The Free World basked in the golden glow of a hot afternoon. Its streets were alive with the rhythm of daily life—marketers shouting deals, children running between stalls, the clinking of beer mugs in taverns, and the occasional chuckle of street performers entertaining passersby. The air smelled of grilled meat, fresh produce, and spices, mingling with the faint metallic tang of armor from the patrolling Sentinels.
The city was a tapestry of activity and laughter, but high above, the mood was anything but jovial.
On the rooftop of a towering building overlooking the bustling market square, two shadowy figures stood—Viper and Shade, members of the Black Vanguard. Clad in dark, tactical armor with hoods shrouding their faces, their presence was a stark contrast to the lively energy below. They radiated an aura of precision and lethality.
Shade adjusted his gauntlet, a faint shimmer of his ability, Death Mark, rippling over the surface. His hollow, monotone voice cut through the stillness. "You know your task, Viper. One shot. No errors. Jingwei doesn't walk away from this."
"Relax," Viper replied, his tone dripping with confidence. He pulled out his customized sniper rifle—black, sleek, and equipped with a glowing scope. The weapon hummed with faint energy as he calibrated its settings. "With this bad boy, I don't miss. Especially with your help."
Viper activated his Thermal Vision, his eyes glowing faintly orange beneath his hood. Instantly, the city below transformed into a world of heat signatures. People's silhouettes radiated vibrant hues of yellow and red, even behind walls and closed doors. The noise and chaos of the market faded from his awareness as he scanned the cityscape with laser focus.
His scope panned eastward, finally locking onto a lone heat signature within a fortified office building—Jingwei, the Sentinel Commander. The figure was seated at his desk, scribbling on a parchment with a calm demeanor, unaware of the crosshairs trained on him.
"Got ya," Viper muttered, his voice low and predatory.
The Approach from the East
Meanwhile, from the eastern district of the city, Captain Reinki and Saria, two more members of the Black Vanguard, advanced with purpose. Reinki, a towering figure with a permanent scowl etched onto his rugged face, muttered under his breath, "I'm getting real tired of the boss tossing us into these suicide missions."
Saria, shorter but no less intimidating, snapped back coldly, "Stop whining, Reinki. You're not paid to think. You're paid to act."
Reinki grumbled but fell silent, his massive axe resting on his shoulder as they continued their march through the alleyways toward the city center. Saria's sharp eyes scanned their surroundings, her twin daggers glinting in the afternoon sun. Every step they took exuded purpose, their presence unnoticed by the lively crowd.
The Shot That Cannot Miss
Back atop the building, Viper smirked as his finger hovered over the trigger. "Jingwei, meet your maker."
Shade stepped closer, his gauntlet glowing faintly as he extended his hand toward the rifle. With a whispered chant, he activated Death Mark, embedding an invisible curse into Viper's weapon. The energy around the rifle intensified, its hum growing more potent.
"Now," Shade said, his voice devoid of emotion, "the bullet knows its target. Jingwei's name is written in death. Even if he moves, it will find him."
Viper nodded, the confidence in his eyes growing sharper. He pulled the trigger.
The gun roared with a soundless, eerie pulse as the bullet left the barrel. The round was no ordinary projectile—it shimmered with dark energy, cutting through the air faster than sound itself. Infinite Range ensured no distance could weaken its precision, while Shade's Death Mark turned it into a guided missile of pure destruction.
The Silent Kill in Progress
The bullet soared invisibly across the city, weaving effortlessly through obstacles. It curved around towers, passed through open windows, and adjusted its trajectory with unnerving intelligence, all while retaining its unrelenting speed. No Sentinel or barrier could detect its presence, as the shot was designed to be untraceable until it struck its target.
Inside his office, Jingwei sat upright at his desk, the faint scratch of his quill against parchment the only sound in the room. He reached for his tea, his sharp senses suddenly tingling with unease. His gaze snapped toward the window as if sensing the approaching danger, but it was already too late.
The bullet was seconds away from impact.