Chapter 71: The Siege of Shadows

No one in Vulcanus Guild had fought humans to the death.

But monster hunting in gates? We’d done that to exhaustion.

Among them, humanoid monsters like orcs and lizardmen.

Our guild was trained in formations for such bosses.

Clang!

The formation snapped into place.

The assassin swung, aiming for gaps.

Clang!

– Ugh!

The frontline tanker raised an SS-grade shield, blocking the dagger.

Swish!

An SSS-grade spear thrust from behind, gleaming with sharpness.

Even a high-level assassin couldn’t ignore SSS-grade weapons.

– You newbies dare?!

Defense ended there.

Vulcanus Guild treated the assassin like a raid boss.

Step one: block attacks, learn patterns.

Patterns learned—time to strike.

Rustle.

Someone slipped from the formation.

So stealthy, even teammates didn’t notice.

Team 2 Leader Yoon Hee-joo took the assassin’s back.

– What…

The assassin faltered.

Focused on attacking, surrounded by enemies, they missed her.

A hunter with twice their level gap took their rear.

Yoon’s massive scythe swung.

The assassin raised their dagger.

Swish—

– Ugh!

The scythe pierced the dagger, aiming for their neck.

High level and experience saved them, twisting to barely dodge.

Not completely—their right shoulder, holding the dagger, was hit.

A graze, but the arm wouldn’t move.

– Annoying ability…

What was this?

Even a seasoned assassin hadn’t seen it.

Then—

Swish!

Team 1 Leader Park Sang-hyun struck the opening.

– Argh!

The level gap was huge.

Part-time work, but not easy prey.

Too fast for one arm to block.

Like fighting a beast, not a person.

Other guild members maintained defense, chaining buffs and attacks.

The assassin realized—

They couldn’t win.

Level gaps aside, the guild’s formation and overpowered items overwhelmed them.

– Damn it!

Pop!

The assassin detonated something.

A smoke bomb, used for escape.

Smoke filled the room.

A guild member with wind abilities cleared it quickly.

But the assassin was gone.

Chuckle.

Looking up, they clung to the ceiling, biting a scroll.

– Return Scroll…

A gate item.

Activates instant teleport to a gate entrance or set location.

The assassin was escaping.

– I’ll retreat now, but I’ll have my revenge. As the target of my—no, our guild—watch your back in gates.

Rip!

The scroll activated, light bursting.

Guild members attacked, but it was futile.

Just as we thought they’d escape—

[Crafting complete.]

[Obtained Magic Nullification Wand.]

[Magic Nullification Wand]

Type: Wand

Grade: S

Restriction: Level 60+

Description: A wand engraved with the Dispel rune to counter enemy magic.

Ability: 1. Dispel – Once per hour, nullifies Rank 5 or lower magic.

Guild Master 1, head bowed as if stunned.

No—Vulcanus connected.

In its hand, a custom item I crafted and summoned after disconnecting.

The Magic Nullification Wand.

– I did my research. Assassins use smoke bombs to flee, and if that fails, Return Scrolls.

Long ago, fearing assassins despite my hidden identity, I studied them.

What do assassins value?

Killing? Important, but not getting caught is key.

They carry “insurance”—the priciest being Return Scrolls.

Surrounded, the assassin had only the scroll left.

I crafted this wand.

– You’re not escaping that easily.

The wand’s rune glowed.

Without runes, I couldn’t have made it—a wand closer to an artifact than a weapon, built only for Dispel.

[Dispel]

Magic nullification activated.

Crack!

The scroll’s magic shattered.

– No way!

The assassin panicked.

The scroll was their last resort.

With it nullified, escape was impossible.

Swish! Swish!

Attacks rained down.

Caught off guard, the assassin was hit.

Thud.

They collapsed, shadows looming.

Vulcanus Guild’s leader—me—glared coldly.

– Now, spill everything you know.

Vulcanus Guild’s basement.

A soundproof space.

The assassin was tightly bound.

– Think I’ll talk? Talking risks my life. Might as well stay silent.

No clues to their identity.

– Can’t exactly torture them.

Even an assassin sent to kill me couldn’t be tortured outright.

What to do?

– Guild Master.

Nam Bora entered with someone.

I recognized her—Team 9 Leader Jeon Ji-min.

– Wow, you remembered! Jeon Ji-min, Team 9 Leader!

How could I forget?

I crafted custom gear for all team leaders.

Jeon Ji-min. Ability: Conductor. Rank 5.

Not a material conductor, but one who channels electricity.

Her ability conducts electricity, but only through contact.

If her weapon leaves her hand, the circuit breaks.

– So I made her special gear.

Two items:

A whip—longest reach among melee weapons, maximizing her ability.

A tether—tied to crossbow bolts or dagger handles for ranged electric attacks.

Made of silver and mithril to minimize energy loss.

Her ability shone in the guild.

– What’s up?

– I think I can help!

– Help?

– I’ve never tried, but torture’s best with electricity, right? Minimal traces, maximum pain.

– Have you done this before?

– No, but it’s a chance to practice! We’ve got a perfect test subject.

She pointed at the assassin, who flinched.

Instinctive fear.

– That’s illegal! Torture me, and you won’t escape the law!

Fair point.

Torturing, even an assassin, risked legal consequences.

I glanced at Nam Bora.

– Honestly, does it matter? There’s precedent for hunters accidentally killing assassins.

– Really?

– Yup. Only our guild saw this. Keep quiet, and no one knows.

– True.

She was right.

My old “keyboard warrior” instincts lingered.

If I killed the assassin and no one knew, no legal worries.

– You mock the law! You must uphold—

– An assassin preaching? Shameless.

The assassin’s voice trembled, realizing the situation.

No need to listen further.

– Team 9 Leader, it’s yours.

– Yes! I’ve always wondered how much voltage causes pain, fainting, or…

Jeon Ji-min’s eyes gleamed.

Approaching, electricity sparked from her hands, lighting the dim room.

– …or death!

Crackle!

– Aaargh!

The interrogation began.