Chapter 97 – Initiation (4)

The two Fermun siblings, Paolo Bettina Fermun and Vanessa Jeriel Fermun, looked out the window of the Leolen Mansion’s hallway. They saw Siemens yelling at the waiters below.

“I hope it goes well.”

Vanessa Fermun had requested for Jeronimo Mercenary to assassinate Siemens. She didn’t want a cockroach like him tarnishing her godfather’s honor.

“I’m sure it will. They’re Jeronimo after all.”

“No, I think we didn’t provide enough compensation. What if they do things half-heartedly?”

The assassination of an Italian mafia member would be trivial for the infamous Jeronimo Mercenary. However, Venessa Fermun didn’t offer that great of a reward. They had considered taking matters into their own hands, but changed their minds when they realized the risks. Murdering a member of their family would be considered the most heinous crime. Siemens had also gained the branch chief’s trust.

“What does Uncle Ezio see in that man?”

Venessa muttered with her teeth clenched. Then she made eye contact with Siemens as he looked at her with a lustful smile. His snake-like eyes grossed her out.

“Tsk. I hope Jeronimo shows no mercy.”

Vanessa inwardly prayed.

“May he burn to ashes.”

***

“…”

I didn’t pull the trigger because I spotted a faint blue light surrounding the garden. It should be a mana barrier that blocked outside attacks. It would’ve been strange if they didn’t have any security for a mafia party.

The barrier didn’t look particularly strong. They probably lowered the intensity to save mana since the party hadn’t started yet. The anti-magic attribute should easily penetrate that mana barrier.

“Haa…”

I poured almost all of stigma’s remaining magic power into the bullet to add an anti-magic property. Then I took a deep breath.

I couldn’t go back once I pulled the trigger. I would be killing someone who might be a djinn or a human.

However, I had resolved to remain in this world for at least the next ten years. I would need to kill many more, so I had to become bolder. Today’s experience would serve as the starting point.

I clenched my teeth and aimed at the target. Was he a human or a djinn? I hoped he was a djinn, but was there a difference? Were djinns more deserving of death? Was I killing a character in my novel, or was he a living, breathing human?

All sorts of thoughts emerged in my head. I closed my eyes and opened them again. A correct answer to this problem didn’t exist. I couldn’t waste any more time questioning my morals or the state of reality.

I placed my finger on the trigger and slowly pulled until it clicked. I only heard the sound of leaves rustling in the wind as the bullet shot through the air.

There was a tiny delay between the moment I fired and the bullet’s impact. However, the target wouldn’t be able to escape. The bullet crushed the mana barrier and shot through the standing target with his eyes still open.

***

Boss watched the scene from afar. Kim Hajin’s bullet had shattered the mana barrier and pierced the target’s head. The mana barrier fell like snow on the corpse. A white bullet, blue fragments, and crimson blood. The harmony drew a beautiful picture as Boss closed her eyes. Hot crimson blood. The target wasn’t a djinn after all. Bodyguards quickly rushed to the scene. They guessed the sniper’s position from the target’s posture and began their chase.

Boss opened the notebook that displayed Kim Hajin’s location in real time. He had already reached the city streets and got off his bike. Boss ran to where he stopped.

One minute had been enough. Kim Hajin sat on the terrace of a coffee shop with a pair of sunglasses and a suitcase to one side.

“…”

Boss felt a bit proud. Was that the attitude of someone who just killed a man? However, she soon realized she was wrong. His hands shook, and his forehead dripped with cold sweat. Boss slowly approached him.

“Little apprentice.”

His shoulders flinched when she called him. Boss sat in front of him and stared, but the sunglasses hid his eyes.

“You did well.”

“Did I?”

“Yes.”

Kim Hajin stared at her for a long time before speaking in a shaky voice.

“That’s… good.”

Boss didn’t have anything to say as a staff brought over a cup of Americano coffee. Kim Hajin picked it up with tremblings hands.

“Aak! Fuck, that’s hot!”

“…”

He stuck out his tongue and carefully blew on the surface before taking another sip. He looked fine from the outside, but his mental state seemed all over the place. Boss looked at him compassionately.

“Cough. Ah, damn it. I ordered an iced coffee too…”

Kim Hajin coughed in embarrassment. Boss nodded and asked.

“How was it?”

“People say there’s a first for everything. That was it.”

“Right, it’s not easy to make money.”

Boss held the coffee cup Kim Hajin had set down. Then she unleashed her magic power and immediately cooled it.

“Little apprentice, money is the only thing you can trust, especially for people like us.”

“Us?”

Kim Hajin tilted his head in confusion.

“We don’t have a family. We grew up without ever having a family.”

“…”

Kim Hajin thought about Boss’ words. Then he nodded and grinned.

“Well, I guess so.”

