Chapter 1

A quiet night but something else takes place inside a private bar. People are dancing vigorously on the dancefloor with a presence rising above all. Leo fortez, one of the big drug distributors in Tondo— he is surrounded by beautiful women while dancing and obviously, they used drugs to do what they want to do without thinking.  

A man approached the bar side and sat down.   "One vodka martini, please," said a man in a turtle neck sweater and a black suit. The bartender immediately went and started preparing the man's order while this was happening.

Leo fortez got tired and went straight to the bar side to get a new drink with the women dancing earlier.  

“What do you want? Just order what you want, it’s on me,” said Leo Fortez and turned his gaze to the man sitting quietly on the bar side near him.  

“Are you new to this bar, mister? You seem to be lost in the wrong bar.” The people in the bar fell silent. They know something bad will happen. With the number of Leo’s bodyguards lurking inside and outside the bar, they are sure to be salvaged and his body will never be found again. 

The man still had no answer to him and was quietly waiting for the drinks he had ordered. This is what annoyed Leo.  

"Are you trying your luck with me? If so, this is your most unlucky day.”  

"I'm at the right bar and I'm looking for someone,” The man replied quietly.

"I'm sure you can't find him now,” Leo replied.

"You're wrong, you’re in front of me now.” The man quickly grabbed the stirrer used by the bartender and stab it in Leo's neck. Blood dripped from Leo's neck like a faucet. People are already shouting. Surprised by what happened. Most went ahead to go out. Leo's bodyguards were also shocked. The bodyguards inside the bar were about to pull out their guns and one by one the mysterious man shot them inside the place.

Bang! A shot pierced the head of one of the bodyguards and was followed by four consecutive shots. One by one they collapsed and at the same time, there was a flood of blood inside the bar. The last of the five was hit only in the mouth but fell and accidentally lost the gun.

He thought that the mysterious gun was done to him, so he just lay down holding his mouth so that his blood would not leak but the man gradually approaches him. The last thing he saw is a gun pointed at his head. Bang! Pieces of its brain sprang to the floor.  

This man is Azrael Cross. A legendary assassin under The Association, he has completed several high-level assassinations including big mafia bosses and drug cartel bosses. These high-level assassinations were attempted by many but only Azrael was able to do so, the member of The association had great respect for him.  

Click! Click! Azrael's camera sounds. He took a photo of Leo's body to confirm his death to his client and this is also one of the required procedures that the assassin must follow no matter what happens. After that, he immediately sent these photos to them.

“Great! There's nothing like your skill. I will send the payment now. Check your account,” his client replied. Azrael's phone rang.

A notification from a crypto wallet. He received 4 BTC with a value of P11.7M. The contract price was only P10M but his client added some tips because of his excellent work. He immediately transferred it to his crypto wallet.   Cryptocurrency is used in all transactions within The association due to its anonymity.

Azrael's work is done and the night is still deep. He knew the danger was not over for him until he had gone far beyond the place. He immediately left the area. Azrael's every move is so fast and precise that you would think of a cat because even when it falls, it makes no sound.   He went through the high vent of the bar which had a tunnel to the 3rd floor of the building which was a closed office. There he spotted the backups called by the three bodyguards outside of the bar. Three black Montero arrived aboard the 18 men.

All were armed with m16 rifles and Glock pistols. They immediately broke down the door while others were stationed behind the bar. They did not know that the assassin who killed their boss was far away. Azrael is already running on the rooftops of buildings surrounding the area.   He finally reached the area where he parked, a black Camaro was his car.

He immediately changed his clothes because he knew that the search for him would not be over so after that, he drove calmly and he was right. At the border, there are police checkpoints and Leo's bodyguards are also included.

The chief of police of the area must also be angry because Leo gave them Candy to the COP of the area. Candy is bribed by large syndicates given to a high-ranking officer of police so as not to disturb the operation when need they asking for help.

“Sir, may I have your license and vehicle registration, please,” said the police.   Azrael quietly handed over the vehicle register and his license.

"Azrael Cross right, sir?"

"Yes, chief,” Azrael replied politely.

"Okay, sir, you’re clear.” Leo's bodyguard suddenly peeked inside Azrael's car and stared at Azrael intently.

"Aren't you from the bar?" It’s rude words.

"I just passed by the area,” Azrael replied calmly Leo's bodyguard smiled and tapped the roof. A sign that Azrael can leave.  

While driving he thought of saying hello to his girlfriend. Akira Cruz, a bank teller assigned to Makati. Unbeknownst to Akira, Azrael is a Product supervisor in a company in Taguig so Azrael always has an out-of-town walk. He had no idea that Azrael was a feared assassin.

“Babe, where are you? Can I see you?" “Of course, babe. I'm already at home, did you just come home? Maybe you're tired,” Akira replied quickly.

“No, babe. I want to go straight to you when I get home. I miss you so much. Where do you want to eat”

“Anything, babe, as long as you're with me.” Akira's last reply and he put away his phone and focused on driving. Azrael was excited to see Akira   He knocked on their door, Akira suddenly came out wearing a white dress. She smiled and hugged Azrael tightly.

"Hi, babe, where are we going?" Excited it says.

"Sky deck what you'd think?" he answered at the same time as he held her hand.

"All right, babe, anywhere as long as you're with me," she said smiling and at the same time kissed Azrael’s cheek. They got in the car and while on the road there was the usual conversation about the things they do every day and laughs. And the conversation goes to their upcoming wedding.

“So, babe, what are our plans for the wedding? When is it? We haven't started preparing yet,” Akira asked him while looking at him.

“Maybe this month, babe, when I get my bonus. I will resign and we can start the wedding. Just a little patience, babe. I will also start a small business so that we don't have to go to work and take good care of our future children.” At the same time, he held her hand.  

“Okay, babe, I love you! I know you're not breaking your promises. I can still wait, I won't put pressure on you. Just do what you need to do so that we can complete our plans for marriage and our future,” she said smiling.

In just a few minutes they arrived at their destination, The Sky deck. Still, this place is very nice especially when you catch the sunset here. This is a restaurant in Intramuros manila. The most highlight of this place is the overlooking view of Manila. Here you can see the big buildings, the food here is Filipino and international dishes. There is also a band that plays here that’s why this is Akira's favorite place.

“This place is really relaxing. You know very well what I like, babe. Let's eat, we'll spend the night too much, maybe you're still tired.” Akira took care of him and signaled to the waiter.  

“All right, what do you want? Let's order.” He handed her the menu list.

“A salad for me and iced tea. What about yours, babe?”

"A steak for me and iced tea, too." At the same time handing the menu list to the waiter.

“One salad, one steak, and 2 iced tea sir. Is that all?” The waiter politely confirmed their orders.

"Yes, thank you!" After the waiter left, Akira held out his hand when his phone suddenly rang. This is not a personal phone. This is his phone from The association.

"Babe, wait for me here. I just received a call from work,” Azrael told her and immediately stood up to get away from their table so that Akira wouldn't hear anything.

“Hello? Yes, it is me,” He replied as confirmation to the Taskmaster of The association.