SICARII

The figure carried Tiger on his back through the dimly lit streets, weaving between alleys and avoiding any prying eyes. Tiger, still too injured to make sense of his surroundings, clung to consciousness but could barely process what was happening. His rescuer stopped in front of a small, shuttered shop. The storefront was plain, with a faded sign above the door that read "Kenny's Goods." It looked long abandoned, the windows dusty and the door creaky as it opened.

Inside the shop was just as unassuming: a few empty shelves, a counter with a rusted cash register, and faint footprints on the dusty floor. The figure pushed open a door behind the counter, revealing a staircase leading down.

Tiger groaned weakly, trying to gather the strength to ask questions, but the figure remained silent as he descended.

At the bottom of the stairs, the scene completely shifted. It was a large basement, but it felt more like a war room. The walls were lined with guns of every caliber, swords of varying lengths and designs, and an assortment of knives and other weapons meticulously displayed. A dim, flickering light illuminated the room, giving it an ominous glow.

Around the room were several people, all with an air of danger about them. One man sat in the corner sharpening a long, serrated knife with slow, deliberate movements. Another cleaned a rifle, his gaze flickering toward Tiger and his rescuer as they entered. Two others sat at a table, examining a map spread across its surface, marking locations with red pins.

The figure carried Tiger to a metal chair in the center of the room and set him down carefully.

"Well," the man said, his voice calm yet carrying a commanding edge. "You're quite the fighter. Taking on those two with your bare hands and no Inner, and still holding your own. You might even be better than me."

Tiger, still disoriented and aching, glanced up at the man. "Who… are you? And where am I?"

The man crouched in front of him, his sharp features illuminated by the flickering light. "My name is Felix," he said, "and you're in a TAK hideout."

"TAK?" Tiger muttered, confusion and unease mingling in his voice. "What the hell is that?"

Felix smirked faintly, leaning back as he rested his arms on his knees. "We're an underground organization. Currently on the rise. TAK stands for the Agent Killers."

Tiger tensed, his fists clenching weakly. He repeated, "The Agent Killers? What kind of joke is that?"

"It's not a joke," Felix replied evenly. "We were formed to take out the Agency. That corrupt organization needs to be gone."

Felix shrugged. "Believe it or not, it doesn't matter to me. But that's not the main issue here. What I need to know is why an Agent—a Sicarii—has TOHMs trying to kill him." Felix's tone sharpened as he locked eyes with Tiger. "You know as well as I do, only super important people have the connections and resources to hire a TOHM."

Tiger blinked, still processing. "Wait… those two… they were TOHMs?"

Felix gave a dry chuckle. "You didn't think they really existed, did you?"

Tiger's head dropped slightly as he muttered, "I've heard the rumors, but… seeing them in action…"

Felix stood and walked over to a nearby table, pouring himself a drink. "Oh, they're very real. The Original Hitman Group. A dangerous bunch. They don't take contracts lightly. Which is why I'm asking: why were they after you?"

Tiger exhaled, pain and frustration clear in his expression. "I overheard a conversation between board members… and they must have found out it was me. So they sent those hitmen after me. I can't believe it. The Agency is corrupt. How dare they try to take me out after everything I've done for them?"

Felix took a sip from his glass, his sharp eyes narrowing as he observed Tiger. "So, the board has gone rogue, huh?" He set the glass down and leaned against the table. "You've stumbled into something big, haven't you?"

Tiger nodded weakly. "Bigger than I ever expected. And now I'm a target."

Felix smiled faintly, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Well, Agent… welcome to the shadows ."

Felix leaned in closer, his piercing eyes fixed on Tiger. "You're not going to survive out there on your own, no matter how strong you are," he said, his voice calm but laced with certainty. "Not with a target like that on your back. The TOHMs? They're relentless. And if they don't get you, the Agency will send someone else, maybe even worse."

Tiger narrowed his eyes, the tension in his body palpable despite his injuries. "So what are you trying to say?"

Felix smirked and straightened up, pacing slowly around the room. "Why don't you join us?" He gestured to the weapons on the walls and the dangerous figures scattered across the room. "TAK isn't just some ragtag group of criminals. We're organized, powerful, and growing. We can offer you protection, resources—everything you need to stay ahead of the Agency."

Tiger shook his head slightly. "And what? Become one of you? An Agent Killer? I'm nothing like you."

Felix chuckled, but his voice darkened as he spoke. "Aren't you? Think about it. They tried to have you killed. After everything you've done for them, they stabbed you in the back. Don't you want to get revenge for what they've done? To make them pay for their corruption?"

Tiger's fists clenched weakly at the words. The memory of the board members' conversation replayed in his mind—the betrayal, the lies, and now the attempt on his life.

Felix continued, sensing Tiger's hesitation. "You've already seen the cracks in their perfect little image. You know they're not what they claim to be. But here…" He spread his arms wide, gesturing to the room. "Here, we're honest about what we are. We don't pretend to be noble heroes. We're fighting to topple a system that's broken. And we could use someone like you."

Tiger remained silent for a moment, his mind racing. The thought of joining TAK churned uneasily in his gut, but Felix's words struck a chord. He'd always believed in the Agency's mission, but now… everything he thought he knew was unraveling.

Felix leaned against the table, his voice softening slightly. "You don't have to decide now. Rest. Heal up. But think about it. Because out there?" He gestured to the world beyond the basement. "Out there, you're a marked man. And the only way you're making it out alive is if you have the right people on your side."

Tiger stared at Felix, his expression a mix of exhaustion and uncertainty. For the first time in his life, he didn't know where he stood—or who he could trust.