Chapter 126: Arena

Released:

“I will serve you as my lord from now on.”

Chairlse cleanly admitted his defeat.

In reality, Chairlse had long known he wasn’t truly fit to lead an assassin organization.

This part’s just like in the game.

Of course, unlike the game where he had shown genuine respect, the Chairlse before him now exuded fear instead…

But as long as the outcome is good, that’s all that matters.

Even in the game, Chairlse was someone you could trust.

You might wonder, “What does trust even mean coming from an assassin?” But Requiem was a group built exactly like that from the beginning.

A group that existed solely for one person.

They may have lost strength rapidly after losing Basai’s teachings…

Still, considering that the legendary Basai had been a Level 8, it wouldn’t be hard to rebuild Requiem into a powerful force again.

“Alright. I’ll be counting on you. I’ll share Basai’s techniques with you. But the weapon that holds the technique will stay with this person.”

“…Thank you!”

Just being able to regain the teachings was more than enough.

Chairlse was satisfied with just that.

Those were such hard times.

After the previous leader, the only one who had learned the techniques died suddenly, and both weapons containing the teachings were lost…

Requiem declined faster than ever before.

That was why those who once ruled the underworld ended up working as informants under Viscount Bedron.

With a glimmer of hope, Chairlse asked,

“How strong do we have to become before you’ll assign us a mission?”

“Mission?”

“Yes. We’ll increase our numbers and hone our skills as much as you need.”

“I’m not planning to have you do assassinations or anything.”

“…Huh?”

“What would I even do with something that scary?”

“…..?”

In truth, Jun had no intention of using Requiem as an assassination force.

And for good reason.

An organization associated with a discarded prince training assassins…?

That was practically begging to get stabbed in a back alley.

The reason Jun absorbed Requiem wasn’t to use them as assassins, but rather to employ them as informants operating between the surface world and Blackout.

“Then why did you take us in…?”

“I don’t need assassins, but Blackout is still a dangerous place.”

It wasn’t like intelligence networks that could move freely through Blackout were common.

In that regard, Requiem was the perfect intelligence group.

Everyone had trained in assassination techniques, which meant they were more than capable of protecting themselves.

“How long do you plan on living in the shadows?”

“But…”

After all, their very existence had always been that of assassins. Though, admittedly, that identity had grown quite diluted by now.

“Life’s journey doesn’t stick to just one road. Just like how you ended up under Viscount Bedron, the wind can take you anywhere.”

Jun himself was a prime example. He was suddenly thrown into this world and was forced to endure every kind of absurd hardship imaginable.

“I’m saying, don’t limit yourself to just assassinations.”

“……”

At those words, Chairlse fell into deep thought.

His life so far had always been for the organization.

Carrying on the previous leader’s will, retrieving the lost teachings, and rebuilding Requiem from the ground up.

But over the years, Requiem had nearly faded into obscurity.

Chairlse had watched its decline and questioned whether the path he had chosen was truly the right one.

And now—

Jun’s words gave him a clear and definitive answer to that doubt.

“…I’ll give it a try, at least.”

“Good. They say starting is half the battle.”

And so, Chairlse joined under the White Whale Mercenary Group.

This became the first time the White Whale Mercenaries officially absorbed a sub-organization.

“Here, take this.”

“This is…?”

“A mercenary tag. You’ll be using it from now on.”

“The name… is ‘Charles’?”

“Yep. Your name’s Charles now.”

“What is this ‘Charles’? Why do you keep calling me that?”

“It’s a thing.”

“……??”

Maya, unable to make sense of the baffling conversation, finally cut in and changed the subject.

“So then, what exactly are we supposed to do now?”

“Ah.”

They’d been so focused on one thing that they’d momentarily forgotten about everything else.

Jun turned to Chairlse and asked,

“Charles. We need information on the Black Market here. Do you know anything?”

“My name’s not Charles, it’s Chairlse… haah. I do have some information I’ve gathered recently.”

“I’m looking for anyone dealing in illegal drug components or drugs. And also…this.”

“What is this…?”

Chairlse’s expression twisted slightly at the sight of the black flower Jun pulled from his dimensional bracelet.

“Where did you get that?”

“Found it on some guys who were about to use it.”

“Hmm.”

With a faint groan, Chairlse began to speak.

“I know where this was being handled.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Yes. But you won’t be able to find them anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“The ones dealing with it have all disappeared. Practically overnight.”

Hearing that, Jun found himself nodding unconsciously.

So the Heavenly Church cult cut their ties.

It made sense.

After all, this was a substance used to destabilize the mind of a legitimate imperial heir. Tight security would’ve been a given.

“What about information on those people?”

“I’ve managed to outline some leads.”

“Compile everything you’ve got and send it over.”

“Understood.”

Since it was the first order he had officially received, Chairlse moved swiftly.

After he left—

Jun handed Maya a set of daggers dyed with a deep navy hue.

“Here. Take these.”

“These are the daggers?”

“Yeah. The Daggers of Vengeance.”

“Thank you.”

They were clearly no ordinary weapons.

As Maya accepted the daggers, a frown crept across her face, having sensed something.

“The skills will be transmitted to your mind. Just like with a skillbook.”

“……”

Jun stood beside her as she focused, silently concentrating. And his thoughts drifted to Aiden, who was likely at the Black Market by now.

