[No title provided]
Assassins from the Red Evil Mercenaries or those specifically targeted by them were usually just called failed assassins. Even if they belonged to an assassins' guild, they never revealed their identities to anyone outside their own guild—except right in front of their mark. Ordinary assassins never showed their faces.
And yet, amid all that, there was one assassin who boldly revealed her moniker, her name, and her face without shame. That was the Black Panther, Regina.
Unlike the typical black panther beastkin, who hunted with stealth and swift movements, she was infamous for brazenly showing herself no matter who the target was, what time it was, where they were, or who they were with. She moved like an assassin but wasn't one in the traditional sense. And yet, she reigned at the pinnacle of assassins. The assassins' guild, in awe of her, had dared to bestow upon her the moniker "Black Panther"—despite her flouting their unspoken rules and not even belonging to their guild—as if acknowledging her as the apex predator.
Surprisingly, though, this Regina had one fatal flaw.
Pout. "......Awoo."
"Hah, you mute bitch. Don't just mouth it—use sign language or something?"
She couldn't speak at all.
Some took an interest in the reason, but no one knew for sure, leaving only wild speculation. Some thought she was born deaf and thus mute; others whispered far-fetched tales of her burning out her throat with fire during assassin training to stifle her own screams. But no one knew the truth.
For one thing, most who crossed paths with Regina ended up dead. For another, she operated alone, following the wind, the clouds, and the money—unaffiliated with anyone.
"......Woo woo."
Her ears drooped dejectedly at Bella's scolding. Bella scowled in disgust at the sight.
"Hah, you goddamn psychopath. You charge at me like you're gonna gut me with that dagger, and now you're acting all disappointed? What the hell?"
At that, she mouthed something again.
Bella calmly studied her lips, since the girl clearly wasn't about to write it down or sign it.
Nice... to see you. Long... time.
Bella's mouth twisted into a frown as she read it.
"Nice to see me, my ass, you crazy bitch. You come at me out of nowhere and slash at my one good eye first thing."
This psycho hasn't changed a bit.
'Long time no see, huh...'
Just like Regina's greeting.
In the past, Bella had encountered her—as a target, no less. She was one of the rare few who had faced Regina and lived.
Bella gripped her greatsword tightly.
"We're not exactly on hugging terms, are we?"
It had been about two or three years ago. While scraping by as a mercenary to reclaim her Mountain Kingdom, Regina had appeared before her, declaring openly that she was there to assassinate her.
'God, how many days did that bitch hound me for?'
On the third day, Regina had suddenly revealed her client's identity and vanished.
It was a rule she followed herself: if she couldn't kill her target within three days, she'd tell them who had hired her. Anyone bold enough to order a death had better be prepared to die in turn.
Needless to say, few knew this rule. Most targets died by her hand anyway. Only someone as strong as Bella could survive being her mark and even learn the client's name in return.
'Come to think of it, who was the bastard who hired her to kill me back then?'
Some mid-tier mercenary guild leader who thought he was hot shit, probably. She couldn't quite remember.
Well...
'I lost it when I realized someone dared try to assassinate me and beat the shit out of him on the spot.'
Probably just some rival checkmating a suddenly rising threat. Whatever.
The past didn't matter. What mattered was now—and why Regina was here.
"So, what the hell are you doing here?"
As she asked, Bella swung her greatsword forward at Regina.
Regina stepped back lightly, dodging.
Re... quest.
With her answer, she hurled the dagger in her hand.
Bella whipped out her karambit and deflected the dagger with a clang!
Kang...!
"Jesus, what? Someone hire you to kill me again? This time it's that usurper bastard?"
She charged, slamming her shoulder into Regina.
Regina crossed her arms in an X to block, but Bella's strength was no joke. Her slight frame launched into the air.
But she wasn't called a feline beastkin for nothing. She twisted midair with feline grace, landing on her feet and yanking another dagger from the holster on her thigh. She shook her head as she threw it.
Pro... tect.
"Protect? What the fu—?! You, a bodyguard?"
Bella batted the dagger away, laughing incredulously. A girl who only knew how to kill—what, guarding someone?
"This is ridiculous."
Absurd.
Regina's lips pursed in annoyance at Bella's words. She snatched the deflected dagger midair, eyes narrowing fiercely.
"Hmph."
She kicked off the ground, hurling daggers from both hands, then drew yet another from her thigh holster as she charged.
Bella, who had raised her greatsword to block the first dagger, felt it clang off the flat of the blade and ricochet away.
Ttang...!
Regina closed in right after.
Whoosh...! Whoosh whoosh...!
Daggers slashed precisely at her throat. Bella backpedaled to evade.
The moment they separated, another dagger flew. Regina leaped, caught the one Bella had knocked skyward, and attacked again.
Bella blocked the incoming blades one after another, retreating steadily under the relentless assault.
'Sorry, honey.'
Finally losing patience, Bella ignored the attacks entirely and hoisted her greatsword high.
A quick mental apology to Ian. In that instant, one of Regina's daggers grazed her side.
Kagagak-!
No wound, of course. Ian's barrier protected her.
"Quit dancing around...!"
Red mana surged from her body, enveloping the greatsword. The crimson aura doubled its size.
Then—Kwaaaaang...!
The greatsword slammed down at Regina.
Regina retreated, showing no intent to block the ferocious strike. Bella's blade cratered the already battered roadside, kicking up thick dust clouds.
§
While Bella and Regina clashed furiously, Dina—having finished off the rear soldiers—dusted off her hands and approached Cheong-ah.
"Ah, Dina's here?"
"Mm, yes. But what in the world is going on over there?"
"Well, um... I don't know. She just showed up after Bella chased off the soldiers."
Dina stared intently at Regina.
Agile movements. Every dagger swing was lethally precise.
'Hmm, even Bella's struggling against her... Impressive.'
Dina often teased Bella as a "beast" or worse, but that was just her way. She respected Bella's skill, so she knew Regina was no pushover.
Though still no match for Dina herself, of course.
Anyway.
"Looks like she's a bad matchup for Bella. Honestly, Cheong-ah, you might handle her better."
"Me?"
"Yes. You both prioritize speed—she dodges by a hair and strikes openings, just like you."
It'd make for a hell of a fight. Victory would surely go to...
As she pondered, Bella's greatsword cratered the ground with a massive boom, dust billowing.
Hot flames ignited in Cheong-ah's eyes.
"Bella... that stupid bitch."
Dina knew Cheong-ah had a sharp temper, but her gentle tone had flipped in an instant.
"Cheong-ah? What's wrong all of a sudden?"
"A rock chip hit my husband's face."
"......Huh?"
"I blocked most of it... but I'm still pissed. A little."
Dina nodded blankly at Cheong-ah's murderous glare.
Um, this feisty girl's quite smitten with Yeonja...
Dina averted her eyes awkwardly.
More importantly, was Bella okay? Peering into the dust...
When it cleared, Bella stood alone, kicking rocks and spewing curses in frustration.
"Argh, fuck...! That damn bitch got away!"