Donn’s brows knitted tightly as he glared at Su Hong.

This guy… why isn’t he panicking at all? How dare he lecture me so calmly?!

Hmm. That big saber in his hand might look intimidating, but it’s not a Spiritcard Weapon. Right—he must feel zero threat to act this smug!

Beneath his mask, Donn smirked silently.

*Do you think this saber’s just for show? It’s literally meant to scare you, haha!!*

“How dare you act so recklessly! Next second, you’ll end up just like this blade!”

Donn swung the saber horizontally, fingers tracing the glued fracture—then snapped it hard.

Crack!

The blade split with a sharp snap and clattered to the ground.

“Gulp—”

The steward hiding in the corner’s eyes widened. He clamped a hand over his mouth, heart hammering. No wonder the assassin carried an ordinary saber—it was just a prop!

Barehandedly breaking steel? His Spirit Card techniques must be insane!

Hahahaha, let’s see how that kid handles—

He turned to Su Hong… only to freeze. Su Hong wasn’t shaken. His expression was slowly… lighting up with excitement?

???

Just as both steward and Donn stood baffled, Su Hong stretched lazily and began rotating his shoulders.

“Ah, hold on! Just a sec—I’ll be right with you!”

He swung his arms, did a few quick leg stretches.

Initially annoyed at being blocked, Su Hong instantly perked up: *Perfect real-combat practice!*

“What nonsense! Today I’m killing Lia and her grandfather—you either scram, or I take you down too!”

Donn growled low, waving dismissively at Su Hong while secretly stepping on a hidden trigger.

Sharp ice spikes erupted from the ground, scattering toward Su Hong’s feet!

Though weak and deliberately aimed low, Su Hong nimbly hopped back.

*Crack-crackle!* The spikes shattered on impact. Donn snorted. “A warning. Persist, and—”

He flicked his wrist. Flames burst behind him—vanishing instantly—but the steward in the corner flinched hard.

Ice spikes *then* flames?! Two different Spirit Cards?! Switching mid-fight? Using two at once?!

Spirit Card Slots and Cards hidden under the robe—zero readable tells! So skilled! No wonder he’s a pro assassin!

If *I* can’t handle him… how could Su Hong?!

The steward felt clarity—then panic. *If I bolt now… will he see me as a threat?*

(*′□`) What if he casually silences me?!

Trembling, he glanced up—only to lock eyes with the assassin’s glare.

Heavens! He *is* targeting me!! I’m dead!!

The steward shook uncontrollably. Meanwhile, “assassin” Donn was inwardly sweating bullets.

Su Hong showed zero fear… but the pre-set traps were nearly gone!

And the last one? *Of all places*—right under the steward’s feet! Why’s this Chris Guild steward lurking here instead of relaxing at the guild?! Bathroom break?!

And Su Hong… truly fearless? Truly *that* devoted to Lia?

No choice—test further. But if the Chris Guild steward gets hurt… disaster.

Just as Donn hesitated, Su Hong’s expression turned serious.

“Are you a Spirit Cardmaster? Why target Lia?”

Su Hong’s voice stayed calm. Snapping the saber hadn’t raised alarms—but ice *and* fire? He had to take this seriously.

*He’d handle it fine… but what if Lia had been here?*

Lia rarely carried Spirit Cards. She’d be in real danger.

“Why target Lia…? You have no right to ask me!”

“Right? You’ll see soon enough whether I have it.”

Su Hong stepped straight toward Donn—startling him.

*Plan was: he flees or begs for Lia. Not this!*

How could someone so rational charge *into* danger? Was he suicidal?!

Could Lia really mean *this* much to him?!

As Su Hong closed in, Donn retreated step by step, eyes blazing toward the cornered steward.

What kind of test is this?! Why’s that damn steward still hiding there?!

“Retreating? Not attacking? If you don’t strike first… I will.”

Su Hong bent to grab a stone.

But the steward—already panicked by Donn’s glare—*He’s staring right at me! He’s about to kill! If he sees me spying…*

The instant Su Hong bent down, the steward bolted—unaware his foot snagged a tripwire.

BOOM!

The wall exploded. The steward wailed as the blast flung him forward. He didn’t look back, scrambling away in terror.

Debris whizzed past Su Hong’s waist—*that* close.

Donn barely registered it before a chunk of rubble *thudded* against his head, knocking him flat.

Su Hong, still bent over the stone, jolted at the blast.

He straightened up—and froze.

A gaping hole torn in the wall. A ragged figure screaming down the street, fleeing wildly.

And the “arrogant assassin”? Sprawled starfish-style on the ground. Mask crooked. A shard of brick beside his head.

???

Su Hong blinked, utterly lost. *What just happened?*

Where’s my combat practice?! We hadn’t even started—how’d you end up *down*?!