Michael shot up to the face of consciousness. An unfamiliar ceiling was first potrayed before his eyes. He sat up and unattached the blanket that kept him covered, his butt felt warmly placed on a large, soft bed. It had been never since he'd had this kind of privilege.
Where was he?
He blinked off the tear that daylight had formed in his eyes. Looking around he realized he was a room so big and sophisticated that it could only fit into a mansion. Why was he here? He racked his brain for the answers and eventually remembered.
The previous night hadn't favoured him. Had he just decided to commence his heist and hunt on the A-Rank Classes only to be defeated by the least strongest one amongst them, The rank 50. Hypothetically, he had been defeated because of his perverted state. And it remained a suprise to him that he still wasn't dead.
"I just like my things slow-paced." He remembered those were the last words he had heard from her before he fell unconscious.
Well, that is quite unfortunate. He didn't intend staying around for that long.
He stood and carefully walked out the room. He had only been stealthily making past every corridor there was, trying to find an exit. But it only felt like he was going through a loop, with every flower vase and wall paintings reappearing as he treaded forward.
"What, is this the revenge?" He stared doubtfully at the hallway. "Pretty lame I suppose."
Just then everything around him disappeared, and suddenly, he was outside the mansion. On a decorative grassland with a waterfall admist it. How that had happened, he didn't know who to question. Afterall, he seemed to have been the only one in this lone environment.
Maybe he concluded too fast. Because looking right, he saw the girl who'd gotten him into all of these mess. She sat under a shed, a hot cup of tea brimming in her hands. Her eyes were closed and fumbled like an oracle trying to see through divination. But she wasn't right? She had even used summoning type powers against him when she formed a clone.
And being an oracle was a special type power. It wasn't possible that one person could have two power types.
In the course of his thoughts, the girl looked over at him and smiled. It was like she was satisfied by the confused look on his face. "Are you just gonna stand and stare all day?" She asked.
Michael first didn't feel the need to talk to her. But unfortunately, he didn't know where he was, or how to get out of the place. And even worse, he wasn't in any shape to engage her in a fight. Somehow, his magic hadn't been able to work in this place.
And if he needed to carry on with his primary agenda, he had to survive at the least. As he walked towards the shed and met her gentle looking eyes, he was certain he could convince her to let him live.
If his adamance was soluble— that is.
"Who the hell are you?" He asked trying to hint a serious look at her as he took a seat. This time however, he was trying not to look anywhere beneath her eyes.
"Tea?" The moment she asked, a busty maid appeared from nowhere, served brown tea into a small cup set it before Michael. Boy was he tired of all this sophistication? And besides... He never drank tea. He rather stared disgustedly at the cup.
"Quit doubting." The girl noticed him. "If I wanted to kill you I'd have done that long ago."
Michael's eyes browed questioningly at her. "You didn't answer my question, I said who the hell are you?" He asked.
"You could say I'm someone who hides beneath the ranks as a decoy for foolish assassins like you."
"Thanks for clearing that up." Michael's fists clenched. "Now, why am I here? Cause I've observed the place and nothing seems fit to be revenge-ish."
"You're right. I've bought you here for other reasons."
"I'm not interested." Michael was quick to decline, but the reflected glint on her blue eyes explained otherwise.
"I didn't mention that you have a choice." She smiled. "Besides, you want to leave here alive don't you?"
"What are you proposing?"
A satisfied chuckle, she placed her cup on its saucer and stared deep into his eyes. "I knew you'd come to understand." She paused and looked around vigilantly. "I want you to— kill the queen."
Michael didn't flinch. Of course, killing the queen was his main agenda. And he didn't need another person telling him what he was going to do eventually.
"I see we both have the same goal already." She observed that look in his eyes, like he had already been harboring the same intent.
The queen was the second and most notable monarch of this world. She was usually undercover, her identity hidden to everyone but the Top 50.
These 50 were separated into three sections; A- Ranks, S-Ranks and the SSS-Ranks. The SSS-Ranks had abilities that surpassed the S-Rank range, they were the rarest type of abilities.
Only 5 people possessed the SSS-Ranks The Rook, Jack, Bishop, Ace and Knight.Together, they were called the heart.
However, as a Card Monarch, Michael had always been driven with the greed to steal other people abilities for himself. He was especially focused on taking SSS-Rank abilities... And usually his purpose was incinerated by the willingness to restitute his dark past.
But had he thought so soon that he was ready? He had already ushered himself into this dangerous expedition, murdering as much C and B-ranks as possible just to steal their abilities and get stronger. But even against an A-Rank, strength had disappointed him.
And now, he was left to agree with her or die while probably living an eternity in this beautifully haunted mansion.
"Why?" He asked. "What is your purpose for wanting the queen dead?"
Afterall, they were supposed to be in accordance with one another. Facts said that they served the queen with unimpeded loyalty and diligence. Why then would she turn her back against the hierarchy?
"That's confidential." She simply said.
"It's confidential but yet you were able to tell ask a random person to kill the queen for you. Your confidence is so ascertain, what makes you think I have the potential to kill an Elite?"
"It's rare to meet an assassin with so much adamance and courage. I had this feeling that your determination might take you places. And I wouldn't want to play away such opportunity." She explained.
Michael was quiet for a short while. "That means you're willing to exchange something in return?"
"What? I already said I'll let you live in return!" She barked. "I'm not playing your games."
"If I die anyways, it wouldn't be of any benefit to you either." He heaved a sigh. "So, in a way.. I'm not really gaining anything here."
That was his life he referred to as a part loss.
BONUS
Name; Michael —
Age; 23
Ability; Card Monarch
Rank; ??
Ability Type; Magic
STAT
Strength; 20
Speed; 65
Agility; 54
Endurance; 12
Trick; 90