NOVEL NEXT Chapter 64
Chapter 64: The Legendary Assassin
Si-hyun was sitting alone on a park bench near his home, deep in thought.
Executioner’s Cold-bloodedness.
This was the new skill he had acquired from completing his latest quest. Reflecting on it, he suddenly realized that Po-ahim was not only a guard but also an executioner.
“Hmm…”
With a slight furrow of his brows, Si-hyun took a sip from the drink he had bought from the vending machine.
One particular thought came to mind.
He had committed his first murder this time. Two lives were taken. Of course, they were the worst of villains, making murder their profession.
But still, could an ordinary person commit murder so suddenly without feeling shaken, just as he had? Was it perhaps because Po-ahim was an executioner?
Could an Awakened Being be influenced by their original host?
Those suspicions weighed heavily on him. The catalysts for these doubts were the Face-avoidance Technician and the Awakened Beings of Black Cross. They seemed to enjoy killing as if they were original hosts themselves. How could they all behave that way if they weren’t influenced?
If that were the case, he might be desensitized to murder and violence due to Po-ahim’s influence. Thinking back, he remembered how he was different when brutally assaulting Choi Kwang-ho. The old him, regardless of newfound power, would never have committed such acts of violence.
That couldn’t happen. This wasn’t another world. It was a society governed by human rights and rule of law.
‘I must maintain my composure.’
It was true that Po-ahim’s power was incredibly alluring.
However, he must not be overly influenced by Po-ahim. Otherwise, he might go on a rampage one day. The thought of the fanatic executioner’s tendencies exploding after taking countless lives was terrifying.
‘This skill…’
Si-hyun recalled the description of the newly acquired skill he had seen earlier.
[Executioner's Cold-bloodedness] – Enables you to maintain your cool in any situation. – No psychological impact from committing murder. – Mental Strength +150
At first glance, it seemed like a quite useful passive skill without obvious issues.
However, upon rereading it carefully, he found the first point concerning.
Maintain your cool in any situation?
Sure, it could be useful. If one could remain calm while making decisions, they could make better judgments. Especially in urgent situations; very few people could maintain their calm under such pressure.
However, Si-hyun didn’t particularly like people who were merely cold-hearted by nature. Almost instinctively, he thought they lacked some human aspect. Humans needed an emotional dimension to truly feel human. He could overlook such traits to a point.
But then…
No psychological impact from committing murder?
He had heard of such people.
Psychopaths.
They were human beings who felt no empathy for others’ suffering, hence they could execute murders without a second thought. They were the kind of species that sent chills down his spine as a fellow human.
‘This is a bit…’
Si-hyun shook his head and took another sip of his drink.
He understood the reasoning. Though they were on death row, executioners were said to suffer severe mental anguish from their profession. Many suffered from mental disorders.
Yet, it was an era when psychiatric treatment didn’t exist. That’s where the saying “ruffians drown in alcohol” comes from. But if one could commit murder without any psychological impact, it would truly be the ultimate skill for an executioner. Truly an ability befitting a fanatic executioner.
Yet, times had changed. In a society like this, anyone who would casually go around committing murder was not normal. Of course, in life-threatening situations like the recent encounter with Black Cross, such a skill would be incredibly useful.
Nevertheless, he still thought he should keep the passive skill deactivated in his everyday life. The fact that it could influence his personality made him uncomfortable.
“It’s tough, really tough.”
As he muttered this and decided it was time to head home, a sharp feeling of impending doom pierced him like a needle.
This wasn’t a mere illusion. The insight of a seasoned guard urgently warned him.
[Warning: Detected the most notorious individual in the vicinity.]
The most notorious…?
This was a warning he had never encountered before. How bad is a C-rank? Decently bad is B-rank.
Then what on earth is the worst?
Si-hyun’s expression quickly hardened.
[Warning: It is advised to urgently verify information about this individual.]
That was exactly what he had been thinking.
Si-hyun hurriedly checked the information about the warning target.
[Legendary Assassin]
Name: Sierra
Gender: Female
Occupation: Assassin (Main), Predator (Sub)
Notoriety: Very Famous
[Reputation]
1) Heart of Black Cross – Sierra is the second heart of Black Cross, one of the most notorious assassins in the Reiter continent with a bounty placed on her in every nation. The assassination that became her infamous was killing the princess of the Mirion Kingdom in broad daylight inside a moving carriage. – The heart of Black Cross can give orders to the members of the organization. – Possible integration with darkness. In dark places, all stats increase by 540% and the efficiency of all skills increases by 140%.
2) Appearance Predator – Sierra possesses a unique ability that allows her to consume the appearance of the women she has killed, freely changing her facial features and body. Using this skill, she could evade capture and hide without a trace. Thus, people called her Cheonbyeon. – Can transform into the appearance of the woman she has killed.
