Ava pouted dramatically, folding her arms. "Oh come on, Jason... is that any way to treat an old friend?"

Jason didn't even glance her way. "You didn't come all the way out here just to say hi. What do you want?"

She smirked, leaning in just a bit. "Still sharp. I'll give you that. I'm honestly impressed-you, of all people, climbing to S-Rank. Who would've guessed the brat with a death wish would turn into a top-tier killer?"

Jason allowed himself a thin smirk. "What's more impressive is watching an SS-Rank nap her days away."

Ava's grin twitched. "You picking a fight with me, Jay?"

"Just offering you a chance to stretch those lazy limbs," he said coolly. "Or are you afraid of losing to a so-called S-Rank?"

That struck a nerve.

"Oh, that does it-"

Before she could pounce, Raven stepped between them like a blade of cold steel. "Enough," she said flatly. "This isn't the place. The plane's arriving any minute."

As if on cue, the console blinked red. The plane's AI buzzed: "Approaching target zone."

They boarded the aircraft without another word.

Later, seated away from the others, Ava leaned closer to Raven and asked in a low voice, "Alright, drop the act. Why is she really on this mission?"

Raven smiled without warmth. "You never miss a beat, do you?"

"Daphne's a fresh D-Rank. Can barely hold a blade, much less survive a ghost operation. She's the worst in her class-if she dies out there, it'll save the agency the embarrassment. No one will ask questions."

Ava raised a brow, grinning. "Still playing chess with people's lives, huh?"

Raven's voice dropped, dark and smooth. "Why waste resources dragging out the inevitable? A broken weapon is better lost on the field than left rusting in storage."

Ava chuckled under her breath. "You're still sly as ever."

"And you're still entertained," Raven replied.

They both looked toward Daphne, sitting quietly across the cabin.

"Let's see how long she lasts, then again she might not even make it to Saint Lucian" Ava muttered.

Raven smirked. "The clock's ticking."

INT. PLANE - NIGHT - EN ROUTE TO SAINT LUCIAN

The hum of the aircraft filled the silence. Everyone sat spread out, like strangers forced into a temporary truce. Jason leaned against the window, arms crossed. Brandon casually plopped down next to him, popping gum like he owned the plane.

Howl sat a row behind them, head back, eyes closed but listening. Across the aisle, Daphne sat near the window, tense but quiet. Riley and Seraphina flanked her, like wolves circling prey.

Eventually seraphina couldn't help herself "So..." she said loud enough for everyone to hear "anyone wanna bet on how long the D-rank lasts before getting herself killed"

Howl, without looking up "How about we bet on how long you'll keep your mouth shut!"

Seraphina rolled her eyes, leaning back in her seat. "Wow, Howl. Still playing the knight? I wonder how long you can keep that little mask on before it slips." Her eyes flicked toward Daphne, her voice mocking. "You must be feeling all special now that Sir Howl of the Saviors is on your side. But I wouldn't bet my card on him if I were you. Then again... I'd never be you."

Daphne didn't flinch. Just stared out the window, lost in the clouds.

That silence,

That calm,

It burned seraphina alive.

"Did that D-rank just ignore me?" she snapped, turning to Riley. "After I was so generous to give her an advice?"

"She's getting cocky," Riley replied, eyes still on the floor, voice flat. "A little reminder might do her some good. Just enough pain to teach her her place."

They both stood. Riley's voice dropped to a murmur. "We should teach the dog how to sit."

Seraphina chuckled darkly. "And what's a dog without a chain?"

Before Daphne could react, they grabbed her by the arm. She barely got a word out before Riley cut her off.

"Oh, shut up. You talk too much."

They started to drag her toward the back of the plane when a hand caught Seraphina's wrist mid-motion. It was cold. Firm. Unshaking.

Howl.

His eyes weren't kind now. They were still.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, his tone calm enough to chill bone.

Seraphina looked up at him with a smirk. "Come on, Howl. Don't pretend anymore. We're not at the agency. You don't have to play their sweet little poster boy out here."

"You can do whatever you want now," Riley added with a grin. "No rules, no eyes. Not unless you're actually protecting her."

Howl didn't speak. He simply looked down.

And then he laughed.

It wasn't the charming, collected chuckle they were used to. It was dark. Sharp. And it didn't stop right away. When he finally looked up again, his face had changed.

Gone was the calm, warm expression.

This was someone else entirely.

"You're right," he said, smiling wide. "I don't have to hide it anymore."

Everyone froze. Even Brandon looked up from his seat, tension rising.

Howl turned to Daphne, and the look in his eyes made her heart stop. There was nothing kind in them-only fire behind a steel mask.

"You have no idea how hard it's been," he said softly. "Every single day. Watching you walk around like some trembling little lamb, and resisting the urge to break you into pieces just to hear what kind of sound you'd make."

Seraphina took a step back, uneasy now. "Howl-"

He ignored her. His voice grew darker.

"You think I helped you because I care? No. I wanted to see how long you'd last. I wanted to see if you'd cry, beg, scream. There's an art to it, you know-watching hope rot. Watching someone try to rise when the world's already decided they should fall."

He stepped closer to Daphne.

"And now... now that we're not at the agency, I can do whatever I want. No chains. No eyes. Just me... and you."

Daphne, hands trembling, sank slowly into her seat. Her lungs burned-only then did she realize she'd been holding her breath. The man standing in front of her... wasn't the same kind-hearted Howl she'd spoken to back at the agency. His warmth was gone-replaced by something darker. Something twisted.

Howl leaned in close, his voice low and venomous. "You know," he murmured, his eyes locked on hers, "I've been thinking... when we get to Saint Lucian, there's a pretty good chance the enemy captures you. And when they do... they won't kill you quickly. No, they'll break you-piece by piece. Maybe start with your fingers. Or your voice box. Depends on their mood."

