"-ke up"

"...wake up..."

"WAKE THE HELL UP!"

Seiya opened his eyes in a hurry. He felt a rush of pain coming from the back of his neck and fell back on the floor.

"...what?"

System Happy clicked his tongue. He tried to wake them up for the past 10 minutes. Who knew they could still be unconscious for that long ?

Well, System Happy is one impatient system so he used the fastest way to wake them up.

That is, curse them while yelling.

(cue cursing down below lol)

"Fucking assassins, trying to kill my beloved huh ? Who the fuck hired you cowards ?"

System Happy crossed his arms. Seiya's view is still hazy but he knew that the man in front of him is his target for the first task, System Happy.

System Happy furrowed his eyebrow and slapped Seiya's head. "Go wake your partner up, Coward 01"

Seiya's eyes widened. Finally realizing the situation he's in. "C-coward ?!" Feeling insulted, Seiya stood up and tried to tower the other man. Only to find that he's 2 inches shorter than the other.

"Go wake your partner up, coward 01. I have something to speak to you"

Seiya gritted his teeth. He lunged for System Happy and tried to grab a dagger from his belt, only to find them empty.

"What the ?"

System Happy stifled a laugh.

"....lol.."

Then it turned into a full blown laughter. While System Happy was rolling on the floor, clutching his stomach, Seiya went to wake Rick up. Finding him only half awake, he slapped the other man's head just like System Happy earlier.

Came Rick's words. System Happy stopped laughing. He quickly stood up and walked to Rick's side. Seiya shuddered. His partner, why did he have to shout that ?

— ugh!"

System Happy punched Rick on the gut with a smile on his face.

"Well, i hope you'll relay my message to your friend over here"

Seiya nodded while he was drenched in sweat. This guy is strong ! And who says he's ugly by the way ?

"Let's cut the chase. Yura wanted me so i can back her up right?" System Happy .

He guided the lost Seiya to a table. He sat on one chair and Seiya across him. System Happy waved his hand as teacup and all that jazz flew to his direction.

Seiya could only stare in awe. This guy can even control his magic finely !

"Is Darjeeling not to your liking?"

Seiya raised an eyebrow. "Dar...jeeling?"

Seiya sat on the chair. He realizes something is odd. "Wait... Why are you suddenly so polite now ? WEREN'T YOU CURSING AT US LIKE, 2 MINUTES AGO ?!"

System Happy raised an eyebrow. He smiled innocently while pouring the tea in an elegant cup.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I'm a pure being, i've never cursed"

Seiya's eyebrow twitched. "B-but !"

"Let's leave that topic behind. I don't know anything is my final answer. Are you clear, Coward 01?"

Seiya's face reddened with anger. "Y-you just called me coward, bastard!"

"Language" chided System Happy while placing a cup of tea in front of Seiya.

"I know why you are taking this job. You actually don't like your employer, yes ?"

Seiya gulped. Well, he took this job for his family. But this Earl looks suspicious...

"Yes...?"

System Happy's face is just inches away from Seiya's terrified one. Soon, System Happy overwhelmed him completely.

Seiya gulped. This Earl is just too suspicious. He managed to answer yes, but not before biting his tongue.

System Happy leaned back on his chair and giggled.

Yes, giggled.

It sent shivers down Seiya's spine.

"This Earl has a great deal for the both of you"

Seiya gaped at System Happy. He calmed himself down. His face turned serious.

"What is it...?"

System Happy chuckled.

"How about i'll give you 10 times the money Yura gave to hire you two?"

Seiya choked on his own spit. He stared incredulously at System Happy. His eyes wide as saucers.

This man is crazy !

"T-ten times ?!"

He won't even have to work !

System Happy nodded. "I have so much to spare you know ? Probably it'll last for seven generations"

System Happy is laughing inwardly at Seiya's face.

"Ah, share it with your partner too"

"Are you kidding me ?!" Seiya yelled. After that he calmed down again, he brought the already cold tea to his lips.

The tea is nice.

Very nice.

"No ! No ! I just wanted to help your loyal partner and your family"

Seiya choked on the tea this time.

"What the— Bastard ! Where did you get that information?!" Seiya grabbed System Happy's collar.

"What? Information? I just mentioned your family. You do have one, right?"

Seiya gritted his teeth and he released his hold on System Happy's collar.

System Happy fixed his collar and smiled widely at Seiya. Raising his eyebrows, he asks "Well?"

"Fine. But where's the catch?"

System Happy snickered behind his sleeve. "Ah... The catch is that, you must protect my ho— i mean, performer"

Seiya narrowed his eyes. "We're assassins, not baby sitters"

"Pfft~ i know. Do you want the money though? It can last you for seven generations straight"

Seiya pursed his lips. The offer was very tempting. He didn't like his Employer, even Rick is complaining.

If he accepts, he can support his family and Rick can live in luxury like how he always wanted. They both have achieved their goals.

He sighed.

"Ah, don't worry. El attracts trouble like a magnet"

"Magnet ?"

System Happy coughed. "Nothing. I mean, He attracts trouble like how flowers attracted the bees"

"Okay... We'll accept"

System Happy clapped his hands. "Great ! Now, we have a deal!"

A red rope materialized in front of System Happy. It reaches out to Seiya's neck. The rope curled around Seiya's neck. Seiya could only stare at it, since he doesn't feel anything like pain.

"If you betrayed my trust and help Yura, this rope will choke you and the people won't even notice that you are

murdered, Is that clear?"

Drips of sweats could be seen on Seiya's once again terrified face. He's an A ranked assassin damn it !

But faced with such a threat, he couldn't do anything. He could only nod and sigh in relief once the rope—noose— disappears.

System Happy stood up. "Oh. Betraying my trust includes not protecting El once you've received the money"

He waved and kicked them out of his space.

Still bewildered, Seiya pinched his cheeks. He noticed that the Earl didn't give his weapons back to him.

He sighed.

Seiya carried his friend back to their Boss to report and at the same time, quit the assassins league.

The next day when they checked their Account in the STF Hall (Safe Travel Fund), their eyes are wide as saucers when they stared at the screen projected by a magic stone in front of them. Showing large numbers and..lots of zeroes.

( う-´)づ

El's eyes are dark. He stared the back of a woman with a murderous glint on his eyes. His lips twitched upwards.

Remembering the fact that Yura sent assassins to kidnap System Happy for her sent shivers down his spine. He unconsciously hugged himself. Though, System Happy did come back last night, he still couldn't comprehend what that woman wants.

Does she wants System Happy all to herself ? He is his System from the start ! From the moment he died, System Happy lit a fire of hope inside his heart !

The thought of just dying there while he still has schemes ongoing, fills him with despair. He almost didn't care if he went to hell and the demons tortured him senseless.

He gripped his arms tightly. He stared hatefully at Yura.

Yura, who was happy because she knew the assassins will bring her the Earl, felt a malicious stare from her back.

If looks can kill, Yura's bloodied body would've been on the ground right now.

El snapped out of his stupor and quickly hid in the crowds.

Seeing nobody behind her, Yura continued to skip to the market.

El removed his hands from his arms and straightened his pose. He looked nonchalant while walking. He used a well prepared disguise, in case his admirers crowded him on this busy day.

He then smiled. A plan began to form inside of his mind.

Should he tell System Happy though?

El tilted his head. Hm... Maybe he shouldn't. Well, Everybody has their own secrets too so it's fair to hide this one behind System Happy's back right ?

He nodded cheerfully to himself. El changed his course of direction from the market to the Apothecary.