Chapter 26: Came In, But Went Out

[Breaking News! Japan’s Prime Minister Yamada Goro found dead, assassinated at the Prime Minister’s Residence.]

The assassination of a sitting prime minister.  

And not just any—Yamada Goro, leader of one of the Four Powers, Japan, had died.

The news shocked the entire world.

But what was even more astonishing was this.  

[Intruders breached the Prime Minister’s Residence, killing both the security guards and the Prime Minister. Who is the culprit, and who is behind this?]

“Japan declares emergency martial law to hunt down the Prime Minister’s assassin. All transportation is under control.”

Despite the Prime Minister being murdered inside the heavily guarded Prime Minister’s Residence, where multiple facilities and security personnel were deployed, authorities have failed to identify a suspect.  

This was unthinkable.

In this era of upheaval, assassination attempts on world leaders had become frequent.  

As a result, places where these leaders stayed were equipped with powerful defensive measures and had awakened guardians on constant 24-hour watch.  

Penetrating all of that was virtually impossible.

Even if successful, there would inevitably be traces left behind.  

Yet Japan publicly admitted it could not pinpoint the suspect.  

Instead, right after the statement, they began releasing blatantly speculative articles.  

Acting Prime Minister Takaoji Fumio made a pointed remark aimed at South Korea, with whom tensions had recently escalated.  

He said that whoever could breach the Prime Minister’s Residence and assassinate the Prime Minister must be a unique presence in the world—and South Korea harbors the only awakened individual capable of such a feat.  

Japan’s warning to South Korea: “South Korea is lighting the fuse of war.”  

Takaoji Fumio’s provocative words ignited the flames overnight.  

Public opinion in Japan quickly turned to blame South Korea for the assassination and demanded severe punishment.  

A poll even showed 70% support for war.  

They had completely forgotten that Japan was the first to attack.  

South Korea was painted as the ultimate evil, the target for retribution.  

The cunning acting Prime Minister’s careless breath fanned the massive flames of anti-Korean sentiment.

“Tributes to Prime Minister Yamada Goro have been nonstop.”  

The memorial event for Yamada Goro attracted the largest public attention.  

Of course, it was not a funeral.  

Since the assassin who killed the Prime Minister could appear anytime, anywhere, the funeral attended by key officials was kept strictly secret.  

Instead, the government arranged a public condolence altar, around which long lines of mourners formed to express their grief.

‘So this is Hawkin Layer.’  

He was summoned to Japan through a Knight Summon Ticket.  

I had long anticipated his involvement.  

It had to be so.  

Hawkin Layer was the third individual I could call my mentor and a superior officer in the Empire’s Intelligence Bureau.  

My origin was clearly the Asran Kingdom on the Gritia Continent.  

But after Malice Bastide’s betrayal, I had to face the Asran Kingdom’s pursuit squads.  

That was one of the worst threats I’d encountered in my life on the Gritia Continent.  

For over 100 days, we battled nonstop, barely breaking through their Heavenly Net of Earth and Sky.  

To be precise, they retreated.  

Once we crossed into Imperial territory, their encirclement broke.  

But it was like escaping a fox only to enter a tiger’s den.  

The Empire, known as the realm of evil staining the continent with blood, was where I first met Hawkin Layer.  

“The Empire wants people like you, who harbor venom.”  

Later, I learned it was no coincidence.  

He had been secretly observing me as he covertly entered the border area to gather intelligence on the battles taking place.  

He praised my venomous nature and extended his hand.  

My sole purpose was life itself.  

So I accepted the Empire’s offered hand.  

From that day forward, I began a new life in the Empire as Hawkin Albers of the Intelligence Bureau.  

I learned espionage and combat skills as a Knight under his guidance.  

In many ways, his teachings laid the foundation for my current cold demeanor.  

That’s why I can confidently say,  ‘It’s not over yet.’  

Knowing Hawkin Layer, he wouldn’t stop at killing the Prime Minister.  

He lives and dies by his missions.  

If he perceives the orders as coming from His Majesty the Emperor, killing the Prime Minister will be just a start.  

Rather, it would be bait—to catch a bigger prize.  

And this prediction proved accurate.

***

[Breaking News! Explosion at Prime Minister Yamada Goro’s funeral kills the Emperor and multiple Cabinet members!]

Urgent news scrolled across the screen beneath the memorial broadcast.  

Where was this?  

What era was this?  

How had I come to be here?  

None of that mattered.  

Only one thing was engraved in my mind.  

“Assassinate Japan’s key figures and cause chaos.”  

It was His Majesty the Emperor’s order.  

For those in the Intelligence Bureau, no questions are raised.  

If it’s an order, no matter if it leads to hell, the target must be eliminated.  

What Hawkin Layer had to do now was not question the mission but figure out how to sow chaos in this country called Japan.  

So, for the first few hours, he roamed around, gathering as much information as possible.  

Just a few hours.  

But understanding the nation’s situation, the government, and the Cabinet system starting from the Prime Minister was not difficult.  

Then Hawkin Layer began to move toward his mission.  

The first step: eliminating Prime Minister Yamada Goro.  

That was only natural.  

Though the Emperor existed, his role was mostly symbolic now, so removing the head of the Cabinet was the true priority.  

But that was not the end; it was only the beginning.  

That was why Hawkin Layer had come here.  

Though there was little conversation, the busy movements of people filled the space.  

This was the secret funeral for Prime Minister Yamada Goro.  

Only invited guests could enter.  

