The dim glow of the city barely seeped through the thick curtains of Lucien's apartment. Silence dominated the space, save for the faint clicks of a lock being undone. Lucien stepped into a small, hidden chamber within his apartment—a room no one knew existed.
Lining the walls were weapons, neatly arranged as if waiting for their master. Handguns, knives, and throwing needles gleamed under the faint light. But his eyes moved past them, stopping at two items.
A hidden blade, sleek and deadly, its design unmistakably belonging to Vermilion Oath.
And a katana, its edge whispering of countless battles.
Lucien picked them up without hesitation. Then, he reached for a set of black tactical gear—the uniform of Vermilion Oath. As he fastened the straps and adjusted the hidden blade onto his wrist, a familiar weight settled over him.
Tonight, he was not just Lucien Falkner.
He was a shadow in the dark.
---
The Hunt Begins
Slipping through the night like a phantom, Lucien made his way toward the abandoned building where Evelyn was last seen. The city noise faded as he entered the district—an area barely lit, with crumbling structures and the scent of decay in the air.
As he neared his target, he disappeared into the shadows, watching from above.
Five hostiles.
Armed. Patrolling. Oblivious.
Lucien dropped down without a sound.
One quick motion—his hidden blade pierced the first target's throat before they could even gasp. He lowered the body quietly.
The second one turned, but all he saw was a flash of steel before the katana sliced through him.
The remaining three were too slow. Lucien moved like a wraith, evading their desperate attempts to react. By the time the last body hit the ground, the blood staining his blade was the only evidence of the silent massacre.
And yet, this was just the outer perimeter.
Lucien's golden eyes flickered toward the heart of the enemy's gathering.
---
Evelyn's Situation
Inside the building, Evelyn was tied to a chair, her wrists bound with thick rope. The air was thick with dust, and the only source of light was a flickering bulb above her.
Across from her, a man in a dark coat observed her with amusement. His presence exuded authority—the leader of these assassins.
"You Mercer kids just love sticking your noses where they don't belong," he mused.
Evelyn's breathing was steady, but she didn't speak. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail.
The man smirked. "You're not scared, are you?"
Evelyn met his gaze, unfazed. "Should I be?"
The leader chuckled, leaning forward. "You should be terrified."
A sudden noise interrupted him.
A metallic creak from the ceiling.
Everyone looked up.
Then—CRASH!
The vent above shattered, and something dropped from it.
No, someone.
Lucien landed with a soft thud, crouched low, his katana dripping crimson. His piercing gaze locked onto the leader.
The assassins around the room instinctively reached for their weapons. But Lucien didn't move.
The silence was suffocating.
Then, without a word, he raised his bloodstained blade.
And the room plunged into chaos.
To be continued…
End of Chapter 23