Episode 26. The chosen ones. (2)
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“···conversation?”
“yes. “Honestly, I’m very embarrassed.”
Throne room. A 12-story stage created with the motif of an imperial palace. In the middle of it all, my voice flowed softly.
“I don’t know why Sword Saint is attacking me. This may be your first time seeing me, Sword Saint, but I have always admired your noble swordsmanship. But since you always use a knife, it’s very embarrassing.”
Geomseong’s expression hardened.
Even though I’m only telling the truth now.
‘It has to be that way.’
There was a reason why the old man’s face hardened.
The day when Geomseong and I first encountered each other. On that night that Geomseong no longer remembers, as soon as he saw me, he scolded me like this.
-Did you think I didn’t know that you were a special assassin sent by the Black Dragon?
-I don’t know if the Black Dragon Witch sent you or who hired you, but I will do my best to kill you!
They suspected me of being an assassin.
‘That’s also an assassin raised from a black dragon.’
Even now, Geomseong must have the same doubts. I am an assassin under contract from the Black Dragon, with countless blood on my hands. No, I might actually have even more serious doubts.
‘He’s a special assassin secretly trained by the five major guilds.’
-hmm. but.
Bae Hu-ryeong nodded.
-From a third party’s point of view, you, Zombie, are so strange.
‘That’s it.’
A new hero appears at a time no one expected!
A hunter who was only E-class attacked an impregnable stage. Even as soon as the strategy was over, an agreement was signed with the five major guilds, and he was promised equal treatment with the guild leaders…
‘It’s too suspicious even if it wins.’
-that’s right. In Grandpa Marcus’s opinion, you are not a self-made hunter. He is a fake hero created by a group of large guilds. Tsk tsk.
Bae Hu-ryeong clicked his tongue.
-It’s a zombie. Did you say your kill count is roughly 4090?
‘It’s probably showing number 4093 right now?’
-okay. In your grandfather’s view, the number 4093 is not simply the number of people you have killed. Because you are not a hunter who works alone, but someone who was raised to be a servant of large guilds.
From the Sword Saint’s perspective, it has no choice but to be portrayed that way.
-in short···.
‘yes.’
In one barrel.
‘It would seem like the number of people the big guilds assassinated through me.’
A huge guild that reigns in the tower.
They have assassinated at least 4093 people.
It’s just a misunderstanding and an illusion… but it must be an extremely disgusting sight for that old gentleman.
“her.”
If Geomseong had been a slightly less just old man, he would have backed down.
“There is no difference between the outside world and Babylon.”
However, Geomseong knew no compromise.
Even though I knew, I refused.
“Ever since I entered the tower, you guys have been flirting with me every single day. I’m telling you to join the guild. But he flatly refused. Do you know why?”
The swordsman gave strength to the hilt of the sword. The old man’s hands are old. My fleshy skin was sagging. However, the veins that were unevenly exposed beyond the skin had not aged at all.
Even if a lion’s mane gets old, its teeth remain sharp.
“In this tower, in the new world, I wanted to show that I could reign at the top even on my own.”
Geomseong glared at the audience with his blue, eerie eyes.
“kindred. nationality. Native. Unlike the outside world, where people are caught up in things and smell bad, here, a child can be independent with just one sword. “You can succeed only through your own talent and effort.”
“······.”
“In order to express this hope to everyone, I have never formed a gang. “But what are you guys doing?”
Geomseong pointed the tip of his sword.
“You are no different from muddy water that has already stagnated and rotted.”
The guild leaders squirmed.
anger. shame. resentment.
Silent emotions covered the faces of the guild leaders. The statement Geomsung had just made was a declaration of war. There were some, like the Heretic Questioner, who smiled as if nothing had happened, but most guild leaders had crumpled expressions.
“Sword Saint. Even if no one else knows, you said that…”
“under! I’ve already forgotten that I was the only one missing when I conquered the 5th floor! Grandpa. “It looks like dementia has taken its toll on my head!”
