First Impressions and the Heiress's Test
Jin Yeon-ah, the youngest daughter of Jin Hyun-cheol, the head of Baek Ya-seong, Korea's strongest assassin clan. Born and raised in the world of assassins, she had seen nothing but that life from the moment she drew her first breath. Assassins carrying out missions from Central, eliminating anything that opposed it. And her family, wielding those assassins like the blade of Central itself.
Having grown up in Baek Ya-seong, the only sights she knew were those brutal landscapes, so Jin Yeon-ah naturally became accustomed to the world of assassins. Once she reached a certain age, she began training her body rigorously and undergoing assassin training herself, plunging even deeper into that realm. Some might call it a harsh existence.
But Jin Yeon-ah was utterly satisfied with her life. Perhaps because the blood of a 200-year-old assassin clan flowed through her veins, she felt no aversion to the work. In fact, she admired her father and brothers. And even in an environment surrounded solely by assassins, her father—head of Baek Ya-seong—showered her with genuine love, leaving no room for her to go astray.
Thus, at the age of 20, having lived a strict life with blood on her own hands at times...
"Hoo... haa..."
Jin Yeon-ah waited anxiously for someone, trying to hide her tension. To be more precise, she was waiting for her first exclusive assassin, whom she would meet today.
"Alright, act as dignified as possible. Don't let her look down on me..."
According to her father, this assassin had been brought directly from the Back World. Her name was Baek Se-rin. She was 20 years old, the same age as Jin Yeon-ah, and despite her youth, she was said to be the strongest in the Back World.
Of course, Jin Yeon-ah knew all about the Back World. As the youngest daughter of Baek Ya-seong, she had studied nearly everything there was to know about the assassin world. So at first, she thought it sounded absurd. The strongest in the Back World at just 20? The Back World was a hellish last refuge for rogue assassins, far more brutal and desperate than the legit world—a lawless place where outlaws slaughtered each other at every turn. It was hard to believe someone her own age held that title there.
"But Father wouldn't lie about it."
The one who told her was none other than her father, Jin Hyun-cheol. He was affectionate with her but always strict and serious in official matters, so it couldn't be a falsehood. And if such a person was to become her exclusive assassin, Jin Yeon-ah knew their first meeting would be crucial.
"Don't be scared... I'm the master. I'm the master..."
They say a first impression determines half of how someone perceives you. Even if she came from the Back World and was called its strongest, Jin Yeon-ah couldn't afford to be underestimated. Especially since she was her master. Steel yourself, maintain your dignity, and don't cower—that's what she resolved as she steadied her nerves.
And as she killed time like that, a knock suddenly echoed.
Knock knock—
At the sound seeking permission to enter, Jin Yeon-ah hurriedly cleared her throat.
"Ahem!"
Her voice was fine. She was fully prepared. With that judgment made, she smoothed her throat and spoke.
"Come in."
No sooner had she said it than the door swung open. Beyond the threshold of the now-open office appeared a woman. The moment Jin Yeon-ah laid eyes on her, she couldn't help but hold her breath.
Why? Because the woman who entered was stunningly beautiful.
Whoa... she's gorgeous.
For someone from the Back World, her flawless beauty—without a single blemish—drew an involuntary gasp of admiration that Jin Yeon-ah swallowed back.
But...
That admiration was only part of why she froze. There was another reason entirely.
What the hell is with this intimidating aura?!
The presence emanating from Baek Se-rin standing before her. Jin Yeon-ah knew her senses were sharper than most. Having grown up around assassins, she was hypersensitive to auras. And though Baek Se-rin was suppressing hers, it was so overwhelming that Jin Yeon-ah had to hold her breath.
It felt even fiercer than the auras of her father or brothers' exclusive assassins, whom she rarely glimpsed. Like standing before a predator, her hairs stood on end, her heart pounding wildly.
But that lasted only a moment. Jin Yeon-ah clenched her fist and pulled herself together.
Don't freak out! I'm the master!
She'd already resolved it several times. As her master, show dignity and don't cower. She didn't want to be remembered as a joke by the exclusive assassin she'd command. Shaking off her daze, she ignored her racing heart and spoke.
