The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 119: Chapter 117 — Deal

”There’s a way to copy that rune art.”

Within the dome, Zephyrion’s eyes narrowed.

”...what are you talking about?”

In all his years in the order, undergoing countless training sessions and traveling the world, he had never heard of such a thing being possible, especially for a mere vessel rank whose control over the WorldPulse was still subpar.

”Hehe, my protégé! You know how the world works, right? Nothing comes free.”

”...what do you want?”

”Heh... nothing much. Just unrestricted access to the outside world.”

”No.”

”...You do realize what’s happening, right? You’re going to lose if you don’t copy this art—”

”Then I lose. Doesn’t matter.”

”...what?”

Demorian froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the response.

He had always seen Zephyrion as logical and sharp, someone who would weigh benefits and make the smarter choice.

But there was a faint firmness in Zephyrion’s voice. It wasn’t empty stubbornness, he truly didn’t care if he lost.

Demorian cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. Remaining trapped within the rod while the outside world was this lively was pure torture.

”...alright, 23 hours a day.”

Demorian felt that was reasonable. He could manage surviving one hour within the rod. However, he would never have expected what came next.

”Five minutes.”

Demorian’s eyes snapped wide open. This boy was insane! Five minutes? What exactly was he supposed to do in five minutes!?

He forced his expression back under control, then said,

”...22 hours.”

”Five minutes.”

Demorian’s throat tightened slightly.

”21 hours...”

”Five minutes. Final offer. Take it or leave it.”

”...you really don’t know how to speak to someone trying to help you... you should be kneeling and—”

”...I’m blocking you...”

”A-alright, ALRIGHT! Wait—wait! I’ll talk! I swear! Don’t block me! Don’t block me!”

Demorian let out a breath of relief the moment the force that had begun to tighten around him loosened.

He couldn’t help but stare at this young descendant of his with a bitter expression. Who treats their ancestor like this? He was far too wicked!

”...I’m listening.”

Demorian’s shoulders slumped slightly as he sighed. What choice did he even have?

”...consider it a special privilege of my divine rod. I made it at my peak—my control over the WorldPulse was at its strongest. With how complex it is, its connection to the WorldPulse is absurdly deep once it’s active. I built it to bond with its user, so you can link with it—and in turn—”

”Link with the WorldPulse...”

Zephyrion muttered, his eyes slowly widening. He understood what Demorian was implying instantly.

Though it was nearly impossible for vessel ranks to copy other rune arts, it was mainly because their connection to the WorldPulse was far too weak to perceive how rune arts interacted with it.

At higher levels, that connection would deepen significantly, allowing one to see interactions that were previously invisible.

Now, given the rod’s complexity, its connection to the WorldPulse was at its deepest. According to Demorian, as its user, linking with it would allow him to tap directly into that connection.

Zephyrion’s gaze narrowed. If possible, such a thing would be invaluable.

’How do I link with it...?’ he asked.

”Just pour your will into it. Try to become one.”

”Become one...”

Muttering under his breath, Zephyrion slowly shut his eyes.

He cleared every stray thought from his mind, sinking into a state of utter focus.

The countless echoing bangs dulled into the background, and the violent vibrations coursing through him faded to near nothing.

His entire focus settled on the dome of metal encasing him. Then, with deliberate effort, he poured everything into it.

In an instant, countless runic words ignited across its surface, spreading until the entire dome was engulfed in light. The world around him seemed to slow. A strange sense of weightlessness overtook him, as though he had been lifted into a boundless void.

In that state, Zephyrion heard nothing. Yet the world around him had shifted into something entirely unfamiliar.

He felt deeply connected to it, as though every part of it was within reach. He could sense everything, down to the smallest, most insignificant trace of life.

But the greatest change came from his vision. The world unfolded before him in a way he had never experienced. Countless runic symbols drifted through his sight in an endless cascade.

They streamed from his mind, some clinging to the metal dome around him. Others rebounded off its trembling surface, only to shoot back as though reinforcing it.

In that trance, Zephyrion realized what he was witnessing; how runes truly interacted with the WorldPulse. For the first time in a long while, his heart stirred.

This was the foundation of the world.

’It’s beautiful...’

To think... this was how those at the peak perceived reality.

The next moment, a sharp spike of pain tore through Zephyrion’s mind. He grabbed his head instantly, recognizing it at once.

’I’m getting overwhelmed.’

Just like with Garrick’s artifact, his mind couldn’t withstand the overwhelming flood of information. His eyes sharpened instantly.

’I have to be quick.’

In the next moment, Zephyrion shut everything else out and shifted his focus outward.

His vision seemed to pierce straight through the metal dome, locking onto Dune, who was suspended in space.

Instantly, he saw it. The countless runic symbols swirling around the Liquid Metal suit. In the next second, Zephyrion’s focus deepened to its limit.

Within his mind, Demorian’s expression twisted as he suddenly smacked his forehead.

”You idiot! How the hell do you forget something like that!?”

He had forgotten something crucial. The rod would reveal the runes, but Zephyrion still needed to comprehend them to replicate the art.

For something this complex, it should take at least thirty minutes to an hour, and that was being extremely generous, judging by his own comprehension speed in his youth.

Considering Zephyrion’s current rank, his comprehension should be even slower.

Given all that, Zephyrion would burn out long before he could finish copying it.

Demorian let out a heavy, defeated sigh. After this... forget five, he wouldn’t even get a single second of real-world time.

”Slip state.”

Suddenly, a ripple passed through the air. The metal aura around Zephyrion smoothed instantly, its surface turning flawless and seamless.

Liquid metal flowed across his body, spreading rapidly until it encased him completely in a silver armor.

”What!?”