LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 9
Chapter 9: The Return (1)
Pababat!
Despite Sien’s fierce warning, the assassins of the Blood Sword Guild did not choose to commit suicide.
Instead, they kicked off the ground, rushing forward with terrifying speed.
The complex terrain of the dungeon posed no obstacle to their approach.
Watching the assassins close the distance, Sien spoke in a cold tone.
“They’re everywhere, aren’t they? Idiots who can’t grasp the truth even when it’s spelled out for them.”
Their movements through the dungeon’s maze-like structure were commendable.
But that was the extent of it.
No matter how many of them there were, it was impossible to form a proper encirclement in a place like this. The advantage of numbers was nullified.
However, for them, this was an ideal battleground.
For spatial manipulators, locations like this were where they fought most efficiently.
“They must’ve thought they had a chance if they came all the way here. They probably put together a decent plan.”
“They’ll realize soon enough, once they take a few hits, that no matter what plan they’ve got, it’s useless.”
Boom!
Before Martin could respond, Sien slammed her zweihander into the ground.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Of course. These rats who hide in the shadows and kill people in secret aren’t even worth my fists. Honestly, it’d be a waste of effort.”
“Wow! You’re so cool, sis!”
“Cut the nonsense.”
Sien let out a small chuckle as Martin overreacted.
However, even while they exchanged words, her gaze never left the assassins of the Blood Sword Guild.
And the moment she judged the distance to be close enough, she stepped forward with her right foot.
Kwakwaqua!
A silver shockwave rippled out in a wide circle.
This was the manifestation of the unique ability passed down in the Igreet family, ‘Spatial Repulsion.’
Boom! Boom!
The shockwave pulverized stalagmites and stalactites scattered across the dungeon.
But that was just the beginning. The shockwave continued, sweeping toward the assassins.
“Kuaaa!”
“Aaargh!”
Two assassins, struck by the wave, spat blood and were sent flying. The blood-colored blades they clutched were completely shattered.
Yet, the assassins showed no reaction to their comrades’ deaths. They were solely focused on fulfilling their mission.
More than twenty of them split into two groups.
One group surrounded Sien, while the other targeted Martin, who stood behind her.
“Who said you could do that?”
Sien muttered in a chilling tone.
She aimed her right hand at the ceiling.
And then snapped her fingers.
Kwoooom!
The ceiling collapsed, sending countless stalactite fragments raining down.
Chyaaa!
The assassins didn’t just stand still and take it.
They swung their mana-infused swords, slicing through the falling debris. However, they couldn’t avoid their movements being slowed.
Wooong.
That was when it happened.
Sien’s body suddenly vanished.
Almost immediately, she reappeared above the head of an assassin who had rushed to the front.
Martin marveled silently to himself.
‘She’s a genius, no doubt about it. To move so freely with spatial teleportation in the midst of a chaotic battle in such a complex environment.’
To use teleportation properly, one had to be skilled at calculating precise coordinates.
Sien was effortlessly performing such calculations, overwhelming her enemies.
Martin couldn’t help but admire her.
Kwoom!
Having teleported into position, Sien raised her right leg.
Then, she brought it down forcefully, aiming directly for the assassin’s head.
Boom!
The assassin quickly raised both arms in defense, but it was futile.
In an instant, his arm bones shattered, and his head exploded as if hit by a bomb.
Thud.
Sien landed softly on the ground. Almost in sync with her descent, she thrust her right index finger forward.
She truly believed her fists weren’t even worth using.
What was even more impressive was that a single finger was enough.
One assassin per strike.
Every time her finger moved, it pierced through their necks or chests, instantly ending their lives.
It was a combination of the Igreet family’s monstrous physical prowess and the unique ability, Spatial Repulsion.
One of the assassins, seemingly overwhelmed, shouted,
“Ignore the guard! Focus on killing the target!”
“So, they were really just after me, huh.”
Martin muttered in a relaxed tone.
Neither the client nor the assassins dared touch Sien.
Vincent von Igreet.
The current head of the Igreet family and one of the most powerful individuals among the five branch families.
Though Mateus von Gustin had eventually reached a similar level, he hadn’t caught up to Vincent’s status.
