After taking a bath and attempting to calm himself, Izzan stepped out of the bathroom with a clearer mind. His uncle's servants moved swiftly around the house, as if they knew his every need before he even voiced them. They had already prepared clean, comfortable clothes for him, and soon, a luxurious dinner was served on the table. Izzan sat down and began to enjoy the diverse dishes, from tender roasted meat to a rich, fragrant soup.
As he finished his meal, a man with a dignified and elegant appearance approached. He was the head servant of the household, introducing himself with formal politeness and respect.
"Good evening, Master Izzan," the man said. "My name is Randel, the head servant of this house. From now on, I will ensure all your needs are met. Allow me to introduce the two personal servants who will be attending to you."
Randel gestured toward two individuals standing just behind him—a young man and a woman, both exuding an air of quiet elegance. They bowed respectfully.
"This is Lira and Fen," Randel continued. "They will be by your side at all times, ready to serve whatever you require."
Izzan observed the two with keen interest. Behind their simple and polite demeanor, there was something... different. Athena, who had remained silent until now, suddenly displayed a notification, revealing the status of Lira and Fen before Izzan's eyes.
Athena (displaying panel): "Lira: Class A Assassin. Skills: Stealth, Poison, Close Combat.
Fen: Class A Assassin. Skills: Sniper, Tactical Movement, Trap Setting."
Izzan was stunned for a moment. They weren't just ordinary servants. Their status revealed them as highly skilled assassins. Athena's analysis further indicated that the entire staff in his uncle's house possessed similar combat abilities, with a minimum rank of 2-Star Knight.
Athena: "Izzan, you need to be cautious. This house is not what it seems. Every servant here has high-level combat skills. This is more than just a noble family's home; it's more like a stronghold for elite soldiers. They may be loyal to your uncle, but we must stay vigilant."
Izzan subtly nodded, agreeing with Athena's warning. He tried to mask his surprise and remain calm in front of Randel, Lira, and Fen.
Izzan (inwardly): "What's really going on here? Why is my uncle surrounded by assassins? Is there something larger at play that I don't know about?"
For now, he chose not to question anything further. Although the house felt comfortable, Izzan was now acutely aware that he was in an environment filled with people of great power and possibly hidden intentions. Despite this, he decided to make the most of the situation and stay focused on his goal.
"Thank you, Randel. Lira, Fen, I look forward to working with you," Izzan said.
Lira and Fen smiled faintly, remaining composed and silent.
Sensing that Izzan was slightly shaken, Randel inquired in a soft yet attentive tone.
"Is there anything you wish to ask, Master Izzan?"
For a moment, Izzan's expression shifted dramatically. A cold side of him, one that was rarely seen even in critical moments, began to surface. It was a part of himself that only emerged when he carried out dangerous missions in his past life. With sharp, cautious eyes, Izzan stared directly into Randel's, creating a tension that seemed to pierce the room.
"Why would assassins like you choose to be servants?" Izzan asked in a low, powerful tone, instantly filling the room with a heavy atmosphere.
Randel and the two servants beside him, Lira and Fen, were visibly caught off guard. They hadn't expected Izzan to uncover the hidden truth so quickly. Their faces showed surprise, but Randel, being more experienced, quickly regained his composure. He offered a thin smile, almost like a teacher proud of a student's remarkable achievement.
"Ah, the son of a wolf remains a wolf," Randel remarked.
His words carried a mix of respect and acknowledgment that Izzan, though still young, had inherited the sharp instincts of his father. However, Randel had no intention of letting the conversation go any further. With a respectful tone, he concluded their exchange.
"Rest well, Master Izzan."
With that, Randel closed the door quietly, leaving Izzan alone in the grand, luxurious room.
As silence filled the space, Athena's voice suddenly cut through the air, calm but filled with analytical precision.
Athena: "I detected a surge in their aura just after you asked that question. But there's no sign of killing intent. They're not enemies... for now."
Izzan scoffed softly and lay back on his bed, feeling a mix of emotions. So much had happened, and while the place seemed safe, he knew he was now in an environment surrounded by secrets.
With a long sigh, he reflected on the situation. His new life seemed to echo his old one, though with slightly different roles. As Athena began to speak again, Izzan opened his eyes a little and muttered softly, more to himself than anyone else.
"After everything... in the end, it's still just the two of us."
Athena, with a quiet but thoughtful tone, responded.
Athena: "Seeing your cold nature return just now... Are you becoming the Izzan of old? Is this your way of surviving?"
But Izzan chose not to answer. He simply closed his eyes, allowing the silence to envelop the room once more. The fatigue from his internal battles and the reality of his family's loss finally weighed on him, pulling him into sleep. As the shadows of his past haunted him in his dreams, Athena's presence remained, constant and faithful, watching over him through the long night.