The night was calm, the moon casting a cold, silvery glow over the hideout. The cottages stood still, their occupants lost in sleep, unaware of the weight pressing on the boss's mind. He stood outside, arms crossed, staring at the moon. A shadow crossed his face, his jaw tightening.
Three days. Toru, Gregory, and Angelo had been gone for three days. The feeling gnawed at him, a quiet unease coiling in his gut. He muttered under his breath, "I hope nothing's happened to them." But it wasn't just them on his mind.
Angelo.
That damn bloodthirsty bastard.
The boss clenched his fists. If Angelo ever left, if there was no leash to hold him—no one to keep him in check—he would become something else. Something worse.
A chill ran down his spine at the thought.
"Boss," a voice called.
He turned to see Stubby approaching, stocky as ever, wearing that usual blue shirt and brown trousers. A scar ran down his cheek, old but noticeable. The boss smirked.
"I thought you'd be with Elara."
Stubby scratched the back of his head. "I thought you didn't know."
The boss chuckled. "It's not hard to notice when two lovers are sneaking around."
Stubby laughed awkwardly. "You're not mad about it, are you? I know you care about Elara like a daughter."
The boss waved a hand. "I raised that girl when she was this tall," he said, gesturing lower. "I trust her. Just don't mess it up."
Stubby let out a relieved chuckle. "Thanks, Boss."
For a moment, silence settled between them, heavy but not uncomfortable.
Then the boss asked, "So, when are you and Elara planning to leave?"
Stubby's expression shifted. He sighed and sat down on the ground. "I haven't thought that far yet. I want what's best for her, but leaving now… it doesn't feel right."
The boss nodded, eyes still fixed on the moon. "A man with no regrets walks forward with conviction, leaving no shadows behind."
Stubby blinked at him. "What the hell does that mean?"
The boss turned, his face unreadable. "I hope that even if you regret something later, you'll still find a way to keep moving forward."
Stubby smiled, shaking his head. "Sometimes I think you're the old man here, not me."
The boss chuckled. "I am the boss, after all."
Before Stubby could reply, movement in the distance caught their attention. Footsteps. Voices.
They turned to see Toru and Gregory approaching, dragging something behind them.
No.
Not something.
Someone.
The boss's eyes narrowed.
Two knights. Bruised. Battered. Tied together like livestock.
And then there was Angelo.
Grinning.
Dragging them through the dirt like they were nothing.
One of the knights, still wearing his dented helmet, coughed, struggling to keep up. "Please… can't you let us walk?" he begged. "We won't run away, I swear!"
The other knight, trembling, quickly added, "Yes, we promise!"
Angelo didn't even glance at them. "Shut up, or you won't live to see another day."
The knights' faces drained of color.
The boss exhaled sharply.
"Angelo," he called out. "I see you've brought your baggage."
Angelo strolled past, still grinning. "These are just logs. Don't worry about them."
The boss's gaze flicked to Toru and Gregory.
"What's this about?" he demanded. "Why are these knights tied up? You know this could bring trouble down on us."
Stubby crossed his arms. "He's right. You should know better than to bring knights here."
Gregory, still looking shaken, spoke first. "We've got it under control, Boss."
The boss wasn't convinced.
"Toru," he pressed.
Toru sighed. "We found out the captain of the knights has been paying a gang to do his dirty work. He was planning to pin the robberies on us."
Stubby's expression darkened. "Wait, wait, hold on. The captain of the knights paid a gang to commit robberies?"
Toru nodded.
Stubby scoffed. "Those bastards are rotten to the core."
The boss's eyes narrowed. "Anything else?"
Gregory answered before Toru could. "We think the captain and the gang will be meeting in two days. We're not sure where yet, but we'll be ready."
The boss rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "We'll need a plan—"
A voice cut through the conversation.
"I've got the perfect plan."
Everyone turned.
Angelo stood there, his smile wide.
Twisted.
Like a predator that had just spotted fresh prey.
The moon cast pale beams through the forest canopy, its silver glow reflecting off the slow-moving river. Three knights stood by their horses, their armor worn but still bearing the insignia of their kingdom.
The captain, a thin man with a curled mustache and piercing gray eyes, stood still, scanning the shadows. Waiting.
One of the knights shifted uneasily. "Captain, I don't think we should be trusting these people with our work," he muttered, his voice tight with doubt.
The knight with light red eyes remained silent, his gaze forward, unreadable.
The captain's sharp gaze cut to the nervous knight. "Are you questioning my authority?" His voice was cold, a quiet blade.
The knight stiffened. "No, sir. Sorry, sir."
The captain held his gaze for a moment longer before turning back to the darkness. "Then keep your thoughts to yourself."
A rustling in the bushes. A breath of silence. Then, four figures stepped into the clearing.
Three of them wore dark hooded cloaks, their faces shrouded, the fabric weighed down with pouches likely filled with enchanted items or poisons. The fourth, however, walked ahead, his dark green hair framing a face carved from stone, golden eyes catching the moonlight.
