Isekai Assassin: Volume 1

by Grayson Sinclair

  “Leather fits your curves better.” I shook my head, fighting a smile. “But enough fooling around. Let’s poison the food supply and go find Captain Bernard.”

  While Aless took the vials of silent night and began poisoning the food, I grabbed the guards and deposited them on the street, up against a house and in shadow. Unless someone were walking down the street and looked right at them, they’d be hidden.

  By the time I got back, Aless had emptied a number of vials. Parcels of dried goods and barrels of persevered meat and fish were opened, and Aless poured vial after vial into the salted pork.

  “I hope we brought enough; this is a lot of fucking food.”

  “Doesn’t have to be a lot, but it should be enough that the guards will be sleepy and sluggish. Hell, maybe even a few of them will pass out entirely.”

  “Won’t that alert the count that something’s wrong?”

  I nodded. “But by the time he notices, it’ll be too late. He’ll likely eat before anyone else, so he might be the first to fall asleep.”

  After that, the two of us worked in silence, poisoning the entire batch of cargo. There was just enough for everything, and that was good enough for me.

  “Worst case, it does nothing, or only a handful are affected. But it really doesn’t matter. With or without the poison, the count will die by my hand. This just helps.”

  “Well, I’m done here,” Aless said, dropping her last vial of silent night. “I’m just going to wrap everything back up and get rid of the evidence.”

  I smiled. “Good. Rule six. Leave no trace. You’re learning.”

  She blanched slightly. “You did make it abundantly clear what would happen to me if I broke one of your rules.”

  “Wouldn’t have taught them to you if they weren’t worth following. Just keep doing what you’re doing. I’m rather impressed, actually.”

  Aless blushed slightly at my words and turned away slightly, nodding.

  “Go find Captain Bernard. I’ll be here, guarding the wagon.”

  “Be back soon.”

  I left her and went hunting for Captain Bernard. It didn’t take long. I headed up to the Legal District and scouted the area. After a few minutes, I found the Prowler I’d assigned to the captain lurking in an alley.

  They wore a brown cloak and very plain clothing, but I thought it was a man. His hood was up, but I was certain it was one of Aless’s.

  I climbed over the roof and dropped next to him.

  “Where’s Bernard?” I asked.

  He whirled around so fast his hood fell away, revealing a head of thick brown hair and a wispy beard. He was young, maybe just out of his teens.

  “How the─” he began but relaxed when he noticed it was me. “Ah, sorry, Elias. I didn’t realize it was you. You want Bernard?” He thumbed toward the guardhouse. “He’s been in there for most of the morning. Third floor, the corner office is his. ”

  I nodded. “Thanks…Kaiden, right?”

  “That’s me. Nice to meet you again.” He glanced around and then up toward the rooftops. He leaned in close. “Hey, while you’re here. Gotta question for you. Aless is your partner, right? But I was wondering if that’s all she was.”

  I frowned and stared hard at the young man.

  “Because if so, I was─” He looked into my dead eyes and paled. “I was─I’m just going to go. Never mind.”

  Your Killer’s Stare skill has increased by 1! [Killer’s Stare: 9 (Novice)] +25 Exp!

  Kaiden took off like a hellhound was on his trail and fled the alley. I smirked and pulled out the guard armor I stole and began changing into it. I knew it would come in handy, but I didn’t imagine it would be so soon.

  I didn’t relish the idea of infiltrating the guardhouse, but I didn’t have time to waste. I needed that food delivered as soon as possible.

  Once I changed, I stowed a few of my knives on my belt along with my short sword, enough to be deadly if things went wrong but not attract attention. As I strapped the armor on, I double-checked that everything was in place and donned my helmet.

  I immediately hated everything and hated the weight and clanking of the armor with every fiber of my being. I was sluggish, and I couldn’t see how anyone could fight effectively in such attire. But as I walked to the guardhouse, I got over it and shifted the way I walked and carried myself.

  I adopted the self-assured gait of a soldier and walked through the double doors like I belonged.

