We left Sijoh City and within a day we arrived in the next city, Aswad. It was the capital of this country called Qiddan. It was filled with extremely tall buildings, a bunch of cars, noisy people, and pollution. Master and I were set to rent an old apartment in downtown where there were more rundown buildings and garbage than anything. It was the poorer area of the city where suspicious personalities come and go.

We fit right in.

Closer to the center of the city were various technological companies competing with each other. It seems that most citizens in this city specialize in developing new technologies. Even the malls around were filled with machines and gadgets that were newly developed, such as a radio that had moving pictures in it. As much as I found it interesting, I also think that such things that can spread news faster and with more accurate visual information were dangerous for the likes of us. That was not like the newspapers that take far more time to reach people’s hands. Furthermore, there were also companies that were developing smaller and more convenient communication devices. They also displayed, machines that help in everyday work like cooking or cleaning; stuff the likes of us do not put much thought into.

The stores were also filled with parts and components to make those new and more advance technologies. However, what I did not find among those newly developed tools were weapons. Despite their advancement, I cannot find any establishments selling or promoting new weapons; neither did I find any company developing them. There was none in this city.

I thought there would be more focus on powering up oneself. Especially in this time we are in.

We had three days to settle in our new place, before the handler showed up again. He gave us our new documents and the information on our new target. After studying the target carefully and developing the method for the hit, we requested for the guild to send us the equipment we needed.

“There is zero chance that this target for assassination will be called off.” The handler says while Master was reading through the files. “You are also required to use your ki abilities in this hit. It seems that the client is determined to get rid of this one.”

“That won’t be a problem.” Master flipped through the papers. “It’s better that way. Our days of work won’t be wasted in case the client decides to cancel. Sometimes I feel like my hard work is being betrayed.”

“Good to hear,” the handler smiled.

“Let me confirm then,” Master turned the paper with the target’s profile towards the handler. “This guy is the target.” He pointed at the picture of a man who looked like he is in his late fifties. “Just him?”

The handler nodded. “Yes. Though, he probably won’t be alone. He has his personal bodyguards. Their details are also in the document.”

“What do we do with them?”

“The usual.”

We will get rid of all witnesses.

Master then passed the files to me. “Memorize all of that. We’ll start work tomorrow.”

“Mhm.” I scanned through the documents. I read a somewhat familiar name. “George Freyman?”

“Heard of him?”

“No,” I answered while keeping my composure. “Not specifically this one.”

“Is there a problem, Khali?”

“No. There is none.”

“Very well.” Master turned his attention back to the handler. “Come back the same night next week. I’ll fill you in with the plan.”

The handler nodded before leaving.

“So, what’s the problem?” Master asked me again. His tone sounded deeper, he read me easily.

I really cannot hide anything from him.

“The target might be related to the person I met last time.”

“Is that all?”

I nodded my head.

“There’s no problem then.” He took a deep breath before he rested on the couch. “Once you’re done memorizing that, burn it until there’s nothing but ashes. Flush it down the toilet.”

We had one week to observe and make a plan. Then the handler checked on us. We gave him our mode operation along with the things we needed. When the place, date and time of the hit was settled, the handler informed the high command. He returned within a day or two and gave us the location of our equipment. Until the time for the hit came close, Master and I needed to lie low while carefully observing out target.

The hit was scheduled two nights later. During that time, I was loitering in a café close to the hotel where the target was staying. As of the past three days, nothing unusual happened. I had been tailing him since the date was settled. That was a simple scouting mission.

The target went out and did his work diligently. He attended a bunch of meetings and had no fixed schedule, or so that was how it looked. Because we had already obtained his schedule for the month, we were already informed of how his days were going to pass. When his day was over, he went back home, however his place of return always changed. It was never the same as the previous one though it was always one of the five places he owned under his name.

By the day of the hit, he should be in a hotel suite.

I was passing time in a table by the window of a café. When night comes, the target has to go back in that hotel across the street. I let myself relax at the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee mixed in the air. I took a sip of my hot mocha before reviewing the details of the target in my head.

According to the files, George Freyman had a wife and three children. His wife was working elsewhere. She was the head researcher in developing a new device that could identify if a crime was committed by the ones with abilities. It seems that she had not showed up around here for several months. Their eldest son was taking a medical course in the state university. The second and third children were studying in a boarding school abroad.

The accuracy of the information was too high. The person who wanted him dead must be pretty close to him. He must had done either something really bad or something really good.

Either way… What bad luck he got.

My wondering thought was disrupted when the table shook. I looked in front of me, and a familiar face I did not wish to see greeted me.

“Hey Elle,” he smiled. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. You’re alone again. What are you up to?” His face was glowing with enthusiasm.

“Gavin… We’re sent here for the job.” I answered feeling a bit caught off-guard.

“Hm. You’re father’s job? Of all places you were sent to my hometown.” He chuckled. “Don’t you think this is some form of destiny tying us together?”

If that is so, then you have a pretty bad one coming.

He stared at me for a while. “You have no reaction at all. How disappointing.” He frowned while rubbing his nape.

“Aren’t you concerned that you are merely wasting your time with a stranger?”

“It’s just—” His expression became softer. “You look like you were silently suffering alone. I got a bit overconfident… I thought I could do something.”

How could this guy see something I struggled so hard to hide? He is far too kind and… stupid... and naïve... I cannot deal with him anymore.

“You moved around a lot. You must not have experienced what it means to find friends you can always get in touch with and rely on. It must have been really hard.”

“Mhm. I have a favor to ask you.”

“Yes?”

I stood up and looked him straight in the eyes. “The next time you see me, just ignore me.”

“Huh?”

“Please don’t talk to me again.”

Gavin’s jaws dropped as I said those words. His eyes were wide open while following my movement as I walked away from there. I left the café, while he stayed sitting on the same table by the window. His back is arched, head low.

Getting rid of this connection is the right thing to do.

“Li-! Khali! Khali!!!” Master called while he inspected the blade of his jian. “What are you doing letting your mind wonder around?” He sheathed his sword before concealing it behind his long coat. His brows furrowed. “Are you done checking your weapons?”

“Mhm.” I gripped the shaft of the dirk that master gave me. I kept it hidden, hanging at the back of my belt, under my coat. “All preparations are complete.”

The throwing knives are secured in its place.

“We’ll finish the job tonight.” He said as he opened the door. “Don’t screw up.”

“Mhm.”