Part 5: Wishes Do Come True (1)

Creaaak.

Aiden stepped out of his second-floor lodging at the tavern.

At the same time, Carl was walking toward him from the opposite end of the hallway.

“Just out of curiosity… did you know I was coming?”

“Yes. I sensed your presence ahead of time.”

“How many presences can a tavern have?”

“Just as people have names, presences carry their own unique identities.”

“Then, would my presence be… Carl’s presence?”

“You could think of it that way.”

“I’d ask what mine feels like, but I’m in a bit of a hurry. Though I bet you already know why I’m here.”

“You’re here to ask for my help, aren’t you?”

Aiden glanced down at the bustling first floor.

As evening fell, the tavern became lively, filling with drinkers, diners, and lodgers as if the tide had come in.

This was something he could predict logically and confirm instinctively—traits unique to assassins.

“I wanted to test the skills of the most expensive tavern worker on the continent. Since we’re working together, you’ll lend me a hand, right?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll pay you by the hour for today’s work.”

Aiden gave a slight nod in response.

Carl couldn’t possibly know…

Aiden had observed and memorized every little detail about the tavern.

A perfect understanding of the environment—this was a trait essential to assassination. It had since hardened into a habit.

“I’ll handle the bar and focus on the drinkers. You take care of the diners, serving, and the register.”

“No problem.”

Aiden headed downstairs and stood by the register.

It was the official start of his new job as a retired assassin—a tavern worker.

His tasks were simple.

When Lyra announced the food was ready, he carried trays to the tables. He managed the cash register, cleaned up after customers, and wiped down tables with a cloth.

He also checked in lodgers and assigned rooms. Occasionally, he took additional orders from the diners.

The more customers came and went, the more hectic and complex the work became.

For an ordinary worker, let alone someone on their first day, it might have been overwhelming.

But for Aiden, it was as easy as sipping cold soup.

His work was…

Just like his assassinations: fast and efficient.

It was almost unbelievable that it was his first day.

Though he had been sure this job would be tedious and dull, he was completely wrong.

This misjudgment was a rare one.

The work turned out to be surprisingly refreshing and entertaining.

The best part was eavesdropping on the everyday conversations of ordinary people.

Trivial love stories. Complaints about bosses. Concerns about family health. Grumbles about money, and so on.

The worries and stories were similar yet unique, and differentiating between them added a layer of intrigue.

What better job could there be to experience normalcy?

At least during his time working at the tavern, Aiden completely forgot he was an assassin.

For a moment, he felt like a regular citizen of Centum.

“Environment really is crucial for humans.”

“I wasn’t born an assassin as well. I was shaped into one by the environment of the Thieves Guild.”

The reflection came naturally as he worked.

Three hours later, the dinner rush subsided, and the tavern quieted. Empty tables now outnumbered occupied ones.

“Aiden, good work today.”

Carl, still at the bar table, waved him over.

Aiden took a seat, and Carl handed him a mug of beer.

Without a word, Aiden took a long drink. The cool beer after work was refreshing.

This, too, was a part of normalcy.

“You were amazing at the job! Honestly, I was worried. Considering your, uh… profession, I thought you’d be hopeless at something this practical.”

“No job demands as much focus, judgment, and action as assassination. I can do any task better than anyone else.”

“Yeah, you definitely proved that. I worried over nothing.”

Carl laughed heartily.

Aiden had served more customers than usual today—a number that would have overwhelmed even Carl.

Yet, on his very first day, Aiden performed flawlessly.

There were no complaints from customers. The cash register balance matched perfectly.

Carl couldn’t help but feel the steep wages were worth every coin.

If anything, Carl was the one who benefited.

The female patrons of the tavern couldn’t keep their eyes off Aiden, which practically guaranteed their return.

“Where’s Lucy?”

“She went to the magic shop. Said she wanted to check out supplies for the academy.”

“She must be so excited.”

“Yeah. It’s bittersweet, but I guess it’s time to prepare for her departure.”

As Carl spoke, Aiden sensed a telepathic message from Mugin.

A slight frown appeared on his face.

“I’ll be back. Just need some fresh air.”

*  *  *

The town guard was in disarray.

A report had come in about undead appearing in the central plaza.

“How many of them are there?”

“Um… about forty, combining skeletons and ghouls.”

“Forty? Damn it.”

Captain Bolton’s face twisted as if he’d just stepped in something foul.

Undead appearing in the town’s heart is unprecedented.

What on earth has caused this disaster?

Perhaps it’s the rampage of that lunatic killer, Jack.

“Wasn’t Jack the type to kill in secret? Why’s he causing such a scene all of a sudden?”

“Who knows what goes on in a madman’s head?”

“Does the lord know about the attack?”

“We’ve sent word. The lord’s guards should be sending reinforcements soon.”

Bolton let out a heavy sigh.

The situation was dire.

They didn’t know when the Mithra Order, the Order of Light, would arrive to help.

And the town’s defensive forces were already stretched thin.

Before Jack infiltrated the territory, half the forces had been deployed on a monster-slaying expedition.

It would’ve been easier if they only had to face undead. But standing behind them was Jack, the cruel necromancer.

“Can we handle Jack and the undead?” one of his subordinates asked with a worried expression.

“What choice do we have? We’ve been paid to do this job, haven’t we?”

“Still, I’d rather not die in vain. If Jack kills us, we’ll end up as undead servants for eternity.”

