TO KILL IS TO SERVE

Chapter 10: The Tribute (2)

“The gates are closing; every guest is expected to be inside the hall by this time.” The announcement rang for about five times until the gates were completely closed and that we’re wholly trapped inside this huge soundproof asylum together with our co-assassins. Hitmen sitting, eating, conversing with other hitmen. What a nice place to die. But I’d rather not die here since I don’t want to f*****g have Danger I as part of my last memory.

“Let us all rise as we welcome the Shadow Heads; Code 0010, 0022 and 0015.” The right hand of Mister Love introduced Mister Grip, Mister Dragonfly and Miss Lanciare, the remaining of the Shadow Heads. All of them walked in and all of us bowed our heads as a sign of respect, we shouldn’t actually have in the first place. I view assassins, aside from myself, the biggest hypocrites of all time.

“Why do we even respect them?” I whispered to Info and he elbowed me. “Hey, I’m asking nicely.”

“Because they’re seniors, noob.” He whispered back and rolled his eyes on me. We were notified to sit down and I swiftly turned to him right away after sitting. “Don’t say anything any—”

“Because they are more of a murderer than us, noober.” I overlapped his threat and chuckled. Info turned his back away from me as he sighed and glanced at his phone, probably itching to play on it. I am telling the truth, though. I scowled and rolled my eyes. But seriously, if you don’t bow, your neck will be gone before you know it. I thought as I recalled a fast scene when I was still a little naïve teenager assassin, watching another assassin getting his neck snapped because of disrespect that again, we shouldn’t seriously have in the first place.

“And now, here is the generous head of Töten heißt dienen, Mister Love!” He sounded like a host in some kind of a grand party. Actually, we’re roleplaying as if this is a masquerade ball, so it’s accepted, right? I almost chuckled at my own thoughts.

I might just show a sly grin. I thought again. Info will certainly elbow me to death. I muttered to myself as I watch the all-time favorite Mister Love and his graceful entrance. He’s not wearing the same old mask that he wears all the time, but just a plain white one. His right hand, basically his current assistant, handed him the microphone and we sat down as he gestured.

“Töten heißt dienen!” He screamed as his entrance phrase, as always.

“To kill is to serve.” We replied. We just basically translated that German phrase—our organization name, as well as our motto; though I believe not all of us here kill as their service but plainly as their job alone.

“Good evening, I am Mister Love, the head of THD. Tonight is a night of gloom and mourns, indeed. As of I can remember, this is in fact the first time I’ve ever conducted a mandatory attendance of all available assassins. I should’ve done this the first time the same thing happened, so I apologize for everyone, every team and every head here. I overlooked everything.” He started off, sounding so melancholic and apologetic. He overused the word ‘every’ and it’s irritating at a point. I pursed my lips as I placed my elbow on the table and held my chin. Being able to manipulate not just his emotions but everyone else’s; he’s a monster of schemes and falsification. “We are gathered here today to grieve over and pay respect for all our fallen assassins, comrades, heads, codes, and friends.”

Friends, he said. Pay respect, he emphasized.

“The boss really is considerate.”

“Maybe he’s fixing his previous actions of ignoring the demise of our past mates.”

“Maybe he did not ignore them at all. Perhaps he’s just busy. He’s a head of a huge organization, after all.”

“He’s a great guy.”

“No wonder how he made THD this big and running.”

“While managing THD Entertainment as THD’s cover, duh!”

I revere your tactics a lot, Dad. I smiled under my mask. I learnt that from you—controlling people’s thoughts and bad views about you with just a few words. It actually is the third rule of being an underling of Mister Love.

“And now, as our fallen mates rest in their respectable coffins, I would like to ask for Code 0099 to join me here, as he—”

What the— “I never said I would do it!” I abruptly rose up, glaring at my boss’ calm eyes. Everyone’s stares are on me now and I can feel the sudden tension in the atmosphere. f**k this. He really turned the gun’s nozzle to my face while I’m watching.

“But you were there, that night, son. You were there when they—”

“Please,” I cut him off while adjusting my tone to match the employer-employee play. “Don’t let me say anything that would make me disrespect you, this organization or them. I was with the fallen assassins, yes—in a mission with them, to be exact. But kindly be more considerate and let this one slip through your fingers, Mister Love. I wasn’t prepped for any of this, so I, your humble underling, am begging this of you.” I bowed my head and stayed low. To fully get a hold of myself, I just gritted my teeth but silently, to not pose any threat and misunderstanding.

“Are you fine, Reisun?” I heard Info whispered and I nodded slightly. “Do you need me to back you up?”

“Don’t get yourself into trouble, is our number 2 rule.” I whispered back, still standing with my head low. “I wish he dismiss me now.”

If this won’t work, then I’m going to stab him, right here, right now. I’d rather kill him than speak anything about this in front of everyone. He knows that, he’s an assassin and he’s my master. I was even demanded to call him Dad when we’re alone.

