Chapter 3
Inside the stone gate was a considerably spacious area.
Moreover, three weeks’ worth of dry rations and drinking water were prepared.
It seemed arranged so one could focus solely on training, but fundamentally it was to prevent the leakage of secret techniques.
I placed the booklets I had brought onto the desk.
One of them was a secret technique of the Lantzvalger family that could be learned upon becoming a Level 1 assassin.
‘Yihyeong-eunjam-sul (Perception Concealment Art).’
Yihyeong-eunjam-sul was a technique that caused a kind of cognitive disorder.
Perfect stealth was possible, but there were also clear disadvantages.
It had little effect on non-living beings.
However, it demonstrated tremendous power against people.
Even if an assassin was right in front of them, they wouldn’t be able to perceive them at all.
The second was the aura technique of swordsman Douglas, who had operated in the Beldum State Union.
‘He was quite skilled among mercenaries. Of course, his evaluation was harsh because of that.’
Taking out a dagger from my backpack, I began learning Brutal Short first.
UUUUNG!
As I concentrated my mind, a deep blue-white flash suddenly burst forth from the dagger.
The white light wrapped in dark blue energy showed an appearance different from ordinary aura.
TSTSTSSTS!
When I moved my mana according to Brutal Short’s operation method, the energy rippled and took on a sharp form.
Soon, the Ryun cultivation method of the Riverrun family, which had been annihilated 18 years ago, unfolded.
SSUUHUAAANG!
The aura stabbed toward the air seemed ordinary at first glance.
However, the moment an opponent blocked it, Brutal Short’s true power would manifest.
This technique split into two branches the moment it collided with something.
‘This much is naturally possible. Now for Yihyeong-eunjam-sul.’
Brutal Short could be used with any cultivation method.
However, Yihyeong-eunjam-sul was a secret technique that could only be activated with the Connentreger cultivation method.
“It’s a bit complicated.”
Befitting a family secret technique stored in a Level 1 training hall, Yihyeong-eunjam-sul could not be easily deployed.
However, I was once called Riverrun’s greatest talent.
‘This kind of technique is nothing. Whatever.’
After several trials and errors, Yihyeong-eunjam-sul eventually became mine.
SEUUUUUU.
The moment hazy energy enveloped my entire body, my presence was completely erased from inside the stone chamber.
Occasionally my tunic and pants would appear and disappear, but the technique was maintained for quite a long time.
“Mana fusion is working properly. As expected, I could cast other secret techniques with the Ryun cultivation method too.”
I had realized Yihyeong-eunjam-sul using Riverrun’s cultivation method.
Not only that, it was also possible to draw up aura refined with Connentreger.
The Ryun cultivation method was a secret technique that allowed one to learn magic and swordsmanship simultaneously.
Even completely different techniques could be well fitted together and mastered.
Thanks to that tremendous adaptability, there was no major problem even if one learned multiple cultivation methods at once.
‘I can’t help the aura’s color though.’
When using Riverrun’s Ryun cultivation method, the distinctive blue-white energy was revealed.
It seemed I should refrain from using it in front of others.
Now I had properly taken the first step as a Level 1.
So far, there had been no disruption to the plan whatsoever.
‘The Acting Family Head Selection Tournament, that’s the turning point.’
The Lantzvalger family selected their family head according to the principle of might makes right, regardless of origin.
When I learned that fact, I felt an exhilarating pleasure as if my chest would burst.
It seemed like a solid path for revenge had opened up.
To participate in the Acting Family Head Selection Tournament held every 10 years, one basically needed Transcendent-level agent qualifications.
Transcendent-level corresponded to agents from Tier 3 to Tier 2.
They were beings who played core roles in the family, from branch heads to council chairmen.
To reach that level, one had to become a genius who worked hard.
‘Working this hard isn’t my style. Isn’t there some way to take shortcuts?’
I grumbled inwardly but didn’t stop training.
To become the family head, one needed to be backed by appropriate martial prowess.
The three-week training hall usage period passed in a flash.
After that, I stayed in my lodgings and trained for an additional two weeks.
It was to raise the newly learned techniques to a usable level.
‘The end of Tier 5, perhaps. It’s much faster than my previous life.’
From Tier 4 onward corresponded to Special-level agent status.
Of course, even if one’s realm improved, without achievements one couldn’t be promoted immediately.
For a while, I would need to focus on performing Level 1 missions to become a Special-level agent.
‘To think I have to return to the assassination corps again, I’m already starting to miss the idle life.’
Now there was one month left until mission resumption.
If I didn’t go diligently, I might get the first button wrong from the start.
I immediately submitted a written departure report and went down to the underground cave to wait for the regular ship.
