Chapter 511: The Assassin’s Pact

“So,” the man said, his gaze fixed ahead, “what will it be, Assassin of Lakarion? Will you keep hiding, or will you step forward and greet one of the Twelve Daimyos of New Japan?”

Luke tried to piece together what was happening. The first thing he accepted was simple: whoever this enemy was, they stood far above him. At least level 100.

He called me the Assassin of Lakarion. That’s the outfit I’m wearing. He thinks I serve the Grimhart family.

Luke glanced toward Layla.

If I activate the Teleportation Pentagram, I can escape this place in a second, before anything else happens. But then… she stays.

He didn’t have a choice. He moved. Stepping out of the darkness, Luke advanced toward the man.

“It seems your shyness is gone, assassin,” the man said as he crossed the room and stopped by a table.

He pulled two cups and a teapot from his storage and set them down. “I always carry one with me. Tea goes unnoticed by most people. It can be present in a friendly conversation, just as easily as in a war room where the fate of a nation is decided.”

He inhaled the aroma, then took a sip. “Tea is always there. Great rulers have fallen because of it. Even tea can be a weapon of death, carrying poison within its leaves.”

In a single smooth motion, he stepped closer, holding out a cup. “Would you care to share some tea with me?”

Luke stared at the liquid, then at the man offering it, his face hidden behind an oni mask.

“As you said, our stories have crossed,” Luke replied evenly. “I will report to Queen Grimhart that you… arrived first.”

The man stepped away. Luke’s attention shifted to the others in the room. Nine ninjas. Eight men and one woman.

“And how is she doing?” the man asked casually. “The last time I visited the Grimhart kingdom… things didn’t go well during the meeting.”

Luke’s mind raced, searching for a way out. “Someone like me doesn’t have the honor of frequent access to the queen, but if I had to say anything, it would be this: her blade remains sharp and lethal to her enemies.”

The man sat down, crossing his legs as he drank his tea, lifting his mask just slightly. Luke could tell. He was studying him.

“If you’ll allow me a question,” Luke said. “What is a Daimyo doing… here?”

Luke asked without truly knowing what a daimyo was. The only thing he remembered came from school. Japan had an emperor and a prime minister. That was it.

“I like tea,” the man said, staring into his cup. “It reveals many truths about a person. It builds trust. You haven’t touched yours.”

“I don’t drink while on duty.”

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out an object Luke recognized immediately. A [Tsukumogami no Me].

“The group that occupied this place tried to deceive me,” the man said with a soft laugh, gazing at the artifact. “They sold me something on the black market. This little item, capable of creating a Spirit Tool. I introduced myself as Grass. They demanded payment in advance, and I honored it. A man’s word is his honor. But when it was their turn to honor the agreement… they vanished.”

He set the cup down and rose to his feet. “Do you know why I introduced myself as Grass?”

“No,” Luke replied.

“What is more dangerous,” the man asked calmly, “the snake in the grass, or the grass capable of hiding a snake?” He tilted his head. “They learned the answer. They thought I was just grass. So I came here and took what was mine, along with their lives.”

He stepped closer. “I expected to find the other one. The second leader. But he never came. Then you appeared. Interesting, isn’t it? How stories sometimes collide.”

“It is,” Luke said. “Thank you for the tea. Unfortunately, I must take my leave. My task was completed by someone else.” He glanced back toward Layla. “My assistant and I will be going.”

“It’s a shame our tea conversation was so brief,” the man replied.

Layla stepped out from behind the crate, and the ninjas immediately turned their attention to her.

“An assistant without an assassin’s uniform?” the man asked.

“She was disguised,” Luke answered.

“You truly enjoy that sort of thing,” the man remarked.

Layla stayed silent beside Luke.

“Before you go,” the man said, “may I ask you one question, assassin?”

“Of course.”

“What is the true name of Queen Grimhart?”

Silence fell over the room, thick and heavy. The ninjas drew their weapons in unison.

“I really should have had that tea,” Luke muttered, then hurled a throwing knife toward the window.

He grabbed Layla and activated [Wraith Form], black mist spilling outward.

[Witch’s Thread activated]

Luke and Layla were yanked out of the chamber as the knife’s thread latched onto a tree outside. They crashed through the opening, and almost instantly the ninjas leapt after them.

“My dear, this may be a good test for you,” the man’s voice said to the female ninja.

“Layla, run,” Luke shouted.

“I-I-I got hit by a throwing knife,” she cried.

Before she could even get up, another blade flew toward them and detonated on impact. The explosion flung Layla away.

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Luke sprinted and caught her midair as they slid down the forest slope together. He glanced back and saw the ninjas pursuing them, leaping between trees like animals, swinging from branches and vines with terrifying ease.

Black mist bloomed again as Luke threw a knife into a tree.

“Hold on.” He tossed the thread to her.

Layla grabbed it and was yanked upward. Luke cut through the dark fog and charged straight at the ninjas, drawing all of their attention to himself. Kunai whistled toward him. He zigzagged, weaving through them.

He hurled a throwing knife.

[Telekinetic Impulse activated]

One ninja was struck and slammed into a tree. Luke rushed forward to finish him, but the others closed in.

He dodged blows, deflecting kunai with his kukris. One ninja slammed a palm into his chest, releasing a burst of wind that sent him skidding backward. Another flipped backward, heel snapping into Luke’s chin, followed by a web that slammed him into a tree.

“You bastards are way too synchronized,” Luke growled as he sliced through the bindings and traded blows. Kunai clashed against kukris. A ninja grabbed him from behind. Luke surged forward, smashing both of them into a tree and shaking the grip loose.

[Teleportation Circle 2 activated]

Luke pointed at the ground and stepped onto the circle.

[Teleportation Pentagram activated]

He reappeared at his first teleportation circle, drew his bow, and fired an [Acid Blood Arrow] toward the ninjas’ position. The acid cloud erupted at a distance. Through [Predator’s Mark], Luke knew Layla was still fleeing, putting space between them. Then she collapsed.

Damn it.

Something burst from the undergrowth. Luke twisted aside. The female ninja.

“I’m two steps away from you, assassin,” she said.

“And I’m three from you,” Luke replied, pointing to the ground.

[Corrupted Plant Growth activated]

[Thorn Mutation activated]