To Join the organisation (1)

The next morning, Vardan found an envelope slipped under his door. Inside was a single piece of paper with nothing but a location written on it. He frowned, confused.

As he examined it, a small black card fell from the envelope—the same card Oliver had given him after the survival exam.

On his way to school, Vardan turned the card over in his hand, trying to piece things together.

When he arrived, Jay was already waiting by the entrance. The boy's face lit up when he saw Vardan.

"Master! Look at this!" Jay held up a nearly identical envelope and card. "I got a strange letter too."

Vardan's eyes narrowed.

"You got the same card?"

Jay nodded eagerly.

At lunch, Vardan found Mia sitting alone and showed her the card. Jay tagged along, holding his card as well.

Mia's eyes flickered over the black cards, but she masked her surprise.

"I don't know anything about it," she said casually, though Vardan caught the slight hesitation in her voice.

"Jay passed the exam too," Vardan added.

Mia's expression shifted slightly. She glanced at Jay—this innocent kid who was now holding a direct ticket to the organization.

"You're telling me… he passed? Jay?"

Vardan nodded. "He's stronger than he looks."

Mia exhaled. "Those cards... they lead to one of the organization's locations. But it's not the real headquarters."

Vardan's fists clenched at the mention of the organization.

"It doesn't matter. This is the first step."

Jay, however, wasn't as enthusiastic.

"I don't want to join the organization," he admitted quietly.

Mia's face darkened. "That's not an option."

Jay blinked.

"If you refuse, they'll come after you. The organization doesn't like loose ends—especially people who know where to find them."

A chill ran through Jay as the weight of her words settled in.

Vardan clapped a hand on Jay's shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you. If they come after you, they'll have to go through me."

Jay smiled faintly. "Thanks, master."

After school, Vardan headed straight to Johan's house.

He told the old man everything—the exam, Jay's surprising skills, and the invitation to the organization's location.

Johan crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "You're getting closer, but don't lose focus. The real fight hasn't started yet."

Vardan's eyes burned with determination.

"I'll destroy the organization and finish what James started. And I'll find the rest of the old wings."

Meanwhile, in a dark, shadowy room, the organization's new boss sat silently. His face remained hidden, shrouded by the dim light.

Oliver, the A-rank killer, stood nearby, arms crossed.

"Boss, why did you order me to kill Darius? He was useful to us."

The boss didn't turn to face him. "Darius planned to betray the organization."

Oliver's brow furrowed. "I was watching him closely. I didn't see any signs of betrayal."

"He hid it from you," the boss replied calmly. "But I had someone else watching him."

Oliver's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

The boss leaned forward, his silhouette looming larger.

"Trust isn't a luxury we can afford, Oliver."