Flames engulfed the two assassins. Though their speed was lightning-fast, they couldn't escape the range of Kael's fire. The blaze summoned by Kael swallowed them whole.
Of course, Kael hadn't gone for the kill. After all, he still didn't know the true origins of these assassins—he needed them alive for questioning.
The two assassins were severely burned, their bodies covered in scorch marks. They let out agonized screams, but it was clear they had undergone rigorous training. Despite their grievous injuries, they only cried out briefly before gritting their teeth and falling silent.
One of them even made a swallowing motion, causing Kael's heart to tighten.
This guy's trying to take poison!
Kael narrowed his eyes, his reaction swift. He had anticipated this very scenario. With a flick of his wrist, he seized the assassin's throat, channeling his magic to force the toxic liquid out of the man's mouth.
He did the same to the other assassin.
"It's useless… This is the fang venom of a Tier 10 'Venomous Dragon'… Once ingested, the toxin seeps into the organs… There's no turning back…" One of the assassins let out a bitter laugh, his voice low, his gaze icy.
The two assassins had come prepared to die. If their strike failed, they would flee immediately. If escape proved impossible, they would commit suicide—leaving Kael with no evidence to trace.
A cold glint flashed in Kael's eyes. "You think death is that easy? I won't let you die even if you beg for it!"
Kael was genuinely furious. These bastards had dared to ambush him. If not for his considerable strength, he might have truly fallen victim to their scheme.
And if they could target him now, what was stopping them from targeting Amelia, Grace, or the other people he cared about later?
The mere thought ignited a fire in Kael's heart. These assassins had crossed a line they shouldn't have.
As he watched, the two assassins' pupils began to dilate, their faces turning purple. Their bodies twitched uncontrollably—they were on the verge of death.
At that moment, Kael retrieved a small vial of green liquid from his spatial ring.
This pale green potion radiated an immense vitality—it was none other than the Elixir of Life that Kael had brewed! Back when he left the Water Dragon Secret Realm, he had prepared this small vial as a precaution.
A single drop of the Elixir of Life was enough to bring a person back from the brink of death!
With a flick of his finger, Kael sent half a drop into each assassin's mouth. He sneered coldly—this elixir was originally reserved for emergencies, yet now it was being used for such a purpose.
Thanks to the Elixir of Life, the assassins' faces gradually regained color, their sickly purple hue fading away as the potent toxins in their bodies were completely neutralized.
Dare to play with poison in front of Kael? Did they forget he was a Grandmaster Alchemist?
The assassins' eyes widened in shock and horror. They had never expected this—a young mage casually countering the venom of a Tier 10 monster!
Remembering Kael's earlier words—"I won't let you die even if you beg for it"—a chill ran down their spines. An inexplicable fear began to creep into their hearts.
"An… alchemist…" one of the assassins rasped hoarsely, his voice trembling.
An alchemist—and at least a Master-level one at that. The assassins were stunned. Not only was this man a Tier 10 mage, but he was also a master of alchemy?
Though the toxins in their bodies had been neutralized by the Elixir of Life, the assassins remained extremely weak, still firmly restrained by Kael.
"Speak. Who sent you?" Kael's gaze was icy as he stared down at them.
The assassins clenched their teeth, their eyes betraying a flicker of panic. Bound by loyalty—or rather, fear—to their hidden master, they remained silent. Compared to Kael, they dreaded their employer far more. Revealing even a sliver of information would lead to a fate worse than death.
"Stubborn, aren't you?" Kael's eyes gleamed dangerously, his voice dropping to a frigid tone. "Seems you still don't understand your situation. I told you—once you fall into my hands, death won't be an option. Let's see just how unbreakable your resolve really is."
The assassins remained silent, lips sealed, but inwardly, a deep unease settled in. If Kael could effortlessly neutralize a Tier 10 monster's venom, then he likely had ways to make them talk.
Kael dragged the two assassins straight to the basement of the City Lord's residence. However, he didn't personally interrogate them. Instead, he summoned Lone Wolf.
"Sir." Lone Wolf bowed slightly, puzzled as to why Kael had called for him so late at night.
Kael said calmly, "I captured two assassins tonight—both Tier 10 experts. I need you to make them reveal who sent them to kill me."
The only factions Kael had openly antagonized so far were the Tower of Evil Spiritsand the Tower of Ghostflame, both dark-winged mage organizations. But it was possible he had inadvertently offended others. It was better to be cautious.
"Understood. Leave it to me, sir." Lone Wolf grinned savagely. This was something he was extremely skilled at. Mercy had no place in war—Lone Wolf's ruthlessness was absolute.
"Good. They're yours." Kael's eyes were icy. This assassination attempt had enraged him. No matter who was behind it, Kael would not let them go unpunished.
Lone Wolf entered the basement.
Kael waited outside, hearing only occasional screams echoing from below—agonized, bloodcurdling shrieks filled with terror, enough to make one's hair stand on end.
This guy really has some brutal methods…
Kael sighed inwardly. Having such a reliable subordinate wasn't bad. At least it saved him from handling such unpleasant tasks himself.
After about an hour, Lone Wolf emerged, drenched in sweat. It seemed he had expended considerable effort.
"Well?" Kael asked.
Lone Wolf smiled, relieved. "They talked."
Pleased, Kael stepped into the basement. The two assassins were barely alive, their eyes widening in sheer dread at the sight of Kael and Lone Wolf. Clearly, they had been thoroughly broken by Lone Wolf's methods.
Knocking one unconscious, Kael interrogated them separately.
"Who sent you?" Kael asked coolly.
"It… it was the Tower of Ghostflame."
Kael's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them.
The Tower of Ghostflame.
This dark-winged mage organization had acted faster than expected. Most likely, they had targeted him after he annihilated the Reynolds Family.
The Tower of Ghostflame had long regarded the Reynolds Family as their "public-facing stronghold" on the continent. Now that Kael had wiped them out completely, their fury was inevitable.
Compared to the members of the Tower of Evil Spirits that Kael had killed, the Tower of Ghostflame held an even deeper grudge against him.
Now that Kael knew of their existence—and by extension, their exposure—it was only natural that they would resort to silencing him.
"How many assassins like you are in the Tower of Ghostflame?" Kael pressed.
"Dozens… The Tower has been training assassins for years. Almost all of them are at least Tier 9. We two… were the strongest among them," the assassin answered weakly.
Dozens of assassins.
Kael frowned. Indeed, the Tower of Ghostflame was fundamentally different from magic families like the Reynolds Family—this mage organization operated on a far larger scale.
Still, there was some good news: these two assassins were the strongest in the Tower. The rest were likely only Tier 9.
"And the strongest in the Tower—what tier are they?"
The assassin shook his head. "I… don't know. The most powerful figure is the Tower Lord, but none of us have ever seen them. We only receive assassination missions… We have no authority to—"
After extensive questioning, Kael still hadn't obtained any substantial information, which only deepened his frustration.
He proceeded to interrogate the other assassin, only to receive the same vague answers.
"The Tower of Ghostflame, huh."
Kael's gaze turned icy, his fists tightening. He had already marked the Tower for annihilation.
"Sir, what should we do with these two?" Lone Wolf asked.
Kael glanced at the broken assassins. "Make it quick."
He showed no mercy to enemies—especially those who had outlived their usefulness. His Soul Contract could only bind one human, and since Lone Wolf already filled that role, keeping these two alive would only invite risk.