Chapter 64: CH63: A Fool’s Initiation
***
Hello, guys. Sorry, I've been away for so long. I had to take an impromptu break. I should've come back earlier, but it became more and more difficult to get back in the groove the longer I was away which then made me stay away longer.
I'm slowly getting back in the game so we should soon settle back into the usual release rate.
Anyway, back to business.
Hope you enjoy the chapter.
CH63: A Fool's Initiation
Oath of Allegiance...
It's been a long time since I last swore an Oath of Allegiance. If memory isn't failing me, the last time I swore such an oath was when I joined the military in my previous life.
Though I was obligated to do it, I took the oath very seriously.
I certainly did everything within my power to defend my country, its constitution and its interests.
However, I won't be doing that in this life.
In this life, I intend to live on the Golden Rule.
'Do what you want others to do for you...'
Interpreting this in the positive light, it means to do good to those who do good to you.
In another light, you can see it as 'An eye for an eye.'
-
I still had my hands in my pocket with my cane held by my arm as I walked to centre stage.
A faint smile made its way to my lips as I thought about the golden rule.
During my days in Taskforce 47, my team had been tasked to handle some of the toughest missions and bring down some of the most dangerous people in the world.
This didn't mean all these guys where 'bad' guys per se, they just conflicted with my country's interests and they had to be taken out.
Ramon Felix, the Golden OathKeeper, was one of such not-bad guys my team took down.
(I coined the nickname so...)
Felix was a foreign operative who carried out a damning mission in my country. The top-brass were not happy to say the least. They wanted him dead and so sent their top hunt dog, Taskforce 47, after him.
Felix was an enigma.
He lived his life based on the Golden Rule almost to a fault. Help him and he returned the favour even at the detriment of his interests.
He helped everyone who had helped him and his loved ones. At the same time, he put everyone who had harmed him and his loved ones six feet under.
Turned out, the attack in my country was on a General who ordered a drone strike in a village where one of Felix's benefactors lived. The woman lost her only child as collateral in the strike.
The woman, in her grief, asked Felix to help her get 'justice'.
So, Felix set out on a mission to kill everyone involved in the strike; from the drone pilot up the way the chain of command to the General who order the strike on the village.
Felix almost succeeded with only the Major, who planned the strike, escaping with his life before Felix had to get out of the country.
My Taskforce chased Felix over three continents before we were able to get him.
Well, to be fair, only two members of the Taskforce including myself went after him, but still... the fact that he was able to escape for that long proved his tradecraft.
During the long chase, I did my homework on the man. Know your enemy and you won't lose a thousand battles and whatnot. I found out that he was a stickler for the Golden Rule.
He picked my interest and I asked Bowman to investigate the circumstances behind the strike.
As it turned out, the Major fabricated the brief he presented to the General to get his approval for the strike. The Major had a vested interest in the target and ignored the Rules of Engagement to get the airstrike approved.
The top-brass found out about this and were already preparing to court-martial the Major when Felix struck.
In fact, the top brass would've dealt with the Major sooner, but that would mean they'd have to admit the military was culpable in the incident, something they didn't want to do. They were still determining a plan for damage control for the incident when Felix struck.
Politically, it made it even more difficult for them to move forward now.
This gave me an idea and I presented them with a plan they were very eager to accept.
My team snuck back into the country and kidnapped the Major quietly. Then, we met Felix's benefactor and used her to discretely set a meeting unbeknownst to her.
As expected, Felix showed up at the meet where I offered him a deal.
His life for the Major's.
Most people wouldn't take the deal, but Felix wasn't most people. He accepted the deal on the spot after putting forward a condition.
He wanted to offer the Major to his benefactor. Once she decides what to do with him, he'll surrender to us.
So, the three of us returned to the woman. My Taskforce member and myself pretended to be Felix's friends who helped him bring her the man who 'killed' her son.
We left the Major to the woman, with a knife and a gun, to decide what she wanted to do with him and left.
Come to think of it, I don't remember what she decided to do. I don't think I checked back. It wasn't my concern. All I'm sure of is that the Major didn't return.
And 'Ramon Felix' died that day.
The higher-ups and politicians at the Capitol got face time in front of the camera to announce the death of the 'terrorist'.
Taskforce 47 gained a new effective member that day.
Reading through the man's file and after chasing him for a good while, I developed respect for the man. I may not agree with his life choices at the time but I certainly respected his guts in sticking with them. There was no way I was going to let a good operative like that die a meaningless death. Plus, Felix was a disposable tool in the eyes of his handlers and they were more than willing to hand him over after what he did in my country.
Anyway, the top brass got their revenge and I got my man.
Over the years working with the OathKeeper, his doctrine of the Golden Rule rubbed off on me to an extent. Though it was a pain to manage his tendencies.
-
I stood before the Hero, Boogeyman. I ignored the influence he passively exerted.
