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Inside the bustling ballroom, Badr and Yor surveyed the crowd. Yor quickly spotted their target—a middle-aged man with a sharp nose, dressed in an expensive suit.
He looked every bit the successful businessman, but according to Yor's intel, he was a politician who'd sold state secrets for personal gain.
He was currently on the dance floor, his hands wandering a bit too low on his partner's back.
"It's not exactly a convenient place to… take care of him," Badr observed, glancing at the time. The ball seemed likely to continue for a while, making it difficult for Yor to act discreetly.
"I can wait," Yor replied calmly. Patience was one of her strengths. Once she had a target, it was only a matter of time.
"Shall we dance, then?" Badr extended his hand with a smile.
Yor's cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled their previous dance at the embassy. It had been… memorable.
They joined the other couples on the dance floor, moving gracefully to the music. This time, their movements were more relaxed, their bodies swaying gently to the rhythm.
It was the first time Yor had ever danced so casually during a mission. Whenever she was with Badr, the atmosphere felt… different—a strange mix of comfortable and exciting.
After about twenty minutes, their target, growing impatient, led his partner towards the hotel's elevators, flanked by two bodyguards.
"It's time," Yor murmured, sensing her opportunity.
Badr smiled and followed her discreetly.
"I'll wait here," he said as they reached the stairwell.
"Alright."
Badr didn't want to interfere with Yor's work. He was just here for the ride.
Following the scent of the woman's perfume, Yor reached a door, the two bodyguards standing alert outside.
With a flick of her wrist, she launched two golden kunai, disabling the hallway's security cameras. Before the bodyguards could react, she was upon them.
Thud!
A dull impact echoed as their heads collided. Yor preferred non-lethal methods when possible.
She swiped a keycard from one of the unconscious guards and opened the door. The sight that greeted her was… unpleasant.
Two naked figures were writhing on the bed.
Yor's eyes narrowed. She moved swiftly, a golden kunai flashing through the air, embedding itself in the man's temple.
He didn't even see her coming.
She retrieved her kunai and vanished as quickly as she'd appeared.
The woman, who had been lying passively beneath the man, suddenly realized he'd stopped moving.
That was fast.
It's over already?
She opened her eyes, confused.
"Ahhh!"
…
"Pursuit?" Badr muttered, following Yor as they navigated the hotel's hallways. He'd been waiting patiently when Yor reappeared, a bloody kunai in hand, less than a minute later. Unfortunately, the woman's scream, amplified by the bodyguards' intercoms, had alerted the hotel staff.
"I should have taken care of her, too," Yor admitted. "But it's fine. I can handle them. I've dealt with this before."
Badr raised an eyebrow. Apparently, being chased by security wasn't a new experience for her.
He followed at a leisurely pace, neither of them showing any concern. He hadn't even considered intervening.
This was Yor's mission. He was just an observer. Getting involved might only complicate things.
Besides, dealing with ordinary humans was hardly a challenge…
They rounded another corner, and Yor suddenly stopped.
Badr smirked. "They're quick. And there are a lot of them. A dozen, at least."
"I can handle it. Go wait downstairs."
"Alright."
Badr, ever the agreeable companion, turned and jumped out the eleventh-story window.
Yor opened her mouth to protest, but the approaching security guards gave her no time.
"Seize her! She's the Thorn Princess!" one of them shouted.
The name "Thorn Princess" sent a chill down their spines.
This was a notorious assassin!
They were out of their league… but they had no choice but to fight.
Yor's eyes narrowed. She launched a kunai, shattering the hallway lights, plunging the corridor into darkness.
She moved like a phantom, darting through the shadows. A chorus of shouts and thuds echoed as the guards fell, one after another.
In less than ten seconds, they were all unconscious.
"Badr… is he okay…?" she wondered, peering out the window. It was the eleventh floor, after all.
To her relief, she saw him standing calmly below, leaning against a lamppost, looking utterly bored.
Of course he's fine.
She sighed in relief, but her momentary distraction proved costly. Behind her, one of the guards stirred, his hand reaching shakily for his gun.
Bang!
A gunshot echoed through the hotel.
Badr looked up, the sound unmistakable.
Chaos erupted as panicked guests poured out of the ballroom. Badr spotted Yor in the crowd.
Her expression was… off. She was clutching her side, a look of frustration on her face…
They left the hotel together, Badr noticing her unusual demeanor.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. "Did something happen?"
"…It's nothing."
Yor hesitated. She'd been careless, caught off guard. She'd been shot.
Thanks to her quick reflexes, the bullet had only grazed her side… but it still stung like hell.
Badr, however, saw through her attempt to hide her injury.
He frowned, his gaze intense. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"
He moved to examine her side, but Yor tried to turn away. Badr, however, was too quick. He saw the blood staining her dress…
"…Oh."
That explained her discomfort.
...
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