Lloyd POV
Stephanie's voice jolted me out of my thoughts, her hand connecting with the back of my head in a sharp smack. "Lloyd? Lloyd, are you paying attention?"
"Ow, why are you hitting me?" I protested, feeling irritated by the sudden interruption. I had been engrossed in my own thoughts, lost in my own world.
"I've been calling your name for a while, but you seemed completely zoned out," she explained, offering me a hand up.
Rubbing the back of my head, I realized she was right. My mind had been preoccupied with thoughts of the Overlord and the implications of his return. It was exhausting to deal with him, especially considering I had only faced him once before. Contemplating how to seal him away or even turn him into my servant occupied my every waking moment.
But amidst these thoughts, another realization dawned on me: Pluto. In my past life, he had been fueled by revenge and hatred, but now he seemed to rely on me more than ever. It was time to cut the leash and focus on my own goals. I didn't have the luxury of babysitting; I needed to become stronger, and I needed Pluto to do the same.
"The leader is calling you," She informed me. "You have improved drastically."
With a determined nod, I made my way to the Leader's quarters. The anticipation coursed through me as I approached, knowing that this meeting could mark the beginning of my first mission. While some might tremble at the thought of taking a life, I found solace in the familiarity of such tasks. After all, I had done it countless times before.
As I entered the room filled with monitAs I entered the room filled with monitors, the Leader's presence loomed large. Despite the gravity of the situation, I maintained a calm exterior, masking any hint of nervousness. After all, I had been trained for this moment, honing my skills to perfection.
The Leader's gaze met mine, and I braced myself for what was to come. With a sense of readiness, I stood tall, awaiting his command. This was it – the moment I had been preparing for, the culmination of days of training and dedication.
The weight of the mission bore down on me as I accepted the file from the Leader's outstretched hand. With a solemn nod, he issued his warning, a reminder not to falter in the face of adversity. I understood the gravity of his words, knowing that failure was not an option.
Opening the file, I studied the contents with a sharp focus, committing every detail to memory. The target's profile revealed a figure shrouded in deceit and corruption, a fitting mark for my inaugural mission. Their involvement in criminal activities made them a justifiable target, and I knew that eliminating them would serve the greater good.
Closing the file, I knelt before the Leader, a gesture of respect and acknowledgment of the task ahead. With determination burning within me, I rose to my feet, ready to embark on this mission of utmost importance.
"I will handle this," I affirmed, my voice steady and resolute as I exited the room. There was no room for hesitation or doubt – only swift and decisive action would ensure the success of my mission.
…
As the helicopter blades sliced through the air above me, I braced myself for the daunting task ahead. Each rotation of the blades seemed to amplify the nervous flutter in my stomach, a reminder of the weight of the mission resting on my shoulders. This wasn't just any assignment—it was the defining moment of my existence, a pivotal juncture that would echo through the annals of time.
Ensuring that every detail of my disguise was flawless, I prepared to infiltrate the heart of the enemy's territory. Disguised as a member of the hotel staff, I slipped past security undetected, my senses sharp and my pulse steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Inside the hotel, the atmosphere crackled with tension as the corrupted figurehead held court, surrounded by his loyal minions. With bated breath, I observed from the shadows, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Failure was not an option—I couldn't afford to mess up, not with the stakes so high.
When the meeting finally adjourned and the room cleared, I sprang into action, moving with the precision of a well-trained predator. Subduing a member of the entourage, I assumed their identity, seamlessly blending into the shadows as I made my way towards my target.
As I entered the inner sanctum, the figurehead greeted me with a disarming smile, oblivious to the danger lurking beneath my facade. With practiced ease, I drew my weapon, the familiar weight comforting in my grip. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I took aim, my focus unwavering despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
The gunshot shattered the silence, a deafening roar that echoed through the room as the figurehead crumpled to the ground, his expression frozen in disbelief. In the chaos that ensued, I melted into the shadows, a ghost slipping away into the night, leaving no trace of my presence behind.
Returning to the helicopter, a sense of relief washed over me as I realized that my mission was complete. But as I reported back to the leader at Sapphire Hotel, I knew that this was just the beginning. In the clandestine world of assassins, there were always more shadows to explore, more secrets to uncover. And as long as there were corrupted figures to be dealt with, I would be there, a silent force moving through the darkness, shaping the course of history with every step.
As I retraced my steps through the labyrinthine corridors of the hotel, I felt a mixture of relief and exhaustion washing over me. The weight of the mission had lifted from my shoulders, but the gravity of what I had done lingered in the air.
With each step, the echoes of my footsteps reverberated through the silent hallways, a solemn reminder of the path I had chosen. The monotony of the surroundings contrasted sharply with the turmoil brewing within me.
Finally reaching the monitor room, I handed the weapon back to the leader, a silent exchange laden with unspoken tension. His expression betrayed nothing as he accepted the firearm, his eyes piercing through the facade I had meticulously crafted.
Turning away, I made my way back to the room I had been occupying, seeking solace in the familiar confines of solitude. The door creaked softly as I pushed it open, the room enveloping me in its dimly lit embrace.
Collapsing onto the bed, I let out a heavy sigh, my thoughts swirling with the events of the day. The weight of my actions hung heavily on my conscience, a burden I couldn't shake.
As I lay there in the darkness, the silence of the room enveloped me like a suffocating shroud. I closed my eyes, longing for the respite of sleep to dull the edges of my tumultuous emotions.
"I need Pluto to be stronger," I muttered to myself, the words a silent vow. "I can't afford to waste any more time here."
With each turn, I felt the weight of my decisions pressing down on me. I knew that I couldn't force Pluto to become stronger, but I was determined to do everything in my power to expedite his training.
Time was slipping away, and the urgency gnawed at me. We couldn't afford to stay in this place any longer than necessary. Our destiny awaited us, and I refused to let anything stand in our way.
As I contemplated our next move, a sense of resolve washed over me. I had to find a way to push Pluto beyond his limits, to unlock his full potential and prepare him for what lay ahead.
With a determined glint in my eyes, I steeled myself for the challenges to come. There was no time to waste—I had a mission to fulfill, and nothing would deter me from my path.
But even in the embrace of slumber, I knew that the echoes of my choices would continue to haunt me, a constant reminder of the sacrifices I had made in pursuit of my goals.