Mateo sighed as he gazed at the steaming instant noodles, "Even though it's said that murderers come out on moonless and windy nights, did they really have to choose this moment? I was planning on having a late-night snack." Just as he finished speaking, the muzzle of a gun pressed against the back of his head, but Mateo remained unfazed.
Casually attempting to pick up his fork with his right hand, Mateo let it drop onto the table. He paused, remembering that his right hand was disabled. Using his left hand, he awkwardly picked up the fork and stirred the instant noodles.
He smiled wryly at the man behind him, "Am I not in a bad state enough for the organization to let me go?"
The man looked at Mateo's weak right hand and fell silent for a moment, "You know, the organization won't allow any assassin to leave, and those who no longer have any use are destined to die."
Mateo lowered his gaze, and stirred the noodles with the fork in an uneven rhythm, "Tell me, have you ever treated me like a brother?"
The man hesitated, and at that moment, Mateo swiftly raised the fork and plunged it into the man's arm holding the gun. Surprisingly, the fork penetrated the man's flesh despite its dull edge.
"Ah—"
Seizing the opportunity, Mateo snatched the gun and kicked the man to the ground. He coldly chuckled, "Unfortunately, I never considered you a brother."
The man's face shifted from anger to a fleeting smirk, "I knew the fifth-ranked assassin in the world wouldn't be easy to handle, but there were no bullets in the gun."
Mateo furrowed his brow; he hadn't noticed the weight of bullets in the gun. In that split second of distraction, the man swiftly produced a knife and lunged toward Mateo's thigh.
Mateo let out a muffled groan as the blade pierced his thigh, yet the man clamped onto Mateo's neck with a relentless grip.
"Cough... cough..." Mateo struggled with all his might, his face turning red, but the man's grip was unbelievably strong, his eyes gleaming with madness, "Do you know? I've wanted to kill you for a long time! Actually, I was the one who orchestrated the injury to your right hand! Do you know why? Because once you're dead, I'll be the fifth-ranked!"
The man currently ranked sixth, and he was only a step away from Mateo's rank, but still, the privileges Mateo received were significantly higher than his.
Mateo cursed inwardly; he had no choice but to accommodate him.
Expending nearly all his strength, Mateo managed to stretch his hand toward the table.
With a swift press in a certain spot, something on the table exploded and engulfed both of them.
The man's indignant roar echoed in Mateo's ears as he closed his eyes, and slipped into eternal slumber.
Ideally, this should have been the end, but when Mateo opened his eyes, he wasn't met with a hospital or hell. Instead, he found himself in a forest with a small river in front of him.
Although he was uncertain about his circumstances, an intense thirst drove him to crawl towards the riverbank.
After quenching his thirst, Mateo caught sight of his reflection in the water. His pupils contracted as he saw the image of a gray wolf, or more accurately, a gray-blue wolf that covered in scars.
As his thoughts spun in confusion, Mateo, finally regaining his composure, couldn't help but recall the fantasy novels he read in his youth—the trope of being reborn in another world.
Annoyed, he left claw marks on the ground. Why did others become princes or young masters after being reborn? Even beggars would do! But here he was, not even a human being anymore!
Engrossed in his self-pity, Mateo failed to notice the figure that had silently approached behind him.
A deep, resonant male voice echoed directly in Mateo's mind, "Intruder, what is your name?"
Although Mateo didn't recognize the language, he could understand it.
"Who?"
Mateo quickly stood up and surveyed his surroundings, spotting an incredibly beautiful wolf.
The pure white body, reminiscent of a young calf, was untarnished, with sleek fur. The large, thick tail added to its majesty. The only non-white part of its body was the golden eyes. While they were beautiful, Mateo couldn't help but think they resembled light bulbs.
Mateo gazed at the white wolf before him with bewilderment, questioning if it was he who spoke.
A trace of helplessness flickered in the wolf's eyes, and it used its mouth this time, "Name?"
Mateo widened his eyes in astonishment—this wolf was talking! But he quickly realized the white wolf was speaking a language he had never heard before, it sounded like just a wolf howls but he could understand the meaning of it.
Mateo looked at the white wolf with annoyance and retorted, "Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking for someone else name?"
"Hmph, I am Landon."
"Mateo."
"Mateo…" Landon studied Mateo and then suddenly exerted an imposing pressure akin to a mountain, "Submit or die?"
Mateo's body began to tremble and start to emanate signals of submission.
The white wolf before him was incredibly powerful, but his pride would not allow him to submit to anyone. Mateo bared his teeth and growled softly.
Landon withdrew his imposing aura and looked at Mateo with satisfaction, "You're quite something."
Although he was a low-level spirit beast, he possessed a proud soul.
A sphere of light entered Mateo from Landon's body, and all the injuries Mateo had suffered were instantly healed.
Mateo stared at Landon in astonishment, his heart in turmoil. What was that thing?! Could he really have been transported to a different world?!
Approaching Mateo, Landon stopped a few steps away.
Mateo tensed his body, ready to strike if Landon made any sudden movements. Landon cast a disdainful glance at him, "You're an outsider. I doubt you can survive here without knowing anything."
He was right, and Mateo was well aware. He also realized that Landon could easily harm him if he wished to. With that in mind, Mateo relaxed his body.
Landon took a step closer, biting the back of Mateo's neck and lifting him up. Before Mateo could react, Landon was already running at an astonishing speed.
Later, Mateo marveled at its speed, surpassing the speed of a Ferrari.
Landon set Mateo down in a cave. Mateo who feeling dizzy and nauseous, managed to stand up.
He observed the cave and noticed floating spheres of light that illuminated the surroundings.
Looking at Mateo, Landon said, "From now on, I will teach you everything about this place."