Boss liked his answer. She liked him the more she got to know him. His bullet easily broke the mana barrier and killed the target. The mana barrier had undoubtedly broken due to the power of anti-magic.

My eyes weren’t wrong. Kim Hajin will certainly become the silver bullet to kill that man. Boss joyfully thought.

“Oh right, can you give me an item as the reward?”

Kim Hajin suddenly spoke.

“Item?”

“Yes, item.”

Kim Hajin knew Boss had many precious items. Choosing an item worth 300 million won might net him a rarer and more expensive product since Boss didn’t know much about their market values. Simply put, he would take advantage of Boss with his incredible luck.

Boss, unaware of Kim Hajin’s thoughts, nodded after a bit of consideration.

“Understood. I will prepare your reward myself.”

“Great. Then I’ll leave now since I’m finished. Have a nice day, Li Xiaopeng.”

I wouldn’t have bought that cat if I knew it would end so quickly. Kim Hajin muttered something incomprehensible as Boss grabbed his sleeve.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“From now, don’t call me Li Xiaopeng.”

Boss looked at Kim Hajin.

“Call me Boss instead.”

“…”

A cool breeze blew past as her hair fluttered in the wind. Kim Hajin stared into her eyes and swallowed hard.

“I don’t want to.”

“Good… Huh?”

Boss, full of confidence, suddenly felt shocked. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I haven’t decided yet.”

“What?”

Boss frowned. However, Kim Hajin spoke even more daringly.

“It’s up to me to decide where I belong. It’s still too early, so… hahaha.”

***

I returned to Cube late at night. I felt drowsy, but the sensation of the trigger and the image of fresh blood remained on my mind. I felt somewhat dirty and mindlessly walked along the dark road.

“Huu.”

Before I noticed, I had already arrived in front of my room. As I opened the door, I saw Evandel and Hayang sleeping on the couch in each other’s embrace.

I walked up and stroked her hair.

“…?”

Evandel narrowly opened her eyes. She smiled sweetly with a drowsy expression. I held her in my arms as she rubbed her cheek on my shoulder.

“Did you bring yummy food?”

“Ah.”

I forgot. I should’ve brought some Italian food.

“Uun?”

“Tomorrow. We can eat it tomorrow. It’s late, so you should sleep.”

I tucked her into bed and went to sleep on the living room couch.

“You’re up too?”

Hayang sat up and yawned. I smiled and lay down as Hayang hopped onto my stomach and curled into a ball.

“Hayang is surprisingly cute.”

I stroked Hayang’s back and slowly fell asleep.

***

Cube’s second semester midterms finally began. However, it felt more bleak and desolate than the first because reporters and family members couldn’t visit this time. Some rumors stated that Cube wanted to entirely get rid of the midterms.

I didn’t mind that things went differently than in the original story. I had glimpsed over the second semester in my novel, so I didn’t know what would happen anyways.

— Today’s test was way too hard.

— Yeah, what’s up with the hell-mode difficulty? Shouldn’t we sue the professor?

Many cadets complained after the first written exam. However, I looked forward to written exams since classes ended earlier.

“Hey, Kim Hajin.”

Chae Nayun ran past me and blocked my path. I tilted my head at her. She didn’t know what to say after her grand appearance and fiddled with her fingers.

“... Are you headed to the library?”

“No, I’m going back to my room.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“What, you’re not going to study?”

“Nope.”

I bluntly replied and continued walking as Chae Nayun followed me.

“Then um, do you have any study guides or something?”

“No.”

Chae Nayun’s shoulders flinched. She blocked my path once again and stared into my eyes. She looked a bit pitiful.

“Can you help me out? I bombed today’s exam too.”

“Now? It’s the middle of exam week.”

“I can stay up and cram. Apparently just memorizing the key points will boost your score by 10.”

“I think you’re better off asking Yoo Yeonha.”

“But I… had a fight with Yoo Yeonha.”

I received a message on my smartwatch from Kim Hosup.

[Hajin! I found who Agus Benjamin is!]

My eyes widened. Agus Benjamin’s real name was Fernin Jesus. I had finally located Tomer’s father.

[Where is he?]

I quickly replied.

[Nowhere. He already passed away.]

“Huh?”

[What do you mean? Can you explain in detail?]

[He lived in a Korean retirement center until 4 years ago when he passed away. Who would have thought? What a twist, what a twist.]

“…”

I finally understood why the Book of Truth couldn’t locate Fernin Jesus. He had already died.

[Got it. Thanks.]

[By the way, I decided to quit my job. I put in my resume at the place you recommended.]

[That’s a good idea. For now, can you tell me the location of that retirement center?]

I checked today’s date, September 7. The next main story would come up soon. It would be a great burden off my back if I could deal with Tomer before then.

“Come on, I’ll buy you something delici—”

I ignored Chae Nayun and ran to the portal station.