And the reason he could walk in freely was because he was no longer Hawkin Layer the Knight but disguised as Yoshio Nakamura, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan.  

But how?  

Martial law had been declared, and tight security was in place.  

Awakened guards equipped with all kinds of devices and detection Traits thoroughly searched everyone who entered and exited.  

‘Japan’s security is shockingly lax.’  

Traits?  

He knew there were some who wielded mysterious powers.  

But as a former Knight, it was impossible for him to have any Traits.  

The disguise he wore now wasn’t a Trait but the Intelligence Bureau’s Vision ability, manipulating flesh and bone at will.  

Of course, it involved immense pain, but he had trained not to react to any torture or pain.  

Among the Intelligence Bureau, known for its rigor, Hawkin Layer had served as a Knight longer than anyone else.  

This level of pain was nothing more than a massage to him.  

“My deepest condolences.”  

Not just the disguise.  

The way he spoke, his voice tone and inflection perfectly matched Yoshio Nakamura’s.  

After killing the Prime Minister, he had already captured and tortured the real Nakamura to learn all his habits and behaviors.  

It took only half a day.  

In that short time, he had perfectly mastered his mannerisms.  

Now, he was no longer Hawlin Layer the Knight but Yoshio Nakamura, Speaker of the House.  

“Chairman, this way.”  

He took his assigned seat.  

He waited briefly for the funeral ceremony to begin.  

It was a funeral.  

So, conversations were minimal, and silence was maintained.  

Time passed.  

‘The time has come.’  

The Emperor and Empress, ministers, and other Cabinet officials gathered.  

Because it was the death of the Prime Minister, everyone was present without exception.  

This was the perfect opportunity to fulfill the mission His Majesty the Emperor had assigned.  

‘Japan’s power is formidable, even if somewhat clumsy. If I’m detected, it would only take moments to be found.’  

In a way, this place was extremely dangerous.  

CCTV, cameras, and videos—there were countless variables that could expose him.  

If he continued assassinating as he did the Prime Minister, he would be discovered eventually.  

But what His Majesty the Emperor desired was chaos within Japan.  

Killing the Prime Minister and Cabinet officials alone did not equate to chaos.  

Those officials were just replaceable administrative personnel.  

That was why this moment was planned.  

“For His Majesty the Emperor!”

Suddenly standing, “Yoshio Nakamura,” or rather Hawkin Layer, drew curious gazes.

Suddenly showing respect to the Emperor?  

In a silent funeral?  

What was this?  

But the next moment, they realized.  

“Wooooooosh!”  

A radiant light erupted from the body of the one they thought was the Chairman.  

The overwhelming power hidden within that light.  

“R-r-r-run……”  

Someone tried to shout, but it was too late.  

“Kukwakwakwakwaang!”  

A massive explosion blew the entire funeral hall to pieces.  

Self-destruction.  

Because of that, he was not taken down by others but disappeared on his own.  

Thus, he prevented any penalties that might have been inflicted on Kim Si-won, who had summoned him, from His Majesty the Emperor.  

This was Hawkin Layer’s greatest loyalty he could show for His Majesty the Emperor.  

***

“Screeeech!”  

The space split open.  

It was a Portal Trait, possessed by only a few worldwide.  

Compressing space to instantly travel long distances, a Trait of immeasurable strategic value.  

From the shadowy rift in space, dozens of black-clad figures, fully covered like ninjas, emerged.  

“step, step, step—”  

They quickly scanned their surroundings as soon as they touched the ground.  

Because of prior investigation, they had chosen a deserted island with no people around.  

There were no signs of life nearby.  

“…Our mission is one.”  

The apparent leader spoke.  

“Assassinate key figures in South Korea and sow chaos. Let me be clear: Kim Si-won is excluded from this mission’s targets.”  

They were an assassination squad dispatched from Japan.  

Assassinating foreign dignitaries was not unusual.  

But this operation was different in scale.  

Oni, Orochi, Tenka , Katana Guild, and government agents combined into a large-scale assassination team.  

Among Japan’s top awakened and agents, they had come together to incite chaos in South Korea.  

Their goal was simple.  

To reciprocate the brutal murder of Japan’s Prime Minister and Cabinet officials in kind.  

Of course, there was no proof South Korea was responsible.  

But Japan already believed Kim Si-won was behind it and held secret meetings to plan this operation.  

However, Kim Si-won was not included among the targets.  

Because targeting him and risking failure—which was highly likely—would expose their plans.  

They strictly excluded him for now.  

It was like saving the best for last.  

He—Kim Si-won—would soon realize what suffering his actions had caused South Korea, and ultimately, that they were once again brought under Japan’s control.  

“Kill key figures and civilians alike. Kill every visible Joseon scum. In the past and now, they are nothing but pests worse than bugs.”  

Everyone involved here held extreme far-right beliefs.  

To them, South Korea and its people weren’t even worthy of being called humans.  

They felt no guilt or conscience in cleansing them.  

“Gather here again after completing your missions. Anyone failing to arrive within the set time will be abandoned. Remember that.”  

All nodded in agreement.  

“Well then, good luck.”  

As they briefly locked eyes before setting off for their assignments, a message echoed in their ears.  

[Kim Si-won of the Republic of Korea has used the Foreign Expulsion Ticket for national defense.]  

[All hostile foreigners in the territory of the Republic of Korea will be expelled abroad.]

“Shushushush!”

The assassination dream team, having just arrived in South Korea, was expelled abroad before even taking a few steps.