Noise.
Endless noise.
Voices overlapping.
Coins clinking.
Vendors shouting prices.
Children laughing.
The market breathed like a living beast.
Alive.
Carefree.
Blind.
(Kael walked beside the others.)
Still alert…
But not nervous.
Not yet.
Around them—
People moved in waves.
Bodies brushing past.
Cloth rubbing against armor.
Smells of spice… roasted meat… dust…
All normal.
Too normal.
Then—
A flicker.
Not movement.
Not sound.
A feeling.
Like being watched.
Kael slowed slightly.
Just slightly.
"…Something's wrong," he muttered.
Ryn leaned closer.
"…What? You stepped on rotten fruit or something?"
Kael ignored the joke.
His eyes moved slowly across the crowd.
Searching.
Scanning.
Nothing obvious.
But still…
That feeling stayed.
Heavy.
Sticky.
Uncomfortable.
Ahead—
The leader suddenly stopped.
Mid-step.
Smoke curled slowly from his cigarette.
Thin.
Lazy.
But his eyes…
Sharp.
Cold.
Focused.
He didn't turn.
Didn't panic.
But his voice came low.
Barely louder than breath.
"…Don't react."
💀
Ryn blinked.
"…That sounds bad."
The blue-haired swordswoman didn't speak.
Didn't question.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the sword hilt.
Ready.
Always ready.
Behind them—
Near a stall selling cloth—
A man stood still.
Too still.
Plain clothes.
Neutral face.
Forgettable.
Perfectly forgettable.
Except for his eyes.
They didn't move like a customer.
They locked.
Focused.
Hungry.
Watching.
And there—
Between movement and chaos—
A glimpse.
The wind shifted cloth.
Just slightly.
Enough.
Enough to reveal—
Ink.
Dark.
Sharp.
A mark.
On the swordswoman's shoulder.
The same mark…
Kael carried.
The man's eyes widened slightly.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
💀
Slowly…
Carefully…
His hand slipped beneath his coat.
Not for a weapon.
For communication.
Cold metal touched his palm.
A signal device.
Small.
Silent.
Deadly.
(Click.)
A soft pulse.
Invisible.
But irreversible.
"Multiple marks detected."
💀
Far across the market—
Two more figures shifted.
Subtle.
Silent.
Moving into position.
Hunters.
Kael didn't see them yet.
But the leader did.
Always did.
He exhaled smoke slowly.
"…We've been identified."
💀
Silence.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Ryn's grin faded slightly.
"…You serious?"
"…Yes."
Short.
Cold.
Final.
Kael's heartbeat quickened.
"…Identified how?"
No answer.
Not yet.
The swordswoman stepped slightly closer to Kael.
Positioning herself between him and the crowd behind.
Protective.
Silent.
Deadly.
More movement.
More figures shifting.
Not random.
Too coordinated.
Too precise.
Kael noticed now.
"…They're moving around us."
Ryn scratched his head nervously.
"…Okay… now I officially hate this place."
The leader dropped his cigarette.
It hit the ground.
(Ssshhh…)
The flame died.
"…Walk."
Not run.
Walk.
Command tone.
Absolute.
They moved again.
Slow.
Controlled.
Trying to look normal.
Trying to disappear into the crowd.
But it was too late.
Across the market—
One soldier stepped forward.
Then another.
Then another.
Spreading.
Closing exits.
Blocking paths.
The circle tightening.
Kael's breathing deepened.
"…We're surrounded."
💀
Ryn muttered:
"…Well… that escalated quickly."
The swordswoman slowly loosened her blade.
(SHIIING— slightly.)
Not fully drawn.
Just ready.
Kael swallowed.
"…What now?"
The leader answered calmly:
"…Now…"
A pause.
Cold eyes scanning the exits.
"…we survive."
💀
Then—
The first voice rang out.
Sharp.
Clear.
Commanding.
"…All marked targets confirmed."
💀
People nearby turned in confusion.
"…Huh?"
"…What's happening?"
Too late.
Movement exploded.
Boots slammed against stone.
Weapons drawn.
Civilians screamed.
Chaos ignited.
The hunt had begun.
And Kael finally understood—
This wasn't suspicion anymore.
This was execution.
💀💀💀
End of Chapter 23