Domina whose full name was Dominante Code found it a little funny when Yuuki said he could "help her stand under the sun."
Did he even know who she was?
From Domina's perspective, Yuuki had simply been impressed by her skill in crafting magic tools and wanted to recruit her. It wouldn't be the first time someone tried.
In the Clover Kingdom's black market, hardly anyone could match her craftsmanship—honestly, even in the Diamond Kingdom, only a handful surpassed her.
Let alone in this shadowy black market, where half the so-called craftsmen cut corners every chance they got.
So naturally, many people had tried to recruit her before. Some offered tempting conditions… but this guy was the first to offer nothing but bold claims.
If he knew she was a fugitive from the Diamond Kingdom, he'd probably be the first to run.
"If there's nothing else, please stop disturbing my business."
Domina's voice was cool and distant.
Yuuki heard the clear dismissal in her tone, but he didn't mind. He had never expected to win her over with just a few words.
"This is the deposit."
"And for the record—I wasn't joking about what I said earlier."
Yuuki set the down payment on her stall, speaking with surprising sincerity, then turned and left without waiting for her reply.
Domina watched his back disappear into the black market, then lowered her gaze to the pouch sitting on the counter—ten thousand yul in cold, hard cash.
"So strange… but at least he pays well."
She muttered under her breath.
She didn't believe he'd uncovered her identity. This wasn't the Diamond Kingdom. Even finding someone who had heard her name would be rare.
Besides, even back in the Diamond Kingdom, only a select few knew who she was.
"…I wonder how Fanzell is doing now."
Worry flashed across Domina's face.
Even if she was hiding in the black market, her life wasn't in immediate danger. But her husband, Fanzell Kruger, was a different matter.
The Diamond Kingdom might overlook her… but they would never let him go.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki strolled casually toward the black market exit. After turning through several narrow alleys, he stepped out into the empty night streets.
It was already past midnight. Not a single pedestrian remained. Moving along the edge of the street, he let the shadows swallow his figure.
The moonlight was pale but bright enough to keep the darkness from becoming absolute.
Halfway down the street, Yuuki came to an abrupt stop. A faint smile formed beneath his mask.
He hadn't come to the black market just for Domina. He wanted to draw out someone else.
In truth, the Diamond Kingdom had long since discovered Domina's hiding place—but the one who found her never reported it. They'd concealed the information for themselves.
That was the person Yuuki was here to lure out.
"Come out," he said calmly, turning his head toward the shadows behind him.
Only silence answered him.
The empty street echoed with nothing but his own voice—quiet, eerie.
Then—
Swoosh!
A subtle gust cut through the air behind him. Before he could turn, an icy blade pressed against his neck.
"Don't move," a cold, emotionless girl's voice warned. "Unless you want your throat cut."
The chill of the blade kissed his skin, yet instead of fear, Yuuki's smile widened beneath the mask.
Outwardly, he froze, raising both hands in an obedient gesture, making no move to resist.
The girl behind him seemed pleased by his obedience.
"Speak. Why did you approach that magic tool–maker in the black market?"
"I was only there to purchase a magic tool," Yuuki said helplessly.
"Don't lie. Plenty of people craft tools down there. And you've been wandering from stall to stall these past few days."
"You pretend to browse, but you're searching for someone. Isn't that right?"
The blade pressed harder against his neck.
"So you're her protector," Yuuki said lightly, amusement creeping into his tone.
"I'm the one asking questions."
Her voice didn't falter. The blade sank down another fraction—
But—
The moment she tried to cut deeper, Yuuki's entire body burst apart with a splash.
A body made of water collapsed into droplets.
Water Magic — Liquid Body!
Before the assassin could react, the scattered water gathered behind her, reforming into Yuuki's figure.
Her expression shifted, and she stomped hard on the ground, twisting her upper body as she slashed backward at lightning speed.
She wasn't just attacking—she simultaneously leapt back, creating distance between them.
Now—
Two figures faced each other under the moonlight.
One relaxed and calm.
The other tense, every muscle coiled like a drawn blade.
With the distance between them, Yuuki finally saw her clearly.
A girl roughly the same height as Asta, short black hair, black eyes, face blank of emotion. She wore a black cloak and combat boots, her whole appearance neat and efficient.
Exactly who he had been waiting for.
A member of the Diamond Kingdom's Assassination Corps—Mariella.
Mariella's expression tightened. She hadn't expected someone she'd already immobilized to escape so effortlessly.
A dangerous miscalculation. She should never have revealed herself.
"Domina… formerly of the Diamond Kingdom. Wife of former commander Fanzell.
Finding her hiding here in the Clover Kingdom's black market—isn't that interesting?"
Yuuki spoke as if talking to himself, his tone almost casual.
At those words—
Mariella's eyes turned icy. Murderous intent surged toward him like a blade.
Just moments ago she'd been uncertain about retreating.
For an assassin, losing the first strike and failing to gauge her opponent's capabilities meant one thing: fall back immediately.
But now—
Retreat was no longer an option.
(End of chapter)
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