Part 4: Regrets (5)

Aiden was having lunch with Carl, Lyra, and Lucy.

The conversation was primarily led by Carl.

Carl was ecstatic, mentioning how the tavern was flourishing lately.

Regulars were increasing, and those regulars were bringing in more regulars.

He confessed that he’d poured all his retirement funds into Lucy’s academy tuition and had been deeply worried, but…

It seemed those worries were unfounded.

“This is all thanks to you. You’re our lucky charm, you know? Ever since you showed up, everything’s been going smoothly.”

Carl chuckled heartily.

Lyra chimed in with agreement.

Aiden simply nodded in response.

It wasn’t entirely untrue.

The situation they were in now stemmed from the chaos caused—intentional or not—by Mugin, the raven who always accompanied Aiden.

“Ta-da! Look at this!” Lucy, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke up.

She pulled out a recommendation letter from the Mage Branch from her pocket and showed it off.

“I got my admission pass for the entrance exam! The branch manager said I have talent for magic!”

“Congratulations, Lucy!”

“I knew you could do it!”

Carl and Lyra beamed with joy.

Since Lucy hadn’t mentioned the results earlier, they had assumed she’d failed. But that wasn’t the case.

“When’s the academy enrollment?”

“In a month. I think we can leave about two weeks beforehand.”

“And you’ve got enough for the tuition?”

“Yes, it’s exactly the amount you looked into, Father.”

“Phew, that’s a relief. Still, it’s sad to think we’ll only have two weeks left with you.”

“It’s not like I’m leaving forever. I’ll visit every break!”

“Promise me you will.”

“I promise.”

As the family of three shared their warm conversation, Aiden silently listened.

Not long ago, when the three of them talked, Aiden had felt like an outsider—a third wheel. But lately, that feeling had dissipated.

Now, he felt a subtle sense of belonging with the trio.

It was a small but significant change.

Lucy headed outside to train her magic.

Lyra went to the kitchen to tidy up.

That left only Carl and Aiden at the table.

“Anything unusual at the branch? I heard the branch manager there is quite the money-grubber…”

“You knew about that?”

“Had a rough idea.”

“You’re right. He asked for gold in exchange for the recommendation letter.”

“So, what did you do?”

“I taught him a lesson.”

“You taught a lesson to a 3rd-class mage? Is that even possible?”

Carl stared in shock.

A 3rd-class mage was as strong as a Sword Expert among knights. Challenging one recklessly could easily get someone killed.

There was a common rumor that mages were weak in close combat and could be taken down with a surprise attack. But against higher-class mages, even that was unlikely.

Mages were fully aware of their weaknesses and prepared accordingly.

They used artifacts or memorized simple attack and defense spells in advance.

“It wasn’t much.”

“How strong are you, really? Could you take on a Sword Master?”

“……”

Aiden remained silent, thinking Carl’s imagination was laughably limited.

The weakest foe Aiden had fought recently was none other than Astaroth, the 29th-ranked high demon.

“Have you received your citizen ID?”

“Yes, here it is.”

Aiden took out his Centum citizen ID and showed it to Carl.

“Getting that ID really makes it feel like you belong here. So, what’s your plan now?”

“I’m planning to look for a job.”

Aiden’s response was quick.

The retirement directives his master had given him included three major instructions.

The first was to reveal his real name and face, which he had been dutifully following.

The second was to make ten friends. He was already working on that by getting close to Lucy and pondering deeply about the meaning of friendship.

And the third directive was to experience thirty different professions.

His master had likely designed this task to help Aiden regain a sense of normalcy through non-assassination-related work.

It was time to tackle the third directive.

“You don’t need to look far for that, you know.”

“You mean working at the tavern?”

“Sharp as ever. With business booming and Lucy leaving, we’ll be short-staffed. I trust you could handle the job.”

“Alright. Let’s discuss the pay.”

“I’ll provide room and board and pay you 5 gold coins. How about it? Tempting, right?”

“Make it 15 gold coins.”

“Fifteen?! Are you trying to bleed me dry?”

Carl’s eyes widened in shock as if they might pop out.

“That’s the minimum I’m willing to accept.”

Aiden didn’t even blink. He was entirely serious.

Money wasn’t important to him. He had enough wealth to last a lifetime.

But the reason he demanded such a high wage was simple: he was confident his abilities—regardless of the task—were unmatched.

“You’ve saved my life more than once, and I’m grateful. But can’t you cut me some slack here?”

“Fifteen gold coins is my final offer.”

“Are you planning to demand such high wages for every job you take?”

“Whatever the work, I’ll ask for at least double what others earn.”

“Ugh, this is giving me a headache.”

Carl sighed deeply, realizing he couldn’t persuade Aiden.

After asking for a moment, Carl went to the kitchen and returned.

He’d consulted Lyra.

“Fine. Fifteen gold coins it is. I can’t be stingy with the man who saved my life. You’ll start once Lucy leaves.”

“Deal.”

Aiden agreed readily.

The retired assassin had just become the highest-paid tavern worker on the continent.

*  *  *

Aiden was reflecting on the events of the day.

First, he had received his resident pass.

With this, Aiden officially became a citizen of Centum. He had been reassigned to a new affiliation, no longer part of the Thieves Guild.

Second, there was the commotion at the Mage Branch.

Aiden had thoroughly humbled the vile branch manager.

