LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 27
Chapter 27: Grabbing the Tail (3)
Rustle.
Martin flipped through the ledger quickly.
Behind him, Sien frowned as she glanced over the pages.
Every page was filled with writing, but the contents were indecipherable.
Instead of letters or numbers, strange symbols and drawings covered the entire ledger.
“Everything’s written in code. What a hassle, right to the end.”
“They’re an old assassin organization. I didn’t expect them to keep their records in a common language.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll just ask someone who knows. One’s right in front of us.”
“He’s the leader of an organization. You think he’ll talk that easily?”
“At the end of the day, he’s still human. And people tend to break easier than you’d think.”
Martin’s gaze shifted back to Zard.
Pinned down by Sien’s ability, Zard’s expression was one of discomfort, but that was all.
The existence of the coded language gave him some hope.
‘Very few people know this cipher.’
The code used in the ledger was created about 100 years ago, when the leaders of the Blood Sword Guild and nine other top-tier underground organizations gathered.
Only the leaders knew how to read and write in it.
It was passed down to a select few within the leadership of each organization. In the current Blood Sword Guild, Zard was the only one who knew it.
He was certain of one thing:
No matter how much time Martin spent on it, he would never be able to decipher the code.
‘As long as I die, the truth dies with me.’
Having steeled himself, Zard began to gather mana.
Up until now, he had been using his mana to resist Martin and Sien’s unique abilities, but this time was different.
He reversed the flow of his mana.
His goal: to burst his own mana circuits and blood vessels.
However, Martin acted faster.
“Who said you could die?”
Grab.
Martin gripped Zard’s shoulder and activated Distortion of Matter.
Zard’s bones and muscles twisted unnaturally from the point of contact.
The unimaginable pain caused Zard’s mind to go completely blank.
“Aaaaaargh!”
A tremendous scream tore from Zard’s mouth.
He had modified his body to withstand all kinds of torture during his life as an assassin. He was even immune to various poisons.
But the pain Martin inflicted rendered all of his efforts meaningless.
Crunch.
As Zard’s flesh tore apart, white bone jutted out, dripping with blood.
Soon, the bone itself snapped, and his left arm was completely severed, dropping to the ground.
“Sien.”
“Yeah?”
At Martin’s call, Sien opened a pocket of subspace.
She handed him a potion, and Martin poured it over Zard’s wound.
The potion’s effect was potent, and the bleeding stopped almost instantly.
“Now, how about you tell me how to read the cipher?”
“…Just kill me.”
“Of course. But if you tell me how to read it, I’ll make sure you die peacefully.”
“Even if I’ve lived in the shadows all my life, it doesn’t mean I have no pride. You’ll never hear the truth from me.”
“You think so? We’ll see about that.”
“Aaaaaagh!”
This time, Martin twisted Zard’s right shoulder with Distortion of Matter.
Then, he placed his palms on Zard’s left and right legs.
Each time, Zard’s limbs were severed from his body one by one, and Martin applied more potion to prevent him from dying from shock.
Anyone else would have already gone mad.
Yet Zard, despite his agonizing screams, refused to give Martin what he wanted.
Even as death loomed closer, it did not shake him.
“Didn’t you say people talk easily?”
“He’s still the leader of an organization, after all. I didn’t expect him to endure all this.”
Sien’s teasing tone only made Martin sigh and shake his head.
“I told you, didn’t I? Even if it’s pointless, I’ll protect my pride…”
“I’ve got to admire your will. But the problem is, it doesn’t mean much in the end.”
Martin met Zard’s gaze head-on.
The bitter smile on Martin’s face transformed into a bright grin.
Seeing this, Zard felt a sudden sense of dread.
His instincts warned him.
He must not listen to Martin’s next words. Whatever Martin was about to say would thoroughly dismantle his life.
But Zard was powerless to stop him.
“To be honest, I can read the cipher you created.”
“…If you think that nonsense will shake me, you’re sorely mistaken.”
Thud!
Before Zard could even finish speaking, Martin opened the ledger wide.
He pointed his right index finger to the first line on the first page.
“On September 13th, Imperial Year 872, the Rustal family provided 10,000 gold to establish the Blood Sword Guild. The first request came on September 21st, a contract from the Rustal family to assassinate Kashian Dust.”
The brutal truth hit Zard like a dagger to the heart.
Zard had managed to endure even the excruciating pain, but this time, his reaction was different.
