I stretch my back, feeling the satisfying pop of joints. Dressed in a crisp black suit and tie, I make my way toward the sleek limousine waiting for me. It's Sunday, a day I welcome for the respite it offers. After all, even I, with all my responsibilities, need a break from the relentless pace of my life.
My organization has a strategic move planned – an attack on the Association is set for a week from now. Rachel, a crucial member of our team, has been diligently laying the groundwork. Impatience tugs at me, urging for an earlier strike, but discipline prevails. We've made it a habit to ensure every operation yields the best possible results.
Seated comfortably in the limousine, I'm interrupted by the abrupt opening of the door behind me. It's Chae Nayun, still clad in her Cube Cadet uniform, a steadfast comrade and friend. Her presence is unexpected, yet not entirely surprising given the camaraderie that binds us.
She slides into the seat beside me, her gaze meeting mine. "You heading somewhere important, Comrade?" she asks with a playful grin, her tone betraying a hint of mischief.
I nod, acknowledging her with a smirk. "Always, Nayun. There's always something on the horizon."
Her eyes glint with curiosity as the limousine glides through the city. The hum of the engine provides a backdrop to our conversation, a lull before the storm that awaits us in the days to come.
Chae Nayun slides into the seat beside me with a mischievous grin. "Let me hitch a ride, just drop me off at the nearest mall."
I glance at my driver, Fatima, a 25-year-old with blonde hair and fetching looks. She's Tomer's errand girl, and since Tomer is like my errand girl, that technically makes Fatima my errand girl too. "Fine, drop Nayun off at the nearest mall..."
As the limousine cruises through the city, Chae Nayun leans back, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Hmmm… So do you have any plans? Any scary schemes?"
I chuckle. "Nah, I've decided to decompress for a while. Also, I'm meeting up with my Djinns in a local base I've set up here in Seoul."
"Oh, you finally made a base for your Djinn friends here, huh?" Nayun remarks, raising an eyebrow.
The limousine smoothly moves through the city as I fiddle with the cabinets inside, searching for something to snack on. I come across a stash of chips and decide to munch on them, savoring the salty crunch. Nayun, seated beside me, idly plays with her smartwatch, seemingly lost in thought.
As we approach the nearest mall, Nayun glances at me, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Don’t forget Rachel’s birthday; it's this Thursday." She steps out of the limousine, leaving me momentarily stunned.
"W-what?" I stammer, genuinely flabbergasted by the reminder. The core members of Sinful are all young teens. Kim Suho is the oldest at 19, followed by Rachel, Hajin, Nayun, and then me. Despite my attempts to gaslight them into thinking I'm a year older (physically), I remain the youngest among the group. The sudden realization of the impending birthday feels unexpectedly complicated.
"It's still on Thursday, so I can postpone it, right?" I mutter to myself, contemplating the logistics of a belated celebration.
Fatima continues to drive, her playful demeanor evident as she suggests, "Just buy gifts online." While her point makes sense, a twinge of sincerity nudges me. "I'll think about it."
As we navigate through the city, Fatima addresses me with a touch of humor. "Where to, your Excellency?"
I sigh, acknowledging the title that has inexplicably stuck with them. "To the base. I'll finish business first, then have fun later."
Fatima raises an eyebrow, doubtful. "Have fun? But you're a workaholic, right?"
I smirk, embracing my human desires. "I'm only human too. I want to have fun!"
Her disbelief is palpable. "What?"
"I'm going to the nearest strip club after this!" I announce, a mischievous excitement in my voice. In truth, I've never been to one even in my past life, so the prospect is genuinely thrilling. "It's an actual dream for me to go into one!"
Fatima grimaces, clearly feeling awkward. "Ugh..."
My AI System and Hyper Awareness kick in abruptly, alerting me to a sudden threat to my life. Reacting instinctively, I execute a swift 360-degree arm swing with a flourish. I feel a subtle impact to my left, where Nayun used to sit. Deduction tells me that my foe is using invisibility.
The cold steel of a dagger presses against my neck, but my AI System and Automation abilities synchronize seamlessly. In a nanosecond, my muscle memory reacts to the danger. My open palm strikes at the neck of the invisible assailant, causing them to reel back in pain.
"You are unwelcome here," I assert, my voice steady despite the danger. I follow up with a powerful kick, targeting the invisible foe with all my strength. The force breaks the door off, sending the assailant flying out of the limousine.
