2 CHAPTER 2

We travelled not too far away to a 3 story building. It was not that fancy. It was on the eastern side of our city Cumae. Cumae is the capital of the Empire and lies in the south western side of the empire. This building was on an intersection of roads. We entered the building and immediately to the left there was a rusty door. It led to stairs down. After descending down the stairs, there was a dusty room with many posters and a large big table in the middle.

"Welcome to the Underworld my friend. We are the Special Zipang unit from the Alvarez Empire and sought to protect the peace of this empire. My name is Solork, Rachel is the one you fought with before, these both are Igsem and Wakatoshi.", said Ichi.

"What ! she was a girl ?!", Arata thought on the inside.

"Pleasure to meet you. So, why did you bring me here?"

"Actually, you have been surrounded by enemies in your life. They are also the enemies of this empire. I will explain the situation. If you are interested in the information, then you will have to join us. Else, we will eliminate you. That's all.

"I am interested in the information.", Arata said because he didn't want to die. "But what about my friend.", Arata asked.

"He will think you are dead obviously if you join us or not. We are going to remove you from the traces of everyone's memories and you will become a 'living dead'."

"That would be fun." Arata thought. Well of course, his aim was to become a well known pianist but now, he didn't think so he would. It is all but a pipe dream now. For some reason, Arata was shivering. Not with frustration or fear, but excitement. He was always quick to adapt in his life.

"Yes. Go ahead. I would like to listen to what you have to say.", Arata said with fiery eyes and a determined face.

Solork was taken aback. He didn't expect this much potential in a person. He had those eyes, that face and was naturally talented (which he was pissed about). The passion of Piano, the capability to adapt to absurd situations quickly. In that moment he could see that person's face, his best friend's overlapping with Arata's.

Solork regained his senses and talked.

"The concert hall owners are Cloverists. SImply put, they are basically spies. And your parents. That was not a joke. I would like you to kill them. They are enemies of society. Your dad Tsukishima is from the clover and your mom, Milana is from spade. And they are top spies in their country. Well, to have you believe me, I will slowly raise your position in the underworld to where you can get all the information."

"Ok." Actually he knew his parents were criminals. He even knew that the concert hall masters were criminals. He had such sharp ears. How could he miss the conversations being held around him. But he did not know the reason why they were and never bothered. Because all he wanted was to get better at the piano. But it looked like he would need all the information and obtained from his surroundings now.

"If I am right, my parents had a hand in the Leoche city massacre and they also are involved in illegal trade of the latest technological arms out of the Alvarez empire to other countries. Also, they have a 'bought' professors and sold them to other countries. Well it sounds fitting for my parents who work as Priests in the church. Completely safe."

"Well, if you knew that, are you also a spy ?", Solork asked.

"No, I am just a harmless little pianist. You would probably eliminate me if I gave information to anyone right. I am pretty sure you have mechanisms to do that. Besides, I just want to become useful and gain your trust so that you do not kill me.", Arata said while shivering inside. He was terrified of Solork's eyes under the black cape.

"Sounds like a plan." Solork said after thinking a bit.

"Will he be able to kill ? This guy. He just dodged all my attacks. But in this world, this won't work. Bet he is a fucking wimp.", a harsh voice spoke. It was a beautiful voice for Arata though. That one pitch voice with a crack and the attitude. It all matched his liking. He wondered what kind of girl would be behind that black cloak.

"Yes, I will if I have to.", Arata gave a hesitant reply.

"Welcome aboard Zipang Arata !" Solork gave a reply.

Then all of them took out their cloaks. Arata couldn't believe his eyes. It was love at first sight. That pale fair skin with really good facial features and a nice style. Definitely in her early twenties Rachel was someone now he wanted to conquer. He would definitely conquer her.

Solork looked like a man in his thirties. He had strong arms and scars over his face. Wakatoshi(boy) and Igsem(girl) looked in their mid twenties. They looked thin and also, with scars on their hands. They looked like lovers.

"Is that all the people ?" Arata asked.

"Yes. This is the special unit. There are many special units. Out of them, there are 3 monster special units which are legendaries and do the most secret missions given out by the king. They are 'Mahler', 'Prokofiev' and 'Andre'. They all have 8 people each. A unit can have 3 - 8 people.

"There are ranks. We are right now C rank. Those three are S rank. We are going to climb up the ladder. Not only because we want to serve the country but also because of the rewards. The more you climb, the more rewards you get and the more cultivation you can do. Actually the reason I wanted you to join is because of this itself.", Solork said.

Arata grew curious as to what cultivation was. He thought it was those 8 people who had it.

"Looks like you don't know. It is a state secret after all. It is one of the reasons this Empire is able to hold its position. With all these Army Generals drunk on power who are incapable to lead even a single ant, the underworld works in this country. The strongest people are present here. Cultivation is the way to go beyond your physical capabilities."

"We have actually just started out. First you need to give the Assassin exam. And I will train you. All of these people here gave the exam. It seems you are exceptional in defense. We will see your attack. It will be good that you ace the exam, our ranks might go up. Till then, we will take you as a temporary member. It is pretty late at night now. There will be a piano here tomorrow." Solork said, finishing the lecture.

"Why are you being so nice to me ?", Arata asked.

"Because, I saw talent in you. You could definitely become great. I would like to raise great people. And also.... You remind of someone.", Solork said

Arata decided to leave it at that. Too many crazy things have happened today. He would like to sleep now. He was shown to a bedroom by Waktoshi, towards the alleyway. It was a double bed.

Just as he was about to get in bed, Rachel walked in. She looked stunning. He just felt like chaining her up and doing whatever he wants with her. She just went and laid down on the bed. Arata was shocked by this. He had never felt emotions like this in his life. He was too clueless.

"Have fun." said Wakatoshi and closed the door and locked it. Damn that guy.

Arata went and laid beside Rachel to rest. He took time to process the information and decided to believe it for now. He wouldn't be able to stay sane if he didn't believe the story. He started framing the questions in order to ask Solork tomorrow. Just as he was ordering the questions in his mind….

"Nah, I can't take this anymore. Even I can feel lust !! AAh, but I can't break the promise. Therefore, this is the only way", Rachel said after picking up the knife.

"What the…", Arata stopped between he finished his sentence as he could see the knife flung towards him. He dodged it and immediately got up. Music played in his head which was beautiful. The attacks which flung towards Arata were sounding really beautiful to him. He could see a majestic piece being played and enjoyed it. Arata had her attack patterns all figured out !

Rachel was really infuriated by this but felt a little at peace. She had fallen for this man and his capabilities. She slipped in some different attack patterns to surprise Arata to kill him, but none of them reached. Arata just took those as harmonics to melodies.

This went on for 5 minutes. Arata could see the movements in the classical pieces. The bridge, the chorus, the attacks which repeat the most and the ones that were progressions. He saw and heard them all and greatly enjoyed it. After 5 minutes, Rachel dropped the knife and immediately went ahead and kissed him. Arata saw sudden change and got removed from his dodging change. She embraced her. He could feel the passion from her. She truly was what he wanted.

Arata pushed her to the bed as the exchange got more intimate. The kiss went on for long after which Arata slowly undressed her. She showed no resistance, in fact she wanted this. Arata undressed himself too.

Arata never had that much pleasure in his entire life that he got in this one night.

They both slept. Then morning came. Arata was a late waker. Therefore, people found out the thing between Rachel and Arata. What about that promise, Solork thought as this information reached his ears ?