Classless Ascension

Josh was happily putting his new loot away when a knock resounded at the apartment door. 

— Knock Knock — 

He interrupted his task and went to open, knowing perfectly who the man there would be. It was someone he had been expecting, a man that had followed him all the way next to Sunshine. 

The man obviously was an assassin, was relatively young, well dressed, and carried around a brown suitcase. His smile was so radiant that it would have put a flashlight to shame. 

"Hello there, how are you doing on this wonderful day?" He began his speech warmly. 

"Oh, you know. Just relaxing. Anyway, what brings you here, brother?" Josh warmly inquired. 

He couldn't wait but hear the excuse that the man had prepared. He would probably try to be invited inside to either kill or kidnap him, right? 

"Are you aware of the recent Sloth incident that happened in our beloved Metropolis? It caused too much trouble, so the MTA is taking action. I am tasked with taking a census of all citizens to give them compensation." (A)

If Josh wasn't aware of the sloths, then no one was.

It seemed like the man wanted to worm his way inside using the promise of free credits. While it wasn't too original, it would probably work in most cases. He looked harmless enough not to put anyone on their guard. 

"Oh, seriously?!" Josh faked incredible interest. 

"Of course! Don't worry, I only have a few questions to ask, and you'll be eligible for the full amount. Can we sit inside while filling the form?" He asked seemingly innocently. (A)

"Sure! I'll make us some coffee too. Make yourself at home." Josh welcomed him like an impeccable host. A few seconds later, they were both sitting on the sofa, cup in hand.

In the man's eyes, Josh could detect a faint glimmer. The assassin was rejoicing, for he was so close to his "unsuspecting" target. He was already celebrating inside, gloating at how incredibly naive this new target was. He was so close to the 100k bounty! 

Josh amusedly watched the man who seemed to be scheming but was currently drinking his spiked coffee. In it, there was the same sleeping drug the other assassin had used. He had confiscated it on the man's body. 

Why would a professional assassin accept such a thing from a stranger? Well, Josh also had a coffee with added "flavor". The man had wrongly assumed that Josh wouldn't just straight-up poison the coffee pot. Plus, he still believed he hadn't been noticed during his earlier stalking. 

Since the poison would take time to take effect, they could perfectly begin the so-called census. At first, Josh had been sure that it would only be a facade, but the man seemed serious about it. 

"First question: How long have you been living here?" (A)

"Less than a month." 

"Were you in the area when the sloth incident happened?" (A)

"Indeed I was." 

"Next, there will be a few questions about your family to understand your background better." (A)

That's when Josh understood. This man wasn't a complete fool and had realized that there ought to be something more to the eye to a 100k bounty. He seemed to be worried about revenge from kins. 

It would make sense. The bounty didn't mention any fighting power at all. Missing such information could very well jeopardize the entire assassination and could even lead to the contract being nullified with the deposit kept. 

But, what if this 100k youngster truly was weak and the danger was a powerful, vengeful family? The assassination would be a success, and the assassin would end up as the scapegoat! This would explain hiring through KFC instead of the better League of Assassins. 

Good thinking, but the man was overthinking this so much! Before he could say another word, Josh noticed the signs of the drugs working. From that point onward, he knew that he'd be able to neutralize the man reasonably easily. 

"So, how long have you been an assassin? Are you from KFC?" Josh calmly asked. 

The man instantly tried springing to his feet, only to find himself partially paralyzed, his limbs unresponding. Immediately, his eyelids began fluttering in panic as regret showed in his eyes. Who was the madman that posted this crazy mission?! 

"Anyway, let's not waste any time, shall we. How about you tell me all that you know about the League of Assassins." Josh casually asked. However, he noticed the man twitching slightly at this mention. 

"Oh? You know something about them." Josh happily concluded. "What exactly do you know?" 

The man was trying his best to control his reactions, but it was hard while drugged. He could only freak out internally. How unlucky was he to have met this supposedly easy target by chance! He hadn't even planned to participate in that hunt! 

"Have you ever met a recruiter?" The man's reaction was strange. His subtle body language both said yes and no at the same time. 

