Classless Ascension

Many look down on kidnapping since it's illegal and all, but it's an art! In fact, there are many vital points to such an activity:

1. Pick the right mark.

2. Strike swiftly and without hesitation.

3. Remain anonymous during the entire process.

4. Accomplish one's goal without getting too distracted.

Honestly, most people fail at point 1 or 4. One needs to know one's limits when deciding on who to target. This point wasn't too much of an issue for Josh since he aimed for A-Ranked Climbers, not even S-Ranked!

How would they have felt if they knew his current thoughts? In the eyes of the world, joining an A-ranked guild was prestigious and meant one had won at life. Perhaps only an aberration like Josh could consider joining an S one easy.

Decisiveness and anonymity wouldn't be too much of an issue. He now had a Jammer to prevent basic technology from even detecting him. This would mean that all the random cameras in the city wouldn't be an issue at all. Plus, even his current face was fake!

The last point was usually harsh. Most kidnappings had the goal to make money, and it would be the riskiest part of the operation. After all, it was hard to establish trust between ransomer and ransomed when it came to the exchange.

But, what about Josh? He wouldn't have such a problem. Demands? Deals with the family? Careful torture? He wouldn't care! This was what made such an operation so fun.

At that moment, he was sitting in the dark as he played around with a small letter. It was black with a silver dagger, similar to the test invitation. The difference was that this one was an omen of despair.

He nodded, satisfied at the content. It was short, elegant, and to the point. One had to admit that the LoA knew letter esthetics. Josh couldn't help but wonder if a large part of the league's income didn't low-key come from a side lettering business…

Either way, he was happy with what his targets would receive. It went:

"𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙂𝙤𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙅𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚", signed the LoA.

Now, who should he target first?

The cleaner guy, perhaps? He was already in Metropolis-D, and it would be a very short trip. He could be done with it soon if he hurried.

The holy paladin, maybe? He had that one acquaintance who kinda owed him for saving his life. He could ask him for help with the infiltration.

The tortoise guy? He'd keep this one for last because the guy was out in the open. Finding him would be easy. The issue would most likely be the man's whole guild coming to his rescue. Yep, dead last it would be!

The runic knight guy belonged to Gemini. Josh could use this opportunity to contact an old friend. Well, a friend would be pushing it for sure. Still, she had extended help when she thought he needed it and all.

This one would be one of the last ones, so he could catch up a bit without being pressed by time. After all, grabbing coffee with someone who was hurrying was quite annoying.

Thus he had decided:

Cleaner —> Wolf —> Gemini —> Tortoise

Now that he had an immediate purpose, he had to get as much information as possible! Who could he even ask for this? Oh, he had just the guy in mind! That's how he made his way toward the Sunny Nightclub.

As he came nearby, the bouncers threw him dirty looks. Their eyes seemed to convey: "Who are you, and why have you been lurking around our place." To which Josh just glared at them before requesting to see that one bodyguard.

Even as they growled at him, they did send someone to get the naive guy. As he showed up, he stared at Josh with hope and suspicion. This was weird since he usually was the one finding clients, not the other way around! Was he finally gaining recognition as a bodyguard?!

"You've been looking for me?" He asked skeptic.

"Yep, let's talk at your place!" Josh didn't even let him object that he was already on the move. As soon as they were sitting at the kitchen table, he spoke once more. "Alright, here's the deal. I need to kidnap someone, and you'll help me." Josh declared.

"….I think you have the wrong guy. I'm a bodyguard, a bodyguard! Plus, kidnapping is a crime!" He vehemently objected.

"Don't worry. I'll pay. Plus, it's only a crime if you get caught." Josh shrugged.

"That's not how it works!"

"Who cares. The point is, you learned how to protect people. You may not be that good at it, but you understand the theory very well. I'm sure you can be an asset to deal with this first target." Josh enthusiastically spoke.

"First target?! How many are involved in your devious plan? Why would I stoop so low as to participate in this?! Now, I can just warn him and make money! " The bodyguard exclaimed.

"Sure, but I have something to offer that might very well interest you. In your line of work, it's but a question of time before someone puts a contract on your head. I can intercept such bounty from the inside and help when the time comes." Josh gently smiled.

