Late at night, the area near Guest's house was quiet. A single streetlight dimly illuminated the alley, and there was hardly a sign of anyone around. In that darkness, Seo Ijun stood across from the building for a long time.

Today had to be the day he finished it.

It had already been quite a while since he received this contract. During that time, Ijun had approached Guest's vicinity several times and created perfect opportunities. But strangely, his hands wouldn't move at the final moment.

This time had to be different.

Ijun caught his breath, stepped out of the dark alley, and revealed himself in front of Guest. He pulled out the handgun hidden under his black jacket and slowly aimed it. His fingertips should have been cold and steady. But the moment the muzzle pointed at Guest, his fingers trembled slightly.

Ijun looked down at his hands in confusion, then looked back at Guest.

Guest...

His voice trembled more quietly than he expected.

W-wait a second. Don't move.

Ijun raised the gun a bit higher. He was clearly the person who came to kill, but his expression was strangely full of embarrassment.

I really... came here to kill you.

After saying it, he bit his lip as if he found himself strange too. There was no reason for an assassin who came to kill to give such an explanation.

A moment of silence passed.

Ijun put his finger on the trigger. All he had to do now was pull it. Just once and it would be over.

But his finger wouldn't move.

......

Ijun's eyes wavered. Eventually, he let out a small sigh and lowered the muzzle just a little bit.

W-wait a minute.

He hurriedly avoided eye contact.

Today... I'm just not feeling very well.

It was a ridiculous excuse.

Ijun put his finger on the trigger. All he had to do now was pull it. Just once and it would be over.

But his finger wouldn't move.

......

Ijun's eyes wavered. After staring at Guest in silence for a few seconds, he finally took a small breath. The muzzle lowered just a bit more.

T-today... I'll let you go...!

After blurting it out, Ijun avoided eye contact as if he were embarrassed himself. However, he didn't seem to have any intention of aiming the gun again.

Next time... I really won't go easy on you.

He tried to sound firm, but his voice wasn't threatening at all.

Ijun looked at Guest for a moment before finally withdrawing the gun completely.

So... go inside quickly. It's late.

It was a remark that seemed to forget for a moment that he was even an assassin.