“Then look on the bright side—you always said you wanted to live to old age. Today, your wish might come true.”

Bolton donned his armor and strapped on his sword.

Though his heart raced at the thought of the upcoming battle, he forced himself to appear calm. He couldn’t show weakness in front of his men.

“Gather every soldier, even the clerks, and head to the plaza.”

“Yes, Captain.”

With thirty armed soldiers, Bolton marched toward the plaza.

The scene there was more horrific than expected.

Skeletons were wreaking havoc, destroying everything in sight, much like a swarm of locusts devouring crops.

Behind them, ghouls spat corrosive saliva that sizzled and dissolved whatever it touched.

Fortunately, the citizens had been evacuated in time.

There were no visible injuries or casualties yet.

“……”

“……”

The soldiers shuddered at the gruesome scene before them.

Even a snot-nosed child could sense that morale had hit rock bottom.

Honestly…

Even Bolton, the captain of the guard, found himself overwhelmed by the sheer horror of the situation.

However, delaying any longer would spell certain doom for the entire town.

“Advance while defending yourselves with your shields! Take down the skeletons first, then finish off the ghouls!”

Bolton’s voice boomed across the battlefield.

Tonight would be the longest and harshest night they had ever faced.

*  *  *

“This one, please.”

“You’re really not going to change your mind, right?”

“Nope, I’m sure about this one.”

Lucy gave a bright smile as she held up a wooden wand.

The wand cost one gold coin and offered the best magic efficiency among others in the same price range.

After paying for the wand, Lucy left the magic tools shop.

The solid weight of the wand in her hand felt satisfying. Just holding it made her feel like a proper mage.

“Huh?”

Lucy tilted her head in confusion.

Dozens of people were running toward her, terror etched on their faces.

Their frantic footsteps blended with piercing screams.

What in the world is going on?

“What’s happening?”

“Undead are in the plaza! Run for your life!”

One of the fleeing townsfolk shouted this in passing before disappearing into the crowd.

There has been commotion recently because of Jack. It seems he has finally stirred up some serious trouble.

Should I head back? Or should I go?

It didn’t take long for Lucy to decide.

She turned against the tide of fleeing people and ran toward the plaza.

Centum was like a second home to her. She couldn’t stand by and watch this precious place be ravaged by the undead.

If I provide magical support from a distance, it shouldn’t be too dangerous.

“Ah…”

When she reached the plaza, Lucy let out a gasp.

Chaos reigned.

The lord’s soldiers were tangled in a vicious melee with the undead, creating a cacophony of clashing weapons.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The noise was deafening, a mix of soldiers’ shouts and the groans of the undead.

The stench of decay filled the plaza, and the damp, oppressive air clung to her skin.

Gone was the usual peace. Now, the plaza was a battlefield where life and death were decided with every moment.

The unfamiliar sight made Lucy’s hair stand on end. Goosebumps rose on her arms.

“Didn’t you hear the order to evacuate? Staying here is suicide!” a soldier barked at her, his voice strained.

“I’m a mage. I can help,” Lucy pushed down her fear and replied firmly.

“A mage, huh?”

“Yes!”

“Then take care of those ghouls for us, will you? They’re spitting corrosive bile, and we’re having a hell of a time dealing with it.”

Lucy nodded and began preparing her magic.

Drawing mana from her Mana Heart, she conjured two flaming arrows.

Her hands trembled slightly under the pressure of her first real combat.

It’s okay. I can do this.

She’d practiced tirelessly for this moment. Her magic arrows were stable, and her targeting had improved.

After taking a deep breath to calm herself, Lucy released the fiery arrows.

Whoosh!

The two arrows struck the ghouls right between their eyes.

They collapsed instantly, unable to even scream, and didn’t rise again.

“It’s a mage! The mage is supporting us!”

“Let’s keep pushing!”

The soldiers’ morale soared thanks to Lucy’s efforts.

Lucy felt a swell of pride.

She was actually helping.

But just as she began preparing her next spell—

The two soldiers guarding her fell simultaneously.

Weakened by corrosive bile, they were unable to fend off the skeletons’ blades and were cut down at their sides and shoulders.

“Gahhh!”

“D-damn it! Run, now!”

Ignoring the fallen soldiers, a skeleton sprinted directly toward Lucy.

Despite being nothing but bones, it moved with lightning speed.

The rattling sound of its bones was terrifying.

Lucy quickly canceled her spell and tried to run, but she tripped over a stone and fell hard.

Thud!

Pain shot through her knee.

She couldn’t get up.

Turning her gaze toward the skeleton, she saw it looming over her.

Its hollow eye sockets stared down, and the blade in its hand gleamed menacingly under the moonlight.

A fear unlike anything she had ever experienced gripped her.

The fear of death.

Her body refused to move.

She couldn’t even wiggle her fingers.

All I had wanted was to protect the town…

Was that hope too foolish?

Had my actions been nothing more than naive recklessness?

I can’t die here.

She still have to fulfill my dream of attending the academy…

What about Father? Mother?

Regret and self-reproach mixed with terror and despair, paralyzing Lucy completely.

In that fleeting moment, Lucy gave up. Her head hung low in resignation.

But then something astonishing happened.

Out of the moonlit shadow she cast, something began to emerge.

Lucy blinked and stared at the figure rising from her shadow.

“A… Aiden?”
 

To be continued

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