The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

"You’re finally here."

As Guren met the cold purple eyes shining through the dark, his body went rigid. Had he been caught?

But the moment the figure stepped closer and his face came into view, Guren’s eyes widened.

"How...?"

It was none other than the Calderalth warrior he supposedly just stabbed. If he was here, then...

Guren’s gaze dropped to the dagger in his arm. The moment he saw the silver blood coating it, realization struck.

Bait.

His expression twisted, his guard rising instantly.

"...You knew...?"

"I did."

Zephyrion spoke without any change in expression, as though stating something trivial.

"Why did you try to kill me?"

Guren’s expression darkened further, and he clenched his teeth. Had he slipped somewhere? How had Zephyrion found out? He crushed the thoughts the next instant. They didn’t matter. What mattered was understanding the situation in front of him.

He spread out his awareness. A moment later, it returned nothing. He couldn’t even sense the other warriors from Calderalth.

’I can’t feel anyone.’

A faint tension crept into his eyes.

"...you’re the only one here?"

"I am. Answer the question."

Guren stared at Zephyrion’s calm, unreadable face, a flicker of confusion crossing his own.

"You knew I was coming to kill you, and you still chose to face me alone? Really?"

"Yes."

"...you’ve got guts."

Guren suppressed a smirk. He felt both surprised and pleased. Surprised that the boy had the nerve to confront him alone... and pleased because that meant there was still a chance to finish this.

’He’s strong, but I just drank that, so I can currently exhibit mark six strength and speed. If he lets his guard slip for even a moment, I can end this instantly.’

Guren wasn’t foolish enough to ignore everything Zephyrion had shown so far. He acknowledged his strength. He knew Zephyrion wasn’t as simple as he looked, but given his age, Guren was certain of one thing, not even Zephyrion could withstand a mark six.

With that conclusion, the tension in his body eased, his posture loosening slightly. He would play along, let Zephyrion believe he had the upper hand... and strike the moment an opening appeared.

"You’re right. I did come here to kill you."

Zephyrion tilted his head slightly, watching him in silence.

"Because I can’t stand you." Guren’s lips curled into a cold smile. "You’ve been a problem since the moment you showed up. I decided to deal with it."

"...so the ambush in the forest was the same thing? Getting rid of ’problems’?"

Guren’s eyes narrowed to slits, a faint sharpness settling in them. He hadn’t expected Zephyrion to know that much.

’It doesn’t matter.’

There was no one else here. If anything, it made things easier. The more Zephyrion believed he was in control, the more likely he was to lower his guard.

A low laugh escaped Guren.

"...I guess you’re right. The villagers have been useless for years, always going on about oneness and protecting the village. But they’re all weaklings, every single one of them. They have no idea how vast the world truly is. They’d rather stay here and rot for the rest of their lives in this forgotten place."

He shook his head, a trace of disdain in the motion.

"That kind of life is for the weak. I, the strong, will leave this forsaken place and carve my name into the world."

"...even if it’s stained with the blood of your family. Your father?"

A cold glint flickered through Guren’s gaze.

"My father... my family... the villagers— all of them are nothing but weak, useless idiots." His expression hardened. "They’ve always been worthless. If that’s the case, isn’t it better that I put them to use?"

Zephyrion frowned slightly, falling silent. Guren held back a cold smile as he began to close the distance at an unhurried pace.

"...but I’m sure you understand what I’m talking about. I saw it the first time we met. Your mindset, it’s strong. You understand what power means in this world. Without it, you’re nothing."

Guren stopped just a step away from him. Behind his back, metal quietly gathered along his arm, taking shape without a sound.

"...so I’m sure you understand why I’m doing all this."

"I do."

"...what?"

Guren’s brows drew together, his movement halting. He hadn’t expected that answer.

"...you do?"

"Yes." Zephyrion gave a small nod, his gaze turning cold. "You’re scum."

Guren’s eyes narrowed, a sharp edge settling into them.

"Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to kill his own family for power... you’re a stain. If it were up to me, I would have slit your throat and burned your corpse. However..."

Guren’s eyes flashed the moment he caught Zephyrion’s gaze shift away from him.

’Now!’

His arm snapped forward, the blade cutting cleanly toward Zephyrion’s neck. But it passed straight through him.

Guren’s eyes widened, his shock palpable.

"What!?"

The next instant, Zephyrion’s body dispersed like smoke, scattering into the air.

A calm voice echoed from all directions.

"...it isn’t up to me."

"Where are you? What game are you playing?"

Guren’s gaze snapped from side to side as another dagger formed in his hand.

Then the air rippled.

The walls around him vanished, the confined space giving way to a wide, brightly lit clearing.

At its edge stood several figures, the village head, Omar, along with the elders of Pulsegrove.

They were all staring at Guren, their faces pale, their expressions ashen.

"...father."

Guren’s expression twisted immediately. They... had been there the entire time. That meant...

His heart seized.

’He planned this...’

His gaze snapped around before settling on Zephyrion. He stood calmly beside the village head, his expression unchanged.

It was obvious now, this had all been arranged from the very beginning. Yet he looked completely indifferent, as though none of it concerned him.

A surge of rage ignited in Guren’s chest.

"You...! You did this! You were baiting me all along!"

Zephyrion didn’t respond. In fact, none of them did. From the village head to the elders, they simply stared at him, their expressions heavy, suffocating. Tears fell from Omar’s face as he clenched his fists with such force it drew blood. His pain was unmistakable.

Tch.

Guren clicked his tongue. If they had heard everything, there was no salvaging this anymore.

’I have to escape.’

His gaze hardened as it locked onto Zephyrion, anger surging once more. After everything... he wasn’t letting him walk away alive.

"Tome construct!"