***
Arriving at Peiros Harbor, I headed straight for the northern Ruberick territory.
The central-southern part of the Ribias continent was a place where the Lantzvalger family’s influence was strong.
‘Wasn’t there a black market around here? It would be good to stop by on the way to the Empire.’
Ruberick territory was a place where the Bertos Empire, Felton sword family, and the four-way autonomous district met, so commerce flourished.
I would probably be able to easily obtain a decent sword.
I searched for the black market with an excited heart.
‘As expected, the scale is considerable.’
Black market wasn’t just a word referring to a single shop.
The area corresponding to more than half of Ruberick territory was the black market’s domain.
The entire city was called ‘the holy land of black market dealers.’
Auctions were also conducted actively, and the place I was trying to enter was the one and only VIP auction house in the black market.
Naturally, only the chosen could enter.
“Please show your invitation.”
I carefully observed the gatekeeper’s gaze, posture, and the aura emanating from him.
As befitting a place managed by the family, a Level 3 agent was stationed there.
He seemed to be someone who had decided on the intelligence route from the entry stage.
Shrugging my shoulders lightly, I tossed him the red token.
“Hmm…”
Then the gatekeeper’s brow furrowed sharply.
This item was an identification token that only Level 1 assassins could possess.
No matter how much of a Level 3 agent he was, he couldn’t be unaware of the cipher and seal form written on the red token.
Level 1 agents had the authority to enter the black market’s VIP auction house freely.
The problem was my youthful face, which looked like I had just finished 10 years of training.
‘Huhu. I’m curious about the reaction?’
A Level 1 assassin when even Level 2 would be suspicious.
He must have felt uneasy, but after a moment’s consideration, the gatekeeper allowed passage.
It seemed he had set aside his suspicions for now since the red token was genuine.
“…You may enter.”
“You seem to have chosen your path well. That intuition of yours will save your life often in the future.”
Giving him an encouraging word with an eye-smile, I leisurely passed through the entrance.
Going inside, the VIP auction was in full swing.
“…Next is a diamond circlet made in Dropia of the Beldum State Union. It’s an item used by Princess Lucia of the Corint Kingdom! Now, as it’s so precious, we’ll start at 10,000 Geld!”
Corint was a kingdom in the western part of the Ribias continent, famous for the beauty of Princess Lucia.
The western part of the continent had been bustling for a while due to numerous marriage proposals from various countries.
The interest quickly died down when Princess Lucia, who had a weak constitution, died young.
‘Hurry up and move on. They’re really dragging it out.’
It was a treasure with a story, but it was completely useless to me.
As I yawned and waited, the next auction item finally came up on the platform.
“This time, a truly remarkable item has arrived. It’s the famous sword Perun Wind, worn by the Riverrun minor family head 18 years ago! The auction starting price is set at 20,000 Geld.”
“…!”
I unconsciously uncrossed my arms and stared blankly at the red cloth being removed.
Perun Wind was a decorative sword that I had only worn to important occasions during my time as Riverrun’s minor family head.
The handle was decorated with all kinds of gems, and inscriptions were even inlaid in gold on the blade.
It was never used in actual combat, but it was still a considerably good sword.
‘To think that item would appear…’
Even though the auction was at its hottest, I turned around with a complex expression.
If I kept watching, I felt like my desire to reclaim it would grow stronger.
It would be much better to obtain a sword from the weapon merchants inside the black market.
‘Such a decorative sword doesn’t suit an assassin anyway.’
Quickly erasing thoughts about Perun Wind, I began looking around the black market.
Naturally, most of the black market merchants didn’t sell normal items.
It wasn’t that there were problems with functionality, but that they were likely stolen goods.
However, since the Lantzvalgers backed the black market, stolen goods trading couldn’t be stopped.
If it wasn’t too famous, I might be able to get decent items at low prices.
‘As expected, it shows a bit. This makes it too uncomfortable.’
The stolen goods had been modified to be slightly different from the original.
Since they couldn’t be sold openly, they seemed to have processed them this way.
At first glance they looked perfect, but they couldn’t escape my discerning eye.
Still, I carefully selected and examined only items that barely showed signs or hadn’t been altered.
However, suddenly a sword with a familiar shape caught my attention.
‘Hmm?’
I couldn’t take my eyes off the sword that was entirely pitch-black from handle to blade.
UUUUUNG!
As I drew closer, it emitted a sword cry as if greeting me.
‘Could it be you, Black Dragon Sword? You rascal! To think a legendary famous sword is being treated like this…’
I stood there dumbfounded, looking at the Black Dragon Sword that I had used in my previous life.
As if time had stopped.
