Zenin Days

[Author Note]

Disc: HrPrTeam

Hey guys. I'm going to take a week's break to stockpile chapters and chill so I don't burn myself out.

The last thing I want is to feel like I'm forced to do this since it's fun.

...

I totally didn't kill Uzuki because he killed Rion, trust.

__________

Rion P.O.V.

*splat*

I shoved a dagger through a woman's throat.

Finally, I'm done for today. That makes three.

I glance at my target and notice that it is a sixteen-year-old girl.

I've really become desensitized to killing. It's suitable for an assassin, but I'm starting to hate it.

Not because it's difficult for me or I feel bad for the target, but because of someone else.

Akira.

This is a profession where you can easily die if one thing goes wrong.

I never want her to experience this life since I'm unable to be there for her 24/7.

It's why I trained her to use a gun, albeit unsuccessfully and taught her how to see The Paths.

The main problem is that she looks up to me.

It is nice that she cares about me, but using me as a model is a way for her to get herself killed.

I've been considering quitting this profession, but I'm extremely good at it, and my body is built to kill. The thought of someone putting a hit on Akira is one of the worst things that could happen.

This really isn't like me, but I'd kill my own heart for the kid.

It's ironic, built to be an assassin but wanting to protect someone. It's almost funny how ridiculous it sounds.

Then, I think back to what I heard during the escort mission.

...

"I've got a kid."

...

I still don't know what Toji's story is, but thinking about it irritates me.

Prying into someone's personal life is stupid and rude as an assassin, but I haven't seen him with his kid once.

Given that he looks to be around 18-20 years old, the kid is likely extremely young.

In the best-case scenario, he is staying out of his life to protect him from this assassin shit, but I hope that he didn't abandon him.

He gives off that aura, but talking to him paints a different picture.

Whatever, it's none of my business anyway. If he wants to tell me, he can, so it's useless to think about it.

Alright, it's time to head on back. I feel disgusting after walking around and killing all day.

It's 7:34 PM, so I should pick something up on the way back.

Noodles sounds good.

...

Our 'apartment' is in Shibuya, which is nice since shops and restaurants are everywhere.

Looking around for a bit, I come across a small noodle stand.

However...

...

*sigh* "Come on, let me get some food."

...

*woosh*

I quickly grab a knife from my pocket and spin around, aiming at The Path, directing me to kill a terrible sneak attack attempt.

*clank*

Something strange happens. The knife didn't pierce the man's skin as it stopped on his neck, only creating a small puncture.

My eyes widened. "It was stopped?"

*bam*

I move my left elbow down to block a strike to the side, but it still does damage.

Flying back, I flip and land on my feet.

My arm shakes since it still hasn't recovered.

What the hell was with that strike? It felt like being hit by a truck. Also, why did my Paths not direct me to the exact killing spot?

It was a 6'5, blonde-haired man with a suit. "So, you're Rion Akao."

I smirked as I flipped the knife to point in the opposite direction. "So, you must be the new freak in town."

How annoying, we're in public.

Someone points at me. "Are you alright, miss?"

Ignoring the civilian, I see three Paths—one toward his heart and two going to his temples.

Given that the first one didn't work, I better focus on what is up with his body so I don't get caught off guard.

He cracks his neck with a smile.

Running at me, he raises his fist, but he's slow.

*whoosh*

I flew past him and sent a kick to the side of his head.

*BAM*

His head doesn't move an inch. "Yeouch!"

I start to fall on the ground as he spins, attempting to grab me.

I've got no plans to get grabbed by him.

Falling, I land on my hands and push the ground away from him, eventually landing on my left foot.

He misses me as I slip out from his mediocre attempt.

Damn, that fuckin hurt. What the hell is his body made of?

My eyes narrow as I think about what has been happening, soothing my right leg at the same time.

His head and neck are ridiculously tough. The rest of his body is most likely the same.

The speed he's shown so far, combined with his body, means that he has something under his skin that reinforces his body.

He yawns. "For an Order member, I expected more. You're quick, but that's about it. He wanted you captured, so I don't think he'll mind if I break your legs."

This is so weird, but if I don't take care of this guy now, he might come after me later. He was able to find me in the street. If he found me here, he'd definitely be able to find me in the apartment.

I smirk. "Nah, I already won."

There are two places I can aim for.

He smiled broadly as he widened his arms, inviting me into a bear hug.

Yeah, I'm not stupid enough for that. "Here's a tip: that's not a good way to pick up girls."

Let's start with the eyes so I can get in close.

*WOOSH*

I have a small smile as I shoot off the ground toward him.

He doesn't move as I jump up, hold a knife out, and fly over his right shoulder, feet first.

As the knife gets closer...

*grab*

What?

His right arm grabbed onto my wrist, and my momentum stopped. "Deception is one of the main qualities of an assassin."

Why can he suddenly react to that!?

*crack*

Ignoring the pain of having my wrist broken, I use my left hand to grab the pistol holstered on the back of my pants.

As he reaches for my neck, The Paths change their direction from his head.

A small smile appears on my face.

*whoosh*

Using his grip on my arm, I fling my body over his left shoulder, following the path right in front of his body.

I move the pistol up toward his nose.

His left-hand turns into a fist as he aims for my face.

While his reactions are faster, his body isn't. "See ya, bozo."

*BANG*

The bullet goes through his nostril and doesn't exit his head.

Since the bullet didn't go all the way through and bounced, it ricocheted throughout his skull, destroying his brain.

*BAM*

The momentum of his fist hits my face even though he is unconscious, and I get sent to the floor.

Shit that hurt. It would've been much worse had he hit me full force.

I look up as he falls to the ground, blood pouring out of his nostrils. I also noticed some brain matter coming out.

He mumbled something. "Damn, Ando."

*boof*

He faceplants, blood pooling around his face.

Ando, huh?

Slowly, I stand up, hopping on one leg. "Fractured leg and cheekbone and a broken wrist."

That was so weird.

...

...

...

It's like he's a superhuman.