Some wizards sent directly by the kingdom stood at the site of the murder of the two previous rulers. They carefully examined the traces of magic left behind.
"These magic traces..." one wizard muttered while touching the ground. "The guards were killed at close range with sharp weapons, but some also had holes in their heads. This wasn't caused by melee weapons, but by long-range weapons. The same goes for the ruler..."
"So the culprits are two people?"
"Yes. And tracking is very difficult. They're like experts at hiding traces... or maybe these traces were deliberately left behind."
"Let's report this to the higher-ups first."
"Alright."
One of them grinned.
"Could it be... a revolution will happen in this rotten kingdom?"
Arya and Dina walked along the edge of the forest.
"Hey, Ar... do you think we'll be safe after killing two city rulers?" Dina asked quietly. "Who's the next target?"
"Don't worry," Arya replied. "Like I said, we left a little bit of our magic trace and erased the rest. Since there were two types of attacks and different magic elements, they'll have a hard time tracking it, no matter how skilled they are. The next target is in the east. A city called Ekpiro."
"Ekpiro? What kind of name is that, sounds so ugly," Dina snorted. "Eh, by the way, what about the fate of the city whose ruler we killed?"
"It will surely be replaced by someone else. Hopefully the replacement is a good person. Like Lila City, which they say now has a good ruler. But if in Siju the replacement turns out to be evil as well... that means they're not afraid of dying."
"Mwahahaha! So if the replacement is evil again, we kill them too?"
"Of course! But... maybe it's better to start leaving messages at the crime scene. Something like, 'Our goal is for corrupt rulers to die.'"
Dina looked at him suspiciously. "A message? Doesn't that give them a chance to pretend to be good just to avoid being killed? And won't that make us less mysterious?"
Arya smiled. "You're right. Sometimes you're pretty smart."
"Tch."
"Hey Ar, are you really planning to just charge in and fight inside the mansion?"
"Of course! My hands are itching to kill the ruler of Ekpiro!"
"I can do it myself, you know..."
"No way I'd let you kill that kind of filthy scum. I don't want your hands to be tainted by trash like him. He not only raised taxes and made the people suffer, but he's also a slave trader. All the rumors about him we've heard during the journey are nothing but filth."
"I also want to kill him myself though."
"Leave it to me," Arya said while patting Dina's head like a child.
The city of Ekpiro turned out to be more horrifying than they imagined. Starving people wandered around, while in luxurious places, slave auctions were held. After seeing how depraved the city was, Arya and Dina quickly made a strategy.
Night fell.
Arya raised his pistol imbued with fire and water magic,strengthened into ice magic. Gunfire roared in the darkness. They rampaged, killing everyone connected to the ruler. Guards, slave traders, slave buyers,all were slaughtered.
BANG! BANG!
Bullets pierced heads, burning and freezing them in an instant. Dina's sword slashes cut through bodies, severing necks, arms, stomachs, and legs in one motion.
"Master, run! Many guards are dead!"
"What use are they?! I hired over a hundred guards!"
"It's useless, Master! The two of them are too strong! Even though our guards are veteran adventurers, they're still defeated! And the enemies... are just two kids!"
"Kids?! Veteran adventurers lost to two kids?! Damn it!!"
SLASH! The sound of a door being sliced apart by Dina's strike.
Arya and Dina stepped inside. "Good evening, filthy beast. May you rot forever in hell."
Arya shot the ruler's head along with his secretary. Earlier, he had also killed the ruler's equally vile wife and child. The servants only screamed hysterically,and as usual, were left alive.
Two days later...
"Heh, have you heard? They say the ruler of Ekpiro is dead too!"
"Haha! Thank goodness! They only made the people suffer."
"They say the crime scene was terrifying. Even after the incident, the culprits still had time to whistle casually."
"Someone gave them a nickname, you know."
"Yeah, EXONE. Executor One."
"Cool nickname! Because they only execute living trash!"
In the Royal Palace...
Sekius slammed the table. "EXONE?! Who gave them that nickname?! Isn't that just giving them a stage?!"
"Your Majesty... the nickname was given by the people."
"Have the culprits been found?!"
"Not yet. Even the most skilled investigators are struggling. They left a small trace of magic, as if deliberately leaving a gap."
"Useless!"
Sekius,the king, even crueler than the rulers who had already been killed,gritted his teeth. Beside him stood a mysterious man, his direct subordinate, leader of a special organization whose strength was believed to rival Arya and Dina combined.
Meanwhile...