It was part of his effort to live an ordinary life—a life untainted by assassination.

The rules for such a life were simple: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

He hadn’t killed the branch manager.

Nor had he harmed any members of the association who backed the man.

In the process, though unintentionally, he had exposed Horatus’ staff. But it didn’t matter.

The branch manager wouldn’t dare utter a word about Aiden’s identity. And even if he did, no one would believe him.

‘Horatus… That wretched old man.’

Aiden chuckled bitterly as he thought of Horatus, once known as the Great Sage.

The revered 8th-class mage had been a snake in the grass.

He had secretly researched forbidden immortality magic.

He sought to enslave demons.

And he had taken the lives of innocent people.

He deserved his fate.

One day, when Lucy grew strong enough, Aiden considered giving her Horatus’ staff, albeit slightly modified.

There was no real loss to him in doing so.

After all, Aiden possessed the power to absorb the abilities of those he killed.

He also kept countless relics left behind by the deceased in a subspace.

This was why his master had often called him:

‘The Treasure Vault of the Dead.’

Finally, Aiden thought about the incident at the dessert shop.

It was the most striking experience of the day.

For the first time, Aiden had awakened to the joys of food.

He realized that food could bring happiness and carry meaning.

Even now, Aiden couldn’t shake the turmoil in his heart.

His eyes kept darting to the small dining table in his bedroom.

He had bought a pecan pie for Mugin, yet he found himself wanting to eat it instead.

It was the first time in his life as an assassin that he’d ever felt such greed for food.

Step. Step.

Aiden walked over to the table, crossing his arms as he stood before it.

He stared down at the pecan pie.

A tense standoff ensued between Aiden and the pie.

If his master were here to see him now, he’d probably laugh until he cried.

After much deliberation, Aiden picked up the pie and brought it to his mouth.

The pecans crunched, and the crust crumbled in his mouth.

A rich nuttiness and faint sweetness intertwined harmoniously.

For the first time, Aiden granted himself absolution.

He allowed himself to be indulgent.

‘I’m not an assassin anymore.’

*  *  *

On the outskirts of Centum…

In a desolate, dark alley, the raven Mugin perched in silence.

Across from Mugin stood a yellow tabby cat, Cheese.

“All right, let’s start training again. Ready?”

“Nyaaaooow!”

Cheese’s response was enthusiastic.

Mugin slowly approached Cheese, closing the distance, and then pecked at the cat’s front paw with his beak.

Peck!

His beak struck Cheese’s paw with precision.

Cheese winced, wearing a pitiful expression.

“Focus! Focus! Don’t just watch and dodge too late. Anticipate how your opponent will attack!”

Mugin scolded Cheese sharply before resuming his pecking attacks.

Swish!

Swish!

Perhaps Cheese was motivated by the pain. His focus visibly sharpened. He began dodging Mugin’s relentless beak strikes with agility.

His movements grew noticeably nimble.

Though it had only been half a day, the fruits of training were beginning to show.

“Good. You’re doing well. Now, counterattack.”

“Nyaaaooow.”

Cheese remained focused on evading, biding his time for the right moment.

Then, in a flash, his bright eyes gleamed.

“Nyah!”

After dodging Mugin’s beak, Cheese swung his paw. It struck Mugin’s beak squarely.

Finally, Cheese had landed a counterattack.

Sure, Mugin had gone easy on him.

And yes, he had given him an opening.

But seizing that chance still took skill.

“Well done. At this rate, you’re already in the top 20 percent of cats.”

Mugin extended one wing, gently patting Cheese.

But then, an indescribable sense of emptiness washed over him.

To think, he, once a divine beast under the gods, was now training a kitten…

And to feel joy over it…

The thought made him feel pathetic.

Ever since Aiden had abandoned his life as an assassin, Mugin felt like his own dignity had taken a hit too.

“Nyaaaooow.”

Cheese, feeling guilty for hitting Mugin’s beak, rubbed against him apologetically. Oddly enough, Mugin didn’t find it unpleasant.

What a ridiculous situation this was.

Had there ever been a time when his emotions swung like this?

“Is life fun for you?”

“Nyaaaooow.”

“You like being surrounded by love, huh? You little fool, you don’t know how harsh the world is.”

“Nyaaaooow.”

“You don’t care even if you don’t know? You little braggart.”

As Mugin and Cheese exchanged banter…

Mugin suddenly sensed a sinister presence nearby. His brows furrowed, and his forehead creased.

“You stay right here.”

Mugin spread his wings and soared into the sky.

He flew toward the source of the ominous energy.

Atop the clock tower, one of Centum’s landmarks…

A young man stood at its peak, holding a piece of paper in one hand while sketching the square below with the other.

The sketch didn’t take long.

The man slipped the paper into his coat.

The faint dark energy emanating from him grew stronger. A murderous gleam flickered in his eyes.

It was clear he was planning something catastrophic.

“……”

“……”

When Jack locked eyes with Mugin…

A sinister grin stretched across his face, reaching his ears.

Jack had realized that Mugin was no ordinary raven.

With a chilling smile, the attack began.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Black hands formed in the air, clawing violently at Mugin.

It was high-level black magic—Dark Hands.

If those hands caught him, Mugin’s body would be crushed.

Dodging the grasping shadows, Mugin sent an urgent soul telepathy message to Aiden.

He needed backup.
 

To be continued

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