Chapter 52: Black Poison (1)
Among those who made a living by the sword, who would have been the type one would least want to get involved with?
Most would have picked mercenaries.
With their menacing appearances and rough speech, causing all sorts of trouble across the continent, they were often of such poor quality that they could, in a way, be called the cancerous tumors of society.
However, those who had long dipped their feet into this world were more likely to offer a different answer, and that was precisely the ‘Swordsmanship Guild’.
Could there have been anything more stressful than clashing with them, who were far more difficult to deal with, more persistent, and meddled in every profitable affair, than the disorderly mob of mercenaries?
Moreover, instances where they cared about face, like swordsmanship halls or swordsmanship families, were rare, so guilds that were virtually no different from bands of thieves were numerous.
However.
Even such ill-natured Swordsmanship Guilds yielded to one place, and that was precisely the assassin guild.
“And Black Poison is… among the assassin guilds, it’s a group that ranks among the best.”
“Ranks among the best, you say?”
“Yes. In the southern part of the continent, it’s the largest in scale and has a deep history. From what I’ve heard, I understand it was established 300 years ago, during the war with the Orcs.”
Sheratiya Viyan spoke with a serious expression.
It was only natural.
What was the business of an assassin guild?
It was precisely killing people.
There was no one in the entire world who would welcome them, who personally undertook tasks that everyone else shunned.
Excluding demons, who had now almost vanished from the world, and the Orc race isolated in the northern part of the continent who did not emerge, it was safe to say that there were no others as scorned and tabooed as them.
Despite that, it maintained a large scale.
Despite that, it possessed a long history.
That was the greatest proof that this organization called ‘Black Poison’ possessed immense underlying strength.
“Damn it…… Are you sure?”
“Yes? Wha-what is……”
“I asked if it’s definitely Black Poison, you damn blockhead! What else would I be asking if it’s sure right now!”
“Hi-hiik! Ye-yes, it is! It’s really Black Poison!”
“You say it is? The proof?”
“Th-that is……”
“Speak quickly! Now!”
Sheratiya raised her voice, and the merchant guild employee flinched.
To be honest, he felt it was unfair.
He had already answered that it was certain when asked if it was sure, even mentioning that a black tattoo was found on the back of the neck, so why did she ask the same question repeatedly?
However, on the other hand, he also understood.
He himself wanted to ask again and again.
He wanted to think it was an ordinary assassin from some other ordinary assassin group, not Black Poison.
But he couldn't.
The employee, with a tearful expression, began a more detailed explanation.
“As I said before, there was a black tattoo on the back of their necks. It wasn’t simply copied out of admiration for Black Poison. We confirmed it through a magician. A unique magical reaction, seen only in them, was revealed from the tattoo…….”
“…….”
“A-and… there’s a more important fact!”
“A more important fact? If there was something like that, why on earth didn’t you say it right away…….”
Sheratiya spoke, even more enraged.
No, to be precise, she was about to speak but was cut off.
She looked to the side.
It was because Harang, who had approached nearby before she knew it, had raised his hand to draw attention.
“Wha-what is it?”
“Because it was too noisy.”
“What? You now…….”
“And it was something that had already happened, wasn't it? Getting that excited wouldn't make anything better.”
“Then what am I supposed to do now…….”
“Let’s calm down a bit. And let’s listen carefully.”
Harang, having said that much, turned his gaze and looked at the employee.
And then he continued to speak.
“Then, from now on… if there’s anything you need to say, please tell us everything in detail, without leaving anything out. Both as a mercenary, and personally, I am very curious about that place called Black Poison.”
“…….”
‘……What is this bastard?’
Sheratiya Viyan frowned.
It wasn't because she was in a bad mood.
Rather, it was close to a defense mechanism to hide her surprise.
She couldn't understand.
Always sleep-deprived and sensitive, she also had a hot-tempered disposition that she couldn't control once her anger flared up; she was such a wreck of a person that she had to smash a few fixtures to come to her senses.
It was also what Sheratiya herself considered her biggest flaw.
And yet, he had calmed such a person down in an instant.
With just a few unremarkable words.
What was even more surprising was that, along with her irritation, her fear and terror regarding the assassin guild called Black Poison had also subsided to a certain extent.
It was as if…….
‘The feeling of having her attention stolen by someone far more important than such things…….’
Sheratiya Viyan’s frown deepened.
She was confused.
She knew that the kid-like fellow before her was no mere kid, but this was an atmosphere she had only occasionally felt when meeting the bigwigs of the Nadan Kingdom.
If it were a magician, a 7-star high-ranking magician acknowledged by the Magic Tower.
If it were a knight, a powerful individual ranking among the upper echelons of Graduates.
She had sensed an overwhelming presence, utterly incomprehensible by common sense, from a young man merely of twenty.
‘What should I do?’
Lady Viyan’s mind raced.
What should she do with this mysterious young man.
Should she recruit him? Or conversely, should she keep her distance?
Which was greater, the benefits of having him close or the risks she would have to bear?
No, before that, wasn't gathering information the top priority? Didn't she know nothing about this person right now?
The moment she thought that far, Sheratiya felt displeasure and interest blooming simultaneously.
That was right.
Despite observing him for several days and nights, she, who prided herself on having a decent eye for people, knew nothing about him.
That fact stimulated her pride and fueled her competitive spirit.
Licking her lips with an interested expression before she knew it, Sheratiya stared intently at Harang’s face.
“Hmm. I see.”
In the meantime, the merchant guild employee finished speaking.
