The Assassins

The Assassin Queen is a name that was fired across the whole continent in the Novel, Sina the holder of this nickname will become the closest assassin to end Luke's life.

Like many other powerful female characters, she transforms into a heroine and, eventually, becomes one of Luke's wives due to his unwavering pursuit, and in a certain scene she talks about her tragic past.

Now although her current power doesn't match the future vision, her lethal skills and decisive personality will be a significant asset to Fray's team.

....

Fray surveyed the bewildered figures before him and spoke, "You wondering, why the Parasite insect doesn't react, am I right ?"

The masked assassins exchanged confused glances, their expressions hidden beneath the coverings.

Zina couldn't help but feel perplexed at Fray's mention of an insect. (Insect!? What is he talking about?) she thought, stealing a glance at Fray.

"Do you know who we are!?" the leader, with a female voice, challenged.

Fray calmly revealed the truth, "Six years ago, the Ayrum family kidnapped two thousand children, subjected them to deadly challenges, and constant hunger, and forced them to kill each other. After enduring six years of hellish training, only twenty children remain. Two months ago, they were given their first mission – to assassinate the third princess of the Lionar Kingdom. Am I right?"

Sina, the leader, queried with suspicion, "How do you know that? Are you from the Ayrum family?"

"No, I'm not. I just wanted to talk to you," Fray responded.

Sina, calculating the situation, though, (Damn it, we've fallen into his trap. He must have planned everything to make us reveal ourselves. If we fight here, even if we win, it will take a long time, to draw attention. There's no other way; we have to retreat.)

Fray, like he was reading her thoughts, continued, "You cannot retreat. Your friends won't wake for a long time." He said pointing at the assassins he fought before now lying on the ground motionlessly" Even if you leave them, you won't all make it out of here alive as you're already surrounded."

As Sina pondered their predicament, she felt a crushing aura from above. Looking up, she spotted an old man with a long beard standing atop a building looking down at them.

"What do you want from us?" Sina asked in frustration.

"Don't worry I don't want to hurt you, I just appreciate your talents, and I want you to work for me," Fray stated.

Another voice chimed in from beside Sina, "Even if we want to follow you, we can't."

"Is it because of the Parasite insect the Ayrum family planted in your bodies?" Fray questioned.

"Yes, so you already knew that if we disobey their order, we will die," Sina replied with a cold voice, grinding her teeth.

"I can kill the insect inside you. I'm sure you already figured out that I got rid of the one you injected into Zina's body" Fray announced calmly.

The young children behind the masks opened their eyes in shock and a glimmer of hope, realizing that freedom might be within reach. Yet, they understood that this would not come without a cost.

" Let me guess you want our loyalty as a price for it " Suddenly, a deep, commanding male voice cut through the air, shattering the silence.

Fray pivoted to trace the source, discovering a lime-tinted figure, tall and imposing, stoically leaning against the wall.

(I didn't notice his presence until now,) Fray thought, his expression calm as he assessed the enigmatic figure. Without uttering a word, Fray produced a small container of vibrant green solution, flinging it towards the mysterious figure.

"I'm not here to force you to work for me. You can consider it just a gesture of goodwill." Fray stated, presenting other five containers, with the green liquids gleaming, inside, and tossed them at Sina before he continued "Each container can control five people,"

Gripping the glass containers Sina's eyes widened in astonishment as she blurted, "You don't want anything for it?"

Although Fray has the means to forcibly control the group with a potent solution, he shrewdly refrained from such a coercive approach. He knew that it would be stupid to keep a cohort of skilled killers who harboured animosity towards him by his side.

His ambition extended beyond mere dominance; Fray aspired for more than a group of resentful pawns. What he sought were loyal and trustworthy followers, individuals who willingly chose to stand by him.

That's why Fray simply answered, "No, but there's one condition: you should promise to give up your mission against Zina if you want to leave alive from here." His voice dripped with cold determination.

As Fray's words hung in the air, the group exchanged uneasy glances, a collective uncertainty weaving through their expressions, although they were trained as assassins and learned to complete their mission no matter the price. They knew if they refused Fray's offer they would die here.

Amidst the apprehensive silence, Sina, the group leader, broke it with a hesitant yet resolute response, "Alright, we promise. We will give up the mission." Her words carried both a reluctant surrender and an acknowledgment of the constraints imposed by the situation, a surrender to the unknown path laid out by Fray.

But suddenly as the tension lingered, a girl beside Sina voiced her concern, "But how are we going to know that this solution is safe?"

"You have the right to believe it or not," Fray stated, turning around, ready to depart.

Suddenly, the lime figure leaning against the wall inquired, "What are the terms you will provide for us to work for you?"

Fray, casting a final glance, declared, "Power and revenge." With those words lingering in the air, he walked away, leaving a confused Zina behind.

The figures, hearing the potent terms, had a strange cold glimmer in their eyes. Sina, still processing, turned to her the girl beside her asking " Isha, what do you think we should do ?"

Isha, without hesitation, suggested, "What about trying it on the unconscious members?"

"No, we promised not to betray each other anymore," Sina reminded, her tone serious.

"Alright, whatever you say. Rin, what do..." Isha turned to find the boy gone, leaving only an empty container on the ground.

"This bastard!" Isha erupted in anger. "He did it again."

"Don't worry, Isha. We still have enough for all of us. Now, let's get out of here before drawing unnecessary attention," Sina calmly directed.

And so, the group gathered the unconscious members, leaping away from the city walls, their destination set outside the confines of the city

Fray and Zina stepped out into the bustling streets of the city, the sounds of the passing carts and distant chatter filling the air. Zina, quickening her pace to catch up with Fray, questioned, "Do you wanna explain to me what happened there?"

Fray, maintaining a calm voice, replied, "I will explain everything, but I have something to do now. Can you please come back to the hotel alone? I'll talk to you later."

As Fray spoke, Zina's expression grew colder, a hint of annoyance surfacing. With an exasperated huff, she said, "Alright, do whatever you want." Her tone hinted at simmering anger, as she turned to walk away.

Fray, momentarily confused by Zina's reaction, decided to focus on his current task. Fray retrieved a green solution from his pocket, its vibrant colour catching the city lights.

Fray began turning the container of the liquid in each direction like a compass until the solution started to shine in against glow. With purpose, he leapt above the nearby building, heading in the direction the solution pointed.

Zina, left on the crowded street, watched Fray's departure with a mix of frustration and confusion. Her annoyance etched deeper on her face as she muttered to herself, "What is he up to now?"