Daphne's breath caught in her throat. Her entire body screamed at her to run, but her legs refused to move.

Howl's grin widened, almost gleeful. "Honestly? I should just do them a favor... and kill you now."

Without warning, he flipped a hidden dagger from his sleeve-its curved, blackened edge gleaming like a predator's tooth. In one swift motion, he lunged forward-

CLANG!

Steel met steel with a screech of sparks. Howl's blade was knocked off course mid-swing.

Jason stood between them, dagger drawn, eyes locked onto Howl like a hunter watching prey. His stance was solid, unmoving.

"No one's dying on my plane," Jason growled, his eyes locked onto Howl like a predator sizing up another apex beast. His voice was calm-but deadly. The kind of calm that came before a storm ripped through everything in its path.

"I knew something was off about you. But this?" His blade still buzzed faintly with energy. "This is just pathetic."

Howl took a small step back, lips curling into a twisted grin. He raised both hands lazily. "Relax, Jason. I was just playing," he said, voice dripping with mockery. "Can't take a joke?"

Jason's glare didn't waver. "Try that again. Let's see if I laugh while you bleed."

A flicker of something dark flashed in Howl's eyes as he slowly turned away-but then he spun back, his face now twisted with something far more sinister.

"You know, Jason..." he snarled, voice low and venomous, "just because Raven put you in charge doesn't mean you get to dictate who I kill. You're not my leash."

Before Jason could speak, Seraphina stood, arms crossed, clearly bored. "Yeah, Jason," she echoed with a scoff. "Quit acting all righteous. Let him finish the job-we all know she's deadweight."

Riley leaned back in her seat, smirking. "She's right. Better a quick death now than a slow one when the real fighting starts. Think of it as mercy killing."

That was it.

Jason stood still-but the pressure in the room shifted. The air grew heavier. Cold. Oxygen felt harder to breathe.

A split second later-BOOM-the dagger in Jason's hand slammed into the wall beside Riley's face, the blade quivering from the force. Everyone froze.

Jason's eyes glowed with barely controlled rage, voice now like cold steel.

"Say. One. More. Word. I dare you."

Even Howl tensed. Seraphina's smirk vanished. Riley's hand twitched near her weapon-but she thought better of it.

Jason's footsteps echoed like war drums as he stepped forward, slow and heavy. The air thickened-his bloodlust spilling out like a wave of pressure, sharp enough to choke on. Even the lights above seemed to dim under it.

He didn't raise his voice. He didn't have to.

"This is what S-Ranks do now?" he said coldly, his eyes like twin blades. "Three against one... and you call yourselves elite?"

His glare locked onto Howl, then slid to Seraphina and Riley, unblinking. "No discipline. No control. Just animals playing soldier."

The temperature felt like it dropped ten degrees. His killing intent wrapped around the cabin like a storm.

"Keep acting like this," Jason muttered, "and I won't need a mission to put you down."

No more words. Just silence-and the feeling that death had passed by.

No one spoke.

Slowly, without another word, Howl turned and slinked back to his seat. Seraphina followed, eyes twitching, and Riley gave Daphne one last glare before backing off.

Jason exhaled, turned, and walked silently back to his own seat.

Daphne sat frozen-her heart thudding against her ribs. Her hands trembled as she stared at the dagger still embedded in the wall. That... was almost meant for someone's throat.

Just then, Brandon casually slid into the seat beside her, holding two cans of soda like nothing just happened.

"Sooo... you always bring this much drama on field trips, or is today special?" he grinned.

Daphne blinked, still shaken.

Brandon popped a can open. "Don't worry. If anyone else pulls a knife, I'll block it with my sparkling personality."

Despite everything, Daphne let out the tiniest laugh. Brandon winked.

"Welcome to hell with extra legroom."

Daphne sat in silence, still shaken. Brandon plopped down beside her, flashing a sheepish grin.

"Yeeaah... sorry about the circus act back there," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "They get dramatic when bored. You okay?"

She turned to him slowly, her voice low but firm.

"You're asking if I'm okay? I almost got stabbed. I know I'm just a D-rank, but this is insane..." Her voice cracked slightly.

Brandon winced. "Yeah, valid. That was definitely not in the agency handbook." He leaned in, lowering his voice like he was sharing a juicy secret. "But hey, Jason stepping in? That was kinda my doing."

Daphne blinked. "Wait... what?"

Brandon smirked. "Yup. I told him if he saved you, I'd leave him alone for a whole day. No jokes, no hugs, no surprise karaoke. He caved instantly."

She squinted. "You bribed him with silence?"

"Exactly. My silence is priceless," he said proudly, pointing at himself with both thumbs.

Daphne laughed a little despite herself. "But... why didn't you help me?"

Brandon shrugged dramatically. "Because I'm not legally allowed to fight before noon. Kidding. Honestly, I'm more like... a weapon without a user. Pointless unless someone swings me."

Daphne looked at him, something soft in her eyes. "You're not a weapon, Brandon. You're more than that. You're kind. And... funny. And you helped me, even if it was in your weird Brandon way."

Brandon blinked as her face got closer. "Uh..."

"Seriously, thank you," she said with a soft smile.

He turned red instantly and leaned away like she'd just ignited. "Cool cool cool. Uh-did you have to get so close, though? I might combust or something."

Daphne tilted her head, confused. "What?"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing." He sat rigid, pretending to stare at a very interesting screw on the wall.

Daphne smirked. "You're so weird."

Brandon beamed. "And proud."

They were still laughing when Howl appeared like a bad plot twist.

"Hey, Daphne," he said with a charming smile that didn't match the earlier threat. "About earlier... sorry if I scared you. But hey, if you ever feel lonely, I'm always around." He winked and walked off like he hadn't just tried to murder her a few minutes ago.

Daphne's smile vanished. Her chest tightened.

She stood up quickly. "I need some air," she mumbled, turning away.

