TO KILL IS TO SERVE

Chapter 9: The Tribute (1)

I almost created a record, what a shame. I heaved a deep sigh as I stare at my watch; 8:12PM. If I run faster, I would’ve been here, 12 minutes ago. “Okay, let me prepare.” I whispered as I catch my breath in the corner. Without anyone neither watching nor passing through, I removed my fancy masquerade mask and put out my original white one from my bag to use. “It’s cold our here, I hope there were heaters inside.” I mumbled and headed towards the main entrance gate.

“Can I get your invitation number, please?” A woman dressed in black, wearing her attention-catching golden masquerade mask asked me. This is the best front, ever. I grinned.

They use invitation number now, huh? The last time we had a meeting, I remember the setting was a movie preview and it was my ticket number that was being asked. That’s definitely more creative than this one. Boring. “0099.” I answered and handed her my bag. “Kindly, take a good scan because I brought a bomb.” I whispered to her and she nodded. I chuckled at her professionalism. She looked like a youngster but she could actually be in her late 30s already. I’m the only pro-assassin in my generation here—the twins won’t attend anyway. I cleared my throat as I began to sharpen my instincts. Nah, they wouldn’t be here. I nodded to myself as I conclude.

“Okay, Mister, you can head in. 0082 has been waiting for you already, have a great evening and enjoy the ball.” She handed my bag back to me after confirming that the weapons I brought were my own registered weapons and led me inside the AA. Info’s early and it’s a rare opportunity to see him out of his screens.

They designed this place like real pro-designers, I swear to holy beings. If I weren’t an assassin but just some random guy lost in this place, I could never take a hint that assassins tonight are gathered here to mourn for their fallen brethren instead of having a masquerade party. Good job, Dad.

“Hey—” I stopped midway of greeting Info when I saw him busy playing on his phone. You cannot take your eyes off of f*****g screens for a night? I grumbled and sat down with him.

“I heard you, Reisun.” He greeted while still looking at the phone. “When will you stop saying your thoughts out loud?” His voice toned down and he sighed. I chuckled in the realization that I must’ve said my thoughts vocally again and peeked on what he’s getting busy on but he put down his phone for a bit. “You’re early.” He said, now properly, while looking at me.

I just shrugged and rested my arms on the table while watching every single assassin gathering inside. I can catch some familiar faces and masks and recognize some voices right now. They were all doing great hiding the fact that we’re supposed to be f*****g mourning by telling fake stories of their husbands, kids and jobs. They are doing that in case that there is an unwanted guest mixed in with the assassins. And I can say the two Dangers aren’t around.

“What did you bring?” Info asked as he began on playing again. Info’s never wore a mask, or a disguise. He’s a carefree 29-year old techy geek who sits day and night in front of his screens, so no one really cares about how he looks. I bet they think he’s been wearing the same disguise for years. How envying. I get tired of my mask pretty often.

“Gun and knives, of course.” I replied while still reading other assassins’ movements. I enjoy how they try their best to move freely and carelessly and let their heels create ticking sounds. Some are trying to giggle out loud. I feel like I am watching a f*****g comedy show, although I am struggling more than they do for I’ve been investigating around normal people.

“You’re enjoying yourself, eh?” He replied.

I turned to him and massaged my temples, “And you didn’t bring anything, yeah?” I rolled my eyes when he shook his head. “If a sudden emergency happen, beg for them not to kill you, okay? I couldn’t be of any help. I’m the youngest here and everyone surely hates my guts.”

“That emergency will only happen if you’re going to open your damn mouth. Plus, they wouldn’t kill one of their dealers. I am one of the most valuable people here, kid.” He whispered and I just twitched my eyes in annoyance. This is how normally it should be. This is the usual nagger Info. “My life is equivalent to their client, my skills to their money, you know?” He added, sounding like a full-time jerk. He’s been using weird vocabulary because of too much f*******:! I pursed my lips. As if I can joke like that to my senior in spite of the f*****g fact that there’s no seniority in this work field.

I did not reply anything to Info and continued observing and eavesdropping on random conversations around me.

“This ball is just too extravagant.” He meant that this tribute is too much.

“Yeah. But since it’s the father’s personal request, we couldn’t just say no, right?” She was pertaining to Mister Love. Really? Father? That’s f*****g lame.

“The first invitees were expected to be all absent. How could the father hold this just now?” She was talking about the dead single-digit assassins and Mister Love’s weird decision to only let a tribute happen this late after all these years. I agree.

“I was wondering about that as well. Maybe the celebrants and the father were very close to each other for having this event!” He even f*****g giggled while pertaining to the fallen colleagues and Mister Love just now. I cannot blame him, he’s roleplaying. I scratched my nape. Although it’s cringey.

“Maybe one of them is his son or daughter.”

“He wouldn’t let his son or daughter to have a chance to celebrate this event, you dumb. I’ve heard that the young masters are very elegant.” She’s pertaining to Mister Alteste and Miss Blood drip, Mister Love’s rumored competent and proficient blood children assassins. They’re indeed competent and proficient, but both bothersome as hell.

“Then, who are the celebrants?” And there he asked again. Why are some people so annoyingly impatient? I sighed and closed my eyes. I want to answer them badly right now but I do not want to stir up trouble—not in a beehive full of ready-to-kill bees.

“I’ve heard that Mister Love chose the celebrants himself.” I lifted my head when I heard Info butting in to their conversation. He just indirectly said that Mister Love hired them himself.

