TO KILL IS TO SERVE

Prologue

It’s a hot Sunday night and instead of resting in his humble abode with the air properly conditioned, Reisun, a 21-year old self-supporting man, is currently sweating beads in an underground room with a government official he believes he has never met before. The corners of place are dark, with a table in between two chairs parallel to each other, and a hanging light in the center. It was almost like an interrogation room, with no camera or huge mirror.

“That’s my deal, Mister Reisun.” With a hand extended forward for a handshake, the old man smiled at Reisun. It’s been hours since they’ve started discussing about that deal and Reisun, thankfully with a mask on, is obviously bored and fed up already. He’s even thinking of accepting the deal right away or leaving the man alone right now, but his idea of professionalism gets in the way.

He fixed his well-worn half-face mask that only shows his right eye and grinned. His reasons are quite vague yet his facial expression is over-the-top. The young man thought. “I could not even express how sheepish he placed all that amount of money for a lady's head.” He mumbled to himself, certain that the other man can’t hear him for it can ruin the business. Sometimes, he’s been unconsciously speaking his mind up, but most of the time, he really choose to do so. He believes it is one of his flaws, but he also trusts himself and his expertise. “Desperate?” No. “Shallow?” Probably. “Fool?” Absolutely. Alternating his silent mumbling and thoughts, he asked and answered himself as he deems appropriate for the situation and personality of the man he’s facing. Reisun turned his voice-changer on and leaned his back on the back rest of the chair out of boredom. Though he’s done that, he’s still mindful of everything around him. He once thought he’s an animal for that dependable consciousness and instinct, even in his sleep.

“Give me a month.” Reisun replied, without breaking his abysmal glare. “You placed a deal on a lady here, Mister Park. I assume you already know how long and cautious I work on ladies, children and oldies. I’m only merciless to men.” He explained and watched how Mister Park, the old man who has been bugging him for this deal, will react.

“Of course, I am aware. You’re the legendary Reisun, an assassin who likes investigating his targets. There’s no way I did not try looking up on you before contacting you for this deal, ‘no?” Mister Park smiled and withdrew his hand after realizing that the legendary Reisun, as he refers, has no plan on receiving the handshake. “I still beg of you to think this through though, Mister Reisun. A month is long but my revenge can wait until then, for I want a professional like you to deal with this.”

Reisun has prepared himself for the certain stubbornness of this aged man. But above all, he knows that Mister Park is definitely using the same face on him as he does in the senate house and media. Pretentious, fake and masked, the young man judged. He is confident with his judgment, for that has never failed him yet, like his assassinating skill. And he knows just what kind of person Mister Park is.

Reisun heaved a sigh and leaned forward, “Mister Park, you’re a politician; I believe you know that there are countless of us in this field, in THD, right? How come that you’ve only taken interest on me?” He asked and bargained with himself that if Mister Park were to say the answer he wants, this deal is sealed with his name. “Info told me that you’ve been notably insistent to make me accept this deal.” He watched him directly, closely observing every movement, expression and reaction as he adds. Reisun is temperamental, and unlike other assassins who get thrilled by talking to their clients about their next target, he is getting aggravated. The more lies his client speaks, the easier he spots them, and the more irritated he becomes.

Mister Park exhaled and chuckled, “I know how much you excel in this work field, which is why you’re famous at your age. In addition, Mister Reisun, you’re almost the same age as thee said target here. It would be easier for the both of us for the condition met, ‘no” The old man answered with a smug face, confident that the assassin in front of him would never deny his offer of money and convenience. “And I believe that you’ve checked the documents I sent through Mister Info before agreeing to meet up with me since you’re a pro, right?”

False glances, dirty tone – I bet he doesn’t even know how I deal with people like him. The young lad thought, furrowing his brows. He even almost cursed when he heard that Mister Park chuckled before he answers. His attitude towards a hitman is annoying. He gritted his teeth and inclined forward to Mister Park. Reisun knows that there is nothing else holding him composed but his name and honour as an assassin—and the money he would lose if the client were killed before any p*****t.

“Mister Park,” He called as he reached and held his tie. You’re annoying beyond words. Reisun thought as he pulls him to have their eyes parallel to each other. Mister Park’s lips opened slightly while staring back at the agitated assassin. “I did not, sorry. Do you still consider my professionalism?” The hand that was holding the old man’s tie climbed up to his neck and it gently grasped it to deliver Reisun's madness towards the annoying mister. He pierced his glares onto the silent client, intensely. Reisun saw the movement of Mister Park’s Adam’s apple and he groaned in dissatisfaction. “However, pro or not, I am an assassin with pride. I know who to kill and who to spare. And if I find out that you’re planning to make fun of me by randomly hiring me to s***h an innocent’s throat, you will definitely have to reason out with me in our next and last meeting, okay?”

The old politician gulped again and pursed his lips. “Yes.” He stuttered with unsettling eyes.

Fucking lame, Mister Park. Reisun frowned behind his thick white mask, still with the disappointment lingering because of how predictable Mister Park is. You can try to fool me into thinking that you’re uneasy by doing obvious actions, but as an assassin for this long, I cannot be that dumb. He reasoned out in his thoughts for he cannot say those out loud. “I excel in everything as required in my field of work, including proper acting, and yours sucks.” The hitman whispered to himself as he tries to keep his composure and temper in check. Don’t f*****g belittle me, seriously. He released the stubborn man’s neck and fixed his mask before relaxing back in his seat. “Your heart skipped a beat. Are you sure you’re a politician with unseen schemes, Mister Park?” He lied and the other guy chuckled as he takes those words as a joke. The Mister fixed his tie and looked away. What a lackluster politician with dull skill. The young assassin thought for countless times already.

Reisun cackled as well to go with his client’s fake mood. He does not want to agree to this but he’s very curious of how big Mister Park’s actual pumping organ can be when he sliced him open for lying into his face. The price is higher than expected,too. Reisun added to his conclusion. After all the argument he had with himself, he stood up and smiled pretentiously with his eyes, “Let’s have a deal since I am confident that I’ve prepped you enough, Mister Kenshin Park.” He officially accepted the old man’s offer. Mister Park stood up correspondingly to match his newly hired assassin's position and extended his hand for a handshake. Reisun looked at the offered hand and shifted his glares back to the old man, completely ignoring the nice act, thinking it’s filthy. “Now what is the name of that girl again—my target, I mean, my dear client?” He asked and Mister Park withdrew his hand that’s ready for a handshake the second time, as if he were disheartened. However, the young expert assassin remembered how calm and still Mister Park’s pulses were when he grasped his neck, so he did not develop empathy. He is certain that his client is conspiring and scheming something like a cunning fox. And this deal will lead him to that reason. All is well when money is involved. He sang in his thoughts.

Reisun is well-aware he shouldn’t let his 70th kill to go ruin but he just wants to head home and rest now. Even with his temperamental and moody personality, Reisun is still a young man who craves for more sleep, too.