“That’s right. Mr. Calenberry. “If you had used your connections in the outside world to help, the current food crisis would have been much less, and our Sangryun Island…”
The outcry boiled over.
The hunters gathered here have seen each other since the early days when the tower was opened. Are there a lot of things piled on top of each other? As emotions clashed with each other, the air in the throne room instantly became cloudy.
“If you were ranked number one, you had to show an attitude befitting number one. But you are good on your own. I lived alone. “Do you know how many hunters you could have saved if you hadn’t been so smug?”
The Black Dragon Witch spoke as if she was cursing.
“It’s not just the 5th floor. “On the 7th and 9th floors, if Grandpa had cooperated, the damage would have been cut in half!”
The poisonous snake of Cheon Mu-mun savaged itself.
“An adult whose name is known to the outside world as a member of a chaebol family. If you had helped him, the current system would have had a much more stable soft landing. Are you saying we are rotten mud? Good. “Then you are just a child without responsibility.”
The Count of Sangryun glared harshly.
It’s truly a mess.
Even after facing the guild leaders’ curses and murderous gazes, Geomsung only frowned his eyebrows. The one word the old man uttered made the fire grow even stronger.
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“noisy.”
“······.”
“On the subject of grown adults… Do you think I am your biological grandfather? Clean it up. “If you want to attack me, attack me with your sword.”
The atmosphere in the throne room became uncontrollably unpleasant.
-Kya! After all, it’s Grandpa Marcus. He is like my only disciple.
Bae Hu-ryeong is the only one who doesn’t understand the atmosphere and just admires it.
-There is nothing more extreme than the hunters talking about connections and politics. If you have time to worry about such things, swing your sword one more time!
It made sense.
but···.
Unlike Bae Hu-ryeong, I first felt sad.
“They fight even in places where there are only 10 people.”
The hunters who were in a critical situation looked at me.
I sighed.
“Even the NPCs on the 11th floor united and fought to protect the empire. But look. On the contrary, hunters like us are pointing fingers and pointing the finger at you, saying it’s your fault. “Wouldn’t it be a bit embarrassing if I couldn’t do better than an NPC?”
“···Hunter Gongja Kim.”
The witch opened her mouth.
“This has nothing to do with you. “It’s more serious than you thought…”
“i know. I understand. “If you’re a hunter by name, you have other things to do.”
I glanced around the throne room.
“Let’s focus on clearing from the 12th floor.”
“······.”
“It’s good to give people hope, it’s cool to reduce the number of casualties as much as possible when attacking the tower, it’s all good. Please try your best to clear the stage in front of you.”
I said especially while looking at the Sword Saint.
“No matter how much they are just NPCs… their empire is in danger of destruction, right? They said they wanted help. “If people who have been summoned as warriors do not care about the safety of the empire and just fight among themselves, what kind of shame is that?”
“You guy…”
I meant what I said.
Anyway, Geomseong couldn’t threaten my life any further here. Because the difference in power was clear. So now my only concern is how to clear the 12th floor.
Complex emotional struggles and political fights between hunters were out of the question.
“Is there anything wrong with the hero? If you solve something for someone else that they couldn’t, that’s heroism. “Now that we’ve cleared the 11th floor, let’s tackle the remaining stages.”
“What Gongja Kim said is correct.”
Fortunately, there was a hunter who responded to my words.
Paladin.
The vice guild leader of the vigilante group took a step forward.
“It is difficult to understand why Geomseong attacked Gongja Kim. At least it is clear that now is not the time to fight among ourselves. “Everyone was so excited.”
“······.”
“······.”
The Holy Knight stepped in to mediate. But no one let down their guard. He took a stance so that he could attack his opponents, whether they were sword saints, poisonous snakes, counts, or heresy inquisitors.
It was difficult to persuade with words alone… everyone was distrustful of each other.
Because of the emotions that have accumulated over the past years.
“ha.”
The paladin sighed as if he realized that.
“good night. I can’t help it. “I will sacrifice a little.”
When the word sacrifice came out, the hunters turned around.
