The Mission(1)

As Vardan and Jay walked out of the facility, the sun dipped below the horizon, stretching long shadows across the cracked pavement.

Jay stretched dramatically, yawning like he'd just finished a long day at the spa. "Man, I thought training to be a killer would be cooler. This feels like gym class… except with more bruises and fewer dodgeballs."

Vardan chuckled, shaking his head. "You almost turned into a psycho mid-fight, Jay. I'd say that's not exactly gym class material."

Jay scratched the back of his neck, flashing a sheepish grin. "Yeah… I don't know what happens. It's like something flips in my brain the second I start fighting."

"Let's keep that switch off unless we really need it," Vardan said, nudging him. "I'd rather not explain to Oliver why my partner suddenly snapped and tried to take out the entire class."

Jay nodded enthusiastically. "Fair. I like staying alive."

---

The Next Day

When Vardan and Jay returned to the facility, something felt… off. The usual banter and noise were gone. A strange heaviness lingered in the air.

Oliver stood silently by the monitor, arms crossed, eyes narrowing as he scanned the recruits. His usual sarcasm was absent.

Finally, he stepped forward, holding three mission cards.

"Alright, I have your first real mission."

Vardan's eyes flickered with excitement. Jay's did not.

"W-Wait, already?" Jay stammered, glancing around nervously.

Oliver ignored him and handed the mission cards to Vardan, Jay, and Leo.

The rest of the recruits stared, slack-jawed.

"Why do they get a mission? We passed the same exam!" Akio complained, throwing his arms up dramatically.

Ken crossed his arms. "Yeah, seriously. We're just as capable."

Oliver's glare sliced through the room like a knife. Everyone immediately shut up.

"Because I said so."

Jay leaned toward Vardan, whispering, "I think Oliver's superpower is terrifying people into silence."

"I don't think that's an official rank, Jay," Vardan replied with a smirk.

The screen flickered on, displaying a grainy image of a man sitting outside a small cabin in the woods. Vardan's smirk vanished instantly. His stomach twisted.

It was Johan.

"Your target," Oliver began, "is this man. Johan. Some of you might've heard of him. One of the greatest swordsmen in history. A former member of the old Wings—one of the original seven. But he's old now. Killing him should be easy."

Jay's eyes widened in disbelief. Vardan clenched his fists, his knuckles white.

Leo narrowed his eyes, stepping forward slightly. "Interesting. So he's still alive."

Vardan shot Leo a glance, but before he could say anything, Oliver continued.

"We've tracked his location to a cabin just outside the city. Your mission is simple—eliminate him."

Leo stepped closer, glaring at both Vardan and Jay. "Listen closely. Johan's mine. If either of you gets in my way… you won't make it back."

Jay gulped. "Cool. That's… reassuring."

Vardan stayed silent, his mind racing as the briefing ended.

---

On the Way Home

Jay jogged to keep up with Vardan's brisk pace.

"So, uh… what's the plan? Because personally, I'm not excited about fighting some legendary swordsman. Plus, Leo looks like he'll actually kill us."

Vardan kept his gaze straight ahead.

"I'll figure it out."

Jay groaned. "You always say that. Can't you figure it out before we face someone who can slice us like sashimi?"

Vardan stopped walking. "Go home, Jay."

Jay frowned, tilting his head. "Wait, what? What are you gonna do?"

"I need to see someone."

Jay hesitated, searching Vardan's face.

"Alright… don't die."

"I won't."

---

Johan's Cabin

The sun had fully set by the time Vardan arrived at Johan's house. The old man was outside, seated by a small fire, sipping tea as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Vardan stepped forward cautiously. "They found you."

Johan didn't look up. He simply took another slow sip of his tea. "Took them long enough."

"You're not worried?"

Johan chuckled softly. "Vardan, I've been waiting for this day for years. I knew it would come eventually. The Organisation doesn't like loose ends."

Vardan shifted his weight uncomfortably.

"They've assigned me the mission to kill you."

Johan finally looked at him, his eyes calm.

"I figured as much."

Vardan's fists tightened. "I'm not letting them touch you."

Johan smiled faintly, setting his cup down.

"I never expected you to."