The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

As he gazed at the countless glowing eyes filled with bloodlust at the edge of the forest, the village head felt his strength drain away.

"What is this...?"

Those were mutated beasts, far more than what had been in the clearing. Even from this distance, he could feel the oppressive pressure they exuded... they were different.

"ROAR!"

Their collective roar tore through the air, splitting ears and shaking bone.

A chill ran through the warriors as every gaze snapped toward the forest’s edge. Their expressions paling the instant they caught sight of those countless glowing eyes.

"I-incoming! Gather! Formation, now!"

The village head’s voice ripped out. The warriors and elders moved instantly, closing ranks around him as they formed a tight defensive line.

Weapons rose, shields locking together to cover their entire front.

The next instant, the beasts surged out, pouring from the forest like a flood. As they broke free of the shadows, the warriors finally saw them clearly.

They were larger than any they had faced so far, their bodies radiating a suffocating pressure. Yet that wasn’t what froze the villagers to the bone. No... it was the sight before them, steel-like skin along one half of their bodies, while the other half burned with raging flames. Fire...

The village head’s eyes trembled in disbelief.

"T-two elements—!"

So what Jenna had seen... had been true!?

He forced himself back to his senses as the beasts closed the distance.

"Brace!"

They hit like a crashing wave. The impact was overwhelming, bodies slamming into the formation with brutal force, instantly sending many warriors sprawling.

The line held for only a fleeting moment before it shattered, men and shields alike flung aside like ragdolls.

"Hurk!"

The village head hit the ground hard, the breath forced from his lungs, and immediately twisted to look back at the battlefield.

What greeted him was pure chaos. Flames poured from the beasts, sweeping across the clearing and turning it into a raging sea of fire.

"Argg! Fire! Fire!"

"It’s too hot!"

"Shield up—don’t break formation!"

"I can’t hold it—!"

"Stay together! Stay—!"

Warriors were caught in the blaze, their screams tearing through the air. Each swing of the beasts’ claws sent men flying.

The village head’s gaze trembled as he took it all in.

"This..."

This was far beyond them. There was no path to victory here. His teeth clenched as a wave of regret surged through him. Everything happening right now... it was his fault. He should have been more cautious.

’We have to escape.’

His eyes moved frantically across the battlefield, searching through the chaos. Then, a frown crept onto his face.

"Guren...?"

He scanned every corner, but there was no sign of his son.

Just as unease began to settle deeper in his chest, a deafening roar split the air as one of the mutated beasts broke away and charged straight toward him.

...

Perched atop the crown of a tall tree, Dune observed the entire scene with an indifferent gaze.

’It should be over now.’

Though the thought passed through his mind with certainty, there was a faint trace of pity beneath it, but he barely acknowledged it.

The villagers meant nothing to him, yet watching a group of helpless people be slaughtered for the sake of a single man’s research carried a certain weight.

Especially...

A subtle shift passed through his eyes as he sensed someone approaching. A moment later, the very boy the village head had been searching for, Guren, stepped onto the crown of the tree and immediately lowered himself into a bow.

"...my lord."

Every trace of the confidence and ease he usually carried before the villagers was gone. His posture was lowered, his voice restrained, his entire demeanor steeped in reverence, like an obedient puppy that had finally found its master.

Dune gave him a brief glance, then shook his head inwardly. It was one thing for outsiders to use them as specimens, and another for one of their own to be the one facilitating it.

But such was the nature of the world they lived in. A world ruled by power, where lineages and blood would tear each other apart for the sake of strength.

Guren was no exception. With a mediocre talent, he had sold his entire lineage for the chance to rise.

Dune hadn’t even needed to bind him with a contract rune; the excitement in the boy’s eyes had been enough.

Even now, Dune felt a faint trace of disgust stir within him, though he quickly suppressed it.

"You delivered the villagers, as promised. Good."

"It’s nothing, my lord. If you need anything else... just say the word."

Guren replied without the slightest hint of remorse. Instead, there was a restless excitement in his gaze.

"...There are still women and children in the village. If you want, I can bring them too."

"You..."

A flicker of surprise passed through Dune’s eyes before settling into something colder. This one... there was nothing redeemable about him. He shook his head.

"That won’t be necessary. I’ll let you know when we need more."

"...yes, my lord." Guren responded at once, but a moment later, he raised his head again, an eager look creeping onto his face.

"...my lord... since I fulfilled my promise... could I have some...?"

Tch.

With a click of his tongue, Dune flicked out a vial and tossed it over. It struck the crown, bounced once, then slipped past the branches, falling from the tree.

Guren’s eyes lit up instantly, greed flooding his gaze as he lunged after it without hesitation.

Dune watched him go, then shook his head faintly.

’Fool.’

That elixir was the very thing that had driven Guren to betray his entire family. Though it could temporarily elevate one’s rank, the backlash was severe. At Guren’s current stage, using it would only hasten his end. He was truly a fool.

Dune’s attention shifted back to the battlefield. Most of the warriors were already broken, barely able to stand.

Even the village head was covered in burns and wounds, his body on the verge of collapse.

It was over.

Then, a tremor ran beneath his feet.

"Hm?"

Dune’s gaze dropped. The tree he stood on... was shaking. His brows drew together slightly. It wasn’t just this one. All around, trees, branches, even the leaves themselves trembled as though stirred by something unseen.