17 Freedom.

Kynburgh Palace; Stiles room.

Unknown POV

My order was to get rid of the kid named Stiles. To do that, I also had to get rid of whoever stood in my path.

The artifact I used is known as an isolator. Its job is to isolate a region from the outside world to prevent any interference: nobody can enter and nobody can leave the moment it's activated.

Looking at the woman and child as they bickered among themselves gave me a light headache. How can they fight among themselves at this time? Even as their lives hung on a thin thread.

They were supposed to be pleading with me or coming up with a solution to escape the isolator… but they just stood there, arguing about nonsensical things. It was an insult to my pride as an assassin; I'm supposed to be feared not looked down upon.

"Eliminate the kid, I'll take care of the female," I commanded my subordinate, permitting them to attack.

I would have loved to eliminate him myself, but I was not sure how long our tracks would stay hidden… so the faster, the better.

They didn't need to exchange any pleasantries with me as they rushed to the kid, using the room walls as they moved to avoid Alexia.

Now it was time to draw her attention towards me. Immediately I took out an arrow from the quiver. Nocking it on the bow, I aimed for Alexia.

Swoosh

Watching the flawless trajectory of the arrow, I released a satisfied smile, anticipating the look on her face when my attack landed.

Klink

Just as before, I couldn't see it; the way she deflected the arrow without any weapon in her hands.

Before the attack, I had made sure to perform thorough research on the woman before me; her origin, her age, her ability, her love life, and her routine. I didn't spare anything from my checklist.

I was sure she was a brawler: one who fights using their physique. And these arrows were made of metal, lethal against people with similar abilities.

Adamantium was a well-known metal among the metals of our world. It had properties that only a few metals could challenge. Seeing how she deflected it with such ease shattered my understanding of power.

There is no way someone this strong would stay in this fortress. Is there?

Get your head straight, you can't falter now. Having those thoughts, I sought to close the distance between us.

"I'll take care of him… try to last against their attacks," Alexia said to the kid.

Zoom

She was fast. Her movements were so fluid—I couldn't see any opening.

Shiank

I drew the dagger from my belt, slashing it horizontally.

Klink

I knew it. She could somehow move at supersonic speed; faster than my eyes could read.

After the collision with my dagger, she flew meters away from me, landing on her foot.

"You are a skilled assassin." She commented lightly.

"You are also skilled. But how long would the kid last?" I smirked.

"You underestimate him too much."

"What else can he do?"

She only shrugged at my question while simultaneously performing some light exercises. "Let's end this."

Crack

I immediately used my hand to protect my face, but it seemed I was too late. I felt the bones in my forearm cave in as her attack landed.

"Keurgh."

Her foot raised slightly as she landed a kick to my jaw. I could not react to her move as she grabbed my head, inviting me to kiss her kneecap.

Tssh

Tssh

Tssh

I felt like a punching bag at that moment. She shattered my bones with every successful blow—I should have kept my distance.

"Arrrgh!!!"

I heard horrifying screams from where the kid was located. I could tell it didn't belong to a child. What the hell happened?

I hurriedly activated the smoke bomb I hid in my pants, creating a chance to see my subordinate situation.

Flabbergasted

What I saw left me stunned. I never thought a kid of that size and age could perform such a barbaric act. What the hell are you…? I asked myself as shivers crept down my spine.

***

Stiles POV

Observing the approaching crowd, I took in deep breaths of air. Hilarious how they moved so slowly despite their annoying yells.

[A/N: They were not actually shouting. Instead, Stiles could somehow hear their thoughts.]

A true assassin would never shout this way.

"I'll attack his left."

"I'll torment him."

"I'll slice him up."

"I'll go for the first kill."

They wailed their thoughts to me as if I were nothing. Infuriating, indeed.

It's time to test the extent of my physical strength while also confirming how much damage they can deal to me… I thought, waiting for whoever arrived first to land a successful blow.

"I got him."

A voice came from above, aiming for my head with his dagger. It was impressive. After all, he was the fastest among his peers.

Behind the black mask he wore, I could see his eyes widen in horror as the blade collided with my neck. I could also see an image of myself in his eyes.

My white fluttered in the force field created by the collision. What a waste of time; his weapon couldn't even pierce through my skin, I thought in disappointment, piercing his chest with my arm.

I never had a good impression of anyone outside my family due to the stories and records I read. Everyone outside was just selfish bastards who thought only of their gain. My parents were not excluded.

Retracting my arm, I took out the heart of the assassin. It was still well alive, beating slowly in my palm.

"I always wanted a live experiment, but my Mom refused," I said to the male who had an aghast expression. "Thanks for freeing me."

Ever since my parent's death, I felt the only way out of my sorrows was death. Now I see how narrow my view of things was.

I could do more than just wait to die. I can now fulfill all my desires; everything I caged in this dark heart of mine shall be released now.

There is no need to hold back anymore!