A Mark on Her Pride (Part 3)
Julian’s smile gradually faded as he continued counting the seconds in his mind.
Five...
Four...
Three...
The effect of the Chaos Mirage Mist was nearing its end.
Although he had gained the upper hand through an unexpected trick, he knew better than anyone that he couldn’t afford to underestimate the woman before him.
She wasn’t an ordinary assassin.
She was the legendary Queen, the second-ranked assassin on the Dark Web.
Without the mist’s bizarre effect, her terrifying speed alone would make her one of the most troublesome opponents he had ever faced.
The Queen’s breathing became steadier.
She could already feel her body slowly responding to her thoughts again.
Her fingers twitched.
This time...
They finally obeyed.
A surge of relief washed over her.
Then, almost immediately, that relief was swallowed by burning humiliation.
The memory of what had happened during the past minute replayed vividly in her mind.
She...
The second-ranked assassin...
Had completely lost control of her own body.
Worse...
That shameless man had repeatedly slapped her butt while she was powerless to stop him.
Her cheeks flushed crimson with equal parts embarrassment and fury.
She had experienced countless assassination missions.
She had been wounded.
Cornered.
Even poisoned before.
Yet never...
Never had anyone humiliated her like this.
Julian noticed the change in her aura.
"The effect’s ending."
He instinctively took several steps backward.
The distance between them widened once again.
Almost at the same instant—
The Queen’s body returned to normal.
She immediately bent down and picked up both butterfly knives in one fluid motion.
The familiar feeling of complete control finally returned.
She exhaled deeply.
Then slowly lifted her head.
Her beautiful blue eyes were colder than frozen steel.
The killing intent surrounding her was almost tangible.
Julian scratched the back of his head.
"...You look really angry."
"Angry?"
The Queen laughed softly.
The laugh sent an eerie chill through the quiet lakeside.
"That’s quite an understatement."
She twirled one butterfly knife effortlessly between her fingers.
"You humiliated me."
"You tricked me."
"And..."
Her gaze locked onto Julian’s face.
"...you dared to slap my butt."
Julian coughed awkwardly.
"Well..."
"I did warn you not to keep trying to kill me."
"You call that a warning?"
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Julian spread his hands helplessly.
"I couldn’t exactly kill you."
"You came here to take my life."
"I simply returned the favor in... a less permanent way."
The Queen’s lips twitched.
She wanted to stab him.
She really did.
But somehow...
His shameless explanation only made her even more speechless.
How could someone say something so outrageous with such complete sincerity?
Julian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I’d say we’re even now."
The Queen nearly laughed from sheer disbelief.
"Even?"
"You assaulted me."
"You humiliated me."
"You mocked me."
"And now you say we’re even?"
Julian nodded confidently.
"I think that’s pretty reasonable."
"..."
For several long seconds...
Neither of them spoke.
The evening wind drifted across the reservoir, stirring the leaves around them.
The silence only made the tension heavier.
Finally...
The Queen raised both butterfly knives.
"This ends now."
Her figure blurred.
Whoosh!
She shot toward Julian with astonishing speed.
Even though he had expected it...
He still felt a burst of pressure.
"So fast."
Without hesitation, Julian activated Dragon’s Tempest Step, narrowly avoiding the flashing blades.
The knife sliced through the air beside his shoulder.
Missing him by barely a hair.
The Queen clicked her tongue.
As expected...
Without that strange poison affecting her body, her speed had returned completely.
Julian immediately widened the distance again.
The playful smile remained on his face despite the danger.
"You’re really persistent."
"You’ve already gotten your revenge."
"My revenge?"
The Queen’s expression remained icy.
"I haven’t even begun."
Julian sighed dramatically.
"I knew I shouldn’t have trusted an assassin’s temper."
"You should’ve trusted your own stupidity."
She disappeared once again.
Her speed was frightening.
Julian barely managed to block another strike before retreating several more meters.
