The Martial Unity

"The perfect assassination." The professor murmured. "Incredible. This is game-changing."

Rui smirked. He was quite proud of the technique that he had come up with. This technique project had reminded him of the satisfaction of developing powerful techniques from scratch and developing his Martial Art.

It had been therapeutic and refreshing to develop his new technique from scratch. He didn't even care if it was something as dark as assassination techniques, a success was a success. 

"So, next target," Rui remarked. 

"Wait, we have something to discuss." The professor remarked. "My superior wishes to speak to you."

Rui raised an eyebrow. "About what?" 

"About your recent assassination, of course," The professor snorted. "He has invited you to a meeting."

Rui considered it for a moment, before shrugging. "Sure."

The professor nodded, before nodding at a library staff member stationed in the room. "She will guide you to the meeting."

Rui left the room following the woman down the many corridors deep into the Libraries of Gehu, before eventually reaching an enormous lecture hall of sorts. Rui wondered what was even the point of having such a thing at a library.

Perhaps they invited genuine guest writers from time to time and had them give speeches on their literary works.

Regardless, there was a man who sat down alone in the front row of the lecture hall, reading a book. The staff member shut the door behind them as he felt his senses being strongly hampered.

Rui glanced at the man, taking note of his physical appearance. He had an incredibly aged appearance, one that conveyed the wealth of his experience.

"You're here." The man remarked. "Good, come have a seat."

"I heard you wanted to speak with me."

"Of course." The man remarked. "Why wouldn't I?"

Rui walked down the declining stairs as he propped himself over beside the man silently. 

He wasn't the one that sought to talk.

"You know this book, right here?" The man closed it, showing Rui the cover.

[The Birth of Darkness]

It had an unsettling cover, one that couldn't have possibly been meant to draw in readers.

"It's a meta-analysis on the impacts that the discovery of misdirection Martial Art techniques had on the world in the year ninety-seven." The man remarked. "It had many impacts, but it first and foremost gave rise to a whole new branch of assassination techniques. It gave rise to a whole new breed of assassins. The first assassin who mastered these techniques was Transcendent Frin, and he changed the world."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Because he wielded the most powerful techniques of his era. He became the greatest Martial Art assassin of not just his era, but all eras to come after. It all started with him being the first one to truly grasp this field."

Rui silently listened. 

It was an intriguing story, but he wasn't sure why he was called here.

"I was rereading this book because I was recently reminded of it." The man remarked. "Another assassin who came to grab hold of a field that may very well have the same impact on this world."

He glanced at Rui, making eye contact for the first time. 

"You flatter me but... I'm not an assassin." Rui shook his head. "I just have someone I need to kill."

"I'm aware," The man remarked with an amused expression. "And in the process developed an unprecedented technique based on unseen principles and mechanics."

Rui shrugged. "I don't do things half-heartedly."

"Yes, we have come to increasingly learn that in our correspondence with you." The man broke a smile. "If you don't do things half-heartedly, then perhaps you would like to consider a decision that requires full-hearted commitment."

Rui simply stared at him, waiting for him to get to the point.

"Join us, Senior Falken." The man remarked. "We could use a man like you."

Rui narrowed his eyes. "That wasn't what I was expecting."

The man shrugged. "Life has a tendency to be unexpected."

"I'm assuming that if I do accept membership, it will be the permanent kind."

"Correct." The man remarked. "You will not be able to operate as a free agent anymore. You will serve the sect."

"You're not making your case look more alluring."

"I'm simply stating the truth," The man looked amused. "I don't want to insult your demonstrated intelligence by trying to pull off little psychological tricks to try and compel you in vain."

"Yes, but you could at least try making a deal that looks attractive." Rui snorted.

"We'll kill Chairman Deacon the moment you accept." The man remarked. 

Rui narrowed his eyes. "It's that easy, huh?"

"Well, killing him the moment you accept is a bit much, admittedly." The man smirked. "Though we can arrange that as well if you want."

"In exchange for lifelong service to the Beggar's Sect," Rui remarked. "Was my assassination that alluring?"

"More than you realize." The man replied. "I am the regional manager of the Derschek branch of our foreign affairs department. I took the liberty to meet with you personally as a token of my value for you and your capabilities."

Rui considered it for a moment, before shaking his head. "I'm fine. I'll kill him myself. Worst-case scenario, I'll exchange this service for commission payment. Work for Beggar's Sect for a time to have Chairman Deacon. But I will not be subservient to any force."

This was no different from the deal that the Martial Union had offered him, in effect. If Rui pledged his undying loyalty to the Martial Union, they would undoubtedly get rid of the variable that threatened to eliminate their newfound operator.

Both the Beggar's Sect and the Martial Union were powerful enough to get rid of even someone like Chairman Deacon. Both of them demanded a price that Rui was unwilling to fulfill. 

"Is that so?" The man remarked nonchalantly. "Shame. Let Carl know if you ever change your mind, we'd welcome a man of your talents, a man of your talent."