A Secret Agreement in the Night

The story returns to the night before Tang Wenxu lost consciousness.

As the Hook Monster’s eyes met Tang Wenxu’s, the young man believed they had been discovered. He leaped out and shouted, “Nao, run!” hoping to buy her time to escape.

In reality, the Hook Monster had not detected them at all.

The creature let out a chilling laugh. The mouth on its belly gaped wide, its sharp teeth grinding with a sickening crunch. Fragments of soldiers’ bones still clung to them, and a putrid stench permeated the air. Everything it did was designed to instill greater fear in humans; the more terrified they became, the more keenly it could perceive their presence.

Tang Wenxu, unaware of the monster’s nature, was convinced their presence had been exposed. Yet, he gave no thought to his own escape. His sole focus was on maximizing Kuroki Nao’s chances of survival. She was not merely his maid; she was his family. And he refused to lose anyone else.

The young man had made up his mind. Though his legs trembled, his fear vanished. The monster could only discern his location through its decaying senses, and Tang Wenxu charged forward, closing his eyes to spare himself the sight of his own gruesome end.

‘Nao, live for my sake too.’
‘Mother, I died like a man.’

Was this heaven? He seemed to hear the playful voices of children.

Tang Wenxu opened his eyes to find himself in a dimly lit, rudimentary room. Kuroki Nao was curled up by his bedside, fast asleep.

“I’m not dead?” Tang Wenxu murmured. He noticed his tattered clothes were gone, replaced by coarse villager’s attire.

Perhaps due to his movements, Kuroki Nao awoke. Seeing him conscious, she couldn’t contain her excitement and gave the dazed young man a fierce hug.

“Ugh… that hurts.” The girl’s scent brought Tang Wenxu a true sense of survival. He smiled, teasing, “I just woke up. Are you already trying to discuss philosophy with me?”

Realizing her impropriety, she released him, agitated. “Master, you’re finally awake! You’ve been unconscious for two days. Nao was so worried!”

“Two days? I’m sorry, Nao.”

Wait—reverting to the previous night’s events:

Just as the monster expected Tang Wenxu to enter its gaping maw, his presence suddenly vanished. The creature’s rotting eyeballs strained to see what had happened, only to notice a figure had knocked the young man unconscious.

It was Kuroki Nao. She had already discerned the monster’s attack patterns and was confident she could eradicate it instantly. To her, the thing before them barely qualified as a monster; it was merely a sluggish tumor of flesh.

The monster hurled its hook at her. Nao scoffed, scooping Tang Wenxu into a princess carry and vanishing from her spot. The hook’s speed was considerable, but when it came to true swiftness, Nao was far beyond it.

‘Where are they?’ The monster growled, frustrated.

Several shuriken flew from all directions, embedding themselves in the nearby trees. The monster let out a mocking laugh, thinking its prey was foolishly wasting energy. But then, it realized the shuriken were tied with transparent, specialized steel wires. These wires, strung between the trees, had formed a colossal net.

The monster was now trapped, writhing like a fly in a web.

“Alright, since you’ve already caused my master to faint, as compensation, perhaps we can conduct a small experiment on your body?” Nao asked, her signature sweet smile gracing her lips as she held a dagger. “I’m very curious to know your weakness. Which part of you must I sever for you to die? Please, answer me with your own body, won’t you?”

Kuroki Nao used a flameberg-shaped throwing knife to systematically dismantle the creature—blinding its eyes, cutting off its ears, and severing its nose.

The monster’s agonizing screams and the girl’s bell-like laughter became a horrific duet. Eventually, after piercing a protrusion on its chest, the monster turned to ash.

“Huh, it died already? How boring,” Nao mumbled, clicking her tongue.

At that moment, applause echoed from behind.

Kuroki Nao shifted instantly to high alert. A burly old man carrying a massive greatsword stood there.

“Splendid,” the man said in perfect English. “I thought you had knocked the young man unconscious to use him as bait for your own escape.”

“I merely didn’t want my master to witness such a sordid sight,” Nao replied coldly. “Who are you?”

“My name is Kant.”

“Kant. You’re strong—at least stronger than that monster. I couldn’t even sense your presence.”

Kant spread his hands noncommittally.

“If you’re so strong, why didn’t you save those soldiers earlier?”

“You didn’t save them either, did you?” Kant countered. “Besides, why should I have?”

“If you left those people to their fate, why are you here now?”

“I wish to offer you assistance,” Kant said. “You and your master are foreigners without an identity in this Kingdom. Without one, you will be expelled. I can provide you with an identity, offer you residence, and even help you enhance your strength. Based on your performance, you possess the skill of a Mithril-rank adventurer.”

“How strong is a Mithril-rank adventurer?”

“They are near the pinnacle. Above that are Adamantine-rank adventurers. Historically, only twenty have ever appeared.”

Nao felt uneasy. If there were people who could crush her, she had to become stronger to protect her master.

“You said you can help me enhance my strength. Does that mean you possess the strength of an Adamantine-rank adventurer?”

“Of course.”

“Who are you?”

“A priest from a local church. Will you accept my help?”

“What do you want me to do? I don’t believe you’ll help for free.”

“It’s simple. All you have to do is…”

After a long pause, Nao nodded. “Deal.”

The maid and the priest reached a secret agreement.