Episode 29. Invitation to the Black Dream Forest (2)
Rubin carried Puree down the stairs. The spider began to follow Rubin.
Ssashaa! Ssashaa!
The spider’s cries were filled with aggression. Rubin didn’t care, though. He went into Puree’s room, laid her down, and went straight outside.
-Rubin, that spider looks really angry. Should I kill it? Is that the way to test it?
‘If you kill him, things will get very serious. Even your mother will have a hard time dealing with it.’
Rubin stood before the spider, dropping both arms to indicate that there was no point in resisting.
Then a subtle change occurred in the spider’s large eyes, which were filled with thousands of grains.
I read that you have accepted the invitation.
Pissisisisi.
The spider began to spew out a thread towards Rubin. The thread was headed towards Rubin’s left wrist.
The radiated spider web wrapped around only a part of the wrist, eventually creating something like a thick bracelet.
Ssasha, ssasha.
The invitation spider, which had stopped emitting, raised its two front legs again and waved them. That was the end of it. The spider turned around and approached the window.
Rubin watched the spider’s back disappear into the darkness and braced his legs. He had to.
My mind went hazy for a second, then cleared for another second. That change lasted for a while. It was the effect of the spider web wrapped around my wrist.
I raised my left arm and examined my wrist. The spider web rose sharply for a moment as if it were a thorn, then settled down gently again. At the same time, the dizziness completely disappeared.
“It’s time.”
At some point, a siren appeared beside me.
She had also undergone the same ritual decades ago, so she knew very well what the spider web now wrapped around Rubin’s arm like a bracelet meant.
“I guess other families have received invitations as well.”
At those words, someone appeared behind him. It was Damon, who had gone directly to him.
“We will arrange for you to be moved to the testing site as soon as the sun rises.”
“Make sure to prepare without any problems.”
Siren turned around and left without saying a word. Damon followed right behind.
-Rubin, I have no idea what this test will be like.
It was Haneke, Rubin explained calmly.
‘Now that I’ve accepted the invitation, I need to go meet the host. The queen of those spiders I saw earlier.’
But no matter how I explain it, it will be difficult for anyone who isn’t an assassin to understand.
-I even saw crow eggs on the tree branches, so whatever it is, it probably won’t be ordinary.
Haneke’s words were more filled with anticipation than concern for Rubin.
The next day.
Phew, phew.
Rubin looked down at the thick web of spider webs coiled around his left wrist. Just as it had done the first time, it rose sharply and then calmly settled down repeatedly.
‘The closer I got to the testing center, the stronger the grip on my wrist became.’
I thought back to before the regression. At that time, I was so scared of the pressure of the spider web growing stronger. I was afraid that I would just cut off my wrist.
But the spider web doesn’t break your wrist. The stronger the grip on your arm, the closer you are to the testing site.
‘They’re all here now.’
Rubin, Siren, and dozens of the main family’s retainers were on board the Grandbird. This time, too, the Grandbird managed by the Imperial Department was dispatched.
There were dozens of Roinecrows following behind. Leading the line was Roho. This red-eyed Roinecrow howled to announce their arrival.
Kaaaak.
At the same time, the spider web that had been wrapping around Rubin’s wrist stopped moving regularly as it had done so far.
“I will let you go down.”
Damon raised his hand. It was a signal to the assassins of the main house.
As soon as the order from the direct vassal came down, dozens of assassins from the main family who had boarded the Grandbird jumped out all at once.
The Roynecros who had been maintaining their formation broke the formation and scattered. They were approaching their falling master.
“Go down.”
After saying a word that did not sound like affection at all, Siren also jumped into the air. Roho, who had been staying in the sky following her as she fell, also quickly sank down.
“I will take care of it, your highness.”
Rubin, who still doesn’t have Roinekrow, received help from Damon’s Roinekrow. Rubin climbed on his back, and Damon hung on by holding onto his legs.
“The children of other families will arrive around evening.”
After landing safely on the ground, Damon said as Rubin climbed down from Roinecro’s back.
Unlike the Roinen family, who arrived at the testing site in half a day, the other collateral branches will be joining later.
Because using the Grandbird to travel to the testing site was a privilege given only to the Roinen family.
The vassals of the main family were busy as soon as they arrived. They had to prepare for the banquet held before the exams began and prepare the place where the heads of the household would stay.
Behind the banquet hall where the guests came and went, there was a thick forest of tall trees. It was a place that somehow caught my eye.
“Do you see that forest?”
Damon happened to be pointing in that direction too.
“See. It’s creepy.”
“That’s where the second test will be held.”
He couldn’t help but know, since he had already taken the same test once, so Rubin was neither surprised nor afraid.
“From the outside it looks like just an ordinary forest… but it’s a much more terrifying place.”
I know. Compared to that place called the Black Dream Forest, the first selection test site was nothing more than a playground.
“I’m sure there’s a lot you’d like to know about the place. But I’m sorry, Your Majesty. The rules don’t allow me to tell you more.”
“Anyway, it’s good to get first place, right?”
Rubin asked, pretending not to know.
“Yes, just like in the first selection, there will be corresponding rewards this time as well.”
In terms of rewards, this test was also larger in scale than the first selection.
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The ‘choices’ that could become important turning points in an assassin’s life are given right here.
It was then that the sound of horse hooves echoed from across the Black Dream Forest.
“Master Rubin, it seems that there is a family that arrived earlier than expected.”
Two carriages pulled by black horses appeared side by side. The Roinecro of their lord and vassals hovered in the air as if guarding the carriages.
