Chapter 174: The Nights Banquet (3)

A white mask engraved with geometric patterns.

It was the mask symbolizing Unknown.

What is this?

Ellis scanned the surroundings.

Everyone was too busy trying to catch the attention of the different powers, so no one paid mind to this side.

It seemed as though the empire and its smaller factions, including Penheimer, were eagerly looking for opportunities, but because of mutual checks and balancesor perhaps due to saving facethey did not openly approach.

Dont worry. Ive also put up a barrier to block the view.

Youre thorough. So, what do you want me to do with this?

Just wear that mask and approach the side of the Murim.

Jinhyuk nodded towards one of the Murim residents.

A man in his early forties, with a solid build.

At first glance, he was clearly a master with uncommon internal energy.

That man?

Yes. The leader of the Heukfenghoe (), Yang Homoeng.

The status window of the guy appraised through Eyes of Gluttony and the copy conditions were a perfect prey.

Name: Yang Homoeng

Gender: Male

Age: 43

Level: 65

Strength 35 Agility 45 Stamina 26 Magic Power 11 Internal Energy 58

Occupation: Martial Artist

Unique Ability: Heukcheongong ()

Skills: Lv13 Heukhosin Fist (), Lv13 Heukcheon Step (), Lv13 Bodyguard Energy, Lv11 Blood Snake Shura Palm ()

[Copy Condition: Although Yang Homoeng is fairly proficient in martial arts, he holds a low status compared to his skills. Homoeng is desperate to make a name for himself. If you make him an offer enticing enough and receive an invitation to his base, you can copy one of his unique abilities or skills.]

Its a common tale.

A life despised, excluded from the mainstream groups simply because of being from a collateral branch.

Yang Homoeng, filled with a sense of inferiority, was in many ways an easy target.

And if I put Ellis in this mission it will expand the activity radius of Unknown.

Lately, more people are trying to track down the activities of Unknown.

Ellis, able to freely adjust his size through magic, could take on that role.

In short, if he could simply wear the mask and act well enough, anyone could become Unknown.

No need to bother editing skills or unique abilities.

Elliss skills were quite eye-catching, so using that as the concept would be enough.

Since he could also copy new abilities, there was no loss in this for them.

The consideration was brief.

Jinhyuk spoke again.

Tell him you can reveal the final secret of the Chuhon Sword. Claim youve got your hands on a secret manual written by Chuhon Sayoung himself.

Chuhon Sayoung? You mean that original Sword Saint?

Right, that guy. You know characters from Murim?

Ive heard the name at least. I didnt live with my head buried in the sand.

Chuhon Sayoung was known as the Sword Saint in Murim, the founder of the Chuhon Sword.

A sect leader from the evil faction capable of splitting mountains with a single sword stroke.

A secret manual from such a legendary figure could certainly make Young Homoeng deeply interested.

But, do you really have it? That manual?

Ellis asked, as if genuinely surprised.

Of course.

If I had such a thing, I would have used it against Chun Yuseong. You think I would just save it?

Especially since Chun Yuseong was so desperate to master the Chuhon Sword.

With just one manual, Jinhyuk could create a second obedient follower.

In the end it means youre planning a scam again.

A scam? I am actually going to bring a book written by the Sword Saint.

Although it might differ from what Homoeng is expecting.

Nevertheless, it was technically true that it was written by the Sword Saint.

First, listen to this. If you say it like this, hell bite for sure.

Jinhyuk whispered the detailed plan to Elliss ear.

Elliss pupils shrank and expanded repeatedly.

And after a few minutes passed.

Sigh. Im really glad I made a deal with you.

Ellis let out a long sigh of relief.

Huh? What do you mean?

I mean, if I met you as an enemy and suffered like the others, Id probably have died of a rage-induced illness.

Any revenge on the other heads of houses, if it had mattered.

Honor for the Ataraxia family name, et cetera.

He would have collapsed from high blood pressure first.

Damn it.

The leader of Heukfenghoe, where only the elite fighters of the martial world gathered.

A master in martial arts, ranked among the best even within Murim.

A strong contender against any faction, whether the Martial Alliance or the demonic cults.

All these titles were what supported the man known as Yang Homoeng.

But.

Yang Homoeng thought it was all in vain.

No matter how brilliant the skill, there was a limit to how high you could climb with the status of a collateral branch.

No amount of desperate struggle would change his station.

Thats why I get tasked with these trifles.

Yang Homoengs face twisted bitterly.

To clean up the mess left by Moyong Soo.

To recruit decent-looking rookies from among futile things for that very reason.

If things had turned out this way, I might have been better off going head to head with the castoffs of the empire

True martial artists should establish their power through force.

Half-heartedly engaging in schemes and not fighting properly, has the battle already tilted without a fight?

Tch.

His annoyance grew as he mulled over these thoughts.

Even after downing an entire glass of strong liquor, it was hard to quell the rage boiling inside him.

