"Stop being so skeptical, he'll be here," a girl with purple hair assured, shuffling a deck of cards.

  A man peeked over a railing from a balcony, examining the pedestrians walking by, his pupils reflecting a glassy metallic red.

  "If you're going to suggest we scout so far out, the least you can do is help me watch," he commented, twirling a luminous-edged dagger.

  "Isn't your vision superior to mine? What an amusing request." She leaned back in her chair, taking a sip of her orange juice. "Which reminds me, does it still hurt?"

  He creased his lips as his eyes meticulously scanned the sidewalks. "Just... shut up."

  The girl smiled. She sprang to her feet, her katana dangling against her waist. "Oops, touchy subject?"

  The man ignored her, reexamining the populace crossing the street. A man with a golden suitcase caught his attention; brief lines of information appeared in the corner of his vision.

  —Name: Qazell Earlsten—

  —Age: 36—

  —Blood Type: A—

  —Occupation: Casino Owner—

  —Public Status: Alive—

  —Do you wish to perform a deep search?—

  I still can't get used to this. What the hell did they do to me?

  "What makes you think our target will be here anyway?" he asked, gripping the stone barrier. "Wouldn't we be more useful if we wait at the hospital with the other unit?"

  "Whaaat? No way! Our senior wouldn't be so dumb to remain there. In fact, it's disrespectful that there's even a unit there at all."

  The man's brows shot up. "What would you know about respect?"

  She giggled. "Enough to bestow it where it's owed." She withdrew her sword, pointing it to a walking individual below.

  "Cevine! Are you crazy? Put that away!" He quickly looked where she was aiming, twisting his expression when the information appeared.

  —Name: Hezekiah Avayah—

  —Age: 26—

  —Blood Type: O—

  —Occupation: N/A—

  —Public Status: Dead—

  —Do you wish to perform a deep search?—

  She managed to locate him in this dense area—and quickly as well. Was she always this sharp?

  Cevine pulled up her hood and fitted her black mask. "Shall we?"

  Hezekiah dispelled the Rules Dictionary.

  "How unfortunate," he whispered as he walked past the balcony, seeing two individuals departing. "Openly displaying your sword like it's a toy... she still hasn't grown up."

  Hezekiah searched for gaps between buildings, but they were all less than a foot wide.

  "Whatever. It's not like they're dumb enough to attack me in the open."

  He glanced behind his back. The two were already trailing him, closing the distance by the second. A chuckle escaped his lips. He slowed his pace, monitoring their distance by the reflections in the windows.

  "An open assassination attempt after letting herself be discovered? They're not even bothering to hide themselves. Can't make an execution any more public than this."

  Still, it's odd. When were those two so reckless—and to try this on me, of all people?

  He thought for a bit, until a brief memory of those unusual weapons flashed, bearing an ominous glow that looked as if it could slice through anything.

  "Could that be it? Fine by me. There's something I wanted to test anyway."

  He muttered before turning a corner, meeting a subway beneath his feet. Yellow tape protected the entrance; nevertheless, Hezekiah brushed his way through and descended down the steps.

  After he reached the bottom, he walked further into the subway. Lights flickered. Rats scurried away into their holes. Some of the pipes were busted. A foul odor leaked into the crevices of the concrete. After squeezing past the ticket booth, he quickly drew a circle around himself, approximately 5 meters in radius.

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  A bigger one would be nice, but time isn't on my side at the moment.

  Footsteps echoed behind. The dim lighting of the tunnel slightly obscured their appearance, until they came closer into view.

  "Is this where you decided to make your grave?" a feminine voice spoke, brandishing a velvet sword. Sharp red vibrant lines traced through its center, followed by a dull humming sound.

  Hezekiah rose up after drawing the Custom Boundary.

  "Please, don't you think this place is a bit too nice for me?"

  "Hmph. You don't give yourself enough credit, Senior." She withdrew a deck of cards from her jacket, edged similarly to her sword.

  Those definitely aren't normal. This may turn out differently than I hoped.

  Hezekiah focused on the two of them as he scribbled in the air.

  "How long has it been since we last spoke, Jin? Didn't expect them to send you."

  The man that followed Cevine, Jin—studied Hezekiah's movements, observing as much as he could. That pen he's holding. Why is he doing that? "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "Oh, it's nothing. I just thought they simply valued you, but sometimes space for others has to be made."

