The agency was quiet except for the soft hum of the pedestal in the center of the hall. Alina was still experimenting with Shadowstep, her form flickering between visibility and complete concealment as she tested its limits. Raven watched her progress with satisfaction but also a tinge of impatience. The system had introduced rapid growth opportunities, but what good were skills if they weren't tested in the field?
The thought barely finished forming when the system chimed and the red door opened revealing a fainted man covered in dry blood.
Raven rushed to the man's side and carried him to a guest residence, making sure his injuries wouldn't worsen.
"Mission Notification: A high-profile contract has been submitted. Objective: Assassinate an underground arms dealer in the city of Korth. Secondary Objective: Recover sensitive documents related to illicit trade. Reward: 5,000 Moonlit Coins and additional bonuses based on mission efficiency."
Raven straightened, his monocle flickering with details about the mission. A holographic map of Korth appeared before him, marking the target's last known location and potential areas of operation.
Alina materialized out of the shadows, her curiosity piqued by Raven's sudden focus. "What's the deal?" she asked, brushing her hair back as if the intense training hadn't even fazed her.
"We've got a mission," Raven replied, sending the details to her system interface. "High-profile target. Underground arms dealer. Looks like they're trying to expand into territory that someone doesn't want them in."
Alina skimmed the details, a smirk creeping across her lips. "Finally, some action. When do we leave?"
"In an hour," Raven said. "We'll need to gear up first. This isn't a simulation anymore."
The two assassins retreated to the armory, a room that had been modestly stocked until the system's upgrades expanded its inventory. Shelves lined with weapons, gadgets, and utility items gleamed under the dim light.
Alina immediately gravitated toward a set of throwing knives that pulsed faintly with energy. "These are new," she noted, picking one up and examining its craftsmanship. "System-made?"
Raven nodded as he selected a pair of collapsible short swords. "The system's upgrades have their perks. But remember—skill trumps gear."
She rolled her eyes. "You sound like a bad motivational poster."
Ignoring her, Raven adjusted his gear and placed his monocle over his right eye, syncing it to the mission's objectives. The interface displayed a live feed of their progress, complete with stealth indicators and a heat map of potential enemy movements.
As they finished preparing, Raven spoke, his tone more serious. "This mission is going to be different. No second chances, no resets. If we mess up, we don't get to try again."
Alina nodded, her playful demeanor replaced by calm determination. "Don't worry, boss. I'm not planning to screw this up."
Korth was a city shrouded in perpetual gloom, its skyline pierced by jagged towers that loomed over narrow streets. The atmosphere reeked of desperation and danger, a perfect breeding ground for crime syndicates like the one they were targeting.
Raven and Alina slipped into the city under the cover of night, their presence cloaked by Shadowstep. The technique allowed them to move undetected through the labyrinthine streets, avoiding patrols and blending seamlessly with the shadows.
Their first stop was a derelict building that overlooked the target's suspected hideout—a nondescript warehouse nestled between a fish market and a textile factory. From their vantage point, they could see armed guards patrolling the perimeter.
Raven activated his monocle, zooming in on the scene below. "The place is fortified," he muttered. "Guards on every corner, likely more inside."
Alina crouched beside him, her sharp eyes scanning the area. "Looks like overkill for an arms dealer. Either this guy's paranoid, or he's sitting on something big."
"Probably both," Raven replied. "The system mentioned sensitive documents. If we can retrieve them, we'll get a bigger reward."
She grinned. "You had me at 'bigger reward.' What's the plan?"
Raven outlined the approach quickly. They would split up, each entering from opposite sides of the warehouse. Alina's role was to create distractions, taking out guards silently to thin their numbers. Meanwhile, Raven would infiltrate the main office and secure the documents.
As they moved into position, the tension in the air was palpable. Raven's heart raced, but his mind remained sharp. Years of experience had taught him how to suppress fear, channeling it into focus.
Alina struck first, her movements a blur as she used Shadowstep to close the distance between her and an unsuspecting guard. Her dagger glinted in the dim light before it plunged into the man's side. She lowered him gently to the ground, her movements precise and silent.
Raven slipped through an open window, his breathing steady as he scanned the interior of the warehouse. Crates and barrels were stacked haphazardly, creating a maze-like environment. The sound of voices echoed faintly from deeper within, where the guards were stationed.
He activated his monocle's heat-sensing feature, identifying three figures in the next room. Drawing his short swords, he moved swiftly, dispatching two of them before they even realized he was there. The third turned, raising his weapon, but Raven was faster, his blade finding its mark.
Alina's voice crackled softly through their comms. "Guards outside are dealt with. How's it going on your end?"
"Making progress," Raven replied. "Heading to the main office now. Keep an eye out for reinforcements."
"Always," she quipped.
The main office was heavily secured, with a reinforced door and biometric locks. Raven paused, assessing his options. The system provided a new feature: Lock Bypass, a utility that consumed Moonlit Coins to override advanced security measures.
"System, use Lock Bypass," he commanded.
A faint blue glow enveloped the lock, and within moments, the door clicked open. Raven stepped inside, his monocle scanning the room for the documents.
Stacks of papers and ledgers covered the desk, but one drawer in particular stood out. It was reinforced, much like the door. Raven repeated the bypass process, and the drawer slid open to reveal a sleek, data-encrypted drive.
"Got it," he muttered, slipping the drive into a secure pouch.
Suddenly, the system chimed: "Warning: Reinforcements detected."
Raven cursed under his breath. "Alina, we've got company."
"On it," she replied. "I'll hold them off. Get what we came for and meet me at the extraction point."
As Raven exited the office, he felt a shift in the air. The guards outside weren't just reinforcements—they were elite operatives, moving with precision and purpose. This wasn't a standard response.
He activated Shadowstep, blending into the darkness as he made his way toward the rendezvous point. Alina's voice crackled in his ear again, this time strained.
"These guys aren't your average grunts," she said. "They're trained, and they know what they're doing."
"Stay focused," Raven replied. "We'll get through this."
But as he approached the extraction point, he realized they were walking into a trap.