Chapter 94
It was just a matter of killing a twenty-year-old girl. Yet, this time, Bartre didn’t send a subordinate—he went himself. Though the repeated failures had drawn scolding from Count Patrasche, above all, he didn’t want to leave behind another humiliating failure. This was a matter of pride.
Bartre possessed many skills, but none surpassed his stealth abilities. His unusually tall frame didn’t prevent him from sneaking into places unnoticed.
The windows that Delma had checked multiple times before leaving the room opened easily at Bartre’s gesture, as if they had never been locked. He could have smashed through the window without issue, but tonight, finishing the job quietly was more important.
Silently, Bartre entered the room where Lady Grace was sleeping and slowly approached her bedside. Despite his massive size, the room was as quiet as a mouse.
“She’s too small…”
Rumor had it that Lady Grace had once taken down dozens of Kurlen creatures single-handedly. Bartre had assumed she would be tall and solidly built, though not quite that strong. But under the fluffy blankets, the lady sleeping before him was just a fragile girl.
That didn’t make him hesitate. If anything, he felt a twinge of disappointment—after all the preparation, the kill seemed almost too easy.
“I won’t even need the knife.”
He put away the dagger he had brought. For an opponent like this, strangling would suffice. A clean death, as if she had fallen asleep, would delay the discovery longer than a room soaked in blood.
Bartre removed his gloves. He relished the moment when a dying person’s hope turned to despair, when their eyes darkened completely. The sensation of life slipping from someone under his fingers felt almost sacred, like performing a solemn ritual.
Slowly, Bartre extended his large hands toward her neck. It looked fragile, as though it would break with a gentle twist.
Holding his breath, Bartre focused entirely on the moment. After tonight, he would raise a glass to his success and proudly retrieve the subordinates held by Grace. Nothing would stand in his way.
Imagining the triumph ahead was always pleasurable. Bartre smiled as he was about to grasp her neck.
“Guhk!”
Suddenly, an unbearable pressure crushed his neck. He couldn’t breathe. Someone was twisting his neck violently.
Who—who is it?!
Bartre struggled, trying to pull his hands off, but it was impossible. It felt as if the hands were fusing to his neck, sinking into his flesh.
“Ugh! Guhk!”
He had never been overpowered like this in his life. Desperately, he struck the person behind him in the solar plexus with his elbow. The blow should have been severe, but the opponent didn’t flinch. Instead, Bartre’s own arm tingled from the impact.
His vision blurred rapidly.
No.
He had been on the verge of success. He couldn’t fail so pathetically without even trying. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees.
With the last of his strength, he tilted his head back to see who had stopped him.
In the fading blur, he saw icy gray eyes and dazzling silver hair cascading above his head.
“Wh-who…”
Before Bartre could finish, a cold hand covered his mouth.
“Shhh! Go to sleep.”
The man’s voice was calm, unhurried.
Bartre’s eyes widened as he thrashed, but the hand around his neck gripped with inhuman strength.
Crack. The horrifying sound of his neck breaking rang in his ears. He died with his eyes open.
Taechang lifted the massive body like a princess. The nearly two-meter-tall man sagged in Taechang’s arms like a wet cotton blanket.
A blue status window appeared faintly above the body, bathing it in a pale light.
– What are you going to do about this?
“Move it far away. So no one knows there was an intruder.”
– Even the user shouldn’t know?
Taechang glanced at the peacefully sleeping Donghee and nodded. If she knew someone had tried to kill him in her room, she would certainly be anxious every night—better she remain unaware.
– Is this a gesture in return for the points the user gifted you?
“A gesture? Not really.”
Taechang frowned, then lightly picked up Bartre like a flower basket and leapt out the window. The cold wind swept in, fluttering the curtains like a pirate ship’s flag.
“Ugh, it’s cold.”
Donghee, who had buried herself under the blanket, suddenly felt something was off and opened her eyes. The room had been warm just moments ago, but now it was as cold as sleeping outdoors.
