Beyond the mission

. Above ground, the agency looked like any top-tier intelligence fac

ng ground for assassins. As they descended, Raven explained the ranks, the rules, and the

urney bega

he time had come-his f

bottom of

stu

d a rookie. Worse? Everyone in the agency already had an opinion of him. Arroga

me mocked him. Most

f backing down. Because deep dow

ant to stay a

king at his food, lost in thought. The chatter

someon

voice said behind him.

gured it was another clown tryin

he muttered. "I'm not

lly glanced up,

n't just anyone-he was wea

S-Rank doing down here? Don't you

yway. "Can't a guy take a break witho

ct. You know exactly who I am. I've got a reputation around here-bad

f his own. "That's e

eyes. "What's tha

out. Not because you're D-rank, but because you don't care that you're D-rank. Yo

oesn't. The system's rigged

tly, amused. "Or... it's bu

the words hang

I figured something out: people fear what they don't understan

t listening. "Why are you telling

You've got fire-raw and untamed. I just want to see what hap

k at Simon. For the first time in a lon

e offering to trai

ly. "You know... I was actually hoping we

g to downplay the sincerity. "So...

guard. 'Friends?'His cheeks were alre

blush. "Why would I want to be

lright..." he said dramatically, standing up like he was o

y, flustered. "I mean... if you're serious, I wouldn't 'hat

abbed him in a sudden side hug.

scowl. "Hey! Who said you could just jump on me like t

up. "Alright, alright! No bromance. Just

ingly. "Or a hug?

antly suspicious. "Touch me a

h a grin-just before Jason li

I deser

the first time sinc

at, a real conne

g it had been since Jason

, training, and being

he was stil

ange. If the system wouldn't lift him, he'd find out wh

ting up-fully armed, dressed in all bl

ank mi

hed. "I'm coming with you," he sa

isn't some training run, Jason-it's an S-Rank mission. You can't ju

ghten the mood. "Your time will come,

re for years cleaning up after higher ranks-doing garbage work.

rks. It's risky, you step out of line and you get kicked

then sighed. "...Fine. G

ia one of Simon's trusted allies, walked

you. Simon'll be back before you know it... and when he is,

, Amelia," he muttered, thou

to Simon. "Com

son standing there, surrounded

on's eyes locked onto the large black case b

ed. Don't thi

racked open the lid, climbed insi

ing. No m

Logic screamed no-b

ed the crate open and slipped insid

as g

tly on a beam near the ceiling, a figur

ked to h

move,

son was smuggled into

had just taken an

eration had f

cross the metal walls of the armored vehicle. Inside the crate, J

to steady his breathing. This is i

footsteps and voices filled the air outside. Jason pres

ced, the mission beginning-and the re

compound, bullets ricocheting off walls and s

team was

enemy vault. But the enemy wasn't making it easy-they were

gritting her teeth. "Simon!

on, glanced over at her between bursts.

at that mea

and steal. One draws fir

rawing the attention of half the enemy force. Bullets chased him as h

gh the chaos and disappearing dow

mand zone, their commander narrowe

"Why aren't they retreating-wait..." Hi

the vault! Stop them!" it was too late. Sim

t it!" a so

e!" the commander roa

owed like a swarm of wasps. But amid the chaos, on

's a kid. Is

blink. "What part of 'kill

in his throat. This wasn't

ised his rifle, aimi

think. His legs locked. His

IM

g slammed into him.

en he looked up, Simon was st

side. He turned slowly,

told you n

e coll

im, shaking. "

nt explosion roared as support beams

rned at the sound.

s still

umbling ruins-unaware of the boy standing inside...

ete crashing down around them. Dust and sm

mon's body, still cradling his m

p... please..."

eeves. Another chunk of the ceiling col

e whole place w

s jaw. No... I ca

st of static i

in there?!" It was Amelia's voice,

on rasped. "Simon's

elia said. "The building's se

ale face, then gritted his tee

y, eating its way toward him. Jason's heartbeat pounded in his ear

rld slowed

ng walls faded into silence as he stared at Sim

htened. He co

es, trembling. "Simon

ak touch

is lips but a smile on his face. "Jason...

"Don't say that. Don't talk like that. You're g

I'd die on some badass rooftop or mid-air explosion. Not.

his tears. "Shut up...

"Jason, listen to me... the buildin

u," Jason whispered

do great things, kid. You're stubborn, reckless, arrogant

leave me. I swear-I'll listen next tim

ly. Then, with a w

go... just

ed in, hea

t game," Simon whispered. "Sw

till falling. "You think I didn't no

t real. "Heh... punk. That's t

at... his e

o

n fr

und no one should ever have to make. He clutched

Her eyes locked on the scene, and without a

uilding caved

as Amelia, bruised and bleeding, carried Jas

ne s

ed, "What the hell

hoarse she filled them

dn't say

ground-knowing this

ing has