[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-85":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828622,2432,"Chapter 85: The Man Who Sent the Assassins","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-85",85,"\u003Cp>The Man Who Sent the Assassins\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who ordered you to kill me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small tilt of Victor’s head came before his words left his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke softly, a hint of warmth in his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to personally express my gratitude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet change came across his face, the edge of a grin pulling tighter. It wasn’t warm - more like a warning hidden in motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For sending me some training dummies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, his breath came out quiet, almost like a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I do have a complaint.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight shift brought Victor closer, humor glowing soft in his gold-flecked gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those training dummies...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...weren’t even good enough to give me a warm-up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Victor, it was a simple statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the one crouched low at his feet -\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hush curled through the air, sharp with hidden meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze locked on, breath unsteady, face pale under a flicker of shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about Victor’s ease sat poorly - his quiet grin, how loose he stood, even his voice drifting through the dead like weather talk. Wrongness curled under every word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single idea circled again inside the killer’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single finger from him might be enough to end my life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His throat tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fingers trembled without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t rush him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long blade of grass still rested loosely between his fingers, stained faintly with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the assassin spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I—I’ll tell you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice cracked with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was a kid from the Saulon family... called Albion. He wanted to get back at you for shaming him in front of all the other young nobles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his smile turned faintly amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it’s that kid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The image of the arrogant noble flashing back to him briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor remembered the day clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way Victor had casually crushed that pride in front of everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he couldn’t take me down himself...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And decided to send someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Victor almost felt bored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought crossed his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin flinched at the sound of Victor’s voice again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor spoke casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Am I the only one that fool asked to be killed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin quickly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No! No, you’re not!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He gave us two more targets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s smile slowly disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin continued nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A girl named Videl... and another girl named Lane.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air around Victor changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin suddenly felt the temperature drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stood there silently for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he asked quietly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was still calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something cold lurked underneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So tell me something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor crouched slightly so their eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you send men to attack them already?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin shook his head quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...are the men you brought with you all the men you have?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin hurried to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, there are others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s expression remained unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man nodded nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re waiting for their chance to strike.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor tapped the blade of grass lightly against his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he asked another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are the men going after my girls stronger than the ones you brought here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin hesitated slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But under Victor’s gaze—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the girl called Lane...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ones attacking her are weaker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Videl?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ones going after the girl Videl are the elites of our group.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The elites?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man continued nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even the boss joined that group.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin explained quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s a Master Rank swordsman and also attends the knight academy in Fantom City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because of that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our boss decided he was the hardest target.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So he personally went to kill Videl.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor blinked slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually looked slightly offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They thought Videl was stronger than me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor almost laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he thought about it more carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m technically just a B-rank adventurer right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I’ve never actually registered my real combat ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So maybe I shouldn’t feel insulted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor shrugged slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he asked another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How strong is your boss?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s an intermediate-level mage... and an advanced-rank swordsman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hint of disappointment crossed his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a shame.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If he came after me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I might’ve actually gotten a proper warm-up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stared at him in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm-up...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That monster would have been a warm-up to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor straightened his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he smiled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your cooperation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor turned around casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His footsteps began moving down the road again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long grass blade twirled lazily between his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasted too much time playing around with weaklings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor muttered to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still need to reach Mystery Woodland before sunset.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin remained frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several seconds he couldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shoulders relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s figure was already several steps away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m alive...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man felt relief flood his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually let me go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest rose as he prepared to sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the breath could leave his lips—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world suddenly tilted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky spun sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground rose into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw something impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still kneeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization arrived too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stood several steps away, the blade of grass between his fingers now stained red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flicked it lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood slid off the thin green blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without turning back, Victor spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really thought...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I would let someone who tried to kill my women walk away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin never heard the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness swallowed him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor continued walking down the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest ahead slowly thickened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadowy outline of Mystery Woodland waited.\u003C\u002Fp>",1039,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","92551270f15cc2a4bb4cd6f79e90dded0279dd135f83212d1b46d95ab6e6e6ea","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-86","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-84",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]