Then just then.

Someone approached.

From Yang Homoengs perspective, who was annoyed with everything, an unpleasant voice was inevitable.

Bang!

The glass clashed loudly on the table.

I should be with my drink, if youre interested in us, you could just talk to that pretty-faced idiot from the Nangong family over there.

Yang Homoeng waved his hand without even looking.

His gaze stayed fixed on the liquor bottle gurgling as it filled his glass.

However, the words that came from the other person caught his attention.

Im not interested in someone who looks so fragile and weak.

Yang Homoengs brows knitted fiercely.

What did you say?

Im interested in someone with decent skills.

You bastard! Do you even realize what nonsense you are spewing!

No matter what they say about the Nangong family being fools,

They dont have the right to insult them like that.

Already in a bad mood, he struck gold.

He could easily suffocate this insolent person just by slightly releasing his internal energy.

With this thought, Yang Homoeng looked at his opponent.

You Who are you?

His pupils quaked like an earthquake.

In his shock, he spilled his liquor, but he couldnt afford to be worried about that.

How could he not recognize one of the players that everyone in the midway faction had been frantically searching for?

Unknown

Thats right. Thats what Im called.

Ellis nodded her head while wearing the white mask.

She had altered her voice using a barrier, so Yang Homoeng didnt even suspect that Ellis was a woman.

Surely I didnt see you at the labyrinth. When did you get here?

I was slightly late. Ive no interest in trivial public achievements. Anyway, its not too hard to choose a faction.

Ellis shrugged nonchalantly.

Proud and aloof.

Unknown was a character who didnt pay much attention to others but drew everyones attention nonetheless.

And there was no one better than Ellis to play this character.

Even gods would relent to her in terms of pride.

Indeed It doesnt seem fake.

Yang Homoeng narrowed his eyes.

Judging by his internal energy, the opponent was undoubtedly a strong person.

At a glance, his magic power was boundless, definitely not the act of an average person.

There were suspicions that Kang Jinhyuk and Unknown were the same person, but obviously, that was just a rumor.

He could see that detestable guy sipping champagne at the next table.

At least they were not the same person.

Then

This was an opportunity.

Unknown is one of the few players who could potentially compete with Kang Jinhyuk.

If he could pull such Unknown to their side

Perhaps Murim would start to view him differently.

Not just that.

In the worst-case scenario, he could receive a huge reward for this achievement.

It might even transcend the boundary of his branch family status and attain something greater.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Yang Homoengs voice softened.

I apologize. As you may know, things arent going so well for us lately.

I understand. But dont be too disappointed. After all, I came here just for you, floundering in hell.

Ellis calmly sat down next to Yang Homoeng.

If theres something you want to say Please get straight to the point. Playing games isnt my style.

I like the directness. To be honest, theres only one thing I want to propose.

Ellis pulled out an old-looking scripture from his possession.

A secret manual written by the Sword Saint. Id like to exchange this for Precelestial True Energy Preservation Pill.

That, that is!

Yang Homoengs reaction was incomparable to when he first saw Ellis.

It was inevitable.

The last conclusion of the Chuhon Sword mentioned in the legendary secret manual.

Even that single book could potentially turn all of Murim into a sea of blood.

The Precelestial True Energy Preservation Pill is valuable, but not comparable to that.

An opportunity that must be seized at all costs had presented itself before Yang Homoeng.

Why are you over there?

Is that Jinhyuk over there?

Chun Yuseong and Theresa tilted their heads as they looked at the white mask.

Knowing the true identity of Unknown, they immediately sensed that the person with Yang Homoeng was not Jinhyuk.

Ah that?

Jinhyuk scratched his cheek.

Hmm

How should he explain this?

Im just rubbing salt in the wound right now.

And doing so quite liberally with coarse sea salt.

The concerned party was unaware of the pain they would endure, so he must be feeling like hes in heaven right now.

Though it will only last for a moment.

Curious? Should I explain it in detail?

No need. You must be planning some absurd thing again.

Chun Yuseong frowned.

As if he didnt want to know the details at all.

What about you, Jinhyuk? Have you decided which faction youll contract with?

Contract

Right, that existed.

The core of this masquerade ball was to decide which faction to ally with.

Depending on that, it would determine how quickly and effectively he could ascend the mid layers of the tower.

And Jinhyuk had already made his decision.

At that moment.

[All players and residents, please begin your selection now.]

Rick, who was on the second floor, used his voice amplification magic.

Enough tiptoeing aroundtime to make a decision.

With Ricks announcement, the atmosphere in the room shifted.

The laughter and chatter vanished in an instant, replaced by a thick tension.

And.

As one might expect, there was one place where attention was particularly focused.

Step.

Slide.

Thud!

As if on cue, multiple footsteps headed in one direction.

Seven in total

More than I expected.

Jinhyuks smirk grew.