Clack. Clack.
The sharp sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder with every step.
Bang.
The door burst open.
A man in a black suit stormed inside. His expression was stiff, his eyes locked on the man sitting calmly in the chair.
The seated man slowly raised his head, looking at him as if nothing in the world could interest him anymore.
The man at the door studied his face and let out a frustrated sigh.
"Andy."
"I told you this mission is important and dangerous. Why did you send that little runt without discussing it first? You know what happens if the Boss finds out."
Andy tilted his head slightly. A cruel smile formed on his lips.
"John. Long time no see. How have you been?"
John's expression hardened.
"Skip the greetings. Answer me. Why did you send him?"
Andy's smile didn't fade.
"Easy, my friend. That brat? Yes, I sent him."
He paused.
"I know he can handle it. For him, it's a walk in the park. How long do you plan to keep giving him easy missions? If he wants to improve, he needs real life-and-death situations. Don't you agree?"
John didn't reply right away.
Deep down, he knew Andy wasn't wrong. The boy could complete the mission. His worry wasn't concern or fondness.
It was fear.
Andy hadn't informed the higher-ups.
And they were watching that boy far too closely.
Why… no one knew.
John turned away.
"Pray the boy comes back in one piece. If not, be ready to lick the floor without your head attached."
He left without another word.
Andy closed his eyes, his smile widening.
"Entertain me, boy."
Somewhere else.
Under the silent night, wrapped in thick darkness, a boy sat on the ground staring at a massive building. He was unaware of the conversation that had just taken place between two madmen.
His blue eyes were cold and focused.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small device, and tapped the screen.
MISSION:
Kill the man named Kevin.
Silently.
That was all.
He put the device away and stood up slowly, scanning his surroundings.
The building was surrounded by thick forest. No other structures were in sight.
A secret hideout… or a temporary meeting place for wealthy people.
"I lean toward the second," he murmured. "No real hideout would look this welcoming."
The next question came naturally.
Who was Kevin?
There was no picture attached — only a name.
"That man removed it on purpose."
Within minutes, the boy analyzed every possibility and made his decision.
His footsteps made no sound as he moved. He closed the distance quickly and stopped behind a nearby tree.
Two guards stood at the gate, scanning the area. Alert. Not careless.
The boy glanced around, then fixed his gaze on a specific spot.
Without hesitation, he picked up a stone and threw it in the opposite direction, never taking his eyes off his target.
Shluk. Thud.
The guards turned toward the sound.
One nodded and moved to investigate. The other stayed behind, gripping his weapon tightly.
The boy slipped behind the creature he had been watching.
A snake.
He grabbed its head in one swift motion. The snake twisted violently, but his grip was iron-strong.
At the same time, the first guard reached the source of the noise and scanned the area.
"Hmm… I thought I heard something. Must've been an animal."
As he turned back—
Something struck his neck.
He spun around in shock.
A poisonous snake lunged.
For a split second, he froze.
The snake bit.
"AARRRGHH!"
The guard screamed and threw it away. The shout alerted the second guard, who rushed over.
Using the chaos, the boy slipped through the gate and closed it silently.
The second guard found his partner on the ground, clutching his neck.
"What happened?"
"A… a snake. It caught me off guard."
The guard sighed in relief, pulled out an injector, and administered the antidote.
"That's common here. You'll be fine in a few minutes. Rest — I'll watch the gate."
The injured man nodded.
Inside the building, the boy hid in the shadows and listened.
"Marco, this plan is brilliant. We'll be rich!"
"Haha! Of course. I'm smart."
As expected.
A friendly gathering. Light security, but the guards were alert. Important people.
Three men.
One was Marco. But which one was Kevin?
The conversation ended. The men headed to their rooms.
The boy followed one of them.
The man entered his room, still smiling.
"Ha! Marco's ideas are always—"
His words died.
A cold blade pressed against his throat.
Before he could scream, a calm voice whispered near his ear.
"Move even one muscle, and you die."
The man's heart sank.
"I was ordered to kill a man named Marco," the boy said. "Is that you?"
Fear, anger, then relief flashed through the man's mind. In the face of death, everyone chose themselves.
"I—I'm not him."
The boy studied his face.
"And how do you expect me to believe that?"
The man trembled. Desperate, he pulled out an ID card.
"S-see… I'm not Marco. My name is Kevin."
The knife flashed.
Confusion filled the man's eyes as life left them.
"Hm. So I was right."
The boy checked his device and tapped DONE.
Mission completed.
He vanished into the night without a sound.
As he moved through the forest, the device vibrated.
SPECIAL MISSION:
Enroll in Aurelian High School.
As a normal student.
Await further instructions.
He stared at the screen.
"…A special mission."
"Straight from the higher-ups."