Knock knock knock
"Catch him!!!!!"
"Don't miss it!!!!!!!!"
The once quiet forest suddenly became noisy. The sound of the soldiers running, as if chasing someone, lingered for a moment, then disappeared behind the mountain path. The animals that had been startled by them and disappeared began to reappear, one by one.
And then someone appeared, landing softly on the ground covered in dust.
"Phew... I almost got caught."
To her surprise, she appeared on top of a tree. She landed lightly with more agility than anyone else, looked in the direction the soldiers had passed, smiled, and then leisurely disappeared on the other side.
Even if a great general searches the entire country, they will never be caught, and so will I.
We are assassins.
Around 1613, a group of people stirred up the peaceful Joseon Dynasty. The king issued a special decree ordering that anyone caught would be executed by the local government office. This was because several incidents broke out along with rumors that people who had disguised themselves in unfamiliar black hoods and clothes and whose identities were unknown were killing Joseon people. The victims were almost anyone, including children, women, farmers, and nobles, and Joseon was gripped by fear.
In each town, a sweeping operation to capture them was in full swing, and police officers searched the towns day and night. People had high hopes that they would soon disappear, but unfortunately, no one was caught for nearly a month.
Even in such a chaotic situation, something good happened in the town.
"Congratulations, ma'am, you have a daughter!!!"
"Haa... my baby..."
"Let's hug just once."
"You are so pretty. I guess it's because you take after your mother."
"Nanny, you're so... By the way, you're really pretty."
"What should I name it?"
"Okay, let's do Kim Yeo-ju."
Kim Yeo-ju, the daughter of a famous local vigilante leader, was born. Their family, a noble family formed by civilians to eradicate not only assassins but also heinous crimes, has maintained a close relationship with the royal family for generations.
Born among them, I too was treated with high regard, and I accompanied my parents whenever they visited the palace, receiving considerable care. It must have been so much so that even the crown prince came to me and spent his childhood with me.
"Hey lady!"
"What is it, Crown Prince, you said you were going to train in swordsmanship?"
"Still, it's boring. I'd rather read."
"If you want to become someone who will inherit the country, you have to work hard at everything."
"...Yeonju, you always say the right thing, which is even more annoying."
"Your Majesty, you shouldn't get angry easily~"
"...Tch!!"
The childish and petty conversations that took place in the palace's backyard never ceased. What could possibly be common between children who would follow in their parents' footsteps?
Although I was born into a family that was nothing to be envied, my parents always raised me with strictness. Of course, that was understandable. As the daughter of a vigilante leader, a position held by the king, I knew that even a single deviation would lead to my downfall. My personality wasn't particularly bad, and I was always proud of my parents, so I grew up to be their proud daughter, without a word.
Then one day, when I turned 15.
"Dispatched to Jecheon?"
"Yeah, that's what happened."
"We received a request for help from the Jecheon County government office."
"How long do you think it will take?"
"It'll probably take at least a month, maybe two."
"I'm going to be lonely all by myself. Would you like to come with me?"
"...yes!"
I also went back to Seoul with my parents, who were dispatched to deal with a minor incident that occurred in Jecheon.
At that time, I should have stopped my parents.
As night fell, we set off on our journey home, wandering through the forest in search of a place to stay. By the light of a lantern, the passing scenery had a strangely eerie, yet cool night air that soothed our trembling hearts.
"Let's take a break here and go."
"Yes, Father. It's quite a long way, isn't it?"
“The road to Jecheon is quite complicated.
Still, it wasn't long."
My father spoke as he sat on a rock, rubbing his legs. It was my first time being away from home, and I felt a bit uneasy, but since this was something so familiar to them, we chatted without any trouble. I found myself smiling, feeling a renewed sense of wonder at my parents.
at that time,
Tadak-
Footsteps were heard nearby. And not just one, but many. The sounds of several.
"...Honey, is it a wild animal?"
"For a beast, it seems human... Lady, stay with your mother."
"Yes, Father..."
My father stood back and looked around with a lantern in his hand. The thick darkness cast by the moon, which had risen high in the sky, suddenly enveloped the forest, which had become quiet.
"...is it a lie?"
As time passed and there was no sign of them, my father cautiously lowered the lantern and took one last look around. The moment of fear faded, and not a single ant could be heard. With a sigh, we prepared to set out again.
At that moment,
Ting -
In an instant, arrows flew,
Keuk-
"Ah... Father!!! Mother!!!"
"Take it!!!!"
"yes!!!"
"Ugh!! Ugh!!!! Ugh!!!!"
It happened in an instant.
A flying arrow pierced my parents' chest, and they collapsed, dead. As I cried out, unable to comprehend what was happening, someone covered me from behind and covered my mouth. Unable to speak properly, I could only manage heartbreaking sobs. The sight of their faces as I stared at them with difficulty was truly shocking.
About fifteen people, dressed in black hoods and clothes, armed with arrows and swords.
Those whom the country was trying so hard to catch.
They were assassins.