"At last, I've cleared the game..."
Ren Suo looked at the high score of 85 before him, contentedly put down the game controller, and admired his achievement.
"Completion of the basic mission target—60 points;"
"Killing a moderate number of enemies—5 points;"
"Rescuing a moderate number of innocents—5 points;"
"Completing special side tasks—15 points;"
"Total score is 85 points, rated as extraordinary."
"This mission score: 85 points (extraordinary), Highest mission score: 85 points (extraordinary)"
"Do you choose to upload this result as the final outcome? Upon successful upload, you can receive Merit Points that correspond to your evaluation level."
"Once the evaluation is uploaded, this chapter will be completely closed."
Unable to think of other ways to further optimize his gameplay, Ren Suo chose to upload the result, as he had no intention of playing this chapter again anyway.
"Is it this late already?" Ren Suo checked his phone and found it was already 11:29 PM. Although he had discovered how to complete the side tasks, perfectly protecting Euphy Lampeluji and Karen Lanpelucci was no easy feat. Moreover, he also had to try his best to protect the guests outside. It took Ren Suo several retries to achieve an ending he was satisfied with.
"Mission evaluation upload complete. You have earned 15 Merit Points; please use them wisely."
"You have received One-Star Treasure Chest\*1. You can open it in the Content Preservation Vault."
"As this is a free chapter, you cannot obtain exclusive rewards."
"'Assassin' chapter 'Bloody Banquet' is now closed. Thanks for playing, and enjoy Endless Fun in the Mini World!"
Ren Suo turned off the television. Once his mind, immersed in the game all day, began to relax, an intense wave of sleepiness washed over him. He shook his head, yawned, then went to shower and brush his teeth. Half an hour later, the moment his head touched the pillow, it was like a fated meeting of golden wind and jade dew—he plunged into a sleep so deep that not even a sore backside could rouse him.
...
A few hours later, in London, Britain's famed "city of fog," a fine drizzle began to fall, just as expected.
This city, a world center since the 18th century, may have passed the torch to younger powers, but it still possessed an awe-inspiring heritage. In the misty rain, under the dim glow of streetlights, travelers walking its streets could almost feel the lingering pride of The Empire on which the Sun Never Sets.
As one limousine after another arrived, the Black Thorn Building, standing tall in the rain, welcomed its many distinguished guests. Most were traditional aristocrats whose lineage predated the Glorious Revolution, or families newly risen to prominence within the last century. This was an upper-class dinner party—its attendees relished making advantageous exchanges under the guise of casual conversation.
Just 300 meters from the Black Thorn Building, a BMW 750Li sat parked by the roadside. Anger slapped the steering wheel in frustration. "Kalen, where did you put the umbrella... Ah, I've forgotten again," he muttered, lamenting his driver's absence.
His driver, Kalen, had called in sick the day before, so Anger had been forced to drive himself for the past two days. The last time he'd actually driven was for his driving test—he had absolutely no interest in cars.
Although Anger knew how to drive, he wasn't one to pay attention to the fuel gauge. Now, he was stranded by the roadside with an empty tank.
Fortunately, the Black Thorn Building wasn't far, so Anger could walk. But then came the next problem: no umbrella in the car. Kalen was usually responsible for the umbrella, and Anger had no idea where he kept it.
Anger sighed. First, he called his insurance company to arrange a tow. Then, he got out and started walking towards the building looming nearby in the misty rain.
It's okay, the rain is light; it won't affect me much... he tried to reassure himself. Just then, a car sped past, its tires churning through a puddle and drenching his clean suit.
"Oh God!" Anger cursed under his breath as the car sped off without a hint of stopping. "If I ever see you again, I'll stuff your face into one of Uncle Tom's pies!"
Anger quickened his pace towards the Black Thorn Building. He really didn't want to endure a second such soaking on the street. Damn it, today can't possibly get any worse, can it?
Just then, a handsome young man with an Asian face and a small, red, teardrop-shaped mark between his eyebrows approached Anger. "Are you Mr. Anger Ricall?" he asked. "I am a steward from the Ranpelrouge Family. Your clothes appear to be soiled; please come with me to change into a fresh set."
The handsome young man stepped forward, angling his black umbrella to cover Anger's head. Shielded from the rain, Anger sighed in relief. "Thank you, that's very kind... How did you know I am Anger Ricall?"
The handsome young man smiled faintly. "As a steward of the Ranpelrouge Family, it is my duty to be familiar with all our guests. I will escort you to the Black Thorn Building. Please follow me."
Anger's bad luck seemed to have ended. He breathed another sigh of relief and followed the handsome young man as they turned onto a narrow path.
Why aren't we taking the main road? Anger wondered, then asked, "This doesn't seem to be the way to the Black Thorn Building..."
"Is that so?"
As the question, accompanied by a soft chuckle, reached him, Anger felt a sharp pain at the back of his head and instantly lost consciousness.
A few minutes later, the handsome young man walked towards the Black Thorn Building, head held high, chest out, still holding the umbrella.
"Sir, please show your invitation," a doorman politely stopped him. After a glance, he asked, "Are you Lord Absi Rical?"
"No, I am Absi Rical's nephew," the handsome young man replied politely. "My uncle was unexpectedly detained by urgent business, so he asked me to attend the Ranpelrouge banquet in his stead."
"Very well, please follow me."
The handsome young man took the elevator to the ninth-floor banquet hall. The moment he stepped inside, his entire figure seemed to flicker.
Without hesitation, he strode towards a corner of the banquet hall. In the process, he accidentally bumped a young woman's arm, causing the amber liquid in her glass to spill onto the brown suit of the man beside her.
The handsome young man then quickly melted into the crowd. While the man in the brown suit was dabbing at his clothes, the young man, now holding a wine glass, brushed past him. By the time he moved on, a pistol and silencer were in his left hand.
He walked towards the inner hall passage. After providing 'his' identity, he smoothly passed the scrutiny of a middle-aged steward and several men in black. None of them had met Anger Ricall before. Although they were somewhat surprised that this 'Anger' had the features of someone from Mysterious Country, they didn't obstruct him.
Upon entering the inner hall, the handsome young man assembled the pistol, flicked off the safety, and smiled as he walked towards Karen Lanpelucci and Euphy Lampeluji, who were surrounded by guests.
The plush carpet in the inner hall perfectly muffled the sound of his leather shoes. His finger applied slight pressure on the trigger, his face bearing a smile that would unconsciously draw people to him. When Euphy, resplendent in her gown, noticed the handsome Asian man, they were barely a meter apart.
"Hello," Euphy extended her hand in greeting. "Are you from Flourishing Sakura Country?"
"No, I am from Mysterious Country," the handsome young man tilted his head slightly, smiling. "Miss Euphie…"
He paused. "There's something I'm not sure if I should say..."