  Your Disguise skill has increased by 1! [Disguise: 6 (Novice)] +25 Exp!

  Inside I found complete uniformity. Gray stone floors and walls gave the entire building a gloomy castle vibe. Desks and chairs dominated most of the space, with an entire wall of wooden cubby holes with nameplates where the guards stored their gear. The only saving grace was that there were plenty of lights. More of those strange glowing crystals hung in glass lanterns along the wall and brightened up the place considerably.

  To my left was a receptionist's desk where a pretty young blonde sat handling papers at a frantic pace. She didn’t even look up as I passed by.

  I walked to the stairs and up to the third floor, heading straight to Bernard’s office.

  The third floor was barren, just one long hallway with offices spaced throughout the floor. As Kaiden said, his office was the corner one.

  I walked in without knocking and quickly shut the door behind me.

  Captain Bernard’s office was just like the one at his house, muted, functional, and very minimal.

  He sat at his desk, going over a piece of parchment. He only looked up when I came in.

  “Can I help you, Patrolman?” he asked, glancing at me. “Though, knocking would have been a hell of a lot more respectable than─”

  He shut up as I strolled over to him, taking off my helmet as I sat down across from him.

  “Elias?”

  “You remember me. I’m flattered.”

  Bernard rubbed at his chest and winced. “How could I not. What are you doing here?”

  “Need your help.” I pulled out a map of the city and unfurled it across his desk. I pointed at Canal St. “There is a wagon bound for Count Vohra’s estate abandoned in the street. I need you to take the wagon and deliver it to the count. Can you do that for me?”

  “Why? What for?”

  I shook my head. “Don’t ask any questions, just do it. This is where your loyalty to me begins.”

  He paused over the map, his eyes lingering on my finger. Bernard sighed and nodded. “You’re going after Malcolm, I’m assuming.” He threw his hands up. “Fine, damn you. I’ll do it.”

  “Good, and if you don’t, I’ll know. And I won’t be pleased.”

  After he accepted, I stood and donned my helmet once more.

  “Chin up, Captain. After this, your job gets a whole lot easier. Might even start paying you if you do a good enough job.”

  “Bah.” He waved me off and stood. “Blood money is all that is.”

  I shrugged. “Still spends the same as any other, in my opinion.” I inclined my head to him as I turned to leave. “Be seeing you, Bernard.

  “I’ve got somewhere to be.”

  Chapter 25- The Vohra Job

  “You ready for this?” I asked, glancing over at Aless.

  The two of us sat atop a mansion next door to the count's estate. Well, next door was a bit of a stretch, but I had a sightline of the manor and the wrought iron fence.

  She turned to me with a wry smile plastered on her face. “I’ve been waiting for this for weeks now.”

  I nodded. “Just remember.”

  “No innocents. No servants or staff. Meaning I can only kill the guards, and that’s only if I can’t subdue them another way.”

  “Are you sure you’re ready?” I asked again. “Once you start down this path, you can’t come back from it.”

  Aless shook her head and gave me a sad smile. “It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve killed.”

  “What?” I turned to her and ra
ised an eye. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  She shrugged. “You saw my scar…it’s hard to talk about.” She gave me a reassuring smile. “My hands were stained before I ever met you. I’ll tell you about it someday, but this is the path I’ve chosen. There’s no changing our fates now.”

  “Alright.” I sighed, not really sure I wanted her answer to be what she’d given me.

  I liked Aless as a person, as a friend, and perhaps more. I didn’t want to subject her to this life. But it wasn’t my choice to make.

  It was hers.

  “Last chance. You start down this life, and you’ll be mine, at least until I’m sure you’re ready to go it alone.”

  “Yours, huh?” She gave me another smile, but this one held some heat to it. Her eyes smoldered slightly. “I like the sound of that.”

  I snorted and motioned toward the extravagant estate in the distance. “So, what do you think Vohra’s job is?”

  Aless shrugged, turning her head as she glanced at the place with a thieves stare, her gray eyes lighting up at the sight of the place.

