#exclusive chapter

He was on the seventh curl when Nesyren said, “You’re quiet today.” He paused…, meeting her dark stare. Wariness flickered in those night-black eyes, in that lovely, solemn face. He’d noticed the way the sailors looked at her… Especially when her sweating made her white shirt cling with little to be imagined. Chaol tried not to look at said white shirt as he renewed his repetitions. “It’s the heat.”

Kaede: Kokichi, what the fuck

Kokichi: its true and u all know it

Kokichi: ur just in denial

Shuichi: kokichi?

Kokichi: everyday at 4.20pm, saihara-chan goes missing and all we can find is rantaro-chan

Shuichi: i don't think that's accurate...

Rantaro: im a knockoff weed saihara?

Kokichi: yup!

Kokichi: resign urself to ur fate!! ヽ(*・ω・)ﾉ

Rantaro: ah, alright

“Who the fuck are you.”

The girl’s glare burned holes into the head of the person unfortunate enough to have encountered her. He, however, merely laughed, crossing his hands behind his head.

“Jeez, so rude. And to the person who saved your life too!” 

Kawa’s ear twitched and she curled her fingers inwards, longing to just scratch his face off. That would be so much simpler than the meaningless platitudes she was being forced to endure. But if what he said was true, then…

“I won’t repeat myself. Who the fuck are you?” she hissed through clenched teeth.

The mystery person tsked, lowering his arms back to his sides. Sweeping his hands in a grand gesture, he gave a bow, saying, “You may call me Ace. Perhaps you’ve already heard of me?”

“The famous so-called ‘Phantom Thief’?” Kawa asked.

Ace grinned. “The one and only.”

Kawa sighed. Struggling to sit herself up, she bit out, “Why am I here?” Assuming he was telling the truth - he was, she couldn’t smell any trace of deceit on him currently - he probably wanted something from her in return. An assassination mission, most likely.

The Phantom Thief shrugged, offering her a hand, which she refused. “Your superiors attacked you and left you to die in that alley. Pretty harsh punishment for one failed mission.”

Kawa’s pupils contracted into narrow slits. “I- failed?”

“You could call it that. I personally think it’s a good chance to escape from those fuckers.”

The former assassin shook her head frantically, long hair whipping about. “I can’t. The minute they find out I’m still alive, they’ll come after me. T-they won’t fail a second time.”

Ace scoffed. “Please. You’ve been in a coma for two months. Trust me, everyone thinks you’re dead already.”

“Then…” Kawa glanced up at Ace, a darker shadow against the rest of the room. She thought she saw a glimpse of purple hair. “What do you want from me now, then?”

Ace’s smile was a mischievous one. Not a good sign. “I want you to become part of DICE,” he said simply.

“You want me to join your gang?” Ace nodded. “That’s all?”

Ace nodded again. “You’re certainly talented, and could prove useful in the future. Besides…” his eyes shone with a dangerous light. “You owe me your life now, don’t you?”

It wasn’t an option. Kawa hesitated for only a second before giving Ace a nod. “I’ll join you.”

You stifle a yawn, rubbing your eyes with one grimy hand. Ugh. You really need a drink.

Turning right at the next turn, you step into a narrow, familiar alleyway - leading straight towards that one shady bar at the outskirts of town. 

This time though, the air in the alley feels different. Charged, you think. But you shrug it off, because you’re too tired to care, and you really need a drink now. So you continue walking. 

An action that proves to be fatal when a pair of glowing red eyes blink into existence only a few meters in front of your face.

You yelp and stumble back, backing straight into a wall. The eyes follow you, burning holes into your head. Now struggling to remain calm, you try and scope out the figure’s body, but it’s masked by the dark shadows cast by the buildings.

(You think you see a flash of long hair, but it’s too fast to tell)

“W-who are you?” you stutter, desperately trying to stall for time, hoping against hope that someone will miraculously appear to save you.

The figure tilts their head, giving you an almost curious look. Silence stretches out - ten, then twenty seconds. Your breathing starts to stabilise as you start to see a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they don’t mean any harm.

That hope is ruthlessly shattered as the figure suddenly dashes forward, pinning you against the wall. You struggle weakly, but you already know it’s too late. You finally remember who this mystery figure is.

An assassin. Code name: Wildcard. Ability: Cat (mutation type) Famed for her ability to subdue any target, and in league with the infamous thief, Ace, and gambling queen, Ruse. 

There would be no escape. 

You feel a tear trickle down your cheek and hope your death will be quick, at the very least.

Wildcard finally speaks, her voice low and raspy. Probably a voice modifier.

“Goodbye.”

The last thing you ever see is the gleam of Wildcard’s glowing red eyes.