The Exclusive Assassin Emerges
Around the time Baek Se-rin, hailing from the same Back World, was deep in the midst of her exam, the assassins waiting outside were chatting about their individual scores. The collective conclusion? All four had breezed through the first and second stages unscathed, but none could stop the dummy from taking damage in the third.
One of the assassins, stroking his chin, spoke up after hearing that. “Looks like the one with the least fatal damage on their dummy snags the exclusive assassin spot. Since everyone's dummy got scratched anyway.”
“Haa… Mine had a bullet wound right near the heart. I'm toast.”
Another assassin sighed in response to the speculation. But the one who'd been listening quietly—the very assassin who'd chatted with Baek Se-rin before the exam started—finally chimed in. “Why waste brain cells on this? It's Baek Se-rin who's taking the exclusive spot anyway.”
“I'm with him. No matter how much we speculate, she'll end up there regardless.”
Claims that no matter what, Baek Se-rin would be the exclusive assassin. Another woman who knew her nodded in agreement, drawing the eyes of the first two who'd been talking.
“I've heard the rumors, but is she really that good? Even so, passing the third stage of this exam ain't easy.”
“Right? How do you protect a dummy stuck there like a post without a single scratch? That's physically impossible.”
The two had heard the rumors about Baek Se-rin too, of course. The woman who'd appeared out of nowhere—no connections, no track record—and risen to become one of the Back World's top assassins in just three years. But since they'd never seen her fight firsthand, they couldn't grasp her true level.
They snorted at the pair's words. “That girl's dummy? Not a scratch in sight. She took down that Cheondae-yeok pig all by herself, remember? Stormed straight into his hideout.”
“...That was real? Not just a rumor?”
“Dead real. I had a job nearby that day and saw it myself. Walked in alone, walked out alone. Gotta be legit. She doesn't care about rumors, though, so it fizzled out and got buried.”
“No way... Storming Cheondae-yeok's hideout solo means she took on at least 150 guys. And pulled it off alone?”
Cheondae-yeok—one of the Back World bosses who'd once ruled a chunk of it. But as he grabbed power, he started crossing lines he shouldn't, earning backlash until a hit was put on him. Even with weakened connections, his crew was massive, so no one touched it easily. Two years ago, Baek Se-rin had taken the job. Her rep wasn't big back then, and the rumors faded into obscurity, so the two had dismissed it as gossip.
Now proven true, they unwittingly let out shaky breaths. Just as they opened their mouths for more details—
Creak—
The closed door swung open suddenly, and two figures stepped out: the final examinee, Baek Se-rin, with Do Jin-hyeok standing before her.
Soon, the four assassins heard the results from Do Jin-hyeok as he adjusted his glasses. “Baek Se-rin has been selected for the exclusive assassin position. The rest of you will serve under the youngest lady. Keep that in mind.”
The announcement felt more like a decree than news. But thanks to the stories they'd just heard, a heavy silence hung among the four.
Baek Se-rin, standing behind Do Jin-hyeok, broke it. “What? No backlash? I figured you'd riot over why me getting the exclusive spot.”
“Hmph. Obvious. Your dummy's spotless, right?”
“Yeah, but... scratches? You guys got scratches on yours?”
Baek Se-rin asked with genuine confusion, tilting her head. The man who'd spoken felt a surge of irritation but held it back. No point raging now.
Her serious pondering over why a dummy would get scratched only fueled his frustration, but he stayed silent. Before it boiled over, Do Jin-hyeok stepped in. “Enough chit-chat. I'll show you to your quarters now. Follow me. Also, basic training and gear issuance over the next three days—be prepared.”
With the schedule laid out, Do Jin-hyeok led the way, and Baek Se-rin along with the four assassins fell in step behind him.
The five assassins stepping from the Back World into the light. The moment their new nest was born.
In the annex connected to the side of Baek Ya-seong Headquarters, packed with suited figures, I followed Do Jin-hyeok. Eyes from the suits locked onto me and the assassins beside me as we walked. They looked like office workers at a glance, but their sharp gazes and honed physiques screamed otherwise.
All assassins, huh.
If my guess was right, every one here was an assassin. That made this annex the dorms for Baek Ya-seong's killers.
Proving it, Do Jin-hyeok led us to one of ten elevators lined up in a row.
Vrrr—
“First floor: communal lounge for Baek Ya-seong assassins. Floors 2 and 3: exclusive and subordinate assassins under the eldest son, Jin Seong-hun. Floors 4 and 5: those under the second son, Jin Tae-hyeon. Finally, floors 6 and 7: quarters for assassins under the youngest daughter, Jin Yeon-ah.”
“So we're on 6 or 7, then?”
“Yes.”
As the elevator climbed, Do Jin-hyeok briskly explained each floor. It dinged open at 6, revealing an empty hallway—unlike the bustling first floor.
Do Jin-hyeok stepped out first, gesturing down the vacant corridor. “Subordinates, pick any empty room. But the exclusive assassin has an assigned one—Baek Se-rin, that's yours.”
He pointed out empties for the four, the central room for me. Then, as if his job was done, he headed back to the elevator. “Guides will visit each room at 8 a.m. tomorrow for gear issuance. It'll run till 3 p.m., so rest well tonight.”
With final instructions, the doors closed. Watching the elevator descend, I turned to the four left standing awkwardly.
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……”
They all went dead silent, averting their eyes awkwardly. Not a shred of social grace in sight. I sighed inwardly.
Well, Back World assassins always operated solo, so it's not surprising...
No teamwork experience for these guys, so the awkwardness made sense. Plus, now we had a clear hierarchy. But from here on, we'd serve the same master. Swallowing my own shyness, I stepped closer.
“We'll be seeing a lot of each other, so how about introductions before crashing? Least know each other's names—can't hurt.”
I already knew theirs, probably vice versa. But one-sided knowledge wasn't the same as hearing it straight from them. First official meeting—might as well.
They nodded one by one. Since I'd suggested, I went first. “You all know me, but: Baek Se-rin, 20 this year. Good with any blade.”
I tapped the stiletto at my waist and nodded to the guy beside me. Introductions followed in order, starting with him.
“Lee Kang-woo. 33 this year... Specialize in ultrasonic blades.”
Short sporty hair, sharp eyes—Lee Kang-woo showed off the blade in his sleeve.
“Kwon Ji-yul. 29 now. Decent with weapons, but hacking and drones are my thing.”
The short-bobbed woman flashed a hacking tool and drone controller.
“Ahem... Kim Woo-jin. 37 this year. Firearms specialist.”
Third up, Kim Woo-jin proved it with the array of guns at his belt.
“Tch... I'm the oldest. Jeong Yoon-hyuk, 41. Explosives expert.”
Last, Jeong Yoon-hyuk clicked his tongue about his age and revealed the bombs inside his coat.
Quick, concise self-intros done. I looked each one over with a faint smile. “Like it or not, we're stuck together now. Nice working with you.”
My first colleagues under Baek Ya-seong's youngest daughter, Jin Yeon-ah. Our inaugural meeting—from the same Back World roots—left a decent impression.