"From the inside?! Wait, do you mean the League of Assassins?! Aren't you guys all sworn by secret or something?!" He exclaimed in shock.

"I cannot confirm or deny it. But, if anyone asks, I've never mentioned anything about the topic. Anyway, are you in, or are you in?" Josh gave him a ridiculous choice.

"I'm totally out! No way that I'm doing something so shady, no matter what you say!" The bodyguard shook his head in denial.

"Look, let's not do that bit where you refuse, and then I slowly but surely convince you by making a BS emotional speech. Here, look at this. Afterward, you're helping me either way." Josh assertively declared.

"There's no way that—" The bodyguard wanted to object, but he became speechless when he saw the two items that the man had thrown toward him.

The first was an Assassin's Promise letter. If before it had been likely that he was related to the LoA, it was now pretty much confirmed. Well, not that he would ever truly admit it.

The second was an MTA outfit. Why was he even bothering to….oh crap! It was a General's outfit?! The bodyguard stared in awe. This wasn't the type of thing one could easily fake.

Wait, how could he possess both?! Either the man was playing him for a fool....or he was working undercover! Could he be trying to unearth the secrets of the LoA from the inside by joining?!

"So, are you in?" Josh asked.

"I need to know something first. There will be more than just kidnapping, am I right?!" The bodyguard frowned deeply.

"I'll be kidnapping four and probably killing 1 of them, aka whoever pisses me off. Knowing people in general, I'm sure one of them somewhat deserves it. Or maybe I'll fake it, not sure yet." Josh shrugged.

The bodyguard hesitated for a few seconds but then spoke with incredible resolve. "Fine, I'll help. But, I'll ask for premium remuneration! I want 8k for this job!"

"Sure." Josh directly agreed.

The man's face changed. Wait, he agreed so quickly?! This was 8k credits! He began regretting not asking for more. He could only sigh in regret as Josh spoke once more.

"Alright, our first target is a Cleaner from Cutting Edge. He's called knife something…."

"Twice-Knife Jackson! They say he stabs people whenever he disagrees with them. But he only ever does so twice. The third time…well, you don't want to reach the third time!" The bodyguard shivered.

"Gotcha, so how do we get him somewhere alone? Can we use the fact that he's a cleaner? You know, maybe find him a remote job somewhere, with us lying in wait." Josh proposed.

"I know how he operates. They use donut boxes to exchange messages. You're in luck as I just happen to know their code. I can make him come wherever you want." He proudly declared. Well, with reason since counterintelligence won wars!

"Oh? Nice! Just make him come here then."

"Hell no! I use this place with my clients! I'm not about to commit such a rookie mistake!" The bodyguard shouted.

"Haha, I'm just kidding. Anyway, let's rent a nice little apartment. As for the decoration, how about plastic sheets everywhere? It helps a lot with the blood." Josh proposed.

"….You remind me of someone. How many plastic sheets freaks are there out there?! Is this supposed to be normal?!" The man asked, baffled.

"Why reinvent the wheel? It gets the job done, so why change it? There's even a whole forum about it!" Josh happily bullshitted. Was there really one? Probably?

Afterward, it was time to prepare everything real quick! Josh rented a place nearby, did the decoration himself, and they were ready to begin.

"Now, I can ask him to come to this place, but you're on your own afterward. The guy is powerful enough to be in an A-Ranked guild. Are you sure about this?"

"Are we really sure of anything in life? Sometimes something good isn't as it seems, and something bad can lead to progress." Josh sighed, akin to a philosopher as he looked deep in thoughts.

"No, seriously! I'll almost feel bad if you get killed because of me…."

"You worry too much."

They shared a nod, and then the bodyguard wrote something in a box of donuts. Then he left to deliver it as Josh remained alone in the dark, just waiting.

An hour later, his first target was willingly knocking at the door. Josh opened it and saw the stern face of a man who thought he was coming for a job as usual. This would be fun…

Creator's Thought

So far everything was going well. Why work hard when you can work smart? As for how the bodyguard knew about the guild's code? Well, he had been studying cryptology for his job. How could he be so bad at it if he was that diligent? This was a profound mystery of life!