Novel Bin
Chapter 24: The Weight of Silence
Seraphis walked through the city streets as the first rays of dawn kissed the rooftops. The morning air was crisp, carrying the distant chatter of merchants setting up their stalls. But beneath the mundane hum of daily life, the city was holding its breath.
She could feel it in the wary glances of the guards patrolling the noble district. In the hushed whispers that followed her as she passed by cloaked figures in alleyways. The massacre at House Avalon had sent shockwaves through the city.
And just as she had planned, no one knew who was responsible.
Her boots barely made a sound against the cobblestone as she approached the Assassin’s Guild.
Tonight, she had been death itself.
Now, she was just another shadow returning home.
A Silent Entry
The guild was eerily quiet when she stepped inside.
Usually, there was laughter, drinking, the rowdy noise of assassins boasting about their latest kills. But today, the atmosphere was heavy. Word had reached even here.
Seraphis ignored the eyes that followed her as she walked toward the Guildmaster’s office. She didn’t need to explain herself to anyone except him.
She pushed open the door without knocking.
Face to Face with the Guildmaster
The Guildmaster, a grizzled man with silver streaks in his black hair, sat at his desk, swirling a glass of amber liquid in one hand. He didn’t look up at first.
She stepped forward and tossed a bloodstained emblem onto his desk. It bore the sigil of House Avalon—the only real proof of what had happened that night.
“Mission complete,” she said, her voice even.
The Guildmaster finally met her gaze, his sharp eyes betraying nothing. He set the glass down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
“You didn’t just complete the mission,” he muttered, tapping a finger against the sigil. “You erased them.”
Seraphis said nothing.
“Word’s spreading fast,” he continued, his tone unreadable. “Some are calling it divine punishment. Others think it’s the work of an underground faction. The nobles are shaking in their boots, and the guards are too scared to start an investigation.”
He picked up the sigil, turning it over in his fingers.
“And yet, somehow, there’s no evidence tying it back to us.”
Seraphis crossed her arms. “That was the point.”
The Guildmaster studied her for a long moment. Then, to her surprise, he let out a low chuckle.
“Damn.” He leaned back in his chair. “I knew you were good, but this? This is on another level.”
She didn’t respond. She had no need for praise.
He exhaled, rubbing his temples. “You’ve done something big tonight, Seraphis. This wasn’t just a contract—it was a message.” His gaze darkened. “And now, people are going to start wondering who sent it.”
Seraphis remained still. She had anticipated this.
“I made sure the pieces fit,” she said simply. “If anyone looks too closely, they’ll find exactly what I left for them. Nothing more.”
The Guildmaster studied her again, then slowly nodded. “Alright. Then let’s move on.”
He reached into a drawer and tossed something across the table.
A silver badge—a rank promotion.
Seraphis caught it effortlessly.
The Weight of a New Rank
“Welcome to B-Rank,” he said with a smirk. “Honestly, I’d push you up to A-Rank after tonight, but let’s not be too hasty. Wouldn’t want to attract the wrong kind of attention.”
She glanced at the badge, then slipped it into her pocket.
“Understood.”
He grinned. “Good. Because I’ve got your next job lined up already.”
Seraphis raised an eyebrow.
“That was fast.”
The Guildmaster downed the rest of his drink, exhaling as he set the glass aside.
“Well, let’s just say… someone with your skill set is in high demand right now.” He slid a folded piece of parchment across the table.
She unfolded it.
Her next target was listed inside.
Her next mission had begun.
Seraphis nodded, turned on her heel, and left the office without another word.
Behind her, the Guildmaster chuckled again, shaking his head.
“That girl’s going to change the world,” he muttered to himself.
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