That morning, within the slums on the outskirts of the capital—
A young man in his twenties walked at a slow pace.
Calmer than he should have been.
Yet his eyes followed the shadows lurking in the corners…
The homeless.
Thieves.
Hungry gazes.
With a tense smile, he decided to run—to flee the trouble he had gotten himself into.
The moment the thieves noticed his reaction, they rushed after him.
Shouts and overlapping orders rose behind him, accompanied by angry curses, before they lunged forward all at once.
The chase came to an end after numerous collisions and obstacles the young man deliberately created to delay them—only for him to be cornered in a secluded area.
He leaned against the wall, head lowered, catching his breath—
Until a blow struck his head: an empty metal can thrown by one of the thieves who had caught up to him.
"You bastard, was it really necessary to push us this far?
If you'd just handed everything over and left, you would've walked away with all your limbs intact."
"…"
The young man didn't reply.
He simply kept pressing the spot where it hurt.
After a moment, he straightened up and lifted his head, glaring at them with irritation.
"I would have preferred to end things without trouble as well…
but you just hurt me. I hate pain, you know."
The men exchanged looks in silence—then burst out laughing, mocking the young man trapped in the corner.
One of them spoke, wiping tears from the corner of his eye.
"Alright. We've played and laughed enough. Time to get to work."
He then nodded toward his companions, gesturing at the young man.
"Strip him of everything. Even his clothes.
Leave him with nothing."
The young man stiffened, then sighed before shouting loudly—
"How long do you plan on watching this?!
You bastard, Kalian!!
This isn't what we agreed on!"
The men halted just a step away from him as a dagger embedded itself near their feet.
They looked up in confusion.
"It would've been more entertaining if you'd held out a little longer."
Kalian replied in a mocking tone, looking down at the young man from above.
The latter shot back irritably
"Is it entertaining to watch me get stripped of everything?!
Do you have some kind of strange inclinations, you sadist?"
Kalian fell silent for a moment—then sprang forward, closing the distance to stand beside him. He stared at his face with visible impatience.
"How long do you plan on dragging out this performance?
It's not like you'd ever let them lay a finger on you.
I'd bet you'd sever their fingers before they even touched you."
The young man chuckled softly, then placed a hand on his companion's shoulder, answering with a sly smile curving his lips.
"Since the act is over and I've done my part—gathering them all in one place as agreed—you handle the rest.
I have no desire to see a single drop of blood today."
Kalian looked him in the eyes with disgust and muttered
"You hypocrite… If you don't want to see blood, then why does your hand never leave the dagger strapped to your back?"
The young man smiled faintly before adding
"Anyway, I'll be waiting up top.
Don't let them escape and pin the blame on me later."
The moment he finished speaking, the young man leapt across the wooden crates in a single motion, landing atop the stone building where Kalian had been standing earlier.
Kalian looked up at him, muttering
"Ethan, you bastard…"
He then turned to face the four men frozen before him—just as they attempted to attack with the swords and metal batons they carried.
But it was over before their screams could fully form.
What remained—
A heavy silence…
And ground soaked in blood.
From afar, Ethan sat on the edge of the wall, watching what unfolded below.
In the end, he whistled, casting Kalian an exaggerated look of amazement before clapping his hands together mockingly.
"Your skills have really improved, Kalian.
Do you follow a specific training regimen?"
A dagger suddenly flew past Ethan's cheek, slicing the skin.
Drops of crimson blood trailed down his face.
His eyes widened in surprise, his earlier smile vanishing instantly as he cast Kalian a cold stare.
Kalian returned the same look before speaking flatly
"I know you're mocking me.
So shut that damn mouth of yours."
After a brief pause, Ethan sighed and rose from his seat.
He faced Kalian with a calm expression that failed to conceal his hostility, then said
"I believe I already told you I don't want to see even a single drop of blood.
And you know I hate pain.
Are you trying to start trouble?"
Kalian smirked as he replied sarcastically
"Come to think of it… how long has it been since we last fought face to face in a battle to the death?"
Ethan stared at him for a few seconds before exhaling sharply.
"You're lucky I'm on a mission right now.
Otherwise, this wouldn't have ended so well."
He then softened his tone slightly and continued
"Anyway… what about the report I asked you for?"
Kalian stood still for a moment, exchanging a hollow look with Ethan.
Then he sighed, composed his expression, and climbed up to stand beside him.
He handed him an envelope, slipping his other hand into his pocket.
With a forced smile, he observed Ethan's reaction and added
"The details are all here.
Deliver it to Lady O'Gil's younger daughter.
Things are starting to take a rather amusing turn…
It seems you'll be having quite the entertaining days ahead.
Ah… how I envy you."
Ethan looked at Kalian blankly, then parted his lips slightly and smiled.
"Heh… if you're the one saying that, I suppose it really is interesting.
Well then, since my task is complete, I'll leave the cleanup to you.
Goodbye."
After waving casually, Ethan leapt across the nearby rooftops, returning to the main road and continuing on his way.
As for Kalian—left alone behind—he sighed while looking down at the bodies below.
"It's not like I was expecting your help anyway."