A Disaster-Level Assassin Has Been Freed

Chapter 142: Seton Swordsmanship Hall (4)

Why didn’t Hagio and Harang step in directly when the kids from Seton Swordsmanship Hall first picked a fight?

Naturally, it was because of Glen. To give hope and courage to the children, a boy taking action looked far better than adults intervening.

But that wasn’t the only reason.

The second reason was to prevent a “kids’ fight” from escalating into an “adults’ fight.”

However, the situation had now changed.

‘Pressuring the temple with offerings? How could they do such a thing?’

‘The kids from the hall who openly picked a fight seem better by comparison.’

Upon hearing that Seton Swordsmanship Hall had resorted to such despicable tactics, Hagio and Harang realized this was no longer just a “kids’ fight.”

That made things simpler.

As adults, they could take matters into their own hands.

Of course, they had no intention of using underhanded methods like Seton Swordsmanship Hall.

They hadn’t learned such tactics, nor could they.

“So, what’s the best way to handle this?”

Hagio asked, and—

“We beat them to a pulp.”

Harang answered.

A clean and simple, yet crude and barbaric approach.

But both nodded as if it were the only solution.

Of course, they’d try talking first. If the other side admitted their wrongs and showed willingness to resolve the issue, there was a good chance it could end without bloodshed.

‘But that’s unlikely, isn’t it?’

Harang nodded.

Though he hadn’t been out in the world long, he now knew. People like this rarely listened to reason.

Hagio agreed, and with resolve to use force if needed, they headed to Seton Swordsmanship Hall.

At the front gate, they spoke to the gatekeepers.

“We’re here to see Samuel Seton, the Hall Master.”

“What’s this about? No, who are you?”

“I’m Hagio from Love’s Orphanage. I’m here to discuss the recent fight between our kids…”

“Ah, that guy. Get lost.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means we’ve got nothing to say to you, so scram.”

“I’ve got plenty to say.”

“We don’t. Get out.”

“Even so, when someone comes to talk…”

“Ugh, just piss off!”

As Hagio stepped forward, one gatekeeper tried to shove him with a menacing expression.

But he couldn’t follow through.

Harang, who had slipped behind, struck the back of his neck with a chop.

Thwack!

Gurgle!

“What the—?!”

The other gatekeeper, seeing his comrade collapse instantly, wore a shocked expression.

It was only natural. Someone they’d thought was just an orphanage teacher had knocked out a man with movements too fast to follow.

“May we go in?”

“W-We’ve got nothing to say!”

“May we go in?”

“You won’t even see the Hall Master! Our Seton Swordsmanship Hall is full of incredible fighters…”

“May we go in?”

“…”

Perhaps because the third question carried a hint of killing intent, the other gatekeeper stopped arguing and quietly stepped aside.

Harang flashed him a grin, glanced at Hagio, and they nodded in unison.

Then—

Creak—!

The two Godoks boldly flung open the gate and strode inside with confident steps.

“What’s this?”

“New trainees?”

“No way. The Hall Master said no new recruits for a while…”

“Then who are they?”

“Hey, who are you guys?”

They encountered some people from the hall.

They appeared to be instructors training the trainees, with well-developed muscles and balanced gaits that stood out.

But compared to the enraged Godoks, they were far inferior.

Hagio answered.

“We’re orphanage teachers.”

“What? Orphanage? Could it be…”

“Yes, we’re from Love’s Orphanage, the ones your people clashed with a few days ago.”

“Ha! What a joke. If you’re done, go your separate ways. Why come back to talk?”

“Wait, what’s this? One of the gatekeepers is knocked out!”

“We had to use a bit of force since talking wasn’t working… Is that a problem?”

“A problem? You’re asking if that’s a problem? Hah!”

One instructor wore an incredulous expression.

It was absurd.

Sure, they’d lost in the kids’ fight a few days ago, but that was just a childish scuffle. To think it diminished Seton Swordsmanship Hall’s strength was ludicrous.

Of course, the opponents’ physiques were impressive. Tall and broad-chested, they’d likely hold their own in a brawl with ordinary folks.

But where were they?

A swordsmanship hall.

A place where people trained exclusively to wield weapons against others.

‘To barge into such a place without fear, knock out a gatekeeper, and act so defiant?’

‘The world’s gone mad. Even if our hall’s been humiliated recently, for lowlifes like these to strut around…’

Sighing heavily, one instructor glanced at his colleague.

