Tengoku e no Hangyaku - Rebellion against Heaven (english version)

Chapter 3: Between Darkness and Betrayal

The passage of time had turned Ryuusei and Aiko into key pieces in the game of Death. Three years of training, assassinations, and missions had transformed them into feared heralds, but also dangerously independent individuals. Unlike Daichi, Kenta, and Haru, who followed orders without question, Ryuusei began to wonder what the true purpose of his actions was.

Their riches were but a token of the power they had acquired. Lavish mansions, inexhaustible bank accounts, and a life of privilege were within his grasp, but the price had been high. That night, Death called them for a new mission. It wasn't just about money; This time, he wanted something more valuable: documents containing classified information from one of the world's most powerful governments.

Through his sources, Death discovered that those documents had been stolen and stored in one of the facilities of a secret corporation in Tokyo, a high-security bank that, in addition to money, housed classified information. To get them back, he needed his best pieces on the board: Ryuusei and Aiko.

The dark room was illuminated by the appearance of Death's spectral silhouette. His voice echoed in Ryuusei and Aiko's minds.

—They have proven their worth on countless occasions. Now, I want them to steal a set of secret documents. They contain information about the existence of divine entities and about the government's attempts to control its interventions in the human world.

Ryuusei narrowed his eyes.

"Why do you want them?"

"Mortals have always tried to play gods. They must not possess that knowledge. You, my heralds, will serve me once again to correct their arrogance.

Ryuusei and Aiko exchanged glances. It wasn't their first foray into protected places, but this sounded more complicated than usual.

"Just the two of us," Aiko murmured.

"That's right. Do you doubt your abilities, child?

Aiko clenched her fists.

"No.

Death smiled, satisfied.

Once in the bank, he was located in the heart of the city, surrounded by state-of-the-art technology, security guards and a defense system that would make even the most experienced thief doubt. However, for Ryuusei and Aiko, it was just another challenge.

On a rooftop under the moonlight, Ryuusei and Aiko were getting ready.

"This will be fun," Aiko said, adjusting the hilt of her sword.

"Let's just follow the plan," Ryuusei replied, holding his warhammers. "We went in, took the documents and the money, and left without attracting attention.

"We're going to steal millions, brother. We can buy whatever we want.

Ryuusei smiled sideways. With the money stolen from previous missions, each already owned luxury properties. They lived like kings, but money was never enough.

They threw themselves from the rooftop. Aiko slashed a vent with her sword and they slipped inside. The hallways were dark, the security system active, but it was no match for them.

Ryuusei used her teleportation daggers to move through the shadows, disabling lasers and dodging cameras. Aiko, with her superhuman agility, silently eliminated the guards with precise slashes. They reached the vault without activating a single alarm.

Inside, they found the documents. They were ancient scrolls with strange symbols and seals of forgotten deities. Ryuusei kept them in a special case.

"That's it. Now the money.

They forced the main safe. Stacks of banknotes and gold bars flashed before them.

"We can't carry everything," Aiko said.

"We'll take enough to make it worthwhile," Ryuusei replied, filling a couple of backpacks.

Hours later, in an abandoned temple on the outskirts of the city, the figure of Death emerged from the darkness. His voice rang cold and distant.

"Do you have them?"

Ryuusei nodded and placed the case with the documents in front of him. Death took the scrolls with his bony fingers and silently reviewed them. Then, she looked up blankly at him.

"Well done.

"What do you need them for?" Aiko asked, crossing her arms.

"Knowledge is power, girl. And I don't let others know more than they should.

Aiko frowned, but Ryuusei grabbed her shoulder. It was unwise to question Death.

Suddenly, Aiko's communicator vibrated. It was a message from Haru.

"He says they want to see me alone. That it is important.

Ryuusei frowned. Something was not right.

"Don't go alone. It's strange that they didn't call me too.

Aiko shook her head.

"If they suspect something, it could be worse. I'll go and come back quickly.

Ryuusei stared at her, feeling an uneasiness in the depths of his chest.

As Aiko walked away, a shiver ran down her spine. Something was wrong. Too bad.