Brandon gently caught her wrist. "Hey... maybe now's not the best time to be alone."

Daphne gave a forced smile and carefully slipped out of his grasp. "I'm fine," she said, her voice soft, then disappeared toward the bathroom.

Brandon watched her go, guilt and worry twisting in his chest. Can you blame her? After everything, trusting anyone seemed like a luxury.

Three hours passed.

The others were half-asleep or fully out cold, but Brandon kept glancing toward the back of the plane. No sign of her.

Finally, he slipped over to Jason and whispered, "Psst... hey, you up?"

Jason sighed thinking 'of course a deal like that wouldn't keep Brandon away " I am now what do you want"

Brandon leaned in like he was sharing top-secret intel. "It's Daphne. She's still in the bathroom."

Jason gave a deadpan stare. "And?"

"I dunno, man. She could be hungry... or passed out... or DEAD." Brandon threw in some jazz hands for dramatic effect.

Jason sighed. "Get to the point before I make you actually disappear."

"I saved her some leftovers." Brandon held out a neatly wrapped box like it was a peace offering. "Can you go give it to her?"

Jason glared. Brandon grinned.

"I know that look. You're thinking, 'What's in it for me?'"

"No," Jason replied, deadpan. "I'm thinking I should've let Howl stab you instead."

Jason rolled back over. Brandon huffed. "Fine. Guess I'll just call you Jay-Jay all the way back to HQ."

Jason froze. "Where's the leftovers."

Jason knocked on the bathroom door, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"Hey... you in there?" No answer.

He waited a few seconds, then muttered, "I'm coming in. Don't scream."

He pushed the door open slowly. There, curled up on the floor, was Daphne-fast asleep. Her arms wrapped around her knees, her cheeks stained from dried tears.

Jason crouched beside her and studied her quietly.

"Cried yourself to sleep, huh?" Jason muttered, his voice low and unreadable. He brushed a strand of hair from her face with two fingers, gaze sharp. "You're really bad at pretending you're strong."

Her eyes suddenly snapped open, locking onto his.

He didn't flinch. "Relax. If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't have woken up at all."

Daphne, ignoring his calm demeanor, jolted upright and shot him a fiery glare.

"PERVERT!" she snapped, scrambling back like he'd lit a fuse under her.

Her face was burning red, hair a mess, breath uneven. Jason just raised a brow, clearly unbothered.

Jason tried to keep his composure, voice low and dry. "Relax. It's not what you think."

Daphne blinked, finally registering who it was-and what she'd just yelled. Her face turned crimson. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean that, it was just- I was having this weird dream."

Jason raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Weird enough to wake up screaming pervert?"

She immediately turned her face away, hiding the heat rushing to her cheeks. "Y-you don't need to know the details..."

Jason gave a slight smirk but said nothing.

Daphne, still trying to get a grip, sniffed the air-and paused. Her eyes widened. "Wait... is that... fried rice?"

Jason held up the container like it was some kind of peace offering. "Courtesy of Brandon. He begged me to deliver it. Honestly, I preferred the dream version of this conversation."

Jason tossed her the food. "Eat it. Then go back to sleep. Or cry some more. Whatever you do, stop making Brandon worry. It's exhausting."

Daphne watched him as he turned to leave then whispered "thanks".

"Don't mention it. Seriously-don't. And try not to sleep on the floor again-we don't need a corpse before the mission even starts," Jason said, his voice calm but sharp as a blade.

Daphne gave a small tired smile. "Let me guess... Brandon told you to say that too?"

Jason was already at the door, glancing over his shoulder. "No. That one was all me finish that and get some sleep you'll need both."

Daphne watched him walk out, her heart weirdly pounding.

"...Stupid cool guy exit," she muttered under her breath.

Daphne stared after him for a moment, her expression unreadable. She finished the fried rice in silence, then stepped out, glancing around the dimly lit plane. That's when she spotted Brandon, subtly motioning her over. She hesitated... then gave in. She was exhausted, and his presence oddly comforting.

"You sure took your time," Brandon teased with a tired grin.

"Yeah... sorry about that," Daphne murmured, already slumping into the seat beside him. Her head gently fell onto his shoulder, and within seconds, she was asleep.

Brandon blinked, face flushing faintly, then relaxed. "Guess I'll get some sleep too," he whispered, closing his eyes.

Meanwhile-miles away-on a secured comm-line deep within Saint Lucian's dark networks, a shadowy figure stood alone in an unlit room.

The voice was cold, calculated. "You're about to have... unexpected visitors."

On the other end, the mercenary commander stiffened. "Who is this? How do you know that?"

The figure ignored the question. "S-Rank assassins are on their way to your base. And... they're not alone."

A pause. Then- "What are you talking about?"

The figure leaned forward, lips curling into a wicked grin. "Vortex is with them."

Silence. Then panic.

"V...Vortex? You mean-the Vortex?!"

"He's with them. This may be your only chance to erase him from existence," the voice whispered like a curse. "Don't waste it."

The line cut abruptly.

The figure turned to the window, watching the storm clouds roll in over the city.

"Let's see how far you've come, Jason," the voice murmured in the darkness. "I want to see if the rumors... are true."

"APPROACHING TARGET ZONE. ETA: 30 MINUTES."

The automated voice jolted them awake. Jason stood, eyes sharp, and signaled everyone to gather. He didn't raise his voice-he never had to. The weight of what was ahead did all the talking.

After the quick rundown of the infiltration plan, the group slowly scattered to prepare. But Daphne stayed behind, her mind spinning.

This plan... it feels too smooth. Too clean. Where's the chaos? The unexpected? And why does it feel like I'm just... background?She sighed and finally stepped forward.

"Jason," she called quietly.

He turned, cool.

"I just-if this plan goes south... shouldn't we have a Plan B?"

Jason's gaze lingered on her for a second longer before turning away.

"There is a Plan B."

