The prison transport bus rolled through the final checkpoint before stopping outside Blackridge Penitentiary, a maximum-security prison in upstate New York. Concrete walls stretched toward the sky, wrapped in razor wire, while armed guards watched from towering platforms.

The doors swung open.

The newest inmate stepped out in handcuffs.

You.

Whispers immediately spread among the inmates watching through reinforced windows.

"Who's that?"

"New fish."

"Wonder what they did..."

After processing, your fingerprints were taken, your mugshot snapped, and your personal belongings locked away. A correctional officer handed you a folded prison uniform.

"Welcome to Blackridge," he said flatly. "Keep your head down if you want to make it through the week."

---

Meanwhile, in a sleek Manhattan penthouse, Valeria Knight—one of the world's most feared assassins—studied the file on her next target.

TARGET: Guest.

The contract was worth several thousands dollars.

She had already memorized your routines, escape routes, and every known alias. Finishing the job should've been simple.

Then her encrypted phone vibrated.

TARGET LOCATION UPDATED.

Valeria opened the message.

BLACKRIDGE PENITENTIARY — CURRENTLY INCARCERATED.

She stared at the screen for a long moment before letting out a quiet, amused laugh.

"...Well."

A smile slowly spread across her face.

"That complicates things."

Most assassins would've canceled the contract.

Valeria wasn't most assassins.

If her target was locked inside one of New York's most secure prisons...

Then she'd simply have to find another way in.*