"Rinaaa! Dinner's ready!" a woman's voice called."Yes, Mom!"
I slid out of bed, feet finding my slippers, and shuffled toward the door.
The blizzard outside slammed against the roof and walls, rattling the house like it was trying to claw its way in. The air was so cold it felt alive, creeping through the cracks and biting at my skin. The wooden floor groaned under my weight as I headed for the stairs.
Step. Step. Step.
Halfway down, I stopped. I didn't know why. The kitchen glowed with a warm, bright light. The smell of cooked chicken drifted up, filling me with a sudden, fragile comfort.
But then the storm roared louder. The light flickered. Once. Twice. And then.
Darkness.
I couldn't see. I couldn't hear. Even the cold vanished. Everything familiar was gone, like I'd been dropped into nothingness.
"RINAAAAA! GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM!"
That was Mom's voice… wasn't it? The courage I had a second ago shattered. The sweet smell of chicken curdled into the copper stench of blood.
"Mom?"
I turned back toward the stairs, but something stood at the top. Something I couldn't outrun even if I tried.
I stumbled down the last few steps, landing hard on the floor. Pain shot up my legs. I couldn't move.
"Mom… where are you?" I whispered.
The blizzard's howl swallowed every sound. But over it, clear as a heartbeat, came the creak of footsteps.
Step. Step. Step.
The sound stopped right in front of me. I forced myself to look up. Two pale, bare feet.
"Rina… this is all your fault."
The voice was hers, but it wasn't.
I raised my eyes higher—and a dismembered body loomed over me.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Rina jolted upright with a scream, lungs straining for air."Haa… haa… haa…"
Her heartbeat thundered against her ribs, so fast it hurt. She clutched her chest with trembling fingers, trying to steady it. Sweat rolled down her temples, dampening her hair, soaking the sheets that tangled around her legs. For a moment she couldn't tell if she was still in the nightmare or awake.
Only after long, shaky breaths did the world start to slow down.
"That dream again…" she muttered, frustration tightening her voice."Tsk."
Her eyes flicked to the desk. The digital clock glared back at her: 7:07 AM.
"It's early… but I should prepare."
She forced herself to her feet. Her legs felt heavy, but she moved anyway, tugging the sheets back into place one by one until the bed looked whole again—unlike her.
The bathroom's cold tiles pressed against her bare feet. She peeled off her damp clothes, twisting the shower handle. Warm water crashed down, steam rising. For a brief moment, she let herself sink into it.
"…I remember… I have a sister." Her voice was barely a whisper under the spray. "But it's still vague. Her hair was—"
Pain stabbed behind her eyes."Ugh…"
She pressed her palm against her forehead, grimacing.
"I should ask Victor about my past," she breathed, water dripping from her chin. "I think… I'm old enough already."Her voice wavered. "…But I'm still scared."
By the time she stepped out, the mirror was fogged, reflecting only her outline. She dressed quickly, pulling on the Black Fang's suit uniform, each button and strap tightening her composure back into place.
In front of the mirror, she paused. Her golden hair clip caught the light as she fixed it into place."There."
She tugged on her gloves, leather fitting snug against her hands. The left glove shimmered faintly, folding open to reveal her spatial pocket. She glanced inside."Everything's there."
Rina closed it with a flick, drew a breath, and stared into her own eyes in the mirror—harder, steadier."I should go down now."
Rina dashed through the doorway and into the long hallway. At the far end, the elevator waited — still on a lower floor, taking its time climbing up. She sighed.
Sigh.
She walked toward it, her footsteps echoing faintly on the polished floor. With an impatient tap, she pressed the button. The light blinked red, but the wait dragged on. Her heel began to tap rhythmically against the ground.
That's when a voice cut through from her right.
"Well, well. If it isn't the so-called city destroyer, up bright and early."
Rina didn't bother opening her eyes. She already knew the voice. A tall figure — six feet, clad in the same Black Fang suit — leaned casually against the wall, a mocking grin tugging his lips.
She let out another sigh.Sigh.
"Good morning, Dima," she muttered, tone flat with irritation.
Dima Volkov — The Winter AssassinGlobal Rank: 5,089
Dungeon Clears:
B-Class: 320
A-Class: 90
S-Class: 0
SS-Class: 0
SSS-Class: 0
The elevator doors slid open with a ding. Both stepped inside. Dima jabbed the ground floor button, and when Rina pressed it too, he smirked.
"You know, you don't have to press it again if we're going to the same floor, right?"
Rina crossed her arms and leaned against the rail, eyes shut, ignoring him completely.
Dima's grin faltered. His annoyance flickered."I already made the Global Rank, you know. What about the Morozov's little pet? Where's all that genius I keep hearing about? Still struggling to enter the list?"
The words hung heavy in the air, but Rina didn't budge. Her face stayed calm, almost bored, as the elevator hummed upward. Dima clenched his jaw, realizing he was talking to a wall.
The bell chimed. The doors slid open. They both stepped out.
But before Dima could take another step, Rina cracked one eye open and tossed her words like a dagger."Just say you've got a crush on me, dweeb."
His composure shattered."W-WHAT?! Who the hell would ever—"
But by the time he sputtered his comeback, Rina was already across the lobby, clocking in at the reception desk.
"HEY!" he barked, stomping after her.
The clerk looked up as he approached."Good morning, Sir Dima," she said politely, before pausing with a puzzled expression. "But… Sir Victor summoned you to his office thirty minutes ago. Why are you still here?"
Dima froze, eyes widening like the world had just ended. Without a word, he bolted toward the emergency stairs, vanishing upward in a storm of panic.
The clerk blinked, then turned back to Rina."Good morning, Ma'am Rina."
"Morning," Rina replied, calm as ever.
"A client has been waiting for you."
Rina tilted her head. "A commission?"
The clerk only nodded toward the corridor. "They're in the meeting room."
Without further question, Rina made her way down the hall. She pushed open the door.
Inside, a stranger sat waiting.
"…Who is this?"