"Yes."
Hit nodded with an expressionless face, exuding an overwhelming air of indifference.
Xiangpa frowned from the sidelines. "What is wrong with this Hit guy? Why is he so cold and distant all the time? If he makes the employer feel uncomfortable, they might not even give us a five-star rating!"
Gabe chuckled lightly. "That's just Senior Hit's personality. As the most legendary assassin in Universe 6, it's only natural that he acts aloof."
Xiangpa grumbled. "It's fine if he's indifferent at other times. But right now, he's in the middle of a job and interacting with the client! Shouldn't he at least try to be a bit more personable?"
He glared in Hit's direction. "Still keeping up that arrogant act in front of the client... Isn't he worried about upsetting them?"
Seeing the complaints pop up one after another from his companions, Hit paused for a moment and gave it some thought. After a brief internal debate, he made an awkward effort to soften his expression—though his face barely changed—and turned toward Chi Tong.
"Other than the Emperor of the Empire, do you also need me to eliminate the minister who manipulated him?"
Chi Tong's eyes lit up. The ultimate target of Night Raid's operation had always been Minister Ornest. And now, with the man in front of her offering help, how could she possibly refuse?
"If it's not too much trouble, then yes—please."
She hesitated for a moment, then took a step forward, looking Hit up and down. "This gentleman… are you also a killer?"
She had been feeling a strange familiarity since she first laid eyes on him. Something about his presence struck a chord within her. The cold indifference, the emotionless gaze, the complete composure—it all reminded her of herself.
And as someone who walked the path of the assassin, Chi Tong couldn't help but feel curious.
"Yes," Hit answered flatly, offering nothing more.
Without waiting for a response, he stepped forward and vanished from her side.
"So fast!"
Chi Tong was taken aback. One moment, Hit was next to her. The next, he was already beside Tazmi. She hadn't even seen him move!
Hit calmly placed a hand on Tazmi's shoulder just as the young man tried to charge toward the monstrous form of the Emperor.
A sudden, overwhelming force stopped Tazmi in his tracks. It was as if an immovable wall had slammed down onto his shoulder. He turned his head quickly, eyes narrowing as he spotted the tall, unfamiliar figure now standing beside him.
"Who are you?"
"I was asked by the girls over there to help you," Hit replied, motioning toward Chi Tong with a nod.
"Your injuries aren't minor. If you keep pushing yourself, you'll die."
Tazmi froze, speechless for a second. This stranger was clearly strong, but how could he understand their situation so quickly? Still, from the tone of his voice, it wasn't arrogance—just calm, professional analysis.
With one glance, Hit had already diagnosed Tazmi's condition. His body was covered in wounds, and his breathing was labored. He was clearly nearing his limit.
"You should go rest or get treatment. If you keep this up, you won't last long."
Hit's gaze flicked briefly toward the Emperor, now looming within the Supreme Throne Teigu.
"This guy is your employer's partner," Hit thought. "If he dies, it might reflect badly on the job. And that would mean no five-star rating…"
He had initially assumed this Tazmi fellow was the actual employer. Apparently not.
"But… if I don't keep fighting, there'll be no one left to stop him!" Tazmi protested. "I've figured out his weakness! I can take him down!"
"The task of defeating him—leave that to me," Hit said, still staring up at the towering throne. "You go and recover."
"You?" Tazmi looked at him doubtfully.
He had never seen this man before, and there didn't appear to be any kind of Teigu or weapon on him. How could someone without an Emperor-class tool possibly defeat the Emperor in his ultimate form?
Just as Tazmi was about to voice his concerns, a sudden red laser shot out from the throne.
It was the Emperor's next attack—blazing and fast.
"Watch out!" Tazmi cried out. Instinctively, he tried to shield Hit or pull him away.
But before he could act, something unbelievable happened.
Hit didn't dodge. He didn't flinch.
He simply raised his hand… and slapped the red laser beam away, as if swatting a mosquito.
The beam was knocked off-course and deflected into the sky.
Tazmi froze in place.
"This… This can't be real…"
He stared at the man in front of him, who stood there calmly as if nothing had happened. That laser—it was the same kind of attack that had overwhelmed him moments ago. Even while wearing his Teigu, he had barely managed to survive it.
And yet this stranger… just used his bare hand to bat it away?
Chi Tong, who had also seen everything, gasped audibly. "So strong…"
No wonder that mysterious voice had promised to send someone to assist them.
This was far beyond anything she had expected. That palm strike alone had shown enough strength to shake anyone's confidence.
The red laser ricocheted and struck the Supreme Throne Teigu itself. Since it was an attack from the Emperor's own weapon, the impact caused the throne to shake violently. Cracks appeared across the metallic structure as the Emperor stumbled back a few steps.
If it had been an external attack, the throne might've withstood it. But being hit by one's own immense power was different. That kind of damage was harder to resist.
The Emperor glared down at the man who had so effortlessly deflected his strike.
"You… who are you?!"
His voice was sharp, almost trembling with disbelief.
But Hit didn't respond.
He was an assassin, not a conversationalist. He didn't speak to his targets unless absolutely necessary. The only reason he'd spoken to Chi Tong or Tazmi was because they were either the client or directly involved with the client.
The Emperor? He was the mark. There was nothing more to discuss.
Then, Hit took a single step forward—and in that moment, the world froze.
To Chi Tong and Tazmi, it looked like nothing had changed.
Hit still stood in the same place.
But then, they noticed something.
There was a figure in his hand.
It was… the Emperor.
The same man who had been looming atop the throne only a second ago was now dangling from Hit's grip, completely lifeless.
Blood dripped down, painting a surreal image in front of the stunned pair.
"What… What just happened?!"
Tazmi's voice cracked.
"The Emperor… just died? Just like that? How?"
Chi Tong was equally speechless. Her mind scrambled for answers, trying to understand what she'd just witnessed.
She had been watching Hit the entire time. He hadn't moved. At least, not that she could see.
And yet… now the Emperor was dead. Just like that.
As if death had snuck up behind him and whispered his name.
Hit let go of the corpse, letting it fall unceremoniously to the ground.
Mission complete.
He turned and walked back toward Chi Tong.
"Minister Ornest. Do you want him dead as well?"
Chi Tong was still stunned, but she managed to nod slowly.
"Yes… Please."
Without another word, Hit vanished once more, leaving nothing but silence in his wake.
Back at the command post, Jack stood up slowly from the control platform, having observed everything through the surveillance drone.
"That's Hit for you," he said with a rare smile. "I knew he wouldn't disappoint."
Behind him, the others who had been monitoring the battle with bated breath slowly started clapping.
With the Emperor gone, the path to dismantling the corrupt empire was wide open.
And thanks to Hit, the revolution had just taken a decisive leap forward.
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