Episode 148
Chapter 49. An Unexpected Victory (Part 2)
Owl extinguished his fighting spirit. Though a dark and profound energy had violently shaken the room’s atmosphere, Veradin and Dante remained completely still, not even snoring.
From the moment Owl entered, he had used acupuncture techniques to paralyze them. Now, instead of fighting spirit, he was compressing his killing intent solely toward Jin, freezing his body.
Jin’s body trembled uncontrollably, but he felt no fear at all.
The shaking was simply because Jin’s own energy wasn’t yet strong enough to fully absorb that killing intent.
‘I didn’t mean to say it, but just mentioning Sister Yona’s name has enraged someone like the Nameless King this much. That means it’s a highly sensitive matter—like striking a sacred nerve.’
Owl himself had admitted it was a weakness, and even now, he only glared at Jin without extending any lethal attack.
‘I get it now…’
The calculation was quick and clear.
Thanks to the torment he’d endured from Yona over the past few days.
‘The Nameless King possesses immense power, but when it comes to assassination skills—the very reason for his existence—Sister Yona is on another level.’
Back when Jin first stayed in the intermediate cadet’s room, Yona had successfully hidden within that cramped second floor for over an hour, observing him. Since then, she had watched him up close in both open fields and tight spaces—never once being detected.
That was no ordinary “simple assassination” skill. Jin had only mistaken it as either his own shortcomings or the Nameless King’s top assassin being unexpectedly skilled.
But that wasn’t the case.
If pure assassination was the goal, even the Nameless King could have ended Jin’s life before he even noticed. Yet, even the leader of the Nameless couldn’t match Yona’s skill.
Not just the Nameless, but no one in the entire world could imitate Yona’s abilities.
Suddenly, a story Luna told him before he became a candidate came to mind.
“Is there anyone among your brothers who even Sister Yona fears?”
“Not one-on-one yet. Maybe Runtia or Dipus. Or maybe you in the future…? But Yona is truly dangerous.”
“Sister Yona? Because of poison?”
“No, she’s an assassin. Assassins can kill anyone who lets their guard down.”
At the time, Jin thought it was just a warning about assassins’ dangers. Now, he was just realizing the deeper meaning behind those words.
“I could tear you apart right now and feel no regret, but for Sir Siron’s sake, I’ll let this slide just once.”
As Owl spoke softly, Jin stood and bowed his head toward him.
‘The reason he brought up my father’s name first was just a pretext—a justification for sparing me even though I recklessly mentioned Sister Yona.’
That made Jin even more certain he wouldn’t be killed by Owl.
In fact, he was convinced Owl had come to save him.
‘The Nameless King came to save us from Sister Yona. It must be a burden for him if Dante and Veradin die because of her games.’
Jin swallowed a smile.
Though it was a situation where threats could be made, weaknesses are more valuable when quietly held rather than shaken. The subtle attitude of “I can crush you anytime” carries more weight.
And now, he had not only Yona but also Veradin and Dante as leverage.
“I apologize. I’m still inexperienced and spoke recklessly. If you punish me, I will accept it.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t see through you? You already look like you understand my intentions. No matter how brave you are, that attitude you have now is only possible if you’re certain of survival.”
True to his reputation as the Nameless leader, Owl was sharp as a ghost. Jin’s carefully hidden expression was useless, but he decided not to care.
It’s foolish to be overly humble in front of this kind of person.
“I’ve already committed a grave offense against the Nameless King with my careless words. I have no intention of repeating that mistake. You must have come because of Dante and Veradin lying there, right?”
“That’s right. You, as a candidate, could be killed without much issue, but they are different. If you follow my orders carefully from now on, I’ll consider your slip-up forgotten. I’ll even pretend I didn’t see that you associate with those two.”
“Please tell me what you wish.”
Only then did the Nameless King seem to suppress his anger slightly and light a cigarette.
“Starting tonight, real assassins wearing white masks—not cadets—will come looking for you. The three of you must stick together and, if you need to escape, head for the city center.”
At that moment, Jin inferred that Owl couldn’t control Yona.
If he wanted to save Dante and Veradin, he could simply exclude them from assassination targets by his own authority. Yet he came to advise them instead.
“May I ask why?”
“Do you still have the energy to insult me?”
“No, I will obey your orders.”
“Also, by the morning after tomorrow, urge the two next clan heads to leave the city. By any means necessary. If they don’t listen, use force to get them out.”
“So you want me to stay behind alone.”
“You understand well. The assassins will come three times in total.”
This was Owl’s plan.
Yona had three chances. He would advise the kids to handle the first two, and for the last one, he would try to avoid conflict altogether.
