Assassin Club
Julian Arkwright stepped inside the Assassin Club, a dim place filled with quiet conversations and the smell of strong alcohol. Several low-rank assassins were sitting around the room, talking in low voices.
Without looking at anyone, Julian walked straight to the bar.
Behind the counter stood the bartender, Benson Volterman, calmly cleaning a glass.
Julian rested his arm on the counter.
"Hey, Benson."
Benson immediately looked up.
"Yes, Sir Arkwright. Do you have an order?"
Julian shook his head slightly.
"No. I just want to know something."
Benson nodded.
"What would you like to know, sir?"
Julian asked,
"What's going on in Vuikalen Market lately?"
Benson leaned slightly forward and spoke in a lower voice.
"A new section opened recently. A place where people can sell valuable items."
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of items?"
"Rare things," Benson replied.
"Magic stones, dragon shells, dragon skulls, bones used for crafting weapons… even rare firearms like machine guns."
Julian looked mildly interested.
"And the name of this section?"
"Art Iett."
Julian gave a small nod.
"Sounds interesting. Who opened it?"
Benson answered,
"Gushion Powell."
Julian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The Powell family?"
"Yes. A member of the Luxurer family line. He's also one of the founding members of the slave marketing section."
Julian smirked faintly.
"I see."
After a moment, Julian spoke again.
"Have you heard the rumor?"
Benson tilted his head.
"Which rumor, sir?"
"The one about a fairy being killed… by someone named Black ViSage."
Benson nodded slowly.
"Yes. I heard about it."
He wiped the counter as he continued.
"The Luxurer family is already investigating it. They're trying to confirm whether the fairy was real… and whether Black ViSage actually killed her."
Information about the Luxurer Family
The Luxurer family is extremely powerful politically.
They control many important affairs behind the scenes.
Because of their influence, almost nobody dares to question them.
Some members of the Luxurer family are rarely seen in public. Many people believe there is a possibility that some of them may actually be connected to fairies.
Benson suddenly remembered something.
"Sir Arkwright, a government member came earlier. He said he wanted to speak with you."
Julian sighed slightly.
"I'm not in the mood to assassinate anyone right now."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Tell them to come another time."
"Understood, sir," Benson replied.
Julian paused for a moment, then said,
"By the way, I want to purchase three slaves."
Benson nodded.
"I might know someone."
Julian looked at him.
"Tomorrow a trader will arrive. He usually brings high-quality slaves. This time he's bringing five."
"Five?"
"Yes. Three males and two females."
Julian nodded calmly.
"I'll take a look tomorrow."
About Vuikalen Market
Vuikalen Market is a famous underground market where illegal goods are sold.
It has three main sections:
Art Hett – Human and slave trading
Art Sett – Secret information and news trading
Art Iett – Rare items, weapons, and magical materials
Among these, Art Hett and Art Sett are the most famous.
Back at the bar, Benson hesitated for a moment.
"Sir… may I ask something?"
Julian glanced at him.
"Go ahead."
Benson looked slightly nervous.
"Why do you buy slaves?"
He quickly added,
"Sorry, sir. That's your personal matter."
Julian simply shrugged.
"It's fine."
Then he said casually,
"Sometimes I punish them."
He took a slow sip of his drink.
"But most of the time… my girlfriend enjoys it."
"So I buy them for her."
Benson stayed silent after hearing that.
The bar once again fell into quiet darkness.
At home, Julian Arkwright opened the door and stepped inside.
The house was quiet.
He looked around.
"Celixa?"
No answer.
He checked the living room, the kitchen, and the bedroom.
She wasn't home yet.
Julian sighed quietly.
"She's still working..."
After thinking for a moment, he rolled up his sleeves.
"Then I guess I'll cook tonight."
Meanwhile – Celixa's Workplace
Celixa sat calmly at a table while a nervous man spoke to her.
The man leaned closer and whispered.
"I want you to kill someone."
Celixa looked at him with calm eyes.
"Who?"
The man replied quietly.
"Black ViSage."
Celixa's expression immediately changed.
She leaned back slightly.
"Why do you want him dead?"
The man clenched his fists.
"He keeps interfering with my business."
Celixa remained silent.
The man continued.
"You see… I'm a slave merchant."
Celixa's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Recently, Black ViSage has been freeing slaves everywhere."
He sighed heavily.
