Asars looked at me seriously, not even waiting for my reply, and said, "I want you to rob the house of an important person. This mission is extremely difficult, and there is no room for refusal."

  I noticed that his tone of voice was hiding some fear and tension, so I asked cautiously, "Whose house? What is the purpose? And why is there no room for refusal?" I bombarded him with questions, but I had to understand the situation.

  He replied angrily, "Hmph, you rascal, you have too many questions. You will steal something specific, and I don't need to know what the purpose is."

  Then he added in a serious tone mixed with fear and tension, "And as for whose house?" "It is the house of the only rich merchant who lives in the upper part of the city, Osman."

  I was surprised and looked at him in astonishment, "A-are you serious? There is an 80% chance that I will die just by the wall, let alone if I go in and steal something."

  Odin looked at me in astonishment and commented, "Why? Who is Osman, and why is he so frightening?"

  I ignored him and looked at Asaris, trying to understand the situation and waiting for his answer. "I'm sorry, boy, but we are forced to do this. If I don't send you, I have to decide between Lant and Lark, and you are the most talented and best among them."

  His fat face and eyes held a hint of guilt and confusion.

  I looked at his face, furious and incredulous. After all, Asars was a money-loving scoundrel, and if you gave him enough money, he would sell his principles.

  I think this fool has gotten us into something, or he's hiding something important about the purpose of the mission.

  Despite his expressions showing some guilt and shame, these are just external expressions, easily faked, and I've never trusted Asars enough to entrust my life to him.

  Odin looked at Asars's expressions and eyes, analyzing, "Hmm, boy, this man is confused and scared, and he seems forced. He doesn't look comfortable in this situation. Believe him."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  I listened to Odin attentively, and he was right. Although Asars is a money-grubber and ready to sell all his principles for money, he wouldn't risk stealing from Osman, which is like killing yourself or stabbing yourself with a sword.

  Despite that, I wanted to ask him at least to understand something, or for him to say something specific, or to clarify something for me, because I didn't understand anything. We're just a small group who steal from people.

  I asked him in a skeptical and sharp tone, "Why are we forced? We're just thieves. We're not a large group, and we don't have the reputation or the necessary skills for this kind of theft. We're just lowly people who steal from people while they're shopping."

  After hearing my words, I noticed his facial expression and the look in his eyes. It suggested guilt, shame, and being forced by circumstances. After that look and his facial expressions, I realized that things were out of his control and he was powerless.

  He said in a shameful tone

  "you will know this information in due time. But for now, choose between accepting the mission or refusing it."

  I understood the situation and looked down in despair. In the end, I hadn't expected much, and I'm not one to ask questions and wait for honest answers.

  Ultimately, this is the nature of the world: the strong force the weak, and the weak must accept their weakness and acknowledge it in order to survive. Well, this is the reality we live in, the reality I live in.

  "Didn't you say before that there was no room for refusal, and now you're giving me a choice between acceptance and rejection?"

  Asarus looked at me with shame and looked down as if remembering something, then said,

  "I've known you since you were little, since you used to steal the shoes of people entering mosques. Despite all your dirty and despicable actions, you were honorable and cared about the people around you. Although this nature has died within you, it remains. This is why Lark and Lant are here in this group. They are here because of you, even though they don't steal as much as you do. You are gifted, a very gifted boy. You are the most skilled, agile, and fast thief I have ever known, and according to your nature, you won't let..." Lark and Lant lose their lives on a mission you could accomplish better than them. That's why I'm telling you this, and knowing you, you'll take it.

  His gaze was that of a man nostalgic for the past, and who wouldn't? It was the gaze of an honest man. 'Well, he reminded me of stupid things I didn't want to remember, but he's right, except for the punishment of keeping that useless side he calls his kindness and supposed honor. The reason I stayed with Ant and Lark, even though they're useless when it comes to stealing, is that they watch the exits and entrances, making the theft easier. But these are my reasons, and I don't want anyone to know them.'

  "So, I accept the mission."

  He looked at me with understanding, a slight smile appearing on his face. Then, in a confident tone, he said, 'Good. Now you must go at night and steal an item from the merchant Osman's house. You mustn't be discovered, and you must wear a mask.'

  Then he took something out of the drawer and added, 'This is poison. Put it between your teeth, and as soon as you're discovered, if you can't escape...' I interrupted him.

  'I'll kill myself, right?"

  Odin looked at my expressions closely. In truth, he wasn't surprised at all because As soon as Asars took the object off the table, he knew what it was and what its purpose was.

  I looked at him seriously, desperately, and angrily, and said in an angry tone, "Fine, I'll do it and I'll make

  sure I don't get caught." Odin commented, "Well, boy, that's the nature of the world after all."

  "Alright, you rascal, come back in a week. During this time, take the week off for this mission,"

  Asarus sighed after speaking. Before I left, he added, "Don't worry, even though his palace is fortified and surrounded by a tall, heavily guarded wall, nothing is completely impenetrable, especially here in the poor neighborhoods where money talks. I'll find ways for you to get in and try to discover weaknesses in the defenses."

  I listened to his words and then left without another word.