"Ah, have you received an invitation from a recruiter?" Josh tentatively asked. Yep, this was it! This guy really wouldn't be able to be an actor. Suddenly Josh thought of something. 

"Wait, don't tell me you just received an invitation?!" The remorse in the man's eyes was telling enough. It was the kind of regret that still showed hope toward the future, only grieving over his current predicament.

"So, when is your test?" Josh inquired. "C'mon, just answer truthfully, and we can have a pleasant conversation." 

"S-soon. I don't know. They're supposed to contact me." He uttered with difficulty. (A)

"Is that so? Why do you wish to join the League of Assassin in the first place?" Josh curiously asked. 

"To live well." He curtly answered. (A)

"So in order to live well, you will take plenty of lives?" Josh raised an eyebrow, pointing the hypocrisy out. 

"That's my only option...I can't Climb." The assassin deplored. (A)

"Why not?" Josh countered. 

"Because I have a shitty Class." (A)

"Oh? Which one?" 

"This one." (A)

That's when the assassin began grinning. He looked like a master strategist that had just won a war. His last words resounded in the room akin to an echo. 

That's when Josh suddenly lost control of his entire body except for his mouth. How?! This ability was almost as powerful as the sloth soul attacks in D-23! How was this shitty at all?! 

The both of them were stuck paralyzed next to one another: one from poison and the other from magic. At the very least, the sofa felt extremely comfortable, and they were both sinking into it. Since he had the upper hand, the assassin explained further. 

"The Class is called Orator, and it's the worst of the worst. Well, it does allow some nice tricks, but the enemy has to be able to understand you for it to work. Against monsters, it's completely useless." (A)

"Oh? That's interesting. I wonder all that one could do with such an ability." Josh thought aloud. 

"How are you still sounding so relaxed?!" (A)

"I mean, the sofa is pretty comfortable, isn't it?" 

"That's beside the point!" (A)

"Oh? What's the point then?"

"I'm about to regain control of my body, you know." (A)

"You are?"

"It's a given for anyone wanting to go into the business to develop an immunity to common poisons!"(A)

"Talk about professionalism! Pretty awe-inspiring." 

The assassin was gazing at Josh at a complete loss. How was he so calm? Did he perhaps think that he was bluffing?! Then came the moment when he freed himself.

He took a few unsteady steps toward the kitchen, grabbing a knife. Coming back, he pointed it at the immobilized man while grinning.

"How about now? Are you worried?" He uttered. (A)

"Guess I'll die today. It's a shame. Still, are you sure you want to head into this path?" Josh sighed lightly. 

"It's not a matter of want. It's a matter of being realistic." He clicked his tongue. (A)

"Is it really?" 

"You don't know what it's like to struggle with a bad Class!" (A)

"You're right since I don't have one."

"What?! That's impossible, I saw you exit the Tower! You were Climbing!" (A)

"Yes, I was Climbing. So?" 

"This is impossible..." The assassin kept mumbling this aloud. (A)

"If you think it is, then it will be. Otherwise, you can work even harder." 

The man seemed shaken by such revelation. Part of him was in disbelief while the other part hoped it to be true. He hesitated for a few seconds, holding the knife in place, but then he lowered his arm and dropped the weapon. He even began walking away. 

"Aren't you going to kill me?" 

"No." (A)

"Why not?"

"Because I don't feel like it, that's all." He said akin to a tsundere. (A)

"Are you sure?"

The assassin turned around to face Josh in an outburst: 

"Look, man, stop trying to taunt me and just—" But what he saw made him freeze. (A)

Josh was not only up, but right behind him?! How the hell had he managed to sneak up on him?! 

Not only wasn't he paralyzed in the least, but he was even sipping on what remained of the coffee, a coffee he knew for a fact was poisoned. Was he even human anymore?! 

But, this wasn't the worst. Josh was looking as relaxed as ever with a slight smile on his face. The assassin couldn't help but gulp as he suddenly realized how ridiculous his decision to "let the man live" had been. 

"Now, why don't we have a small chat?" The smiling Josh proposed. The assassin could only nod in the most demure of fashion, completely overwhelmed by the events.

Josh had already had a plan figured out....