Chapter 31 - The Assassin Named Fade

Loki was observing the movement of the Harada family in the shadows. With his current mana supply, he couldn't use his usual spell [light refraction] to stay invisible, instead, he needed to rely on the minor spell [Shadow Threading]. The spell would allow him to be invisible to the naked eye for as long as he did not move and remained within the shadows. The spell was not perfect as you literally should not move a single inch, for even a slight twitch of one's muscle would dispel it. Even though it wasn't much he was still able to use a new spell, this showed that he was improving.

Of course, it was just not possible to be completely still, but Loki could do it for a few minutes. Once he moves he would shift positions and reapply the spell. Using this new spell of his, Loki was able to hide near the room where Itsuki was staying at.

When Kenji went out of the room, Loki heard him talk about making Itsuki leave the country. He was also talking about Matsuri coming here.

'What is that woman going to do? Even if she's a cop she won't be able to handle this.' Loki frowned as he continued to listen in Kenji's conversation. Once Kenji was done with his phone call he spoke to one of his men.

"Change of plans, that idiotic Police Commissioner isn't going to be able to do anything. Get some of your men and when the Detective comes I want you guys to deal with her."

"Should we give her to some human traffickers?"

"Hmph, that's too troublesome, just finish her off use the guys that can't be traced back to me. If they're somehow caught. just make up a story like they held a grudge on the Detective for imprisoning one of their friends. It doesn't matter if they get caught just promise them that I would give some money to their families, anonymously of course."

"Alright boss."

When Loki heard what Kenji said he almost reacted and moved. Yet before he could do so he was able to restrain himself. He started to think calmly, planning what to do next.

'I wanted to follow them to their base of operation to get some more evidence to crush them, but knowing the detective is coming changes things. If I leave her alone I don't think she'll be able to survive this coming ordeal. Yet if I don't follow the Harada Kenji I might not be able to find their hidden base ever again. Even someone like Harold isn't able to figure out where this supposed hidden base was... Should I have just killed Itsuki when I had the chance?... Tsk, if I don't even follow my own rules then how can I say that I became the ideal assassin my sister wished for.'

While Loki was thinking of what to do next, he suddenly heard one of Kenji's men speak. "The Detective is here."

"Follow the plan and deal with her. While the others keep the media distracted, my family and I will escape to the villa."

Kenji's men were now radioing someone and taking out their guns. Kenji himself alongside his wife, unconscious son, and some of his men headed to the fire exit. Loki hesitated for a few minutes before he gritted his teeth and followed Kenji's men who took out their weapons.

...

Matsuri and John had parked their car in the underground parking area of the hospital, and once they got out some unknown men approached them.

"How can we help you, gentlemen?" Instead of answering Matsuri with words, the men took out their guns and started shooting. Matsuri and John quickly used the cars as cover and took out their own guns. Yet the two of them could not find the right timing to shoot back as the bullets continuously rained down upon them.

The unknown assailants were getting closer and closer making it even more difficult to counterattack. As the sounds of gunfire were getting closer, Matsuri tried her best to think of a way to get out of this situation. It was at that moment the sound of gunfire suddenly stopped, and what replaced it were loud grunts. Matsuri took a peek and was surprised as to what she saw.

A man wearing a white mask, a black trench coat, boots, and gloves was subduing the men who were firing at Matsuri and John. The man's movements were swift and decisive as each strike he made, another would fall. What was even more amazing was that the men had no time to point their guns at the mysterious man with a mask and shoot, it was as if something invisible was hitting their hands making them let go of their weapons.

The man wearing the mask then finished off the last of Kenji's men that surrounded Matsuri and John. It would seem that he did not kill a single one of them which showed his skill was leagues above them, as it was harder to beat someone with weapons without killing them. This was not something a normal person could do, so Matsuri and John quickly concluded that this person must be a martial artist. The man with the white mask then took one of the unconscious men and looked like he was going to leave, but before he could get away Matsuri stood up and confronted him. Matsuri boldly stood in his way stopping him on his tracks. Matsuri gulped as the sheer presence of the man wearing the mask was suffocating her, but she gathered her resolve and asked.

"Who are you?"

Loki looked at the determination in Matsuri's eyes and then he looked at the man hiding at the corner, that man was most likely another one of Kenji's men who was sent here to see if these people were able to deal with Matsuri.

'Hmph, I guess I can use this chance to leave my calling card. It's time to spread my infamy and to start my legend here in this world, to make those that seek to do evil know fear.' Loki then answered with a voice that was different from his normal tone.

"I am Fade, an assassin. Remember this, for as long as the reason is just and the price is right, I shall bring death to any and all evil."