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Mega Release:- Day 1/8
The headquarters of the Assassins' Guild, the kingdom of the night, loomed beneath the depths of Arcus. How this underground space was carved out using current civil engineering techniques, when it came into existence—these details remained unknown. However, even compared to the grandeur of the Arcadia Palace, the base held an imposing presence.
A nocturnal realm extending underground—a lawless territory where those who thrived in darkness congregated.
"Unbelievable. To think there's something like this beneath Arcus."
"I had no idea. This is news to me."
The fact that even Favela was unaware meant that only those deeply immersed in darkness could reach this place. Knowing about this location implied descending into darkness. Once you knew, there was no turning back.
"...Incredible."
Before William lay the kingdom of night, a place of murky slums, condensed and squalid. Yet, curiously, there was pride associated with this place. A self-assuredness that came from being unyielding to the darkness. For those who lived in the shadows, this was paradise. In a world devoid of light, there were no condemning beacons against the darkness.
"Still deeper. Don't lose sight of me. If you stray, you'll never find your way out. Especially for light-dwellers like you."
Deeper still. William had descended considerably by now. The darkness of Arcus was dizzying. Hidden behind history's curtain, it grew larger in proportion to the light. Even in Arcadia, a mid-tier among the Seven Kingdoms, this was the reality. How much deeper darkness slept within Galias, a larger and more ancient realm, was beyond William's imagination.
"Hurry. The master awaits."
William had a sudden illusion. He wasn't descending; he was ascending. This sensation would likely elude Kyle and Favela. Perhaps even the White Dragon wouldn't comprehend it. Yet, ahead, the King of Night awaited, likely experiencing the same feeling. Somehow, that's what William sensed.
A reversal of heaven and earth. This was the abyssal kingdom of the night. A subterranean world that towered beneath them.
༺༻
"Beyond this point, I cannot enter. However, do not make any blunders. Abandon petty ambitions. The one inside exists on a different plane from mere strength. No matter how powerful you are, you can never kill that one. And conversely... do not forget that the one inside can kill the likes of you at any time."
The White Dragon is likely among the highest ranks within the Assassination Guild. Even in that gathering, it was evident that only one person stood out in terms of combat prowess. Not as formidable as Kyle, but William would be unable to defeat him, unless there was some trick or strategy—something to level the playing field. Such was the caliber of this individual. A man who could not be allowed entry.
The White Dragon stood beside a massive door.
"I once ventured beyond this point. Back then, I was foolish, ignorant, and full of hubris. I mistakenly believed I was strong. But when we faced each other, I understood. Everything you've held dear, all your values, were mere illusions in the face of that one... The one inside."
The door began to open on its own, despite no one touching it—
"You are before the King of Night, Nyx," a voice echoed.
The door closed. William and the others found themselves either stepping forward or already inside. Kyle and Favela's spirits were already breaking. Everything they knew was irrelevant here. Power was impotent. All their accomplishments had turned meaningless.
"No need for formalities. I desire only one ingenious solution to soften the landing of this matter. Satisfy me, and you shall be free. Fail, and death awaits."
The night curtain slid open, revealing hair the color of midnight flowing down to the ground. How many years must one live for hair to reach such lengths? It was unimaginable. If you followed that river of hair upstream, you'd find—
"Now then, slave Al, freed slave Al, Norman, and William Livius. Shall we negotiate? Time is infinite for me, but finite for humans. Besides, the night is also limited."
Everything was laid bare. William and the others were astonished. It shouldn't have been known. They had taken care of everything known to others. It defied reason. But—
'If it's already known—'
They couldn't afford to let him live.
William raised his gaze. His eyes bore clear intent to pierce through his opponent.
"Nice to meet you... adorable lad."
He should have pierced him.
"Why the bewildered look? Heh."
The Night King Nyx. His face was unmistakably familiar to William. Kyle and Favela were equally shocked. A shared acquaintance in this place. In other words—
"Who does my face resemble, William?"