"Achoo!" Arya and Dina sneezed at the same time.
"Why did we sneeze together?" Dina asked.
"I don't know... maybe lots of people are talking about us."
"Could be. Even during the journey, we've heard the name EXONE being mentioned."
"Haha!"
"Why are you laughing?! Do you like being given a nickname like that?!"
"Not really. But maybe it's just easier for them to call us that. Let it be."
In a dark room...
"EXONE? Who are they?"
"Serial killers targeting corrupt rulers."
"Hooo... interesting. I don't care if corrupt rulers die, but I like the strong."
"Anyone want to step in?"
"Me!" one of them shouted. "Don't interfere, leave it to me!"
They were SEVEN ECLIPSE. Seven immoral members, under the command of the king's aide...
After their success in Ekpiro, Arya and Dina continued their journey toward Seji City. According to the map, this city was located in the north.
"According to the map, if we head north, we'll reach Seji," Arya said. "But this isn't a target. The city is peaceful."
"So you're not taking action directly?" Dina asked.
"No. We're just passing through."
They entered Seji City and found that the rumors circulating were quite good. No signs of a corrupt ruler.
"There's a smell of delicious food," Arya said, sniffing the air.
"I want to buy some! By the way, we still have money from the previous city, right? We got a lot of treasure," Dina said.
"Yes. I kept some for supplies."
"Yay! We need to buy a lot of provisions. Plus we have a magic pouch."
"Don't buy too much. The money will run out quickly."
"Yeah, yeah..."
After stocking up, they continued their journey to the next city: Tizar. It would take five days to get there. On the way, they saw a slave trader abusing a child.
"Hey! Walk faster! You're too slow!"
"Y-yes..."
Dina glanced at Arya. "What do you think? Should I step in?"
"Go ahead. Be careful."
Clang,slash! With lightning speed, Dina cut the bastards to pieces.
Dina crouched. "Are you okay? Hey, Ar, come here. She looks really weak. Can you heal her?"
"Yes. HEAL!"
The child was healed but still looked frail. Arya pulled food from his bag and offered it.
"Here, eat this first."
"T-thank you so much..."
"You're safe now. Eat slowly... What's your name?"
"I don't have one..."
"Hm? How about I give you one and you come with us?"
"For what? Where to?"
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Arya Setya and this is the battle-maniac woman named Dina. We exist to execute corrupt rulers. I see potential in you. You can help fill the gap in our group."
"Hah?! Who are you calling a battle maniac?!" Dina interrupted.
"I... I don't have talent. If I did, I wouldn't be like this..."
"Exactly because you're talented, that's why you were targeted to be sold. Trust me. We're here to revolutionize the world."
The child looked at him with hope. "Alright... Please take me. I want revenge on those who killed my parents."
"Great spirit! Now, your name is Gamma. It means 'three', because you're the third member of this group. Welcome aboard, beautiful girl."
"Gamma...? Thank you... May I call you big brother?"
"Of course. And call her big sister too."
"Nice to meet you, Gamma," Dina said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you, second big sister," Gamma replied shyly.
"Haha, good! Oh yeah... from what I see, you have talent in disappearing. Perfect for an informant. Your job is only to gather information, not fight on the front lines."
"???" Gamma looked confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll understand later. I'll teach you."
The three of them entered the forest to train Gamma. The training lasted two weeks until Gamma could disappear perfectly. The execution in Tizar City was delayed. But finally, Gamma's debut arrived.
"Well, you're skilled at disappearing now. You're behind me, right?" Arya asked while walking in front.
Gamma answered from behind. "How did you know I was behind you?"
"Don't think about it," Dina cut in. "He's abnormal!"
"I don't want to hear that from you!" Arya snapped back.
"What?!"
Gamma giggled softly watching them argue.
"Gamma, later you'll enter the city and gather information. We'll wait at the edge of town. Here's some money for you."
"Eh, I want some too," Dina interrupted.
"Fine, here."
Gamma started from a bar. While invisible, she eavesdropped on the city's condition, then infiltrated the mansion. She counted the guards, located the ruler, found hidden rooms where slaves were kept, and even noted the family members. After recording everything, she returned.
"Great job, Gamma!" Arya praised while patting the little girl's head.
"Your debut was amazing," Dina added.
"Thank you..." Gamma blushed.
"Tonight, you know how to open the hidden room, right? Free all the slaves there."
"Yes, big brother!"
Night fell. Dina silently killed the gate and entrance guards. She entered the mansion, killing one by one quietly,maybe wanting to show off her work to Gamma.
