CHAPTER ONE ‘The Mission’

“The next task is Chief June Malfoy of the Star Clan. Eliminate him. Deadline this time is six months.” A fair woman, cladded in a silk lengthy green dress seductively whispered, while smiling at the wild green snake crawling on her right hand. She sat cross-legged on her throne while laughing at her pet as it restlessly sat.. climbed.. and licked on her right hand.

The level one killers present in the dark room bowed and chorused, “Yes, Mistress Azarael.” 

Adrael smiled widely, showing her brown teeth. Although she was a good looking woman, her teeth showed the ugly side of her that was secret to other people.

“I'll send Poison to give you details of the mission, next week. For now, you should all rest well.”

The level one killers suddenly started murmuring amongst themselves.

Poison was one of the top seven killers in the association and in the world. No one could hear the name and not be filled with sweat. Poison was said to have annihilated a sect that had over a thousand people in it, sparing not even a little baby.

For Mistress Azarael to send them on a mission with Poison, it simply meant they were sacrificial lambs to buy Poison time. The real mission was given to Poison— The top killer of the association, after all, he never once failed a mission.

“Everyone is dismissed except for Violet.” Azarael said, ignoring the indistinctive chatterings of the level one killers.

Sensing the Mistress's change of mood, they decided to shut their mouths and leave the dark room. 

Only a pair of purple eyes that gleamed in the dark room alerted Azareal of the girl's presence.l

“Violet,” Azarael said, crossing three fingers against her lips as though trying to suppress a yawn from her lips, after the urge of yawning passed, she removed her fingers from her lips and continued caressing her snake with soft, long strokes. “You joined Keitan secret killer association two years ago, didn't you?” 

 

Violet nodded, her bun dancing up and down on her head.

“You've killed ninety people so far, isn't it?”

“Ninety one. I succeeded in killing that haughty fortune teller.” Violet hesitately said, making Azareal stop caressing her pet for a moment.

As though recalling something, Azarael bursted into a fit of giggles and rested her head back onto the head of her throne, “Ninety and Ninety one men, what's the difference? After all, they're all dead.”

Violet bowed her head submissively, “If you insist Mistress, then.. I have nothing to say.”

“Good girl. You're only fourteen yet you've managed to kill ninety one in just two years. You're more useful than those ugly men who only know to fart and drink. This time though.. it will be different, you have to kill a very powerful person, of course, with the help of Poison.. If you manage to accomplish the task successfully, you'll be promoted to level three and you will live a better life.” Azareal purred and leaned away from her throne before whispering in a low tone.

“You won't have to share a room with those disgusting men.”

Violet eyes widened, “B-but how could I? If I return, am I not supposed to be promoted to level two? Why level three?”

“I know about your indecent activities that's why—”

A gasps escaped Violet lips and she fell onto the ground on her knees while jamming her forehead into the ground, “Mistress, please forgive me! I know I have committed the biggest atrocity. Please forgive me! I promise it will not happen again.” 

Mistress Azarael scoffed and flung her snake to the side, making it hiss in discontent as it fell onto the ground, “Normally, I'm supposed to kill your mother for this but I'm not biased. I know those men attempted to assault you that's why you cleared them out of your way. Well, if you add the number of those horny fools who died in your hands with those you killed in your mission, it should be up to one hundred and fifty. That's the maximum kills for a level two killer. As a level two killer, you don't need to kill so many people. Just bring back the head of the Star Clan Chief and you'll be rewarded well.”

“T-Thank you for your kindness, Mistress Azarael.” Violet said and stood on her feet immediately the Mistress gestured for her to do so.

“I am indeed kind. Alright, as long as you listen to me and do whatever I ask you to do, your mother will be safe.” 

“Yes, Mistress.” Violet said with a bow.

“By the way,” Azareal eyes darkened as she spoke, “If those scrams manage to stay alive after the mission. Get rid of them.”

Violet eyes widened and she stuttered, “D-d-do you mean—”

“—That's enough. You may get out, I want to take a rest.”

Violet nodded and bowed before exiting the room.

On the way out, she bumped into a gory sight. 

When she arrived at the woods, her safe haven, she emptied her guts and choked on her own vomit.

It wasn't the first time she had seen a corpse. As a killer, it was expected of her to witness many deaths but this was the first time she saw a person tortured with his private organ cut off. That was the highest form of torture, Dying was much better.

After coughing for a while, Violet calmed down a bit and went to take a sit on the tallest tree in the woods. She liked sitting there because she could see Keitan village and it's Manor— No, Palace. 

Here it is called a Palace, Violet reminded herself. She used to like the Keitan palace because there was enough food for everyone to eat, even though her mother worked there as a maid for a little while.. she liked the food there, she also didn't mind being called a creep by other people because of her hair and eye colour, as long as her mother found what she was looking for and they could return to their hometown..

A sigh escaped Violet's lips and she unstrapped the small bag in her trouser's pocket and pulled out a flute made of a bamboo. She dropped the bag on the tree branch and cleared her throat before placing the flute beneath her lips. 

