Chapter 31: The Big Mission of Segrito!

The dim glow of the Forsaken Z Island's control

tower cast long shadows over the perimeter as two guards stood at their post,

the cold wind whipping against their faces. The island itself loomed like a

fortress of despair, its darkened structures and eerie silence a testament to

the horrors it had seen.

Guard 1 shifted nervously, his eyes scanning the

landscape. "Hey… Guard 2," he began, his voice low and uncertain. "What's the

name of this island again?"

Guard 2 let out a short, bitter laugh. "You must

be new here," he said, not taking his eyes off the horizon. "This is Forsaken Z

Island. And trust me — it's got that name for a reason."

Guard 1 frowned. "What reason?"

Guard 2's face darkened. "It's a story most here

are too scared to tell. Years ago, an S+

rank escort landed on

this island. A team so deadly and efficient they were considered legends even

among assassins. But in that escort… there were two key assassins. Two of the

best."

He paused, his eyes narrowing as if recalling the

fear that still haunted him.

"They wiped out our forces," Guard 2 continued,

his voice lowering to a whisper. "Every last soldier stationed here — gone. But

that wasn't the end. The mission fell apart from the inside. The main assassin

— the leader — was backstabbed.

And when the dust settled, the surviving members of that escort believed the co-assassin had betrayed and killed their leader."

Guard 1's eyes widened. "What happened to the

co-assassin?"

Guard 2 shook his head slowly. "A death sentence was placed on him by his own people.

But on the day of his execution… Segrito attacked."

Guard 1's breath caught. "Segrito? The Ninefold

Dominion?"

"Exactly," Guard 2 said grimly. "They staged it

perfectly; made it look like the co-assassin had orchestrated the entire

strike. He was supposed to die that day, either by execution or by Segrito's

hands. But…"

Guard 1 leaned closer. "But what?"

Guard 2's voice dropped even lower, his eyes

darting around as if afraid someone might overhear. "He never made it out. Or

at least… that's what people think. They say he died in an accident while trying to escape Segrito's

forces. But…"

"But you don't believe that do you?" Guard 1

pressed.

Guard 2's jaw tightened. "No. And I'll tell you

why."

He took a step closer, his voice barely above a

whisper now. "Three years ago, we were ordered to stage an attack on Solara. We

hid out on a nearby forest island, waiting for our orders. One night… he came."

"Who?" Guard 1's voice cracked with unease.

"A man… wearing a black coat and red

visors," Guard 2 said, his face pale. "He didn't say a word. He just appeared. And then…"

He swallowed hard. "He massacred us. Our entire force — trained killers

— and we didn't even stand a chance. The way he moved… it was like death itself

had come for us. And when it was over, he dragged

the bodies — threw them

onto this very island. Back then, it was an abandoned

outpost, but after that night, Segrito decided to shift their forces here."

Guard 1's heart pounded in his chest. "But… why?"

Guard 2 met his gaze, his eyes filled with the

same terror he'd felt that night. "Because it wasn't just some random killer.

When I looked into his eyes… I knew."

He took a shaky breath. "Those were the eyes of the co-assassin. The one

who was supposed to be dead."

The air between them grew colder, the weight of

the story settling heavily.

"But if that's true…" Guard 1 began slowly, "why

would he let you live?"

Guard 2's face was unreadable. "He left a warning. He said…

Segrito had no business with the Abyss.

That we were to stay here and never interfere with its power.

And after what I saw…" His voice faltered. "I believe him."

Before Guard 1 could respond, the sound of

approaching footsteps cut through the air. A commanding voice barked from the

distance. "You two! Enough talking — back to your posts!"

The conversation ended, but the fear lingered. As

they returned to their positions, Guard 1 couldn't shake the feeling that

something — or someone — was watching them from the shadows.

The air inside Forsaken Z Island's Warfare Room

was thick with tension. The massive chamber was dimly lit, the cold steel walls

echoing with the sound of hundreds of boots marching in unison. Every assassin

and guard stationed on the island had been summoned, and now they stood

shoulder to shoulder, their faces a mix of anticipation and dread.

Suddenly, the room

fell into complete silence as Kaelis Dorne, the Strategist

of Shadows, stepped forward. His sharp eyes swept over the crowd like a

predator surveying its prey. Beside him stood Draven Kryne, the Revenant

Enforcer, his imposing figure radiating an air of barely contained

violence.

Kaelis's voice cut

through the silence like a blade. "All

assassins and guards of Segrito — listen well! We have received a mission of

the highest importance."

The room held its

breath.

"The time has

come," Kaelis continued, his words deliberate and heavy, "to recapture

the Dark Ripple Abyss. Our operation begins tomorrow

at dawn. Failure is not an option."

A murmur spread

through the crowd like wildfire. Whispers of fear and uncertainty rippled

through the ranks.

In the midst of

the growing unrest, Guard 1 — his face pale and his voice

trembling — couldn't hold back. "Why… why are we going there?!" he blurted out.

"It's like history's repeating itself! You all know what happened the last

time!"

The room froze,

every eye turning toward him. For a moment, even Kaelis seemed amused by the

outburst. But before he could respond, Guard 2 nudged his companion, his voice low

and steady. "Quiet," he warned. "You don't want to draw attention here."

Guard 1 swallowed

hard, still shaking. "What's your name, anyway?" he whispered.

"Veytex Citek," the other guard replied

without looking at him. "And you?"

"Sanyer Antonio," Guard 1 answered. "But…

Veytex, why aren't you scared? You know the stories. You know what happened the last

time we messed with the

Abyss."

Veytex's eyes

flicked toward the front of the room, where Draven Kryne's expression had grown

darker. "Because fear won't save us," Veytex muttered. "But readiness might."

Kaelis's voice

rose again, silencing the murmurs. "Return to your quarters and prepare for

tomorrow. Those who hesitate — those who show fear —

will not survive what's coming. Dismissed."

As the crowd began

to disperse, Sanyer and Veytex fell into step, their minds heavy with dread.

The long corridors of the island felt colder than ever as they made their way

back to their rooms.

"Veytex," Sanyer

whispered as they walked, his voice barely audible. "Do you… do you really

think it's true? The stories about the co-assassin? About the massacre and the

warning?"

Veytex didn't

answer right away. But when he finally spoke, his voice was low and certain. "I saw him, Sanyer. And if he's still out

there… we're marching straight into his domain."

Neither of them slept that night.