In the underworld, a new assassination order had surfaced... quietly at first, like a ripple beneath black, stagnant water.
But that ripple grew.
Whispers slithered through back alleys, smoke-filled dens, and the shadowed corners where killers gathered.
A contract like this did not appear every day.
Kill Judas Spade.
The name alone froze conversations.
A high-profile, high-value target.
The rising star of the Loki Familia.
A man whose very existence had begun to quietly tilt the balance of power in Orario.
The reward posted for his head?
Enough to make even veteran assassins pause mid-breath.
It had been a long time since someone dared issue a hit on anyone connected to the Loki Familia... much less someone so glaringly in the spotlight in recent times.
Naturally, the smart ones tried to trace the order's source.
They expected a rival familia.
A power-hungry noble faction.
Maybe even a secret evil organization.
But when they discovered the truth, many could only snicker in disbelief.
The order came from a pampered noble's son who had recently become an adventurer... or more like, was trying to act like one... an amateur with more coin than common sense.
And his stated reason?
"How dare he lay his hands on my Rose."
A petty, childish jealousy.
A tantrum dressed as a death order.
But assassins did not care about such reasons...
They only cared about the payout, the risk level of the mission, and whether they believed themselves capable of eliminating the target.
Naturally, most assassins ignored the order entirely.
Not just because the target belonged to a top-level familia, but also because Judas himself was a formidable foe.
However, there were always those with balls of steel... the overconfident, the reckless, or simply the ignorant... who actually accepted the mission.
One look at the reward was enough to tempt them.
"Hehe... with this much money, I could lay around for the rest of my life and still have millions to burn."
A beastkin assassin licked his lips.
His name was Reddit, and he had just returned to Orario after escorting a noble.
"Only a level 2? This is going to be easy. The only problem is that he's from the Loki Familia."
Judas' fame had already spread throughout Orario.
But that wasn't the case for those outside the city.
Why?
There were several reasons...
First, the Denatus had not yet been held, and second, Judas Spade was still a new name... there simply hadn't been enough time for word of his feats to spread beyond Orario's walls.
Because of that, Reddit remained completely ignorant of Judas' true capabilities.
Of course, he had eventually come to hear a few rumors about the target during his investigation.
But that only made him scoff in disdain.
"Fastest rank-up in history... four days?"
"Once-in-a-generation prodigy?"
And the most laughable claim of all:
"A level 2 with the combat prowess of a first-class adventurer."
Reddit nearly laughed himself off the roof.
"What kind of idiots believe this garbage? The Loki Familia must be inflating the stories to hype their prestige."
To him, it was obvious: the Loki Familia was creating rumors to hype their new golden boy.
Judas Spade was overrated.
Judas Spade was lucky.
Judas Spade was just some slightly talented rookie with a big familia covering his back.
His grin twisted into something darker.
It wasn't just him... there were plenty of people who doubted the validity of the rumors surrounding Judas.
Not only were the claims absurd, they outright defied common sense.
People believed what they wanted to believe.
They will see the believable lie as the more likely fact than the ridiculous truth.
And Reddit wanted to believe he was about to make the easiest fortune of his life.
Even if such rumors were backed by the Guild, he dismissed them with ease.
"He's probably some brat with a bit of skill."
Reddit muttered, baring his sharp teeth.
"I'll carve him open and expose this fraud to the world."
'As for the Loki Familia... if I can leave the city fast enough, they won't be able to track me down.'
After all, he was an assassin... a profession where danger was woven into every step.
His muscles coiled, his fingers brushing the knives hidden beneath his cloak.
Reddit, level 3 assassin, declared silently... murderously... as killing intent rolled off him like a toxic fog.
"I'll turn him into a corpse."
Confident.
Ignorant.
And already dead... he just didn't know it yet.
...
Reddit, now dressed in his assassin's attire, was shrouded in a thin veil of dark fog.
It was his stealth magic.
Unless someone with specialized sensory magic was actively searching for him, he was confident no one would notice his presence.
'There are quite a few guards... but it's not a big deal.'
He had already infiltrated the Twilight Manor, perched atop a high tree branch that offered a perfect view of his target.
His eyes narrowed as he spotted Judas stepping into his room and turning off a lamp.
So relaxed.
So casual.
So utterly unaware.
'Hehe... look at this guy. He has no idea he's about to die.'
Reddit grinned, his eyes curling into crescent slits as he imagined the fortune waiting for him.
He tightened his grip... dagger in one hand, a poison-laced throwing knife in the other.
Just as he was about to move...
"Wow... so it was true. An assassin really made it in. You are the fourth one I think."
"A little tricky to find. Must be some kind of concealment magic... but, well, it doesn't matter."
A feminine voice spoke inches away from where he crouched.
With skin as brown as wheat and a massive weapon slung casually over her shoulder, Tiona... wielding her greatsword Urga.... blinked at him in mild curiosity.
"...The Crusher?"
Reddit's eyes widened.
He jerked his head toward her and sprung backward in a panic.
He hurled the poisoned knife, but Tiona blocked it with a lazy flick of her wrist.
"Hoh... at least level 3."
she murmured, unimpressed.
Seeing his attack neutralized so effortlessly, the assassin's heart dropped.
'Shit! I've been caught!'
Sweat streamed down his face.
He spun around and immediately fled, abandoning the mission without hesitation.
'Forget the mission... my life comes first!'
He risked a glance behind him.
No one was chasing.
He exhaled in relief... though he kept running.
He sprinted toward the outer wall, bent his knees, and just as he was about to leap...
"Where do you think you're going?"
A boot smashed into his face, sending him crashing into the ground.
"Argh!"
Groaning, Reddit lifted his head.
His voice trembled.
"Al... chat..."
Anakitty, the black-haired cat woman, landed gracefully beside him, cold eyes gleaming with disdain.
"Another fool bold enough to step into these grounds."
She said, her voice sharp as a blade.
Those were the last words he heard before darkness swallowed him.
Inside the Manor, Judas... having watched the entire thing through his open window... took a sip of water, raising one finger as a magic circle hovered above it.
It was a spell that revealed the assassin's location, though there was no way Reddit would know that.
"Hm... needs ice."
He muttered, turning away without another thought.
By tomorrow, he'd forget this ever happened.
Or rather, the truth was simpler...
He had never considered the assassin a threat to begin with.
In Finn's office...
Finn, Riveria, Gareth, Bete, and a few other members were gathered, reviewing intel.
"We've tracked down the source. It seems to be a noble from Rakia."
They were still in the middle of discussing when a knock sounded on the door.
"Come in," Finn said, glancing up.
"Captain, we caught another one."
Tiona stepped inside, dragging an unconscious body across the floor before tossing it into the center of the room.
"Good job."
Finn nodded, not even bothering to look at the man.
His gaze shifted to Bete.
"Bete, go shut down the assassination order. Use force if needed."
At that, Bete smirked, letting out a low, satisfied grunt.
"Now you're speaking my language, captain."
He turned on his heel and left.
"It seems the prestige of our familia has taken a hit if these people think they can target one of our own and walk away without consequences."
Only then did Finn spare a brief glance toward the bodies on the floor.
"Tione, Narvi, Cruz... head to Rakia and deliver a warning. If they persist... tell them the Loki Familia will become their enemy."
"Yes, captain!"
They saluted sharply.
Gareth and Riveria stayed quiet.
They didn't protest... after all, when they heard an assassination order had been placed on one of their members, it would be a lie to say they weren't furious.
As the others departed, Finn finally allowed a small smile to curve at the corner of his lips, one eye closing in that familiar, confident expression.
"I think it's time to remind these people who we are."
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