“Hope he’s doing alright.”

The Blackguard knights probably wouldn’t welcome Aiden with open arms, but he would gladly throw himself in among them and do his best on the mission.

That’s just the kind of person he was.

***

“Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!”

“Waaaah! Go kill him already!”

“That oversized pig bastard! Just get ready to have your throat slit by Golden Demon today!”

“Uooooooooh!!!”.

Cheers erupted from every direction.

The air reeked of all sorts of foul smells, and the charged atmosphere came with a strangely humid heaviness that clung to the skin.

On top of that, the blinding light pouring down from the glowing stones embedded in the ceiling made it hard to keep one’s eyes open.

A space enclosed by iron bars on all sides, like some sort of cage.

Inside it, Aiden stood, staring down his opponent.

His enemy was huge and his rocky skin was flushed red. This was likely the result of being pumped full of drugs. He was no longer anything resembling normal.

“How… did it come to this…?”

The Black Market’s arena.

Aiden was now fighting there… as a contestant.

***

Since the Blackguard knights had entered the Black Market, they’d come up with several ideas for gathering information.

“Seems like sneaking into other organizations is probably the best option.”

They weren’t nobles, and now they had to take orders from criminals in the Black Market.

It was far from honorable work. But to everyone’s surprise, the Blackguard knights didn’t refuse the mission.

“Who should take the role this time?”

“Last time, I disguised myself as a bandit to capture that criminal from the second level. Leave me out of this one.”

“I was part of that op too, so I’ll sit this one out as well.”

Of course, that didn’t mean they were exactly thrilled about it.

Everyone had a turn, and the participants were selected according to schedule.

“Looking at the numbers, though, we’re a bit short.”

“How about sending people in gradually, even if it takes a little more time?”

“That’s not a great plan. The new season of Blackout is about to start.”

Once it did, the guys who dealt in illegal herbs would return to Blackout as well.

Tracking them down again would be a waste of time.

“The best option might be the arena…”

“But wouldn’t that draw too much attention?”

At one knight’s comment, the commander Tairdin gave a nod.

Just as the Blackguard knew criminals well, the criminals had also come to understand the Blackguard to a certain extent.

Even just from their swordsmanship, there was a good chance their identities could be exposed.

“Then, may I go?”

The one who spoke up was Aiden, who had been silently observing the meeting like a sack of rice thrown in the corner.

“You?”

“Yes. With my style of swordsmanship, I doubt anyone would catch on.”

“Hmm. It’s a good idea, but… are you sure you’re up for it?”

Tairdin, being a seasoned knight, was well aware that Aiden wasn’t from an ordinary background.

He’s probably the illegitimate son of a noble or something like that.

For someone with noble blood, the arena of the Black Market might prove to be quite harsh.

“I think it’s a solid plan.”

“It’s the White Whale Mercenaries we’re talking about.”

“Exactly. He didn’t earn that reputation for nothing.”

The other knights casually agreed with Aiden’s suggestion.

Meanwhile, Aiden had his own thoughts about the matter.

If I can prove myself here, it’ll really help senior.

Carrying out a mission alongside the famous Blackguard and showing impressive skills in the process would certainly boost his own reputation as well.

But if there was one thing Aiden was overlooking…

“Golden Demon! Golden Demon!”

“The Golden Flame Demon is gonna kill you all!”

“I bet my entire fortune on that bastard! Wipe them all out, Golden Demon!!”

…it was the fact that few in the Black Market could match Aiden’s skill level, and thanks to his consecutive victories, his fame had soared uncontrollably.

All under the terrifying moniker: Golden Demon!

I-If my identity gets exposed like this…?

Wouldn’t that end up tarnishing the reputation of the White Whale Mercenaries instead…?

Aiden only realized this belatedly and resolved that, from now on, he’d think twice—no, three times—before taking any action.

***

“Another impressive showing, Golden Demon.”

“Of course… what did you expect from me?”

Aiden instinctively almost spoke in formal speech but quickly lowered his voice and responded casually.

The man in front of him was the one who ran the largest arena in the entire Black Market.

“By the way, that new agent of yours is quite skilled as well. To think you’ve got someone like that under your wing.”

“Under my wing? I’m the one doing them a favor by sticking around.”

“Hm? Hahaha! You’ve certainly earned the right to say that!”

The man who had been laughing heartily soon lowered his voice.

It was time to get to the point.

“So, have you thought about changing sides?”

That sort of offer wasn’t anything surprising.

It had already been a week since Aiden first arrived at this arena.

You wouldn’t think a person could gain that much fame in just a week…

But the Black Market was unrivaled in how fast rumors could spread.

In that short week, Aiden had fought in over thirty matches. And that was more than enough for word to get around.

“You really think I’m that easy to win over? Can you even handle me?”

Aiden replied in a calm tone, careful not to reveal the tension brewing inside him.

He had been waiting for this very proposal from the arena’s owner.

“Seems like you’re after something. What is it that you want?”

“Strength. That’s all I’m after.”

“I see. Then… are you open to enhancement drugs?”

“….…!”

The offer he had been waiting for had finally come.

One response to “Chapter 126: Arena”

  1. Unknown Avatar
    Unknown

    Aiden is doing pretty good for himself

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