Daphne blinked. "Then why wasn't I-?"

"You might not survive long enough to need it," he said bluntly, already walking away.

It hit her like a slap. "You arrogant-!"

Brandon grabbed her shoulder with a grin before she could follow. "Relax, he's not serious... mostly." He leaned in. "Come on, I'll fill you in on Plan B."

After the full explanation, they both turned toward the screens showing a grainy surveillance image of a boy-Liam, their target.

Brandon whistled low. "Damn... kid looks just like Jason. If Jason ever had a clone with black hair."

Daphne raised a brow. "Let's hope he doesn't share the attitude."

Their plane touched down moments later, wheels skimming across a snow-bitten runway hidden deep in a forest. The cold seeped through the walls like a warning.

They were near the mansion now.

No turning back. The mission had officially begun.

As the ramp hissed open, wind blasted in-sharp, dry, and merciless. Snow crunched under their boots as the team stepped off the plane, their eyes narrowing against the blinding white stretch of wilderness ahead.

Jason led, his coat flaring behind him like a shadow. "Stay sharp," he muttered without looking back. "No unnecessary chatter. We don't know what's waiting for us."

Brandon followed, adjusting the strap of his rifle. "Creepy place. Bet the walls whisper at night."

Daphne stuck close, trying not to shiver-whether from the cold or the nerves, even she wasn't sure. Her eyes locked on the distant silhouette of the mansion, barely visible through the trees. Black. Monolithic. Silent.

Howl, walking at the rear, let out a low chuckle. "Feels like home already."

Seraphina rolled her eyes. "Try not to stab anyone before we get inside."

They split into formation as rehearsed-Jason, Daphne, and Brandon taking point while the others circled wide to flank. The snow muffled their steps, but the tension in the air was loud enough to choke on.

As they neared the mansion's frozen iron gates, Daphne's fingers brushed against her concealed blade. She stole a glance at Jason, who hadn't said a word since they landed.

He stopped without warning.

A sharp whistle cut through the cold-then gunfire.

"Down!" Jason barked, tackling Daphne behind a snow-dusted boulder just as bullets ripped through the space where they'd been standing.

Brandon dove to cover beside them, gritting his teeth. "Well, so much for subtle."

Jason peeked over the rock, eyes narrowing. "Snipers. Two at least. South wing. Suppressed rounds. Professional."

From the tree line, Riley's voice crackled through the comms. "They're already set up. Either we walked into a trap, or they've been watching this place longer than we thought."

"Howl?" Jason asked sharply.

A dark laugh echoed back. "Oh, don't worry. I'm already inside."

Jason's eye twitched. "Of course he is."

Brandon nudged Daphne. "You good?"

She nodded, catching her breath. "Yeah. Just wondering how we're adopting a kid in the middle of a gunfight."

Jason's voice cut in coldly. "You don't. You survive the gunfight. Then you get the kid."

With that, he sprang from cover, flanking wide through the snow with terrifying precision. Brandon followed, firing cover shots while motioning Daphne to stay low.

Inside the mansion, Howl moved like a ghost, already dismantling a guard with quiet efficiency. His eyes gleamed in the dim corridor as he whispered to himself, "Let's see how long this house of lies holds up."

Back outside, Daphne pressed herself against the cold stone wall near the back entrance. Her breath hitched as Jason appeared beside her, flicking blood from his blade.

He didn't look at her.

"Stay close. Don't slow me down."

Daphne narrowed her eyes, heart pounding. "I won't."

And together, they slipped inside. The real mission had begun.

The mansion's interior was dim-flickering chandeliers above, velvet drapes swaying slightly from broken windows, and an eerie silence layered over everything like dust.

Jason moved ahead with silent confidence, every footstep calculated. Daphne stayed close, gripping the dagger Brandon had given her. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears, but her steps didn't falter.

Brandon joined them seconds later, whispering, "East wing's clear. Howl's somewhere up ahead. Riley and Seraphina are circling from the west."

Jason nodded. "Then we corner them from both ends."

A sudden crash echoed through the halls. Then silence.

Daphne whispered, "That sounded like glass."

Jason responded with a deadly calm, "Sounded like bait."

They turned a corner-and stopped.

They stepped into the room-and there it was.

A golden artifact, flawless and untouched, standing alone on an ornate table beneath a shaft of light. It shimmered unnaturally, like it wanted to be noticed.

"Way too perfect," Jason muttered. His eyes narrowed. They think this is our target... They're baiting us.

Daphne took one cautious step forward.

Jason's voice snapped through the silence-"No, wait-!"

Click.

A soft sound. Then chaos.

Daphne's eyes shot to the ceiling. Panels slid open. Auto-turrets dropped like fangs from above.

Jason lunged, grabbing her by the arm and hurling her behind a pillar as bullets tore through the air. Sparks exploded. Stone chipped. Brandon dove and rolled beside them.

"Kill room!" he shouted, clutching his rifle. "Why is it always a kill room?!"

Jason pressed his comm. "Howl! We found some artifact-but the entire hallway's rigged!"

Static.

Then came Howl's voice-unbothered and borderline amused:

"Ah. You tripped it. I was wondering how long it'd take. Sit tight-I'll kill the lights."

Brandon reloaded. "Think he'll actually do it?"

Jason pulled a throwing knife from his belt, eyes fixed on the turret blinking overhead. "We don't have the luxury to doubt him. Cover me."

Daphne clutched her dagger tighter, heart racing. Her eyes flicked to the artifact. Still glowing. Still untouched. Still wrong.

Then-click.

The power cut out.

Everything went black.

Silence.

Then a whisper of wind, the faint hum of a generator dying.

Emergency red lights flickered on as the backup kicked in. The turrets hung dead, smoke curling from their barrels.

Jason stood up slowly, eyes sweeping the area. "We're clear."

Moments later, the squad regrouped at the end of the corridor.

