The Final Desperation

Genji lay prone on the roof of a tall building, a complex sniper rifle assembled and aimed off the edge. Through the crosshairs, he eyed his target across the busy streets: a corpulent businessman with many enemies, the archetypal corrupt tycoon. At present, the mark was attending a party hosted by someone unimportant.

Genji needn't understand everything, only remove the nuisance—his sole priority now. When the businessman paused long enough, Genji swiftly pulled the trigger. Without assessing his accuracy, he adeptly dismantled the rifle and packed it in a silver suitcase.

His task complete, Genji descended the stairs and shed his clothes, changing in seconds into a hotel staff uniform. On the fifth floor, he pushed a cart of food trays and knocked on a door, announcing loudly, "Room service!"

A woman in loose robes answered, chuckling at Genji's averted gaze as he handed over a tray. "What's wrong?" she purred, leaning to expose her bare chest.

"Madam, please, some decency," Genji implored, greatly flustered.

She curled her fingers into a circle and crudely stroked up and down, "I can provide some service if you have time."

Blushing, he declined, "No, I should be going."

"Oh come now, it'll be fun," she insisted.

Stammering excuses, Genji hurried away from the cackling woman.

"How innocent."

Rounding the corner, his embarrassed facade evaporated—the perfect act. Now to await the police and make his escape.

Sirens soon screamed outside. Officers questioned guests and inspected the roof, soon querying those on the top floor about suspicious figures. The scantily dressed woman directed them to Genji, who had delivered her food.

"There was a man in a trench coat, who seemed to be leaving. Struck me as odd but I thought nothing of it," Genji lied.

Dissatisfied, the officer pressed, "You didn't call out to him?"

"I did, but he ignored me. That's why I thought he was strange," Genji claimed.

After providing a description, the officers thanked Genji, who finished his shift before casually departing. Entering the getaway car, his partner Ren asked, "How'd it go?"

"Same old," Genji replied, buckling his seatbelt.

Ren shook his head. "Don't get why you toy with the police. You're definitely suspect."

Grinning wildly, Genji explained, "Because it's fun! These jobs are so boring, I have to entertain myself. What does it matter if they suspect me? I'll be long gone by the time they return. Just imagining their faces when they realize their culprit slipped through their fingers..."

He laughed maniacally.

Ren frowned. "I've heard of your reputation, but seeing this side of you firsthand... Be careful. That habit will get you killed someday."

Genji scoffed. "Let them come. I'm bored of life anyway. If I can die in excitement, I'll welcome it."

"How did you become an assassin with that attitude?" Ren wondered.

"You may be right," Genji mused. "This job doesn't suit me anymore. Maybe I should retire, find excitement elsewhere."

Ren kept silent. Sometimes it's best to keep thoughts to oneself.

 

---

 

The organization they belong to is the League of Assassins, or simply the League. It is currently the largest underground network globally, with branches all over the world. The League accepts nefarious requests to make unwanted people disappear, for exorbitant fees of course.

Among their ranks, Genji is regarded as one of the most skilled assassins, rivaling the legendary killers feared worldwide. His sole flaw in the eyes of leadership is unruly behavior developed over time in the role. Though no real trouble has come of it yet, many partners have lodged complaints about him—an unnecessary headache, to put it mildly.

Genji enters the Headmaster's office and takes a seat.

"I want to retire," he declares.

"We've discussed this. No," the Headmaster refuses.

Genji frowns. Two months since he first broached the topic, yet the answer remains unchanged. For some reason, the League refuses to release him.

"Can you at least give me a reason? You deny me without explanation," Genji presses.

The Headmaster ponders briefly before answering.

"You're too valuable an asset. And a threat. Losing one of our best would cause great trouble, more than it's worth."

Genji mulls this over. He understands the asset argument, but what makes him a threat? It's not as if he'd attack agents without cause. Actually, his boredom and thirst for entertainment might lead to that. If he so chose, he could inflict serious damage on the League's credibility. And once they lost track of him, nothing would stop him. What a mess his personality has created.

"Fine. What will it take for you to release me?"

"Noth-"

The Headmaster catches himself and reconsiders.

"Actually, there is one thing."

He retrieves a file and tosses it on the table. Genji picks it up, finding information on a target—another assassination job, it seems.

Looking to the Headmaster, Genji asks, "This target's given you trouble?"

