A Disaster-Level Assassin Has Been Freed

Chapter 113: Acanthus (2)

The Red Magician.

The reason Zeb had risen to Godok Rank 4 was, in nine parts out of ten, his thirst for vengeance against him. It had to be. The Zeb Harang knew as a child was far from talented.

“He was below average, even.”

Compared to the final 30 Godok members, his physique was frail, his talent lackluster—a person who could have died around rank 500 or 600 without anyone batting an eye.

Yet, that Zeb had become a top-tier assassin, likely driven solely by his hatred for the Red Magician.

So, Harang had once been curious.

Who was the Red Magician?

What kind of person could propel someone as unremarkable as Zeb to the fourth rank?

Of course, that curiosity hadn’t lasted long.

The village wasn’t a place where one could afford to care about others’ circumstances. When he occasionally crossed paths with Zeb, Harang only thought, “Still alive, huh?” His interest in the Red Magician had faded by his third or fourth year in the village.

But now.

“I’m curious.”

Standing among numerous powerhouses, including Godok Rank 4 Zeb.

Harang felt the long-buried spark of curiosity reignite.

What kind of being was the Red Magician?

How strong, how monstrous, that so many powerful individuals had banded together to vow revenge?

Indeed, with this many people, they could take down even someone who had reached the “Master” realm. At least, that’s how Harang felt. He’d never seen a Sword Master’s full strength, but his instincts whispered as much.

“Acanthus… I didn’t think much of it when I heard about it from my peers, but seeing it up close, it’s far more impressive than I expected.”

Muttering to himself, Harang scanned Acanthus’ members again. It was certain. These weren’t just people with striking appearances—they were true powerhouses.

“What’s that, Zeb? You know him?”

“Heh heh, what’s going on here?”

“Kid, why do you look like that…”

“Shut up.”

“Anyone want to explain what’s happening?”

“…”

As Harang pondered, the commotion among Acanthus’ members grew louder.

They had every reason to be flustered.

Vivian, who always used a clone, had shown her true form.

An outsider had infiltrated their highly secretive hideout.

And, even more shocking, it seemed their newest member, Zeb, knew this outsider.

But that wasn’t all.

Clap!

“Well, as Barahilda said, it seems we need to sort this out. To do that, I think we should first hear from Vivian, who was out on a mission. And Harang, could you… wait a bit? I think it’d be best to talk further after we’ve grasped the situation among ourselves.”

“What, boss?”

“You know this guy?”

Zak, the one-eyed man, and Vivian, the Black Magician, threw questions with shocked eyes. Everyone else looked at the bald mercenary Konjinyu with expressions asking, “What’s going on?”

But the most surprised was Harang himself.

“That guy’s the boss?”

He was stunned.

Honestly, it was hard to believe.

The others radiated the unmistakable presence of powerhouses.

In contrast, Konjinyu, with his friendly face, looked no different from when Harang met him during Sheratiya’s mission. He seemed like a typical Bronze Plate mercenary.

What did this mean?

The first hypothesis: Acanthus’ leader wasn’t chosen based on strength.

The second hypothesis…

“Mr. Konjinyu’s strength is so great I can’t easily gauge it!”

“Hm…”

Harang clenched and unclenched his fist, staring at Konjinyu.

He had many questions—questions as numerous as those they had for him.

But he didn’t voice them immediately.

Unlike his less perceptive past self, he now knew how to read the room.

“Fine. I’ll wait until Acanthus finishes its discussion. We’ll talk afterward.”

“What? You…”

“You know who we are? How?”

“Ah! I didn’t come here knowing. I followed Ms. Vivian, happened to meet my old peer Zeb, and realized because of that. Does that explain it? Or not?”

“It doesn’t.”

“It doesn’t.”

“It doesn’t.”

The three iron-masked men answered in unison, and Harang looked troubled. Their eyes grew even warier.

But.

Clap!

“As I said, let’s start by hearing Vivian’s story and go from there. Alright? We’ll need to hear Zeb’s story too. Oh, Harang, could you wait in the reception room? Zak, could you guide him?”

“What? Why me? Wait, you’re leaving this guy alone?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. He’s not the type to snoop around or run off. If you’re worried, you can stay in the reception room and keep an eye on him.”

“But…”

“That’s enough.”

Pat, pat.

Konjinyu approached with a friendly smile, patting Zak’s shoulder.

That was it. The one-eyed man, about to say more, grimaced and fell silent, while the others looked at their leader with quiet agreement.

“Well, shall we move quickly? We may seem idle, but we’re surprisingly busy. Vivian, sorry, but you’ll need to move in your true form… So, Harang, let’s meet again in about 30 minutes.”

Hum.

With that, Konjinyu stepped back into the barrier, followed by Acanthus’ members.

