With the assassins dispersed, I approached the lead assassin. He was glaring hatefully, trying to get up but unable to as long as Lydia pinned him down with her spear.

I walked up to him. “Who hired you?”

“The assassin’s guild honors our client’s confidentiality.”

“There is a guild for that too!”

“Of course, Master.” Lydia nodded. “It’s underground, but they are still a guild. They even have ranks based on difficulty.”

“Ranks?”

“That said you were a B…” The man spat. “Our S-class team should have been able to wipe you out.”

“B? Ahh… I think that’s my current adventuring rank.” I snapped my fingers. “That’s why you guys were confused.”

It seemed like my low-profile status in the guild had saved me this time. Well, they still send an S-class team after me, so they had truly been prepared to go all out.

“Don’t get too comfortable.” He groaned. “The assassin’s guild never drops a target we accept. When we fall, a high-ranked assassin will be sent in our place.”

“You’ve made two mistakes.” I lifted my fingers. “First off, you attacked me in my home. This is my city. If you dare bring it here, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Second, even if you’re not willing to say anything, I don’t need your lips. I find a soul speaks wonders!’

I reached out to sieve him, but he only started laughing, and that laughing turned to convulsing. Before I could even get my hand on him, he was spitting out blood. A moment later, he collapsed dead.

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“Eh? I didn’t hurt him that bad!” Lydia’s smug expression was replaced with a pout.

Shao kneeled next to him and reached out her hand a second before drawing it back. “Poison. He likely took it the second he was defeated. There was nothing you could do.”

“I don’t feel his soul.” I frowned, touching his shoulder.

“It was a soul-eating poison, and it’s probably transmissible.” Shao winced.

I pulled back my hand, casting Ablution, Cure Poison, and a few other spells just in case. I had Poison Immunity equipped from my dungeon store, but there was no point in taking risks.

“These guys are hardcore,” I muttered. “Destroy your own soul when you’re caught?”

“Assassins wear artifacts that keep their souls in their bodies. All assassins are ready to die when their bodies die. They commit to no resurrection during an assassination attempt. I fear we won’t be able to get any information from these guys, living or dead.” Shao explained, earning the eyes of everyone present. “Ah! I just looked some information up! Given my jobs, I thought I might learn a thing or two from them.”

“It could be anyone.” I sighed. “I had been warned that I was getting attention and people might want me dead. Now that there is a hit on me, I don’t know how I feel.”

“S-sister!”

While we were focused on the dead poisonous body of the assassin, a cry came out. I stood up and turned to see Anne looking over at the crowd of orphan children. Lying in front of them was Mary, and she was covered in blood.