That thought came to my mind because my parents often discussed the rising crime rate in this town.Cruel as it is, crime is also a way to gain recognition—at least under a secret identity.
A few minutes passed.The members of the Assassin Guild vanished—into shadows, into silence.
"I'm going to get a view from the inside using my special ability: Limited Invisibility," the woman said."It allows me to become transparent. But if someone focuses hard, they can still slightly see me. Wait for my signal to come in."
She vanished into the hallway.
While she was gone, the sounds of rage and brutality grew louder.It wasn't long before everything culminated in one chilling scream—raw, guttural, hopeless.
Then—crack!A piece of wood hit me from somewhere above.That must be the sign.
Acno and I entered.
Inside, we came across a narrow partition, just before a three-way intersection:Left to the basement, right up the stairs, and straight into what looked like a living room.
The woman's voice echoed through the walls:"Go upstairs—now. If we're too late, Yukinotard will lose the will to protect our guild."
As we ascended, the disturbing sounds of something darker—something unspeakable—grew louder.At the top of the staircase stood a guard.
But in the next instant, he collapsed—lifeless.
Apparently, the woman had reached him unnoticed. A dagger had opened his neck clean.The floor was painted with his blood, the smell of death thick in the air.
She gently cracked open the next door. Inside were two men.One had a whip in his hand, the other a silver pistol holstered at his waist.
A plan formed in my mind.If we rush now and strike the one with the gun first, we could grab the weapon and shoot the other.But doubt crept in—how strong are they?
They looked to be in their twenties.That's ten more years of training, leveling, and combat than Acno or I had.
The woman stood frozen in thought.A thought only someone like her could have—cold, sharp, and necessary.
She turned slightly and whispered:"Whether it's you or Acno—there's no time left. We either rush in or let this moment destroy us. And if you haven't noticed... they both carry the rank of Excessive Assassin—one of the highest in their guild.""But if you never take risks, you'll only end up deceiving yourself. Now—run."
The door flung open—faster than light.
Confused faces met our charge.The man with the whip raised his arm toward Acno, ready to strike.But our real target was the one with the gun.
I lunged, grabbed the holster, and yanked the pistol free with all my strength.
Behind me, I heard the sound of impact.Acno screamed—his back slashed open by the whip. Blood splattered across the floor.
My fingers clenched around the gun. I raised it.My gaze locked onto the man with the whip.
I pulled the trigger.
One.Two.Three.
My expression went blank.Because behind them—I saw Yukinotard.Tied up. Bloodied. Barely conscious.
The scene turned my stomach.I nearly vomited.
But the bullets were already in flight.
All three slammed into the man's chest.His windbreaker tore open as he stumbled back.
He dropped like the guard outside.But this time—he vomited blood before hitting the ground.