Aske arrived at the edge of the valley.
He then saw a man in white standing in the middle of a clearing.
The man's pupils were deep brown, his hair slightly curly, with a prominent nose and deep-set eyes, suggesting a Middle Eastern descent from the Ilanian side.
He was holding an old book, and his demeanor was refined as if he were a scholar.
However, a Slaughter Value that instantly climbed to 10 indicated that the man was far from being a mere scholar.
After getting a clear look at his face, Aske put his hand on the Longsword at his waist.
"Do you recognize me?" the man turned his head and asked gently.
"Why do you ask that?" Aske responded.
"Because that's the look one gives to somebody they know," the man replied. "And I don't remember having seen you before."
"Perhaps I mistook you for someone else," Aske said.
"Whom did you think I was?" the man asked curiously.
"The Ilanian Assassin Sect, the youngest assassin instructor in history, Rasul?" Aske said.
