WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Damned Transmigration ◈
Chapter 104: Faceless Killer 2
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The Faceless Killer blinked several times at the sudden declaration. Rather than answer immediately, he fell silent for a moment, studying Haryeong’s face before glancing at Yuri.
“Did you declare you were leaving the sect because assassins aren’t allowed to have lovers?”
“No.”
“Then why are you suddenly leaving?”
“I’m thinking of quitting as an assassin.”
“You can’t be planning to return to the Dang Family. Why do you suddenly want to quit being an assassin?”
“It’s not exactly a respectable profession, is it? Sect Leader, please support this adorable disciple’s fresh start.”
People often said that no profession was beneath another, but assassins could not help having a poor reputation.
“Fine.”
The Faceless Killer answered without hesitation, nodding as he continued.
“According to Salhomun law, a disciple wishing to leave the sect must have their dantian crippled and the hand that holds a weapon cut off. Since you use daggers with both hands, both hands should be cut off. But that would be unpleasant to look at, so I’ll show mercy and only sever your tendons.”
“I throw more daggers with my left hand.”
“Just now, you threw a dagger with your right hand. You hold your chopsticks in your right hand but throw daggers with your left?”
“I withdraw my request to leave the sect.”
Haryeong made no further attempt to negotiate.
“A wise decision.”
The Faceless Killer answered with an expressionless face. Seeing the way he spoke and acted, Yuri could not help thinking that he resembled Haryeong.
‘She was treated like a ghost in the Dang Family until she was fourteen, then sent to Salhomun.’
Looking closer, it was not just their mannerisms. Maybe it was his imagination, but even their eyes looked a little alike.
“Since the Sect Leader refuses to permit me to leave, I suppose I’ll have no choice but to continue my dishonorable life as an assassin.”
“Being an assassin is a good profession too.”
“I’ll choose my next contract myself.”
Haryeong abruptly turned to Yuri and crooked a finger at him.
“As of today, I will become Cloud Dragon Yuri’s escort assassin. Sect Leader, please wish for your disciple to complete her contract safely.”
“That’s how it turned out.”
Yuri went along with Haryeong’s words. The Faceless Killer stared at them, then slowly turned his head. His gaze settled on Estor, who was sadly staring at the ruined dumplings.
“You intend to escort Cloud Dragon instead of Sword Dragon?”
“I’ll escort both of them while I’m at it.”
“You lack the skill to escort two dragons. Does it make sense for an escort to be weaker than those they protect?”
“They’re the ones who decide that, not me.”
“Excellent.”
The Faceless Killer nodded with an expressionless face.
“But as you know, Salhomun’s fees are expensive.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Haryeong reached into the Subspace connected to her necklace.
“Here you go.”
The gems that spilled out were gifts Agwi had left behind. Yuri could only narrow his eyes as the gems that were supposed to be shared property were used however she pleased.
“You’ve made quite a bit of money.”
The Faceless Killer picked out several large gems and tucked them into his robe.
“Is that all you returned to Salhomun for?”
“Has the Dang Family contacted you?”
“No.”
“Any news about my niece and nephew?”
“After they sent you off in Gwangseo, they got into a conflict with the White Tiger Gate. The Dang Family may be prestigious, but the White Tiger Gate has its pride too.”
“What happened?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Pride can only be upheld when one has the strength for it. Pursuing-Kill Flying Guest Tang Mu-seok stepped in personally, subdued the White Tiger Gate disciples, and ended it.”
“What a shame. If Tang Mu-seok hadn’t been there, my niece and nephew would have run wild like madmen and killed the White Tiger Gate disciples.”
If disciples had died, it would have become an all-out war between the Dang Family and the White Tiger Gate, and support from the Righteous Heavenly Alliance would naturally have followed.
“After leaving Gwangseo, their movements have been unclear. They are likely waiting for the Dang Family’s orders in a Salmun hideout. They’ll move somehow before long.”
“Do you know anything about Fist Wolf Bakerd’s whereabouts?”
The Faceless Killer raised his eyebrows at the question.
“Why do you ask?”
“It’s information I need to carry out my contract.”
