As the handsome Gaia Disciples member made his way through the hallway, the two individuals remained hidden in the shadows, their footsteps barely making a sound. They followed him closely, their eyes fixed on his every move.

  Unaware of his stalkers, the handsome man continued walking, his footsteps echoing softly through the mostly empty hallway. It appeared he was heading somewhere specific, but his destination remained a mystery to his shadowy followers.

  The two individuals silently pursued the handsome man, their presence still a mystery to him. They moved in sync, their footsteps nearly imperceptible and their breathing meticulously controlled.

  Meanwhile, the handsome man continued navigating the corridors without a hint of awareness. His destination was yet to be revealed, and he seemed to be in no hurry to reach it.

  The pair of individuals, however, remained hyper-focus on him, their attention unwavering as they continued following him with the intent to trap him.

  As the handsome man proceeded with his journey, unaware of the individuals shadowing him stealthily from behind, he eventually reached an empty room. The pair of stalkers, their presence still undetected, witnessed his steps come to a halt.

  The man halted in front of the empty room, pausing for a moment as if contemplating something. His expression remained neutral, giving no hint of his thoughts.

  The individuals, ever wary and vigilant, watched as he stepped into the room, their eyes following him with bated breath…

  The man entered the vacant room, his footsteps echoing softly in the empty space. The individuals kept a watchful eye on him, their presence still concealed in the shadows.

  As the man stood inside the room, seemingly lost in thought, the individuals seized the opportunity to move closer. They inched towards the room, their footsteps barely perceptible, their focus intently fixed on the man.

  The man remained motionless, his back facing the entrance, his attention seemingly elsewhere. The individuals, finally closing the distance, cautiously entered the room, their every movement calculated and deliberate…

  As the individuals entered the room, they remained cautious, their footsteps deliberate and silent. The room was still bathed in silence, with the man seemingly immersed in his thoughts.

  The man stood still, his back facing the entrance, completely unaware of the individuals who had now entered the room. The two individuals approached him quietly, their bodies tense with anticipation.

  Once close enough, the individuals reached out, ready to apprehend him. However, the man suddenly spoke, his words breaking the eerie silence, "I've been expecting you.”

  The individuals froze in place, their surprise evident on their faces as the man's words sank in. He was expecting them. How did he know they were there?

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  The man slowly turned around, his expression calm. "You thought I wouldn't sense your presence?" he asked, crossing his arms as he waited for the two to reveal themselves.

  The individuals exchanged a brief, knowing glance. They had underestimated the man's awareness; now they were caught. Reluctantly, they stepped forward, emerging into the open. The culprits were Yuki and another young woman who bore a close resemblance to her, meaning this must also be a member of the Xerosi Clan as well.

  The man raised an eyebrow as the two women revealed themselves, their identities now known. It came as a surprise to see members of the Xerosi Clan before him, the family of the most notorious and highly skilled assassins.

  The man remained composed, though his expression betrayed a hint of intrigue. "Xerosi Clan, huh?" he muttered, his gaze flickering between the two assassins.

  The young women nodded, their faces betraying no emotion. "That's what they call us," Yuki replied, her voice steady.

  The man, intrigued by the sudden meeting, looked them up and down, sizing them up. "I must admit, I'm a bit surprised to find members of the Xerosi Clan in this place."

  The other young woman beside Yuki spoke up, her tone cool and confident. "We go where our job takes us," she stated simply, her expression unwavering.

  The man gave a small smirk, slightly impressed by their composed demeanor. "A fair point," he conceded, nodding in acknowledgement.

  He took a step closer, his gaze fixed on the female assassins. "But I'm curious, what brings two members of the Xerosi Clan to me?" he asked, his tone slightly amused.

  The two young women remained impassive, their gaze unflinching. The one who had spoken previously replied, her voice steady, "We've been hired for a job."

  The man crossed his arms, unmoved by their straightforwardness. "And what sort of job is it that requires the services of the infamous Xerosi Clan?" he inquired, his eyes locked on the duo.

  The other assassin, whose name was Kaori, picked up on the conversation. "To eliminate you," she stated simply, her maroon eyes still devoid of any emotion.

  The man's amusement deepened at Kaori's response. "Well, well, well," he began, his tone still filled with a hint of humor, "I guess I should have seen that coming."

  He leaned against a nearby wall, his detached nature unwavering. "And I suppose you've been sent to finish the job?" he asked, his gaze flickering between the two women.

  The two women, Yuki and Kaori, nodded in synchronized confirmation. "That is our mission," they replied in unison, their voices steady and unperturbed.

  The man raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed by their coordination. "Well, I must say, you two make quite the dangerous pair," he remarked, his gaze scanning them. "But you'll find I'm not quite so easy to eliminate.”

  Yuki and Kaori exchanged a quick glance, their confidence unwavering. "We've taken on difficult targets before," Yuki replied, her voice remaining calm and composed. "Our success rate is quite high, I assure you."

  The man nodded in response, still seemingly amused by their composure. "Confident, aren't you?" he murmured. "But I assure you that I am not easily taken down. Do you know who I am?”

  Yuki and Kaori remained unperturbed, their resolve evident in their unwavering gaze. "You are Fjord of the Gaia Disciples. We are aware of your reputation, but our training and skills remain unmatched," Kaori stated. "We're prepared for any resistance."

  Fjord nodded again, his intrigue still apparent. "I have no doubt about that," he replied, his eyes flickering with curiosity. "But let me ask you something, what makes you so sure you can handle me?”

  Yuki and Kaori exchanged another look, their confidence undeterred. "We've trained extensively to deal with adversaries like you," Yuki responded, her voice firm. "Our skills and experience set us apart, and we've overcome every challenge so far."

  Fjord fidgeted with his tie, not off-put by their determination. "Well, you certainly have guts, I'll give you that," he remarked, folding his arms again. "But let's see if your skills live up to your confidence.”