Vincent had transcended the limits of being a mere branch of the Adalbert family and had spread his name throughout the entire Empire.
In his youth, he was so talented that he even threatened the position of the former head, Daniel.
Sien was his only child.
If she were to die?
Even in the Altaria Empire, known for its many powerful figures, there wouldn’t be many who could withstand the aftermath.
Naturally, both the client and the assassins avoided killing Sien at all costs.
Flash!
At the leader’s command, more than half of the remaining assassins charged toward Martin.
“The rest of you hold off the guard! Just stop her until the target is dead!”
It was effectively an order to sacrifice themselves, but the assassins didn’t hesitate.
They threw their bodies at Sien, confident that their comrades would kill Martin.
“Are you underestimating me that much?”
Smirk.
A smile spread across Martin’s face.
He could understand their perspective.
Sien was a genius who had reached the 5th Circle at the age of 23.
In their eyes, he must have looked insignificant. Just a half-baked prodigy, good only at swordsmanship.
“But you really shouldn’t let your guard down when you’re targeting someone else’s life.”
As soon as Martin finished speaking,
Boom!
Nearly ten assassins were slammed into the ground.
An immense pressure had crushed them.
It was the manipulation of gravity through Omni-Distortion.
This was a technique Martin had frequently used in his past life and had just unleashed for the first time in his current one.
“As much as I expected you to turn the tables quickly… isn’t this a bit much, Martin?”
Having dealt with all of her opponents, Sien shook her head as she approached Martin.
“Spatial Domination is definitely the strongest of the spatial abilities. But for you to wield it at this level after only two weeks of awakening it… Honestly, seeing you makes me want to question the people who call me a genius.”
“I’ve seen a lot over the years. I’ve watched how you and others use your abilities, and I already had ideas on how I’d apply mine once it awakened.”
“Thoughts alone don’t usually translate so easily into reality, you damn monster.”
Sien couldn’t help but fire back a sharp retort.
Martin let out a small laugh.
Partly because he found her response amusing, but also because she hadn’t realized he was manipulating gravity.
It was a technique he could continue to use often.
“But are you sure it’s okay to use your ability so much? Unique abilities put a lot more strain on the body than aura does.”
“My mana circuit just feels a little sore, that’s all.”
“Well, aside from the fact that your swordsmanship has reached the 4th Circle, Rothar’s martial arts breathing technique… the effects are truly amazing.”
“I agree with you on that.”
With a casual shrug, Martin approached the leader of the assassins.
He then removed the red mask from the man’s face.
“Ugh!”
Sien grimaced.
The man’s face was horrific.
Not only had his skin been completely peeled off, but his entire face had been slashed repeatedly.
However, Sien wasn’t the only one taken aback.
“M-M-Martin Adalbert! How do you have a unique ability?!”
Martin gave a smirk and responded,
“Do I need to explain that to you? Besides, you’re mistaken. I’m the one asking the questions, not you.”
“…No matter what you ask, I won’t give you any answers.”
“We’ll see about that. I guarantee it won’t take long for you to change your mind.”
Rothar’s martial arts allowed mana to penetrate an opponent’s body.
Omni-Distortion could destroy an opponent from the outside.
When these two techniques were combined, how much pain could a person endure? Today, Martin intended to find out.
With that thought, Martin reached out his hand.
Five minutes.
In that brief amount of time, he had extracted all the information he needed.
—
“I really hope we find some valuable loot today.”
“Tell me about it. I’m sick of picking up nothing but low-grade mana stones every day.”
Adventurers equipped with various weapons were chatting among themselves in different corners of the area.
They were adventurers, a term used for people who worked in dungeons.
There were many kinds of adventurers: some explored the dungeon’s interior, while others hunted the monsters within.
Dungeons were known to contain mana stones of various grades, and these were worth a hefty price.
Because of that, adventuring had become one of the most popular professions on the continent.
However, becoming an adventurer wasn’t easy. You had to pass the examination of the Adventurer’s Guild, which was jointly established by several nations.
“Speaking of which, there’s less than a month left until the young master returns. Do you think he’s awakened his unique ability?”
Everyone knew that Martin had been banished from his family under the pretext of training.
It was one of the most talked-about stories in the Altaria Empire recently.