All of a sudden, Fatima's neck, from where I stand, begins to tilt. A horrific spray of blood colors the window red, and a frown forms on my face as I process the shocking sight. In a microsecond, I engage my ability, combining it with the functions of my to swiftly deduce what has occurred.
I come to a chilling conclusion – I am being targeted. The realization sets in, and a surge of adrenaline courses through me as I assess the immediate threat.
"Fatima!" I exclaim, the shock of the sudden attack pulsating through me. My mind, fueled by my ability and , absorbs the smallest details, seeking to deduce more. From the mirror hanging just above Fatima, I observe the grievous wound on her neck – a clear indication that her throat has been sliced by a dagger.
In a matter of moments, I arrive at a second conclusion – the attackers are proficient assassins, skilled in the use of a dagger. Their expertise extends to remaining unseen in my perception. Swiftly calculating probabilities in my head, I finalize my deduction – it is the Hassassins!
This 'investigation and deductions' occur within a microsecond, I remark to myself, focusing on the immediate threat. "You will pay for killing my precious driver."
I stare at the empty spaces beside Fatima, left and right, relying on my raw deduction abilities to compensate for my lack of sensory perception. Without hesitation, I hurl two sharp cards like projectiles toward the probable source of the threat. The color of red minutely spreads on the left side, revealing the presence of the invisible assailant.
"I can see you," I declare, seizing the advantage. In an instant, I activate my [Not Here] ability, rendering myself invisible. Another microsecond passes, and I stand before the invisible foe. With one swift motion, I cast on a dagger summoned from [Witch King]. The enchanted effect exponentially increases my attack speed.
I swing the dagger with precision, striking the foe dead. A man covered in black and lithe robes materializes, a bloody gash in his chest. He flops backward, the light slowly leaving his eyes as he succumbs to the consequences of his failed attack.
I undo my invisibility and turn my attention to Fatima. "Are you okay, Fatima?"
She opens her eyes groggily, the wound in her neck closing due to her Djinn ability, . "I am fine, your Excellency…" She rubs her throat, annoyance evident in her expression. "What the hell happened?"
An ability of my [Witch King] activates, pushing my ability to its maximum. "Come here, hold tight!" I carry Fatima by her waist, casting and to make both of us invisible. Casting the same abilities at myself, I throw us both outside the limousine, escaping the confined space and potential danger.
The limousine explodes behind me, flames licking the night sky as my backdrop. With Fatima in my arms, I sprint away from the chaos. "Come on, we've got to go!" I shout over the ringing in my ears. Fatima stumbles beside me, eyes wide with shock, as I let her go from my embrace.
"What just happened?" she gasps, her voice strained.
"No time for explanations now," I reply, urgency in every step. "I've planted a tracker on one of the Hassassins. We need to move, fast."
Fatima's eyebrows knit in surprise. "You did what? Since when?"
I shoot her a quick glance. "I've got my ways, you know me. We need to find a safe spot to regroup."
We dart into a secluded alley, the distant sounds of sirens and chaos fading behind us. My expression is grim as I activate my smartwatch, connecting with Tomer.
"Tomer, it's me. The Hassassins are onto us. Get rid of them," I instruct, my tone firm.
On the other end, Tomer's voice crackles through the speaker. "Understood. I'll take care of it."
I turn to Fatima, determination in my eyes. "You need to assist Tomer, your direct superior will need some backup. I'm heading back to Under Cube."
Fatima nods, a sense of purpose replacing the initial shock. "I'll do whatever it takes. Just be careful."
I give her a nod, then take off towards the shadows, leaving Fatima in the alley.
In a calculated move, I lead Fatima to a secluded alley, my face etched with a frown. It's time to take control of the situation. Using my smartwatch, I contact Tomer, relaying the urgent message to eliminate the assassins. I instruct Fatima to assist her direct superior in this task, assuring her that I'll be returning to Under Cube to handle matters from there.
It seems the enemy is upping their game suddenly. Whoever their spy is, they are good.
Announcement I know I have been fickle with the schedule, so I apologize. I have been experimenting with things. Since I have Christmas break, I will return to the every 11-hour update like the last two volumes. That's atleast 14 chapters a week! That's 3 chapters more than my usual for Volume 3!