Howl strolled in first, smirking like he owned the place. "You're welcome for saving your asses. Again."

Jason shot him a cold glance. "It wouldn't have happened if you stayed in position like I said."

He turned sharply toward Daphne, voice low and deadly. "And you-stepping into an obvious trap? Next time, I'll let the turrets finish the job."

Daphne flinched, eyes to the floor. "I'm sorry..."

Seraphina folded her arms, leaning against a pillar. "Told you she was dead weight."

Jason ignored her.

Instead, he turned to Riley. "You picked anything up from the guards?"

Riley nodded. "Yeah. Eavesdropped on some chatter-apparently, the kid's not here. There's a safe house, few miles north. Liam's there-with his family."

Jason took a moment. Processing. Calculating.

Then he spoke, voice like a blade:

"Then we move. Now. Before they realize we're still breathing."

The team followed without a word.

And behind them, the golden artifact flickered... and cracked.

The wind howled outside the safe house, biting cold swirling through the trees as Jason and his squad crouched behind a snow-covered wall. The moonlight gave the mansion a silver hue-silent, still, and hostile.

Jason's voice was low, commanding. "We move in quiet. Split up, sweep the interior. No noise, no shadows."

His gaze flicked to Daphne. "You-watch the perimeter. Stay out of sight. If anyone comes or anything feels off, give the signal. Three taps on comms. No hero moves."

Daphne nodded, gripping her dagger, lips tight. "Got it."

"Howl, take east wing. Riley, upstairs. Brandon, you're with me. Seraphina-roof entry."

Everyone moved with swift precision, melting into the shadows like phantoms.

Jason paused just before heading in, turning one last time to Daphne. His unreadable expression flickered into something barely human-concern maybe-but he said nothing and vanished inside.

Daphne exhaled slowly and took her position by a shattered window overlooking the front path. Snowflakes drifted lazily, but her mind was sharp. Focused. Watching.

Inside, things weren't as quiet.

Jason slipped through the hall, knifing the back of a guard without hesitation, catching the body before it dropped. Brandon gave a low whistle. "Clean."

Jason replied coldly, "Focus."

Meanwhile, Seraphina climbed through the attic hatch, soundless, scanning for cameras. Riley moved like a shadow upstairs, already disabling sensors and mapping guard rotations. Howl, of course, left his own trail-whistling as he casually choked a man out behind a supply room door.

The dining room was dimly lit, the chandeliers casting long shadows across the polished wooden table. Liam sat stiffly at one side, isolated from the rest. His stepmother and stepsister sat to the left, chatting softly, while his father occupied the head of the table, silently observing him.

The fork in Liam's hand barely moved.

"Liam," his father's voice cut through the quiet like a blade. "You're not eating. Why?"

Liam sat up straighter, fumbling with his words. "Oh, I-uh-I'm not hungry, sir... I mean, Dad."

His father's eyes narrowed. "Look at me when you speak. If you can't even hold your father's gaze, how do you plan to survive in this world?"

Liam swallowed, forcing his eyes upward.

Just then, a guard entered and leaned into the father's ear, whispering something low.

The father frowned. "Hmm. I see. Wrap that up quickly."

Liam's mother looked over, concerned. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Minor issue with some staff. It's being handled," he said smoothly.

Liam took that as his cue. "I think I'll head to bed now. Goodnight, Mom... Dad."

"Go," the father said without looking at him.

As Liam walked the hall toward his room, the air felt... off. Too quiet. He paused.

His eyes caught something-a foot sticking out from the corner.

He rushed over.

A guard was down. Still breathing, but out cold.

That was when a hand clamped around his wrist like steel.

"Caught ya," came a voice right beside him-low, amused, dangerous.

Liam snapped his head up-Howl stood over him, grinning like a devil, his golden eyes gleaming in the dim corridor light.

Liam gasped, trying to pull away, but Howl leaned in close.

"Don't scream, kid. Wouldn't want to wake the whole house, would we?"

The hunt had begun.

Howl had the boy slung over his shoulder, swaggering through the blood‑streaked hallway like he owned the place. Then the shot echoed.

BAM!

A round tore through the air, burying itself into Howl's shoulder. He froze mid‑stride.

"Finally," came the voice behind him-cold, precise.

Aiden, a towering commander of the guards, stood over them, gun still smoking. "Thought I'd get a look at the monster that's been cutting down my men like pigs."

Howl turned slowly. A smile curled on his lips-unnatural, fluid. His eyes glowed with something feral.

"Finally something fun," he whispered, voice soft, dripping menace.

Aiden's jaw dropped. "Is... is this guy even human? I knew I hit him. How is he still moving?"

Around them the guards flooded in, assault rifles raised. Howl dropped to one knee-calm-and pointed at them with his free hand.

"Surrounded?" he said, voice like ice. "Perfect."

Aiden barked: "Liam! Get away-now!"

The boy staggered back, fear cracking his face. Howl didn't move. Didn't flinch.

---

Outside, in the frozen underbrush, Daphne crouched low, rifle at the ready. Snow drifted around her like ghost smoke. Figures approached-, no uniforms, precise movements like predator wolve, She know what she had to do!

Three taps. Jason's comm crackled.

His voice over the shortwave: "Signal."

Brandon's whisper: "You think she's in trouble?"

Jason didn't hesitate:

"No. I think we are."

His tone flat. Deadly.

Brandon and Jason were encircled now-four shadows surrounding two. Jason cracked a grin, low and cold.

"Assassins," he said.

"Go...I'll hold them off."

He launched forward in one fluid motion-blade flashed, first attacker went down before he even landed.

Liam's family remained seated in the dining room, unaware of the chaos erupting just rooms away. The tension was thick, but the calm shattered as a guard burst in, breath ragged.

"Sir! We're under atta-"

CRACK.

