Ziang, who always wears a mask, reveals his true face without hesitation when he’s alongside Oknodie, indicating their special bond.
It wasn’t uncommon for others to approach Ziang, thinking they could also become friends after witnessing his gentle demeanor.
Irene was one of those students who entertained such thoughts.
The barren North was a place where talented individuals typically avoided.
If they could lure even one more capable person, it would be a significant advantage.
The existence of an elite assassin capable of taking down enemy commanders is comparable to an army of ten thousand elite soldiers.
However, Irene had long since abandoned that dream.
One day, while trying to strike up a conversation with Ziang, she witnessed something that made her reconsider.
Ziang had effortlessly slapped a classmate’s face, knocking them down, and just as easily pressed a dagger to their throat.
“Don’t ever show your face to me again. Next time, I’ll watch the light fade from your eyes.”
Ziang is an assassin.
He has gone through a growth process that is entirely different from ordinary students.
Of course, even students who have gained admission to the Gift Academy are not ordinary, but among those distinguished students, Ziang was even more exceptional.
“If I had to compare, he would be similar to Sing.”
He has no qualms about killing.
Unlike others who have their moral lines drawn by law and ethics, Ziang easily crosses that line.
Because of this, he can certainly say:
“How did you see that child’s face, senior?”
A child with a delicate, doll-like appearance.
The masked Ziang does not fit that image.
A beast drenched in blood, ready to pounce at any moment.
Death standing right before one’s eyes.
A child that evokes a fleeting illusion.
A monster in human form.
In such presence, there is no place for delicacy.
Especially if that opponent is indeed a face-to-face senior who is a student on leave.
“You’ve known Ziang from the start, haven’t you?”
“Whoa… amazing.”
“Step back, Dorothy.”
Dorothy, startled, stepped in front to block, while Irene interrogated coldly.
The senior smiled frostily at the first-years exhibiting strength uncharacteristic of students on leave.
“Not bad? The phrase ‘Class 981 is different’ wasn’t said for nothing.”
“You still didn’t answer my question.”
“If your guess is correct, that I’ve known Ziang from the beginning, then what’s the difference?”
Irene concentrated cold into her palm as she responded.
“It might depend on what kind of relationship you had with Ziang. You could impede us or cause us harm.”
Especially considering how interactions with others had nearly ceased right after they enrolled, the likelihood of interference increased if one recalled the early days of Ziang.
That child’s personality was not conducive to making friends, nor did they seem to have the will to do so.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The senior clapped.
As if praising a child for doing well.
As if expressing emotion after watching a magnificent film or play.
Yet the expression that crossed their face was an unaffected, blank one.
Truly a ‘killer’ expression.
“A fine inference. Contract holders dwelling in the land of demons, as expected of the grand duke of the barren North, you’re remarkably cautious. You surely have the right to follow Ziang.”
“…”
“Don’t hurry me with such a frightening face. Do men get hurt? If a woman shows contempt…”
“Are you mocking me?”
“Of course. It’s amusing to see an ant much weaker than me openly displaying hostility. Like they don’t realize they’ll get crushed if they keep hovering around.”
Irene’s cold energy intensified, and Rokfeld’s foot spacing widened slightly.
But neither of them could make the first move.
Just as Dorothy sensed, their instincts as battle-class students warned them unconsciously.
If they engaged, they’d surely lose.
The moment they made their move would be their last.
The senior, with an indifferent expression, stuck his hands in his pockets.
Leaning against the wall at an angle.
Despite their tension, the first-years couldn’t lower their guard, even with the senior presenting an awkward posture that seemed disadvantageous.
Their stance represented strength rendered meaningless.
An overwhelming force that could threaten their lives at any moment without them even realizing they had invaded the territory of such a powerful being.
“The Ten Great Thieves of the continent exists. It refers to the ten thieves with the greatest skills in the world. But there’s a slim 11th person, and if that person wants to join the ranks of the Ten Great Thieves, what must they do? What do you think?”
“…they must steal. Take the reputation of one of the existing Ten Great Thieves as their own.”
“Correct. Ziang’s mentor, Rung Nosa, did just that. He stole the life of the 10th-ranked Life Thief of the previous generation, my mentor.”
“!!”
“In short, you stand before the mortal enemy of your mentor.”
How unfortunate to encounter a figure with a grudge against Ziang in this lawless student dormitory zone.
It made one want to cry out of frustration at their bad luck.
