A Disaster-Level Assassin Has Been Freed

Chapter 124: Who Are You? (2)

“Crazy? That’s a bit harsh.”

I replied playfully.

But I knew. I knew that my recent growth had been almost unbelievably rapid.

Advancing in swordsmanship was like building a mountain with pebbles. To raise the peak even slightly, you had to lay a foundation from the ground up—a long and arduous task.

But in my case, it was different.

As if such tedious processes were unnecessary, I stacked each stone skillfully, layer by layer. It was as if I alone used flat bricks instead of pebbles, building quickly and stably.

Of course, my exceptional talent played a part, but I believed the bigger reason was my heart, thinking of the bonds I’d formed in Marzen.

However…

“What happened? What on earth happened to make you grow this strong?”

“Hm… I got lucky?”

“…”

“…”

“It’s not entirely a lie… Should I tell you about what happened in Kalbaron instead?”

I didn’t bring up that story in response to the Mercenary King’s question because I didn’t think he’d believe it.

Instead, I recounted events that would be more convincing to him, one by one.

My battle with the fourth Black Hydra.

My confrontation with the Black Magician Vivian.

My sparring with Konjinyu and the near-fatal clash with Sword Master Heitz.

I didn’t mention anything about the demon.

But this was enough.

Hearing about the relentless battles, each moment fraught with danger, the Mercenary King finally nodded.

“I get it. In that short time, you went through four life-or-death battles.”

“Three, to be precise. The sparring with Mr. Konjinyu wasn’t life-or-death.”

“No. I only met him once, but… that guy’s no saint. If he thought you were worthless during the sparring, he would’ve killed you without hesitation.”

“Worthless?”

“Yeah, someone not worth keeping alive.”

“There’s no such thing as a person not worth living in this world.”

“I’m not here for philosophical debates… Anyway, in Konjinyu’s eyes, you were worth keeping alive. If not, he would’ve killed you. Their information leaking out would’ve been a problem.”

“Oh, that… Sword Master Heitz did mention something like that when he tried to kill me.”

“Right. Any guesses? Any reason why Konjinyu might’ve taken a liking to you or thought you’d be useful?”

“Hm. I do have an old comrade who’s part of their group…”

“Then they probably have their eye on recruiting you. Interested?”

The Mercenary King asked, and I shook my head.

“I’m happy where I am. Harang, Gold Plate Mercenary of the Eddy Mercenary Corps.”

“Good. Keep that mindset. At least for the duration of your contract.”

“Yes.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“By the way, why did you come here?”

This time, I asked.

The Mercenary King shrugged as if it were no big deal and answered.

“I didn’t come specifically to see you. I had business nearby and stopped by… Why, got something else to say?”

“Oh, I do. It’s about an Aura Cultivation Method…”

“An Aura Cultivation Method? Not a sword? That’s odd. If you got something from Collector Neumann, I’d have bet it’d be a sword…”

“Oh, I did get a sword.”

“Really? Where is it?”

“It broke.”

“What?”

“And in its place, I got an Aura Cultivation Method.”

“…I don’t understand a word you’re saying. Can you explain that slowly?”

“Sure. Since I have a request anyway…”

And so, the story began again.

Starting with how the sword I received broke, I recounted the events in the ancient dungeon, omitting only the part about the demon, and concluded with the need to translate the book.

The Mercenary King’s expression grew serious.

His already rugged face looked even grimmer with the shadow cast over it, and I passed the time thinking he resembled Eddy.

Austin’s deliberation was so long that I was lost in such thoughts.

Just as I was about to speak, unable to wait any longer…

“Hoo.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Austin shook his head vigorously and spoke.

“Harang.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t show this precious treasure to just anyone.”

“Huh?”

“And… don’t make requests like this carelessly. Got it?”

“I don’t get it at all.”

I looked puzzled, and Austin, still unable to fully shake off his regret, said to me:

“After hearing you out, I thought long and hard.”

“About what?”

“About whether or not to steal your Aura Cultivation Method.”

“…”

“Surprised?”

“A little?”

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t think you were the kind of person to do something like that?”

Austin shook his head.

Slowly, but with weight, he shook it again.

“Right. I’m not that kind of person. I value trust and honor my contracts. I’m the finest mercenary on the continent.”

“Then why…”

“But even my heart was swayed… That’s how valuable an Aura Cultivation Method is.”

“…”

“Especially one from the ancient kingdom of Delkaro.”

The ancient kingdom of Delkaro.

Now, only those well-versed in history would know of it, a long-forgotten kingdom. But in its time, it was a formidable nation whose influence spanned the entire southern continent.