While all eyes were focused, the paladin muttered softly.
“Skill card open.”
Faaah!
Light rose softly from the paladin’s hand. A moment later, a silver card appeared in the air.
A card that no one else can see unless the hunter gives permission. It was a skill card held by a paladin.
“···Vice-captain.”
The witch looked worried about the paladin. The top rankers usually never reveal their skill cards. Skills are the hunter’s secret weapon. Showing that to others was like an own goal.
“done. Does not matter.”
However, the paladin obediently turned over the card.
“Everyone, look carefully.”
+
[lie detector]
Rank: A-
Effect: You can tell whether the other person is lying or not. This applies not only to people, but also to NPCs and monsters! However, what the other person thinks is ‘truth’ may objectively be ‘false’. Is it faith? Is it doubt? The final choice is always up to you.
※However, there is no guarantee that people will believe what you say.
+
My eyes widened.
‘lie detector!’
That was a skill that the Flame Emperor once lied about by saying he had. indeed. It wasn’t a plague, but a paladin had it.
‘It’s a technique that suits the vice-captain of the vigilante group very well!’
The vigilante group was a guild that maintained security. Naturally, the tower was overflowing with criminals. Look at it right now. Didn’t the top ranked Flame Emperor and Sword Saint kill me in a place where no one was watching?
This is the world. [Lie detector] will be incredibly useful in identifying criminals.
“As you can see.”
The paladin spoke while holding the card.
“I have the ability to recognize other people’s lies. It is no exaggeration to say that this is the skill that elevated me to the position of vice-guild leader of the vigilante group. Sword Saint.”
“···What is it?”
“As long as you trust me, ask Gongja Kim anything you want right here and now. “I will tell you whether Kim Gongja’s answer is false or true.”
The paladin looked at the swordsman and me alternately with grave eyes.
“Gongja Kim. The same goes for you. “If you will only believe me, I will guarantee you whether what you say is false or true.”
“······.”
“Doubt is a gnawing poison, and truth is the most powerful antidote. “We may not be able to regain the trust we have lost so far, but at least we will be able to cooperate on the 12th floor.”
“hmm···.”
Geomseong stroked his beard and was deep in thought.
‘and.’
I also thought to myself.
‘It’s a mess?’
This is the best opportunity.
It was unexpected luck. But… this was the correct answer. The reason I became suspicious in the first place was because of the skill Sword Saint had, the so-called [Detective’s Insight]. Since you have gained suspicion because of your skills, isn’t it natural to use your skills to resolve your doubts?
“I like it.”
I responded right away.
The person who accepts this first has the advantage.
“…A holy knight lady? You are the only person here who has not harmed a single person. Good. “I will believe it too.”
The Sword Saint also accepted it, saying meaningful words.
The paladin nodded.
“I assume you both agreed. Well then, swordsman. Please ask Gongja Kim a question. “I will put my honor and the reputation of the vigilante group on the line to fairly prove the questions and answers between the two people.”
“hmm.”
Geomseong glared at me.
The Sword Saint’s face was solemn, as if he had been waiting for just this moment. Maybe it’s because I feel like I’ve revealed to the world that I’m a terrible bad guy. In any case, he looked certain of victory.
-oh my···.
Bae Hu-ryeong cried out next to him.
-Oh my gosh, Grandpa Marcus. Old man, old man. This is why I repeatedly tell old men and zombies not to rely too much on skills. Those who make a living with skills will one day be betrayed by their skills! Oh my, oh my.
‘Please be quiet.’
Unfortunately, Bae Hu-ryeong’s voice could not reach Geomseong. This ghost bastard was now my ghost cub.
“Hunter Gongja Kim.”
“yes.”
“You killed over 4,000 people. “No, isn’t that so?”
Cheok!
The old man pointed at me with the hand that was not holding the knife. What should I say? Be sure to say ‘How do you like it!’ Now is the time for your evil deeds to become known to the whole world!’ It seemed like he was shouting.
I smiled.
“yes.”