“The one who received the techniques of the Unparalleled Body bears the weight of everything of their mentor. The techniques, the reputation, even the burdens of their mentor’s name.”
“…”
“Killing Rung Nosa and reclaiming the name of the Life Thief is my fate. If it interferes, I may have to kill Ziang as well. But that day is not today.”
Not a single word of complaint emerged as the man lit a smoke.
It wasn’t just his expression that betrayed his restraint—his knuckles were bulging.
“I am still weaker than Rung Nosa. After I kill my apprentice, I will be killed in turn. So I won’t resort to treachery. Ziang has been sent away.”
“Should I apologize for making a baseless assumption?”
“There’s no need for pointless lies. While I enjoy them, it’s troublesome to kill you.”
“…”
“I merely showed no malice towards Ziang but did not extend goodwill either. When it came to choosing a path to catch up to the child known as Oknodie, I shut the easy route that we controlled.”
“Us…? Who else is here apart from you?”
“The Heavenly Barrier Investigative Team.”
As the man flicked the ash from his cigarette, a peculiar wave of mana flowed across the ground.
Boom!
The mana wave burrowed deep down the sheer cliff, creating a large hole in the process.
It didn’t simply unearth the existing soil; it rather removed the illusion that had blocked the hole that existed from the beginning.
Yet on the other side of the detour, there was a pulse of human energy.
Seniors at a level indistinguishable from Irene herself; some were even on par with her.
“There are multiple routes leading beyond the Heavenly Barrier. The upper paths will allow you to reach your destination quickly, but the danger will rise significantly.”
“!!”
“Ziang passed through the highest path. For the clever first-years, I offer choices. You can chase after Ziang and take the risk, or you can take the convenient lower path, even if it takes longer.”
A ladder appeared between the hole in the Heavenly Barrier and the ground they stood on.
“It’s neither an illusion nor a trick. Moreover, that path truly seems safe. Although that’s, of course, in a ‘relative’ sense.”
Dorothy, with her good instincts, verified this.
Irene hesitated before speaking.
“Who was the last person to pass here before Ziang?”
“They did not return.”
“…then I’ll take that path.”
The man’s hand twitched.
“Why? I thought I warned you enough about the dangers. Could you not trust my kindness?”
“No. I believe your words. Though our conversation was brief, you’ve never told a lie, even if you concealed truths. So I can trust you. I believe Ziang is in danger.”
“How foolish. Do you intend to become friends with an assassin?”
“Maybe.”
“Even if they don’t want that?”
“It doesn’t matter. The North isn’t a place where you can afford to be picky about friendships.”
“How pragmatic. Almost pitiful to call it friendship play.”
The man sneered and took another drag of his cigarette.
“Go ahead. I’ll let you pass willingly.”
Irene slightly bowed her head in thanks and ran toward the path above the cliff.
Both Dorothy and Rokfeld followed her.
It was only after the unpleasant senior had distanced himself enough that Dorothy showed signs of doubt.
“Why choose this path when there’s a safe one available?”
“Because facing danger directly is the fastest way to reach it. Given the circumstances, Ziang has likely raced after Oknodie faster than anyone. So ahead, Oknodie should be there. I’m not worried about that child. But I’m worried about Ziang chasing after them.”
“Unlike Oknodie, Ziang could get hurt?”
“Exactly. If Ziang gets seriously hurt or dies because of this, and if Oknodie finds out about it, she’ll surely be sad. She wouldn’t dare tread where anyone may follow her. That would jeopardize the plan to recruit Oknodie into the Northern Front too.”
So, they’d save Ziang.
“A selfish and self-serving reason. It has nothing to do with you two. If you feel it’s too dangerous, you’re free to turn back.”
“Not really? This level of danger exists even in the Monster Forest. I only said it because I was worried about Irene. If there’s a reason that we must go this far, it’s rather reassuring!”
“…”
What kind of monsters are lurking in that cursed Monster Forest anyway?
Leaving the thoughts she had revisited countless times for today behind, Irene pressed her feet firmly onto the ground.
But it was only before the third disaster struck that she truly realized.
“Ziang and Oknodie had already gone inside…?”
The student dormitory zone.
A place where countless students risk their lives to find treasures.
Up to the second disaster, even drifters are okay.
Students seeking treasures.
Weak individuals either banding together for survival or preying on those weaker than themselves to forcefully extract resources to survive in this den.
From the ‘third disaster’ onward, the standards were different.
This was not a place where such weaklings could set foot.