A single, sharp sound - and blood sprayed across the marble floor. The guard dropped like a stone, eyes wide in shock. Standing behind him was Brandon, crouched low, one hand gripping the hilt of a still-warm blade embedded in the man's spine.

He rose slowly, unbothered, brushing invisible dust from his gloves.

"Hmm," he muttered, eyes locking onto the family at the table - Liam's father frozen in disbelief, Hannah trembling beside her stepmother.

Brandon stepped forward, boots silent. His gaze swept the room like a hawk.

"No kid," he said, voice cold. "Looks like I'm in the wrong room."

He stepped over the corpse with eerie grace. "Guess I'll check the next one. Don't wait up."

And just like that, he vanished into the hall.

Panic finally cracked the room open.

Another guard charged in seconds later, wild-eyed.

"Sir, we have to go now-before he comes back!"

Liam's father snapped out of his shock. "R-Right. Gather the others. Move!"

But the mother stood her ground. "Wait-what about Liam?! My son is still in this house!"

Before anyone could answer, two new figures stepped into the room. Not guards - not by the way they moved. Their black, close-fitted combat suits were marked with subtle symbols. Their steps were too controlled. Calculated. Trained.

One was a tall woman with braided hair and a curved dagger at her side. The other, a lean man with sharp eyes scanning every exit.

The woman spoke, cool and direct.

"Ma'am, we're with the Shadow Recon Unit. Your son is a priority asset. We'll extract him safely."

The mother's breath hitched, but she nodded. "Please... bring him back."

The man gave a curt nod. "On our lives."

As the family was escorted out, the house around them rumbled faintly - distant gunfire echoing through the walls.

Liam's time was running out.

The hallway was a slaughterhouse-bodies of guards scattered like discarded dolls, blood painting the walls in brutal strokes. And in the center of it all stood Howl, bloodstained, panting, and smiling like a demon.

Only Aiden remained standing opposite him, blade shaking slightly in his grip.

"How... how the hell did you-?"

Howl licked the blood from his glove, tilting his head. "You're asking how?" he chuckled lowly, then flashed a wide, teeth-baring grin. "You do realize who I am, right?"

Boom.

The silence shattered. A second gunshot tore through the air-this time, Howl staggered, his eyes wide in surprise. Smoke curled from a sniper round lodged deep in his side.

"Tch..." he grunted, falling to one knee. "Damn... that one stings."

Two figures stepped out from the shadows of the hallway-slick, clean, untouched by the chaos. Their movements were precision wrapped in elegance and their aura made the air heavier.

The woman lowered her customized pistol with icy calm.

"Got him." Her tone was hollow. Cold. Surgical.

The man beside her cracked his knuckles, grinning.

"Finally, my turn." His voice was playful-too playful.

Howl tried to rise, but his limbs locked. The bullet-it wasn't normal. Something was eating at his nervous system, freezing him from the inside.

He exhaled shakily, pressing one bloody hand to his comm.

"Heh... guess this is it for me, guys..." His voice wavered but still carried that twisted cheer.

"Jason... if I had one regret... it's that I never got to spar you one last-"

SWISH.

His head rolled across the floor, his final word left unfinished. His body slumped in silence.

Aiden stumbled backward, pale.

"No... no way. They took him out with just one blow They must be the two SS-RANK the big boss hired".

The woman dusted her gloves, then whipped around and grabbed the man by the ear.

"Jinx! I told you not to kill him like a damn clown!"

"Ow-ow! Bon! I slipped! It's instinct, I swear!" Jinx whined, pouting as Bon finally let go of his ear.

She turned sharply to Aiden.

"How many infiltrators?"

Aiden swallowed hard. "T-Three confirmed... but we still don't know their actual target. We used a rare artifact as bait in the mansion... but they didn't bite."

Bon narrowed her eyes.

"Then they're after something else. Or someone."

Meanwhile, unseen behind a column, Seraphina stood frozen. Her eyes locked on Howl's lifeless body... and the dismembered head lying still on the cold marble.

A single tear rolled down her cheek. Her hand clenched tight.

"No way... Howl wouldn't fall this easy." She hissed to herself, rage boiling beneath her skin.

"Something's off about these two... they don't fight your ordinary guards . They hunt like ghosts they're more like SS-RANKS."

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"I'll make them pay."

Before Seraphina could even draw breath, Bon was already behind her-silent as a shadow.

"I knew I smelled a rat," Bon whispered darkly, blade already swinging.

Seraphina spun low, barely ducking under the slash, the edge grazing the tips of her hair. Steel screamed as it cut through the air. Bon didn't flinch.

"Hmm..." she said, voice laced with indifference. "The rat's got claws. Cute."

Seraphina landed a few feet back, chest rising sharply. 'What is this pressure? Why am I already winded... is this fear?' Her grip on her dagger tightened.

Bon's arm moved like a blur-a flash of silver-and her dagger cut through the air again.

SPLASH!

A thin line of blood appeared across Seraphina's cheek. She staggered back, wide-eyed.

"Tch-What the...!" she gasped. Her knees buckled. Her body was trembling. The world began to tilt unnaturally.

Bon tilted her head, expression void of any care.

"Feel it yet? The burn crawling under your skin?" She took a step closer, voice like ice.

"My blades are laced with Hemlock-X. Not your average poison. It rots you from the inside-slow, painful... poetic."

Seraphina fell to her knees, dagger slipping from her grip.

"Y-You... monster..."

Bon turned her back on her, completely unfazed.

"No time for trash.I have a bigger target I heard Votex is here, and besides you're going to die anyway slowly at that. That's enough punishment." She glanced at her partner.

"Jinx. We're done here."

"Aw, no finale? Lame," Jinx muttered, twirling his weapon as they walked away.

"Get back here!" Seraphina screamed, voice strained. "Think this is over?! I'm not done yet-"

CRACK!

Bon's boot crashed into her face, sending her sprawling to the ground.

"Know. Your. Place."Bon said coldly without looking back.

