Master Assassin of the Ronan

Chapter 29: Invitation to the Black Dream Forest (2)

Rubin supported Fyure down the stairs.

The spider started to follow him.

Ssshaa! Ssshaa!

The spider’s hiss held a clear aggression, yet Rubin ignored it.

He entered Fyure’s room, laid her down, and immediately stepped back outside.

“Rubin, that spider seems really angry. Should we kill it? Is that the point of this test?”

‘If we kill it, things will get serious. Even Mother would struggle to manage the aftermath.’

Rubin stood in front of the spider, lowering his arms to signal that he had no intent to resist.

Then, in the spider’s large eyes, dotted with countless grains, a subtle change appeared.

The spider understood that the invitation had been accepted.

Sssssssss.

The spider began to spin silk toward Rubin, aiming for his left wrist.

The emitted thread wrapped only part of his wrist, eventually forming a thick bracelet-like band.

Ssshaa, Ssshaa.

The spider, having stopped its spinning, raised its two front legs and waved them.

With that, it was over.

The spider turned and approached the window.

Watching the spider disappear into the darkness, Rubin steadied his legs.

He needed to.

For one second, his mind blurred, and in the next, clarity returned.

The change, driven by the effect of the thread wrapped around his wrist, continued for a while.

He lifted his left arm to examine his wrist.

The spider’s thread briefly prickled sharply as if spikes were emerging, then gently settled back down.

Simultaneously, his dizziness vanished completely.

“It’s time.”

At some point, Seiren had come to his side.

Decades ago, she had undergone the exact same ritual.

Thus, she understood well what the spider thread coiled around Rubin’s wrist represented.

“The other families must be receiving their invitations too.”

At her words, someone emerged from the shadows behind them.

It was Daemon, a loyal retainer.

“I’ll prepare for the move to the testing grounds at dawn.”

“See that everything is ready without issue.”

Without further words, Seiren turned and left, and Daemon followed immediately after.

– Rubin, I still can’t guess how this test will unfold.

It was Haneke.

Rubin explained calmly.

‘Since we accepted the invitation, we need to go meet the host. The queen of those spiders we saw a moment ago.’

Yet, no matter how he explained, anyone outside the Assassin Blade Family would struggle to understand.

– Seeing crow eggs on tree branches wasn’t normal, so whatever this is, it’s definitely not ordinary.

Haneke’s words carried more anticipation than concern for Rubin.

The next day.

Sssssss.

Rubin looked at the thick spider thread wrapped around his left wrist. Just like before, it alternated between rising sharply and calming down.

‘The closer we got to the test site, the stronger the grip around my wrist became.’

He recalled his previous life.

Back then, he’d been so intimidated by the thread’s tightening that he’d nearly thought of cutting off his wrist.

But the spider thread would never sever his wrist.

The tightening grip on his wrist signified that they were nearing the test site.

‘We’re almost there.’

Rubin, Seiren, and dozens of retainers from the main family were mounted on Granbirds.

This time, Granbirds managed by the Imperial Edict Office had been dispatched.

Several Roincrows were following behind them, led by Roho at the front.

The red-eyed Roincrow called out as if to announce their arrival.

Caw!

At the same time, the spider thread wrapped around Rubin’s wrist stopped its previous rhythmic movements.

“We will descend now.”

Daemon raised his hand, signaling the family’s assassins.

As the command from the trusted retainer was given, dozens of the family’s assassins on the Granbirds jumped down in unison.

The Roincrows broke formation and scattered, moving toward their falling masters.

“Descend.”

With a tone devoid of affection, Seiren herself leaped into the air.

Roho, who had been hovering in the sky, followed her down quickly.

“I’ll assist you, young master.”

Without a Roincrow of his own yet, Rubin received the assistance of Daemon’s Roincrow.

Rubin climbed onto its back, and Daemon grabbed his legs to keep him secure.

“The heirs of the other families should arrive around evening.”

After landing safely, Daemon spoke as Rubin dismounted from the Roincrow.

Unlike the Ronan Family, who arrived at the test site in just half a day, the other branch families would take longer to join.

Only the Ronan Family had the privilege of using Granbirds to reach the test site.

Upon arrival, the retainers of the main family busied themselves with preparations.

They arranged the banquet set to take place before the test and readied the accommodations for the family heads.

Behind the banquet building, where retainers moved back and forth, lay a dense forest filled with tall trees.

Something about it drew their gaze.

“Do you see that forest?”

Daemon pointed toward it.

“I see it. It’s quite eerie.”

“That’s where the second test will take place.”

He already knew.

Having taken the same test once before, there was no mistaking it.

Rubin wasn’t surprised or afraid.

“From the outside, it looks like an ordinary forest… but it’s far more horrific.”

He knew well.

Compared to the place known as the Black Dream Forest, the first selection test was nothing more than a playground.

“I’m sure you have many questions about the place. But I apologize, young master; I can’t say anything more by the rules.”

“In any case, it’s good to be first, right?”

Rubin feigned ignorance and asked.

“Yes. Just as in the first selection, there are rewards for high performance this time as well.”

In terms of rewards, this test promised more than the first selection.

It was here that life-altering ‘choices’ in an assassin’s life were offered.

Just then, the sound of hooves echoed from the direction opposite the Black Dream Forest.

“Young Master Rubin, it seems a family has arrived earlier than expected.”

Two carriages drawn by black horses appeared side by side.

