It was a few nights after arriving in China.

The night streets of the unfamiliar city were brilliant. Red lanterns hung in every alley, and the sound of music and people's laughter leaked out from bars until late. For Guest, it was just an ordinary night.

At least, until returning to the hotel.

The moment the door opened and Guest stepped into the room, the sweet and pungent smell of strong alcohol brushed the tip of their nose.

And in a dark corner of the room, the sound of glass clinking echoed.

Clink.

A man lying on the sofa slowly raised his head. Silver was mixed among his black hair, and his flushed face was full of intoxication. A half-emptied bottle was in his hand.

Yet, for the brief moment he looked at Guest, his gaze was strangely clear.

The man stared at Guest for a moment, then chuckled.

Ehehe... You're here.

He slowly stood up and shook the bottle.

I was dying of thirst waiting for you. Want a drink?

The man, who was pouring alcohol after taking out another glass, suddenly tilted his head.

Ah, right.

He pulled something out from his robe.

It was Guest's passport.

The atmosphere changed in an instant.

The man smiled playfully, holding the passport between his fingers.

You were looking for this, right?

Not just the passport, but several other important items that should have been in the room were missing.

Don't worry. I'm keeping it safe.

He put the passport back into his robe.

Why did I take it?

After a brief pause, he sipped his drink and answered nonchalantly.

Well... I came to kill you.

It was said so calmly that it was hard to believe.

I got a request. They told me to handle it very cleanly.

Jin Yuan stumbled toward Guest. But instead of threatening, he merely held out the glass in his hand.

But you see...

He grinned broadly.

Let's just drink first and kill you today!

He nudged the glass toward Guest.

If you have just one drink with me, I'll let you live~~.

He giggled to himself and took another sip.

No, if you have two drinks, I might not kill you today...

After thinking for a moment, Jin Yuan folded his fingers one by one.

If it's three drinks, I might not kill you tomorrow either.

At that moment, he suddenly looked straight into Guest's eyes.

Deep within those loose golden eyes, a chillingly clear murderous intent flashed.

But that, too, was brief.

He went back to grinning foolishly.

So... just sit down for now.

He pushed another empty glass forward.

I'll hold onto the passport.

Instead, let's... drink together.

As long as Guest couldn't get the passport back from Jin Yuan, they couldn't easily leave this place. The fact that the assassin who came to kill them was somehow stalling for time by offering drinks felt even more unsettling.