“Mother, are you still alive?” Violet's left index finger rested on the 2nd key of the flute. Then she adjusted her middle finger, and ring finger, on the 4th, and 5th keys of the flute.

She closed her eyes. Then a song started.. Like a dirge, one could hear the sorrow in the singer's rhythm and breathing.

However, before the song could come into a climax— Violet stopped playing.

She opened her eyes and smiled, “For two years, I've played ‘The song of the Lost love’ twenty times, But I can't hear your response or even your breath. If you're dead then I'd rather not waste my time here anymore.”

Another sigh escaped Violet lips and she fumbled with her fists, “But, if you're alive then.. save yourself.”

**

It was sunrise but no birds were seen or heard chirping about or flapping their wings in excitement for the new day. Instead, a group of strong and agile men stood under the sun while talking about the task given to them by Mistress Azarael.

Today was the day Poison would arrive and provide details about the mission they were given.

“Say, do you think Poison will take us with him to the mission? I heard he's rude and arrogant. Ever since he wiped out that Midst sin sect, he began to act superior and treat everyone beneath him like slaves. I wonder why Mistress still keeps him around even when she knows he acts like he's some big shot of this association.” A fatty with crooked nose and big lips said irritatedly but no one dared to urge him to speak bad about Poison, out of fear of being discovered and punished.

“Brother, Poison is rated the top among the seven killers here. It's best we don't talk about him, after all we can't supercede  him in strength. He's a level ten killer and we.. we're still in level one.” A man with a skinny body size said shakily.

This only seemed to infuriate the fatty further, “So what? I've killed many people before I ended up here. If I had the opportunity to arrive here sooner I may be able to compete with Poison. He's just famous in the name, even White bird defeated him.”

“Really?” A cold voice interrupted, along with the presence of a pale man with big muscles and blonde long hair.

Suddenly, dread filled the air as the cold man appeared in front of the group. No one had noticed when he approached them. He had used the teleportation skill!

“Master—”

“—Shut up.”

Before the group could greet or address Poison, they were interupted. 

“Who is the most powerful here?” Poison asked, his eyes were pitch black as though, possessed. But his posture looked well defined and gaunt. 

Although he looked serious and deadly, the blonde hair which were flowing behind him made him look radiant.

“Me.” Fatty seriously said while standing confidently in front of Poison.

A few murmured amongst themselves while some stayed quiet, waiting for the drama to begin.

“Good. To prove you're worthy to speak to me, do you dare fight with your group members?” Poison said calmly making everyone gasps.

“What do you mean?” Someone from the group called out.

“In a level one killer group, there are bound to be many skillful warriors who pretend to be weak and fragile untill the last moment. Since you're confident that you're the most powerful in this group, I'd like to see whether it's the truth.”

“S-so you mean—” 

“Fight your group members.” Poison said while forcing back a yawn, “Kill them if you have to.”

Fatty scoffed, “Poison, you—”

“—First of all, you don't have the right to address me by my name untill you prove you're worthy. Secondly, if all of you want to go on the mission with me.. each and everyone of you must compete with Fatty. Those who remain alive will go on the mission with me.”

A sigh of disbelief escaped Fatty's lips at the name Poison called him.

“Y-you—”

“—Of course I'll be fair, Fatty, you can fight with two of your group members at a time. Those who die under your sword will stay behind while—”

Before poison could complete his statement, a man in the group was stabbed by his fellow 'so called brother'.

Poison smirked and folded his hands, “The fight haven't started yet and they're already killing each other? Interesting.” Then he went to stand at the side and watch the fight between the level one killers. 

The killers didn't wait for any further notice, they all ganged up against fatty— and themselves.

It was a bloody sight. Six of the level one one killers were killed without even reaching Fatty.

Fatty on the other hand was attacked by five men at a time.

The first attacked, yet fatty stabbed him hurriedly and the man standing behind the first man was injured as well.

With a twirl, Fatty dodged the attack of the others and held his long and sharp sword in front of him, bringing them to a halt.

“What the hell are you guys doing? Only two of you can fight with me at once.”

A scoff escaped one of men's lips as he wiped his subordinate's blood off his face, “You know we can't survive if we fight against you individually, the only way is by going all out to battle against you!”

Fatty smirked, “Alright, if you don't think it's fair then I'll allow three fight me at once. Those who can survive my fists and punch will follow me and Poison on the mission.”

“That depends on whether or not you can survive their attacks. Fatty, don't underestimate your opponents. Being the fattest in the group doesn't mean the most powerful.” Poison said as though recalling an event.

Fatty scoffed, “Y-you! My name is Piggy not Fatty, please address me properly!”

With a wave of the hand Poison said, “Start the battle! I don't have time to chit chat with you.”

Piggy scoffed but went to a more spacious spot in the fields. His opponents were taller but slender men, all three had similar swords with a single sharp edge. All three marched towards him hesitately and surrounded Fatty.

Piggy blinked and looked at the men surrounding him. Without giving any one of them the chance to strike, he sliced through their stomachs before they had any chance to realize what was going on. 