“Oh, look at that! You evil things in this world. “I will definitely reveal to the world what you have been doing by appointing this child as an assassin…”
“It’s false.”
The paladin said.
“what?”
“It’s false.”
The paladin spoke calmly again.
“Didn’t Gongja Kim answer ‘yes’ to the question you just asked? The answer was false. To summarize, Gongja Kim did not kill more than 4,000 people.”
“······.”
“Are there any more questions?”
silence.
While the Sword Saint kept his mouth shut, only the Paladin tilted his head.
“But 4,000 people. That’s strange. Can one person kill that many people? “If you think about it with common sense, I think it’s close to impossible.”
“Well, that’s because you guys… raised this young man to be a top assassin…”
I smiled brightly.
“that’s right. “I am a top assassin.”
“It’s false.”
“······.”
The old prosecutor opened his mouth blankly.
“Come on, Lady Paladin. I guess I misunderstood what you were like! “Still, I believed that you would mediate everything without lying!”
“It’s up to you whether you trust me or not.”
The paladin responded silently.
“If you want to believe, believe. If you don’t want to believe, don’t believe. So, didn’t you ask both of them the same question from the beginning? “Do you really believe me?”
“······.”
“If you’re thinking of changing your mind now, it’s a little… petty. No, it’s very petty. Geomseong. “It’s not like the attitude you usually show.”
“Wait!”
The old man looked urgently in my direction.
“There’s no way you didn’t kill a single human being!”
“ah. yes. That’s right. “I’ve gotten rid of other people before.”
The paladin nodded his head.
“It’s the truth.”
“Look at that!”
“But there’s only one.”
“···What?”
The paladin nodded his head again.
“It’s the truth.”
“······.”
“Of course, killing one person doesn’t change the fact that I am a murderer. But, Sword Saint. Even if I’m not really honest, I can tell you this. I killed that guy because he really deserved it. Because he tried to kill me first.”
“It’s the truth.”
“No, if you just tried to kill me alone, you would be a noble person. He is a massacre horse. Slaughter horse. I even witnessed him commit murder, and wow, he burned people to death without even blinking an eye! “That damn bastard!”
“It’s the truth.”
“I don’t know, but he killed dozens of people. No, there will be well over hundreds. yes. He deserves it. I killed the guy who deserved it. If you want to call me a murderer, you can curse as much as you want. But you know what? Even if I go back to the past, I will start by pestering him. and. Seed. “How can a human being be as vicious as him?”
The paladin nodded his head slowly.
“It’s all true.”
“······.”
Geomseong was silent.
The old man slowly looked around. He looked like he didn’t know how the situation was going, but he probably figured it out by looking around.
Because the guild leaders are all like, ‘What are you doing now?’ He’s looking at Geomseong with those eyes.
“Ahahaha! Ahaha!”
The Heretic Questioner held his belly button and burst into laughter.
“Kim Gongja Hunter is our top 5 guild’s top assassin! That’s an interesting idea. It really would have been nice if that were the case, but Sword Saint! Unfortunately, we saw Hunter Kim Gongja for the first time yesterday!”
“By the way, that’s also true.”
“······.”
The silence of the Sword Saint deepened.
-Tsk tsk tsk. Those who prosper through skill will perish through skill.
Bae Hu-ryeong was just clenching his tongue.
“hmm. Anyway, I gave you all the answers.”
I laughed lightly.
There was really nothing wrong with what Confucius said.
“It seems there was probably a big misunderstanding on both sides. I’m glad it was just a misunderstanding. But Geomseong-nim. Anyway, due to that misunderstanding, the Sword Saint attacked me, and if the guild leader hadn’t protected me, there’s a very high probability that I would have died, right? “It’s really unfair.”
“······.”
“I think we should hear an apology at this point. How do you feel?”
The paladin nodded.
“It’s the complete truth. “It is a definite theory without any leaps and bounds.”
“······.”
“Hurry up and apologize to Gongja Kim. Sword Saint.”
The soul drained from the old man’s face.
etc,
