Four Years Later
The night in the Balmount Kingdom was deep and heavy, pressing down like a suffocating weight. The streets were nearly empty, save for the frantic footsteps of two men running through the narrow alleys.
One of them, a beastkin with tiger-like stripes, moved with agility, his leather vest and pants barely making a sound as he sprinted ahead. His feline ears twitched at every noise, his tail swaying wildly behind him. The other man, a human with graying hair, struggled to keep up. His breath came in ragged gasps, his worn-out tunic damp with sweat. Every step he took splashed through the filth of the alley, but he didn't dare slow down.
"We shouldn't have gotten ourselves involved with the organization," the human wheezed, glancing behind them with wild, terrified eyes.
The beastkin didn't look back. "If you want to stay alive, shut up and run! We need to reach the authorities before we end up like the others!"
"That's the point! What if we don't make it out alive? What if—"
"Then at least we tried!" the beastkin snapped.
The human bit his lip, panic rising in his throat. The alleys twisted like a maze, but he followed the beastkin's lead, trusting his instincts. Ahead, a faint glimmer of light from the street gave him a sliver of hope—
Then the beastkin stopped so suddenly that the human crashed into him.
A dead end.
The human's stomach dropped. His throat went dry as he turned, his hands shaking. "No… no, no, no. This can't be happening—"
The beastkin, breathing heavily, reached into his belt and pulled out a small signal flare. His hands trembled as he struck it, sending a red spark shooting into the sky. The glow lit up the alley for a brief moment before vanishing into the darkness.
The human swallowed hard, his lips twitching into a weak smile. "You always amaze me, friend… maybe after this, I'll buy you a drink."
Silence.
"Hey," he said again, chuckling nervously. "You're supposed to say something back—"
His voice cut off.
His friend's head was no longer attached to his body.
The beastkin's body collapsed to the ground with a dull thud, blood spurting from the stump of his neck, his lifeless eyes still open. A few feet away, his severed head rolled slightly before coming to a stop, mouth still frozen mid-sentence.
The human's breath hitched. His knees gave out, and he fell backward, scrambling against the wall as his entire body shook violently.
Standing in the blood, between him and the exit, was a young beastkin.
The boy's white blindfold remained unstained despite the blood pooling around him. His black cloak was sleek, designed for movement, and his mask covered the lower half of his face. His fox-like ears twitched slightly, and his tail flicked behind him.
He held two daggers, both dripping red.
The human's heart slammed against his chest. He knew who this was.
"R-Raphael…" His voice cracked as he forced a weak, trembling smile. "We're f-friends, right?"
Raphael didn't react.
The human's hands trembled as he raised them slightly, showing he was unarmed. "L-Look, we go way back, don't we? The boss—he trusted me, just like he trusts you! I would never betray him, you know that, right? We're on the same side!"
Raphael tilted his head slightly, his blindfolded gaze unreadable.
The human swallowed hard. "I—I didn't betray the boss! I swear! I was forced into this! They—they had my family, Raphael! What was I supposed to do? Let them die?"
Raphael took a step forward.
The human flinched. "W-Wait! Please! You don't have to do this! I—"
"Where's the file?" Raphael's voice was quiet, calm.
The human stiffened. "F-File?"
Another step.
"Y-You think I have it? I—I don't! I swear to you, Raphael, I don't have it! They took it from me! I had no say—"
"Where is it?"
The human's entire body shook. He knew that tone. There was no room for negotiation.
"P-Please," he whispered. "I don't want to die."
Raphael crouched beside him, and the man could barely breathe. He saw his own reflection in the bloodstained dagger, his face twisted with fear.
"You shouldn't have betrayed the boss."
"No—no, I didn't—"
A sharp pain.
His breath caught in his throat. He looked down to see a dagger buried deep in his gut. His mouth opened, but the only sound that came out was a strangled whimper. His fingers trembled as he clutched at Raphael's wrist, his body jerking in pain.
Raphael didn't move.
He only twisted the blade.
A bloodcurdling scream tore from the man's throat.
His body convulsed violently, his vision blurring as white-hot agony ripped through him. Blood poured from his mouth, his screams turning into weak, gurgling gasps.