Arlette. Her memory clung to William, unyielding. She was the beginning of everything, his beloved sister. Losing her birthed "William," and now, the "White Mask."
"Lately, I've taken a liking to this face. I've worn it for about ten years now. Your sibling's story was too fascinating, you see. Forgive me."
The anger trembled not in William, but in the two behind him.
"Don't mock this man's life, woman. I'll kill you!"
"I'll peel that mask off your face!"
They knew Arlette's despair. Being so close yet unable to save her. Their anger ran deep. It was a powerful stimulus. Their fury was so great that it obliterated any fear of their target. The rage was profound.
"Such splendid friendship. What's intriguing is that despite being bound by such strong ties, your paths never intersect. The world truly is complex and mysterious. Hence, it's interesting."
Undeterred by Kyle and Favela's murderous intent, Nyx remained unfazed. In fact, he seemed amused.
"Has your fear of me lessened? Let's get to the heart of the matter. For me, time is infinite, but for humans, it's finite. And the night, too, has its limits."
William extended a hand to calm the two. This was a negotiation. From here on, it was William's domain.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. It's a pleasure to meet you, Night King Nyx. My name is William Livius. I look forward to our future interactions."
"No need for honorifics. There's no courtesy here. Only gains and losses matter. Of course, my assessment may change based on my whims. Also, remove that shabby mask and wig. While the usual White Mask is acceptable, that one looks downright pitiful, don't you think?"
William removed his mask and wig as instructed. Nyx knew everything. There was no need to hide anything.
"Well, an interesting face indeed. It resembles mine yet it doesn't. But in its dissimilarity, there's a similarity. Fascinating. Let us begin negotiations, then. My sole demand is the disposal of the failed assassin. However, circumstances have changed. Do you know why?" Nyx inquired.
"Of course. Because of our rebellion," William replied.
"Exactly. The loss of my forces, the debt owed by the failed assassin—all must be settled. You're here because you've prepared the necessary compensation, haven't you?" Nyx's scrutinizing gaze made William break into a cold sweat.
The weight on William's shoulders was immense. It differed significantly from when he acted alone. He took a deep breath. His preparations—
"However, there's an unreasonable aspect to your premise. The lost forces were a result of legitimate defense. Even in our battle, the side that disregarded our desire for negotiation bears some responsibility. I maintain that I'm only accountable for Favela's failure."
Impossible. There was no way he could provide compensation. He lacked both time and money. The only valuable item he carried was the ruby hidden around his neck. If worse came to worst, he'd use it—
"Enough with the nonsense. Very well, continue. I'll listen to all arguments, and if they displease me, I'll kill the three of you. If I find them satisfactory, you'll live. Simple, isn't it?" Nyx's smile lacked emotion.
"Let's re-evaluate the premise and focus on Favela's case. First and foremost... the assassination was doomed to fail, regardless of Favela's strength. The reason? I was present. An assassin at that gathering had zero chance of killing Vlad without surpassing me. Please understand this," William explained.
Nyx furrowed his brow. "But didn't you hold a grudge against that man? If so, whether the assassin succeeded or not shouldn't matter. There's no reason to protect him. Perhaps you refrained from killing him precisely because of the girl's presence?"
"On that point, I unequivocally say no. I harbored no delusions about sparing Favela. None of us here, including me, are strangers to bloodshed. If anything, considering Favela's situation, it would have been more reasonable to eliminate her swiftly and withdraw," William asserted.
"Reasonable indeed. Continue," Nyx urged.
"As for my grudge against Vlad, there's no doubt. I won't hide it. My hatred for him is my starting point. That's precisely why I want to kill him—not merely kill, but to do so dramatically, flawlessly, and with the utmost despair. For that, dying in that place wouldn't suffice."
Nyx regarded William with eyes that saw him as an intriguing toy.
"I have a proposal. To wipe away Favela's failure and the botched assassination, we must succeed in the assassination. Can you entrust all of that to me?" William asked.
"And the deadline?" Nyx inquired.
"Within five years."