Then they were gone. Shadows swallowed them.

Seraphina lay in a heap, breathing ragged. Her hand clawed at the ground, blood dripping from her lip.

"Damn it... those two... who the hell are they...?" Her vision flickered, darkness creeping in.

She gritted her teeth, dragging herself toward the wall.

"I can't die... not before I bury them."

Her trembling fingers reached into her boot and pressed a hidden switch.

A deep, mechanical hum. A red glow lit the corner of the apartment.

"If I'm going down... I'm taking this place with me."

With one last push of strength, she triggered Plan B-and a chain of detonations ignited across the safehouse.

BOOM!

The walls erupted in flames, glass shattering outward as fire surged skyward.

From the distance, Jason's eyes narrowed as the fireball lit the sky."...Seraphina."

He clenched his fist until knuckles cracked. Howl's last words hit him like molten steel:

"I told you not to be careless."

Anger surged through him-pure, white-hot.

"Whoever did this to you..." he muttered, voice low and trembling, "I'll make them pay."

He moved with focused speed-time was slipping away.

He then entered a chapel‑room. A stone altar stood at its center, candles guttering, ashes scattered. Jason's eyes locked on it-it looked like a shrine for someone dead. But there was no portrait, no nameplate. Something was off.

His gaze drifted to the wall next to it-a familiar photo: the father, Hannah, Liam... and a woman whose face made his blood freeze.

"So..." Jason's voice was soft, cutting. "She found a new family, huh? Not that I care." He turned away and left, footsteps echoing in the vacant hall.

---

Meanwhile... in the storage room

Liam sat pressed against the door, smoke swirling inside the cramped room, choking the air. His breath rattled in his chest. Panic? It was too late for fear. Then he yelled "HELP!"

Outside, the butler yelled, "Young master?! Stay back-I'm kicking this door!"

The door crashed open. Flames licked the edges of boxes and shelves. The butler rushed in and found Liam choking, hair aflame.

"Your hair! It's on fire!"

The butler scanned the room for something to douse the blaze. His hand landed on a satchel labeled PRAVANA - Liquid Coolant.

"We'll use this!" he shouted, flipping it open and splashing the liquid over Liam's hair.

Suddenly, the flames vanished-but hair color shifted: dark black to blazing silver, strands shimmering metal‑white.

"But... young master-why is your hair...?"

Liam covered his head, eyes wide in terror. "Nooo... Mom's going to kill me when she finds out!"

Then a whisper in the shadows. A figure stepped into the fire‑lit room. One moment-still. The next-knife flash.

The butler gasped. A dagger buried itself between his ribs. Locked in place.

He dropped to his knees, expression frozen in shock.

Riley's voice crackled through comms. "Target located. Kid with the hair change-possible imposter. Taking him out."

Liam's eyes filled with tears as he watched his protector slump to the floor.

Footsteps thundered. Jason burst through the door. He grabbed Liam, dragging him behind a crate.

Jason's glare cut through the smoke like a blade. His voice was sharp, cold. 

"You. Idiot. You just had to kill the butler? He wasn't even armed. He wasn't a threat!"

Riley clenched her fists, her voice rising. 

"Jason, what are you doing?! The kid's a fake! There's probably another-"

He cut her off flatly. "No. There isn't."

She stepped forward. "How the hell can you be so sure?!"

Jason didn't flinch. His gaze dropped to the sobbing boy slumped over his shoulder. 

"I saw the family portrait." His tone was unreadable, but something flickered in his eyes.

Liam's voice cracked between sobs. 

"Mr. Butler... was the only one who ever cared. He played with me... listened to me... now he's-" His words dissolved into a whisper. "Gone."

Then he went limp.

Jason shifted Liam gently on his back, eyes dark. He tapped his comm. 

"Target secured. Moving out."

Riley said nothing. She simply nodded and followed.

Outside, Daphne's eyes widened as flames clawed out of the building like a beast. She crouched low behind a blackened car, torn. 'Do I wait? Do I go in?'

Her fingers trembled before curling into fists. "Screw this."

She darted inside.

Jason and Riley were racing through the smoke-filled corridors when they ran into a squad of guards. Riley threw up a hand, signaling. 

"Go. I'll handle them."

Jason didn't hesitate-he sprinted past the group as Riley launched herself into the fight, blade flashing under the red haze of firelight.

He moved fast, ducking under fallen beams, jumping over debris. This place was collapsing. But he had one more objective. He wasn't just here for the kid.

Turning a corner, he skidded to a halt-Daphne stood in the middle of the hallway, coughing, wide-eyed.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" he snapped.

"I... I came to help!" she yelled, trying to hold herself steady.

Jason almost growled. "You idiot..."

Then something shifted behind his eyes. An idea.

"Wait. There is something you can do." He stepped closer, voice serious now. "Get back to the plane. Call for reinforcement."

Daphne paused. "But what about you?"

Jason turned, already moving again. 

"Retrieving the kid wasn't our only mission."

Then he vanished into the smoke.

"Go!" his voice echoed back. 

"I'm counting on you!"

"Right," Daphne replied, her voice steady. She slipped away, disappearing behind the smoke and flames.

Jason watched her go. Leaving the kid with her would've been a stupid move. I can't risk it.His thoughts sharpened, hard as steel.

A blade flashed-it cut across his cheek, burning like fire. Bon and Jinx stepped into view. The slash came not from Bon's weapon but from Jinx's-they'd aimed at his throat and missed.

Jinx laughed, bright and playful. "Ah, too bad! That was supposed to be your throat."

Bon stepped up, eyes narrowed. "You're getting sloppy, Jinx."

Jason didn't flinch. His expression hardened. He locked onto them. "Was it you who killed my teammates?"

Bon tilted her head, amused. "You mean that rat and that loser we offed his head? Oh yes, that was us."