  “No clue honestly. Never met the man. From what you’ve told me, and from what I’ve seen, he’s smart. But he’s also a nobleman, and I’ve never met a nobleman who was worth a damn in a fight. Fifty vahn says he doesn’t have a combat related job class.”

  I chuckled. “I’d take that bet.”

  It wasn’t a bad guess. The sheer number of guards spoke to a man who relied on others for strength.

  He may have had a sharp mind, but I was betting my blades were sharper.

  I’ll approach Malcolm with caution, but I’m betting the real challenge will be getting through his guards.

  Movement from the estate drew my gaze. The guards shifted, giving us our opening.

  “There’s our window.” I pointed at the side of the fence, where we’d discussed our infiltration. “Go!”

  Not waiting for her response, I backed up and dove off of the third story rooftop.

  The ground rushed to meet me before I could blink, but I’d already started uttering the spell before I jumped, and just before I hit the ground, I finished it.

  “Shade’s Rest.”

  My vision swam, and shadows crawled at the edges as vertigo rolled around in my head. My body grew hot and then very cold. Blood rushed in my ears, and the world was suddenly inverted. Darkness became light, and light became darkness.

  Patches of shadow stood out, calling to me. I chose the one right in front of me and became one with it. My body shot forward like a crossbow bolt before I slowed to a halt as I dove into the ocean of white shadow cast by the large oak tree.

  Aless jumped just as I looked up. She used my black silk rope and slid down it in seconds. She let go eight feet above the ground and dropped into a roll as she hit the grass.

  As soon as she righted herself, she took off at a sprint towards the count’s manor.

  Aless tried to show off and outpace me as she ran, but she wasn’t faster than shade.

  I slithered from shadow to shadow as I rushed toward the manor. A guard patrolled outside the iron fence, and he turned at the thump of Aless’s feet.

  His eyes widened in alarm, and he turned to shout out.

  I reached him first. His white silhouette stood out to me, and I jumped for it, my featherlight body settling just by his feet.

  As he opened his mouth, I canceled Shade's Rest and stood behind him.

  I slipped my hand around his neck and closed off his windpipe. His words turned to a strangled groan that was lost to the wind as I choked him out. I turned and dragged him away from the light as he struggled against me.

  Exhaustion rose up in me from using the spell, and it made subduing the guard a lot harder than it needed to be.

  Half a minute later, he went still, and I shook off my fatigue.

  When he was safely out, I tied him up and left him resting against a tree. He wouldn’t be found for hours.

  I nudged Aless, and we raced back to the fence. We vaulted it in two quick movements. I dropped into a roll and rushed to the tree line I’d first hidden in when I tried to steal the count's seal, while Aless nipped at my heels.

  When we were both safely behind the cover of the trees, I paused, letting us catch our breath. The run hadn’t tired me out so much but using Shade’s Rest put a strain on the center of my chest, and it made breathing more difficult than it should’ve been.

  She leaned against the thick tree trunk, her hand to her chest as she took great gulps of air.

  “Holy shit,” she whispered. “Never ran like that before in my life. It’s exhilarating.”

  “Just don’t let your nerves control you. When the pulse of battle flows through your veins, it makes everything that much harder. You’ve got to control it.”

  She nodded, still a little breathless.

  “And put on your mask,” I told her.

  Aless huffed but acquiesced, reaching into her dimension ring to pull out a black cloth mask that covered her features save for her eyes.

  I pointed to the house. “Just as we went over. Climb to the third floor. His study and bedroom are on that floor, so those are the two most likely spots for him to be.

  “Follow behind me.”

  She nodded, and after checking that we were clear, I took off.

  There were fewer guards out tonight. Which meant our little sabotage was effective.

  From what I could tell, there weren’t any more guards out and about than there had been the first time I’d been here. But I’d been told that Malcolm had called back most of the guards still loyal to him, which meant we’d put quite a few men out of action for the evening.