"Most slave merchants have stopped their operations for now. They're waiting until Black ViSage disappears."
"But I can't wait. My business is already suffering heavy losses."
He leaned forward desperately.
"So please… kill him."
"I will pay you very well."
Celixa shook her head.
"Sorry."
The merchant looked shocked.
"You refuse?"
Celixa answered calmly.
"Black ViSage is not a normal target."
"I don't know his abilities. I don't know his limits."
She crossed her arms.
"And if the rumors are true…"
"...that he killed a fairy..."
She looked directly at the merchant.
"Then assassinating him would be nearly impossible."
The merchant became desperate.
"Please! Just try!"
Celixa sighed.
"Why are you so desperate to kill him?"
She looked at him coldly.
"If you don't want trouble… then stop your slave business."
The merchant had nothing to say.
Celixa stood up.
"Our conversation is over."
The merchant left silently.
A New Client
Soon another customer arrived.
"Miss Celixa."
Celixa looked at him.
"What is your job?"
The man spoke angrily.
"I want you to kill Rosand Holfken."
Celixa asked calmly.
"Who is he?"
"He's a member of the KANK ZANK group."
"A Duskwell adventurer."
Celixa tilted her head.
"And why do you want him dead?"
The man's hands trembled.
"He did terrible things to my sister."
Celixa's eyes grew colder.
"Give me the target's picture."
The man handed her a photograph.
Celixa looked at it for a few seconds.
Then she nodded.
"Accepted."
Night – Restaurant
Inside a crowded restaurant, the KANK ZANK group sat around a large table, laughing loudly while eating.
Celixa sat quietly in the corner, watching them.
The men were drunk.
One of them laughed.
"That girl was amazing."
Another man laughed loudly.
"Her screams were the best part."
Then one of them looked at Rosand.
"What about you, Rosand?"
Rosand smirked proudly.
"I think she liked it."
The men burst into laughter.
Rosand continued.
"I forced her to kiss me."
"That was the best part."
Celixa's eyes turned cold.
Very cold.
She slowly stood up.
The moment she stepped forward, a terrifying aura filled the restaurant.
Everyone froze.
Even the Duskwell adventurers felt their bodies trembling.
Celixa walked toward their table.
Her voice was calm.
"So… you're my target."
The adventurers immediately realized something terrifying.
"A… Dark Shade Rank Assassin..."
The men instantly lowered their heads.
"Do you have orders for us?"
Celixa smiled slightly.
"Yes."
"My order is simple."
She pointed at them.
"Kill yourselves."
Without hesitation, the men obeyed.
In seconds, the entire KANK ZANK group collapsed on the floor.
The restaurant fell into chaos.
Customers screamed and ran outside.
The manager trembled in fear.
Celixa walked toward Rosand's body.
She kicked his head across the floor.
Then she laughed quietly.
"That felt satisfying."
Later – Assassin Club
The client waited nervously.
Celixa arrived.
The man looked surprised.
"You already finished?"
Celixa nodded.
"I just wanted Rosand dead."
The man looked shocked.
"But you killed the entire KANK ZANK group!"
He looked embarrassed.
"Sorry… I only have enough money to pay for Rosand."
Celixa shrugged.
"It's fine."
"Just pay for the target."
The man handed her the money.
Celixa took it and left.
Later – At Home
Celixa opened the door.
The moment she stepped inside, she froze.
A wonderful smell filled the house.
"Food?"
She walked into the kitchen.
Julian stood there calmly.
Celixa looked surprised.
"You cooked?"
Julian nodded.
"This recipe… my big brother Zavinies taught me."
Celixa smiled warmly.
"You and your brother were lucky."
She sat down at the table.
"I really like this kind of food."
They began eating.
Julian looked at her.
"You seem happy today."
Celixa nodded.
"Yes."
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
Julian looked surprised.
"Hey."
Celixa smiled.
"That's your reward."
"I'm happy today."
Julian smiled slightly.
"I'm happy when you are."
Celixa tasted the food again.
"Delicious."
Julian relaxed.
"I'm glad you like it."
Celixa looked at him softly.
"I love you, Julian."
But Julian's eyes slowly drifted somewhere else.
For a moment, he remembered the past.
The days when he and Zavinies used to cook together.
Those golden days.
Celixa noticed the change in his expression.
She quietly realized something.
Julian was thinking about someone.