The Faceless Killer knew from reports that Fist Wolf had stayed in Rutlan two years ago.
“So it’s information Cloud Dragon needs.”
“He is both the person I’m escorting and my client.”
“I’ve received the fee, but the contract has not been finalized yet.”
What kind of bullshit was that? Even Haryeong blinked with an incredulous expression, but the Faceless Killer paid no mind and looked Yuri straight in the eye.
“Young hero, I don’t know whether you are aware, but Salhomun does not accept every contract. Escort contracts in particular.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Once a contract is finalized, an assassin will devote their life to protecting the client. But no one wishes to lay down their life for some worthless fool. As Salhomun’s Sect Leader, I intend to interview you and determine whether you are worth escorting.”
“He earned the title of Dragon at the young age of twenty-two and even received the Sword Emperor’s recognition. Who are you to judge his worth?”
“I am Salhomun’s Sect Leader.”
The Faceless Killer emphasized his answer, then looked at Haryeong and Estor.
“The interview must be one-on-one.”
He did not seem willing to back down. In the end, Haryeong clicked her tongue and stood.
“Let’s go downstairs and have a plate of noodles.”
Estor’s face brightened slightly as he looked sadly at the scattered food.
Yuri and the Faceless Killer sat facing each other in the wrecked room.
“First, I’ll ask a customary question.”
Yuri had many questions about the Faceless Killer. In the game, even the Salhomun Sect Leader’s name had never appeared.
Had the man before him also been Salhomun’s Sect Leader thirty years ago? How had he stopped the Evil God’s Saints from luring Heavenly Thunder Orca into a trap and trying to kill her? And why had he taken in Haryeong, whom the Dang Family had abandoned as if she did not exist?
“Young hero, are you a Transmigrator?”
The questions drifting through Yuri’s mind came to an abrupt stop. He had always been wary of questions like this, so fortunately, his expression did not change.
“No.”
“Of course you would answer that way. Even if you were not a Transmigrator, you would say no. And even if you were one, you would have no choice but to say no.”
“Did you ask just to hear that obvious answer?”
“As I said, it is a customary question. Even if you truly are a Transmigrator, it does not matter.”
The Faceless Killer tilted his head slightly and peered into Yuri’s eyes.
“I have watched that disciple for over ten years, yet this is the first time I have seen her show such resolve. I believe you have influenced her. What do you think?”
“I never pressured her.”
“Is that so?”
“This feels more like an interrogation than an interview.”
“If you expect to gain something from her, you would be wise to give up on that idea.”
Yuri’s eyebrows twitched at the words gain something from her.
“Young hero saw it in Gwangseo as well. Being the Dark King’s younger sister does not mean Haryeong receives good treatment from the Dang Family. Rather, it would not be strange if she died there at any time. So if you intend to use Haryeong to establish ties with the Dang Family...”
“I don’t like hearing that.”
At Yuri’s icy voice, a strange light appeared in the Faceless Killer’s eyes.
“I am saying this for your sake. For whatever reason, the Dang Family has called for her. One day, they will try to take Haryeong back by force. Do you underestimate the Dang Family’s strength just because you defeated the Dark Soul Poison Dragon in a spar?”
“If the Dang Family truly sets its mind to it, they could kill someone like me without anyone noticing.”
“That is correct. The Dang Family has that power. Do not regret it and flee when the time comes. Keep your distance while I am advising you to do so.”
“I won’t have any reason to run. What about you, Sect Leader?”
“Me?”
“If Haryeong is forcibly taken to the Dang Family, what will you do?”
“Hm.”
Rather than answer immediately, the Faceless Killer scratched his chin.
“Haryeong is a member of the Dang Family before she is a disciple of Salhomun, so I would first need to consider the circumstances.”
“You would stand by and watch?”
“I would not. I would visit the Dang Family, hear their reasons, and decide after that. If it is a family matter beyond my interference, I will withdraw. But if not, it will become a matter between sects.”
“I don’t know much about family matters.”
Yuri replied, twisting his twitching lips.
“I have heard roughly how Haryeong was treated by the Dang Family. What I took from that story was that Haryeong and the Dang Family are not a proper family.”