  As I made it to the house, I used the wall to run up and launch off of, twisting in mid-air to grab the railing as I’d done before. From there, I scaled the second floor and was perched on the third-floor balcony once more.

  It’s time to complete the contract. Weilin, I hope you enjoy the show.

  Aless climbed up even quicker than I had, making the movements incredibly graceful and as natural as breathing. She hopped the white stone railing and landed beside me.

  This close to the mansion, we couldn’t speak. I tapped her on the shoulder and pointed to my side, letting her know to stay close.

  As I approached the door, I tested the knob and found the door locked. As I took a look at the lock, I found it had changed. The count had updated his security. The lock was shiny. It was so new and had probably cost more than the door it was secured to.

  I checked it over and pulled out my picks. I used a single pin pick, my preferred style, and began working on the lock. It was a challenge, with a few false pins and a trap. It took me nearly a minute to pick it, but it was a beast of a lock.

  When it clicked open, another light popped up in the corner of my eye.

  Your Lockpicking skill has increased by 3! [Lockpicking: 12 (Novice)] +75 Exp!

  After that, I’d better have leveled up. That lock was a bitch.

  As I opened the door by a hair, I glanced inside and found a single guard patrolling the hall, but his movements were sluggish and slow.

  He muttered to himself after he let out a loud yawn. “Dammit, ate too much. Need to stay awake. Can’t fall asleep. C’mon, stay awake.” He slapped his cheeks. “Fuckin’ silent night. C’mon, stay alert.”

  The guard kept muttering to himself, walking fast, trying to work up a sweat to stay awake, but all that was doing was getting his blood pumping, letting the poison circulate through his body.

  He passed by and then turned, going in circles.

  As he made the loop once more, I yanked the door open as he walked past and wrapped my arm around his mouth. He bit down on my leather out of pure surprise. Before he could even think about struggling, I brought the pommel of my dagger to his head, knocking him out cold.

  I dragged his body to the balcony and away from view. I was hoping no one would see it if they happened to come up the stairs.

  Only one guard
on the floor. Means the count isn’t likely on this floor. I still have to check, but it’d be more heavily guarded if he were up here.

  Either way, we were inside the mansion. Now the hunt began.

  Aless slipped in behind me, a nearly identical dagger to the one I carried in her hand. I pointed to the right, telling her to check the room on the opposite side of the stairs.

  She nodded and crossed the hall. I took the study while she took the bedroom.

  The door to the study wasn’t locked, and I snuck inside.

  It was much the same as I remembered, overflowing with affluence and gaudy decorations. From a glance, I knew Malcolm wasn’t here. The room was silent and cold. No fire in the fireplace, and the candles around the room had yet to be lit.

  I wanted to search the room for information. I was sure Count Vohra ordered the contract on me, and I wanted to find proof, but it didn’t really matter. He was going to die whether he had or not. That wouldn’t change.

  But I still needed to find out who they were besides the name of their organization. And I couldn’t question a dead man.

  If I have time, I’ll come back. But the contract comes first. Always first.

  Count Vohra wasn’t here, so I moved on.

  I moved back into the hall and was about to cross over to check on Aless when footsteps sounded up the stairs.

  “Martin, you fall asleep on duty like the rest of the halfwits?” A loud, rather obnoxious voice asked.

  I threw myself against the wall and raised my dagger. It would take the man a moment to get his bearings when he came around the corner and saw me. I’d strike before he had time to call out.

  A large man with brown hair and a squashed face walked up the stairs and around the railing. “Martin? The hell are you? Don’t tell me you went and took a nap in the Count’s─” He stopped speaking as his eyes swept to mine. They widened in surprise.

  I rushed him, aiming my blade toward his throat.

  A shadow moved behind him, a knife appearing just over his left shoulder. Aless slid her steel into his neck and drew it down and around, severing both arteries and his trachea in one fluid movement.

  He gurgled, trying to breath as blood gushed out of him like a fountain, and he fell to his knees, his fingers grabbing at the wound as he died. He landed on his knees and then fell forward, where he lay still and did not rise again.