Zephyr.
The captain inhaled quietly. "Let me do the talking," he murmured to his knights. "And keep your tempers in check, no matter what they say."
The captain raised his chin and addressed the leader, "Zephyr, I see you're well."
Zephyr didn't waste time. "Skip the pleasantries, Captain. Do you have it?"
A smirk ghosted across the captain's lips, but he said nothing, only tilting his head toward the knight with light red eyes. Without hesitation, the knight reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a long, cloth-wrapped object.
The weight of it, even hidden beneath the fabric, felt ominous. A scythe.
The knight hesitated a fraction before handing it over to the captain, who presented it to Zephyr. "This is it," he said, his voice lined with satisfaction. "Now, do you have what I asked for?"
Zephyr didn't look at the weapon. Instead, one of his men stepped forward, lifting a hand. A soft whisper slithered from beneath his hood, laced with arcane power.
"From void to hand, by will I claim, object of mine appear by name."
A deep, swallowing darkness spiraled at their feet. A void. The air grew thick, pressing against the skin. Then, as quickly as it came, the darkness spit something out—a heavy chest, its edges gleaming with gold. The moonlight caught the shimmer of coins, emeralds, and jewels inside.
The void vanished. The treasure remained.
The captain's eyes flickered with something close to hunger. "You never fail to impress, Zephyr," he mused, voice rich with amusement. "Makes a man wonder what else you can pull from the abyss."
Zephyr didn't react. "Hand over the weapon."
The captain tsked. "Come now, you know how I do things. First, the chest."
A moment of quiet tension stretched between them. The knights stood still, hands hovering close to their weapons, eyes locked onto Zephyr's men.
Zephyr exhaled through his nose, unimpressed, but gave a slight nod.
The captain shifted his weight, about to signal for his knights to retrieve the chest—
Then the sound of branches breaking. Heavy, stumbling footsteps. A ragged cough.
The knights turned sharply, hands flying to their swords—
Two figures staggered out of the bushes. Their armor was cracked, smeared with dirt and dried blood. Their faces were drawn tight with exhaustion, their breaths unsteady.
The same knights Angelo had left broken.
Everyone turned, tension immediately rising. Zephyr's golden eyes flicked toward the captain, suspicion clear in his gaze. "What are you planning, Captain?" he growled.
The captain forced a smile, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes. "Nothing you need to worry about."
His grip on the scythe tightened as he turned sharply to the two new arrivals. His voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "What are you doing here?"
The knights hesitated, their faces pale. "We're sorry, Captain," one of them stammered.
Zephyr's eyes narrowed. Something wasn't right.
Without warning, a rope shot from the shadows, wrapping around the captain's legs. He barely had time to react before he was yanked off his feet, hitting the ground with a thud. The scythe slipped from his grasp, clattering against the forest floor.
"What's the meaning of this?!" the captain roared, eyes blazing with fury as he twisted to glare at the two knights.
Footsteps.
From behind the trees, the boss emerged, flanked by Angelo and Stubby. The boss walked with his usual ease, his red shirt tucked into black trousers, a sword strapped to his side. Stubby moved beside him, his grey shirt slightly loose, a sash across his chest with two weapons strapped to his back. His green trousers were tucked into brown boots. Angelo strolled behind them, a grin playing at his lips. His loose-sleeved tunic billowed slightly with the night breeze, black trousers fitted neatly into sturdy boots. His twin daggers gleamed at his sides.
The captain's expression twisted as recognition hit him. His breath came sharp. "You," he spat.
The boss smirked. "Me," he said easily, his gaze shifting to the scythe lying on the ground.
Stubby bent down, picking it up without a care.
"Don't you dare touch that!" the captain barked, struggling to his feet. "Do you know how hard it was to get that?"
Stubby glanced at the scythe, then back at the captain. "Uhm… no." He smirked.
Angelo chuckled, his gaze sliding over to the two knights who had arrived moments ago. They stood frozen, uncertain.
"You can leave now," Angelo said lightly.
The knights hesitated.
Angelo's grin didn't fade, but his voice dropped, cold and sharp. "Why are you still standing there?"
That was all it took. They stammered thanks and bolted into the forest.
"You bastards, come back here!" the captain shouted after them, fury laced in his voice.
His remaining two knights moved toward the chest, hands reaching for it.
Zephyr's lip curled. His golden eyes flashed, filled with disgust. "Disgusting."
Then, without warning—
A sickening burst.
Blood sprayed the air as the knights' heads exploded. Their bodies collapsed, lifeless, and the chest tumbled to the ground. Gold and jewels spilled across the grass, glinting under the moonlight.
The captain staggered back, horror flashing across his face as he turned to Zephyr. "What's wrong with you?! We had a deal!"
The boss sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Enough of this."
