As Jihan entered the beginner city, a lively sensation overcame his senses.
Children ran and played in the streets, merchants selling and conversing with citizens in the square, guards and adventurers laughed and sparred. It was an environment filled with life, and an overall cheery place.
The npcs turned their heads towards the new arrival, a slender man wearing thief attire, his black hair hiding his eyes in a dark shroud. At his hip was a shattered blade, only its tainted handle remaining. Though it looked as if it could break at any moment, it gave off an imposing aura.
A large man in gilded armor approached the man with a wide smile, extending his hand to the man who had just arrived.
"Welcome to Runedel my friend, I hope you find the city to your liking!"
Jihan shook hands with the man who seemed to be a guard or knight of some kind, searching his memory for the identity of this man.
"Ah! My name is Alexander, I'm the captain of the guard here in Runedel." He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed that he had forgotten to introduce himself.
"I am... 'Ghost'. Your warm welcome is appreciated, but could you point me in a certain direction?" He frowned, hiding his intentions from the man.
"Sure, where would you like to go?" Alexander responded with an interested expression. Even a new arrival seemed to have his plans well thought out, whereas most people would be overwhelmed by the bustling city.
"I would like to go to the 'Blackbird Inn'." His gaze landed on his surroundings, noticing that some people around turned away after hearing such words.
Alexander raised an eyebrow but agreed nonetheless.
"I will not ask why you want to go to that place, but I will take you. Come with me."
Jihan followed Alexander for several minutes, before arriving in a completely vacant alleyway.
"We have arrived, young guest. Please enjoy your time here in Runedel." He waved with a smile, turning his back to Jihan.
"Alexander... no, Zeref Atticus. Third Branch owner of the Black Hand Cult, as well as the assassin 'Ring'." A devilish grin appeared on the hooded man's face, one gold eye shining in the darkness as his stare bored into the back of the larger man's head.
He had remembered after several moments of thinking, about the cult that would later bring the beginner town Runedel to the brink of ruin. The Demon worshipping cult and private sector of the black market 'Black Hand'..
And Alexander just happened go be the long time alias of the third branch owner, Zeref.
Zeref the 'Ring'.. The greatest assassin npc in Synchronize, who had the build of a knight, and a speed surpassing that of even most players.
But what was more interesting about this assassin was his personal quest, one that could only be done by the one who first found out about his true identity, and only before the Black Hand sends Runedel into a state of chaos.
"You, who are you?"
The man's glare penetrated Jihan's body, stopping his heart for a moment.
Such intense bloodlust was already enough to make your hair stand on end, but it now felt as though he could really die.
Every cell in his body screamed at Jihan to run away, to get the hell away from the man in front of him.
But Jihan only pulled down his hood, pulling his bangs up to reveal his forehead.
A symbol that he had branded onto his avatar's forehead, a dark ring that seemed to be made of thorns. To the clueless Jihan, such a symbol was merely cool looking and stylish, but later ended up almost getting him spawn killed by the Beginner's Alliance Guild.
The ring of thorns, the symbol of the five black hand assassins, and the brand location signified the role of the assassin.
Having such a brand on one's forehead meant something very simple.
That he was the founder of the Black Hand.
"S-Sir? Why are you here...?"
Zeref immediately took several steps back, fear clearly showing in his eyes as the killing intent faded into nothingness.
Jihan continued his act, driving the assassin into a corner.
"You don't need to know. However..."
This was an unexpected jackpot, born entirely out of chance. But if the stars were going to align just for Jihan, should he not make the most of it?
"I will be overseeing this branch personally for a while."
Zeref did not respond immediately, but nodded in acknowledgement after several moments.
"Does the leader wish to have me return, or shall I remain by your side, in the shadows?"
The Black Hand prized itself on two things.
Loyalty and unrivaled assassination skill.
Such a person at his side would be incredibly beneficial, and so Jihan decided to not only scam the shit out of this young man, but make him his servant as well.
"Become my shadow, and watch over this city from now on." Jihan once again lowered his bangs and pulled up his hood, the golden eyes that shone eerily even in the dark once more hidden under his bangs.
...
Entering the Blackbird Inn was nothing short of normal, it's outer appearance being identical to a normal inn.
Customers chatted and drank at the bar and scattered around the many tables as servers ran up and down the main floor, handing out food and drink while collecting glasses and plates.
Yet Jihan walked straight up to the bar, whispering something into the bartender's ear.
His complexion became noticeably pale, sweat running down his face as he pointed to the stairs.
The stairs went from the ground floor to the third floor, but there was also a secret hidden within them.
After making sure no one around was watching him, Jihan disappeared into the darkness behind the staircase, climbing down the ladder into the basement.
It was completely vacant, as no one in the inn was permitted to enter the basement other than the branch manager.
Jihan immediately found his target, a large box filled with proof of illicit dealings and falsified records.
Yet he only picked up the box and moved it, revealing a large iron safe in the wall.
Using the key he had "borrowed" from the bartender, Jihan opened the safe without difficulty, revealing a space filled near completely with bags of gold.
Gold was the universal currency of Synchronize, and was an accepted form of payment almost everywhere in the game.
And the 3rd Branch of the Black Hand would naturally have quite a lot of money, considering it's location and somewhat legitimate tavern business.
Of course, it's gold was now Jihan's. He emptied the basement of valuables in true thief fashion, stealing everything from documents to resources that had been stockpiled.
Zeref watched silently from within his shadow, concern imminent on his face. But he did not say anything, for questioning the founder was no different from asking to die.
'I never knew the founder was such a... unique person.' Zeref thought, watching the hooded man leave the basement as if he was never there, every single item of value now safely stored within his inventory.
Jihan walked out of the inn without another word being spoken, whistling happily as he walked down the street.
There truly was nothing like scamming people, Jihan thought.