Chapter 495
The Global Assassin Network, like the International Martial Network, operates in the shadows of the world—a gray zone, a hidden web.
Martial artists and assassins are both powerful, but fundamentally different. That’s why they run separate networks.
On the International Martial Network, the International Combat Units ranks the world’s top fighters. On the Global Assassin Network, the International Assassin Leaderboard honors the deadliest assassins alive.
Every assassin dreams of making that list. The top five are absolute monsters. Even elite martial artists tend to stay clear.
Take Deadshot Barrett, ranked fourth. One Barrett heavy sniper could strike fear across nations. Even Infernal Crown Transcendent-level fighters treated him with respect.
Assassins specialize in killing. Compared to martial artists, they are colder, bloodier, and far deadlier.
Fifty years ago, the top two names on the International Assassin Leaderboard never changed the Hermit and the Blood Demon.
Both were legends. The Hermit disappeared from the world, vanishing entirely. The Blood Demon moved little, but occasionally left border towns bathed in blood-a reminder he was still alive.
The Blood Demon stayed active on the rankings, while the Hermit’s name faded. Ten years ago, even his number-one spot was hidden.
Ten years is long enough for people to forget. Many new assassins had no idea he existed. Even old-school assassins who once treated him as a god had blurred memories. Tonight, a long-lost name lit up the board again.
Number one on the International Assassin Leaderboard-the Hermit, Dennis Allen. The King of Assassins had returned.
That night, the assassin world erupted. Countless seasoned assassins stared at his name as if it were divine. Everyone understood why the Hermit had reappeared.
The Blood Demon had been the leader of the assassin world for decades. Then he died in Astria. Over a hundred top assassins were lost in the same incident. It was a stain on the assassin world. Redemption required the number-one legend to act. That was the only option.
While assassins cheered, the international martial world buzzed. Martial artists and assassins alike wanted to see who would prevail.
Number one on the International Combat Units. Number one on the International Assassin Leaderboard. Both represented the pinnacle of power below King Phase.
If they ever clashed, it would shake the heavens and the earth.
This would be the most anticipated battle in fifty years. No matter the outcome, history would remember.
“The Hermit p>
Leander lounged under a tree at dusk, watching the sun sink. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Celia knelt beside him in a flowing white dress, resembling a gentle handmaiden from an old tale.
She nodded, worry in her eyes. “Master Leander, what’s your plan p>
“Plan?” Leander’s expression didn’t change. “The Hermit stayed hidden for fifty years. The Blood Demon dies, and he appears immediately. He’s coming for me. No preparation needed. He will come to me p>
Celia’s eyes flickered as she spoke softly. “Master Leander, the Hermit made his name a century ago. Ten years after his debut, he defeated my master and claimed the title of King of Assassins.
“My master said—about a hundred years back, five King Phase teamed up to trap the Hermit. He slipped through every net. Fifty years ago, he assassinated a famous general in Agylae, amid an army, fifteen fighter jets, and over a hundred Gatling guns and survived.
“He has been hidden for fifty years. He has only grown stronger. You really won’t prepare at all p>
Even if the Hermit hasn’t reached the King Phase, he’s right on the edge. Celia didn’t want Leander to underestimate him.
“Escaped under fighter jets and a wall of heavy machine guns p>
Leander’s lips curved. “Hearing that only makes me want to meet this century-old King of Assassins even more p>
Seeing him so calm, Celia sighed and dropped the argument. Thinking of the man her own master feared like a demonic god, she took a deep breath.
Who would win this battle? Who would fall?
Highcliffe University, the next evening. Nathan and the others finally made it back to the dorm.
They lit up seeing Leander and dragged him to a restaurant outside campus, their girlfriends in tow.
It had been over a month. Nathan and Livia were closer than ever. Raina and Yulia were glued to Luke and Evander. Surprisingly, Aurora-the campus belle-came
too.
Since the bar incident, when Daphne and Ethan stood up for him against the Wave Alliance, Livia, Raina, and Yulia had completely changed. No side-eye, no sarcasm-just smiles, careful not to upset him.
Aurora wore a boho outfit, sweet and fresh, sitting beside him and chatting quietly. Her eyes barely left him. She may have been the only one who truly understood how terrifying he was.
She saw the battle at the Southern Shore firsthand. A month ago, he trampled the Riverstone
family seven generals and threet
provincial governors combined and it rocked Highcliffe, flipping her worldview again.
Among our generation-maybe the whole world-he’s the strongest, isn’t he?
Her heart raced. A man like him made her want to hold him close. Even being friends would change her life.
“Leander, seriously p>
Nathan clinked a shot of whiskey with Leander, teasing.
“We’re in class, and you vanish every other day. Gone for a month at a time. If you didn’t show up soon, I’d have used your bed for storage p>
Leander rubbed his nose, slightly guilty. His roommates always had his back while he kept disappearing for seclusion.
Finally free, he said, “Yeah, that’s on me. Independence Day’s coming. Let’s take a trip. I’ll cover everything. Deal p>
Everyone cheered. Since meeting him, he had never initiated a group activity. First time he offered, excitement ran high.
Livia whispered to Nathan. His eyes lit up. He turned to Leander. “Leander, if you’re treating, we pick the spot! I vote we go to Dechor. Livia and I have always wanted to see the Dead Sea p>
Everyone’s eyes shone-except Leander’s. His gaze paused. A spark flickered.
“Dechor? Sahar Wastes p>
He recalled Sylvia mentioning the Divine Vault in the Sahar Wastes.