Official Murder License
“……You handled it?”
“Yes, Miss.”
Jin Yeon-ah tilted her head, wondering if she'd misheard. A glance at the wall clock showed only three hours had passed. Round trip from Baek Ya-seong headquarters to the mission site should've taken over two hours alone. And yet, here she was, claiming the job was done in just three?
“For real?”
“Yes, for real. Total of fifty Baekho faction members. It's all recorded on the body cam.”
Not quite believing her ears, Jin Yeon-ah double-checked, and Baek Se-rin peeled off a button from her uniform as proof. Only after reviewing the full thirty-minute footage of the carnage at Incheon Port did Jin Yeon-ah finally accept it.
“……It's real?”
Even knowing it was true didn't make it any less astonishing. Jin Yeon-ah marveled at Baek Se-rin's prowess, still hard to swallow no matter how she turned it over in her mind.
“I knew she was the strongest in the Back World, but I had no idea it was this level…… Some of those moves were too fast for my eyes to track.”
“I told you, didn't I? The strongest assassin in all of Korea.”
“I thought that was just bravado or a joke, but at this level…… it's scary how it might actually be true……”
The strongest assassin in Korea. Some might scoff, and even Jin Yeon-ah had dismissed it as exaggeration until the body cam footage. Now, no one could call it a joke. At Baek Se-rin's level, she could legitimately claim the title.
Swallowing those thoughts, Jin Yeon-ah reflected that assigning her as an exclusive assassin was hitting the jackpot among jackpots. Knowing that, she set down her paperwork and stood.
“Perfect. At this level, no issues. I can head out without a worry.”
“Head out?”
“Yeah, including you, Se-rin. I need to get licenses issued for all my assassins under me. That's why I had to go out.”
“Ah, right.”
Baek Se-rin nodded in realization. Assassins weren't something you could just declare yourself to be. Sure, outlaws in the Back World could operate freely, but to proudly bear the title in the light, you had to register with Central. Why? Because legit assassins needed the official stamp of approval: the official murder license from Central.
And since it granted the right to kill, no remote issuance. The assassin had to show up in person.
“But we're Back World assassins. Is that okay? The process seems complicated…… Plus, we just killed without licenses……”
“Huh? That doesn't matter.”
Baek Se-rin worried her criminal history might be an issue, but Jin Yeon-ah just cocked her head the other way.
“You and the others are part of Baek Ya-seong now, right? No problem at all.”
For regular assassins, Back World records would be a huge red flag. But Baek Ya-seong? Korea's top assassin corporation, practically Central's right hand. Overlooking a little criminal past was nothing.
Decision made, Jin Yeon-ah jumped up. “Alright, let's go as soon as dawn breaks! Tell the other four to prep too!”
“Yes, Miss.”
Sending Baek Se-rin to relay the message, Jin Yeon-ah prepped for the outing. Piles of backlog demanded haste. Destination: the Special Agency Administration Office, run by Central. Time to license her assassins.
The vehicle sped down the highway, a specially modified ride. Driver up front, Jin Yeon-ah and I side by side in the back. The other four assassins split between two cars, flanking us front and rear.
In the smooth ride, I turned to her. “Miss Yeon-ah, if it's not too rude, mind if I ask something?”
“Huh? Shoot.”
Exclusive assassins didn't usually pry into their master's business, but our first meeting had shattered formalities. Both twenty, same age—we'd bridged the gap enough for casual chat.
“I heard in training, but…… are there really attacks targeting Baek Ya-seong bloodlines? Hard to believe idiots like that exist.”
That was my question: did assassins really target Baek Ya-seong heirs? From my view, it made zero sense. Odds of success near zero, and even if you pulled it off, Baek Ya-seong's pursuit would haunt you forever. Why bother?
Jin Yeon-ah chuckled. “Haha, yeah, total idiots. But the world's full of 'em.”
“Why, though?”
“Plenty of guys who'll do anything for cash. And it's not just me—they hit dark web boards in Europe, Asia, even Africa with requests on influential but untouchable types like me.”
“Whoa……”
I couldn't hide my surprise.
“So assassins exist overseas too?”
“Duh, everywhere except the most backward spots. Every government runs at least one assassin agency.”
This world beyond Korea—stuff I'd ignored while scraping by on daily gigs. Governments operating assassin orgs as standard? Dystopian as hell, but I pressed on.
“So the ones taking dark web hits on you are……”
“Outlaws. Like our Back World rogues, every country has 'em. Plenty'll take any job for pay.”
“Now I get why training stressed watching for outside ambushes.”
Finally clicked: all those warnings about outings. Outlaws full of desperate bottom-feeders explained the morons targeting heirs. Headquarters was a fortress—no worries there. Only risk: when the boss stepped out.
I glanced out the window, checked for suspicious tails. Clear. Turned back.
“But those hits must cost a fortune. Who's posting 'em?”
“Oh, the clients?”
She hummed thoughtfully. I wondered if I'd overstepped, but she spoke first.
“Not certain, but usually rivals of the target. Competitors.”
“So……”
“Probably Hwanghon or Moomyeong Yahang types gunning for us at Baek Ya-seong. Just a hunch—no proof.”
Hwanghon and Moomyeong Yahang—Baek Ya-seong's runners-up in Korea's assassin biz. If they were posting……
“Eliminating the competition, straight up.”
“Bingo. We're Central's favorites, so knocking us down lets them slide in.”
“Can't Central offer protection?”
“They warn constantly, but no tails to trace, so……”
She shrugged nonchalantly. Cool on the surface, but I saw through it. Inexperienced with attacks, she feared the unseen ambush. Who wouldn't, knowing death lurked every shadow?
Spotting it, I crossed my arms. “Don't sweat it, Miss. Like you saw at dawn—no bullet'll touch you on my watch.”
“Haha, got it. Trust you—saw the skills myself. That's why we're out here.”
Hand to the window, she gazed out, eyes sparkling with emotion.
“First time out like this, though. Always synced vision and hearing with a robot before.”
Her thrill? First real outing ever. Makes sense—she'd never left headquarters. No wonder it felt epic.
As I snuck a peek, the car exited the highway into the city and slowed to a stop.
Screeech───
“We've arrived, Miss.”
Driver announced. Peering out, I let out a low whistle.
“Whoa……”
[Special Agency Administration Office]
The massive nameplate loomed at the entrance of the imposing building. Stunned for a beat, I snapped to.
“Ah, door opening right away, Miss.”
Thunk──!
Central's certified official murder license. Time to claim it—and become legit assassins.