Gauther turned his gaze back toward Suzars, who was looking at him with an expression of resignation. It dawned on Gauther that there was one crucial thing he had failed to consider: who, exactly, had commissioned this assassination in the first place?
An assassin does not simply undertake a mission on their own initiative; there is always someone who requests it. The System had never assigned him a mission in the nine years since he first acquired it—so why now?
His suspicions were further fueled by the advice Suzars had offered throughout their battle. While under the influence of the "Assassination Concept"—or *LS 04 76*—Gauther had not been fully aware of his own identity.
His body began to dissolve into a cloud of shadows—the very same technique once employed by Rikudo Navi within this narrative.
Standing before Suzars, Gauther's expression turned calm, filled with a sense of respect:
"It was you who wanted to be assassinated, wasn't it? You despise your own existence—having lost your true origin from the original narrative, only to become a chaotic, barbaric entity?"
Suzars gazed at him for a few moments before offering a faint, gentle smile.
"Yes, I longed for death. That is why I asked you to carry out my assassination—following our one and only battle."
Gauther narrowed his eyes, struggling to grasp Suzars' true intent, and pushed his "Narrative-Cutting" ability to its absolute limit.
"But why me, specifically? There are countless powerful entities within the Ruler's Path—the twelve Trees of Sacred Existence, the 144 Crypts of Imagination, and millions of other narratives. Why choose me?"
Suzars reached out, touching the spot over Gauther's heart—where his core, or fragment, resided—and pressed down ever so gently. "We are both just fools who don't know what we truly are. That is why trying to make you the best version of yourself was the final mark I wanted to leave behind."
Gowther, his gaze filled with shock at these words, struck and severed his opponent's head. The power of the other's unique 'wing'—an ability to 'sever' the narrative—had been consuming him from within, stripping away the very traits that once made him a formidable adversary.
This rendered the kill remarkably easy; furthermore, the fact that he had desired death—as he had previously confessed—and had even assisted Gowther in the process, made it all the simpler.
"Suzars, I will never forget you. A battle that lasted only thirty minutes, yet it taught me things I might never have grasped even after hundreds of other fights."
With a faint smile on his face, Gowther collapsed, unconscious—his body unaccustomed to the strain of wielding a 'prime' wing.
Eight days after the clash between Gowther MacIntyre and Suzars, the lingering destruction served as a testament to the sheer intensity of a battle that had lasted a mere thirty minutes.
It was a peculiar confrontation: a 'narrative assassin' pitted against a 'finished and discarded' story. In the end, Suzars chose his own death—seeking an honorable conclusion to the fight and leaving a lasting imprint upon Gowther.
Within the arena where the battle had unfolded, Gowther remained unconscious—his body still unadapted to the use of his wing—compelling LS 04 76 to stand guard and protect him throughout those three days. Gauther's eyes began to twitch for several moments before he finally opened them—revealing a deep, crimson hue. He gazed up at the sky, his expression devoid of any joy over his victory; in the end, he had been nothing more than a tool for Suzars to achieve his own ends.
Worse still, his greatest fear had come to pass: his death—or rather, the events surrounding it—had served merely as a device to develop other characters or advance the plot, rendering his hard-won victory little more than a convenient narrative contrivance.
He had been suspicious of the assassination mission from the very beginning—after all, the System hadn't issued him a single task in nine years. Furthermore, it had begun providing him with information and answers to his inquiries—a stark departure from its usual behavior.
It was as if the person orchestrating the assassination, the assassin himself, the target, and the one offering guidance were all one and the same.
"The strangest thirty minutes of my life—honestly..."
He rose to his feet, his gaze falling upon his dagger—the blade of the Supreme Shadow Master. The dagger he had manifested upon activating the 'Concept of Assassination' wing had vanished; it was clear that LS 04 76 had deactivated the ability while he was unconscious.
After returning his weapon to his personal dimensional storage, he stood up and began to wander through the ruins of the completely devastated city, his mind drifting back to his very first day in this world.
Nine years ago, he had been so weak and so devoid of talent that he was considered nothing less than a disgrace to the Duchy of MacTire. "A truly bizarre life. I don't quite know how to put it, but my goal remains the same: to survive in this world—no matter how much time passes—ever since that trial at the River of Ambitions."
He closed his eyes, recalling the memories of that day—the moment that marked his greatest leap forward. It was then that he first unfurled his wings, battling his own weaknesses—much like his confrontation with Suzars.
Flashback
Gauther walked with steady, resolute steps, challenging his own being—his ambitions and dreams from both his current and past lives, as well as those of the original owner of the body he now inhabited. He pushed against the fierce winds of fate, which whipped his robes violently through the air, all while enduring the crushing pressure exerted by the 'Eye of the Demonic Observer.'
A cold, sharp voice emanated from the Eye—an entity that tracked his every movement and breath, waiting with eager anticipation for his failure. The tone held a flicker of curiosity, yet it was primarily a cold, ruthless interrogation that allowed for no leniency whatsoever.