I stretch my back, feeling the satisfying pop of joints. Dressed in a crisp black suit and tie, I make my way toward the sleek limousine waiting for me. It's Sunday, a day I welcome for the respite it offers. After all, even I, with all my responsibilities, need a break from the relentless pace of my life.
My organization has a strategic move planned – an attack on the Association is set for a week from now. Rachel, a crucial member of our team, has been diligently laying the groundwork. Impatience tugs at me, urging for an earlier strike, but discipline prevails. We've made it a habit to ensure every operation yields the best possible results.
Seated comfortably in the limousine, I'm interrupted by the abrupt opening of the door behind me. It's Chae Nayun, still clad in her Cube Cadet uniform, a steadfast comrade and friend. Her presence is unexpected, yet not entirely surprising given the camaraderie that binds us.
She slides into the seat beside me, her gaze meeting mine. "You heading somewhere important, Comrade?" she asks with a playful grin, her tone betraying a hint of mischief.
I nod, acknowledging her with a smirk. "Always, Nayun. There's always something on the horizon."
Her eyes glint with curiosity as the limousine glides through the city. The hum of the engine provides a backdrop to our conversation, a lull before the storm that awaits us in the days to come.
Chae Nayun slides into the seat beside me with a mischievous grin. "Let me hitch a ride, just drop me off at the nearest mall."
I glance at my driver, Fatima, a 25-year-old with blonde hair and fetching looks. She's Tomer's errand girl, and since Tomer is like my errand girl, that technically makes Fatima my errand girl too. "Fine, drop Nayun off at the nearest mall..."
As the limousine cruises through the city, Chae Nayun leans back, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Hmmm… So do you have any plans? Any scary schemes?"
I chuckle. "Nah, I've decided to decompress for a while. Also, I'm meeting up with my Djinns in a local base I've set up here in Seoul."
"Oh, you finally made a base for your Djinn friends here, huh?" Nayun remarks, raising an eyebrow.
The limousine smoothly moves through the city as I fiddle with the cabinets inside, searching for something to snack on. I come across a stash of chips and decide to munch on them, savoring the salty crunch. Nayun, seated beside me, idly plays with her smartwatch, seemingly lost in thought.
As we approach the nearest mall, Nayun glances at me, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Don’t forget Rachel’s birthday; it's this Thursday." She steps out of the limousine, leaving me momentarily stunned.
"W-what?" I stammer, genuinely flabbergasted by the reminder. The core members of Sinful are all young teens. Kim Suho is the oldest at 19, followed by Rachel, Hajin, Nayun, and then me. Despite my attempts to gaslight them into thinking I'm a year older (physically), I remain the youngest among the group. The sudden realization of the impending birthday feels unexpectedly complicated.
"It's still on Thursday, so I can postpone it, right?" I mutter to myself, contemplating the logistics of a belated celebration.
Fatima continues to drive, her playful demeanor evident as she suggests, "Just buy gifts online." While her point makes sense, a twinge of sincerity nudges me. "I'll think about it."
As we navigate through the city, Fatima addresses me with a touch of humor. "Where to, your Excellency?"
I sigh, acknowledging the title that has inexplicably stuck with them. "To the base. I'll finish business first, then have fun later."
Fatima raises an eyebrow, doubtful. "Have fun? But you're a workaholic, right?"
I smirk, embracing my human desires. "I'm only human too. I want to have fun!"
Her disbelief is palpable. "What?"
"I'm going to the nearest strip club after this!" I announce, a mischievous excitement in my voice. In truth, I've never been to one even in my past life, so the prospect is genuinely thrilling. "It's an actual dream for me to go into one!"
Fatima grimaces, clearly feeling awkward. "Ugh..."
My AI System and Hyper Awareness kick in abruptly, alerting me to a sudden threat to my life. Reacting instinctively, I execute a swift 360-degree arm swing with a flourish. I feel a subtle impact to my left, where Nayun used to sit. Deduction tells me that my foe is using invisibility.
The cold steel of a dagger presses against my neck, but my AI System and Automation abilities synchronize seamlessly. In a nanosecond, my muscle memory reacts to the danger. My open palm strikes at the neck of the invisible assailant, causing them to reel back in pain.
"You are unwelcome here," I assert, my voice steady despite the danger. I follow up with a powerful kick, targeting the invisible foe with all my strength. The force breaks the door off, sending the assailant flying out of the limousine.