"Yes, Yori and Nago both failed, were seriously injured. Kill him, and you'll be free."

Genji frowned. Both Yori and Nago had failed? This was going to be harder than he expected since they were Black Dragon ranked like himself. Yori and Nago had the best teamwork among the Dragons.

For this target to defeat them shows the mission's difficulty. But the challenge excites Genji. One last show against such a formidable foe—he couldn't ask for better.

"When do I start, and who's my partner?" Genji grinned eagerly.

"Silver Sword. Two days."

 

---

 

Genji and Silver Sword stalked their target for days, observing habits and routines for weaknesses. Though they had a report, they knew better than to overly rely on secondhand information. Genji understood complacency's dangers. Daring as he was, he still wished to keep his life and enjoy it.

Noticing the target approach a deserted area, Genji and Silver Sword exchanged nods. Stowing his binoculars, Silver Sword followed Genji into a nearby bamboo forest to set up. Genji assembled his rifle while Silver Sword kept eyes on their mark.

With his sniper ready, Silver Sword instructed, "He's at your two o'clock."

Genji adjusted his aim, the target in his sights. Silver Sword positioned himself meters away, also preparing to engage. Genji laid out ample ammunition—they wouldn't take chances, not after their peers had failed. That would be foolish.

"I'll go first, then we alternate," Genji stated.

Genji mused, "These white skies suit the bamboo forest perfectly. Ideal scenery for a fight. Hopefully it doesn't come to that."

*BANG*

His shot fired, but it was clear why the previous two had failed. As if sensing the danger, the target dropped and rolled before regaining his feet, dodging the bullet. Quickly ejecting the spent shell, Genji fired again.

Nimbly, the target rolled toward cover. Another shot from Genji, then Silver Sword fired as Genji reloaded. Their rifles held seven rounds. At Genji's third shot, Silver Sword began shooting too, leaving scarcely any space between volleys. Once Genji emptied his magazine, Silver Sword provided cover for him to reload. This barrage was lethal against most marks.

But this was no normal target. Despite their coordinated strikes, only a graze marred his shoulder. After exhausting two magazines, their quarry was fully obscured. As Silver Sword kept watch, Genji seized the chance to reload. Finished, he flung the empty magazine to cue his partner.

Soon, the target broke cover—only momentarily. Still, Genji reflexively loosed three quick shots before realizing it was just a shoe. His reaction time was that fast. No matter. It's better safe than sorry. Resources are the last thing on their minds when they are on a mission.

With the volley ended, the target made for closer cover.

"How bold," thought Genji. "But I'd expect no less."

He emptied his remaining four rounds, but their mark's instincts were preternatural. Despite Genji's pinpoint aim predicting the target's movements, no bullets struck home. Silver Sword fared better, grazing an arm.

This skirmish lasted until the target neared within ten meters, too close for their rifles. Genji drew two desert eagles from his case, firing as Silver Sword followed suit. Together they unleashed a hailstorm of lead, but their mark weaved unperturbed between the bamboo trunks. And he somehow produced an enormous shield to block stray shots.

"Where was he hiding that?" Genji wondered.

Charging them now, bullets ricocheted ineffectually off the sturdy shield.

"Damn, that's durable," Genji thought.

Within ten meters, Silver Sword discarded his guns and drew his namesake silver rapier, plunging toward their shielded foe. When in range, he thrust the rapier up, sparking against the shield.

Genji continued firing supporting shots, trying to cripple their target. But he seemed impervious, instead attacking Silver Sword ferociously with a sword suddenly in hand.

"Again with these hidden weapons," Genji thought, reloading adeptly on the move, never ceasing fire.

Running past a trunk, Genji lost sight of the duel for a split-second—long enough for the target's kick to send Silver Sword flying, sounding a large number of crackling bamboo.

"Let's hope no broken bones," Genji thought. "Otherwise I'm on my own."

He emptied his last rounds before hurling his emptied guns at the target's head. Raising his shield, metallic clangs rang out as they bounced off.

Now in close, Genji drew twin daggers, wasting no time engaging their shielded foe. Feinting left, he used the parry's momentum to flip his dagger's grip, thread it inside the sword, and shove outwards. Simultaneously he struck from the right, flicking his wrist to evade the shield and slice the target's throat.

Surprised by the swift maneuvering, the target retreated in haste. Regarding Genji intently as he spun his blades, the target conceded, "You're good."

