Lucian was awakened by the gentle touch of small hands shaking his shoulder. His eyes slowly opened, greeted by faces full of excitement and hope.
"Lucian, wake up!" called a little girl, her voice soft but insistent.
He blinked away the remnants of sleep and let out a slow breath, allowing the cool morning air to clear his mind. He sat up, surrounded by the faint light of night still lingering. Outside the hut, the sky was shifting from deep blue to the first blush of dawn.
"Thank you," he murmured softly, patting the girl's head. She beamed, then ran back inside, followed by the other children.
The hut began to stir with life. Some were still asleep, some were chasing each other outside, and a few sat silently, nearly dozing off again. Lucian stretched before stepping inside and telling Lars to wake the rest.
"Come on, everyone! Time for the Fire Dragon Team to move out!" Lars shouted with enthusiasm.
"Yes, vice-captain!" the kids replied groggily.
Soon after, they set off together with Lucian.
The town was already bustling when they arrived at the small market. Lucian bought enough ingredients to make a warm, simple yet nutritious soup—just enough to chase away the morning chill. His movements were swift and precise, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. But just as they were about to return, trouble appeared.
A group of young nobles from the Volans clan, dressed in luxurious clothes with a Baron pin on their chests, blocked their path. Their smug smiles and condescending gazes made their intentions clear. Lucian instinctively stepped forward, shielding the children behind him. The tension rose—Lucian's gaze was sharp and cold. One step further, and the air seemed to grow colder. It was enough to make the nobles back off, scoffing before they walked away.
Back at the hut, Lucian quickly prepared the soup. He fetched a pot from the corner and hung it from a rope tied to a tree branch. With a pinch of his star's power, he lit a blackish-grey flame beneath it, then added the ingredients he had bought. After a while, a fragrant aroma began to fill the hut.
The smell of soup gently filled the small hut. The children rushed out, bowls in hand, and sat in a circle. Their eager faces brought Lucian a sense of calm.
He poured the soup into the small bowls, one by one.
Eating with them was always a moment he looked forward to. He hoped this warmth could last. Every spoonful that touched the children's lips soothed his soul.
Lucian sat quietly, soup bowl in hand. His eyes occasionally drifted—to the child asking for seconds, to the little one who spilled a bit, to the laughter that echoed too freely.
And for a moment, his face softened. A faint smile appeared—so subtle it vanished as quickly as morning mist.
Suddenly, a small child approached.
Elen—six years old, with messy curly hair and wide brown eyes—gently tugged his sleeve.
"Big bro Lucian…" she whispered.
Lucian turned.
His gaze softened.
"I don't want to fall asleep early tonight," she said softly. "I missed the stars yesterday... I was already asleep…"
Lucian paused, looking at her innocent face. "The sky's supposed to be clear tonight."
"Wake me up, okay?" said Elen. "Or… stay with me so I won't fall asleep."
Lucian nodded. "If you finish your soup, I promise I'll wake you."
"Thank you, Lucian!" Elen ran off and began eating with renewed enthusiasm.
Lucian watched her silently. How did she know the sky would be clear? Perhaps… she had a hidden potential.
But he couldn't linger. He had business in the city.
"Be careful, Lucian!" one of the kids shouted as he left. "Thanks, Lucian!" they all called in unison.
Lucian made his way to Velcia, the capital under the rule of the Edelweiss Empire. Above the cobbled streets and stone towers, the skies were alive with figures drifting gracefully through the air-those blessed with flight-type Stars. Their robes fluttered in the wind as they glided between watchtowers and hovering platforms carved from enchanted stone.
Market stalls lined the streets below, their canopies flapping as vendors called out, offering rare herbs, star-infused trinkets, and charms said to awaken dormant Star power.
A group of children pointed upward in awe, eyes filled with wonder-and envy.
His destination: the Grand Library—for most, a place of knowledge. But for Lucian, and others like him, it was a hidden entrance.
Upon entering the grand library, Lucian walked calmly toward a specific row of shelves. His fingers touched the spine of a book—100 Constellations of the World—and he channeled a small amount of mental energy into it. The book glowed faintly, then dimmed.
Without drawing attention, he headed to the front desk and handed the book to the librarian. The woman, dressed in a drab brown robe with a mental symbol on her chest, scanned the book with a touch of her mental power. Once the hidden mark was confirmed, she silently nodded and handed him a small, dark silver key.
Lucian accepted it wordlessly. But instead of going to the public area, he slipped into a side hallway reserved for archive staff. His steps led him to the rare archives—a dim room filled with tall metal cabinets and the dust of ages.
At the far end of the room stood a large, seemingly unused metal cabinet. Lucian inserted the key into a small slit on its side and turned it slowly. A click echoed, and the entire cabinet slid aside, revealing a spiral staircase of black steel descending into darkness.
Cold air greeted him from below, along with the scent of metal, ancient parchment, and something heavier—like dried blood from long ago.
The spiral staircase ended in a narrow corridor with aged metal walls that vibrated slightly whenever someone walked above in the library. Dim light from mental crystals on the walls offered just enough visibility to see ahead, leaving shadows in every corner.
The corridor opened into a vast hidden chamber deep underground—the Assassins' Headquarters.