I heard him sigh and spoke over the microphone, “I understand your frustration, Code 0099. If that’s how you want to settle this, then, forget that I asked.” He said and made me sit down again. He then, continued talking,   “Okay, let me continue the tribute for Code—”

I groaned and scratched my head in vexation. “How could he call me in the middle of all that? He’s aware that I hate attention.” I muttered and Info chuckled, calming me down. “He knows that I’d rather kill and be killed than speak.” I added, heaving a heavy deep sigh. That’s the first rule he taught me.

“Woah, what a cocky one.”

“He’s 0099, the renowned Reisun.”

“The youngest assassin? How could he act like the eldest, then? I bet I have more experience than him!”

“He has every right to do so.”

“Right to do what? To be cocky?”

“Yes.”

“f**k that. He’s only an Agent.”

“That reason will never work, mate.”

“Why?”

“He’s an Agent with a Shadow A master.”

“Shadow A master? You mean–”

“There’s only one Shadow A here, mate. And yes, that’s Mister Love.”

­-

I squeezed my lips together to stop myself from talking. Another hit in the stomach, from the left, a feint, and then an uppercut from the right. His moves are very open and predictable. What a f*****g bore. He uses his other hand to attack whilst resting the one he just used for a few seconds. His breaths are quite short, as well as his blows. He doesn’t do me that much damage but his pants were already countless.

“What, kid, are you going to say that you’re giving up? I barely started. How could you enter a match when you can’t even fight?” He mocked while looking down at me, literally. He smells like alcohol and he looks more wasted than a real waste. I am too annoyed to even walk home and this punk who knows nothing but childlike punches dared to randomly start a fight with me.

“Are you done already?” I looked at him and asked. He first attacked me when I am doing nothing but just walk and now he’s saying that I entered this fight with him? What an asshole. “Please let me know if—” Before I could finish, another kick from his right foot hit my stomach. I f*****g hate getting disrespected while I’m talking.

“Quit talking and fight me, bare-handed.” A rule was suddenly set. He unintentionally set a rule that is convenient for me. He could’ve added something like he is allowed to use a weapon, at least.

“Then answer me if you’re finished.”

“I said, quit talking.”

I stood up, wiping the blood that stained my face and groaned all the vexation that has built up ever since the fake masquerade ball began earlier tonight until now. “Why don’t you answer me first, boy? If you’re really eager to make me fight you, you need to be worth it.”

He’s making it too obvious. The veins rushing with boiling blood, irritating his every sense—he’s in the verge of breaking out and breaking himself. He has a problem before dragging himself into fighting me. Anyway, it is neither my job nor even my responsibility to calm him down. I’ll go join with his kid street fight now.

“Quit talking, I sai—” Right before he could finish his blabber, my right foot reached his face, completely taking him down. He’s just another piece of annoying crap. I rolled my eyes. This is too boring but I am too tired to argue. I added, thinking.

“And I said, answer me first.” I stood up, brushing off all the dusts and dirt and sat right next to his ruined face. “God, I am too pissed off for this little play.” I pinned his face down with my fist without exerting much force and yet he’s groaning like a hurt baby. “I was just planning to make you pay for all these bloodstains and of course, my expensive suit because I am f*****g furious already, but seeing you twitching like that changed my mind. How could you be this weak when you acted like a gangster every damn time I see you?” I grumbled and messed my hair up in utter annoyance. Now, I am the one looking down on him. You can never underestimate life especially mine. “I should just defenestrate you, right? I could bring you to a building of 25 floors, and then kick you out of the window. That would hurt less and end fast, both advantage for us, yeah?” I held his chin and looked at his misery. His eyes are the only thing moving. They’re getting filled up with water, pleading me to not hurt him more. “Now, what’s your answer? Are you done?” I asked again and let off of his trashed face. Now, he acts like a victim. Seriously… kids these days.

“Yes, sorry.” He stuttered and I sighed. How could he act and look so defeated when I only landed a f*****g kick on him? I feel terrible this way. Where the heck has my pride gone?

“Good. I’m done now too. Be done in everything too, okay? In declaring cat-fights between innocent people, hurting the weaker, and randomly punching anyone. Be done with everything then I’ll leave you alone.” I stood up and turned my back on from him when he nodded. I started taking steps when I suddenly something, so I looked at him again, “And don’t you ever f*****g touch Alora again, Damian, she is my prey.” I lowered my voice on the last line. This is unprofessional of me, but it feels cool having to say that like a real gangster.

“How did you—”

I held my temple when I saw myself kicking his face once more after saying that I’m done already. How could I stoop this low? This is very infuriating. I heaved a disappointed sigh for myself. “Man, from today on, look out for this voice, okay? When you heard it, remember that it’s I, looking for you to end you.” I uttered, almost whispering. I feel like a ghost from a horror movie. Even after that many punches he did not spare on me, he still couldn’t recognize this face or this voice? Is my disguise at school really good? I smiled and walked away for the second time after noticing he had lost consciousness. “Maybe I should let Info see me in my Grei Grazer disguise and hear what he thinks.” I muttered to myself and headed towards my bag that he kicked away earlier.

I f*****g hope that this day were to end now before I kill anyone.