“Oh, the window’s open.”
Reluctantly, she got out of bed and went to close the balcony door.
“Brr, it’s freezing in here.”
She considered crawling back into bed next to Delma, but didn’t want to disturb her. Instead, she sat up and called the status window.
“I want to summon an assistant.”
– R-right now?
“Yes, now.”
– May I ask for what purpose?
“Because it’s cold. Not difficult, I just want someone to keep me warm. Taechang isn’t a vampire or anything, right?”
– No, but I don’t recommend using him as a heater.
“Why?”
– He’s cranky.
“I know, but if I pay, shouldn’t he obey? And he’s cheaper than a hot pack.”
– Would you like me to recommend an alternative from the hidden shop?
“How many points if I just make Taechang lie down beside me?”
– About 10 to 20 points.
“And a hot pack from the hidden shop?”
– Between 300 and 3,000 points.
“Which do you think is smarter?”
– Taechang.
“Alright, I’ll pay 20 points. Summon him.”
– Yes, ma’am!
Moments later, silver hair fluttering in the moonlight, Taechang appeared through the open window. His presence was ethereal and beautiful, like a lunar spirit made flesh.
“Close the window, it’s cold!”
Donghee, buried under the blanket, shouted. Taechang quietly turned and closed the window, letting his silver hair settle gracefully.
“Why are you here?”
Donghee asked, puzzled. Normally, he appeared via the spinning status window, not through a flung-open balcony door.
“Just a walk.”
“At this hour?”
“Why did you call me? Again?”
Taechang scanned the room for any signs of another intruder, but detected nothing.
“Nothing. But what’s going on?”
Donghee shivered and lifted the blanket off herself.
“Come lie here.”
“What are you planning?”
Taechang, adjusting his collar, took a step back. Even as a summoned assistant, he had boundaries.
“I’m not doing anything weird. It’s just cold. The window was wide open, and I thought you’d be warm. The status window said you’re cheaper than a hot pack.”
“Cheaper than a hot pack?”
Taechang stammered in disbelief. He had never been so humiliated.
“Already paid 20 points.”
“You haven’t forgotten I’m a man, right?”
“I know you must obey me. And you’re cheaper than a hot pack, so… can’t help it. Points matter.”
“I can’t do this.”
“Alright, then give me back my points.”
Taechang covered his mouth, clearly mortified, and slowly approached, lying down beside Donghee.
“Pull the blanket over. It’s cold.”
She yawned, tears forming at the corners of her eyes, but carefully tucked the blanket over him and snuggled close. Taechang flinched slightly.
“I’m not going to hurt you. Don’t worry.”
Taechang left shortly after, but it was long enough for Donghee to fall asleep in the now-warmed bed.
“Good morning, Lady Grace.”
Delma, already up to wake her for the morning’s public trial, smiled at the sight of her bright-eyed charge.
“Yes. Today’s important.” Donghee grinned widely.
News of Chief Iddor’s public trial brought villagers streaming to the town square.
“Let go! Do you think you’ll get away with this? Haven’t you already forgotten who backs me?”
Pig Dock, dragged out in a fury, shouted at the people holding him. Normally, his words would make others tremble, but they glared back at him coldly, not flinching.
“Let go!”
Two nearby knights gripped the ropes even tighter.
“Ouch! Please, the ropes are hurting too much!”
Pig Dock thought relief was near, but the commanding voice of Knight Urun, speaking in place of Red Bear, left him in darkness.
“Chief Iddor of Iddor Village, Pig Dock Fagaya, has failed in his duties, embezzled taxes, and worsened the village’s plight. By order of Lady Chloe Grace, Pig Dock is sentenced to 50 lashes and ten years in the dungeon. His partner, Rose, is sentenced to 10 lashes and three years in the dungeon. Does anyone oppose the execution or wish to post bail?”
Pig Dock cast a desperate glance at the villagers. But no one stepped forward for him.