Jinx grinned, careless. "Yep, we killed your teammate. Sorry-not sorry."

Jason's laugh rang cold. "That's all I needed to hear."

Bon asked quietly, curious. "Tell me... are you Votex?"

Jason chuckled, quiet but ferocious. "That depends on who's asking."

He shifted forward with lethal speed. Jinx's eyes widened. "He's charging! Do we fight now?"

Bon's grin turned razor sharp. "We charge. Right now."

They collided with violent force. Steel rang against steel. Bon's blade struck sparks. Jinx threw himself at Jason from the side. The hallway echoed with the clash.

Jason moved like water. He sidestepped Bon's strike, then her arm dropped-bone snapped, screaming followed. Bon fell to one knee-her blade clattering to the floor, blood seeping in dark arcs.

Jinx screamed at her fall. Jason didn't slow. He vaulted over the chaos, eyes locked on Jinx, voice low and venomous. "Don't even think about following me-or I'll make your last breath regret the life you lived."

Jinx boiling with anger yelled "you bastard you think I'll let you go just like that-"

In one precise motion, Jason's blade slit across Jinx's face, one eye spiraling closed under the red flicker of emergency lights.

Jinx reeled, flailed-then collapsed.

Jason turned, back still to Bon, ignoring her screams of rage. He vanished into the smoke-filled corridor.

The fire crackled behind him. The mission was still alive. His purpose was clear.

Finally, Jason reached the comms room. The alarms blared in the distance, firelight flickering through the cracked walls. No time to waste. He yanked the panel open, plugged in his drive, and started the data extraction. This was the real objective-the second mission.

Data transfer-100%. He pulled the drive free, tucked it into a secure pocket, and turned.

The door was gone. Flames and debris blocked his exit. Only one way out now.

He kicked open the window.

Smoke poured in, choking the space. Jason wrapped Liam tightly in his coat, then leapt through the window. The air howled around them. The building groaned-then roared. Part of the upper floor collapsed mid-jump, raining down concrete and metal.

Jason twisted his body mid-air and shielded Liam as they hit the ground hard. Debris buried them.

Silence.

Then-movement. Jason's hand shot up, pushing rubble off his back. Blood streaked his face, but Liam was breathing. Just as he was about springing to his feet, another wave of destruction came crashing down-a thunderous crack as the upper support beams gave way. The entire section of the wall above them collapsed, sending steel, concrete, and burning debris straight toward their landing spot.

Jason barely had time to look up before it all came down.

The ground shook violently as a massive chunk of the structure slammed into the earth, burying them completely beneath a cloud of ash and rubble

Silence followed. Just the crackle of fire and the wind carrying embers across the field.

Meanwhile, on the evacuation pad, the chopper blades thundered.

A bodyguard stepped forward. "Ma'am, the chopper is prepped. We can't stay any longer-"

Liam's mother stood frozen, eyes on the flames. "I can't leave. My son is still inside!"

The father grabbed her wrist. "Oh, stop it! You've never cared about that boy, not since he came into this family. He'll be fine. He's my son, remember?"

His words struck her harder than the fire ever could. Hannah pulled her along. Numb, the mother allowed herself to be guided onto the chopper. The door slammed shut. Blades roared.

Across the field, Aiden stood alone, eyes fixed on the inferno.

Another guard approached. "Sir... why didn't you tell them Liam was the primary target?"

Aiden didn't look back. "What, and send her into a meltdown? I told the Big Boss. That's all that matters."

Then his eyes turned toward the med tent-where Jinx sat on a cot, face bloodied, one eye wrapped, a medic wrapping what remained of his shoulder.

Aiden approached slowly. "So this is what the legendary SS-rank duo looks like now, huh? One missing an arm, the other blind in one eye. You're pathetic."

Jinx looked up, smiled through bloodied lips. "You're feeling bold, huh? I get it. Still got both your eyes, limbs in place..."

Then he twirled his bloodstained dagger lazily between his fingers.

"...Want me to fix that for you?"

His grin sharpened. "Free of charge."

Aiden's smirk faded just slightly. The tension between them cracked like thunder in the smoke-laced wind.

"I'm not your enemy... Vortex is," Aiden said coldly, eyes narrowing. "If we work together, we can bring that bastard down-for good."

Jinx's grin widened, a flash of sharp teeth showing through the blood at his lips.

"You're not wrong... Bon's probably cooking up a hundred different ways to kill him right now. Knowing her, she's enjoying every second of it. But still..." his smile faded slightly, "how the hell are we supposed to find him? He's slippery-probably long gone by now."

Aiden's tone dropped to a quiet, threatening growl. "No. He's still here. We found their plane."

Jinx blinked, surprised.

"He's cornered," Aiden continued, voice like steel. "He's got two options-steal another jet, or try to sneak out of the country like a rat. Either way..." he turned slowly, eyes sharp as razors, "he's in our territory now. And I don't care how good he is-he won't outrun us on our own turf.

Smoke curled behind Daphne like ghostly hands clawing at her back as she sprinted, lungs burning, boots pounding the ash-stained ground. Beside her, Brandon's weight had nearly brought her to her knees, but she dragged him from under the rubble without a second thought. Blood streaked his forehead, his breathing shallow.

She laid him gently beside a collapsed pillar, brushing dust off his brow. "Hang in there," she whispered. "I'll be back for you."

No time for second-guessing.

She took off again, legs aching, heartbeat deafening in her ears. Ten minutes, she thought. Maybe less. Just get to the plane. Get help. No distractions.

The remains of the safehouse loomed behind her like a dying beast, flames clawing at the night sky. Every step closer to the extraction point felt like survival clawing against fate.

But then-she skidded to a halt. Her breath caught.

Four figures.

Blocking the path to the hidden hangar, their silhouettes stood still against the backdrop of the rising inferno. No words. No movement. Just presence-unmistakable, dangerous.

Her hand instinctively reached for her blade.