All of a sudden, Fatima's neck, from where I stand, begins to tilt. A horrific spray of blood colors the window red, and a frown forms on my face as I process the shocking sight. In a microsecond, I engage my ability, combining it with the functions of my to swiftly deduce what has occurred.
I come to a chilling conclusion – I am being targeted. The realization sets in, and a surge of adrenaline courses through me as I assess the immediate threat.
"Fatima!" I exclaim, the shock of the sudden attack pulsating through me. My mind, fueled by my ability and , absorbs the smallest details, seeking to deduce more. From the mirror hanging just above Fatima, I observe the grievous wound on her neck – a clear indication that her throat has been sliced by a dagger.
In a matter of moments, I arrive at a second conclusion – the attackers are proficient assassins, skilled in the use of a dagger. Their expertise extends to remaining unseen in my perception. Swiftly calculating probabilities in my head, I finalize my deduction – it is the Hassassins!
This 'investigation and deductions' occur within a microsecond, I remark to myself, focusing on the immediate threat. "You will pay for killing my precious driver."
I stare at the empty spaces beside Fatima, left and right, relying on my raw deduction abilities to compensate for my lack of sensory perception. Without hesitation, I hurl two sharp cards like projectiles toward the probable source of the threat. The color of red minutely spreads on the left side, revealing the presence of the invisible assailant.
"I can see you," I declare, seizing the advantage. In an instant, I activate my [Not Here] ability, rendering myself invisible. Another microsecond passes, and I stand before the invisible foe. With one swift motion, I cast on a dagger summoned from [Witch King]. The enchanted effect exponentially increases my attack speed.
I swing the dagger with precision, striking the foe dead. A man covered in black and lithe robes materializes, a bloody gash in his chest. He flops backward, the light slowly leaving his eyes as he succumbs to the consequences of his failed attack.
I undo my invisibility and turn my attention to Fatima. "Are you okay, Fatima?"
She opens her eyes groggily, the wound in her neck closing due to her Djinn ability, . "I am fine, your Excellency…" She rubs her throat, annoyance evident in her expression. "What the hell happened?"
An ability of my [Witch King] activates, pushing my ability to its maximum. "Come here, hold tight!" I carry Fatima by her waist, casting and to make both of us invisible. Casting the same abilities at myself, I throw us both outside the limousine, escaping the confined space and potential danger.
The limousine explodes behind me, flames licking the night sky as my backdrop. With Fatima in my arms, I sprint away from the chaos. "Come on, we've got to go!" I shout over the ringing in my ears. Fatima stumbles beside me, eyes wide with shock, as I let her go from my embrace.
"What just happened?" she gasps, her voice strained.
"No time for explanations now," I reply, urgency in every step. "I've planted a tracker on one of the Hassassins. We need to move, fast."
Fatima's eyebrows knit in surprise. "You did what? Since when?"
I shoot her a quick glance. "I've got my ways, you know me. We need to find a safe spot to regroup."
We dart into a secluded alley, the distant sounds of sirens and chaos fading behind us. My expression is grim as I activate my smartwatch, connecting with Tomer.
"Tomer, it's me. The Hassassins are onto us. Get rid of them," I instruct, my tone firm.
On the other end, Tomer's voice crackles through the speaker. "Understood. I'll take care of it."
I turn to Fatima, determination in my eyes. "You need to assist Tomer, your direct superior will need some backup. I'm heading back to Under Cube."
Fatima nods, a sense of purpose replacing the initial shock. "I'll do whatever it takes. Just be careful."
I give her a nod, then take off towards the shadows, leaving Fatima in the alley.
In a calculated move, I lead Fatima to a secluded alley, my face etched with a frown. It's time to take control of the situation. Using my smartwatch, I contact Tomer, relaying the urgent message to eliminate the assassins. I instruct Fatima to assist her direct superior in this task, assuring her that I'll be returning to Under Cube to handle matters from there.
It seems the enemy is upping their game suddenly. Whoever their spy is, they are good.
Announcement I know I have been fickle with the schedule, so I apologize. I have been experimenting with things. Since I have Christmas break, I will return to the every 11-hour update like the last two volumes. That's atleast 14 chapters a week! That's 3 chapters more than my usual for Volume 3!