The Cross Estate loomed in the moonlight, a sprawling mansion surrounded by high walls and patrolling guards. The noble district was far removed from the filth of the underworld Leon had been operating in, but tonight, blood would be spilled here all the same.
Leon crouched on a rooftop across the street, Iris beside him. He studied the guards' movements—patterned, precise, but not perfect. Every defense had a weakness.
Iris whispered, "You sure about this? Killing a noble isn't the same as some merchant or thug."
Leon smirked. "That's why it's exciting."
She sighed. "You really don't know when to be afraid, do you?"
Leon didn't answer. He was too focused. This was his biggest kill yet, and he wasn't about to fail.
Breaking In
They moved like shadows, slipping past patrols, scaling the stone walls, and landing softly in the estate's garden. The air was thick with the scent of roses, a sharp contrast to the death about to unfold.
Leon signaled to Iris. "You take the servants' entrance. I'll go through the balcony."
She nodded and disappeared into the darkness.
Leon climbed the ivy-covered wall with ease, reaching the second-floor balcony. He peeked inside—a lavish study, lit by candlelight.
A single guard stood inside, his back turned. Easy.
Leon slipped in, moving silently.
The guard didn't even have time to scream before Leon's dagger slid across his throat. Blood spilled onto the carpet as Leon lowered him gently to the floor.
He wiped the blade clean. One down.
A Trap Waiting to Spring
Leon moved through the halls, avoiding patrolling servants. He found the master bedroom at the end of a long corridor. The door was slightly ajar, candlelight flickering inside.
Too easy.
He stepped inside cautiously—
Click.
A wire snapped beneath his foot.
Leon's instincts screamed at him—he dove forward just as blades shot out from the walls, slicing through the air where he had been standing.
Damn it. This wasn't just some pampered noble—Cross had been expecting assassins.
Leon rolled to his feet, eyes scanning the room.
A slow clap echoed from the corner.
Lord Edwin Cross sat in a grand chair, his long dark robe making him look like a king in his throne. A glass of wine in one hand, a dagger in the other.
"Well, well," Cross mused. "Another would-be killer. And here I thought the Black Vipers had standards."
Leon smirked. "I'm not with them."
Cross chuckled. "Even worse. A freelancer? How disappointing."
Leon's grip tightened on his sword. "Enough talking. You die tonight."
Cross sighed. "Pity. I was hoping for entertainment."
The Duel
Cross moved faster than any noble Leon had seen. He wasn't just some politician—he was a trained killer.
Their blades clashed, sparks flying as steel met steel.
Leon ducked under a slash, countering with a brutal strike. Cross twisted at the last second, avoiding a fatal blow but getting a deep gash along his side.
He hissed. "Not bad."
Leon pressed forward, attacking relentlessly. Cross blocked, countered, but he was slower now, bleeding.
Victory was close—
Then the door burst open.
Iris stumbled inside, blood on her cheek, breathing hard. "We have a problem."
Behind her, five heavily armed guards stormed in.
Leon cursed. So much for a clean kill.
Cross laughed, despite his wound. "Looks like I'm not the only one who set a trap."
A Desperate Escape
The guards attacked. Leon barely blocked the first strike, the force sending him staggering.
Iris threw a dagger, hitting one in the throat, but the others kept coming.
Leon slashed, dodged, countered, moving with everything he had. He took down another guard, but one landed a hit—a sword slicing across his shoulder.
Pain flared, but he pushed through it. No way in hell was he dying here.
Iris grabbed his arm. "We need to go. Now."
Leon growled, looking at Cross, who smirked despite his injury.
Killing him now would be impossible.
Damn it. This wasn't how he wanted it to go.
But they had no choice.
Leon grabbed a chair and threw it through the window. Glass shattered, moonlight pouring in.
Without hesitation, he jumped.
Iris followed, landing beside him in the garden.
Shouts echoed behind them, but they were already running into the night.
The mission was a disaster.
But Leon wasn't done yet.
Cross had escaped this time.
Next time? Leon would make sure the noble bastard didn't get back up.
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