Sudden Assault
The Special Agency Administration Office. It was the place run by Central, dedicated to handling everything related to assassins. I'd heard they named it ambiguously to avoid alarming civilians, but everyone in this land knew it was an assassin hub. How could they not, with all the rough-looking faces coming and going, carrying suspiciously bulky bags, and openly wielding pistols and daggers?
Stepping into that building, I let out a low whistle at the airport-sized lobby packed with assassins.
"Whoa... there are tons of people here. More than at the Baek Ya-seong dorms, even."
"You're not scared, are you?"
"Nah, no way. If anything, those guys over there look terrified."
At first, they shot us fierce glares the moment we walked in, but those stares vanished like a tail between the legs once they spotted our uniforms. More precisely, the Baek Ya-seong logo embroidered on them. In a gathering of assassins like this, Baek Ya-seong's presence alone was an overwhelming heavyweight.
"Exactly. That's how it should be. We're Baek Ya-seong—who gives a damn? Keep your head high."
"Of course. There aren't even any real threats around anyway."
Jin Yeon-ah snorted at my words, and I nodded. Lee Kang-woo, Kwon Ji-yul, Kim Woo-jin, and Jeong Yoon-hyuk walking beside me felt the same. I casually scanned the guys who averted their eyes first whenever our gazes met. This was a den of all sorts of assassins, after all. With Jin Yeon-ah out in public, my top priority was shielding her from any external threats.
No real dangers in sight, though...
Even focusing intently, nothing suspicious popped up. Just maintain moderate vigilance, I figured, starting to look away—when a group caught the edge of my vision.
Those guys...?
They were tucked in a corner amid the crowd, nearly slipping past my notice. But the prickling sensation on my skin pinpointed them as the source. As I turned to them, they naturally looked away from us. Up to here, nothing unusual. But my instincts screamed they were different from the rest.
The other assassins had backed off upon recognizing us as Baek Ya-seong affiliates. These four showed no such deference—no intimidation, no wounded pride. Just a casual glance away.
And that suspicion solidified into certainty when they pulled something from their pockets.
A walkie-talkie?
If I'd seen it right—and I had—it was definitely a walkie-talkie. Only a sliver peeked out, obscured by their bodies, but it was a model I'd seen plenty in the Back World. I clocked it instantly. Confirming they'd pulled them out, I was half-convinced already. If those were all of them, why bother with walkie-talkies? Pulling them out meant signaling allies further off.
My thoughts raced there, and I touched my in-ear mic, speaking softly.
"Hostiles spotted at 1 o'clock forward. Visible count: four total. But they're using walkie-talkies, so expect more allies. Brown coats. Keep eyes on them without tipping them off."
The four walking with me flicked their gazes toward the suspects—not staring blatantly, but sweeping the area naturally. Once confirmed, they replied in turn. Having heard them all, I stepped closer to Jin Yeon-ah and whispered in her ear.
"Miss, we've spotted hostiles. Four confirmed so far, but likely more inbound. Brown coats—steer clear of anyone matching that if you see them nearby."
"What? Here...? Got it for now."
I didn't specify their exact position for her. She wasn't adept at masking her glances yet, and it'd tip them off that we'd noticed. Better they stay in sight than scatter and complicate things. So I relayed just the basics and followed her to the desk.
Thud—thud—
"From Baek Ya-seong. We called ahead—everything set?"
Jin Yeon-ah cut straight to it upon reaching the desk. The staffer flashed a professional smile.
"Yes. You're Jin Yeon-ah, here for killer license issuance?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"A bit of a hassle, but identity check first. Please place your hand on the terminal."
She did, and the device scanned her hand lightly. The staffer checked the results and brightened.
"Confirmed, Miss Jin Yeon-ah. Licenses prepped—assassins, one at a time on the terminal, please."
I'd braced for exams or interrogations, but nope—just hands on the terminal. No further steps. After we all did it, about ten minutes later, the staffer returned with paper docs and cards.
"Here are the five killer licenses and proofs. E-docs sent separately—check them. Report any loss immediately."
They handed over the killer licenses like candy. And not just me—we all pocketed them and truly felt it then: Baek Ya-seong's prestige.
License issuance wrapped faster than expected. Not even an hour later, we headed back out to the car.
"Baek Ya-seong lives up to the hype. Killer licenses just like that."
"It's the trust we've built with Central over the years. They don't micromanage our assassins."
Two centuries of history weren't for show—Jin Yeon-ah nailed it. Just biometric registration, and we walked out with them. I patted my wallet holding the license as we walked.
Thud—thud—
We reached the parking lot soon enough. Drivers spotting us ditched calls or dumped drinks in a panic—we shared a chuckle with Jin Yeon-ah.
"Ahaha, shoulda taken longer?"
"The ones mid-call are kinda pitiful."
Pitiful, sure, but hilarious watching them scramble. We paused to laugh it out, then headed for our drivers pulling out keys.
Or tried to.
——!
Before one step, a chill raced down my neck.
"...?!"
Even as I registered it inwardly, Bullet Time auto-triggered, eyes widening.
Whoosh——
The breeze halted, surroundings crawling to a near-stop. I knew exactly what this meant.
Auto-activation?
Missions—assassinations—were riddled with ambushes. Bullet Time auto-fired when bullets headed my way. This was it: incoming fire on me.
I scanned rapidly in the slowed world.
...Found it!
There—barreling straight at us. But staring it down, I froze in horror.
What the hell is that?!
It was no pistol round—three times faster, a sniper rifle slug. And if my eyes weren't lying, aimed right at Jin Yeon-ah's head.
Can't deflect that...!
Pistol rounds? Maybe with a dagger. But a sniper slug? Even my mods couldn't handle it. Dodging, though—easy. I grabbed Jin Yeon-ah, hurling us sideways.
Thump——
Time crawling, my body sailed through air. I'd kicked off toward the rear of a nearby large van. Mid-air, I twisted, setting her down safely.
As shock dawned on her face from the sudden toss, Bullet Time ended—world snapping back.
Bang——!
The shot hit where she'd stood, gunshot echoing belatedly. I snapped at her stunned expression.
"Miss, we're under attack! Sniper, position unknown—stay put, don't move!"
"S-Sniper? In Seoul, out in the open? Are they insane?!"
Her disbelief was fair. In Korea, anything beyond pistols needed Central approval—violators got hunted by targets and Central. No escape, not even smuggling; dead in 24 hours max.
Yet here was a sniper brazenly firing one at her. Outrageous. But no time for gripes—I hit my in-ear.
"Everyone alive?"
"Good. Situation?"
"Sniped?"
"No need. Knowing the driver's hit is enough. Priority's extracting now..."
Alone, I'd fight back somehow. But with Jin Yeon-ah, her safety first. I keyed the mic again.
"Kim Woo-jin, you're the gun guy? Any read on that shot?"
"Can it pierce our ride?"
"Perfect."
Our van was sniper-proof. Ignoring further chatter, I took a slow breath. Target: our vehicle, 100 meters off. Sniper might tag me, but solo sprint? Two Bullet Times would do.
"Miss, stay here a sec."
"Huh? What're you—"
"Gonna grab the car."
She whipped around at my order, but I was already bolting from cover. As the world slowed again, I grinned, lips curling.
"Hit me if you can."
Deflecting sniper fire? Tough. But seeing and dodging? Child's play for me.