Akito’s eyes opened up wide in disbelief as he went flying across the room. His mind had not even begun processing the pain or what just happened – pure bewilderment was written on Akito’s face. He had been so focused on saving Shin that he forgot the basic tenets of combat.

No, it didn’t matter whether Akito focused on killing or saving. The assassin had an unreal reaction time. Even the best surprise attack from Akito would never work on him. Akito had seen such speedy movements before and he had met many more far more powerful people in the Murim. Nonetheless, he did not expect that their assassin would be of such high calibre in close combat situation. The only explanation was – he was core member of the Baem.

As in any organization, there is a CEO, co-founders or team members who have been with the organization for several years and then there are other employees. Many of the tribes, clans and families in the Murim world operated with a hierarchical governance structure. The family or clan was led by a Head of the family, there were several core members and then there were other members. As the name suggests, core members are considered elite and somewhat of a big deal in Murim. It is said, if you kill the head of the family then a new one will sprout. But if you kill the all core members then the family is finished. Core members rarely made appearances and any mission they would undertake meant it was on where failure could not be accepted.

Akito cursed himself as he hit the wall with full force – sinking into the impression his body made on the wall.

Of course, they would send their best….why did I believe that this assassin was someone I could take on? The other side will complete this mission as though his life depends on it….

“Well that was unexpected…” The assassin spoke up as he lowered his knee. “I really was expecting the little girl and here comes her wannabe-body guard.”

Others at this point would have been panicking that their plan had failed but Shin was different – he was after all former Maou-sama. Shin stared at Akito in disbelief as he realized that their plan failed. Shin did not even see everything – all he noticed was a blur and a large bang after which Akito appeared pressed into the wall. Shin vaguely understood he was weak in a human body however this tiny experience made it very clear to him how large the gap was between him and a lowly human assassin – very large. It wasn’t just the assassin but also the Neko-boy. Even the Neko-boy moved faster than Shin’s eyesight and Shin didn’t even consider the Neko-boy strong. No he even thought of the Neko-boy as very very weak garbage. Now if the Neko boy was weak garbage did that make Shin? Shin could not digest the reality of his circumstances.

Gathering the remaining bits of his strength, Shin weakly grabbed on to the assassin. “Neko-fool! Attack again, I am….”

Shin never got to complete the sentence. The assassin shook his leg slightly, flinging Shin against the wall behind them.

“Trash don’t touch me.” The assassin whispered as he took his first step forward toward Akito.

However, before he could take the second. He felt a weak tug on his right foot. It was Shin holding on to him with his blood dyed hands.

“You….dare….call….me….trash….” Shin weakly asked – his voice was barely audible and his breathing was heavier.

“Nooo…..” Akito tried to stop Shin from speaking further, but his voice failed him. That single knee-hit to his head had completely disoriented him. Akito was already reeling from weakness of the recovery from the poison. In addition, he literally rushed with full force into the assassin’s counter. The counter completely dispelled whatever strength was left in Akito. Akito couldn’t even see clearly – everything appeared as a watery blur. Had it not been for his keen hearing, he wouldn’t have heard Shin’s voice.

Akito desperately wanted to tell Shin that this had nothing to do with him and there was nothing more that could be done. There was no need for Shin to risk his life for them – but then again Akito could not be more mistaken. Shin wasn’t doing this for the Night Clan but for his pride. He had never been so humiliated before and this was something he was unwilling to accept. However, Akito had no way of knowing all this and simply assumed that Shin was a compassionate boy who was risking his life to save the last members of the Night Clan. Akito wanted to stop Shin from speaking anymore and earn the complete wrath of the assassin but it was too late for that….

“Boy….I took pity on you because you were under her control….but that does not seem to be the case…then let me teach you some manners.” The assassin spoke whilst releasing a menacing aura.

The assassin turned around and began repeatedly kicking Shin in the solar plexus. While doing so, he swore at Shin multiple times – calling him trash, weakling and pathetic fool. Halfway through the beating, Shin began resembling a bloody ragged doll. However, more than the beating it was the words that the assassin spoke that hurt Shin. Not a single word that the assassin said was wrong. How pathetically weak. Absolutely, comparable to trash. Shin was in tears but not once did he scream or groan in pain.

Seeing Shin’s pathetic condition, Akito was reduced to tears. “Stooppp…” Akito weakly whispered. Akito could not see it clearly but he could see a blur of red on the floor that was growing bigger and bigger. He could not see Shin but he did notice a dark red shade on the floor that resembled nothing more than a thrown away floor mop – he knew that ‘floor mop’ was Shin. Akito didn’t understand why Shin went so far for them but he could not watch it anymore.

Hearing Akito’s words brought the assassin back to reality. There were far more important things to take care of right now than the human trash. The assassin let out a deep breath, ordinarily he would not have been so worked up. This behaviour was completely out of line from his usually calm and perfectionist like demeanour. However, the last few days had been quite intense on him and the frustration had begun creeping out. The rage filled assault could only be considered letting out some steam.

Although the attacks weren’t filled with the intent to kill nor were they precise martial arts, they were still blows from an enraged adult man. Looking at Shin’s weakened state, it wouldn’t be surprising if Shin died right this moment; he stood at death’s door step.

“Trash.” The assassin swore as he kicked away Shin one last time as though he were kicking away litter that accidently fell near his feet. He then walked towards Akito – with an attitude that said he couldn’t be bothered with less important things – he had more pressing matters to take care.

May be it was one second or two, but a weak voice came from behind the assassin as he faced Akito.

“I…..am…..not….trash….”