"Master Gauther McTire, what drives you to reach the end of the River of Ambitions?"
"Or, to put it more accurately: why does this persistence within you refuse to bow to this world?"
The voice was frigid and devoid of emotion; it did not reach him through his ears, but resonated directly within the depths of his consciousness.
As the Eye of the Demonic Observer fell silent, a cold smile spread across Gauther's face. He gazed up at the demonic eye, having cast aside every ambition he deemed trivial or worthless—focusing instead on a single, solitary purpose for which he would do anything. The cold smile vanished from his lips, and his features settled into an expression of utter detachment.
"I do not persevere out of a sense of responsibility, passion, a craving for excitement, or a desire for power and influence. Rather, I persist because it is the only thing I can truly rely on along my path. I have dreamt so much that my dream has become nothing more than surviving in a world built upon a curse. I have laughed—only to lose the capacity for genuine laughter—and I have grieved—only to forget what true sorrow feels like. Yet, I continue to persevere, for it remains the only thing that has stayed real. Wherever I go, whatever path I take, perseverance and ambition shall remain my constant companions in this world."Gowther's tone was a blend of calm, confidence, and a resolute determination to continue his journey and achieve his goals—foremost among them, surviving in a world where only the strongest endure.
He pressed on, ignoring the eye that watched him with a peculiar, inquisitive gaze.
"Very well, then—continue on your path toward what you aspire to."
Gowther paid no heed to the eye's words, nor to the temptations lining the riverbanks; he did not even spare them a single glance.
"I am Gowther MacTire, and I strive to realize my greatest ambitions. My goal is neither power nor absolute authority; it is simply to survive—to live in a world where only the strong prevail, and the strong devour the weak. How, then, could mere worldly distractions ever hold me back?"
Gowther strode across the River of Ambitions with steady, unwavering steps—not out of stubbornness or mere desire, but because it was his only choice. To stop would mean death and oblivion—an outcome he would never accept. He sought only survival and endurance.
He let out a deep, relieved breath, his gaze shifting toward the system window, which signaled the completion of an assassination mission within the narrative of *Where Demons Weep*. [Target: Fading Novel
Novel Title: Where Demons Weep
Protagonist: Suzars
Status: Finished / Cancelled
Entity Type: Fantasy World Demon
Target Location: Ancient Ruins
Novel State: Sealed
Reason for Penalty: Unauthorized entry into a novel titled "The Dragon Angel in a World of Fantasy."
Agent: Where Demons Weep / Suzars
Assassination Mission: Successful; the novel "Where Demons Weep" has been successfully terminated.
Duration: 30 minutes]
[Assassination Mission Reward: Upgrade of abilities to the narrative level. Do you wish to claim it? Yes / No]
Gauther remained silent for several seconds before speaking in a calm, cautious tone:
"Is information regarding these abilities hidden from the narrative of the novel—the version read by other Wing Lords and absolute entities?"
The system interface vanished for a few moments before reappearing with news favorable to Gauther MacTire.
[Yes, the abilities are hidden from the narrative of the novel as read by other Wing Lords and absolute entities. Do you wish to claim your reward? Yes / No]
Gauther selected "Yes" with a faint, satisfied smile, prompting several system notifications to appear. Nevertheless, he felt a twinge of disappointment that his conceptual abilities had failed to evolve. [Host Profile
Name: Gouthar
Surname: MacTire
Age: 16
Gender: Trans-species
Race: Absolute Entity
Primary Aspect: Concept of Assassination
Aspect Type: Major Aspect
Level: 1 - Intermediate -
Synchronization Rate: 25% [25+]
Secondary Aspect: Blessing
Aspect Type: Minor Aspect
Synchronization Rate: 100%
Talent: ??????? Profession: Narrative Assassin - Student at Farselkin Academy
- Unknown
Title: Current Prince of Assassins
Rank: Boundless
Wall Points: ?????]
[Statistics List
Strength: ∞
Speed: ∞
Endurance: ∞
Durability: ∞
Mana: ∞
Aura: ∞
Qi: Ninth Stage: Beyond Immortality
Type: Transcendent Entity
Intelligence: Omniscient
Charisma: SSS
Luck: SSS]
[Standard Abilities
Omnipotence
Fundamental Abilities
Space Manipulation - Absolute Level
Spacetime Concept Manipulation - Absolute Level
Temporal Armament
Mastery of All Things]
[Hybrid Abilities
Ability Copying
[Evolution Explanation:
The Ability Copying skill has evolved to become capable of copying meta-narrative abilities, provided the entity is weaker than the user.]
Ability Theft
[Evolution Explanation:
The Ability Theft skill has evolved to become capable of stealing meta-narrative abilities, provided the entity is weaker than the user.]