[Stats]
Strength 813 (A)
Agility 991 (S)
Wisdom 774 (A)
Stamina 901 (S)
Mental Strength 912 (S)
Magic Power 909 (S)
“…!”
A legendary assassin?!
Si-hyun’s heart raced wildly. Sweat dripped from his tightly clenched hands. Tremors spread throughout his body.
What sort of insane monster is this…
She was the second S-Class Awakened Being he had encountered after Hyris. Back then, he hadn’t been able to check information because it wasn’t someone notorious. But now, having verified the information, he could keenly feel just how maddeningly powerful S-Class beings were.
But that wasn’t the only thing that shocked him.
The Heart of Black Cross.
The moment he saw that, shock flooded him, and he couldn’t calm his racing heart.
Black Cross. Black Cross?
Jang Hak-ki had said it. The request had already been canceled. There was no way Jang Hak-ki, having completely succumbed, had lied. So then, what in the world was going on?
Si-hyun attempted to calm his trembling heart and forced himself to think.
But the intense anxiety and tremors made it hard for him to think clearly.
Then, a thought struck him about the new skill he had acquired today.
Executioner’s Cold-bloodedness.
Si-hyun quickly switched the skill from inactive to active. Strangely, he began to feel his tension easing. While he didn’t feel completely at ease, he could return to a somewhat calm state. The tremors in his body ceased.
Finally, Si-hyun could organize his thoughts clearly.
Escape?
That would be utterly meaningless.
Fight?
That was an even crazier idea.
Then what?
For now, there was nothing but conversation. No matter how he thought about it, the other side had definitely come looking for him. The very existence of Black Cross was proof of that.
Si-hyun finished off the remaining drink and set the cup down on the ground. It was absurd that he could maintain such composure even in this situation; he was astonished even by himself.
At that moment, Si-hyun turned his head back. He couldn’t see anything.
But through the power of insight, Si-hyun knew. Someone was definitely there.
“…If you’ve come to find me, shouldn’t you make yourself known?”
He asked in the calmest voice possible; without the power of the cold-blooded skill, such a charade would have been impossible.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you looked lost in thought, so I was inadvertently staring.”
From the shadows of a streetlight, someone sprang forth. Normally, Si-hyun would have jumped in shock, but with the influence of the cold-bloodedness skill, he somehow maintained his calm.
A young woman dressed entirely in black appeared. A black skirt, black blouse, even her hairpin was black. Even the flower decoration on her hairpin was black.
‘Just as I suspected.’
Cheonbyeon murmured inwardly. What she had displayed was the highest level of stealth technique known as ‘Shadow Hiding’.
Someone capable of sensing that without even looking?
There could barely be a handful of people like that. It was clear that this woman was ‘the’ one.
“So, what business do you have?”
Si-hyun asked as he looked directly at her face.
A Western beauty with blonde hair and blue eyes.
But whether that was her true face, no one could be sure. Si-hyun read her identity as an Appearance Predator.
“I received your greetings well. I felt I should pay you a visit in return. Also, it seems our subordinates committed a significant offense, and I’d like to express my sincere apologies.”
“….”
What? A sincere apology?
Initially, they were the ones who attempted the assassination.
Yet, despite the outcome of having two of their subordinates killed, why would they be acting this way?
And they had sent an S-Class monster for this?
This made no sense at all. Yet asking for an explanation seemed to feel too awkward. He had a nagging feeling that he shouldn’t.
So, Si-hyun responded vaguely.
“I see. I understand your sentiment well enough.”
“That’s a relief. We wouldn’t want to become enemies with you over this incident.”
Cheonbyeon smiled with her mouth. Having left behind some traces of concern, this encounter seemed to be going better than expected.
“We wouldn’t want to be enemies either.”
Si-hyun replied. He just wanted to conclude the conversation as amicably and quickly as possible. Talking while activated cold-bloodedness was still quite taxing on his mental strength, even if he appeared calm.
“That’s good. It seems we can maintain a rather peaceful relationship from here on.”
“I hope so too.”
“You’re quite an agreeable person. I feel comfortable leaving now.”
‘Yeah, just hurry and leave.’
Si-hyun murmured inwardly. He never wished to meet this woman again.
But on the outside, he kept his calm facade intact.
“I share that sentiment.”
“….”
What’s happening?
In that moment, a tiny doubt stirred deep within Cheonbyeon’s heart.
She was sure this man was ‘the’ one. Her confidence in that thought hadn’t changed.
But the conversation was surprisingly smooth. So smooth that it felt somewhat strange. Of course, she could simply walk away, but that odd feeling nagged at her.
…Should she test him?
“Oh, by the way…”
Cheonbyeon began to speak softly.
“I have the feeling you might know who I am… but have we met in this realm?”