"Ar, it's done. The ruler's position is on the third floor, in the bedroom."
"Okay. Found you, and... goodbye." Phuu! A silent bullet pierced the head of the sleeping ruler. The same for his family. Only the servants were left alive.
Clack! The hidden door opened. Gamma entered.
"Whoa... this is horrifying... You're free now. Please leave one by one. Big brother, some of them are injured. Can you heal them?"
"Wait there." Arya approached, healed them, and told them to go.
Another execution successful.
Meanwhile, in Deraji City...
"Hey!!! Give us the best alcohol!! Don't you know who we are?! We're EXONE!!"
Whispers.
"Huh?! Exone?! But why do they act like thugs?"
"Sshh! Be quiet! Or you'll be killed!"
"Bring that woman here. She's really pretty!"
"Come quickly! Our boss wants you!"
"Kyaaa! Don't touch me!"
"Hah?! Who do you think you are?! We are EXONE!"
Whispers.
"They've been here a week. But according to rumors, Exone is two kids... Why do these guys look like gamblers drowning in debt?!"
"Sshh! Shut up! Whether they're Exone or not, if you talk carelessly, you'll die!"
Suddenly...
Clack!
Mars stood at the doorway, a wicked smile on his face. "Hooo... so you're Exone?"
"W-who's that? A kid? Go home, don't bother us! We're Exone!"
"So you're really Exone, huh? In that case... die." FIRE STORM!
Mars unleashed massive flames that burned the entire bar and everyone inside.
When the fire died, he clicked his tongue. "Eh? Why did they die?! Weeks of chasing just for fakes?! Damn it!"
In Merak City...
Arya sat calmly sipping tea. Dina and Gamma relaxed beside him.
"Wuuhh... peace is beautiful, isn't it," Arya murmured.
"True. The ruler of this city is good. The city is also neat," Dina said.
"The food is really delicious too! Big Sister Dina, let's go to the hot spring!" Gamma suggested.
"Let's go!"
They went together, leaving Arya behind.
"Big Sister Dina, you're so pretty... Sky-blue hair and brown eyes," Gamma praised.
"Ah, not really. You're the prettiest and cutest. Golden hair and emerald green eyes... You're adorable!" Dina hugged her tightly.
"Ow! Big Sister, it hurts! Don't hug so tight!"
"Sorry~ Hehe. You're just too cute!"
"Big Sister, are you from the same village as Big Brother Arya?"
"Yes. We're from an abandoned village. Back then, everyone was starving. Arya started rebuilding the village, teaching farming, building water channels... Then we trained in the forest. After three years, we left. He said he only trusted me."
"Weren't there other kids in that village?"
"There were. But he said bringing too many people would be troublesome. The other kids weren't talented. Different from you. You have talent, so you can help."
"My parents were killed by slave traders... We were merchants, but attacked by bandits. We were sold, and my parents were killed for being worthless... That's why I want revenge."
Dina hugged her gently. "You went through something that heavy, huh... Don't worry, we'll erase all evil people from this world."
"..."
"Come on, enough soaking. Too long will make you dizzy."
"Okay, Big Sister."
They went to Arya, who was still drinking tea.
"How was it? Fun?" Arya asked.
"It was great! Really refreshing!" Gamma exclaimed.
"Indeed," Dina added.
"Our next target is Eryua City. This time the guards are elites, and there's a chance someone will be pursuing us too."
"Elite guards are fine. But who's pursuing us?" Dina asked.
"I heard from the townsfolk that there was a group claiming to be Exone in Deraji. Two days ago they were burned alive along with their bar."
"So the pursuers know our destination?"
"Maybe. The nearest city from Tizar is Merak. After that, Eryua. If you notice anything suspicious, report immediately through the communicator, okay? Don't act alone."
"Understood!"
"Tomorrow we head to Eryua. The trip will take three days. Prepare your things, then sleep. Gamma, during the journey we'll train."
"Train? For what?"
"You're our intel. Even if you're not on the front lines, you must have the basics to survive. Disappearing is great, but you can still be tracked if the enemy has Search abilities. Ready to train?"
"Ready, Big Brother! Please teach me!"
"Good. With training along the way, we'll reach it in seven days. Now sleep."
"Good night~"
In Tizar City...
Mars paced back and forth in the ruins.
"Tch! Where are they?! They're so hard to track! Even after checking every city they passed, none of the rumors matched! Two kids? Who would bother looking for kids?! Maybe check Merak City... Based on their direction, they must be in Merak..."