“They were especially famous for their knights.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s said that most of the advanced Aura Cultivation Methods in the southern continent today originated from Delkaro. Some dismiss it as rumor, but… I believe it. That’s how powerful the ancient kingdom’s influence was.”

“Hm…”

I looked down at my chest, where I’d tucked the Delkaro kingdom’s Aura Cultivation Method, with a slightly surprised expression.

I hadn’t thought it wasn’t valuable, but hearing it from someone else made it feel even more significant. It felt worth sacrificing the demonic sword for.

At the same time, I understood Austin’s words.

Swordsmen are the kind of people who’d risk their lives to improve their skills.

I was no different. I’d even deliberately let myself fall under black magic to advance my swordsmanship, so someone of Austin’s caliber must have an immense desire for growth as well.

Realizing that Austin had openly shared his dilemma and feelings was quite remarkable.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for what? Honestly, I’m a bit regretful. I should’ve offered to translate your Aura Cultivation Method.”

“Oh, you’re not going to help with the translation?”

“I do have the connections for it… but honestly, I don’t trust myself. I’m not sure I’d hand over the completed translation to you cleanly. There’s a high chance I’d ignore our contract and everything else and steal the cultivation method.”

“Hm… Well, thank you for being honest.”

“Yeah, I think so too. This is worth some gratitude. So… don’t tell anyone else about it. That your Aura Cultivation Method is from the Delkaro kingdom.”

With that, Austin closed his eyes, as if determined to cut off any lingering attachment.

I looked at him quietly and asked again.

“So what do I do with this Aura Cultivation Method? Where should I get it translated…”

“…You’re seriously asking me that now?”

“But… I don’t know how…”

“…”

“…”

“Hoo… Fine, since I’m being generous, I’ll spoon-feed you. If you seek out a renowned history professor or archaeologist at the Royal Academy, you might find someone to take on your translation job.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Of course, whether you can trust them is another matter. That’s a risk you’ll have to bear.”

“Is it? But why would a scholar, not a swordsman, care about an Aura Cultivation Method?”

“Are you an idiot? It’s not just important to swordsmen. It’s valuable historically, financially, and just… Hoo, forget it. Let’s end this conversation here. Follow me.”

Thud.

The Mercenary King Austin stood up.

Flinging the door open, he glared at me and said again.

“You coming or not?”

“Why?”

“Talking to you is driving me up the wall. I can’t take it anymore. Let’s spar.”

“Hm, you sure about that?”

I said with a confident expression.

I had reason to be.

We’d had a close match before. Though I’d lost the demonic sword from Collector Neumann and would have to face him with a regular sword, considering our previous bout, I had the advantage.

Then it happened.

Whoosh!

“Say that again.”

“…”

“Or let me ask you instead. You sure about this? With that shoddy sword you’ve got?”

“…Maybe we could spar later, after I get a proper sword… Would that be okay?”

“No. We’re doing this now.”

A weak sound escaped my lips.

But I had no choice.

He wasn’t on Heitz’s level. Heitz was a Sword Master, and Austin was merely a Graduate.

But for a moment, the Mercenary King’s presence was so overwhelming that it reminded me of Heitz.

“He was… hiding his strength!”

And so skillfully that I hadn’t noticed!

It was astonishing.

At the same time, I felt respect.

I’d never seen someone so perfectly embody the adage to hide a third of their strength.

“So what does that make me, the one who made him break that adage?”

Did I have some knack for infuriating people with my words?

I didn’t know.

At least not right now.

“I’ll ask Eddy about it later. But for now, what’s important is…”

Surviving the Mercenary King’s onslaught!

I grinned.

It wasn’t bad. A clash with a strong opponent was always welcome.

“Then, I’ll take you on.”

“Not in the empty lot behind the hideout. Let’s do it outside the city. We might wreck the surroundings.”

“…Alright.”

“Bring a few swords too. So you can swap them out if they break mid-fight.”

“…Got it.”

In the end, I had to endure over five hours of grueling combat with Austin.

But even exhausted to the point of collapse, I didn’t lose my smile. Seeing this, the Mercenary King couldn’t shake his uneasy expression even after the sparring ended.

***

The next day.

Someone visited Sheratiya’s office.

“Lady Sheratiya Viyan, you’re the only person I know who I can ask for something like this.”

“…”

“And you’re more trustworthy than anyone else. So… do you know anyone who could translate ancient script?”

That someone was Harang, who had shown up out of the blue after four months.

It was an utterly shameless request.

Watching him, Sheratiya wore a dumbfounded expression.