CHAPTER 26: TOURNAMENT DAY

The high moon illuminated only the rooftops. The alley where Kyrian walked was drowned in darkness.

The silence was broken only by the sound of his own footsteps.

He stopped in the middle of the alley. His eyes cut through the darkness.

"How long will you hide like rats?" His voice sounded calm and bored.

Suddenly, shadows moved. Four figures emerged, daggers in both their hands. The metallic gleam reflected for an instant.

On the blades, a green liquid dripped silently to the ground. They were poisoned.

Kyrian observed everything calmly in just a second.

’Four assassins, two of first level, two of second.’

None of them spoke, and shortly after hearing Kyrian, they advanced.

Before they could even take their first firm step, Kyrian, who already had his hand on his waist, drew a hidden dagger.

With a sharp motion, he hurled it with all his strength at the nearest assassin.

Even though he had the weakest strength among them, for some reason, he was the most confident. Kyrian decided to eliminate him first.

The blade gleamed in the darkness and embedded itself straight in the man’s forehead. The dull impact echoed as the body fell backward. He was killed without even realizing what had happened.

’One.’

Then, the sound of something slicing through the air arose, three blades flashing toward Kyrian’s neck, trying to kill him instantly.

But he had already driven his spear into the ground. Using the spear shaft for support, he leapt forcefully. His small body rose above the blades.

A shrill clang rang out when the daggers struck the spear shaft all at once.

In the air, Kyrian spun his body and descended, delivering a kick to the spear embedded in the ground. The force propelled him toward the fallen corpse.

He landed beside the assassin’s body. Without hesitation, he pulled the dagger from the man’s forehead and tucked it at his waist, uncaring about the blood.

He also collected the two poisoned daggers that the corpse still held in its hands.

The spear was left behind, but he didn’t care.

’In this narrow alley, it would hinder me more than help me.’

The remaining three advanced silently. No sound except an even greater will to kill him than before.

Kyrian glanced for an instant.

’Two in front, one on the left.’

Kyrian moved before they did.

The first strike came from the left, aiming straight at his heart. Kyrian ducked, and the blade sliced only air.

At that instant, his hand rose, the dagger gleamed, and pierced the man’s throat. In this darkness, the assassin couldn’t see clearly. Blood gushed onto Kyrian’s face.

Kyrian noticed the man almost managed to block with his other dagger, but he was too slow to recognize the attack.

Now, the fastest of the four was gone. Kyrian felt no difficulty. Martial artists had slightly better senses, but compared to him, unaffected by darkness at all, it was a complete disadvantage.

The man’s body collapsed.

’Two.’

As he counted, another was already upon him. Kyrian twisted his body, barely evading the venomous slash.

He felt the cold air brush his neck as the blade passed. Then, when the strike failed, Kyrian dropped one dagger, instantly seizing the man’s wrist.

He gripped it with abnormal strength for his size. The assassin’s other dagger hovered just centimeters from his eye.

The assassin snarled and tried to break free, but in vain.

Kyrian twisted his arm harshly. The muffled crack of bone echoed, and the pain unbalanced the man. In that moment, Kyrian drove his other dagger straight into his chest, piercing through ribs and striking his heart.

Blood began to flow immediately.

’Three.’

The last assassin was already rushing in without hesitation, at full speed, exploiting the momentary opening.

But even in that situation, Kyrian caught him in his peripheral vision. He yanked the dead assassin’s wrist, using the corpse as an improvised shield.

The last assassin’s dagger pierced through the corpse, and in that instant, Kyrian struck with all his strength.

The corpse was hurled into the last assassin, blocking his sight and focus on Kyrian. Without pause, Kyrian lunged again, delivering a side kick to his stomach.

A loud groan of pain sounded. Kyrian pounced forward, seizing the last assassin’s neck, who was already weakened.

"I-I surrender. Don’t kill me." Suddenly, a desperate voice rang out. A woman’s voice.

"I won’t kill you. So behave. Open your mouth." Kyrian said with an icy expression.

The assassin nodded and opened her mouth in fear, having given up after watching them all die. Kyrian extended his hand to her mouth. From his finger, a small blade of ice emerged.

He made a cut and retrieved the poison capsule. The woman felt only an extreme cold in her mouth.

Kyrian stared at her for a moment. Then.

Thud.

Kyrian struck her neck once, knocking her unconscious.

’Four.’

He then grabbed the assassin’s body. Instead of dragging her entirely on the ground, he lifted her over his shoulder. Only her feet scraped against the floor as she was pulled along.

In the dark alley, the ground was stained with blood, soaking the damp stones as the smell of iron filled the air. Kyrian walked until he stepped out of the darkness. After reporting the incident to a guard, he headed back toward the Order.

General Harken would handle the corpses and the cleanup.

Soon, he boarded the carriage waiting for him at the prearranged spot.

When he arrived at the Order, he went straight to the hall.

Elyria was already there waiting, her arms crossed. When she saw the assassin’s body slung over Kyrian’s back, her lips curved in a faint smile.

"Was it delivered?" she asked directly.

"Yes."

"How many?" Elyria said, glancing briefly at the unconscious assassin.

"Four. Two on the second level."

Elyria looked at him, frowning slightly. She had expected Kyrian to be attacked again, but not by so many.

Yet she already trusted Kyrian’s strength. She felt that once he stepped into the second stage, his power would be equivalent to hers.

"I hope this one brings useful information. Preferably... that she’s a martial artist from a different country." Elyria said seriously.

Kyrian only nodded and turned.

"Well, I’m going to sleep. Good night!"

Without hesitation, he quickly made his way to his room before Elyria could say more. He threw himself onto his bed, and sleep came swiftly.

...

..

.

Several days then passed. Kyrian opened his eyes, stretched, and stood up.

He looked out his window, breathing calmly.

"So, today is the day of the tournament."