Deep into the night, all was quiet. Dark clouds veiled the moon.
Asleep, Kuber frowned slightly, then snapped his eyes open!
"Flute music? Someone’s playing a flute on the roof?"
"No, wait! This is magical flute music! It has a hypnotic effect."
In the dead of night, standing on someone’s roof playing a flute—definitely up to no good!
Luckily, he had full resistance and feared no hypnotic charms.
Sensing ill intent, Kuber didn’t bother changing clothes. He darted out the window and leaped onto the roof in an instant.
Above, the dark clouds slowly parted. Pure moonlight sprinkled the roof like frost.
A figure clad in black night attire stood there. The eerie, hypnotic flute melody came from him.
Kuber silently crept up behind him. The black-clad man remained unaware, still playing his flute.
"Hey, who are you?"
Kuber patted his shoulder from behind. The flute music stopped abruptly.
The black-clad man slowly turned his head. Kuber finally saw his face.
It was a strange man wearing a black mask.
Crimson characters—【Blood】 and 【Flute】—were carved on it. His pitch-black eyes were wide with shock!
"Agh!!!!"
With a strange cry, the startled assassin performed a flashy backflip. He spun 360 degrees to put distance between them.
Simultaneously, he shot dozens of cross-shaped shurikens. He landed steadily on the opposite roof, gasping heavily while staring intently at Kuber.
"Hello, nice to meet you. I am the Blood Flute Assassin."
The black-clad man pressed his palms together and bowed slightly. For an assassin, basic manners were essential.
"Hello, nice to meet you, Blood Flute Assassin. I’m Coburn William, an adventurer."
Kuber dropped the shurikens he’d caught. He pressed his palms together in greeting. Since the other was polite, he couldn’t be rude.
After greetings, the Blood Flute Assassin roared, "What do you want, kid? You’re not on my assassination list!"
Kuber smiled. "I’m just staying here temporarily. Also, surrender. I have questions to ask."
"Hmph, arrogant! Surrender? We’ll see! Take this!" The Blood Flute Assassin sneered. He pulled out more shurikens, crossed his arms, and threw them hard. Another strange cry escaped him.
"Yaaah!!!!"
The sharp shurikens sliced through the night air. They whistled shrilly, flying at Kuber from all angles.
"Hmph, foolish!"
Kuber stood still, not dodging. His hands blurred with speed. Effortlessly, he caught every shuriken.
The Blood Flute Assassin didn’t panic; he laughed. "Foolish? Hahaha! Look what else is in your hands!"
"What?" Kuber startled. He looked down quickly. Between his fingers, besides shurikens, he held a brown wooden flute. Cracks spread across it. Bright light burst from the fissures. He tried to throw it away—but too late.
Boom!!!!
The flute exploded violently. Flames instantly engulfed Kuber.
"Hahaha, fool! Fool! Fool!"
The Blood Flute Assassin’s maniacal laughter echoed with the blast.
"Oh dear, my pajamas are ruined. This is troublesome."
"Wha—what?!"
The assassin’s heart froze. His laughter died. Flames dissipated. Kuber stood unharmed. He tore off burnt pajama fragments and glared coldly.
Impossible! The Blood Flute Assassin gaped, cold sweat sliding down his brow. His custom explosive flute could shatter a troll on direct hit. Yet this boy was unscathed! Good heavens, what terrifying defense!
Years of assassin instinct screamed: pull out all stops, or die here today.
Without hesitation! He pulled out the ultra-expensive enhancement potion he’d saved three months’ salary for. He gulped it down, then smashed the bottle on the ground.
Crash! Power surged through him! Muscles bulged. His pitch-black eyes turned blood-red from his racing heart.
"Yaaah!!!!"
With a strange cry, the Blood Flute Assassin didn’t attack. He chose to flee without dignity!
His dark figure dashed across roofs at unimaginable speed. He leaped and vanished into the night!
What the hell? He ran away just like that?
Kuber was dumbfounded. He’d thought the assassin would fight after drinking the potion. Who knew he was so sneaky—using it just to escape!