“Sure, everyone acknowledges his outstanding swordsmanship talent, but unique abilities are a completely different matter. Look at the history of the continent. There are countless people who’ve reached the 5th Circle in swordsmanship or magic but still couldn’t awaken a unique ability, suffering because of it.”
“Right. Most of those people ended up starting rebellions, didn’t they? They wanted to create a world where they wouldn’t be discriminated against for not having a unique ability. In the end, they all failed.”
“Exactly. Awakening a unique ability is purely a matter of luck. There are even high-ranking nobles who never manifest one. Honestly, the young master was lucky. He could’ve been thrown out immediately, but instead, he got an extra 100 days.”
“You never know. It’s not like there’s no such thing as developing a unique ability later in life.”
“You really believe that? How often does that happen? Seriously, think about it. Do you really think he’s going to get it after 100 more days when he couldn’t in the first 18 years? No way.”
“Sigh. The heads of the branch families and elders have really gone too far. They gave the young master false hope, and now he’s probably feeling even more burdened.”
“They’re just making sure they have a legitimate excuse. If the young master disappears, the heads of the branch families can take over Varehein City and the dungeon. They might even get their own country out of it, so they’re moving carefully.”
“It’s a sad situation. To think that a family that lasted a thousand years could collapse like this.”
“Still, it’s impressive it lasted for a thousand years. I just hope those guys don’t try to harm the young master…”
While the men were deep in conversation, the dungeon’s doors suddenly opened.
“W-What?”
“Who’s coming in…?”
The adventurers instinctively turned their heads, and what they saw left them astonished.
The figure that appeared was someone known to everyone present.
Martin Adalbert.
The sole direct heir of the Adalbert family had emerged into the world.
And much earlier than expected.
‘It’s not time for his 100 days of training to be over yet.’
‘Could it be that he really awakened a unique ability?’
All eyes were on Martin.
Everyone was curious as to why he had returned when there was still over a month left.
One thing was certain: Martin’s presence had grown much stronger.
It was incomparable to when he had first entered the dungeon.
“We greet the young master!”
The employees of the Adventurer’s Guild rushed over to bow deeply to Martin.
Even if he had been disregarded by the nobility, that had nothing to do with the people of Varehein, the dungeon city.
To them, Martin was still a figure of reverence.
“It’s been two months and fifteen days. How have you been, Branch Chief Beyren?”
“Oh, I’ve been the same as usual. More importantly, congratulations on your return, young master. I must apologize, though. If we had known you were coming, we would have prepared…”
“You don’t need to apologize. I’m the one who returned earlier than expected.”
“Th-thank you for understanding.”
Beyren, the branch chief of the Varehein Guild, let out a sigh of relief.
“I will contact the main estate and have a carriage sent for you.”
“No need. I want to walk and take a look around the city. Besides, I have something to discuss with you.”
“Please, go ahead!”
“Well, it’s not something I want to talk about here. You could find yourself in some trouble if we do.”
“W-What do you mean by that…?”
“Should I just tell you? I don’t care where we discuss it.”
“P-Please, let me show you to my office! This way!”
Branch Chief Beyren spoke hastily.
He instinctively realized that what Martin was about to say was no trivial matter.
Soon after, Martin sat in the most prominent seat in the office.
He then turned his gaze toward Beyren, who sat to his right.
“Don’t you think the dungeon management has been a little sloppy, Branch Chief Beyren?”
“Wh-what? I don’t understand…”
Boom!
Sien, who had been standing behind Martin, opened her subspace.
From it, a bloodied figure fell to the ground.
Though the details were hard to see, the person’s clothes were completely drenched in blood.
“Gasp!”
Beyren’s face went pale.
Having once been an adventurer himself, he quickly realized the truth.
The figure was a corpse.
As Beyren trembled, Martin continued with a cold smile.
“Isn’t it funny, Branch Chief Beyren? The day has come when a direct heir of the Adalbert family is ambushed in the Adalbert territory.”
“Th-these people, could they be…?”
“Yes. Assassins.”
“Gasp!”
Beyren’s face turned from pale to completely ashen.
Martin interlaced his fingers and leaned forward.
“I’d like to have a more productive conversation about this situation. What do you think?”
The only thing Beyren could do was nod vigorously in agreement.