  Jin's pupils radiated brilliantly. "You're one to talk! A mouse being hunted thinks they have a right to brag. Speaking of which, how's your sister doing?"

  His eyes... I thought it was a trick of the light at first, but turns out there's something wrong with them. They don't even look natural. I'm not liking this. What happened to Sunset Garden these past couple of weeks?

  Cevine giggled, shoving Jin. "You can be quite sensitive sometimes. Did you really have to shoot low like that?"

  "It's understandable," Hezekiah acknowledged. "Those eyes of yours are probably the source of your confidence. Don't tell me you're the same way with your new toys, Cevine."

  Cevine shifted the cards in her hands, humming. Gracefully stacking them on top of one another, she drew from the topmost card.

  "Don't misunderstand. I never once felt inferior to you." She flicked the card towards him. A laser-like trail followed.

  But the card only bounced off him like ordinary plastic, cracking the ground upon impact.

  "Heh?" Cevine sounded, scratching her head as the card lay brimming with energy. "What the hell?"

  "Not even a single tear?" Jin whispered as he examined his clothes. Even with his advanced sight, he couldn't detect a single piece of shredded fabric.

  Hezekiah lifted the card, its heat comforting to the touch.

  "Number 7? I wonder if this number has any significance." He flung it back toward Cevine.

  She casually tilted her head. The card whizzed by, slicing a piece of a rocky pillar. "Hehehe. What is this? I wasn't aware clothing could be a type of Huska tool. Very mysterious."

  A Huska tool? Wait a minute—Hyonda also suspected me of using something like that. What is that, anyway?

  "Then cut his skin directly!" Jin unlatched two knives from his belt and darted toward Hezekiah.

  Hezekiah held out his hands, dodging Jin's first two strikes and counterattacking after deflecting the last one. Jin, however, evaded it, getting behind Hezekiah.

  Shit. He wasn't this quick the last time we sparred.

  Hezekiah quickly gained distance, making sure he'd stay within the boundary.

  Jin closed the distance, springing a back kick. Hezekiah sidestepped it, sweeping for his other leg. Jin hopped out of the way, throwing his knife.

  It was barely caught by Hezekiah, its blade inches away from his eye.

  Jin's irises rotated, ticking back in clockwork fashion.

  He's still able to keep up with me despite my visual enhancements? Do I really have to go all out? Jin contemplated, pursing his lips.

  A humming noise sounded behind Hezekiah. Another card bounced off his shoulder and left a nastier mark against the stone concrete upon collision.

  "Are you neglecting target practice again, Cevine? It shouldn't be too hard for you to aim at my skin."

  "Aughh, please don't bring up the old times." She hid her cards away like magic. "Ah, I know! I'll make sure to improve on that in memory of you! Happy now?"

  She positioned her sword before rushing toward him.

  "How touching."

  Her sword slashed at his waist. He turned his body. A piece of fabric was caught, but no threads were loosened.

  Hezekiah took a few steps back, nearing the edge again.

  The Custom Boundary is only 10 meters in length. Passivity is not looking ideal right now.

  "Worried about something?" Jin mocked. His irises began splitting, transitioning into a floral pattern. He leaped, aiming for Hezekiah's neck.

  Quick!

  Hezekiah ducked the knife. A knee attack followed, which he barely avoided. He created space. A blur of red light descended from above. He turned, blocking the attack with the knife he had caught.

  "Of course that didn't work." Cevine repositioned her offensive stance. "As if the man who single-handedly took down Moon Raid would fall so easily."

  "What? It's not like I took them all at once."

  "Oh, c'mon. They had about fifty members. No need to be so modest."

  "Quit the act!" Jin shouted. His movements zagged, dashing toward Hezekiah. "Your fake humbleness makes me sick."

  A knife breezed past his cheek. He blocked Jin's sight with his palm before striking him in the gut.

  "Aughhh!" Jin dropped to his knees, working to reclaim the air that escaped him.

  "I see. Those eyes of yours truly are special. But yourself? Not so much."

  Jin's eyes sprouted open, clenching his knuckles. Blood boiled until his skin turned red.

  "My goodness, Senior. Did a physical blow not satisfy you?"

  Hezekiah danced the knife around his fingers, aiming it toward Cevine.

  "I already tested what I wanted a while ago, but you're free to end up like him if you wish."