"So, you're my exclusive assassin? Baek Se-rin... right?"
Her voice came out steady, thankfully. At Jin Yeon-ah's words, Baek Se-rin nodded affirmatively and bowed.
"Yes. Pleased to meet you, Miss Yeon-ah. I'm Baek Se-rin, starting today as your exclusive assassin."
"Yeah, nice to meet you too."
Acknowledging the greeting, Jin Yeon-ah maintained her dignified air as she pushed her chair back. To stand and face her properly.
"Then, let's get straight to business..."
Uncrossing her legs and rising from the chair—that's when Jin Yeon-ah sensed something was wrong. Her legs hit the floor but felt no sensation. Then, the legs she'd had crossed for nearly two hours finally woke up, asserting themselves with excruciating cramps.
"...!"
Pain too intense for a scream. Losing her balance, Jin Yeon-ah toppled backward with a crash.
Thud crash bang—!!!
Her body tangled with the chair, sprawling flat. And into the ears of the fallen Jin Yeon-ah came laughter.
"...Pfft!!"
Baek Se-rin stifling it with effort. Listening to her battle against full-blown hysterics, Jin Yeon-ah lay there for a while.
Not because the cramps lingered, but...
I want to die...
Because of the crushing weight of embarrassment.
Jin Yeon-ah got up quickly. Well, "quickly" might be generous since she lay there for three full minutes, but anyway. She shook it off somehow, sorted her head, stood, and approached me.
I said nothing, figuring she'd be mortified. Empty comfort in a spot like this would only make it worse.
"Hoo..."
She came up to me, let out a small sigh, glanced at me tentatively, then hesitantly spoke.
"Since this happened anyway, no point forcing the mood. I'll just cut to the chase. Can you stake your life for me?"
At first, her timid demeanor made her seem kinda lame.
Oh?
But as she continued, Jin Yeon-ah's posture straightened bit by bit. Her evasive gaze met mine squarely, her half-turned legs facing me now.
"Starting today, I'll handle Central's missions as a member of Baek Ya-seong. And I don't need an exclusive assassin who won't risk their life for me."
Not the forced puffery from before, but genuine dignity as a master. Sure, it was still raw and inexperienced in spots, but way better than earlier.
And with her trembling fully stopped, she fixed her eyes on me and continued.
"As you just saw, I'm still green, full of shortcomings. So if you can't stake your life on someone like me, say it now. I'll ask Father for a new exclusive assassin."
Having said that much, she drew a breath. Watching her, I thought to myself.
...Not bad.
She seemed like a decent master, better than I'd expected. No matter who she was, I'd give my all as her exclusive assassin. But someone who could stand tall and speak like this despite her flaws? She might even be better than I'd hoped.
So after pondering my response, I gave a slight smirk and said,
"More than enough to stake my life for you, Miss. Even without this bomb Choker, I'd do it. But honestly, you probably won't need me to."
"Won't need to? What do you mean?"
"Once I'm your exclusive assassin, there won't be many situations dangerous enough to require that. Put simply... you can think of it as acquiring Korea's top assassin."
The game I knew was set only in Korea, so I couldn't claim "world's best." But at least in this country, no assassin could beat me, in my book.
I flashed a confident grin. At my answer, Jin Yeon-ah blinked blankly for a sec, then let out a snort.
"They called you the Back World's strongest, and it wasn't hype, huh?"
"If anything, that's underselling it."
"Ahaha! Hilarious! Hope it's true."
She burst from snicker to full laughter, barely calming after a few seconds. Then she went to her desk, grabbed a document, and came back.
"So, shall we pick up on that business from earlier? It'll double as verifying your skills."
"Anytime, Miss."
She handed me the paper. Reading it, I saw Central's official seal and the mission details.
And those details were none other than...
"An organization trafficking drugs banned by Central. Assassinate every last member. Confirmed members total 50, with 45 combatants. Think you can handle it solo?"
A mission to wipe out drug traffickers. Her expression suggested she thought it too much for one person, but that was overkill worry. I'd taken on 150 alone before—real assassins, not these small-time thugs.
Still wearing my confident smile, I replied,
"How about it? Should I head out now?"
This job? Round trip included, three hours tops.