Central Region, Kyoto.
Just as the Kyoto trial was also in full swing.
Within Kyoto's largest black market, a rarely visited underground palace suddenly filled with people clad in bizarre attire.
Every one of them had their heads and faces covered, as though they could not bear the light, yet without exception, each bore a dense baleful aura.
Killing Intent was something that could only condense after one's hands had been stained with too much blood and too many lives had been cut down.
Ordinarily, after recuperating for some time, it would dissipate on its own.
Yet the Killing Intent on this group had condensed without scattering, nearly taking tangible form. There was only one reason for that.
—They had killed without interruption for years! The underground palace was exceedingly understated, without any lavish decorations.
Its sole eye-catching feature was the blood-black emblem above its doors.
A censer was engraved upon it, three incense sticks fanned out and quietly burning.
Assassin's Hall, Three Incense Sticks! Within the main hall.
Numerous bounties hung high upon the task board.
Any bounty that could be posted at the Central Region headquarters of "Three Incense Sticks" was at least Dead Disciple level.
Within "Three Incense Sticks," the three highest classes of wanted criminals—Dead Disciples, Evildoers, and Dejected Corpses—respectively corresponded to the red hunter token, purple hunter token, and gold hunter token among the assassin ranks.
Generally speaking, only assassins of the corresponding rank could accept bounties of the corresponding level. Only upon completing the task could they receive the substantial reward.
But there were exceptions.
For example, right now...
At the highest and most conspicuous spot on the task board in the hall, there was now a bounty glowing with black-gold radiance, exceptionally conspicuous.
There was nothing written on the bounty.
Yet all assassins