Their family heads and retainers’ Roincrows circled overhead as if guarding the carriages.

Caw!

‘Ah, that family is situated near the Black Dream Forest.’

It came to mind belatedly.

Located close enough to arrive early, this family could indeed make it within half a day, even by carriage.

Rubin waited for them to reveal themselves from the carriage.

Eventually, the head of the leading carriage stepped out first, followed by the participant for this test who emerged from the second carriage.

‘What on earth happened?’

The thought struck him the moment he saw her.

Rubin was startled at the sight of Blane Krieger, the eldest daughter of the Krieger Family, due to her changed appearance over the last two years.

It wasn’t simply that she’d grown.

In addition to her matured figure, her body bore other transformations.

‘Did she get burned? It’s not a small wound.’

Was it fortunate that the burn had spared her face?

The scar began at her neck, running down her left arm, and ending at her forearm.

‘Blane’s scar is different from my previous life.’

In his past life, Blane had never suffered a burn.

This meant that Blane’s scar was a new development stemming from the changes Rubin had made after returning.

“I greet the family head.”

When Seiren emerged from the banquet hall, the Krieger family head bowed. Blane also followed suit.

“Welcome, Blane Krieger.”

As Seiren greeted the Krieger family head, Rubin approached Blane.

Blane Krieger, along with Hamil Kunitli, was one of the only two female participants among the family heirs.

Rubin remembered Blane as a skilled assassin.

Unlike Hamil, who had met an early death despite her talents, Blane had carved out her own path.

She had reached six stars, if he recalled correctly.

“…Yes.”

Blane responded reluctantly, almost mumbling.

She had once been a lively child.

Perhaps the unknown reason behind her burn scar over the past two years had changed her personality as well.

Blane kept her head down and fidgeted around the area.

Rubin noticed the faint hint of anger in the Krieger family head’s gaze as he looked at his daughter.

“Blane, go inside.”

At the head’s order, Blane returned to the carriage.

‘The future has changed. I wonder if Hamil or Kun have also been affected.’

Seeing Blane made him wonder if there had been any changes in the others as well.

It was his first realization that not everything would play out the same as before his return.

Minor differences stemming from Rubin’s deliberate actions could cause significant effects.

‘Thinking of it another way, something positive could come out of this.’

For instance, Kun’s jealousy and hatred toward him might lessen, or Hamil might overcome her fate and come to follow him.

“……”

But regrettably, Kun was the same.

No, it wasn’t that there were no changes at all.

In fact, Kun resented Rubin even more than before.

When in others’ view, Kun greeted him pleasantly, but as soon as no one was watching, Kun once again radiated piercing hatred.

Without hesitation, Kun glared at Rubin, clenching his teeth.

“I have a good feeling this time, like I can finally end the noble Ronan bloodline.”

“Such pleasant words upon our meeting. I must say, I appreciate your consistency.”

“You’re the one who’s consistent, arrogant brat.”

With that, Kun took a step toward Rubin.

Rubin had known he’d been devoting himself to training over the past two years, but it was more than he expected.

Kun’s body had grown much stronger.

Dark Ripple flowed naturally within him.

The question was how well he could control and utilize it.

“Rubin, you know? I had a nightmare last night.”

Kun spoke calmly.

“A dream of cutting off your arm.”

“How is that a nightmare? Sounds like a pleasant dream for you.”

“No. Until now, I’d only ever dreamed of cutting off your head.”

“Of course.”

Just then, Hamil, who had just arrived, entered the banquet hall.

Ignoring Kun, Rubin stood and waved at her.

“Hamil!”

“You acting all concerned for others as if you’re someone important is sickening.”

“Kun, now that Hamil’s here, are you going to keep barking like a stray dog?”

“I don’t care about some weak girl. Do I have to pretend to be nice in front of the weak?”

Seeing Kun growl, Hamil approached with a look of disdain.

“You’re the same. I thought you’d have matured a bit over these two years.”

“Weaklings are just weaklings, whether two or ten years pass. Don’t tell me you think we’re friends?”

“A certain level of respect is required even between non-friends.”

“Hey, remember this. If I get the chance, I’ll crush anyone. Including the esteemed Rubin Ronan.”

Suit yourself.

Rubin shrugged lightly.

Hamil sat to Rubin’s right.

It was clear at a glance.

Like Kun, she, too, had undoubtedly trained rigorously over the past two years.

‘Hamil has also awakened Dark Ripple. It’s still faint, but she’s definitely advanced sooner than expected.’

As they made eye contact, Hamil offered a slight bow.

“How have you been, young master?”

Her greeting held both respect and warmth, and Rubin nodded with a smile.

Hamil, however, barely acknowledged Kun with a glance.

‘If I get the chance, I should look for a way to save Hamil.’

Hamil, who died on her first mission due to poison traps.

Rubin had never forgotten that fact.

Any talent that could be saved should be saved.

Only then could he achieve revenge against the emperor.

“In these two years, it seems everyone has been sleeping well.”

Kun sneered as he glanced at the other participants.

It was typical of Kun, but he quickly changed his tone upon seeing Blane.

“Though, maybe not everyone.”

He was referring to Blane’s visible scar.

Hamil, who was about to chastise Kun, paused when she saw Blane.

“Why don’t you shut that filthy mouth of yours…”

Even among the children of the Assassin Blade Family, who grew up under a brutal family discipline, Blane’s injury was not something they could take lightly.

As if conscious of the attention directed at her, Blane lowered her head even further.