He wore a similar expression—self-loathing, irritation, and anger mixed together. Exchanging a look, they marched toward Hagio without hesitation.

Their demeanor clearly wasn’t one of negotiation. They intended to use force outright.

And so—

Whoosh—!

Thwack!

Thud!

“Urgh…!”

“Gurgle!”

Thump, thump!

Hagio swiftly moved in front of them and struck.

Like the gatekeeper, the instructors foamed at the mouth and collapsed.

Watching them calmly, Hagio spoke to Harang.

“No one seems interested in talking.”

“I told you. People like this are all the same.”

“We’d better go straight to the Hall Master. Where is he?”

“No idea… How about we just knock out everyone we see and make a ruckus? He’ll come out eventually.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Grinning fiercely, Hagio said, “I was just in the mood to blow off some steam.”

***

Samuel Seton, the master of Seton Swordsmanship Hall, was currently in the reception room, forcing a smile for some important guests. Despite his high social standing in the city, he couldn’t afford to act proud before them.

He’d explicitly told his men to keep things quiet, yet—

‘…What’s this commotion?’

Frowning, he strained to hear the noise outside.

The sound of something crashing.

People shouting at the top of their lungs.

And other unidentifiable clamor.

It was infuriating.

He’d thought it would die down soon, but instead, it grew louder, making him sweat from the embarrassment in front of his guests.

“…Haha, seems something’s happening outside. My apologies, may I step out to handle it?”

Finally, asking his guests’ permission, the Hall Master stepped outside.

But someone entered before him.

Bang!

“Here you are.”

“Found you.”

It was Harang and Hagio.

Seeing them, Samuel Seton’s eyes widened, then narrowed sharply.

He understood. He knew why they were here.

‘They’re here about the orphanage land… What were those idiots outside doing to let this mess get this far…!’

Were they all useless?

Anger surged within him.

But then, realizing something was off, the Hall Master began analyzing the situation more deeply.

‘No, even if the instructors are useless… they’re at least mid-level Experts. And they couldn’t stop these two?’

‘What does that mean? Are these two stronger than the instructors?’

‘Does that make sense?’

‘But if not, how do you explain this?’

His head spun.

Even if it was a small swordsmanship hall, it was still a swordsmanship hall.

To think an orphanage teacher was stronger than instructors here?

Did that make sense?

‘It doesn’t! But… I have no choice but to think that way!’

Ugh. The Hall Master let out a groan.

He scrutinized the two young men closely.

Indeed, they had a refined air, unlike ordinary people. They’d been hiding their skills.

Muttering to himself, he suddenly drew his sword.

And then—

Wooong—!

Astonishingly, he unleashed a complete Aura Sword.

Harang’s face showed surprise.

“A Graduate?”

“Yes. After losing to those orphanage brats, I was so furious I trained harder and broke through. Thanks to you. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let you keep the orphanage land.”

“Really? Can’t you reconsider?”

“Reconsider, my ass. Does Seton Swordsmanship Hall look that weak to you? To let anyone waltz in and make demands?”

“No, it’s absurd to escalate a kids’ fight like this…”

“Shut up! Because of you, we lost thirty percent of our trainees, you vermin! Fine, this is perfect. I’ll show you the terror of a Graduate!”

Dash—!

With a shrill cry, Samuel Seton launched himself at them, swinging his sword ferociously.

Hagio was startled.

Not because of his swordsmanship skill.

But because the man’s heart was so vile, resorting to lethal force without hesitation.

Sure, in the village, this might be commonplace, but wasn’t this the outside world?

To use such ruthless tactics in this peaceful place made him seem utterly deplorable.

And so—

Whoosh!

Thwack!

“…Gurgle.”

Hagio, showing no mercy, countered the attack with a powerful punch.

Samuel Seton, who had boasted of a Graduate’s terror, collapsed pathetically without demonstrating it, never to rise again.

“…Quite the skilled fighter.”

At that moment,

one of the guests, who had been silently observing, spoke in a calm voice.

Harang narrowed his eyes, studying the man’s appearance.

Clad in holy-looking armor, he seemed to be a paladin.

An ordinary person might have panicked here.

To use force in front of a paladin, a representative of the divine?

But Hagio stood tall.

Harang, too, was unfazed.

In a voice devoid of hesitation, he questioned the paladin and the priest.

“Are you the ones? The ones committing the absurd act of driving poor children onto the streets for money?”

“…What an insolent brat.”

The elderly priest seated behind the paladin responded in an angry tone.