In one swift motion, he delivered a swift kick to the captain's head, knocking him unconscious.
Zephyr exhaled, his gaze shifting to the boss. There was a brief pause before he nodded. "Thank you." Then his eyes flickered to Stubby, still holding the scythe. "Hand over the weapon, and we'll leave. You can keep the chest."
The boss let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "No, I don't think I can do that." His eyes darkened slightly. "I came here for the weapon."
Flashback to a day earlier…
The boss sat on a simple couch across from a woman with vibrant cherry-pink hair and striking amber-gold eyes. Her attire reflected her noble status—an elegant gown with intricate designs, tailored to perfection, a symbol of aristocracy. Beside her sat her butler, Mr. Kaito, his jet-black hair neatly combed, piercing blue eyes unwavering. His butler's uniform was crisp, refined—flawless, just like his presence.
Between them, three cups of tea rested on a delicate porcelain tray, steam gently rising as Mr. Kaito had just served them.
The lady smiled warmly, her expression both gracious and curious. "To what do I owe the pleasure, my saviors?" Her voice carried gratitude, but also a quiet understanding, as if she already suspected their purpose. "And where are the other two?"
Angelo, seated beside the boss in his usual relaxed posture—fitted black trousers, a simple shirt, and boots—grinned. "They couldn't join us today." He gestured casually toward the man next to him. "This is the boss."
The lady's eyes flickered with interest. She studied him, reading the weight behind his silence. "A pleasure to meet you, my saviors," she murmured, dipping her head slightly in acknowledgment.
The boss returned the greeting with a single nod. "We're always happy to help those in need."
Angelo leaned forward slightly, amusement playing at his lips. "I wasn't sure you'd recognize me without my mask, my lady."
She chuckled, a soft, knowing sound. "Your voice and your eyes gave you away."
Her gaze shifted back to the boss, sharp but unreadable. "What do you need from me?"
The boss's expression darkened slightly. "There's a matter involving the captain. He's trying to shift blame onto us."
A flicker of something crossed her face—interest, calculation, concern. But before she could respond, Mr. Kaito leaned in, whispering something low into her ear. She listened, nodding slowly, her expression thoughtful.
After a pause, she exhaled and met their gaze. "We also have an issue concerning the captain," she admitted, eyes flicking toward Angelo. "Since you seem to know who I am…"
Angelo smirked slightly. "If I might know your name, my lady?"
She returned his smile, unbothered by his informality. "Seraphina Mariposa, Countess Councilor."
Angelo raised a brow. "Well, I suppose it's an honor, my lady."
The boss leaned forward, tone steady. "What kind of issue?"
Seraphina's face darkened, her fingers grazing the rim of her teacup. "The captain has been involved in the theft of a dangerous artifact."
Angelo's expression shifted, amusement fading. "Artifact?"
She nodded. "More like a deadly weapon. I can't publicly accuse him, not with the power backing him. But I need your help to recover it."
A beat of silence passed before Angelo spoke again. "What kind of weapon are we talking about?"
Seraphina's gaze sharpened. "A scythe."
The air in the room seemed to change, growing heavier.
The boss considered her words carefully. "And if we accidentally break or destroy it during the job, would that be considered a completed mission?"
Seraphina studied him for a moment before nodding solemnly. "Yes. If you can achieve that, it will be considered mission accomplished."
The boss's tone remained even. "And the payment?"
"Thirty thousand gold coins."
The boss's eyes narrowed slightly. "Make it a hundred."
Mr. Kaito straightened, ready to protest, but Seraphina lifted a hand, silencing him before he could speak. Her amber-gold eyes locked onto the boss. "Why such a high price?"
The boss leaned back slightly, his voice calm, but firm. "We don't know much about the weapon. If it's as dangerous as you say, then the risks are high. I don't gamble with my people's lives unless the odds are in our favor. And besides," his gaze didn't waver, "we're not just retrieving or destroying a weapon. You want our help in dealing with the captain, in interrogation and possibly imprisonment. That's two jobs, not one. If you want our full involvement, you need to sweeten the deal."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Seraphina laughed—soft, amused, intrigued. There was something sharp in the way her lips curled, as if she enjoyed the boldness of his demand. "I like men who know their worth." She tilted her head. "Very well, you have a deal."
Mr. Kaito exhaled through his nose, clearly displeased but saying nothing.
Seraphina gestured toward him. "My butler will provide you with funds for weapons."
The boss nodded. "Thank you."
Angelo watched the exchange with a small smirk, but his eyes held a sharp glint. The boss stood, signaling the end of the conversation. "Since we've come to an agreement, we'll be on our way."
Seraphina lifted her teacup, swirling the liquid inside. "My butler will see you out. And if you're ever in need of work, consider my offer."
The boss met her gaze, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I don't serve anyone. But I'll think about it."
With that, he turned, and Angelo followed, the ever-watchful Mr. Kaito close behind them.