This was the assassins' main hall, its walls covered in old scars—weapon slashes, bullet holes, and dark training marks. The air hung heavy with the scent of metal, sweat, and dried blood that never truly faded. The room felt like a fusion between a training ground and an execution chamber—black steel pillars supported the low ceiling, creating an invisible pressure over anyone who entered.
Assassins wandered about. Some sat on stone benches cleaning their weapons. Others sharpened knives or meditated, their scarred eyes closed. Lucian walked among them, receiving curt nods and sharp stares—no greetings, only silent acknowledgment of his reputation.
In one corner, a group of newly recruited assassins fell silent. Their eyes wide with unease, breath held.
That's… the 7th Nocturne… Ghost of Grus...
The Nocturnes were the seven deadliest assassins ever produced by the association. They weren't just living legends—they were nightmares made flesh. Each one had a code number, a title, and missions beyond the reach of ordinary assassins.
They weren't just feared by other assassins… even nobles spoke their names with caution.
Rumors of him spread like whispers in the wind—of a pale figure with an empty stare who always returned from bloody missions unscathed, yet carried an aura of ruin.
Lucian sensed light footsteps behind him—quick, precise, but not enough to fool his instincts. He suddenly turned, stepping aside.
"Hey! I was just trying to hug you, you know," said a girl's voice, a mix of annoyance and teasing.
Lucian sighed. "You again…"
Deep down, he was surprised. How could I sense her? Her stealth is usually undetectable…
His face remained stoic, but his heartbeat subtly shifted. Something about her had changed. And he knew it.
A woman stepped out from the corridor shadows—short hair with slanted bangs, a dark stealth coat wrapped around her slim figure. Her expression was relaxed, but her red eyes were sharp, filled with battle lust. A small cut marked her temple—proof she had just returned from a mission.
"I was using stealth just now. Damn, a week of training and I still get caught," she said, folding her arms.
"You always strike from the right," Lucian replied flatly, continuing his stride.
"Yeah yeah… you memorized my moves, huh," she retorted, catching up. "You're getting colder, Lucian. At least you used to talk like a normal person."
Lucian stayed silent. His gaze forward, but his mind was spinning.
She glanced around the hallway—peeling walls, flickering lights, damp air that seemed to hide something.
"Why don't you sleep in the HQ dorms anymore?" she asked quietly, her tone more serious.
Lucian only glanced at her briefly. "I'm not comfortable there."
"Because of the new leader?" she guessed.
No answer. But Lucian's silence was the most honest response.
"…Alright then," she said, then quickly changed her tone. "Anyway, you haven't asked how I've been. Don't you miss me?"
Lucian glanced for half a second. "Your body's still in one piece. That's enough."
She chuckled. "You're still an ass, huh."
A steel door at the end of the hall creaked open, and a large man wielding a chain weapon stepped out. He glanced at Lucian and said flatly, "Someone's waiting for you upstairs."
Lucian didn't respond. He ascended to the upper balcony, Nao trailing behind him toward the usual private transaction chamber. There, a foreign noble dressed in an expensive cloak was already seated, waiting.
"The First Nocturne, Silver Sonata—Nao. And the Seventh Nocturne, Ghost of Grus—Lucian," the noble greeted.
He handed over a photo of a luxury hotel along with a thick stack of cash.
"A banquet will be held at the Ivory Mirage. Your targets—my rival Duke's family, celebrating their son's birthday. You know your job. Eliminate them."
Lucian considered refusing. He didn't want to get entangled in the nobles' internal affairs.
"Sure, we'll gladly take the job," Nao said casually with a grin.
"Damn it, why did you answer?"
"Sorry, I still need time to think," Lucian said.
"Ahem. Relax. I've got a decent rank. If anything goes wrong, I can clear your name. It's safe," the noble added, full of confidence.
Lucian eventually accepted. The money was enough to support the children for a long time.
"Make it clean. No loose ends," the noble said before leaving the stack of money and a sealed mission document on the table.
Lucian picked up the paper.
─────────────────────────────────────────────
[ CONFIDENTIAL MISSION ORDER ]
Mission Code: I.M-392 | Priority: HIGH
─────────────────────────────────────────────
Location: Ivory Mirage, 47th Floor
Execution Time: 03:20 (Local Time)
Targets: Erel Vandres & Immediate Family
─────────────────────────────────────────────
Assigned Operatives:
Lucian (Constellation: Grus | Class: Assassin)
Naozel linare (Constellation: Lyra | Class: Assassin)
Riel astregarde (Constellation: Chameleon | Class: Sniper Support)
Billy (Constellation: N/A | Class: Gunner)
─────────────────────────────────────────────
Execution Instructions:
Eliminate cleanly, no traces
Avoid civilian casualties
Protect the client's identity
─────────────────────────────────────────────
Expected Resistance: Low. Remain alert.
Payment: 750,000 Kron (+Bonus for flawless execution)
─────────────────────────────────────────────
Official Seal: Shadow Association | Lower Capital Division
Nao peeked from beside him. "Lucian, me, and... Riel? Well, yeah, he's good."
"Annd... Billy!?" Nao exclaimed.
"No full name, no constellation, and a Gunner class? That makes no sense. This is supposed to be a stealth operation," Nao grumbled.
Lucian glanced briefly. "I don't have a full name either."
"You're not a Gunner," Nao muttered, still annoyed.
Seven hundred fifty thousand kron... That's more than enough to support the kids, Lucian thought to himself.
The mission was set. And as night fell, the hunt began.