Earth - Karaoke Bar, Evening
The neon lights of Total Voice Karaoke cast colorful reflections across the rain-slicked street as the four members of the Meteor Shower Sect stumbled through the entrance, still laughing about the day's beach adventures.
"I still can't believe your shorts just... fell off," Himari giggled, covering her mouth as she looked at Tim's red face. "Right in front of all those families!"
"It was a wardrobe malfunction," Tim protested, shooting a glance at Riku, who was maintaining perfect innocence despite her barely suppressed smirk. "The drawstring must have been defective."
"Sure it was," Yui said with a wicked grin, leading them toward a private room.
Riku bit her lip to keep from laughing outright. The Dao of the Saber was apparently useful for more than just combat—cutting through a drawstring with surgical precision had been almost too easy.
The private room was decorated in typical Japanese style—low tables, comfortable cushions, and a massive screen dominating one wall. Himari immediately began flipping through the song catalog with the enthusiasm of someone who genuinely loved music.
"Okay, house rules," Yui announced, settling onto the cushions with theatrical authority. "As Enforcement Elder, I decree that everyone has to sing at least two songs. No exceptions, no excuses."
"What's the punishment for refusal?" Tim asked, though he was already loosening up from the combination of beach sun and the drinks they'd ordered.
"Public humiliation and extra training," Yui replied promptly. "Which, considering what happened to you at the beach, might be redundant."
Himari bounced slightly in her seat, her usual cheerful energy even brighter than normal. "Can I go first? I found the perfect song!"
The opening notes of a popular J-pop ballad filled the room, and Himari took the microphone with obvious excitement. But the moment she began to sing, the atmosphere completely changed.
Her voice was absolutely stunning.
Not just good—professionally trained, emotionally rich, with perfect pitch and a range that seemed to effortlessly hit every note. The playful girl who worked multiple part-time jobs disappeared, replaced by someone who could have headlined major concerts.
Tim and Riku exchanged amazed glances while Yui sat transfixed, her usual smirk replaced by genuine awe.
"Holy shit, Himari," Riku breathed when the song ended. "You're incredible. Have you had professional training?"
Himari blushed prettily, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "Just... you know, singing in school choirs and stuff. I've always loved music."
It was a lie, of course. The original Kira had been trained in vocal techniques as part of her infiltration skills—the ability to modulate her voice, to sing beautifully enough to gain access to high-society events where targets might be present. But Himari found herself genuinely enjoying the music, the friendship, the simple pleasure of people appreciating her talent for something other than killing.
"My turn," Yui announced, standing with theatrical flair. She selected something completely unexpected—a haunting folk ballad that spoke of ancient mountains and forgotten legends.
When she began to sing, the room fell silent.
Yui's voice was different from Himari's—deeper, richer, with an otherworldly quality that seemed to echo with power. The lyrics spoke of cultivation journeys and immortal love, and somehow Yui imbued every word with the weight of genuine understanding.
"Where the hell did that come from?" Tim asked when she finished, his voice slightly awed.
"My grandmother taught me," Yui replied with unusual softness. "Old songs from the mountain villages. They're meant to be sung by people who understand... deeper things."
Tim felt a chill of recognition. The way Yui had sung, the power in her voice, the casual reference to "deeper things"—it all pointed to the same conclusion he'd reached about Himari. Their little training group was apparently full of people with secrets.
As the night progressed, the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed and genuine. Tim's embarrassment about the beach incident faded into good-natured teasing, while Riku found herself enjoying the simple pleasure of hanging out with genuine friends.
Himari was particularly animated, laughing at every joke and contributing her own stories about disastrous customer service experiences. For someone who hid so much hurt inside, she was remarkably good at being a normal, happy young adult.
"You know what?" Himari said during a brief pause between songs, her cheeks flushed from laughter and the drinks they'd been sharing. "This is the most fun I've had in... maybe ever. You guys are the best friends I've ever had."
The sincerity in her voice caught everyone off guard. Yui reached over to pat her shoulder while Tim and Riku exchanged warm smiles.
"Meteor Shower Sect sticks together," Tim said with mock solemnity, raising his glass in a toast.
"To the weirdest martial arts school on the planet," Riku added, clinking her glass against his.
"And to Enforcement Elder Yui's terrifying training methods," Himari giggled, completing the toast.
As they dissolved into laughter again, none of them noticed the way Himari's expression flickered for just a moment.
Cultivation World - Azure Sky City, Penthouse Suite
While Himari was laughing with her friends, Kira stood perfectly still in her luxury apartment, staring at the holographic display projected by her communication device. The caller's identity was encrypted, but the quality of the encryption told her everything she needed to know about their resources and connections.
"Kira Shade," the digitally modified voice said without preamble. "We have a proposition."