Nyx's eyes widened. They held coldness and shades of despair.
"Are you mocking me? In a situation where we should kill you immediately, you propose five years... Truly, I cannot find amusement in such an argument. Shall I assume you wish for the three of you to die right now, William Livius?"
The anger emanating from Nyx was chilling. But William knew that if they continued like this, all three of them would die. He had no idea how they'd be killed, but there was no escaping the intent before him.
"Immediate killing is nearly impossible. Even with the White Dragon's assistance, taking down Vlad, who has likely bolstered his security, is beyond our capabilities. And let's not forget that Crown Prince Erhardt was present at that gathering. Vlad is probably being protected in the name of royal prestige. To kill him immediately... perhaps you'd have to make the trip yourself," William suggested.
Nyx's eyes still held traces of anger. He was being asked to achieve the impossible. Within five years, any assassin could accomplish it. The proposal was weak.
"But why did you attempt the assassination at that gathering? It would have been easier to die discreetly at Vlad's estate. In fact, assassinating him there would have been simpler. So why did you need that specific setting?" Nyx's eyes shifted from anger to curiosity.
"For a spectacle. I wanted to offer the most humiliating death possible for a noble—to die before royalty. The client is a noble, someone who despises Vlad Count immensely. Am I mistaken?" William replied.
Nobles hold the position of protecting royalty. When such a noble is assassinated in front of the royal family, it creates discomfort within the entangled web of the royal court. Offending the king's household can lead not only to death but also to tarnished honor and the collapse of one's lineage. Revenge is a plausible motive for a noble in this situation.
"That's precisely why I consider the client's perspective. I want to offer Count Vlad a world of hell in the most effective manner. To achieve that, I need about five years of preparation. While I could kill him immediately, satisfying the thirst for revenge requires time."
Nyx's gaze underwent a complete transformation.
"I will prepare an assassination that is impossible for any ordinary assassin—a dense, provocative, ultimate hell for Count Vlad. He will regret not dying right there... What do you think? Immediate killing is unfeasible, but delaying and choosing an appropriate location also doesn't align with the client's wishes. So, how about we place a bet? Give me some time," William proposed.
Silence descended with the night. The moment was tense; failure meant death. William felt the pressure.
"...As a substitute for the assassination, I'm willing to consider it. However, it's not enough," Nyx responded.
William had crossed a treacherous bridge, but he managed to reach the other side. There were numerous pitfalls in the realm of assassination. From the outset, the motive was merely speculative. Had he missed the mark, he would have been killed instantly. But things had unfolded almost exactly as he'd hoped. Luck was on his side.
"If acting as a substitute for the assassination is acceptable, then how about replacing the failed assassin?" William asked.
"You’re perceptive. I'm willing to entrust the job to you. However, the girl has once stepped into the assassin's path. I don't need payment for the one who died, but for the one who lives. Can you pay the price of a single life?" Nyx inquired.
William was indeed fortunate. He retrieved the item he had concealed around his neck—a brilliantly shining ruby.
"This is a ruby. The color, size, and cut are top-notch. The craftsmanship was done by the Taylor family's exclusive designer... Can we settle matters with this?" William suggested.
The ruby he had received from Rutgard. Losing it was painful, but there was no other choice.
"Not a bad piece. Certainly a bargain for the price of a mere girl. A handshake wouldn't be unfavorable," Nyx said, though his expression hinted at boredom. The logic made sense, but perhaps he wasn't entirely satisfied. This situation hinged on Nyx's whims. Even if William handed over the ruby, Nyx could still kill him. The risk of failure had been communicated to the client.
There was no inherent reason to kill the three of them right here. The potential gains balanced out the losses, and even the ruby was merely a benefit albeit a valuable one that could be obtained by killing three people. It was still weak. Logic alone wouldn't suffice. William needed to take one more step to truly satisfy the Night King.
"From here on, it becomes personal," William said.
Just when negotiations seemed to be concluding, William opened his mouth.
