THE RETURN OF THE GOD LEVEL ASSASSIN (BL)

THE RETURN OF THE GOD LEVEL ASSASSIN EPISODE 3

---

Chapter 3: Shadows of the Past

The city moved around him like a machine, indifferent to the danger that Ryu felt creeping at the edge of his mind. The message had been clear—there was no more hiding. The life he had once left behind was knocking at his door, and this time, it was demanding his full attention. As he walked through the crowded streets, the familiar rhythm of his old instincts kicked in. He scanned his surroundings, noting every potential threat, every shadow that seemed a little too still.

But his thoughts kept drifting back to Kae. The confusion in Kae’s eyes when Ryu had left, the unspoken questions hanging between them—it all gnawed at him. He had spent years trying to protect Kae from the darkness that had once consumed him, but now, it felt like he had only dragged him closer to the edge.

The old streets felt both foreign and familiar as Ryu made his way toward an old contact, a man named Jin who had ties deep in the underworld. Jin had always been the kind of man who knew things before anyone else did. If anyone had information on why Ryu was being pulled back into the game, it was him.

The small, run-down bar where Jin operated from hadn’t changed. A flickering neon sign buzzed overhead, casting an eerie glow on the cracked pavement. Ryu pushed open the door, the musty air inside thick with the scent of cigarettes and stale alcohol. There were a few patrons scattered around the room, but none of them paid him any mind. It was the kind of place where no one asked questions, and that suited Ryu just fine.

At the back, seated in a corner booth, was Jin. His greying hair and weathered face gave him the appearance of a man who had seen far too much, but his sharp eyes were as alert as ever. He looked up as Ryu approached, a thin smile curling his lips.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the ghost,” Jin said, his voice gravelly. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”

Ryu slid into the booth across from him, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t expect to be back.”

Jin’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as he leaned back in his seat. “So, what brings you out of hiding, Ryu? It’s been, what, five years since you vanished?”

Ryu didn’t bother with pleasantries. He placed his phone on the table, the message still open on the screen. Jin glanced down at it, his smile fading as he read the words.

“We know you’re back. You can’t hide forever, Ryu. It’s time to finish what you started.”

Jin looked back up at him, his brow furrowed. “I thought you were done with this world.”

“I was,” Ryu replied, his tone hard. “But someone’s trying to pull me back in. I need to know who.”

Jin rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he considered the possibilities. “There’ve been whispers,” he said slowly. “Rumors about the old guard trying to make a comeback. You know how it is—power vacuums never last long. Someone always steps up to fill the void.”

Ryu clenched his jaw. He had left the underworld in chaos when he disappeared, hoping that by removing himself, the structure would collapse. But it seemed that the power he once wielded had simply shifted to someone else.

“Who’s running things now?” Ryu asked, his voice cold.

Jin hesitated, his gaze flicking around the room before he leaned in closer. “There’s been a new player on the scene. Calls himself ‘The Serpent.’ No one knows much about him, but he’s been consolidating power, pulling in old alliances, making new enemies. Word is, he’s after more than just control of the city. He’s looking for something—something big.”

Ryu’s eyes darkened. He had heard the name whispered before he left, but it had been nothing more than a murmur back then. Now, it seemed like The Serpent had become a force to be reckoned with.

“And what does he want with me?” Ryu asked.

Jin shrugged. “Could be anything. Maybe he sees you as a threat, maybe he wants to recruit you. Or maybe he just wants to make an example of you.”

Ryu’s mind raced. The Serpent was the type of enemy who thrived in shadows, manipulating people and events from behind the scenes. If he was targeting Ryu, it was because he saw him as more than just a former assassin—he saw him as a symbol. And that made Ryu dangerous.

“Does he know about Kae?” Ryu asked, his voice low, barely concealing the tension beneath.

Jin’s expression tightened. “I don’t know. But if you’re back in the game, it’s only a matter of time before The Serpent finds out about everyone you care about.”

Ryu leaned back, his fists clenching under the table. He had hoped that leaving would be enough to keep Kae safe, but now, it seemed like his return had only put him in more danger. He couldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t.

“Where can I find The Serpent?” Ryu demanded.

Jin shook his head, his expression grim. “No one finds The Serpent unless he wants to be found. He’s got eyes everywhere. But if I were you, I’d start looking at the old places. The ones you used to frequent. The underworld hasn’t forgotten you, Ryu. And they haven’t forgiven you for leaving.”

Ryu stood, sliding his phone back into his pocket. He had enough to go on for now. But as he turned to leave, Jin’s voice stopped him.

“Be careful, Ryu,” Jin warned, his tone unusually serious. “You’ve got enemies everywhere now. And The Serpent? He’s not like anyone you’ve dealt with before.”

Ryu paused, his gaze hardening. “Neither am I.”

---

The night air was colder than it had been earlier, the wind biting at Ryu’s skin as he walked through the city streets. His mind was racing, calculating his next move. He needed to get ahead of The Serpent before things escalated. But more than that, he needed to protect Kae.

The thought of Kae brought a sharp pang to his chest. The hurt in Kae’s eyes when Ryu had left replayed in his mind over and over. He had promised Kae that he would come back, that he would explain everything. But how could he explain this? How could he drag Kae back into a world that had already broken them once?

His phone buzzed again, but this time, it wasn’t a threat. It was a message from Kae.

Are you okay? Where did you go?

Ryu stared at the screen, his thumb hovering over the keyboard. He wanted to tell Kae everything, to explain the danger they were in, but he knew that would only put Kae at greater risk. And the last thing Ryu wanted was for Kae to get caught in the crossfire.

After a long moment, he typed a short reply.

I’m fine. I’ll explain later.

He sent the message, knowing it wasn’t enough but unable to say more. For now, he needed to focus on the task at hand. He would keep Kae safe, no matter what it took. And that meant confronting The Serpent head-on.

Ryu made his way toward one of the old underground clubs, a place where deals were made in the dark, and alliances were forged in blood. It was the kind of place that hadn’t changed in the years since he’d left—because the people who frequented it never did.

As he approached the entrance, a sense of unease settled in his gut. The doorman, a hulking figure who recognized Ryu immediately, gave him a curt nod and stepped aside without a word. Inside, the air was thick with smoke, and the pulsing music reverberated through the floor. Shadows moved through the dimly lit space, figures huddled in booths, making deals that would shape the city’s future.

Ryu scanned the room, his eyes locking onto a familiar face at the bar. It was Reiko, a former associate who had always been good at keeping her ear to the ground. She was sipping a drink, her eyes sharp as ever as she surveyed the crowd.

Ryu approached her, and without turning, she spoke.

“I heard you were back,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “But I didn’t believe it until now.”

“I need information,” Ryu said, cutting to the chase. “About The Serpent.”

Reiko’s lips curved into a sly smile as she turned to face him. “Everyone wants to know about The Serpent. But he’s not an easy man to find.”

“I don’t need to find him,” Ryu said, his tone cold. “I need him to find me.”

Reiko raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “That’s a dangerous game you’re playing, Ryu. Are you sure you’re ready for the consequences?”

Ryu’s gaze hardened, his resolve unwavering. “I don’t have a choice.”

Reiko studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll see what I can do. But be careful. The Serpent doesn’t play by the rules.