“…Follow me.”

“Yes.”

Hum.

Humm-.

As Zak, still grimacing, and the expressionless Harang entered the barrier, the hideout’s entrance returned to the silent clearing it had been ten minutes ago.

***

“Did you wait long?”

“Not at all.”

Exactly 30 minutes later.

The bald mercenary—no, Acanthus’ leader Konjinyu—and Godok Rank 4 Zeb appeared side by side in the reception room. They were the last. The others seemed to have gone about their tasks.

Thus, the room held four people: Harang, Zak, Zeb, and Konjinyu.

Their eyes, as they looked at one another, were filled with awkwardness, warmth, surprise, and discomfort.

“Ahem.”

Harang, silent for the past 30 minutes, cleared his throat to draw attention.

Normally, he’d have ignored the atmosphere and asked about Zeb’s recent life. Or he’d have rambled excitedly about what he’d seen, heard, and felt in the outside world, boasting how much more enjoyable it was than the village.

But not now.

Why was he here?

To uncover the connection between the Black Hydra and Acanthus.

Why was that important?

Ultimately, to gather information about the village.

Thus, this was the place to focus solely on that topic. Personal talk with Zeb could wait for another time.

With that thought, Harang grinned.

With an expression brimming with pride in himself, he muttered,

“I’ve grown a lot.”

“…?”

“…?”

“Harang?”

“Oh, sorry. I meant to think that, but it slipped out.”

“…”

“…”

“He’s always been like that. A bit odd.”

“I know. As I said, we worked the same job once.”

“Oh, that escort mission for Lady Sheratiya Viyan…”

“Yeah, that one. Anyway, I already know he’s odd, so no need to explain further.”

“Wait, I don’t know.”

“Zak, you’ve seen him now, haven’t you?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“You guys get along well.”

Harang muttered, and all three looked at him with bewildered expressions.

Of course, the odd moment didn’t last.

Regaining his composure, Konjinyu got to the point before Harang could.

“First, I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For Vivian attacking you. It’s not quite a misunderstanding… more like overzealous defense. The situation was pretty startling, wasn’t it? Oh, I should explain this first. We were tracking the Black Hydra ourselves when you suddenly appeared and defeated the fourth Hydra.”

“Right.”

“That alone was shocking, but instead of chasing the fleeing enemy, you called out Vivian, who was hiding. Then you questioned her aggressively…”

Hummm-!

“…What’s wrong? Did I say something off?”

Konjinyu asked, startled.

He had reason to be. Harang, who had been listening quietly, suddenly radiated a powerful presence. Zak, so shocked, had drawn his sword and aimed it at Harang.

But not everyone was clueless about the situation.

Zeb, the only one to grasp Harang’s feelings, spoke to Konjinyu.

“Harang’s sensitive to the word ‘aggressive.’”

“Aggressive? What do you…”

“I never acted aggressively toward Ms. Vivian.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“I introduced my affiliation, identity, and name, and spoke politely about what I wanted. On the contrary, Ms. Vivian spied on me secretly and even launched a preemptive attack…”

“Ah, I see. Sorry, I misunderstood after hearing only one side. Ugh, that little Vivian’s defense mechanisms are too strong.”

Konjinyu muttered in excuse, and Zeb and Zak nodded quietly. It wasn’t to appease Harang but because they genuinely agreed. Feeling this, Harang reined in his presence, and an awkward atmosphere settled over the room again.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Can I take over from here?”

“Ah, yes. If we’re being precise, you’re tied to both sides, so it makes sense for you to talk, Zeb.”

“Understood, then…”

Godok Rank 4, Zeb, locked eyes with Harang.

Harang returned the gaze. Seeing Zeb’s clear, transparent eyes, memories of the village flooded his mind.

“Zeb’s a trustworthy guy.”

He was qualitatively different from peers like Rank 2 Maya or Rank 7 Cecilia.

Among the seeds of monsters who lost their humanity day by day, he’d preserved his purity… In a way, he was the most human in the village.

Zeb spoke quietly, in a heavy tone.

“I found a lead on the village.”

“What kind?”

“The Red Magician.”

“…”

“The Red Magician, Greg Pellegrino, is behind the village.”

Harang’s expression hardened.

He hadn’t considered it at all.

Perhaps because all his peers and the village’s managers were assassins or swordsmen, his mind hadn’t turned to a magician being the mastermind.

“Of course, I can’t take Zeb’s word as 100% certain.”

Indeed.

Zeb was trustworthy, that was true. But to say everything he said was correct? Harang couldn’t nod blindly. He needed to hear more.

He looked at Zeb, urging him to continue, and Zeb nodded.

“So, here’s the thing.”

“Yeah.”

“Harang, want to join Acanthus?”

“No.”

Harang answered instantly.