Shudder.
His entire body trembled uncontrollably.
The shock was so great that he couldn’t even scream.
He could only stare blankly at Martin.
“So, the Blood Sword Guild is basically the Rustal family’s hunting dog?”
“Exactly right, Sien.”
Rustle.
In response to Sien’s comment, Martin flipped through the pages again.
Then, he pointed to the last line on the final page.
“On March 7th, Imperial Year 1016, the Rustal family requested my assassination. There’s a note saying not to kill Sien. Am I wrong?”
“How… how the hell can you read that?!”
Zard’s anguished scream echoed through the room.
He couldn’t accept the reality unfolding before his eyes.
Martin smirked at him.
“For someone who keeps secrets from others, isn’t it a bit hypocritical to demand the truth from them?”
“…”
Zard remained silent.
He no longer had the strength to speak.
With his pride shattered, his life force began to drain rapidly. Wrinkles appeared on his face, and his hair turned completely white.
He had only seconds left to live.
In those final moments, Zard found himself mocking someone in his heart.
‘To think you planned to fight someone like this… Valdemar, you must be completely insane.’
At just 18 years old, Martin had already reached the 7th Circle, making him one of the strongest on the Cracian Continent.
That alone was terrifying, but it wasn’t everything.
He had the drive to act on any decision he made, the ruthlessness to disregard the lives of others, and the knowledge of secrets no one else could possibly uncover.
His depth was unfathomable.
That was Zard’s assessment of Martin.
Which is why he couldn’t understand Valdemar.
If Martin had failed to awaken his unique abilities, that would be one thing. But to confront Martin now was nothing short of suicide.
‘You won’t die peacefully either, Valdemar von Rustal.’
That thought alone brought Zard some comfort.
It felt as though the lifelong torment he had endured was finally being eased, even if only slightly.
Slump.
Zard closed his eyes.
His heartbeat stopped completely, and there was no longer any sound of breathing.
“It’s over.”
“Yeah.”
“We’ve uncovered the link between the Blood Sword Guild and the Rustal family, and we’ve confirmed their assassination attempt. Add embezzlement to that, and we’ve got enough to take down the Rustal family.”
“Wow. That’s a bit scary, you know? It’s like you’ve read my mind.”
“Anyone could guess that from the moment we talked about Rustal’s embezzlement. But how did you manage to read the Blood Sword Guild’s cipher, Martin?”
“My father left me a lot. More than anyone could ever imagine.”
“The former head of the family knew an assassin group’s cipher…?”
“Do you know, Sien? The more someone is looked down upon, the more ruthless they become.”
Martin interrupted Sien’s thoughts with a calm answer.
Sien fell silent, sensing the weight behind his words.
Martin’s father, though not quite as disregarded as Martin once was, had also been subtly looked down on—not only by other nobles but also within the family itself.
It was because he hadn’t possessed the strength required to maintain the reputation of one of the three great noble families.
It wouldn’t have been surprising if he had been involved in shady activities behind the scenes.
As Martin had said, the weaker a person was, the more they paid attention to everything and tried to compensate for their shortcomings.
‘I’m sorry, Father,’ Martin apologized silently.
No matter how close he was with Sien, he couldn’t tell her that he had learned the cipher after clashing with various assassin groups, including the Blood Sword Guild, in his past life.
His father, while lacking in strength, had once been the head of one of the three great noble families.
It wouldn’t be odd if he had known many things.
Martin knew that if he needed to use future knowledge again, he’d have to keep using his father’s name as a shield.
“I understand. So, what’s the next step? The Rustal family is as good as finished. Not only did they embezzle resources from the dungeon, but they also attempted to overthrow the hierarchy. The only question left is when to bring it all down. What’s your plan?”
“I’m not going to give them any advance warning. There’s no need to give them a chance to prepare.”
“Wait, don’t tell me it’ll just be the two of us again? If that’s the plan, I’m definitely stopping you—even if I have to knock you out.”
Even though the Rustal family was the weakest among the five branch families, they still ranked high among the Empire’s noble households.
It wasn’t a place two people, even strong ones like Martin and Sien, could handle on their own.
“You don’t need to worry about that, Sien. Even I’m not reckless enough to attack the Rustal family with just the two of us.”
“Then?”
“I’ll meet with someone first. Vincent mentioned he’d be arranging a meeting soon.”
