GTX-3000 Rz

 This really sucks! Moving through gutters isn't new in my line of work as an assassin, but that doesn't mean I am willing to do it. Even if I am used to the stench and filth but something gross is gross. If it weren't for the GTX-3000 Rz model which will be released in a week, I would not have even bothered to come. 

This model is a limited edition one to one scale model of my favorite weapon from the game I am playing. Oh I can't wait till next week. Maybe I can sneak into their storehouse and get one. No no, it's not good. I must quickly finish this job and get my payment done.

I quickly moved through the maze like sewers. Although it is a sewer system it is more like an escape route for the royal family that used to live here. Now it is converted into a first rate hotel in the likes of which I can, not even dream of.

Although this sewerage system is built in a maze fashion I know every single nook and cranny of this maze like the back of my hand. It is thanks to the relentless scouting of these sewers that I don't have to worry about getting lost.

"Oops, wrong turn."

I said as I stopped in front of a wall. I quickly turned around and started moving in the opposite direction turning hard left with full confidence.

After moving through the maze for nearly ten minutes, I finally made it out of the sewers. It was great that I had already disabled any traps beforehand or else this would have taken much longer.

I entered the Plant room where the compressors of the centralized AC unit was placed. It is at the lowest part of the palace and it is quiet hot over here. I quickly myself behind one of the motors as I heard someone's footsteps. He was possibly an engineer on his usual rounds but it is a good opportunity for me.

I quickly moved towards him from his left and grabbed his left arm. With one swift motion I broke his posture and slammed him on the ground. Using an anesthetic I made him unconscious and stripped him of his clothes. I just gave him the tuxedo that I came wearing. Well its not like it was a very expensive one. I left him there tied in rope.

I moved through the small corridor and entered the staff room. The staff room isn't exactly a relaxing place for the staff, it is a storeroom which is also used as a staff room. As quickly as possible I hid behind the furniture that was kept there. 

Behind the furniture was an air duct which provided air conditioning throughout the palace. From there I slow crept through the duct trying to avoid making any unnecessary sounds. 

From there I somehow reached the intersection where the duct is directly connected to the room where my target currently is. It is going to be one hell of a climb.

I stood in the duct as I gazed at my target which was almost 70 meters above. It was an electromagnet that I had placed there before when I came here for inspection disguised as an engineer.

I took out my gun and pointed it out towards the electromagnet which was stuck to the duct indicated that it still was working. I fire my gun and the electromagnet slowly fell towards. I stood there as I watched the electromagnet fall in slow motion. 

The gun that I had was an EMP device which disrupted the power of the electromagnet for a short period of time. Also the slow motion like fall of the electromagnet was due to Eddy currents.

The electromagnet stopped right before it hit my head as it was tied to a rope which was connected to the duct overhead. I climbed the rope as fast as I can and somehow reached the top.

I waited inside the duct and waited for my target to enter. For the time being the room was empty and there was no one there. I had fixed the vents such that it can be opened from within. This way entering and exiting through the vents would be easier.

After around an hour later I heard the sound of a beep and with a click the door opened. A buff man in black tuxedo and shades entered inside. He scanned his surrounding so as to make sure that there is no one. He talked into his earpiece probably indicating that its safe.

"Pfft."

The scene that unfolded in front of me was so cliched that it almost made me laugh. Being an assassin I have my fare share of escorts but not a single one acted so amateurish. Maybe its his training period I guess.

After he cut the call a stout man in a checkered shirt and an overcoat came in and behind him was a tall bald man with a white beard in a blue tuxedo.

The tall baldy was Herrscher der Unterwelten. He is the one that rules over everything in the underworld. No one knows much about him and no one dares to know. He also happens to be my client for this job.

Since it is his request, no more like an order I have to do it if I want to live peacefully. But he is not the type of man who would ask for the impossible and he is not the type to kill someone just because of a difference in opinion, but still it is better safe than being sorry about, well if you live to say sorry.

The stout man in overcoat is Khadim. He is a servant at Herrscher's house. He is also my target. 

Lately there is a faction forming in the underworld which wants to overthrow Herrscher and establish freedom. There have been instances where he was attacked. Well getting attacked isn't anything new for the higher ups of the underworld hierarchy but all these attacks were carried out with plenty of planning.

As this went under investigation in secret the name of Khadim came into light. He was the traitor who was leaking out information to the assassins. On further investigation it was established that it was him who was leading the group.

Now you might think why Herrscher himself not finish of Khadim. It is because they have been friends since childhood. He can't bring himself to kill him so he asked me to do it.

Herrscher sat on a sofa while Khadim stood him.

Herrscher's POV

Today is the day, where I might have to say goodbye to my old friend, I thought as the car stopped at the front of the palace main entrance. I glanced over to Khadim who was sitting in the front seat besides the driver. He got off of the car and rushed to open the door, but my brain had completely frozen. I didn't even move from my place.

"ir, sir."

I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard Khadim call me. I quickly stepped out of the car and buttoned my tuxedo. 

"Is everything alright, sir?"

Khadim asked as he scanned my face. I nodded in silently and walked forward. He followed behind me as usual. I walked towards the reception, where one of my men was standing there. He handed me the key to my room and walked past me.