Her mother, exposed as a Transmigrator, had been imprisoned and committed suicide. Her father had been consumed by Qi Deviation from the shock, lost his sanity, and become a poisonous monster.
No one stepped in to protect her despite the cruel bullying from her niece and nephew, and even her older brother, who had become the new family head, ignored her.
Yuri, Lee Su-hyeok, could not help feeling strongly about Haryeong’s past.
He had never had a proper family either. His parents had died in an accident when he was young. He had been entrusted to distant relatives. They lived under the same roof, but they were not family.
“Whatever reason the Dang Family has for calling Haryeong, it is none of my business. What matters to me is not the Dang Family’s circumstances, but Haryeong’s feelings.”
Gwangseo.
Haryeong had said that she did not want to go to the Dang Family. That was why Yuri had fought Tang Seo-jin. Thankfully, that had settled it. But if there was a next time, it would not end so easily.
Even so, Yuri wanted to follow Haryeong’s wishes.
“...”
Light now filled the Faceless Killer’s previously hazy eyes. He looked directly at Yuri for a while, then slowly nodded.
“Fist Wolf is in Dunjung. Go to the city and find Jeongyeon Inn. If Fist Wolf remains in Dunjung by then, a waiter named U-chil will guide you.”
“And if Fist Wolf has left Dunjung?”
“In that case, U-chil will give you other information.”
The Faceless Killer rose from the bed. Yuri stood as well and asked.
“Will you not ask why I am looking for Fist Wolf?”
“It is a virtue not to pry into a client’s private affairs.”
It meant he had acknowledged Yuri as a Salhomun client. Yuri hurriedly asked the Faceless Killer as he headed for the closed door.
“I heard that you saved Heavenly Thunder’s life in the past. Could you tell me what happened then?”
He had asked Orca about it when they were in Rutlan, but he had received no answer.
He could not even ask Orca, who had entered Lacey’s body in Alderan. Yuri had sensed the boundary Orca drew during their brief meeting. To that proud archmage, the crisis involving Agwi was likely an unpleasant and humiliating memory.
“I have no reason to tell you.”
With that answer, the Faceless Killer opened the door and left. Yuri hurried after him, but the Faceless Killer who had just walked out was nowhere to be seen.
“Huh.”
He looked around and even spread the web of Sealing Thunder at the Gate of Death, but he could not find the Faceless Killer. Yuri let out a disappointed sigh and headed for the stairs. He had not heard about Orca, but he had learned something about Fist Wolf.
‘Dunjung, huh...’
In the game, it was the region where the Hwangbo Family and Uicheon Sword Gate were located.
“...”
When Yuri reached the first floor, he froze at the sight before him. Estor and Haryeong were fully focused on their meal, with food and alcohol piled across several tables pushed together.
Haryeong, who had been gripping a huge pork bone and tearing meat off it with her hands, quietly set it down upon seeing Yuri.
“Estor told me to eat, so I couldn’t help myself.”
“When did I ever say that?”
Estor protested with an aggrieved expression. Feeling a small sense of betrayal, Yuri sat in an empty seat.
“Did the interview go well?”
“I’m not sure whether it went well, but the Salhomun Sect Leader vanished somewhere.”
“He came without a word, so it is only natural that he left without a word. So what did you discuss?”
“We spoke a little about Haryeong, and I learned about Fist Wolf’s whereabouts.”
Outside the inn, the Faceless Killer listened to their conversation for a moment. Standing with his hands behind his back, he gazed blankly at the night sky before clicking his tongue and turning away.
He knew beggars were watching the inn from afar. But their eyes could not see the Faceless Killer.
‘Family, family...’
He did not know why the Dang Family was calling for Haryeong.
It might be for some trivial reason. Her reputation had recently grown, so perhaps they intended to formally recognize her as a member of the Dang Family. Or perhaps they wished to use her to establish ties with Cloud Dragon or Sword Dragon.
Even the Faceless Killer could not know the exact reason. In the present Dang Family, he was ultimately an outsider.