"I will carryout the missions I take to the best of my ability. I will never reveal any information about the Client nor intentionally bring any harm to them as long as they don't intentionally harm me or my Interest. And I will never betray the organisation as long as the organisation doesn't betray me. This, I swear on my honour as an Assassin!"
This was my vow.
While I didn't make slave-type vows like the other initiates before me, I believe my vow was more than enough.
However, it seemed that not everyone was happy with my words.
"What kind of oath is that? Are you looking down on the House of Death?!" A broker shouted.
I looked over.
The broker was a thin man. He wore a black suit and looked like an old-fashioned dandy. His eyes looked shifty.
'A useless scheming snake.' This was my evaluation of him at the time.
Aside his nature, I also noticed that he wasn't really looking at me. His attention was more on Navia.
'Oh.' A thin smile made its way to my lips. 'You want to target my fair lady, huh?'
I ignored him and didn't dignify his question with a reply.
"Hey, I'm talking to you! You really look down on the organisation after all." He said.
Bogeyman's aura flared.
The snake's smile widened as he thought his words riled Boogeyman as he wanted.
'As expected. A useless snake that can't even scheme properly.'
I was facing the Hero while the Brokers were looking from the side. I could see Bogeyman's eyes while they couldn't.
I could tell the Hero wasn't riled by the man's words at all. His aura only flared due to his interest. He wanted me to respond.
He wanted to see how I'd handle the situation.
I didn't look at the man as I responded, "It is not me who looks down on the organisation, but you." My words stunned everyone. "It is the Hero who presides over the vows and has the right to determine if a vow is valid or not."
I turned to looked at the snake with a disdainful gaze.
"Do you think you are better than the Hero? Do you want to overstep your station and act as the judge of the vows? Are you looking down on the organisation's procedures?"
I returned the question to him and the snake became tongue-tied.
Some brokers looked at him with pitying gazes while others showed delight at his expense. Navia chuckled silently.
The snake quickly fell to his knees.
"Hero, I had no such intentions. I just-"
"Enough." Hero Boogeyman stopped him with a raised palm. He glanced at me. "You are interesting enough. Your vow... I will allow it."
I nodded plainly.
The glow in the Hero's eyes and his presence flared more.
Because of his frozen, stoic look, others might think he was offended by my response... or lack of it, but I knew that wasn't the case. Instead, I believe his interest in me grew.
He waved his hand for the initiation to continue.
"Agent Zero. Call name previously determined by the Agent as 'the Fool'." The Scribe said.
There was a commotion amongst the audience.
This was expected. None of them expected that I would be allowed to choose my Call name. It was a rare honour after all.
"Any objections?" The Hero asked.
"The organisation determines the Call name of the Agents. It takes a rare achievement for an Agent to be allowed to choose a name for themselves. Not just me, I'm sure my colleagues as well are wondering what Agent Zero achieved to be given such an honour." A broker said.
"That's true." Another broker backed him up. "Also, what kind of a Call name is 'the Fool'? While I may normally not have a right to comment on the Agent's... interests, it is not the case this time. A Call name isn't just the Agent's designation, it also marks him as a representative of our organisation. Can we allow someone who represents us to be called 'the Fool'?"
The two brokers may have worded their comments righteously, how could I not see that they were trying to suppress Navia.
I glanced at the woman.
'You are really a Femme Fatale.' I thought.
Everyone, including Boogeyman turned to me. I'm sure they wondered how I was going to get out of this one.
"A fool is someone at a low point... at zero. At this point, it is impossible to be disappointed by whatever the person does. In that case, a Fool is a person who can achieve anything... 'do' anything be it good or bad... and become anyone.
"A Call name is given based on the Agent's speciality. I don't have a singular speciality. Instead, I can do anything and become anyone needed to complete my contract... similar to a fool. Hence, 'the Fool'."
As expected, the audience were left speechless by my words.
"You seem confident in your abilities." Boogeyman commented.
"That's a given."
"Are you sure you can complete any contract? What if I asked you to kill a Hero?"
"I would never make a mistake of knowingly taking such a contract. But if I'm forced to take such a contract, I should be able to complete it sometime in the future."
"What if there's a time limit?"
"Then I will scheme. Just because I can't kill the Hero by my strength, doesn't mean I can't use others to do it."
"You think you can move someone who can kill a Hero?"
"Every man has a price. Like every creature has a bait. I just have to find the person's and I'm sure they'll bite the bait."
Boogeyman nodded his head.
But soon, his cold eyes stared down on me.
"Words are not enough to prove value."
"I believe my actions have proven my claims. I have a hundred percent completion rate."
"That isn't enough. I wish to see you in action for myself." The Boogeyman said. He turned to the new organisation members. Specifically, the Initiate who chose to become a broker and his Agents. "Defeat him and I will grant you all a healthy amount of merits."
