The night was pitch black on a remote island. Irkhan was currently surveilling a hut situated in the middle of it. He was intently focused, though it was unclear what he was observing, all while listening to instructions through his earpiece.

  "Agent Irkhan, tracking has confirmed that Agent Luna is inside that hut. The Organization's orders are for you to eliminate Agent Luna. She is a key asset to the enemy, and her death will significantly weaken them!" The command from the earpiece tightened Irkhan's grip on the firearm he held.

  "Understood. Agent Irkhan acknowledges the order. Secure the perimeter and block all potential escape routes for the target," Irkhan instructed.

  "Roger that, Agent," the tracking team replied.

  Irkhan sighed, gazing at the dark sky. For some reason, flashbacks of his life suddenly flooded his mind. The final mission. Today had finally arrived. It had been nearly fifty years since Irkhan joined this assassin organization. Once this task was completed, his long-submitted retirement request would finally be approved.

  The wealth he had accumulated over the years was enough to live comfortably in a secluded village until his last breath, perhaps even with plenty to spare, as Irkhan's fortune consisted not only of money but also gold bars, precious stones, diamonds, and real estate assets, all unbeknownst to the Organization.

  Now, at the age of sixty-five, he had faced numerous trials and tribulations. The Organization, which was once merely a package delivery service, had evolved into a professional assassin network. Irkhan had grown up in an orphanage. As a child, he was constantly abused by his drug-addicted parents, who eventually died of an overdose. Their house was seized by loan sharks, and with no relatives willing to take him in, Irkhan was sent to the orphanage by them.

  Then, at the age of fifteen, Irkhan inadvertently guided the Organization's Founder, Mr. Vasel Arsenio, who was asking for an address. Irkhan directed Mr. Vasel to the location using a taxi Mr. Vasel had hired. Upon arriving at the address, an unpleasant incident occurred. For some unknown reason, after Irkhan and Mr. Vasel entered the warehouse area, a shootout erupted. It was Irkhan's first experience with such violence, leaving him frozen in shock as he watched the other group exchange gunfire. But at that moment, Mr. Vasel quickly pulled Irkhan into hiding.

  Irkhan was terrified, especially after Mr. Vasel opened the package he was supposed to deliver, revealing a briefcase containing two firearms.

  "Mr. Vasel, what's happening right now?" Irkhan asked, his voice trembling. He had never imagined such a situation. Am I going to die? The thought kept repeating in his mind.

  "Do you want to die?" Instead of answering Irkhan's question, Mr. Vasel asked something else entirely.

  "Of course not! I'm still young, and I have nothing to do with all this!" Irkhan exclaimed, tears welling up, threatening to fall, but he forcefully held them back.

  "Heh... Since you stepped in here, you're already involved. There's no turning back," Mr. Vasel replied nonchalantly as he loaded bullets into his weapon.

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  "What! This is all because of you!! I was just giving you a ride, and what is all this... You say there's no turning back?" Oh, damn it... Where did those nonsensical words come from? Irkhan shouldn't have agreed to take Mr. Vasel.

  "Yes... This is all because of me. I will take responsibility. So, stay quiet here and don't ever come out, because if you do, you will die," Mr. Vasel said.

  Then, he took the two loaded firearms and left Irkhan alone in the small room. Irkhan couldn't defy Mr. Vasel's orders because he knew that only Mr. Vasel could save him. The sound of gunfire continued to echo. Irkhan crouched down, covering his eyes and ears, hoping it would all end quickly so he could return to his place, the orphanage.

  Countless minutes and hours seemed to pass; Irkhan couldn't tell, but the sound of gunfire gradually subsided. Not long after, the door to Irkhan's hiding place opened. Startled, Irkhan immediately opened his eyes and saw someone. Yes... it was Mr. Vasel, covered in blood. He looked weary, but a certain sternness still radiated from his face.

  "What are you doing? Do you want to leave or not?"

  The voice immediately snapped Irkhan back to reality. He quickly stood up and approached Mr. Vasel. Mr. Vasel and Irkhan immediately exited the warehouse. In a fleeting glance, Irkhan saw corpses scattered across the warehouse yard. A shiver ran down his spine, and he quickened his pace to catch up with Mr. Vasel.

  Outside the warehouse, a car was waiting. Mr. Vasel immediately got in, followed by Irkhan.

  "Paradise Orphanage," Mr. Vasel ordered.

  The car drove through narrow alleys. After entering the main road, Irkhan felt a sense of relief. Today had been the toughest day of his life. Many things had happened that a fifteen-year-old shouldn't have witnessed, but fortunately, his life was safe, and Irkhan would soon arrive at the orphanage, no longer having to deal with Mr. Vasel.

  "I'm going to adopt you." Mr. Vasel's sudden words immediately silenced Irkhan. Irkhan was once again faced with a reality he never expected.

  "What...! I don't want to, I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore!" Irkhan refused.

  "You have to be my son. I can't let a witness roam free," Mr. Vasel declared.

  "I promise I won't tell anyone, I'll keep my mouth shut," Irkhan replied, suddenly remembering the fact that he was a witness. The police must already be investigating the warehouse where those people were shot dead. If he was found out, he would be imprisoned.

  "Only the dead can keep secrets. Making you my son is the least I can do for dragging you into this. If you don't accept, then just die," Mr. Vasel pointed a gun at Irkhan's forehead.

  Irkhan's body froze. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. There was no trace of doubt in Mr. Vasel's eyes, only determination. If Mr. Vasel wanted to, Irkhan would die in that instant. The car continued to move, and even the driver didn't look back, showing no intention of helping Irkhan. Irkhan's heart pounded heavily, his body trembled. He wanted to say something, but after looking at Mr. Vasel's face, he couldn't utter a word.

  Looking at Mr. Vasel's face, only two words were permissible: 'yes' or 'no.' Anything else, Irkhan was sure, would prompt Mr. Vasel to pull the trigger. Irkhan tried to regulate his breathing, calming himself to stop trembling. Seeing Irkhan's reaction, Mr. Vasel was slightly impressed. This young boy could control himself so quickly, which was commendable. After regaining his composure, Irkhan firmly said,

  "Alright, I will be your son."

  Hearing Irkhan's answer, Mr. Vasel lowered his gun.

  "A perfect answer. You know what's best for your life. After we arrive at the orphanage, I will immediately take care of the adoption papers. From this moment on, you are my son, and your life will no longer be the same as when you lived in the orphanage," Mr. Vasel leaned back in his car seat, closing his eyes.

  Irkhan was silent, still pondering Mr. Vasel's words. What did he mean by his life no longer being the same as when he lived in the orphanage? Was Mr. Vasel's life as dangerous as the incident at the warehouse? If so, there would be no more leisurely teenage years for Irkhan. His life had transformed into a law of the jungle where only the strong survived.