Chapter Text
You’re a little bit upset at the moment.
No—actually, very upset.
You stare at the screen, resentment practically dripping from your gaze.
This is a dark web interface used exclusively by professional assassins. A few seconds ago, you were casually browsing anonymous posts on the forum. Unfortunately, that peaceful moment lasted only a few seconds—because this newly updated thread has seriously ruined your mood.
The post reads:
[Assassin World Ranking Update]
- Cunning Hare
- Apple
- ...
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- ...
…
Right now, you really feel like posting a help thread yourself, already knowing the title: “Long-time number one wakes up to find herself demoted to second place.”
And yea. That “Apple”, is your codename.
As for why you picked such an underwhelming name… honestly, you’ve never really thought about it. You just happened to be eating an apple for breakfast the day you decided to enter the business. That was it.
When you first entered the field with that codename, people mocked it heavily—saying it sounded nothing like an assassin name, more like a kid’s nickname. But you didn’t care. You climbed your way up purely on skill and, within two years, knocked the previous No.1 off the throne and took the top spot yourself.
The mockery faded after that.
Because your signature method was poison, people gradually started calling you “Poison Apple.” You once said, “Call me whatever you want.” Later, for some reason, someone said that they found out that you’re a female, hence the nickname “Poison Apple” somehow turned into “Apple-senpai” or “Apple-姐 (Apple Sis).”
You: …whatever.
Anyway.
You glance back at the post’s comment section:
1L: What?? Apple-senpai dropped to second??
2L: What?? Apple-senpai dropped to second??
3L: What?? Apple-senpai dropped to second??
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15L: Why are you all copying each other, are you bots?? Can’t you speak properly??
16L: The shock is real okay I’m screaming
17L: There’s no way Apple-senpai got overtaken!! The gap between her and second place was HUGE!!
18L: Wait… didn’t anyone notice the new No.1 isn’t the old No.2 either?
19L: Hold on. Who the hell is this “Cunning Hare”?
20L: Guys calm down, I know who that is—but I’ll explain after I kill someone real quick.
21L: waiting
22L: waiting
…
You leave a “waiting” comment too—rare for you—and then go back to watching your drama, still carrying that irritated mood.
Cunning Hare, huh…
The codename sounds kind of annoying already.
You imagine a very irritating face in your head.
This guy… you kind of want to call him out and settle this once and for all.
—
After finishing the last episode, you glance back at the thread.
It’s updated.
100L: I’m back, everyone.
101L: Stop stalling and just say it!
102L: Alright, alright. So—this “Cunning Hare” is a newcomer who entered the field a month ago.
103L: …A newcomer? You’re kidding, right?
104L: Actually… now that you mention it, I’ve never seen that name before.
105L: What if it’s someone from the rankings who just changed their codename?
106L: Unlikely. I just got word through some back channels—everyone in the top twenty, except Apple-sis, has mysteriously disappeared.
107L: Now that you say that… the current #3 used to be #21. Everyone shifted up.
108L: That’s… disturbing.
109L: That’s… disturbing.
110L: That’s… disturbing.
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120L: OP, do you have any more info on Cunning Hare? Who even is this guy?
121L: To be honest, that’s all I know.
122L: Why did you suddenly switch to pinyin??
123L: Oh, nothing~ Just a reminder: maybe don’t be too curious. And maybe don’t dig too deep.
124L: Why does your tone sound different now?
125L: Is it just me or does it feel like you got possessed…?
You scroll through the comments, a slight frown forming on your face.
Something about this is… off.
Weirdly thrilling, though.
Honestly, way more interesting than the show you just watched.
You perk up instantly and keep scrolling.
126L: Wait—what if the OP got silenced by Cunning Hare, and now it’s him using the account to talk to us…
127L: ??? Don’t scare me like that, it’s the middle of the night.
128L: bingo~ ^^
129L: I’m sorry PLEASE don’t kill me I was just joking
130L: That’s not the point?? The point is he literally just confirmed your theory??
131L: Even if it’s true, what are we supposed to do… call the police?
132L: Fair (also please spare me I value my life and I definitely never saw this thread)
133L: Oh, my apologies for frightening everyone. I’ll be bringing more “surprises” to all my fellow colleagues soon.
134L: So arrogant… but a powerful newcomer… kind of scary.
135L: You’re in this line of work and you’re still scared?
[This thread has been reported and removed.]
…Seriously?
You weren’t even done reading.
What a mood killer.
At this point, you’re completely awake.
In fact, you’re more interested than ever.
You start analyzing this “Cunning Hare.”
You go over the information from the thread and piece together a few things (though none of it is confirmed):
- A newcomer who entered the field about a month ago
- The original poster was likely eliminated by him
- There’s reason to suspect the disappearance of the top twenty is connected to him
- He might be doing this not for money, but for the thrill of the hunt
- —In other words, he simply enjoys killing
…
You raise an eyebrow.
Interesting.
He managed to knock you off the top spot in just one month?
That’s not normal efficiency.
Coincidentally, you had taken about a month off yourself.
And in just that short time, some unknown rookie overtook you.
Your competitive streak won’t allow that.
What kind of joke is this?
You’re basically the boss of the entire assassin world—since when does the boss get replaced this easily?
You’re going to make sure he learns his place.
You’re taking jobs again.
At his current pace, you’re certain that whatever target you pick next—you’ll run into him.
Which means…you’ll be competing for the same kill.
Vacation: suspended.
There’s only room for one at the top.
And that can only be you.