Thong bit his nails as he walked home, looking at the card in his hand as pondered to himself. He stopped in his tracks, staring down the road that was familiar to him. All the stores and houses he has passed by for years had seemed to be withering away as he stared down the road that led home.
Thong's thoughts: My family has worked so hard to survive this world. I can't forget all the hardships they've gone through for me… What type of son would I be if I didn't work hard for them in return?
Thong returned home, noticing his mother and father sitting at the dinner table, a meal nicer than they have ever eaten before sitting in front of them with one extra plate open.
Hoa Tran: Oh Thong, you came back! You're starting to worry me with how often you disappear without telling us. I know you're working hard, so make sure to be careful out there.
Thong looked at his father, who simply glanced at him. Thong took a seat before beginning to eat his dinner.
Hoa Tran: The money you've been bringing in has made life here more bearable, so whatever job you have now, it's doing wonders!
Thong stopped the next spoonful before it could reach his lips. Anh stared as he noticed his son's sudden stop.
Anh Tran: Are you… Are you okay, Thong?
Thong put down his spoon, taking out his bundle of money before placing it on the table.
Thong: I was at work again today. It's not an easy job, but it makes money quickly.
Hoa Tran: That's lovely. What job is it in particular?
Thong: It's nothing too major, just some stuff related to martial arts…
Anh Tran stared at Thong, Thong noticing the distrust in his eyes before he let out a sigh.
Anh Tran: Please, just make sure to take care of yourself. Last time you did something related to martial arts that heavily-
Hoa Tran: Dear!
Thong's head pounded. He stood up from his seat, pushing his plate to the center of the table.
Thong: I think I had enough today. I need some time to rest.
Thong left the table, Hoa growing a worried expression on her face as Anh continued to eat. Thong entered his room before laying down on his bed.
Thong's thoughts: I need to make sure they're happy… To make sure they're safe…
Thong's eyes closed as he sunk into his bed, the day coming to a close.
…
Thong entered an empty parking lot, the sun still bright out as he brought his phone up to his ear.
Thong: Dianshi, I'm ready to accept another job.
Dianshi: You sure you don't want another match?
Thong: Matches aren't important right now. I sent you an email for the information to a bank account, deposit the money in there once I'm done.
Dianshi: Alright, but make sure to come in, the details cannot be shared so easily over the phone or anything that can be tracked so easily.
Thong: I understand.
Thong closed his phone before making his way to the bank he had originally feared. He placed a card on the counter as a receptionist looking at it closely before standing up and allowing Thong into the hidden lobby. Dianshi sat there, typing on a laptop at one of the tables strewn about the room. Thong sat down across from him, Dianshi looking up to meet him.
Dianshi: Despite how confident you sounded on the phone, your face looks extremely pale.
Thong: I know… I just don't know if I'm mentally prepared, but I have no other choice.
Dianshi: Very well then… The only mission we can give you with your status right now is an assassination job of local business man.
Thong: Is he connected to some mafia? Or does he murder people from behind the scenes?
Dianshi: From the details we have, he does not seem to be connected to any larger group, and there is no information on him being a murderer. He is simply listed as a "bastard who must go down."
Thong's thoughts: He must have done something, right? Why else would someone want him dead?
Dianshi: The man is Claude Visor. He is a businessman that works for the Connect corporation. The client was even nice enough to have given you his schedule and address. Your mission is to kill him, understand?
Thong gulped as he stared at the files Dianshi placed in front of him.
Thong: So this is all there is to him, huh?
Dianshi: This is all the client has given us. If you wish, you can wait for one of our scouts to investigate him further, or you can do the scouting yourself.
Thong placed a hand over his mouth as he pondered to himself. His free hand reached over and grabbed the files on the table. Standing up, Thong kept the files in one hand as he stared down at Dianshi.
Thong: I'll do it myself. I can't keep having people do all the heavy work for me.
Dianshi: If you wish. I'll hope for your success on this mission.
Thong turned his back on Dianshi as he made his way out of the lobby, leaving the building as he headed towards the address on the files.
Thong: Claude Visor, I wonder what he's like.
…
Claude Visor, a man standing at 180 centimeters tall, wearing a purple business suit with ginger Caesar styled hair, and blue eyes. He sat in the back of a car as he looked out of his window.
???: Hard day at work, sir?
Claude: Oh, it was just the usual day. I do feel more tired than usual, working until nearly midnight. Never the most exciting hours to work, Johnson.
Johnson: Of course, sir. We're about to reach your home.
Claude looked out the window as Johnson pulled up beside a rather fancy looking home. With tall walls surrounding the property, it would be hard for anyone without a key to enter. Johnson left the car first, walking around and opening the door for Claude. Claude stepped out, looking at his large bodyguard. Johnson stood at nearly 200 centimeters tall, wearing a mainly black suit with shades covering his eyes and a black hat resting on his head. With his darker skin, Johnson seemed to nearly blend into the darkness.
Claude: Thank you for your work once again, Johnson.
Johnson: It was my pleasure, sir. Let's rush you inside.
As Claude walked towards the door of his home, a boy in a black hoodie bumped into him, Johnson immediately putting a hand between the two as they bounced away from each other.
???: Oh, I'm sorry…
Johnson: Do you know who you bumped into, kid? Mr. Claude Visor, one of the heads of the Connect corporation. It'll take more than sorry-
Claude: Cut it out, Johnson. Run home, kid. There's no reason for you to be out this late.
Claude peeked under the kid's hoodie, seeing that most of his face was covered with a black mask. Claude and Johnson entered the walls of Claude's home, for them handing their items to the woman that met them at the door.
Johnson: You need to stop letting kids like those off so easily, Mr. Visor.
Claude: Kids mess up, that's none of my concern. I take care of handling medical insurance, I have no time to be playing petty.
Claude and Johnson heard a small alarm go off as they walked down one of the halls. They looked out the window as they saw the boy in the black hoodie standing atop the outer walls surrounding the home.
Johnson: He must've been scouting you out, Mr. Visor!
Claude: Just who is he?
Thong stared at the house atop the wall, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination.