Doomed to Die in 3 Minutes

The Reluctant Killer

“Don’t you know it’s customary to give your own name first before asking of another’s?” 

Corai sighed. Of course, she’d reply that way, not that it was wrong, just… predictable. Well, he had the feeling he was in for some long-winded speeches now. He wishes he had finished eating before being whisked away to a whole other city. At least he had patience.

“Ah, do try and forgive me for that milady! I was too awestruck by your presence! I had forgotten my manners, if you hold a grudge, I will not hold it against you. No matter the reason, I have wronged you. I can only apologise and even that may not be enough. If it is my name you desire than your wish shall be granted. I am Vis Toledo Igoth. Senorita, I am delighted to make your acquaintance. Should you ever need anything, know that I live to serve, and please, just call me Vis. No need for formalities with one such as I.”

He shot a wide shimmering smile. Olivia was more confused than anything else. Corai wanted to scoff, but the man seemed so earnest in his ridiculous flirtations that it was almost impressive. Vis would be an excellent leading man back in the troupe. His charm wasn’t simply slimy and forward, it was sincere and direct. A well-aimed strike to sensibilities that made you want to be caught up in the wave of his emotions despite logic telling you otherwise.

“...I forgive you. Now, please stop coming so close. Keep your distance.” Olivia took a single pace back and Vis returned the gesture. “It is good to hold up boundaries milady. My father always told me to respect the wishes of women. Ah, as for the gentleman over here, I must also ask forgiveness from you, but please understand, I was educated to not leave a woman waiting. Surely you can allow my transgression just this once? You are here for business and it is in bad form to keep a partner waiting.” 

Vis walked over to Corai and bowed his head just as he did to Olivia earlier, with less passion but more deference. Never losing a beat, not letting his lips fall from the face of pleasant joy. “So, assuming you’ve been informed, let me give you the details of this job. Please, take a seat.” Vis pointed towards a couple of large green couches by a fireplace. Corai sat down on one, and Olivia sat down by his side.

“...Please, don’t be like this.” Corai groaned at the woman before him. She tilted her head slightly. “Whatever do you mean?” Corai rolled his eyes as Vis sat parallel to the pair and began to brief the details of the assassination. “The original client, the man who contacted me about it in the first place is the owner of the building we are in. It’s an orphanage that has quite a bit of money in it. Anyway, one of the residents here got to be pretty big, she was a Hero.” 

Corai had to gulp at that. Olivia seemed completely clueless. Adventurers were ranked from E to A for their ability, not only strength, but flexibility, decision making, and essential skills to survive and triumph over various situations. Still, it was a job. Very few would risk their lives against near-impossible odds. Those who did became A-Rank. They took a small fortune to hire for a task. An E Ranker was similar to an elite athlete on earth, or at least a person of many talents. The gap from each rank to rank was actually quite steep. A D-Rank could take on 7 E-Ranks without breaking a sweat. A C-Rank was superhuman. A B-Rank would not fear anything below them, no matter how many they faced. An A-Rank? A one-man army would not be an overstatement of their ability, at the very least in the field they specialised in.

Yet, above even them were Heroes. Those who committed feats considered impossible. The slaying of living and walking calamities. Those who take victory from the jaws of defeat and then murder the beast with it. Overwhelming and absolute power. Heroes started from C-Rank. One such hero was the minimum equivalent of 12 A-Rank adventurers. So this unknown girl was one of the strongest in the world. 

“She died a couple of years ago, obvious foul play involved, the old man found her naked and scarred body in the backyard the morning after she went to the castle of the local lord. She could slay a dragon by her lonesome but she lost to the underhanded tactics of a noble with too much ego. Taking hostages and deadman switching himself with a magical bomb. A good and honourable woman who perished unfairly…” Vis’ head lowered and his expression darkened.

“I’ve seen such things play out one too many times. So her father figure grieved. Things only got worse once she was gone. The lord no longer having anyone else of influence to challenge him began to rampage with his power and do as he pleased. For the last five years, the people suffered tenfold. They slowly held their grudge and saved money to hire an assassin to do him in. They sent the client to a major city to hire one. It wasn’t even enough money to hire a B-Rank. He was at wit’s end. So, I was the answer to his prayers. I’m technically a C-Rank Assassin for the Mercenary Market, but I have a 100% success rate for assassinations and for customer satisfaction. If people really want a job done no matter what, I ask to be sent such clients.”

Vis then smiled again, but this time it was much more sombre.

“I test my clients. I need to know if they truly believe killing the target is the only answer, and if it is, what are they willing to do to achieve their goals. The money isn’t that important to me. I need proof of their dedication and resolve before I act. If they clear the first stage, then I go to the location of the target. I stake it out and learn as much as I can about them.”

He took a second to find the next set of words and chuckled. 

“I don’t want to kill unless absolutely necessary. Weird for this profession, I know. Yet, those are my principles. I try to see if there is no other way to remove the threat. If I can reform them. If that fails, use logic to stop their wrongdoings. If that too does not work, I threaten them in whatever ways I can. If even that does not resolve the issue… then I will draw my blade and take their life. We’re at the threaten phase now. It’s been 6 months. If he doesn’t fold to what I have planned next, he forces my hand. I will need to kill the bastard. I don’t want it to come to that, even if he deserves it. So, please. Help me. Haunt him with the ghosts of his past. Save this city with me.”