The reason he was able to do this without a flaw was because he was fast. It seemed his opponents did not know that asides strength, the fatty had another skill. Speed. 

Unfortunately, it was too late to guard against him as they were already injured, so they couldn't strike Piggy. They could only take the blow from Piggy and fall onto the ground, lifelessly.

“Who's next?” Piggy asked humorously, he didn't even bother to hide his smirk.

The next batch that came out to fight was a thick man with muscles and six packs. He was shirtless and had sweat oozing on his chest making it shine under the bright sun. It seemed only him gained the courage to go out and fight. The others refused to simply go out and fight Piggy, it was like seeking for death.

“Master Poison! Please have mercy on us! Spare our lives!” The remaining killers got on their knees and begged in a loud tone.

Poison only shrugged and ignored their pleas.

“Are you sure you want to fight me? Why don't you beg Master Poison for mercy huh?” Piggy said irritatedly as the thick man approached with an axe that looked heavy.

The thick man grunted and raised his axe while running towards Piggy in a speed that could match Piggy's speed nor half of his strength. “I'll kill you!”

Piggy didn't bother to move even when the thick man neared him. He let the thick man reach him. Then, he blocked the man's attack with his sword. 

As though realizing something, Piggy put a reasonable amount of gap between himself and the man.

The thick man seemed to think Piggy was threatened by him so he ran in Piggy's direction with his axe in the air, ready to strike.

“That move is useless against an opponent with good strength and incredible speed. Idiot!” Poison facepalmed himself, “The level one killers are getting worse year by year.”

Piggy took three steps backwards then he threw a ball-like thing towards the thick man's direction. The man easily caught the ball and crushed it with his palms. He increased his paced and when he finally reached Piggy, he fell onto the ground on his knees and started shaking as though he got a cold. 

Then his eyes shut and he slumped on the spot.

“Poison!” Poison uttered with furrowed eyebrows.

Piggy shrugged and looked at the thick man that laid unconsciously on the ground. His eyes widened and he shivered when pus started appearing from the unconscious man's body.

“Yellow bone poison!” Poison said calmly and Piggy nodded, “If a victim with extreme strength comes in contact with the poison, their bones will be disorganized and any further movement will cause the victim's heart to be frozen. The poison has no cure but it can be suppressed with hot pepper and a warm fire. This man shouldn't have died like that except he had another poison in his body.”

“Right, right.” Poison said dismissively, “You guys were originally twenty five but now you're ten.” A smile broke into Poison's face and he clapped excitedly, “Fantastic!” 

Poison flipped his hair backwards dramatically, then he cleared his throat when he noticed the level one killers gaze on him. “Hurry and fight with Fatty or I kill you myself.” Poison said casually.

The remaining level one killers went on their knees and bagged, “Master Poison please have mercy! We promise to serve you well! Please let us live..” The group begged.

Poison eyes darkened and he said coldly, “I will not repeat myself!” 

The group suddenly started shaking after realizing Poison would not give them a chance to live. He wouldn't stop letting Piggy kill them, He was as evil as the rumours. They didn't even know what their mission was yet they were going to die under the sword of their fellow member. It was indeed a shame.

After a few seconds, a lass appeared from the group while holding a two sharp edged knife— No it was a saber after a closer look. It wasn't too long or too short, it was just right for her height and size.

Poison cleared his throat as the Violet haired girl stood in front of Piggy, her bun bouncing up and down as she took her stance.

“Such a little girl..” Poison ran his hand through his blonde hair nervously, “Hey, little girl.. How did you get here? Why are you here?” He said as Piggy pointed his sword towards the little girl.

“Just admit defeat and I'll let you have a painless death.” Piggy scoffed while eyeing Violet then he glanced at Poison, “She's a level one killer, she has killed ninety one people and has been here for two years now. It's no wonder she's here.”

Poison eyes darkened, “Since when did Keitan secret killer association start hiring little girls to kill!” He clenched his fists as the little girl pointed her sword in Piggy's direction. 

Compared to him, she was an ant. She would definitely die at first strike!

“Don't pity her, Mister Poison,” Piggy said nonchalantly, “This girl has killed ninety one people. She even has a killer tag. Violet, show him!”

Violet dug out a tag from her pocket and threw it at Piggy which he instantly caught. Then he tossed it to Poison to inspect.

After feeling the surface of the wooden token, Poison eyes scanned through the content.

’Level one killer 33002_Two missions complete.'

“It is real..” Poison said before throwing the token for the little girl to catch but she was too slow. The token landed across of her and he quickly ran over to pick it up.

Poison shook his head and said, “Nevermind, you all can come with me.”

The group cheered and knelt to show appreciation, “Thank you for your kindness Master.”

 “Hey.. What about me?” Piggy chuckled, rubbing his hands and giving Poison a knowing look.

“What about you?” Poison yawned before putting his hand over his mouth.

“Can I call you Poison?” Piggy said shyly, then he covered his face with his hands.

Poison unfolded his hands and turned to leave, “Not a chance.”