Kaaaaaaah.
‘Ah, there was that family near the Black Dream Forest.’
It occurred to me later. That family was located close enough to the Black Dream Forest to arrive that quickly. They could have arrived in half a day by carriage.
Rubin waited for them to emerge from the carriage.
Soon, the head of the household riding in the carriage ahead appeared first. Then, the door of the carriage that followed opened and the face of the contestant of this test was also revealed.
‘Oh my, what happened?’
It was an impression that came to mind as soon as I saw her.
The reason Rubin was surprised to see Blaine Krieger, the eldest daughter of the Krieger family, was because of how much she had changed in the past two years.
It didn’t mean that she had grown in two years. Aside from her grown body, there were other changes in her body.
‘Did you get burned? It’s not a small wound.’
Was it a good thing it missed her face? The burn started at her neck and ran down her left arm, stopping at her forearm.
‘Blane’s wounds are different than before the regression.’
Before his return, Blaine had never suffered a burn.
That means, Blane’s wounds were a new flow resulting from the changes made by the returned Rubin.
“I see you, my lord.”
As Siren emerged from the banquet hall, the Krieger family bowed down. Blaine followed suit.
“Come on in. Blane Krieger.”
While Siren greeted the Krieger family, Rubin approached Blaine.
The only female competitor among the participants who abstained from participating, along with Hamil Cunitli, was Blane Krieger.
The Blaine Rubin remembers was a capable assassin.
Unlike Hamil, who met an early death despite his great talent, Blanet carved out his own territory.
I think I reached 6 stars.
“…yes.”
Blane mumbled as if he had no choice but to answer.
He was a very active child. The burn scars that appeared over the past two years for an unknown reason may have changed his personality.
Blane hovered over the spot with his head down. Rubin noticed that the eyes of the Krieger family, looking at his daughter, were filled with anger.
“Blane, stay inside.”
At the orders of the Krieger family, Blane entered the carriage again.
‘The future has changed. Will there be changes for Hamil and Kuhn too?’
Looking at Blane, I couldn’t tell what kind of change would happen to the two of them.
I realized for the first time that not everything will go exactly as it did before the regression. The subtle differences in the situation that Rubin intentionally changed may have a big effect.
“If you think about it the other way around, maybe something could change for the better.”
For example, Kun overcomes his envy and hatred for me, or Hamill overcomes fate and follows me.
“… … .”
But unfortunately, Kun remained the same. No, there was no change at all. He hated Rubin even more than before his return.
When he was in the public eye, he greeted him cheerfully, but when the bothersome gazes disappeared, Kun Crokison once again revealed his sharp hatred.
He glared at Rubin without hesitation. He clenched his molars as he did so.
“I have a good feeling that this time we will finally be able to end the noble Roinen bloodline.”
“You start saying nice things as soon as we meet. I like how you’re always the same.”
“It’s good that you’re consistent, you arrogant brat.”
Then, Kun took a step closer to Rubin.
I knew he would be dedicated to training for two years, but it was more than I thought. Kun’s body had grown even more than before.
Darkness was flowing naturally inside my body. How well I could control and apply it.
“Rubin, you know? I had a nightmare last night.”
Kun said calmly.
“I had a dream where I cut off my arm.”
“Why is that a nightmare? It seems like a good dream to you.”
“No. All this time, I’ve been dreaming about cutting off your head.”
“Then that’s right.”
At that moment, Hamil, who had just arrived, entered the banquet hall. Rubin ignored Kun and stood up from his seat, waving his hand.
“Hamil!”
“It’s disgusting how you already take care of other people as if they’re your own.”
“Kun. Hamil is here too, how long are you going to bark like a dog?”
“I don’t care about that kind of woman. Should I pretend to be good in front of those weaklings?”
When he saw the growling Koon, Hamil approached him with a pitiful expression.
“You’re still the same. I thought you’d matured a bit over the past two years.”
“Even after 10 years, not 2, those who are weak to me are still weak. Do you really think of me as a friend?”
“Even if we’re not friends, aren’t manners necessary?”
“Hey, remember this. If I get the chance, I’ll smash anyone. Including the noble Rubin Roinen.”
Whatever. Rubin shrugged his shoulders slightly.
Hamil sat to Rubin’s right. It was obvious at a glance that Hamil, like Kuhn, had trained quite a bit over the past two years.
‘Hamildo has bloomed in the dark. It’s still weak, but it’s definitely coming soon.’
Hamilton bowed his head slightly, locking eyes with Rubin.
“How have you been, my lord?”
Rubin smiled and nodded at the greeting that was full of courtesy and friendliness. On the other hand, Hamil ended his greeting with just a glance at Kuhn.
‘If I ever get the chance, I’ll have to find a way to save Hamilton.’
Hamil lost his life in a trap caused by poison during his first mission. Rubin did not forget that fact. He must save anyone who can be saved. Only then can he achieve revenge on the Emperor.
“It seems like everyone has been sleeping comfortably for the past two years.”
Kun sneered as he looked around at the other participants. It was a typical Kun remark, but he soon changed his words when he noticed Blane.
“But I think there are some people who aren’t like that.”
It was said after seeing Blane’s exposed wound. Hamil, who was about to criticize Kun, stopped talking when he saw Blane.
“Shut that filthy mouth… … .”
Even if they were children of the Assassin family who lived in a harsh family environment, they would not be able to take Blane’s wounds lightly.
Blane’s head was sinking further into the floor, perhaps conscious of the attention focused on him.
