Rigo walked steadily toward the chamber where Leon had discovered the hostages.
After cutting down the bandits who had attempted to flee, she showed no sign of exhaustion. Her gaze remained cold and focused—like an assassin who had completed one task but still had one final duty awaiting her.
When Rigo stepped into the chamber, she saw Leon standing among the hostages who sat or lay weakly on the ground. Their frightened eyes stared at the armed figures before them.
At first, the prisoners had felt relief when they saw Leon eliminate the remaining bandits.
But now, as they looked at Rigo, their fear grew even greater.
The cold aura surrounding her made it clear that her presence might not mean salvation.
Leon saw Rigo approaching and immediately felt the tension in the air.
Deep down, he already knew what she intended to do.
In his previous life, he himself had stood here as Rigo, looking at the hostages with the same cold gaze.
Without mercy.
Without hesitation.
He had once considered them nothing more than potential threats to the Emperor.
Back then, he never questioned orders.
Bandits or prisoners—it made no difference.
Anyone without imperial authorization was an enemy.
Rigo stopped a few steps away.
Her gaze swept across the terrified faces of the prisoners huddled in the corner.
Slowly, she raised her sword.
Her eyes held no emotion.
She had already decided what she would do.
Before the blade could fall—
Leon stepped forward.
He placed himself between Rigo and the hostages, raising his small hand to block her path.
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“Stop!” Leon shouted firmly.
He knew he looked like a child.
But inside him lived the soul of an experienced assassin.
He steeled himself to face Rigo, fully aware of the overwhelming power possessed by the greatest assassin of the Gelar Clan.
Rigo frowned slightly, surprised by Leon’s boldness.
“Move aside, Leon,” she said coldly.
“This does not concern you.”
“They could become a threat to the Emperor.”
Leon took a slow breath, feeling the tension suffocating the room.
“They’re not a threat, Rigo,” he replied quickly.
His voice carried an unusual firmness for a child.
“They’re hostages. Innocent people.”
“We’ve already killed all the bandits. There’s no one left here who could threaten the Emperor.”
Rigo stared at him intensely, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.
“You don’t understand what you’re saying,” she replied coldly.
“Our duty is to ensure that nothing remains.”
Leon clenched his fists.
“Rigo, listen to me.”
“I know what you’re thinking. But these hostages… they’re not enemies.”
“They have no power. No influence. They can’t threaten the Empire.”
“Killing them won’t make the Empire safer.”
Rigo did not move.
But for a brief moment, Leon saw something flicker in her eyes.
Hesitation.
Yet it lasted only an instant.
Rigo exhaled softly and raised her sword again.
“We are not here to question orders or analyze threats,” she said, her voice returning to its icy calm.
“Our task is to eliminate every possibility that could harm the Emperor.”
Leon knew he had to act.
Now.
As Rigo swung her sword toward the prisoners—
Leon moved instantly.
He raised his own blade to intercept the strike.
Steel clashed against steel.
Sparks burst into the air.
The force of Rigo’s attack pushed Leon several steps backward.
But he did not fall.
He stood firmly before the prisoners, protecting them with his small body.
Rigo stared at him coldly, a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes.
“What are you doing, Leon?”
“You know this is foolish.”
Leon shook his head.
“No.”
“This isn’t foolish.”
“It’s the right thing to do.”
“If we kill them, we’re only adding unnecessary blood to our hands.”
Rigo sighed with frustration.
“You are too naive, Leon.”
“As assassins, our duty is to ensure there are no threats to the Empire.”
“Anyone who has seen us can become one.”
Leon knew convincing her would not be easy.
“Rigo… think for a moment,” he said quietly.
“If we kill them… does that truly protect the Empire?”
“Is there really no other way to protect it without spilling innocent blood?”
Rigo fell silent.
Leon’s words echoed in her mind.
Still, she resisted.
“The Emperor does not care about right or wrong, Leon,” she said.
“He cares about power.”
“And loyalty.”
Leon looked at her deeply, searching for something human beneath the cold assassin.
“Rigo… I know you see this as duty.”
“But isn’t there a part of you that wants to be more than just a weapon?”
“You don’t have to live as a servant who obeys blindly without considering the value of life.”
Rigo did not respond.
Her gaze remained cold.
But Leon could see the hesitation return.
His words had touched something buried deep within her heart—something long suppressed by years of ruthless training and blind loyalty.
“Let them live, Rigo,” Leon said softly.
“This is our chance to make a difference.”
“To prove we’re not just killing machines.”
“If we can protect them without betraying our mission… isn’t that a greater victory?”
Silence filled the chamber.
Rigo stared at him for a long moment.
Then slowly—
Her sword lowered.
Her expression showed the conflict between duty and the faint stirrings of humanity within her.
Leon realized his words had reached her… though he did not know how deeply.
Finally, Rigo let out a long breath.
“Fine,” she said quietly.
“We’ll do it your way this time, Leon.”
“But remember this.”
“If they cause trouble… it will be your responsibility.”
Leon smiled faintly, feeling a heavy burden lift from his shoulders.
“Thank you, Rigo.”
“I promise they won’t become a threat.”
Rigo nodded slowly, though doubt still lingered in her eyes.
She turned away, giving Leon space to approach the prisoners.
The hostages, who had been trembling in fear moments earlier, now began to relax—though confusion still filled their expressions.
Leon looked at them with a reassuring smile.
“You’re safe now,” he said gently.
“I’ll make sure you all get out of here alive.”
Behind him, Rigo stood silently.
She watched Leon with a gaze that was difficult to read.
She still did not fully understand his courage… or his determination.
But for the first time in her life, she felt something unfamiliar stirring inside her.
Perhaps something she had long buried beneath duty and obedience.
In the dark depths of the cave, the two young assassins stood side by side—each carrying a different belief about the world.
And perhaps…
This was the moment their paths truly began to change.
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