Silent, Genji assumed his signature stance—right dagger back, left before his chest—for his lethal Two-Stroke technique.

The target readied himself and charged. Genji rushed to meet him, building momentum for the strike. As they were about to collide, Genji leapt, planning to bound off the shield and stab from behind. But the target exhibited uncanny strength, knocking Genji back on impact.

Eyes widening, Genji thought, "How does he have such power?"

Regaining his footing, no time remained to ponder this as the target barreled towards him. Rolling right into his foe's blindspot just in time to dodge the slam. Noticing this, the hulking man slammed down his large shield but missed when his leg wobbled. As he wondered the cause of this sudden change, he felt a pain in his ankle.

Genji had severed an ankle tendon as he passed the target's feet. Though surprised, the target didn't hesitate, trying to impale the rolling Genji, who sprung up, twisting past the blade to slice at the neck again.

The target jerked away, avoiding a fatal cut. No time to worry about that now as Genji used his shoulder as a springboard, forcing him off balance. He couldn't adjust his sword quickly enough to hit Genji, who handsprung over him and stabbed downwards. Ugernt to dodge, the target dropped his weapon and rolled clear by tucking his shield near his chest.

Landing, Genji kicked up and reloaded a gun, squeezing off shots before discarding it. Riddled with fresh bullet holes, the target turned to see Genji rushing in, one-daggered.

The target wondered, "Where's the other dagger?"

Then he felt the segmented blade buried in his gut, given away by the added weight, and recognized the numbness of poison. Genji had flung it into his shield's groove when rolling past earlier. That's how he could handspring off him one-handed.

No more time to ponder, as Genji closed in for another swing. Blocking it, the target punched Genji back to buy time to free the dagger—his condition was getting dire. He hurriedly tossed it away before Genji could retrieve it.

"You're not just good, you're lethal—deadlier than should be possible," the target admitted.

Genji replied, "As are you, no?"

"I have my reasons. But for one to reach this level alone..."

Alone? Genji was puzzled at the implication. Did the target not attain such skill through training too?

The target continued, "This shield hinders against the likes of you. Any defense would."

Genji wondered at his aim but became shocked at the sight before him. The shield dissipated into light, replaced by a greatsword in the other hand. Lunging fiercely, the target swung at Genji, who barely parried the heavy blade. Using the brief opening, Genji was able to move out of the trajectory, but his arm was now bent at an awkward angle.

"He's stronger now?" Genji thought as he switched the dagger to his intact arm, all while kicking the poisoned leg. Unfazed by the incoming attack, Genji was forced to springboard off the stalwart man.

Capitalizing on this opening, the target swung down, trying to bisect the wounded assassin.

Diving under the slice, Genji smashed his broken arm against the ground to propel himself toward the target's legs, intent on severing a foot. Intense pain shot up his broken arm, but Genji couldn't afford to pay attention to that right now. All his attention was focused on cutting the leg in front of him.

Time slowed as he put his all into the swing. His shoulder muscles twisted in a frenzy as he exerted force beyond the limits of his body. Then he swung hard.

Blood sprayed behind him as he cleanly slashed through the ligament and out the existing cut.

Coming to his feet, Genji saw the damage done but had no time to celebrate as the target whirled, stomping on his remaining leg to swing his massive sword once more. Genji kept evading but soon realized he couldn't dodge the next strike since the target turned into a whirlwind of death.

With a glint of madness in his eyes, Genji resolved, "Let's gamble then," and put his broken arm in the blade's path.

Disrupting the sword's momentum, Genji wound up his left hand and unloaded everything into one ferocious swing, slicing deep into the target's neck. After rolling to his feet behind the crumpling target, Genji flicked his dagger once more, blood arcing through the air.

*Plop*

The head of the target landed on the ground and rolled next to his severed arm. Adrenaline raced through his veins as the craze of battle stimulated his senses. It felt good to win this arduous battle.

Target eliminated.

As he was reveling in his victory, a silver rapier pierced Genji's heart from behind. Face contorting, Genji choked out a questioning, "Why?"

"The Headmaster bids his farewells," Silver Sword explained plainly.

'I see. They never intended to let me leave,' Genji realized.

Silver Sword withdrew his rapier, sending Genji sinking to the ground.

"Farewell Genji. You were a fine assassin."

Then the footsteps faded away.