There were three important points.
First, the one who had been impersonating the attendant secretary had a ‘Black Spider’ tattoo, symbolizing the lowest rank of Black Poison, while the other one had a ‘Black Scorpion’ tattoo, the rank above that.
Second, besides them, over ten Black Scorpions were on standby, and even the ‘Black Snake’, the highest rank within the guild, was included in the mission.
And the last, third point was…….
“……All this information wasn’t the result of torture, but he revealed it himself?”
“Ye-yes, that’s right. And he did it deliberately in a loud voice, as if for everyone to hear… It seems his intention was probably to scare the mercenaries into deserting. Black Poison, especially Black Poison with a ‘Black Snake’, is an opponent that ordinary mercenaries would find difficult to handle.”
It was just as the merchant guild employee said.
The assassin with the Black Scorpion tattooed on the nape of his neck hadn’t leaked the secret because he couldn't endure torture.
Rather, he had spread the information he wanted widely to throw the merchant guild into chaos, and after that, he refused to open his mouth at all, frustrating everyone.
‘He’s a crazy bastard. I’ve never seen such a madman in my life!’
The merchant guild employee wore a frightened expression.
If it were him, he would have spilled everything, crying and snotting, if even a single fingernail was pulled out.
However, the Black Poison assassin was different.
He didn't care whether his skin was cut or his bones were broken, and even showed the composure to crack jokes.
It was to the extent that even the torturer felt fear; this too could be called the dignity of Black Poison.
“Perhaps, could I try talking to him as well?”
“Yes? With whom…….”
“That assassin. The one with the Black Scorpion on his neck… Ah, come to think of it, what happened to the Black Spider? The one who was impersonating the attendant secretary.”
“……The Black Scorpion killed him. He bit his neck when he let his guard down… He’s a very, very vicious bastard!”
“Hmm. Still, it seems there was something he wanted to hide, seeing as he silenced his subordinate by killing him.”
Of course, Harang didn't care.
With an unchanging expression, as if he hadn't heard anything, he proposed that he too could try to converse with him.
At that attitude, the merchant guild employee reflexively glanced towards Sheratiya.
It was because he expected a stern rebuke like ‘Someone like you thinks you can make an assassin talk? Don’t bullshit me!’ to fall from her lips.
“Fine. Try it.”
“Ah, thank you. Then, would it be alright right now?”
“Yes. I’ll go with you too.”
“Understood.”
“……?”
However, what happened next was completely different from his expectations.
Seeing Sheratiya so readily grant the black-haired young man's request, the merchant guild employee looked back and forth between the two with an expression as if wondering if he was dreaming.
At this, Sheratiya crumpled her expression and said.
“What are you doing! Can’t you guide us immediately?”
“Uh, ah! Yes! I’ll guide you right away!”
‘It’s strange. It’s her, alright. It’s the usual Lady Viyan…….’
Her eyes tilted upwards sharply, an expression contorted as if she would spew fire at any moment.
It was definitely the usual Lady Viyan.
But strangely, she was gentle only towards that young man.
‘What is it? Could it be that young man was Lady Viyan’s type…….’
“You said you’d guide us! What are you doing not moving quickly!”
“Ah! Understood!”
His thoughts could no longer continue.
The merchant guild employee quickly exited the tent and headed towards a tent thick with the smell of blood, an atmosphere that even felt somewhat gloomy.
Harang followed behind him.
Sheratiya, who was slowly walking a few steps behind him, thought.
‘If I see him talking to the assassin, maybe I’ll still find out something more.’
It wasn't about Black Poison.
It was interest directed towards Harang.
Anyway, there was nothing to expect from the assassin’s side.
Even the merchant guild's Head of Security, who was skilled in torture, had gained nothing, hadn't he?
No matter how mysterious a person Harang was, she didn't think he would show prominence even in this aspect.
Things like this were, after all, where experience mattered.
However.
“H-here it is.”
“Open it.”
“Yes!”
Flap
Such thoughts, the moment she entered the tent with Harang.
To be precise, the moment the assassin, who was bound and grinning despite being covered in blood, stiffened his expression as if he had seen a ghost,
shattered into pieces like a glass dropped on the floor.
Whoosh-
Thwack!
Ggrraaaak……!
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
She didn't know how many had noticed, but Sheratiya had definitely realized.
That the assassin, who had maintained a relaxed expression all along, trembled as if in fear the moment his eyes met Harang’s, and had tried to bite his own tongue to commit suicide.
And that Harang, knowing this as well, had quickly covered his mouth with his hand.
“Mph, mmph…….”
Crunch, crrunch……
Crack! Crrrack!
“Kkeueueueueu……!”
The assassin with the scorpion tattoo still looked terrified.
Without any hope, as if begging to be allowed to die comfortably, he wailed silently like that.
He begged and begged Harang with his eyes.
Harang paid no heed.
Harang, who had forcibly pried open the assassin’s mouth with his grip strength, looked back and spoke.
“Hmm, it might get a little brutal… What will you do? Will you go out and wait? Or will you listen together?”
“……I’ll be outside. Call me when you’re done.”
It was Sheratiya who had prided herself on having a strong spirit, even compared to knights.
However, that didn't matter at all.
The assassin, with an expression as if he could neither die nor live, panting with tear-filled eyes, looking at Harang.
She, who didn't have the confidence to watch him any longer, quietly exited the tent with the others.
Shhrk
Harang, left alone with the assassin, asked softly.
“By any chance, do you know who I am?”