“Say what? For real?” The lady assassin from the other table asked as she sits with us together with her friend.

“Yeah, so please shut up.” What a man of f*****g boldness! He didn’t bring anything to keep him from death’s grasp and yet he’s looking for a fight. “I’m trying to concentrate here.” He added, almost mumbling to himself. The ladies cursed his rudeness and got up from their seats.

Fuck you, man. I could save myself from a hundred assassins attacking together but I could barely make it out alive. Please don’t put me on dire situations, you fool! Of course I couldn’t say that to my only connection. But he really is getting watched right now.

“I know. Chill.” He spoke out again, for he knows what I’m thinking right now with this practiced blank expression of mine. “They won’t attack because they know that Mister Love’s going to speak later since they’ll get killed before they could even take their guns out.” Info whispered in his relaxed tone. “And they know me.” He added and chuckled.

I’m really getting worked up for nothing. “How could you say that they know—”

“OMG. I think I just heard Info’s real voice!

“Should we to go back under Info? Hackermann is not really as adorable as him.”

“I actually miss his fixing-eyeglasses pose before prepping me about the client. But we cannot leave Hackermann since he’s got temper.”

From somewhere far, there sprung a short conversation about how awesome this punk is compared to another dealer called Hackermann.

“See? I told you.” And Info laughed while he’s on his killing spree on his game. I will stop worrying now and just let him get killed when they’re tired of him, and when this Hackermann labelled him as his rival. I can get another dealer anytime, anyway. I rolled my eyes.

We were silent for a moment—I was only watching Info playing on his phone while still keeping my radar up in case I get interesting gossips. But everything that they’re talking about is all made up and getting uninteresting now.

I groaned in boredom. “I want to go home.” I leaned my head on the table, and then closed my sleepless eyes. “I feel bad for my eyes.” I mumbled again for I’m sure Info’s listening to me even though he seemed to not care. I loosened my buttons and adjusted my belt sloppily. Wearing suits is very uncomfortable and it’s not my style.

“f**k, Mister Danger I is f*****g here without wearing any disguise!”

“Are you sure? I am sure he is and you—wait, did you just say Danger I?”

Did she just say Danger I is f*****g here? I sat properly and turned to Info with widened eyes.  He lent me a glance for a second and chuckled. “You’re worried?” He asked.

“The f**k?” I responded with furrowed brows, disgusted by the given idea. “It’s just that why the hell is Danger I here?” I exhaled through my nose when Info only shrugged at my question while fully focusing on his phone. You should f*****g know, you’re a dealer. I gave up on asking since he won’t answer anyway. “I have no problem with Danger I—he’s cool with me and I with him. The problem is his f*****g twin sister.” I lowered my voice as I utter the last part. Info chuckled again in mockery of my angst.

“Don’t worry. You’re not destined to meet yet.” He simply replied and I raised my hand, ready to smack his nape, but he lifted his head and glared at me.

That glare did not give me any uneasiness; just pure warning that he won’t let me have any major clients anymore if I were to hit him while he’s playing. He could easily avoid my attack but I guess he cannot at the moment.

I lowered my head and leaned back to the table. No one’s sitting with us. I closed my eyes while thinking that Danger I and his sister might sit here before anyone else. That, I can never f*****g allow. I am already over everything but heck, still no.

“Oh, it’s Reisun.”

Fuck.

“Hey, Danger I.” I did not lift my head as I greet back. “Info, he’s your nemesis.” I mumbled again and yawned.

“What do you mean? He’s a mere two-year old dealer.” Info replied without exerting any respect. I chuckled and nodded, still not lifting my head and looking at the Danger.

“That’s mean.” Danger I cackled and I heard him pulling a seat out. “I’ll sit here as I wait for—”

“No.” I cut him off and this time, already facing him. Danger I grinned and I bet he saw my helpless expression. This f*****g bastard. I clenched my jaws as I try to compose myself. I’ve been this edgy because of exhaustion and the gods will give me that face? That f*****g face?

“Why? I won’t take your time. Plus, I kind of missed—”

“I said no. Persist and see how fast I can cut your head.”

“Woah, Reisun.” Danger I lifted both his hands as an act of surrendering and that he meant no harm. He might not mean any harm but he is the harm himself. I am not scared of him, though. I can still stay that my skills are way higher his. “Why are you agitated? Fine, fine. I won’t wait for Kiken now since she won’t be coming.”  

I stayed still while looking at him. If she won’t be coming, then does it mean Danger I only wanted to sit here until this f*****g tribute’s done? Waiting for no f*****g one? I raised my covered left brow and bit my lower lip to prevent saying needless things that will just serve as an opening for him to attack.

“I will go now, legend.” He turned around and inserted both his hands on his pockets. He’s gotten a bit tall and he indeed is not wearing any disguise, and he did not even bring a bag or suitcase—just himself and his irritatingly bright face. Probably because he’s a dealer now and that nothing threatens him anymore. Sure, let your confidence kill you one day. “I kind of missed you but whatever.” He added in a low voice with back facing me.

What the heck is with that creep?

“So he’s the brother. He’s a pretty impressive dealer but I am better, of course.” Info suddenly talked and inhaled deeply, and then he put down his phone. What’s up with putting down the phone act? I looked at Info in surprise. He also praised Danger I, although he praised himself more. I added to my thoughts. Info turned to me after he’s done tracing the movements of Danger I, “Also, he’s a creep.”

I doubtlessly agree.