The sonic ghost generals surging from the assassins' instrument were vicious, their spectral blades cutting through the air with a menacing hum.
Fenric didn't even flinch.
After all, I've read the original story. These two may look impressive, but in reality, their sonic attacks are nothing but flashy tricks.
For ordinary people, these sound waves would be deadly. But to Fenric, they were nothing.
With a calm expression, he raised his hand, slightly increasing the output of his mental energy.
The fierce sonic ghost generals shattered instantly, torn apart as if they were fragile smoke.
The sheer force of the psychic shockwave nearly drove the two assassins to their knees.
"What… what kind of power is this!?" one of them gasped.
"This isn't… sonic power. It's something else entirely!"
Fenric's cold snort silenced them.
"Even the Fire Cloud almost died in my hands. And you two dare to try and assassinate me?"
"!!!"
Hearing that name, both assassins—Heavenly Defect and Earthly Cripple—turned pale as death. Their fingers froze on the strings.
"Spare us! Spare us, Master Shura! Spare our lives!" they begged in unison, terror-stricken.
Fenric's tone was flat. "Where is the leader of the Axe Gang?"
"Just… just behind you! In that building!" Heavenly Defect blurted out without hesitation.
For assassins, loyalty was meaningless when their own lives were on the line. They sold out their employer without a second thought.
Fenric turned his gaze to the building across the street.
His sharp eyes easily spotted two familiar heads peeking out from a fourth-floor window—Brother Sum and Shiye, secretly watching.
A faint smile curved Fenric's lips. He raised his hand and waved casually toward the window, as if greeting them.
Then, without sparing another glance at the assassins, he strode toward the building.
Behind him, the two assassins suddenly convulsed, their necks twisting unnaturally before they collapsed lifelessly on the ground.
In the original plot, the landlady and landlord had spared these assassins after defeating them.
But Fenric wasn't that merciful.
If you dare to try killing me, be prepared to die.
Besides, these two had probably murdered countless people. To Fenric, their deaths weren't unjust.
Inside the building, on the fourth floor.
Brother Sum and Shiye's smug expressions turned to horror the moment Fenric waved at them.
"We're done for! He saw us! Brother Sum, let's run!" Shiye panicked and rushed toward the door.
CRASH!
The sound of glass shattering behind him froze him in his tracks.
"B… Brother Sum?" he stammered, turning back.
The rest of his words stuck in his throat.
There was already someone new in the room.
Fenric sat casually on a chair beside Brother Sum, one hand resting firmly on the gang leader's shoulder.
Shiye knew Sum's temper well. Brother Sum hated anyone touching his shoulders—whoever dared usually ended up with an axe buried in their skull.
But right now, Brother Sum didn't even twitch. His entire body was trembling, sweat pouring down his face.
A cool breeze blew through the shattered window. Shiye's back went cold, though he couldn't tell if it was from the wind or pure fear.
Broken glass littered the floor, evidence that Fenric had simply jumped in through the fourth-floor window.
The atmosphere in the room was suffocating.
"Shiye, why are you just standing there? Come sit," Fenric said at last, his calm voice cutting through the tension.
"Y-Yes! Right away!"
Shiye scrambled to the table, forcing a flattering smile as he sat down, barely daring to breathe. His posture was as stiff as a servant waiting for punishment.
Fenric poured tea into three cups. "You know, since I became the Second Master of the Axe Gang, the three of us have never sat down for tea together."
Brother Sum forced a dry laugh but said nothing. Luckily, Shiye's quick wit saved the moment.
"If Second Master wants tea, we'll have tea every day! It would be our honor," he said hastily.
Fenric smiled faintly.
"I have the time. But I'm afraid Brother Sum won't have any."
Sum's face turned ashen. Shiye immediately dropped his gaze, not daring to speak another word.
Brother Sum was no fool—he understood exactly what Fenric meant. He was holding a gun at his side, but he didn't even have the courage to draw it.
Even explosives couldn't hurt this monster. What good would a gun do?
"Brother Sum," Fenric began, his voice calm but razor-sharp, "I told you before—I'm not interested in your position. So why arrange this little assassination game today? Do I have to die for you to sleep peacefully?"
Sum's mind screamed: Yes! If you're alive, I'll never sleep well!
But the words died in his throat.
Fenric's tone turned cold.
"Did you really think you could force my hand like this?"
Fenric turned to Shiye.
"From now on, I'm the leader of the Axe Gang. You're the Second Master. You'll handle the day-to-day matters—but no one disobeys my orders. Understand?"
Shiye hesitated only for a moment, glancing at the terrified Sum. Gritting his teeth, he bowed deeply.
"Understood, Leader! I will follow you without question from now on!"
"Good. The wise know when to bend."
Fenric smiled and placed his hand gently on Brother Sum's forehead.
"Wait, no—" Sum's plea was cut short.
A sharp crack echoed as Sum collapsed to the floor, blood seeping from a neat hole in his forehead.
Fenric stood, his voice calm as he addressed Shiye.
"Clean this up, Shiye. As long as you remain obedient, I'll let the past go. But if this happens again… you can have tea with Brother Sum again."
With that, Fenric turned and left the room, leaving Shiye trembling in fear.
The Axe Gang had a new leader.
The news spread like wildfire across SH City.
Rumors circulated that the new leader, once the Second Master, seized power by killing the infamous Brother Sum with his own hands.
Brother Sum's name had long been feared throughout SH City—even children knew of his cruelty.
But now, that cruel man was dead. And the man who killed him was known as Shura.
System Notification:
"Your fame +1, current task progress: 22,3175 / 10,000."
"Your fame +1, current task progress: 22,3176 / 10,000."
"Your fame +1, current task progress: 22,3177 / 10,000."