Shadows were deep even beneath the brilliant moon. The Faceless Killer let out a hollow laugh as he walked into the darkness. A proper family. Family circumstances... Who would have thought that girl would find someone to say such things to her?
‘...’
Much had changed over the past two years. Her martial arts had changed, but the other changes were greater. She had been a girl who used an expressionless face as a mask and desperately hid her emotions. The Faceless Killer felt a stabbing ache in his chest and gave a bitter smile.
He had taken her in because she was a child who might die at any moment if left with the Dang Family. She said she wanted to become an assassin, so he raised her as one.
At first, he could not help feeling loathing toward that child. He had not wanted to feel anything more than that.
When he began seeing his sister in the child who reported completed contracts with an expressionless face, the Faceless Killer came to understand.
A child could not choose their parents. What sin had a child committed simply by being born? Even if he could not become family... he should not loathe or resent an innocent child.
The Faceless Killer let out a long sigh, filled with self-mockery over the past.
‘Fist Wolf.’
He had lied to Cloud Dragon. Fist Wolf was not in Dunjung now. It was certain that he was somewhere in the Eastern Continent, but even the Faceless Killer did not know where that bear-like man was wandering.
‘I should contact him.’
Whether to go to Dunjung or not was Fist Wolf’s choice.
* * *
Kwooooo...
Flashing light swept through the area like a storm, but the barrier did not shake in the slightest.
Naturally. The barrier surrounding the entire mine and mineral vein isolated that space itself, using Zenith’s own soul as its key.
No matter what someone did from outside, it was impossible to destroy or enter the barrier. Zenith could not enter it either. To get into the mine, Zenith had to dismantle the barrier himself or suffer enough damage that he could no longer maintain it.
‘Or kill him.’
Was that possible? Even in the game, he had been the second most difficult opponent after the Heavenly Demon. It was hard enough for everyone to join forces and kill Zenith. Their mutual distrust was a problem, but Zenith was not alone either.
The biggest problem was the mad dogs of the Sect of War. Those bastards rushed in and caused chaos wherever a fight broke out.
‘Fucking old man.’
Chuk-sin-doo glared at the sky, suppressing the rage boiling inside him.
The supreme magic Hyeon-ya of Casward Tower had unleashed for an entire day had failed to break the barrier.
Zenith was not the one who counterattacked. In place of Zenith, who was somewhere unknown, Battle Saint, that vigorous old man, was charging toward Hyeon-ya. As Battle Saint, whose entire body was wrapped in bandages like a mummy, let out a roar, heaven and earth shook.
“You’re pulling this shit again!”
Hyeon-ya’s pale face twisted. Hundreds of defensive barriers stood between Hyeon-ya and Battle Saint.
Eterium.
A miracle of nature not intended by the gods. Chuk-sin-doo knew it was a material of incredible value and potential. Inside that mountain, which Zenith had sealed using his own soul as the key, slept the largest ether vein ever discovered.
Was that really all there was to it? Had Zenith made his soul into a key merely to protect an ether vein? Was Heavenly Healer, that suspicious bastard, siding with Zenith for the same reason?
“Gaaah!”
Hyeon-ya screamed as Battle Saint’s fierce assault drove him back.
“Ugh.”
At this rate, Hyeon-ya would finally be beaten to death by Battle Saint today.
Chuk-sin-doo let out a deep sigh and took off his jacket. He could not let that happen. Among the mages here, Hyeon-ya, the master of Casward Tower, was the only one who could somewhat stand against Zenith’s magic.
“Moonlit Reveller.”
Just as he was about to fly over, prepared to play a deadly game of tag with Battle Saint, Selpione called out from inside the tent.
“We received a message from F... S?”
At those words, Chuk-sin-doo froze and looked toward the sky. He could see Hyeon-ya running to shake off Battle Saint, who was relentlessly pursuing him.
“Hm.”
It did not seem like he would be caught easily. Chuk-sin-doo entered the tent without further hesitation.
That bastard, who had never contacted them first, was suddenly reaching out?
“What’s gotten into this bastard?”
Chuk-sin-doo tilted his head and muttered.
Footnotes:
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