His trembling hand reached up, grasping Raphael's cloak in a last, desperate attempt to hold onto something—anything. "P-Please…" he croaked. "I—I don't w-want to die—"
Raphael yanked the dagger out.
The man's body twitched once.
Then he stopped moving.
The alley was silent again.
Raphael knelt beside the corpse, calmly searching his pockets. His fingers brushed against something, and he pulled out a small envelope. Running his fingers over it once, he tucked it into his cloak.
Then he heard footsteps. Soldiers.
Without a sound, he vanished into the shadows, leaving nothing behind except two lifeless bodies and the lingering scent of blood.
The Next Day - Balmount Kingdom
The underground chamber buzzed with tension. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone, burning oil, and sweat. Gold coins clinked, papers rustled, and the occasional groan of a prisoner from the holding cages echoed through the tunnels. But inside the dimly lit office, an entirely different tension crackled in the air.
Angelo stood in the doorway, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable but his sharp green eyes locked onto the boss. The two merchants seated before the desk had already begun raising their voices, their frustration evident.
"What is the meaning of this?" the balding merchant snapped, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. His round face was flushed with irritation, his thick fingers gripping the arms of his chair.
Angelo ignored him. His attention was solely on the boss. "Why did you send Raphael out there again?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a weight beneath the words.
The boss exhaled slowly, resting his elbows on the desk. "I assume you're asking because you disapprove?" His tone was unreadable, measured.
Angelo's jaw clenched. "You know damn well I do."
The black-haired merchant let out a frustrated scoff. "Is this what your operation has come to?" He turned to the boss. "Your men storm in and interrupt negotiations like this?"
The boss lifted a hand, silencing them before they could continue. His eyes remained on Angelo. "You seem troubled, Angelo. Speak."
Angelo took a step forward, his voice lowering but filled with restrained frustration. "Raphael shouldn't be out there alone. He's too valuable to be used like some disposable pawn."
The black-haired merchant laughed dryly. "Oh, this is rich. The so-called 'Sightless Shadow' is too valuable? Are we talking about the same assassin who still hasn't completed the job we paid for?"
Angelo's eyes flickered to him, his patience wearing thin. "You don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about."
The merchant smirked. "Oh? Enlighten me then."
Angelo took another step forward, and though his tone remained controlled, there was something dangerous beneath it. "Do you know how many high-profile targets have disappeared without a trace in the past year?"
The merchant's smirk faltered slightly.
"Do you know how many organizations are still trying to figure out who's behind those killings?" Angelo continued. "Raphael isn't some street thug. He's the reason half the underground is afraid to whisper our name. If you think an assassination like this is as simple as snapping fingers, then you're dumber than you look."
The balding merchant slammed his fist on the desk. "Then why is the Duke still breathing?" His face twisted with rage. "We didn't pay for excuses!"
The boss finally leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands together. "You paid for results. And you will get them. But let me remind you of something, gentlemen." He smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. "We don't work for you. We work with you."
The black-haired merchant scoffed, but there was hesitation in his expression now. "Then act like it and deliver what was promised."
The balding merchant wasn't convinced. His voice lowered into something venomous. "Go to hell. If your business crumbles, I'll make sure to be the one who watches it burn."
As the merchants' complaints grew louder, Angelo stood there, his patience wearing thin. The boss, still smiling, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is that so?"
Before another word could be uttered, a wet, sickening sound filled the air—SHHK! The balding merchant's head slid from his shoulders, hitting the floor with a dull THUD. Blood sprayed across the walls, the scent of iron instantly filling the room.
The remaining merchant gasped, his body frozen in place, his mouth opening and closing like a dying fish. His wide eyes fixated on the headless corpse still slumped in the chair. A strangled noise finally escaped him—a pathetic whimper of terror.
Standing beside the body, Raphael didn't even glance at his kill. His black cloak billowed slightly, his dagger glistening with fresh blood as he flicked it clean. His fox ears twitched, his white blindfold undisturbed, his expression unreadable. His tail barely moved.
"Raphael." The boss exhaled, more annoyed than angry. He leaned back in his chair. "What did I say about killing people in my office?"
Raphael shrugged. "I thought maybe he wasn't important." His voice was light, almost lazy, as if he'd merely swatted a fly.
The remaining merchant squeaked.