The exchange lasted only moments.
Neither side gained an advantage.
The Queen’s movements became increasingly cautious.
She still hadn’t figured out exactly how Julian had poisoned her earlier.
That unknown technique forced her to remain vigilant.
Meanwhile, Julian had no intention of chasing after a decisive victory.
His goal from the beginning had never been to kill her.
He only wanted to survive.
The two stood facing one another once more.
The breeze rustled across the lakeside.
Then...
The Queen’s ears twitched slightly.
Far away...
An engine could be heard approaching.
A vehicle.
Fast.
Julian heard it as well.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"My backup finally arrived."
The Queen’s expression darkened.
She glanced toward the approaching headlights before looking back at Julian.
Although she desperately wanted to continue fighting...
She wasn’t reckless.
One Julian had already proven troublesome enough.
Adding reinforcements would only reduce her chances further.
She lowered one butterfly knife.
Her blue eyes remained fixed on Julian.
"This isn’t over."
Julian smiled.
"I had a feeling you’d say that."
The Queen pointed a knife toward him.
"Next time..."
"...I’ll definitely kill you."
Julian shrugged casually.
"I’ll be waiting."
"But next time, maybe let’s skip the assassination and have dinner instead."
"You dream too much."
With those cold words, she turned around.
Her figure became a blur before disappearing into the darkness.
Moments later, the black Cadillac roared to life.
Its tires screeched across the pavement before the vehicle sped away into the night.
Julian watched the taillights disappear in the distance.
He had no intention of chasing her.
If the Queen truly wanted to escape...
Very few people below the Platinum Realm could stop her.
He let out a slow breath.
"That woman..."
"...is even more troublesome than the novel described."
Just then...
Another vehicle pulled up beside the reservoir.
Lina Ashford and Liza Voss hurriedly jumped out.
The two women immediately noticed the obvious signs of battle scattered across the area.
"Youth Master Julian!"
Lina called anxiously.
"Are you alright?"
Julian smiled and waved casually.
"I’m fine."
"Just had a little scuffle."
"Lucky for her, she managed to escape."
Liza quickly walked over, carefully looking him over.
"Are you injured?"
Julian nodded seriously.
"I am."
Both women immediately became nervous.
"Where?"
Julian slowly raised his right hand.
"My palm."
He showed them his slightly reddened palm.
"The force of impact goes both ways."
"So after swatting that stubborn assassin’s butt so many times..."
"My hand’s actually a little sore."
Lina blinked.
Liza blinked as well.
Before either woman could ask what he meant—
Julian silently complained to himself.
[I definitely need a better plan next time.]
[Using my bare hand is way too inefficient.]
[Maybe I should keep a small folded fan in the car... something that won’t leave my palm aching nut using palm feel too delight.]
[Or maybe... tickling would be even better.]
[A speed-type assassin who can’t stop laughing probably wouldn’t be able to move properly.]
[Now that’s an interesting strategy...]
[I’ll test it on my own girls first—if they immediately try to chase me around the house, I’ll know it works.]
A grin slowly spread across Julian’s face as the ridiculous idea took root in his mind.
[Not a bad plan at all.]
Hearing his inner thoughts, Lina and Liza exchanged speechless glances.
They had been worried sick that he had barely escaped an assassination attempt.
Meanwhile, the man himself was already brainstorming bizarre "anti-assassin tactics."
Sometimes...
They genuinely couldn’t tell whether Julian’s mind was that of a genius—or an absolute menace.
Hearing his inner thoughts...
Both women exchanged speechless looks.
Their worry disappeared instantly.
Instead...
They couldn’t help wondering how an assassination attempt had somehow ended with Julian complaining that his hand hurt from disciplining the assassin.
The two women sighed inwardly.
Only Julian D’Aurelius could turn a deadly encounter into something this absurd.
And neither of them knew whether to laugh...
Or feel sorry for the assassin.