99's eyes widened in shock. Arya was alive. Not just alive—unscathed, as if nothing had happened.
For a moment, 99 considered the possibility that it was someone else. But no… the clothes were the same. The only difference was the mask—it was black.
A scoff escaped his lips. "I know it's you, Number 8. Changing your mask won't save your life." His voice dripped with contempt. "You must be insane to have survived that. But it doesn't matter. You came here to take revenge for your friend… and you think a simple mask swap will fool me?"
Arya stood motionless, silent. His gaze was unreadable.
99 had no idea—this wasn't Arya.
Tch. What a fool. He came here just to die.
99 stepped forward, gripping Arya's shoulder tightly. "Did you really think a weakling like you could defeat an S-ranker? You're an E-rank on an S-rank mission. Do you honestly believe you belong here?"
He chuckled darkly. "Forget that—why do you even care about Number 28? You barely knew him. Hey, kid… I know you don't want to die. But I don't have a choice. If you survive, people will find out what I've done."
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Do you still not understand? E-ranks like you are nothing more than entertainment for us. You're disposable. If you die, nothing happens. But if we die, assassins lose an S-rank. So tell me, why should I die instead of you?"
99 smirked. "Let's play a game."
He raised his right hand, extending two fingers.
"Choose one." His tone was almost playful. "One finger means a quick death. You won't even know when it happens. The other means you'll feel every bone in your body break before you die."
He tilted his head slightly, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Don't worry, there are no monsters here. You'll die by my hands. This will be fun."
His smile widened. "Make your choice, I don't have all day."
Arya grabbed the right finger.
99's expression darkened for a moment, unhappy with the choice. But then, within seconds, a wicked smile stretched across his face.
"Na na na," 99 chuckled, shaking his head mockingly. "Before, you were just lucky… but now? Even your luck has abandoned you."
He lowered his hand, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I think you're going to die painfully. But don't blame me. I gave you a chance to choose. Your bad luck isn't my problem."
Yet Arya didn't react.
He stood still, silent, his black mask revealing nothing.
99's grin twitched. What an idiot.
He thinks he picked a quick death? No, no… That would be too easy.
Torture first. Break his spirit. Make him beg me to end it.
99's excitement grew as he stared at Arya's face. He tilted his head, his smirk widening.
"Tell me," he whispered, his voice laced with cruelty. "Which body part should I start with?"
For a second—nothing. Arya remained silent.
Then—
He laughed.
A slow, deep chuckle that sent a strange shiver down 99's spine.
99's smirk faltered. "What the hell are you laughing at?"
Arya lifted his head slightly, his voice calm yet strangely amused.
"It's been more than a thousand years…" His voice was soft, almost nostalgic. "Since someone dared to bully me. Since someone made fun of me like this…"
His head tilted slightly.
"I'm happy."
99's amusement turned into a scowl. He let out a dry chuckle.
"You're happy? What a joke." He waved his hand dismissively. "Fine. Since you're so happy, let's make it more fun."
His expression twisted with sadistic delight. He raised his sword.
"Let's start the game."
With a single slash—
Arya's right hand fell to the ground.
Blood spilled onto the floor.
Yet—something felt wrong.
99 waited for Arya to scream. To collapse. To panic.
But… nothing.
Arya didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't even acknowledge that his hand was missing.
99's excitement wavered. Why isn't he screaming?
Then, suddenly—
Blood gushed from 99's mouth.
A sharp, unbearable pain tore through his body. His vision blurred. His breath hitched.
"What—?"
Then he saw it.
His own right hand—severed.
It lay on the ground, his fingers still curled around the sword.
His eyes widened in horror. What the hell just happened?!
Something pulled his hand from his body, as if some invisible force had ripped it away.
And then—he saw the black smoke.
It curled around Arya's body like a living shadow, twisting, shifting, pulsing with power.
99 stumbled back, clutching his bleeding stump. Panic clawed at his chest.
Then—Arya vanished.
A sharp laugh echoed behind him.
99 turned, his heart pounding.
His breath hitched at the sight.
Arya—sitting on a throne.
Unharmed. Whole. His right hand perfectly intact.
99's face twisted in shock.
"I—I cut off his hand… How is it back?! How is this possible?!"
Arya leaned forward slightly, his red eyes glowing through the mask.
And he smiled.
Arya looked at 99, his masked face unreadable.
"You still don't understand, do you?"
99's body trembled, his voice shaky. "H-how did you get there?! You're just an E-rank, right? How the hell does an E-ranker have this kind of power?!"
Then it clicked. A realization that sent chills down his spine.
"You… you're not an E-rank, are you?" 99's eyes widened in horror. "I cut off your hand… but your hand is still there. And somehow… you cut off mine."
Arya chuckled, a deep, unsettling sound.
"You still don't remember?" His voice was laced with amusement. "What happened to you?"
99 clenched his teeth. "Who… who the hell are you?"
Arya leaned forward slightly. "When you entered this room… what did you see?"
99's breath hitched. "No one. The room was empty."
Arya tilted his head. "Then how was I already sitting on this throne from the very beginning?"
99's entire body stiffened. The air around him felt heavier. No… it can't be…
"You still don't get it?" Arya sighed. "You've been trapped in an illusion."
99's stomach dropped. "Illusion?! Why—?!"
Arya shrugged. "Just for fun."
"For… fun?"
Arya nodded. "Until now, you've enjoyed making others suffer, haven't you?" His voice turned cold. "Now it's your turn."
A deep, sinking dread filled 99's gut. "M-my turn?"
But before Arya could say another word—
His heart suddenly pounded painfully.
His body trembled. A sharp pain spread through his veins.
Arya's expression darkened. Damn it. My body can't handle this much power for too long.
Meanwhile, 89 was approaching the hallway where Arya and 99 were.
Arya exhaled sharply. I don't have time to play around. I need to finish this quickly.
99 couldn't see Arya move.
One second, Arya stood in front of him. The next—he vanished.
Then, from behind him—
"You wanted to kill me, right?" Arya's voice was calm, almost amused. "Then go ahead. I'm right here."