Angelo, fists clenched, finally snapped. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Raphael tilted his head slightly, then turned toward the boss, completely ignoring Angelo's rage. He reached into his cloak, pulling out a letter and tossing it onto the desk. "This is all I could find on the impostor. But I don't think they were the ones slowing down business for us."
Angelo's jaw tightened. He grabbed Raphael's arm, yanking him around. "I'm talking to you, kid!"
Raphael remained calm. "Let go of me, Angelo."
"Or what?" Angelo challenged, squeezing tighter.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Raphael's tail stilled, his fingers twitching ever so slightly.
Before it could escalate, the boss spoke, his tone sharp. "Enough. Both of you, stop."
Angelo let go, his scowl deepening.
The boss unfolded the letter, scanning the contents. His face darkened. He exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "You know, Raphael, you've been sloppy ever since you found that girl."
Raphael tensed. His lips parted slightly, about to speak—
The punch came out of nowhere. A solid CRACK echoed through the room as the boss's fist connected with Raphael's jaw, sending him crashing to the floor.
"Boss!" Angelo stepped forward, but the boss wasn't done.
He kicked Raphael hard in the ribs. THUD. Raphael barely flinched, but the force sent him skidding slightly across the cold stone floor.
"You had one job!" the boss roared. "One damn job!"
Raphael stayed on the ground, his breathing slow.
The boss loomed over him. "Do you have any idea what you've done?" He ripped the letter in half, shoving it into Angelo's hands. "Read it! Read what our precious 'Sightless Shadow' has caused us!"
Angelo's eyes flickered with hesitation, but he read it. His expression hardened. "...Boss, we had no idea Carlo and Yami were spies."
The boss sneered. "Of course not. It was Raphael's one job to keep an eye on things. But instead, he's been playing caretaker to a bastard girl."
Raphael's fingers curled slightly against the floor.
The merchant, still trembling in his chair, let out a quiet whimper, his eyes darting toward the bloody corpse beside him.
The boss ignored him, his focus solely on Raphael. His voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "Because of your carelessness, Carlo and Yami now have information that could end us. Do you even understand that, Raphael?"
Silence.
The boss scoffed. "Nothing to say?"
More silence.
The boss raised his foot again—
"Boss," Angelo cut in, stepping forward. "What if we fix it?"
The boss stopped mid-motion, narrowing his eyes.
Angelo continued. "What if Raphael and I track down the file before it gets into the wrong hands? We can fix this."
The boss exhaled through his nose. He tilted his head slightly before his lips curled into something that was almost a smile. "Fine."
Raphael slowly sat up, wiping blood from his mouth.
"But," the boss continued, his voice dark, "if you fail…"
His next words were ice-cold.
"That girl will pay the price."
A sharp, almost imperceptible twitch ran through Raphael's fingers. His fox ears flattened slightly, but he said nothing.
Angelo's expression tightened. "...Understood."
The boss leaned back, watching them like a predator watching its prey. "Then get out of my sight."
Angelo grabbed Raphael by the arm, pulling him up roughly.
As they left, the merchant remained frozen in his chair, staring at the corpse across from him, too terrified to even breathe.
Outside the Office
The moment the door shut behind them, Angelo shoved Raphael against the wall. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Raphael didn't react, his blindfolded gaze unreadable.
Angelo's voice dropped, filled with something dangerously close to desperation. "Ever since you took in that girl, you've been weak."
Raphael's voice was cold. "Her name is Lily."
Angelo's fists tightened. "I don't give a damn what her name is!" His breathing was uneven, raw emotion leaking into his tone. "You're supposed to be a killer. The Sightless Shadow. The one who doesn't hesitate. The one everyone fears."
Raphael didn't move.
"You're not cut out for this life anymore," Angelo muttered. His voice wasn't mocking—it was bitter.
Finally, Raphael spoke. "Oh yeah?" His head tilted slightly. "And what about you, Angelo?"
Angelo stiffened.
Raphael's lips curled faintly. "You talk like you're any different."
A muscle in Angelo's jaw twitched.
For a second, neither spoke. The tension was suffocating.
Then, without another word, Angelo turned away. His voice was quiet, but firm. "Meet me later."
Raphael remained still.
"If you screw this up," Angelo continued, "the boss won't spare you."
He walked off, leaving Raphael standing in the shadows.