[The system has forgotten to tell the host about something. Since the host has been doing well, the system has rewarded the host with a special ability.
Ability: Good vision (can see through deceptions and can even see through invisible people!)]
'Shit, was I not supposed to be able to see them? Why didn't the system tell me sooner?' Valentin thought. Did the system like to play with him?
The two assassins looked at each other in confusion. Was the judge able to see them? Didn't they just have eye contact? That was impossible; they were invisible. No one was supposed to notice them. They were on guard and ready to attack if Valentin showed any signs of seeing them.
"What are you talking about, hyung?" Seojin asked while glancing behind him. There was no one.
Noticing that the assassins were on their guard and raising their sharp weapons, Valentin averted his gaze from the two assassins, pretending not to see them. It was a relief that the system told him about his new ability, or else he would have been doomed. They only had one chance to catch the real mastermind behind the murder, and he didn't want to ruin it.
Since Valentin had seen their faces, it was a good time to check their ranks. Things would get complicated if they had higher ranks than Winter and Nikolai.
'System, can you check their ranks?'
[Of course! Both of them are B-Rank assassins.]
Valentin sighed in relief. Since their last battle with Dr. Milo, Winter and Nikolai have levelled up to B+ Rank assassins. There should be nothing to worry about then. They just had to be careful about the real murder behind Seojin's parents' deaths. But if the man in black robes had to hire assassins at the last minute, it must mean that he's the last one who's after Seojin's life.
"I must have mistaken the trees for someone. Without my glasses, I can't see anything," Valentin laughed, trying to come up with an excuse. He hoped that the assassins would buy his justification.
The assassins sighed in relief. They thought that the judge could see him. If it were the case, they could only retreat for now and kill Seojin another time.
Seojin scratched his head in confusion. When did the judge develop poor eyesight? He had never seen the judge with glasses before.
Realizing that something was wrong, Nikolai quickly dragged Seojin inside the apartment building.
Once they arrived safely in the penthouse, Valentin explained, "The assassins were following behind you."
"There was no one when I looked back, though," Seojin said.
"Dummy, they must have had some camouflage ability. That's why we couldn't see them. How were you able to see them?" Nikolai asked Valentin.
"I just have an ability that grants me good vision, so I can see through their invisibility," Valentin replied.
"Wow, hyung! You are so strong," Seojin praised. He was no longer surprised by the judge's abilities. He was a reliable hyung.
'He is more powerful than he seems to be,' Nikolai thought. The judge could see the assassins that he couldn't even detect. Just how many superpowers does he have? It seemed like his abilities came from a different source than his. He couldn't imagine Valentin being willing to become a test subject for the scientist. Rich people had too much pride. They wouldn't want to become someone's guinea pig. That's why Dr. Milo gathered orphaned kids like them. No one would care for abandoned children.
Nikolai also realized that he and Winter had become stronger after meeting the judge. He was also the one who helped them in their revenge. If it wasn't for him, they would've been dead by now.
"Since their plan to poison Seojin didn't work, they will definitely strike tonight when we are less alert. Should I gather everyone else near the apartment and prepare for an ambush?" Nikolai asked.
They had more than enough people to take care of two assassins. They just didn't know if those Japanese assassins had other superpowers.
Valentin shook his head. He was afraid that it would disturb the other civilians living in the area. He didn't want to drag innocent people into this mess. This battle would surely damage their surroundings.
The judge ordered the others to wait for them at the deserted location. He had already planned to teleport the assassins to that abandoned land so that no one would hinder their battle. Also, if there were too many of their people in the apartment, it would raise the assassin's suspicions.
Nikolai brought out a plastic bag that contained water and showed it to Valentin. He had collected a sample of the poisoned water, in case they needed proof.
'System, can you scan the content of the water?' Valentin asked the system.
[Scanning…
The system has detected a high amount of digitalis in the water. If consumed, the victim would have a heart attack and die instantly.]
Valentin clenched his fists in anger. The assassins were playing dirty. How could they scheme something so evil just to kill a child? What was the mastermind thinking? Why would he go to such measures to kill the male lead? Was it the butterfly effect? In the novel, there was never a chapter like that. Seojin's uncle was his greatest enemy and revenge target. How could there be someone else after Seojin's life?
After everyone in the city had fallen into a deep sleep, five shadows appeared in front of the apartment's door. Today was the day that they were going to kill Seojin. The man in black robes was accompanying the four other assassins. He wanted to enjoy the bloody show. But more than anything, he was worried that the assassins wouldn't do a good job. He was being cautious because he knew that the judge couldn't be underestimated.
Seeing the two additional assassins, Valentin scanned them with the system just like he did with the two previous ones.
[Scanning …
They are A-Rank assassins.]
'Shit,' Valentin thought. They might have to call for reinforcements. Winter and Nikolai would have a hard time dealing with assassins who are higher in rank than they are.
Suddenly, Seojin came out of his hiding place. They had been waiting for them in a corner, outside the apartment. The male lead recognized the man. When the police showed them the camera footage, he thought that the intruder's back was familiar. But then he shook his thoughts away. How could a dead person be alive?
"Grandpa, what are you doing here?" Seojin asked, surprised.