Akira remained motionless on the roof, analyzing the scene. The assailant had vanished, but not without leaving traces.


    A dagger was still embedded in the wall.


    He approached and yanked it out with a swift motion. The blade was slender, curved, marked with a discreet symbol near the hilt: a black lotus.


    Akira felt his stomach knot.


    — The Black Flowers…


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    An elite group of assassins, specializing in the elimination of “problematic” targets.


    The kind of killers sent only when a contract becomes too complicated.


    This meant one thing:


    Someone wanted him eliminated too.


    He gritted his teeth and sheathed the dagger before quickly descending.


    ---


    Down below, Mayu was waiting for him, still hidden behind the wall.


    — Who was it? she asked, seeing his expression.


    — A professional. Someone on my level, maybe even better.


    She swallowed hard.


    — Does that mean…


    — Yes. We have no choice.


    She frowned.


    — The choice of what?


    He fixed her with a cold gaze.


    — If I want to survive, I need to know exactly what you know.


    A shiver ran through Mayu. Until now, she had thought that seeing the future was enough to protect herself.


    But as she met Akira''s gaze, she finally understood something:


    Knowing was good. But acting… that was the only way to survive.


    — Okay, she whispered.


    She took a deep breath and declared:


    — It all started six months ago…