"I find it difficult to part with this ruby. It's not something I can casually lose, especially considering how I acquired it through loyalty to that house. And of course, I wouldn't trade it for a friend's life. So, I have a proposal."
Nyx's bored eyes—
"I am the sword of the heir to the Taylor family, Carl von Taylor. We have connections both publicly and privately, and I've earned a certain level of trust. Previously, I was invited to engage in business. If I come up with a profitable venture, I'm allowed to establish a Taylor-affiliated trading company. Here's where I've thought of something advantageous for both you and me."
A spark of great interest—
"In the Assassins' Guild, handling poisons and other substances is commonplace. Drugs, in particular, are valuable. The more dangerous and rare, the higher their worth. Obtaining them from distant sources through back channels is challenging—both financially and in terms of manpower.
However, if we utilize the Taylor family's logistics, transportation costs would significantly decrease. After all, we'd simply be leveraging existing flows...
Additionally, we'd avoid smuggling. The Taylor family's nobility status changes the game. What might be denied in general circumstances becomes a different story when it's noble business. Selling to doctors, researchers, and the like would be hard to refuse. And, of course, I'll handle the actual distribution."
William had broached an unexpected topic: business. It wasn't the right time for such a discussion, and this opportunity wouldn't come often. But the proposal was extraordinary, even for this context. It wasn't a conversation to have in a life-or-death situation.
"Should there be a substantial request from the Assassins' Guild or the Night Kingdom, business would immediately thrive. Leveraging the Taylor family's global logistics network, which spans across various regions, is an opportunity we cannot ignore. So, what do you think? Let's engage in this venture, mutually benefiting from the pure profits. And when those profits surpass the value of the ruby, you'll return it to me. I won't cause any loss. It's a win-win situation. Let's profit together, Your Majesty."
Nyx's response was—
"Bahaha, hahaha!"
He couldn't help but laugh.
"Before me stands the most audacious proposition I've encountered. Truly fascinating. As I suspected... perhaps you, 'sir,' are more than human," Nyx said.
Suddenly, Nyx was right in front of William. His touch sent shivers through William's entire body. It was the cold of death. Nyx's fingers deftly plucked the ruby from William.
"Even I might be used for someone's ascent. Truly, karma runs deep. Very well. There are conditions, but let's settle matters based on your proposal. Night King Nyx swears: within five years, you must plunge Count Vlad into the depths of despair before killing him. And you must satisfy me without causing harm. Agreed?" Nyx's words were a whisper, and the chill in his breath hinted at impending death. Was this a threat? Or did Nyx have other motives?
"I understand. I'll prepare estimates and other details soon," William replied.
Nyx had distanced himself from William. The ruby still glowed brilliantly around his neck—a single star shining in the night. The red star, an ominous one, floated in the darkness.
"Hand it directly to me. From now on, only you will have permission to enter this country and this place. Others... cannot be granted permission, as they cannot become denizens of the night," Nyx declared, avoiding eye contact with the other two and focusing solely on William.
"Don't disappoint me. The night always watches you. Let's meet again, ambitious child of the white," Nyx's words marked the boundary. The door behind them opened, and the night's curtain descended. Nyx vanished, leaving only a closed door and the white dragon standing nearby.
"...You've returned alive. In that case, I won't say anything. Just leave this place quickly," the white dragon spoke.
What had happened? Was it reality or something else entirely? The situation remained unclear.
"What was that... entity?" Kyle muttered. Hearing this, the white dragon snorted in amusement.
"Nobody knows. It's said to have existed since the founding of Arcadia. Whether it's truly alive or not is uncertain. Human or demon... it's beyond my grasp," the white dragon replied, then walked away in silence. The three followed in haste.
"If the dead can exist in this world... perhaps they become such entities. The dead cannot die, and their time is eternal. If you fear death, perhaps opposing the Night King is unwise. After all, our adversary is 'Death' itself," whispered words seemed to come from nowhere. Little did William and the others know that these words were spoken by the long-deceased Day King, the sudden demise of Arcadia's former ruler.