— Inside the Assassination Agency
The massive glass doors of the agency slid open with a quiet hiss.
Michael stepped inside like he owned the building.
Because he probably did.
Bright marble floors stretched across a gigantic lobby that looked more like the headquarters of a futuristic corporation than a place where professional killers worked. Transparent elevators glided up the sides of the building, digital screens hovered in the air displaying mission reports, bounties, and rankings.
Assassins walked through the hall casually.
Some looked terrifying.
Others looked completely normal.
One man casually walked past carrying a sniper rifle case while sipping coffee.
Another woman was arguing on the phone while dragging what looked suspiciously like a body bag.
Jake blinked slowly.
"…This place is insane."
Michael spun around and started walking backwards while talking.
"Welcome to the Assassination Agency Headquarters!"
He spread his arms like a tour guide showing off a theme park.
"To your left we have the mission dispatch center."
Several giant screens showed rotating mission contracts and global targets.
"To your right we have the combat evaluation arena."
Through a glass wall they could see two assassins violently sparring while a medical drone floated nearby waiting to treat whoever lost.
"And straight ahead—"
Michael dramatically pointed forward.
"—the cafeteria."
Adrian's eyes lit up.
"Oh nice."
Michael leaned closer and whispered like it was a dark secret.
"Best dumplings in the city."
Adrian nodded seriously.
"Good priorities."
Behind them…
Jake and Dravers walked several steps behind Michael.
Slow.
Dragging their feet.
Looking like two people who had just been sentenced to community service for the rest of their lives.
Jake's shoulders slumped.
Dravers looked like she had aged ten years in the last five minutes.
They moved like ghosts following their executioner.
Meanwhile Michael was practically skipping.
"And over there we have the equipment wing! Where we store weapons, artifacts, cursed objects, and things the government pretends not to know about!"
Jake and Dravers walk behind lost in their own thoughts.
"…We're doomed." Jake thought
.
"Absolutely doomed." Dravers thought, eye twitching
Jake glanced ahead at Michael bouncing with excitement.
"That man threw us at S-rank assassins to prove a point."
Dravers nodded faintly as if she heard what Jake thought.
"He literally used us as a presentation slide."
Michael suddenly stopped walking.
Jake and Dravers almost walked straight into him.
Michael turned around slowly.
They both instantly straightened up and pretended they had been walking confidently the whole time.
Michael stared at them.
Then smiled.
"Why are you two walking like your dog just died?"
Neither answered.
Michael shrugged and resumed walking.
"Anyway!"
They passed another section of the building where several assassins were staring at them curiously.
One of them whispered.
"…Are those the rookies who survived Michael's test?"
Another assassin winced.
"They're alive?"
A third one looked impressed.
"…Those kids are monsters."
Jake heard everything.
He looked even more tired.
Adrian, meanwhile, was still chatting happily with Arnold like they were old friends.
"So wait," Adrian asked, "you lifted a truck once?"
Arnold shrugged.
"It was a small truck."
" I'm sure you are just trying to be humble "
"of course I am!!!"
The two bursts into laughter
Michael pointed ahead again.
"And here we have the training halls! Where you'll learn combat theory, infiltration tactics, stealth movement, assassination ethics—"
Jake blinked.
"…Assassination ethics?"
Michael nodded proudly.
"Very important."
Dravers raised an eyebrow.
"You mean things like not killing civilians?"
Michael shook his head.
"No no."
He raised a finger.
"Things like making sure the mission gets paid for."
Jake stared at him.
"…Right."
Michael finally stopped in front of a large elevator.
He pressed a button.
The doors opened immediately.
He stepped inside and turned to face them.
Jake and Dravers slowly entered like prisoners boarding a transport vehicle.
Adrian hopped in cheerfully.
The elevator began rising.
Michael clasped his hands together.
"Alright!"
"Next stop — your training floor."
Jake leaned against the wall.
Dravers folded her arms.
Both looked like their souls had left their bodies.
Meanwhile Michael hummed happily.
Completely unaware that his two new students looked like they were attending the worst field trip of their lives.
Michael's phone beeped, and he quickly answered.
"Hello?" he said, casual as ever.
"Uh-huh… oh no, I'm not busy at all," he continued, pacing a few steps with exaggerated cheerfulness. "You want me to escort this district's son to school? Oh, no problem. When? Ok… naa, don't sweat it, Boss. I've got this. Bye."
He hung up and turned toward the trio, sweat rolling down his forehead despite his usual confident demeanor.
"Guess what?" he said, spinning dramatically. "You are in luck. You just received your first assignment."
Jake's eyes narrowed into a deadpan stare. Is he really tossing his work to us?
Michael grinned, oblivious to Jake's disbelief.
"You are to escort the district's chief son to school and back—for the entire week."
Adrian blinked in disbelief. "Wait… aren't we supposed to be assassins? Don't we kill people for a living?"
Michael waved his hand dismissively. "Not exactly. We get all sorts of missions. From eliminating targets to… cleaning up messes. Anything for money—that's my motto."
A heavy silence fell.
Michael stared at them, expecting some kind of reaction.
Jake slowly raised an eyebrow. "Wait… now?"
Dravers crossed her arms, her expression dead serious. "And we're just… doing this now?"
"Of course!" Michael replied, eyes gleaming. "When did you expect? After a year of training? Nope! Right now! Head over to the city hall. I'll direct you from there."
Adrian groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "You've got to be kidding me…"
Michael clapped his hands, unconcerned by their complaints. "Nope! Welcome to your first day as professional assassins-in-training! Let's move it, people. Time waits for no assassin!"
Jake and Dravers exchanged glances that perfectly summed up their thoughts: This is going to be a nightmare.
Meanwhile, Adrian bounced in excitement. "Escort missions? Finally, something a little… less lethal!"
Jake just sighed. Less lethal? I hope you're ready to regret saying that.
And with that, the trio stepped out of the agency, heading toward the city hall as Michael's voice echoed behind them.
"Remember! Assassin skills in public relations are just as important as assassination skills. Don't embarrass yourselves!"
Adrian groaned again. Dravers muttered something about psychopaths, and Jake… Jake simply tightened his jaw, already calculating the quickest and most efficient way to survive this ridiculous assignment.