Inside Dominion's grand tower, the air was heavy with tension. Ragnar sat upon his chair, legs crossed, eyes glowing faintly in the reflection of the glass wall. In front of him stood five figures, each cloaked in dark gear, masks concealing their faces. Their very presence radiated menace—this was Dominion's assassination force.
Ragnar leaned forward, sliding a thin file across the desk. The leader of the squad stepped closer and opened it, revealing a crisp photo of Blaze.
"I have a job for you," Ragnar's voice was calm, yet sharp. "Bring me this girl. I don't care how… just make sure she's alive."
The assassins exchanged quick glances, silent but assured. Ragnar's smirk deepened as he rested his chin on his fist.
"This world is filled with pretenders," he muttered. "But she… she has potential. I want her."
Then his gaze narrowed on them, sharp and heavy. "I doubt you can do this job?"
The leader raised his head, his mask glinting under the pale light. His voice was low but confident.
"Sir, don't worry. We're not called the best assassination force for just namesake. Let us do our job."
Ragnar leaned back, smiling faintly. "Good. Don't fail me."
Meanwhile…
The evening glow of the Spawn Hub painted the streets in a faint amber light. Joon-ho and Blaze walked side by side, heading toward the residential zone. Blaze's pace was slightly quicker, her scarf fluttering behind her. She was clearly still annoyed, her silence sharp.
Joon-ho walked a few steps behind, his thoughts heavy. "How do I fix this?"
He bit his lip. "I messed up. I really messed up yesterday. I need to make things right."
Finally, he quickened his steps, moving ahead of her. She raised an eyebrow but said nothing, keeping her eyes forward.
"…Blaze," Joon-ho started, his voice uncertain. "About yesterday… I'm sorry."
She didn't respond.
"I wasn't thinking. I jumped in without listening to you. And you were right. I should've trusted you. You saved me."
Blaze kept walking, her expression unreadable.
"I don't want to drag you into danger with my stupidity," Joon-ho continued, his voice steadier now. "So… I promise, I'll think before I act. No more reckless choices. I mean it."
Her pace slowed slightly.
"I know I'm a pain sometimes… but I'm really glad you're here. Honestly, if it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't even be alive right now. So… sorry. Truly."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by their footsteps. Blaze stopped walking, turned slightly, and looked at him.
Her lips curved—just a little—into a small, soft smile. A smile so unexpectedly warm, so delicate, that Joon-ho felt his heart skip.
It was… very kawaii.
Far above, a shadow darted across the rooftops. One of the assassins landed silently, boots pressing against the concrete before he leapt again, crossing the gap between buildings with predator-like grace. His mask gleamed faintly under the streetlights, his movements perfectly fluid.
He stopped at the edge of a roof, crouching low. From there, his cold gaze fixed on the two figures walking casually below—Blaze and Joon-ho.
Down on the street, Joon-ho was busy blabbering, scratching his head while trying to lighten the mood.
"You know… Blaze, when you smile like that, it's really dangerous… like, kawaii-dangerous. You should be fined for it or something—"
Blaze chuckled softly but her eyes flickered for a moment, her instincts whispering. Something wasn't right.
"Uh… Joon-ho," she cut him off, still smiling, "can we… go home a little faster?"
He blinked. "Huh? Why? We were just—"
"Nothing," she said quickly. "I just want to get home. Real quick. I remembered something really important."
But Joon-ho, oblivious, only smirked and kept talking, trying to drag out the moment. Blaze's smile twitched in irritation. Without a word, she marched up to him and grabbed his hand, tugging him forward.
"Let's go!"
"W-wait, Blaze—" he stumbled, still joking, until his eyes caught something.
Up on the roof.
A silhouette. Still. Watching.
His breath hitched. He turned his head to the opposite building—another one. And another. One by one, he spotted them. Silent, dark figures positioned like predators, every angle covered.
"Blaze…" Joon-ho's voice lowered.
She stopped tugging his hand, turning slowly. Her eyes narrowed.
From the rooftops, the shadows descended. Silent feet hit the ground as five assassins closed in, stepping out of the dark. Their masked faces glinted under the dim glow of the street lamps, their movements precise, dangerous.
In seconds, the two were surrounded.
Joon-ho's fists tightened as his eyes darted around them. "Who… who are they?"
Blaze's face hardened, all traces of playfulness gone. Her eyes locked onto the encroaching assassins.
"They're not here for fun," she muttered.
The assassins spread out, their circle tightening, blades glimmering faintly as they advanced toward the two.
The circle of assassins closed in. Their leader, taller than the rest, stepped forward. His voice was calm, chilling, carrying no wasted words.
1. Leader: "You two… must be the rookies Ragnar spoke of. Quite the noise you've made in just a few days."
2. Assassin 2: "Too much noise. Enough to irritate Dominion."
3. Leader: "Our boss made you an offer. You refused. That was… unwise."
4. Assassin 3: "You could've lived under the banner of Dominion. Now… you'll regret your arrogance."
5. Leader: (eyes narrowing, blade flashing) "I think we just can't negotiate with you anymore. We'll have to show you what it means to face the best assassination force."
A small smirk spread under his mask. Then, without warning, all five of them moved—vanishing from sight in a blur.
"W-what—?!" Joon-ho's eyes widened. He couldn't even register their speed.
In a flash, four assassins latched onto him. Cold steel pressed against his arms and legs, pinning him down like an insect trapped in a spider's web. He struggled, but their grip was iron.
Meanwhile, the leader had already closed the distance with Blaze. His dagger flickered like lightning, every strike aimed to kill. Blaze's instincts screamed—she twisted, ducked, dodged by the hair's breadth.
The leader chuckled darkly. "Impressive. You really are a high-level combat player. Very few can dodge my attacks."
Blaze's teeth clenched, eyes focused, ready to counter—
But then her vision blurred. A sharp sting pierced her stomach.
Blood sprayed.
Her eyes went wide as she staggered back, clutching her abdomen. The blade had found its mark.
"Ghh—!" Blaze collapsed to her knees, crimson spilling from her lips.
The leader loomed over her, blade raised toward her head. "A pity. You had potential."
She jerked sideways at the last instant, avoiding the killing blow—but the slash carved deep into her side. Her strength crumbled. Darkness pressed in on her vision.
Her body hit the ground, motionless.
"Blaze!!" Joon-ho screamed, thrashing against the assassins holding him. His voice cracked with rage and despair.
The leader crouched, casually slinging Blaze over his shoulder like prey caught in a hunt. He turned to his squad.
"Boys… the work is done. Let's get moving."
"Yes, sir."
In seconds, the assassins vanished again, their speed overwhelming.
"NOOOOOO!!" Joon-ho roared, his voice echoing through the streets. He collapsed to his knees, fists slamming the ground. Powerless. The night swallowed their presence, leaving him alone in silence—broken, helpless.