“Oh, right.”
Sien finally let out a small sigh of relief, which looked so adorable that Martin couldn’t help but smile.
But the smile quickly faded when he glanced at Zard’s lifeless body.
‘You’ll end up just like him, Valdemar von Rustal.’
Martin had secured the key piece of evidence he needed.
Soon, Valdemar would be forced to shed tears of blood.
With that resolve, Martin turned to leave.
It was time to head back to the Adalbert Estate.
“Hurry up and train your abilities more, Martin.”
“I’ve been training all along, so why bring this up suddenly?”
“Because once you reach the 4th Circle in Spatial Domination, you’ll be able to teleport long distances.”
“Wow. You’re really something, you know that? How can you even think of using a person as a transportation method? Maybe there’s something wrong with your morals?”
“That’s how you talk to someone who constantly brags about being a genius.”
Sien smirked as she shot back.
Of course, Martin didn’t let it slide.
“Just wait a little longer. Before I turn 20, I’ll hit the 8th Circle and tease you relentlessly.”
“Uh, maybe don’t…”
For the first time, Sien hesitated.
Because with Martin, that seemed entirely possible.
Watching her reaction, Martin gave a light nod, wearing the smile of a victor.
* * *
After Martin and Sien left, silence descended upon the Blood Sword Guild’s headquarters.
But it didn’t last long.
The quiet was soon broken by the arrival of dozens of knights.
Step. Step.
They wore uniforms that were primarily green, with gold trimmings. On the right side of their chests was the insignia of a green dragon.
It was the Rustal family’s personal knight order—the Green Dragon Knights.
Leading them was the deputy commander, Klazen Wagner.
He surveyed the surroundings with a stern expression.
All the buildings had been reduced to rubble, with blood and chunks of flesh adding to the devastation.
But Klazen said nothing as he walked toward Zard’s office.
When he saw Zard’s cold, lifeless body, he showed no reaction.
“Break it down.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knights following him shouted in unison.
Each one raised their weapons, infusing them with aura, and began smashing the office’s floor.
After about 30 minutes, the floor gave way, revealing a hidden basement.
Inside, there was a single vault.
Thud.
Klazen jumped into the basement and inspected the vault.
Fortunately, the magic circles and curses protecting it were still intact.
Relieved, Klazen pulled a crystal orb from his pocket and infused it with mana.
Flash!
A bright light flared up, and the image of Valdemar von Rustal appeared.
“I report to you, my lord. There are no survivors from the Blood Sword Guild.”
—“Has Martin really reached the 7th Circle?”
“Yes. However, I confirmed something unusual.”
—“What is it?”
“Martin Adalbert fought the Blood Sword Guild using only martial arts.”
—“Martial arts? Even though he’s suffering from the Dragon’s Curse?”
Valdemar’s expression was one of disbelief.
Klazen understood his master’s reaction.
He had been just as shocked when he saw Martin wipe out the Blood Sword Guild.
But no matter how hard it was to believe, the truth couldn’t be ignored.
“Yes. All of us witnessed it clearly.”
—“It seems he’s almost shaken off the Dragon’s Curse entirely. Good to know. Now, what about the vault?”
“The magic and curses on the vault remain unbroken. There are no signs it’s been opened. It appears Martin didn’t check it.”
—“It’s too soon to be relieved. Remember, his Spatial Domination is at the 3rd Circle. If the vault doesn’t have a barrier blocking unique abilities, its contents could be easily taken.”
“My apologies. I hadn’t considered that.”
—“No need to apologize over something like this. Just hurry and bring the vault to me. I’ll inspect it myself.”
“As you command.”
Klazen placed his right hand over his chest as he answered.
—“We’re getting close now. The day our Rustal family rises to the top.”
“I will dedicate my life to ensuring your grand ambition is fulfilled.”
—“Thank you, my loyal vassal.”
With those words, the light from the crystal orb faded.
Klazen waved his right hand, opening a spatial pocket, and placed the vault inside.
He needed to deliver its contents as quickly as possible.
If, as Valdemar feared, the ledger had been taken, it would cause no end of trouble, even if it was written in cipher.
‘You’re a constant thorn in my side, Martin Adalbert.’
After all, wasn’t his life already marked as limited?
Klazen couldn’t understand why Martin was still struggling so desperately, causing more and more problems.
He left, hoping that his lord would soon put an end to Martin’s existence.
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