"I'm listening," she replied, her voice carrying the professional neutrality of someone accustomed to dangerous clients.
"Two targets. High value. Extremely well protected. The compensation reflects the difficulty—5000 spirit stones."
Kira's eyebrows rose slightly. 5000 spirit stones was enough to purchase a small spaceship, or fund a dozen lesser assassinations. "Who are the targets?"
"Varek of the Flaming Saber Sect and Lia of the former Flowing Water Sect. Currently residing in the Crimson Crater Kingdom under royal protection."
The request wasn't entirely surprising. Both targets had made enemies through their recent actions, and their viral relationship had painted them as symbols of various political positions. But the price being offered suggested something more than simple revenge.
"There are additional requirements," the caller continued. "The female target carries a spatial artifact—a globe-shaped pendant. This must be retrieved intact and delivered along with proof of elimination."
"Timeline?" Kira asked, her mind already analyzing the tactical challenges involved.
"One month. The Crimson Crater Kingdom will be sealed during their preparation for the Inter-Realm Competitions. No cultivators will be permitted entry or exit until the tournament. The tournament itself provides the only window of opportunity."
Kira nodded slowly. It was an elegant solution to the kingdom's defensive formations—rather than trying to breach their protections, the client was proposing to strike during the one moment when security would necessarily be relaxed to allow competitors to participate.
"Infiltration method?" she inquired.
"Mortal identity papers are being prepared. You'll enter as a servant for one of the competing delegations. The tournament venue will provide optimal access to both targets."
"And my employers?"
"The Corpse Cleansing Sect extends this contract with the backing of the Shadow Veil Alliance. Payment is guaranteed by the Galactic Mercenary Guild."
The credentials were impeccable, the backing legitimate, and the payment astronomical. But something about the job felt unusual. The level of resources being committed, the specific requirement for the pendant, the willingness to wait a full month for optimal conditions—this wasn't just about eliminating two troublesome cultivators.
"I accept," Kira said finally. "Standard terms—half payment upon contract signature, half upon completion. Operational autonomy maintained throughout."
"Agreed. Welcome to the operation, Shade."
The connection ended, leaving Kira alone with her thoughts and the holographic contract details. 5000 spirit stones to kill two Foundation Establishment cultivators during a public tournament. It should have been the easiest money she'd ever made.
So why did her assassin's instincts keep whispering that this job was far more than it appeared?
Earth - Walking Home from Karaoke
The four friends made their way through the quiet streets, their voices still echoing with laughter as they rehashed the evening's highlights. Himari walked slightly apart from the others, her phone buzzing with what appeared to be work-related messages.
"Sorry guys," she said apologetically, typing rapidly. "My manager is freaking out about tomorrow's shift coverage. You know how restaurant work is."
"No worries," Tim replied, though he noticed the serious expression that flickered across her face as she read the messages. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, just... you know, adult responsibilities," Himari said with a forced smile. "Sometimes I wish I could just sing karaoke and hang out with friends all the time instead of dealing with real life."
As they reached the intersection where their paths diverged, Himari impulsively hugged each of them goodbye.
"Thanks for tonight," she said softly. "Really. This meant more to me than you know."
As she walked away toward her apartment, Himari felt the weight of her double life settling back onto her shoulders. In one month, she would have to hunt and kill people. The cheerful girl who had laughed with friends and sung karaoke felt like a different person from the assassin who had just accepted a contract worth 5000 spirit stones.
But Kira was well embedded in her sect. You couldn't just retire from assassinations—not when you were one of their most valuable assets. The only way out was death.
Earth - Industrial District, 1:47 AM
In an abandoned warehouse across the city, Derek Morrison smiled as the junkie eagerly examined the small baggie of white powder he'd offered.
"This is the good stuff, man," Derek said softly, watching the desperate hunger in the addict's eyes. "Pure as it gets. Go ahead, test it."
The junkie a skeletal man in his thirties whose addiction had consumed everything he'd once been turned his back to Derek as he prepared to sample the drugs. His hands shook with anticipation as he bent over the makeshift surface.
Derek drew the knife slowly, savoring the moment. "Sweet dreams," he whispered.
The blade slid between the man's ribs with surgical precision, finding the heart on the first try. The junkie's body went rigid for a moment, a confused gasp escaping his lips before he collapsed face-down onto the concrete.
Derek knelt beside his second victim, watching fresh blood pool around the ritual symbols carved into the floor. He pulled the blade free and brought his blood-stained fingers to his lips, tongue darting out to taste the metallic warmth mixed with stolen life essence.
"Much sweeter than the first," he murmured, savouring the flavour as dark pleasure shivered through his meridians. "Desperation adds such a nice flavour."
The ritual circle pulsed with accumulated death qi, each symbol glowing faintly in the darkness. Forty-eight more deaths to complete all five anchor points.