I checked the key and moved to the lift. The room booked was the only room on the floor and so there was no room number written on the key. 

I walked out of the lift and moved towards my room. Two of my bodyguards were already waiting in front of the room. I handed the key to the one on my right. He took the key and unlocked the door.

He went inside to check for safety and then contacted the one standing outside. Khadim went inside before me. I sat in the sofa there while Khadim stood there. It has been twenty years since I have talked to him as a friend. 

"Khadim, come sit here, I have to tell you something."

I said as I took his hand and made him sit beside me. He sat on the sofa and faced me.

Forcing a smile on my face I opened my mouth

"Looks like you have been doing fine. You now have gotten a big belly, it feels like it was just tomorrow that you were a skinny brat."

"Hahaha!"

Khadim loosened up as he laughed. He looked at me and said,

"Yeah, it feels the same. You were such a handful, running after women. Many a times I had to save you from their brothers."

"Yeah, yeah. I wonder what I did to you, that my dear friend became my enemy."

I said as my expression, the atmosphere and everything around me became gloomy. I tilted my head a bit forward.

"Sometimes, ambitions require you to cut some strings to move forward." I looked at him as he spoke. "Whenever I saw you from behind as you moved through the crowds towards the top I always felt that I might get lost in the crowd. So I held your hand tightly, as I let myself get dragged by you.

But when you reached the top and I saw you grab that trophy as the absolute authority of this world, the underworld. It felt dazzling, from where I stood I thought my dear friend has become someone amazing. I felt proud at first.

But at the same time I also felt this unrest inside me. 'Who am I?' this question stuck to me that day. It haunted me in my dreams, pierced my heart and even deprived me of my peace. My heart went corrupt and I formed that group to make a name for myself.

I didn't do this for my family, nor for money. I did only for my own selfishness. Even if I have to sell my soul, I will do it without any hesitation. And I have no regrets, I will never have one... Maybe one, that you won't be there to see me at the top."

POV change

I have been waiting here for Herrscher to give me a signal to assassinate Khadim but it looks like Khadim has some final words. It is not surprising at all that he realized it. Regarding the nature of such type of assassination where you have to assassinate someone in front of the client, usually the target realizes it sooner or later.

There has been only one assassination where the target was dumb enough to not notice it until the end. I have known Khadim for long time now. After all he was my very first client. No, since Khadim worked for Herrscher he was my first client. 

I took out my gun and aimed it towards Khadim's head. Surprisingly Khadim is a very talkative person. Every time he came to me for assassination request it would be just the business talk. I never heard him say anything more than necessary. 

I feel bad for assassinating him but I have to carry out this job myself. These five years I have been assassinating people for money. I have assassinated all kinds of people. Betrayers, the betrayed, women, affairs, someone's husband, someone's wife, someone's child, even a teacher. But I never went after someone's friend.

*Sigh* Looks like I was too naive thinking that I have seen everything. Wait why am I thinking like some old man. Looks like this job is turning me senile.

I peeked through the grills of the vents but it seems like they still are talking. Herscher is looking pale. Looks like he is burden by the thought of killing him. The atmosphere is definitely heavy. It feels like even after I kill Khadim, Herrscher will be crushed under this guilt.

"...Maybe one, that you won't be there to see me at the top."

Khadim mumbled as he pulled out his gun from his back. He quickly loaded it and pointed it towards Herrscher. He stood up from there and said,

"I know that killing you here will be of no use. I will definitely be killed by your guards. But you will definitely make for a good hostage. You will be my stepping stone as I use you to climb my throne."

Khadim must have been holding it in a lot I guess. His eyes were bloodshot. One would see a mad man in him. But in reality he still can't get himself to point his gun towards his best friend. If this would have been a movie, this would have been a seen where they will make up and get together leaving behind their differences. 

But this is reality, one wrong move and no one knows what would happen. Even though I am a top grade assassin I still have to protect my client or else I won't get paid.

Now, I can't aim at his head as that would cause him to convulse and reflexively press the trigger. Only way to stop him is to aim at his index finger and hopefully it works.

I can't get out of the vent and I have to aim at his finger from the gaps of the grill. It suddenly become hard mode huh.

I slided a bit backwards and extended both my arms holding the hand gun. I was in position where half my body was hanging from the edge of the vent which ran downwards.

I took my position pulled the slide and readied my gun. It is not only difficult to aim from behind the grill, it is also possible that the bullet might get deflected. It is either all or nothing I guess. Somehow I took my aim and.

Bang!.....Bang!

Two gunshots occured after a small interval. Khadim was nowhere to be seen. Herrscher stood there looking at the floor. When I looked through the gap between the furniture and floor I saw Khadim writhing in pain. 

The bullet I fired, pierced Khadim's index finger breaking it from his base. He let go of the gun reflexively. The gun that fell on the floor got triggered, firing a bullet at his shin. He fell because of it on the ground writhing in pain.

I quickly removed the vent and walked in front of Herrscher. I pointed my gun towards Khadim and tried pull the trigger but Herrscher stopped me. He squatted in front of Khadim and said,

"can we now talk, friend?"