Executioner stepped out of his room the moment he heard the gunshot. His eyes darted toward the hallway, and he ran toward the sound without thinking twice. When he got there, he saw Sakura standing like nothing happened. Calm. Like usual. Just beside him, a woman lay on the ground, not moving.
Executioner's eyes dropped to the body, then snapped back to Sakura. His tone lit up as he grabbed Sakura's hand.
"You did it? Was it fun?"
Sakura gave a cold smile but shook his head.
"No, I didn't. Some motorcyclist shot her from the window."
Executioner's face changed. His excitement faded. He ran his hand through his hair and looked away for a second.
"Why?"
Sakura shrugged like it didn't matter.
"No idea."
Executioner looked at him with a strange look.
"You're not even shocked?"
Sakura smiled. But this time, it was a creepy kind of smile, his voice dropping low.
"This lady's hard to kill. Lemme just say… she's like… immortal or something."
Executioner laughed, holding his stomach as he leaned back a little.
"Seriously?"
Sakura nodded slowly, still calm.
Executioner rolled his eyes and turned away.
"Forget it. I've killed tons of people, and not one ever got back up."
Sakura tilted his head like he was thinking.
"Take the body away," Executioner muttered. "She's not waking up."
But just as he turned to walk away, the woman coughed. She moved. Her eyes opened slowly.
Executioner turned sharply and kicked her in the stomach.
"Sleep tight," he said.
Sakura blinked. "Aaah, Master Raven, you shouldn't have kicked her…"
The woman's eyes opened again. This time for real. She sat up slowly, like nothing hurt at all. Executioner narrowed his eyes.
"Who the hell are you?"
The woman cracked her neck, then her fingers. She stood up with ease, then out of nowhere, punched Executioner right in the face.
"Ouch!" he grunted. His nose started bleeding. He wiped it with the back of his hand and glared at her.
"Why the hell did you do that?"
The woman smiled, not even sorry.
"That's our greeting. I'm Mei. The one who saved your dad from dying."
Executioner raised an eyebrow.
"You saved Bryce? Why would you do that?"
Mei gave a short smile.
"Your family's tied to the emperors of heaven. I'm the Thunder God's assistant."
Executioner's eyes twitched when she said that. Then a voice echoed in his head, dark and heavy.
"Kill her. She deserves to die."
He winced and tapped his own head.
"Back off," he whispered.
Mei narrowed her eyes. "What'd you just say?"
Executioner forced a smile.
"Nothing. Come on in, Mei."
Mei walked in, her heels tapping on the floor like they owned the place. Sakura looked happy to see her. But the voice in Executioner's head came back, whispering again.
"Have you seen Bryce's dead body? Or maybe… he's still alive."
Executioner froze.
"What?" he whispered.
Sakura and Mei looked at him, confused. He shook his head fast.
"Nothing."
They all sat down. Mei crossed her legs. Her lips caught the light when she smiled. Sakura went to make coffee. Executioner stared at Mei for a second before asking,
"Why are you here?"
Mei sipped her coffee, then placed the cup down.
"I'm here for you. You want revenge for your dad, right?"
Executioner leaned back. "I guess so."
Mei smiled again. "Good. I want you to join our agency. We save people. And we kill if needed. I've got a mission for you."
Executioner shook his head, his voice low.
"No. I've got my own stuff going on."
Mei leaned closer, eyes locked on his.
"I know what you're dealing with. We can help you recover. But you gotta do me a favor."
He stared at her. "What favor?"
Mei's tone turned cold.
"No killing innocent people."
Executioner's face changed. He frowned hard.
"What? Then forget it. I'm Executioner. I decide who lives or dies."
Mei made a small clicking sound with her tongue.
"Okay, okay." She stood up and grabbed her bag.
"I'll be waiting for you tomorrow. 5:30 in the morning."
Executioner just nodded. Mei walked out. Sakura offered to walk her to her car, but she smiled and shook her head.
"I've got a car. No need."
Mei got into her Rolls-Royce and drove off. Executioner stood at the door, watching. Then he turned to Sakura.
"Close the window and turn off the light. It's late. Get some sleep."
Sakura nodded and walked off to his room. Executioner headed back to his.
---
"Sir, the weapon is ready," Kaito reported.
Taro grinned, puffing smoke from his cigarette.
"Good. We'll use it the moment the rocket's ready."
5:12 AM.
Executioner's alarm went off. He got out of bed, yawning. He brushed his teeth, took a bath, and dressed up. In the kitchen, Sakura had made him a meal. He ate quickly, then left.
When he reached Mei's apartment, she opened the door with a smile.
"Hey, Mr. Executioner… or should I say, Mr. Raven?"
Executioner stared for a second but didn't say anything.
Mei led him to a large room. It was filled with weapons and lined with luxury cars. His eyes widened in surprise.
"Whoa…"
"Pick one," Mei said, holding out her hand.
He walked over and pointed.
"I want that one."
She handed him the keys.
"That's the Pagani Utopia Coupe. 2022 model. V12 twin turbo. 864 horsepower. 217 miles per hour top speed. Costs 2.8 million."
Executioner's mouth opened slightly.
"What?!"
Mei laughed.
"Just kidding."
She took him underground next. Six agents were already there—four guys, two girls. Mei smiled.
"Executioner, meet the team."
She pointed to a man with blue eyes and grey hair.
"This is Ryota. Our top tracker. He looks harmless, but he's deadly."
Next was a guy with quick hands and a smug face.
"This is Shota. He's a thief. The best."
Executioner raised an eyebrow.
"Prove it."
Shota walked past him, bumped into him, then smiled.
"Where's your watch?"
Executioner looked at his wrist. It was gone.
He chuckled. "Alright, not bad."
Mei moved on.
"This is Hiroto. Second tracker. Genius. He doesn't use gadgets. Just instinct. Lost his parents but stayed strong."
Then she pointed at a Chinese boy with a weird haircut.
"Ling Tian. Kung fu master. Kind guy. But… that haircut's something else."
The team laughed. Mei pointed to the two girls.
"Rina and Natsumi. They're beauty and brains. Can distract any target."
Executioner's eyes followed them for a second. He nodded slightly.
Mei's face turned serious.
"Our target is Mr. Daiki. We need him alive. And we need the case he carries. Let's move."