The Midnight Circus isn't the kind of circus that entertains people with acrobatic performances and clowns. It's the name of a notorious assassin organization. Ethan had heard about this group during his time at the academy. Rumors said the organization was vast, covering the entire Aslan Empire and even beyond, to any place where humans lived.
The assassins in the Midnight Circus were known as "clowns" because they always wore clown masks during their operations. They used a variety of strange tools for their assassinations, such as buttons, pins, and even playing cards—everyday items that people wouldn't typically consider dangerous.
Their assassination methods were incredibly covert, making them difficult to counter. More troubling was their policy of killing anyone for the right price, from emperors to beggars. Once they accepted a mission, they wouldn't stop until it was completed, and they had never failed.
This relentless nature caused many nobles to live in constant fear, hating the Midnight Circus to their core. The Emperor of the Aslan Empire had even ordered several crackdowns on the organization, but the group was adept at evading capture, each time emerging unscathed. These failed attempts to eliminate them only enhanced their infamy.
Knowing that he was now a target of the Midnight Circus, Ethan felt a chill run down his spine.
"I can't believe Landon went this far, hiring the Midnight Circus."
"And it's an assassin who uses playing cards—likely a superhuman assassin. Without the reinforcement of their abilities, playing cards couldn't be lethal."
"This is bad. How am I supposed to survive this?"
"Even if I get through tonight, I won't have any peace in the future."
"Damn the Midnight Circus!"
Ethan cursed silently but quickly pushed aside his anxiety, accepting his situation. Acceptance didn't mean surrender, though. Ethan steadied his mind, contemplating his next move, and bolstered his resolve. In times like these, maintaining hope was crucial.
"If you have no failures in your record, I'll be the first!"
Ethan took a deep breath, grabbed his sword, and left the bar. As he exited, he scanned the area. He couldn't see the assassin or sense his presence, but he was certain the assassin was nearby.
"My advantage is that the assassin doesn't know I've identified him. If I can launch a surprise attack, I might be able to take him out in one blow. But he needs to come close first."
With that in mind, Ethan walked casually down the street, appearing relaxed. He needed to find a favorable location, recalling the layout of Maro City.
"If I can't control the time of the ambush, at least I can choose a favorable terrain. This way, if the first plan fails, I'll have alternatives."
"If the assassin uses playing cards, he's undoubtedly superhuman. But as long as he's not using melee weapons, my blocking skills should be able to deflect the cards' force."
"Given this, using my endless block and counterattack techniques, I should be able to take him down. The key is ensuring he can't escape. Otherwise, I'll be living in constant fear."
"A place like a cage would be ideal, where I can trap and kill him. If another assassin is sent later, I'll deal with that then."
As Ethan walked, he suddenly felt someone following him.
"Yes, that's the same aura!" Ethan didn't turn around, keeping his pace and breathing steady, maintaining his original rhythm while silently urging the assassin to come closer.
"Come on, follow me. You want to kill me, right? Come closer!"
Ethan's senses were on high alert, waiting for the assassin to come within sword range for a decisive strike. However, the assassin maintained a distance of 25 to 30 meters, neither too close nor too far, simply trailing him. Ethan realized the assassin was exceptionally patient.
"I need to give him an opportunity, or he won't take the bait."
Spotting a street vendor selling sausages and other snacks ahead, Ethan approached, bought some sausages, and stood eating them. Behind him, hidden in the shadows of an alleyway, Erik leaned against a wall.
Erik was indeed a killer from the Midnight Circus, sent to assassinate Ethan. Orphaned at a young age and left with nothing, Erik had joined the Midnight Circus for survival, undergoing rigorous training from a tender age. He awakened his superhuman abilities at thirteen, his life transforming dramatically.
His first act upon gaining power was to kill the relatives who had taken everything from him, although his inexperience nearly got him killed. The scar on his face, a reminder of that early blunder, constantly reminded him to be cautious. His meticulous nature ensured he never failed a mission in over thirty years.
Despite the target being a mere sixteen-year-old, Erik didn't underestimate Ethan, hesitating because he hadn't found the perfect moment to strike.
Assassination wasn't about brute strength or direct confrontation. That was dueling, not assassination. The best assassinations were sudden and unexpected, relying on surprise attacks.
While there were several chances to strike during their walk, with people frequently passing by, Erik refrained. His instincts warned him it was too risky.
"It's been years since I faced such a tricky target."
"Even with his back to me, his vigilance is high. He always maintains space to draw his sword quickly, even in crowds."
"It's as if he knows I'm following him."
"How did he sense me from this distance while I'm hiding my presence?"
As Erik pondered, he noticed Ethan casually eating sausages, both hands occupied. He felt an opportunity but quickly dismissed it.
"If he's aware of me, he could drop the sausages and draw his sword instantly. No, it's too risky."
Suddenly, Ethan turned into an alley, and Erik heard a strange noise from within. Fearing he might lose his target, Erik rushed forward, only to find the alley empty.
He quickened his pace, but the alley led to a dead end.
"Not good!"
Realizing the trap, Erik looked up just in time to see a shadow descending upon him.