
Darkness descended upon the villa.
It was the best time to send assassins to the enemy.
‘Unless he’s an idiot, it’s obvious that the Duke will aim for me.’
Honestly, he was pissed.
Originally, the story should have been about joining hands with the Duke to drive Sanderson out of the North.
An ally is supposed to become an enemy?
He’s trying to hand over everything he’s worked for like a traitor?
‘Well, I guess it’s because I provoked Sanderson in the slave camp.’
Anyway, the Duke had done something he shouldn’t have, and he would aim for him.
Of course, I wonder if he’ll show up so obviously…
Knock, knock, knock.
It was a sound to let him know that someone was coming in.
Joo-Heon’s eyebrows twitched.
“I’m sure I told you not to let anyone in.”
“I am a maid sent by Aiden-nim. I have prepared a night snack because I thought you might be hungry.”
“Really?”
There was no way Aiden would send a night snack.
He wouldn’t want Joo-Heon to be revealed to the enemies of the family.
Then the identity was obvious.
Joo-Heon raised the corners of his lips as if he had been waiting.
“Tell her to come in.”
“Yes.”
The door opened, and a terrified maid came in.
* * *
Knight Olson said with cold eyes.
“He is a precious guest. Make sure you don’t make any mistakes.”
“Ye… yes…”
The handmaid hastily nodded her head.
However, she was properly hiding the murderous intent contained within.
‘That guy must be the one the Duke was talking about.’
Aiden had said that he was a slave he had bought for his amusement.
‘He doesn’t seem very strong. He’s probably just good for chores.’
It wouldn’t be difficult.
She just had to feed him the poison she had prepared, and it would be over.
‘He’ll just fall asleep and everything will be over.’
Of course, he would never wake up from that eternal slumber.
For a mere slave, it could be considered a luxurious death.
Furthermore, she was not alone.
– Team 1 ready.
– Team 2 in position.
The reason she had knocked on the door disguised as a handmaid.
It was none other than this.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and serve him.”
It was Knight Olson.
It was to draw his attention, who was wary of her.
He always had his hand on his sword, ready to attack her at any moment.
However, it was all futile.
She was a pro. She was well prepared for situations like this.
She extended a tray with dishes and drinks towards Joo-yeon, trembling like an ordinary handmaid.
“Here are some light refreshments and tea.”
“Thank you.”
Joo-yeon unknowingly reached out for the poisoned food.
Once he drank the tea, the knight would be taken care of as well.
Swish.
Shadows stretched out behind Olson.
They were assassins, all holding blackened throwing weapons.
One of them held a sharp silver needle in his hand.
No matter how skilled a knight was, they couldn’t easily block a surprise attack.
The plan was to pierce his neck with the silver needle and kill him instantly.
Even for a knight of the , if his neck was suddenly constricted and his heart pierced, there was nothing he could do.
The same went for Joo-yeon.
Swish.
The black shadows slowly descended from the ceiling.
And there were even those approaching from the terrace.
This place was now completely surrounded.
[Black Dagger]
As the Duke of Edmer’s assassins, they were naturally skilled.
The Duke had even given them an item to ensure a perfect assassination.
It was no ordinary item.
Artifact No. 135 ＜Silence＞
It could control the surrounding sounds and presence.
In the hands of skilled assassins, it was an item that could deceive even a knight’s senses.
Even the assassins had perfect control over their murderous intent.
‘No one will ever notice.’
The same went for any great figure.
Maybe even a big shot like the [King of Knights].
‘So go ahead and drink it. And die.’
There’s no need to be sad.
Everyone in the annex will die anyway.
That was the Duke’s will.
[‘Get rid of everything related to ‘him.’]
Not a single trace of the protagonist’s existence should be left.
Even if they were servants of his own family.
Even Aiden was soon to be disposed of.
‘Everything is going according to the Duke’s plan……’
The protagonist drank the tea without any suspicion.
Gulp, gulp.
It was a luxurious tea that a slave would never be able to taste in their lifetime.
It wouldn’t be bad as a parting gift.
But something was strange.
‘……What the?’
No matter how long he waited, the protagonist didn’t collapse.
They needed him to collapse before they could start taking care of the knights and the others. The assassin couldn’t help but be flustered.
That’s when the protagonist’s voice was heard.
“Is it strange that I’m not collapsing?”
Gulp.
The assassin disguised as a maid flinched in surprise.
However, the protagonist simply poured the tea on the floor.
“The tea is a mess. Did you not get the temperature right?”
“……!”
“For a maid of the prestigious Duke’s family, you’re quite clumsy.”
The assassin gritted her teeth.
‘The poisoning failed. Moving on to the next plan.’
But she couldn’t move.
It was because Olson, the knight behind her, had subdued her and was holding a sword to her neck.
“Stay still. Then I won’t kill you.”
In an instant, both her arms were pinned down, and she was forced to her knees on the floor.
But she did not give up.
‘Don’t take the Duke’s assassin lightly.’
She shot a hidden weapon from her mouth toward Jooyeon.
It was a black needle that was hard to see in the dark night.
A deadly poisonous needle that would cause immediate unconsciousness once stabbed.
‘Even if it’s a knight, not a knight grandfather, there’s no way to avoid it at this close range.’
She had to kill Jooyeon for sure, no matter who else it was.
That was the Duke’s order.
But right at that moment.
Thud!
Jooyeon raised his hand and grabbed the sharp hidden weapon.
The assassin’s eyes widened.
“H, how?”
How did he find the thin needle that was invisible to the eye?
No, rather than that, how did he catch it?
It was a dark night.
It was a hidden weapon that was even painted black so that it wouldn’t be seen.
Not to mention ordinary people, even knights couldn’t easily tell it apart.
‘Just who the hell is this kid…….’
If this kept up, there was no way but to fail the mission.
The assassin shouted in a murderous voice.
“He found us! Kill him!”
“Yes!”
Then, assassins poured out from the shadows of the ceiling.
They swung their poisoned daggers at Jooyeon.
Thud, thud, thud!
But it wasn’t Jooyeon who they stabbed.
He had disappeared in an instant, and only the pillow on the bed remained.
“……Where did he go?”
At that moment, Jooyeon’s voice was heard.
“You’re slow.”
Startled.
When the assassins turned their eyes, he was already holding one of them.
It was a speed that was too fast to be seen with the naked eye.
He immediately ordered Olson.
“Hold him tightly so that he can’t commit suicide.”
“I will do as you say.”
Olson grabbed the maid, but his expression was strange.
He thought he already knew Jooyeon’s abilities.
‘What the hell was that speed just now? Even I had a hard time predicting it.’
It was similar to when he wielded chivalry.
No, it was comparable to the knights of chivalry known as the [Swift Knights].
What was surprising was that the lead had been so feeble just moments ago.
He had been in the room for a moment, and he had changed as if he had been reborn.
‘What the hell is his true identity?’
It was only natural that Olson would be so curious.
However, Joo-Yeon only nodded his head toward the assassins.
“Is this all of you?”
“…….”
From Noble mtl dot com
The eyes of the assassins, who had been flustered, regained their composure.
They shouted with murderous eyes.
“Everyone, come out!”
“We must finish him here!”
However, the assassins could not enter the room.
Clack!
As Joo-Yeon snapped his fingers.
Crash! Crash! Crash! Crash!
Ice shards rushed in an instant and covered them.