Fantasy Assassin in a modern world

The man spoke with a smile on his face he looked like a kind middle-aged man, but the words he said were anything but kind, and the glint of his eyes seem to show his true self. Michael could pretty much feel the intensity of the man’s killing intent as he walked forward. Yet Michael did not back down as for the first time in his life he felt truly angry. When he heard that Mollie Fletcher was experiment number four hundred thirty-eight, gave him a concrete number on how many people were suffering because of this person. Michael clenched his fist and stepped forward blocking the man’s path.

“Do you really think that I’ll just let you do what you want?! You’re a monster that needs to be taken down!” Despite his body feeling slightly lethargic Michael stood in front of the man with no fear only anger.

“Oh how disappointing, I thought you were an intellectual like myself. I was even planning to invite you to join me.”

‘Calm down Michael, you need to stay calm, this guy is way more powerful than you. The mana in his body is better than a mage apprentice-level like you. Use your head and trick him, tell him that you’ll join him, then we can follow him, and once we get the chance we can save the people he’s experimenting on.’

Michael knew that the plan that the Spirit spoke of was the best course of action at this time, but despite knowing that Michael could not do it. He could not even say that he could join someone like this even if it was a lie.

“Hah, you an intellectual? You’re nothing but a monster in human skin.”

.....

“Come on now, don’t disappoint me too much, you don’t need to talk like all the other monkeys who don’t understand anything. The pursuit of the truth always has some sacrifices, people like experiment#438 are important as they sacrifice their lives for the truth. I know someone like you who has knowledge of alchemy would be able to understand. You do understand me right?”

The expression on the man’s face changed as he waited for Michael’s answer.

“You say that they’re important but you don’t even use their name, and call them by number! I can’t and don’t want to join someone like you!”

The rage and hatred in Michael’s voice echoed in the entire restaurant. For the first time since he has shown himself, the man who claims to be a seeker of the truth frowned.

“I will give you one last chance to change your mind. You have the potential to become someone great as unlike all the other fools, you have the energy of the world within you. That is the mark of greatness, so come join me, and I will show you the truth of this world.”

The man extended his hand towards Michael, but then he moved to the right as something passed by him. Shin who was kneeling on the ground had attacked but missed. He then turned around and faced the surprised man.

“Didn’t you hear what my friend over here said, he doesn’t want to join you in whatever crazy thing you want to do. So how about you just give up and surrender yourself, or better yet how about we have a little battle so that I can beat you up for all the crap you’ve done!”

Shin’s tone was serious but the expression he showed betrayed his true thoughts, as he was smiling from ear to ear. This was the third person in the recent months that made him feel threatened, the first one was assassin Fade, and the second was the Captain of the Elite Dragon Brigade Tang Ao. The man sighed as he took out a vial from his pocket.

“This is rather surprising, the gas I used could’ve knocked out even a rank ten Martial Artist for a few hours, and clearly you’re not a Grandmaster. It seems like the quality of your inner energy is purer than most, and your control over it is extremely good. Based on your age and actions you must be some kind of genius from a big clan. I don’t really want to mess with the big clans, for now, so you’re lucky that I won’t kill you. As for you little alchemist, I’m going to ask you again some other time since your mind is clouded at the moment.” The man then looked at his watch and shrugged his shoulders.

“It looks like the time for talking is done and over with, I need you two to step aside or I would need to do it the hard way.” The man then tossed the vial at Michael and Shin, Michael quickly backed away and so did Shin.

‘What was that?’

As Michael used the same trick he did to expel the first gas that the man used, the Spirit suddenly shouted to evade. Michael quickly ducked as Shin attacked him.

“Shin what are you doing?!” Michael shouted as he blocked another attack from Shin.

“Oh, as expected it didn’t work on you since the energy of the world flows in you. Don’t worry your friend is just hallucinating and thinks you’re an enemy, the effect will wear off eventually. Still, I guess that friends of yours will keep you company while I do my business.”

Michael could not shift his focus as Shin’s attacks were becoming even more aggressive. Despite Shin being weakened by whatever gas the man used on them, he was still moving quite nicely. Michael who had less experience in fighting was having a hard time just defending.

While Shin and Michael were fighting, the man approached the unconscious Mollie, who was being covered by an unconscious Matsuri. As he was one foot nearer to the body, somebody suddenly appeared before him. A white mask that covers his face, a black trench coat with the smell of blood. The man quickly backed away when he saw this person.

“Oh if it isn’t the rising star of Leim City, the urban legend himself, Fade.”

“Leave now Alchemist, these people are under my protection.”