The group of six became excited. They prepared to attack me.
"I don't think that's fair, Commander." Navia finally spoke out.
"He claims to have confidence in himself. An Assassin should be able to adapt to any situation, no matter how volatile it is. I believe the Commander is right to test him like this." The previous broker who was against Navia spoke.
"You misunderstand. The unfairness I'm talking about isn't the fight." Navia said with a professional smile. The other brokers were surprised. "I just don't think it's fair that only one side can gain from this impromptu event."
"I see... You're right. I should also offer something to motivate Agent Zero. What do you think would be a fitting reward?" Boogeyman said.
"I believe a Flame should be a sufficient reward." Navia replied.
"What? A Flame? What a big appetite you have. The other side is only getting merit points and you asking for a Flame? Yet, you talk about fairness?" The Snake argued.
"Agent Zero is expected to face six Assassins at the same level without time to prepare. Since the odds are stacked this high against him, it's only right the reward should be raised a notch. I believe the Commander won't be stingy with his reward. Even if he gives merit points, it should be sufficient to afford a Flame. In that case, whether he receives Merit points or a Flame, what does it matter? You can argue that giving him a Flame is narrowing his choice."
I almost wanted to laugh out loud.
Contrary to how Navia phrased it, a Flame was far more significant than Merit points. A Flame wasn't something an Agent could get with just merit points. There were other conditions as well. After all, Flames, even the lowest one, are incredibly rare resources.
Sure enough, the Snake wanted to retort, however, Navia prepared a good silencer.
"You were just warned about overstepping your station, yet you are doing it again. Do you think the Commander is incapable of making a decision on his own? When did it become your business what the Commander decides to reward a member of the organisation?"
'Atta girl.' A mute chuckle escaped my mouth.
The snake... Viper was left unable to retort. He looked to Boogeyman pleadingly.
The man waved it away once again.
"Viper may have been out of line, but his argument is understandable. Flames are too rare and valuable."
"I understand that, Commander. I'm not saying you should reward him with a precious Combat-capable flame. A low-grade flame that can be used for low level refinement should suffice for facing this rabble."
Her eyes looked at the group of six with thick disdain. It was like she was looking at trash... something less than human.
The impact of being looked down on was especially strong when it came from such a beautiful woman. The group of six gritted their teeth and glared at me.
If looks could kill, I would be dead at least six times over.
"Very well. I'll allow it." Boogeyman said. "You may begin."
I glanced at Navia just in time to see her mouth something to me.
'Put on a show.'
I smiled behind my mask and nodded.
I turned to Boogeyman.
"I won't be responsible for their life or death."
The group of six were already pissed off at being looked down on by Navia. The disregard in my tone only made it worse.
They charged at me without a word.
-
I may see the group as idiots, however, even I had to admit they had skill... even if just a bit.
They timed their charge in such a way that it favoured their fighting styles.
2 Close-range fighters took the lead. They were followed by a lone mid-range fighter. Of the two remaining long-range fighters, one remained on the spot while the other pulled back.
I don't know if it was just plain luck or if it was skill, I'd rather believe it was the latter, but it was a good move unexpected for a newly formed team.
For some reason, the Broker didn't participate in the attack.
I still nonchalantly had my hands in my pocket when the first attack arrived.
A Gauntlet-type Pangea materialised and covered the hands of the first attacker. He threw out a right jab. The punched looked very weak, you'd think even a child could throw a better punch. However, I knew better than to underestimate it.
My body moved fast and I sidestepped to my left, dodging the punch.
I twisted and threw a counterpunch. My fist sent a strong blow to the man's liver.
I held nothing back and the man went to the floor instantly.
I didn't have the time to celebrate my one-punch kill, the second attacker arrived. A spear came thrusting towards my chest.
I parried the thrust away with my cane.
The spear was a short spear so the attacker was close to me. The parry opened him up enough for me to deliver another counter punch to the temple, rocking the attacker's brain.
Once again, I had no time to waste. I quickly rolled away from my position.
I moved just in time as a shadow spike rose from my second attacker's shadow.
My gaze shifted to the third attacker in the mid-range position. The lady was a shadowmancer with the ability to raise sharp spikes from people's shadows.
I was about to move forward to attack her when I heard a whistling sound.
An arrow made its way for my head.
I moved my head away at the last moment.
I threw a glance at the long-range opponent who stepped back at the beginning of the offensive. There was now a longbow in his hand.
As if that wasn't trouble enough, the second long-range opponent summoned ice lances in the space around her. The three lances shot at my position.
I moved quickly and erratically to dodge the ice bolts.
The three opponents worked together to keep me away from them. They must've figured I was a close-range fighter.
Their action was also wearing down my stamina.
However you looked at it, I was in a pickle.
(To be continued...)
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