Eli whips out a pocket knife, swinging it wildly toward Shion’s neck.

  Her hand snaps like a trap, fingers clamping around his throat. She lifts him clean off the ground.

  “A spy, huh?” Her grip tightens, crushing like iron. A sharp crack echoes. Eli goes limp, collapsing unconscious at her feet.

  “You just gave your spy an extended nap,” Bobby says, smirking.

  Shion tilts her head. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Never mind.” Bobby turns. “Amber.”

  “Sir.”

  “Escort this woman to King Pin’s territory. Show her the location—then leave immediately. Do not follow her in.”

  “Roger.”

  Bobby faces Shion again. “Amber will guide you. As for Eli… don’t worry. I’ll handle him.”

  “Fine.” Shion’s gaze shifts to Patience, whose eyes are wide with dread. “You’re a spy too?”

  Patience trembles. “No, ma’am.”

  “Alright. We leave.” Shion locks eyes with Amber and heads for the door.

  They slam it shut behind them.

  Inside, Andrew blurts, “Boss, why? You just handed an enemy valid intel. That’s betrayal.”

  The men’s faces mirror his shock.

  Bobby closes his eyes, voice low. “Andrew, kid… the woman you just saw? She’s unlike anything you’ve ever encountered.”

  Andrew quirks a brow. “What do you mean?”

  “Are you familiar with the Aswash incident?”

  “Yes—the massacre in the far south years ago. The multitude victims slaughtered.”

  Bobby nods. “Exactly. The person you witnessed today… is the killer.”

  A chorus of “What?” erupts.

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  “I’m a survivor,” Bobby continues. “I fought in it. She spared me.”

  “Were you the only one?”

  Bobby’s grin curls low and menacing, eyes glittering. “Not quite. A few slipped away. But she let me live—somehow, she got bored of killing.”

  “They call her Crocodile’s Smile—a legend with twin long blue pistols that fire without sound. She hunts like a shadow. Her speed is inhuman.

  “From her words earlier… it seems only one person earns the right to speak her name. She has a master.”

  A man with a red dragon tattoo on his forehead scoffs. “But boss, she doesn’t look that strong. As a woman—more… feminine.”

  Bobby’s smile darkens. “Never judge a book by its cover.

  “One fateful day, a woman showed up—beautiful, busty, blue eyes, pink lips. No one suspected a thing.

  “She challenged four brothers at once and shattered them. More kept coming. She crushed them like insects.

  “My group was last. We didn’t last long. In the end, only two stood: her and me.

  “She turned, let out a bored laugh… and walked away, yawning.

  “Since then, she vanished. Never heard from again.”

  “Wow,” Andrew breathes. “She must be level four or five, at least.”

  “People suspect she’s a Level One, Grade Eight mercenary—the strongest rank.”

  Andrew trembles. “What… I’ve only heard of Level One in stories. Never met anyone past Level Four. And you’re saying she has a master?”

  Bobby nods. “From my suspicion—yes.”

  “Oh boy,” Andrew says with a nervous grin. “Glad you were here today, boss.”

  Bobby fixes him with a stare. “Andrew… next time you see someone that calm, that bold—evaluate first. Charge blind, and you’ll kiss dirt. Trust me. It’ll save your life, son.”

  “Roger, sir.”

  "So what’s the lead?” Shion asks Amber as they push through the dense bush.

  “Just follow me. I’ll lead you there.”

  Shion glances back at Patience trailing behind. “Girl… you gotta go.”

  “No!” Patience closes her eyes.

  Shion stops. “Huh?”

  “I know you’re not here to save the girl,” Patience says, voice shaking but firm. “I’m not either.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  Patience bows. “Please… you have to help me. I beg you.”

  Shion’s eyes narrow, her tone turning cold. “I don’t help people. I have my own mission.”

  “What if I join you?”

  “What do you gain?”

  “Your favor in return.”

  Shion and Amber start walking away. Patience follows. “Please… help me.”

  Shion’s fist lashes out, slamming into Patience’s stomach.

  Patience doubles over, gasping, spit flying as she drops to her knees, clutching her stomach and coughing.

  “I told you to leave.”

  Shion strides off with Amber, leaving Patience coughing in the dirt.

  She calculates. The day’s already bright. I need valid intel before nightfall. Otherwise, Master—

  A hand grabs her sleeve from behind.

  “What—” Shion turns.

  “Please… I beg you. Help me rescue my sister, Mary.” Patience clings tighter, blood dripping from her nose.

  Shion’s eyes widen. A memory floods in—

  Lantern light flickers.

  Blood stains the mattress.

  Mary coughs, wheezing, trembling.

  Cold fingers slip through Shion’s grasp.

  “Please… don’t leave me…”

  Shion’s tears fall onto her sister’s arm.

  Silence swallows the room.

  The memory snaps shut.

  Shion blinks her eyes, staring at Patience with hollow eyes. “You said your sister’s name is Mary?”

  Patience nods weakly.

  “…Alright. Come with us,” Shion says.

  She and Amber march onward.

  Patience staggers after them, legs unsteady. Shion’s hand shoots out, catching her arm.

  “Take it slow.”

  She supports Patience as they walk together.