Ivan placed the sealed parchment inside his worn leather pouch and stepped out into the morning haze of the slums. The wind brushed gently against the tattered cloak he wore, his footsteps silent against the cracked cobblestones. His eyes scanned the quiet alleyways, checking for any onlookers. After taking a few more turns into the tighter, more desolate corridors, his figure shimmered faintly—like a heatwave distorting the air.
Where Ivan once stood, now stood Len—the beautiful, mild-mannered receptionist of the Adventurer's Guild. Her soft features and the familiar guild uniform appeared without flaw. With a confident smirk, Ivan adjusted the blouse slightly to better fit his illusion. He had no intention of dragging this on longer than necessary.
"Time to let the rats devour each other," he muttered.
He headed toward the more affluent quarter of Gesir City, where cobbled streets were cleaner and guards posted at every major entrance. The destination was a small mansion owned by Young Master Vince, a noble closely tied to the academy and the reason Ivan's rank had stagnated. His plan was simple—be seen as Len entering the mansion, then let chaos unfold when the young noble turned up dead.
As he approached the gates, a pair of guards stiffened. One stepped forward, spear ready.
"Stop right there! This is private property. Young Master Vince is not accepting visitors."
Ivan offered a small, sheepish smile as he tilted his head and gave a small wink.
"Come now, don't be like that. Your young master sent for me personally. Something about... handling private matters."
The first guard hesitated, the firmness in his stance faltering as a tinge of red bloomed across his cheeks.
The second guard looked at his companion and then nodded slowly. "He did mention expecting someone, though he didn't say who. Well, it figures it'd be someone like you... Len, was it?" He turned slightly and motioned for Ivan to follow. "Come, I'll escort you to his office."
Ivan offered a sweet giggle and followed.
As they moved through the lush gardens surrounding the mansion, Ivan couldn't help but notice the extravagance. Flowering shrubs imported from distant lands, a marble fountain shaped like a phoenix, and maids tending to the pathways in silence. It was a whole different world here.
As they passed a hallway filled with decorative vases and portraits, Ivan briefly paused before one closed door. A strange aura seemed to seep from within. The guard noticed his lingering.
"Keep moving. That's just the master's study," he said flatly.
"Of course," Ivan replied innocently, and continued walking.
Moments later, they stood before a heavy oak door.
"Here's the young master's office. You may enter."
Ivan smiled. "Thank you, kind sir."
As the guard departed, Ivan took a breath and knocked.
"Who is it?" a voice asked from inside.
"Len, from the guild. Guild master have something to give to you."
There was a pause.
"Ah, yes. Come in."
Ivan opened the door and stepped in. Young Master Vince, a man barely into his twenties, sat at a large desk covered in open scrolls and sealed letters. He looked up with a mixture of surprise and pleasure.
"Len? To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Ivan smiled shyly, stepping in and closing the door behind him. "The Guild Master said to bring a special gift... just for you."
He moved closer, slowly unbuttoning the top of his blouse. Vince's eyes widened as his lips curled into a hungry grin.
"Now this... is a gift I can accept."
As he reached out, Ivan struck. With a flick of the wrist, a small dagger slid from his sleeve and pierced directly into Vince's throat. The noble's eyes bulged, a gurgled gasp escaping as blood poured out. The strike was clean, silent, and merciless.
Vince's body slumped forward, hitting the desk with a heavy thud. Ivan wasted no time. He quickly dragged the body to a nearby cabinet, cramming it inside. He wiped the blood from the floor with the noble's own cloak.
Just as he was about to leave, something caught his eye—a faint glimmer beneath a stack of scrolls. Ivan reached out and lifted them carefully. His eyes widened.
A single, perfectly-cut Magic Crystal.
"You spoiled little worm... What were you doing with this?"
He turned it over in his palm, the gem pulsing faintly with stored energy. A resource so rare, worth more than a king's ransom. To think this child had one idly tucked away in his drawer.
Ivan pocketed it quickly. That changed everything.
He glanced back once more, adjusting his illusion before stepping out of the room with the same angelic smile he wore when entering.