Supreme Gluttony
[Ability Explanation: The user can devour anything and acquire its power and abilities—whether it is an ordinary entity, an absolute entity, or a narrative entity from a novel—provided the user has killed it, or, in the case of a narrative entity, that it is weaker than the user.]
]
[Innate Abilities
Infinite Evolution
Aspect of Assassination: Level I: Narrative Severing
Aspect of Assassination: Level I: Passive Targeting
Aspect of Assassination: Level I: Memories of the Aspect of Assassination: Synchronization Rate 43%
Assassin / Slayer
[Ruler's Eye]
Gauther's expression reflected a mix of satisfaction—realizing that his "Aspect" had advanced to the Intermediate level—and the evolution of his "Gluttony" into "Greater Gluttony." Furthermore, his abilities—"Ability Theft" and "Ability Copy"—had evolved, now capable of functioning against other "Narratives" and entities he had yet to encounter. He also discovered that he could now utilize the unique abilities of Aspects and absolute entities weaker than himself.
"It has been quite a long time since I first acquired the 'Assassination' Aspect, yet I have only just reached the Intermediate level. Although it has only been a month and a few days, so much has happened; it feels as though an eternity has passed."
He continued on his way, a faint smile playing on his lips, intent on enjoying the three days remaining at the academy. Moreover, the instructors were preoccupied with organizing the final examinations, and classes had been suspended, as the curriculum had concluded early this year.
He then headed toward Versalkin Academy, having changed his tattered clothing within his own personal spiritual realm—a necessary precaution, as his original attire was so badly torn that it would have inevitably drawn the attention of his family, prompting questions he was not yet prepared to answer, as doing so would offer him no advantage.
A few minutes later, Gauther was in his room, a smile still lingering on his face, when Kaori Nazuki appeared.
She was the individual with whom he had formed a pact following the McTire family's summoning ritual—a ruler of the Dark Dragons from the Dragon Realm. She knelt on one knee, looking up at him with the utmost respect—though that expression soon vanished, replaced by a maternal gaze that left Gowther bewildered.
Ever since the bond between them was forged, Kaori Nazuki had treated him like her own child—a dynamic that still felt strange to him, even three years later.
She sat down on the bed beside Gowther, who continued to regard her with that same look, and remarked with a hint of sarcasm:"Are you truly one of the Shadow Dragons, or perhaps from another race that wields death as an ability? The bond between a mother and her son is stronger than anything else in existence! Hahahahahahahahaha!"
A flicker of annoyance crossed Kaori Nazuki's features as she gazed at him for a few moments, before pulling his head onto her lap with a warm smile.
"It's no trouble at all, my sweet, adorable, and mischievous little one."
Kaori Nazuki's voice was gentle as she stroked Gowther's hair.
Although he was bound to her by a contract, she had treated him like a son for the past three years—a sentiment he felt similarly toward when speaking with LS 04 76.
It wasn't that they were the same person or anything of the sort; rather, they both possessed the same cold, detached quality—as if one were standing in the very presence of death. Yet, he couldn't quite explain it.
Suddenly, he felt a damp sensation on his forehead; Kaori Nazuki was licking his cheek—specifically, a wound inflicted by Suzars that had failed to heal, even with his immortality.
To his surprise, the injury healed perfectly. Completely bewildered, Gowther stared at her, then reached out and poked her cheek a few times with his finger.
A look of mild irritation crossed her face, yet she merely gazed back at him with the expression of an exasperated mother. Seeing this, he stopped, instead resting his hand gently against her cheek. Her expression shifted to one of slight confusion as she looked at him:
"You're acting quite gentle, dear Gother. It seems you've learned a great deal from your previous battle, haven't you?"
Gother said nothing, fixing her with an inscrutable gaze. Then, in a tone that blended calmness with perplexity, he asked:
"Do you know Duralia, Lunaria, and Kyonai?"
For a split second, Kaori Nazuki's expression betrayed shock, though it quickly returned to its usual state.
"I don't know any of them—though, they are rather peculiar names, aren't they?"
Gother remained silent, watching her for several seconds before shifting his gaze toward her abdomen and closing his eyes. Puzzled by this strange behavior, she chose to simply let it pass.
She placed her hand on his head, stroking his face gently. In doing so, she sensed a suppressed power within him—realizing that the strength granted to him by the 'Assassination' concept during his fight against Yuta in the magic tournament had not been entirely consumed.
She tucked him into his bed so he could rest; he was so utterly exhausted that he couldn't even twitch a single finger...
As she left his room, heading toward her own quarters, a tear rolled down her cheek. She cast one last, enigmatic look at him before vanishing entirely.
A strange life, indeed—where one cannot tell friend from foe.
Yet, Gother—who was merely feigning sleep—watched her with an inscrutable look; the peculiar sensation he felt left him questioning her true nature. Nevertheless, he decided to ignore the matter, as there was something he did not yet understand—something that made him realize a strange game was being played, one he knew nothing about.