If Yona caught on, the Nameless could be turned upside down. But if they said Dante and Veradin fled, it would soon be forgotten.
Most importantly, Jin—the key to Yona’s plans—would remain in the city until the final day of the wager.
‘Yona will surely send people in order: intermediate, advanced, then top assassin. Besides killing Veradin and Dante, she also wants to help my growth.’
No matter what, the top assassin was beyond what the three could handle. Especially if Jin was alone.
‘After Veradin and Dante leave the city, it won’t matter if I live or die. It’d be nice to survive and please Yona, but that’s asking too much.’
Perhaps when the top assassin tries to take Jin’s life, Yona might whimsically save him herself.
In fact, Owl thought that was the only way Jin could survive.
Just as Owl was about to stub out his cigarette after organizing his thoughts—
“Nameless King.”
“Speak.”
“You just told me to die. Even with my comrades, it’s a tough situation, yet you want me to stay behind alone.”
“So you refuse?”
“Not at all. But since I’m risking my life, I hope for one reward—only if I successfully help you.”
Owl nodded.
“Fine, I’ll grant that. What do you want?”
“Mandokju.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Is that impossible?”
Owl couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at Jin’s shamelessness.
“Even if Sir Siron asked, it wouldn’t be allowed.”
“Hmm…”
That was too much.
‘It was something I wanted to get through Sister Yona anyway. If the Nameless King gave it directly, it’d be more certain and reduce gossip. But even I admit it was a bit too greedy.’
Since he expected rejection, he wasn’t disappointed. Just playing crazy.
“Ask for something else. If you say nonsense again, I won’t give you any more chances.”
When Jin clearly stated what he really wanted, a flicker of interest appeared in Owl’s eyes.
“…Fine. That’s a reasonable request for risking your life. But you must save the two next clan heads.”
Owl’s agreement was conditional—only after Jin satisfied him and survived.
“Thank you for your consideration. I will keep my promise.”
Jin silently cheered.
From the moment he secured a promise from the Nameless King, he judged that no one in Samil could stop him anymore.
As Owl was about to leave the inn, he glanced back at Jin.
“I’ll give you one piece of advice.”
“I’ll listen gratefully.”
“Even though there are few people in the world we can’t kill if we want, do you know why we don’t use that power recklessly?”
Understanding the point, Jin respectfully looked up at Owl.
Owl was gently scolding him again for having shaken the Nameless King’s sacred nerve earlier.
“A weapon capable of inflicting fatal wounds is more terrifying when quietly held. And if you wield such a weapon thoughtlessly, it will surely bring great disaster.”
Jin, in turn, was giving a hint to the ‘grateful Nameless King.’
“Hah! How could someone who knows me well say that just now…”
Owl cut himself off, eyes wide in disbelief, shaking his head.
‘No way, Jin Runkandel… You didn’t know Yona was our weakness? You just assumed it because I was the first to hold you responsible for the city’s destruction and linked it to Yona?’
Recalling how excited he’d been just minutes ago when Yona’s name came up, Owl felt a rare flush of embarrassment. A twinge of self-reproach and defeat came as well.
He had lost a battle of wits to a greenhorn. The man who was the city’s master and called the king of assassins.
‘I’m too ashamed to even look. What a disgrace. Even as a pureblood, it’s natural not to know the relationship between the thirteenth candidate and Nameless and Yona.’
Jin bowed deeply out of consideration for him, masking his smile behind the gesture.
“…Impressive.”
Owl’s brief but firm praise echoed before he stepped out of the inn’s door and vanished like the wind.
All the way back to the Nameless Hall, Jin couldn’t shake the feeling of regret. The youngest son of Runkandel, destined to die young with high certainty because of the top assassin Yona was about to send.
By evening, Veradin and Dante naturally regained feeling and woke up, utterly clueless about what had transpired while they slept.
“No one expected the prospective heir to mingle with the next heads of Ziphl and Hylan… but it seems we have some unexpected good news to report.”
“There’s definitely something between Yona and the prospective heir. We’ve uncovered circumstantial evidence; the proof will soon come pouring in.”
A group of men were deep in conversation. They stood inside the home of a senior cadet from the Samil Academy—who had been strangled to death with an iron wire around his neck.
They were men sent by Joshua.
“This isn’t over until we deliver good news to our lord. And the assassins targeting the prospective heir are only getting more skilled, so be extra vigilant. Remember, we were told the prospective heir must not die.”
Yet, they were completely unaware that one of Nameless’s top assassins was in the building across the street.
From the moment they entered this city until now, the top assassin had never once left their side, silently shadowing their every move.