The sun peeked through the curtains, gently lighting the room. Celixsa Thornhart slowly opened her eyes and smiled softly as she saw Julian asleep beside her.
"Even when you sleep… you look cute," she whispered, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on his cheek.
Julian's eyes fluttered open slightly.
"Wait, I'll make you coffee," Celixsa said, slipping out of bed.
Julian stirred and, seeing her leave, quickly got up and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Why are you up so early?" he asked, nuzzling her neck.
"Huh? Because you were hugging me… and my dream disappeared," she replied.
"Ooh… I'm really sorry," Julian murmured.
Celixsa chuckled. "It's fine. Now, go change into your assassin clothes. You know how it is—missions won't wait."
Julian nodded and changed quickly. Soon, the two were sipping coffee together, the morning calm wrapping around them.
Celixsa Thornhart is Julian's girlfriend. Celixsa is beautiful and cute, but she is also a powerful assassin. She holds the rank of Dark Shade among the assassins. Celixsa has a cruel personality toward others and enjoys torturing her slaves. She is rude to everyone around her, including her slaves, but never to Julian.
Despite her cold nature, Celixsa truly loves Julian. Her love is not because of Julian's handsome face. Instead, she fell for his attitude and the way he lives his daily life. Julian also loves Celixsa deeply.
When Julian first joined the assassin club at the age of 21, Celixsa helped him a lot by teaching him many things about the assassin world and the assassin club. Celixsa is also 21 years old, but she is slightly younger than Julian. She joined the assassin club much earlier, at the age of 15.
When Celixsa first met Julian, she was only a Hidden Shadow rank assassin. However, after going on many missions together with Julian, she improved rapidly and eventually reached the rank of Dark Shade.
Julian and Celixsa gradually fell in love with each other during their missions.
Most people are afraid of Julian. In the assassin world, Julian is known as The Cruel Assassin Arkwright. Because of his terrifying reputation, Julian is usually assigned to deal with high-ranking officials and powerful politicians.
"Hey," Celixsa said, lowering her voice slightly, "did you hear the news?"
Julian raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"A New York army officer claimed in the media that assassins are criminals and that he wants to hunt all of us."
Julian nodded. "I know. A Hydro Hunger-rank assassin took care of him."
Celixsa smirked. "How do you feel about that? Was his death… good or bad?"
Julian sipped his coffee calmly. "Neither good nor bad."
Her eyes narrowed playfully. "Huh… are you listening to the rumors about Black ViSage? They say he's hunting a ferry."
Julian frowned. "A ferry… what?"
Meanwhile, miles away, Black ViSage approached the Richel mansion. Inside, the powerful Richel family had captured a little girl named Delly Harnes.
A few days ago, a woman had come seeking help, desperate to have her child rescued. Most adventurer groups refused the mission—it was too dangerous. But then, Bilives and his team, the so-called High Legends, accepted.
"Don't worry, we'll save her," Bilives promised, though his team didn't look nearly as confident as their name suggested.
The woman, Seraphine Neisara, thanked them with tears in her eyes. But before they could plan properly, a sleek car screeched up—the kidnapper's escape vehicle. Most adventurers still used carriages; the presence of a car threw the team off.
Bilives quickly adjusted the plan. "Paul, Jebrin, and I will create a distraction. Duwen, Yuna, and Kevin—you go save Delly."
"But Kevin?" Bilives asked.
"He goes with us," Yuna said. "He needs to understand mission tactics."
Bilives hesitated. "This is dangerous—"
"I understand," Yuna replied firmly.
Night fell. The team executed their plan. Bilives, Paul, and Jebrin drew the guards' attention, while Duwen, Yuna, and Kevin infiltrated the mansion. Everything was going according to plan… until an invisible thread suddenly ensnared them.
A cold, melodic voice spoke.
"Ooh… insects trying to sneak in. I appreciate your effort, though—it's adorable how weak you are."
Duwen's jaw dropped. "Who… who are you?"
"I am your mother," the girl said, her voice mocking. "Remember your son?"
Then came the reveal: it was Rose Temileton. Her eyes gleamed with merciless intent.
"Insects, tell me your last wishes," she said, smiling cruelly. "Even if you don't, I'll decide for you."
Kevin trembled. "Please… don't kill us!"
"Sign my slave contract," Rose replied without hesitation. "Do it, or die."
Kevin and Duwen had no choice. The contract bound them magically, and Rose's cruel grin widened.
"I don't make girls my slaves," she said coldly. "I enjoy torturing boys."
Using their blood, she bound them completely, her laughter echoing through the hall. Yuna and the rest were captured by Chris Wack, her loyal servant, while Rose walked past, petting Chris.
"Good dog," she murmured, and Chris's eyes gleamed with pride.
The mission had failed. Seraphine, realizing her child was still in danger, fled toward the Nightglass Covenant, knowing the adventurer ranks and higher authorities would punish any chaos caused there.
Back with the woman, desperate and penniless, she made a painful decision: to sell herself to survive.
The receptionist tried to warn her, offering money instead. "Don't do this. It's dangerous!"
But the woman had lost all trust. She refused, believing the receptionist had ulterior motives. Only after understanding the warning did shame wash over her—she had been wrong.
Finally, a man appeared—a lone adventurer with a strange, commanding aura. The receptionist's eyes widened.
"Yes… he's strong. Very strong," she whispered.
The woman's hope surged. The man was Black ViSage.
"I'll take your job," he said calmly.
Her fear and hesitation melted into relief. "You… you're strong?"
Black ViSage's presence alone silenced her doubts. "Listen carefully. I don't want your body. I don't want to harm you. But I need all the information. Never sell yourself again—there are better ways to survive."
The woman nodded, her respect and shame blending together. She realized she had misunderstood the kindness of the receptionist.
And so, Black ViSage prepared to save Delly, his calm, deadly aura radiating around him.