Chapter 8: Shadows and Contracts
Felix felt good after capturing the Joker—he had always been in favor of killing him. But he was a mercenary. This was the path he had chosen, and the only thing that mattered was completing his missions.
And he had completed it.
Batman had given him a task, and he had done it. No more, no less.
Felix was tired now. He decided to take a break.
But then, his phone buzzed with a notification.
A random number.
**????:** *Meet me. Coordinates: 11:00 PM (Gotham Bridge).*
Felix sighed. Would he ever get a moment of peace?
He stepped outside.
At the designated time, Felix suited up in an alleyway before making his way onto the upper part of the bridge.
The people he saw made his stomach drop for a brief moment.
Deathstroke and Ravager.
Deathstroke:"You're here. Good. Bloodhound, I called you to talk business."
Felix responded in a neutral tone. "What's the job? And my payment?"
Deathstroke tossed him a file.
Felix skimmed through it, his expression barely shifting, but what he read surprised him.
Felix:"Target is Ra's al Ghul. Killing him. That's a risky one, isn't it? The payment must be high… what's the plan?"
Deathstroke: "You'll be working with me. Your payment is $200 million. You resemble me in a lot of ways—at least in armor and reputation. You're a perfect fit for this job."
Felix simply sighed and extended his hand. Deathstroke shook it.
"Good partnership."
Ravager hesitated but eventually reached out his hand as well.
Felix frowned.
He turned to Deathstroke and motioned toward Ravager. "What's his problem? I don't work with unstable types. If this continues, I'm walking away."
Deathstroke gave Ravager a look. After a brief moment of tension, Ravager finally shook Felix's hand, albeit begrudgingly.
Felix withdrew his hand and spoke flatly. "You're not professional, are you?"
His expression remained unreadable. He watched for any reaction, but Deathstroke's composure balanced out the tension in the air.
Ravager's glare didn't bother Felix. He had already anticipated the challenges of working with someone with a short fuse.
Felix kept his eyes on Deathstroke. "I accept the risks of this job."
Deathstroke gave a small nod before turning to Ravager.
"There are rules to working with this man, Ravager. You need to be patient."
Ravager ignored his father's words, still scowling.
Felix stood between the two mercenaries, internally weighing his options. Everything was set—the target, the reward. But only time would tell how dangerous this job would be.
Everything had limits. And Felix had no intention of crossing his own.
"See you around."
With that, he adjusted his gear and left without another word.
For a man who worked with Batman and knew Gotham's underbelly, this new mission felt different from anything he had done before.
---
Felix was immortal, but caution was still necessary.
The next day, he went to school. But this time, he entered the principal's office.
The principal was surprised. "Felix, welcome. Are you here to request another leave?"
The principal had a soft spot for Felix—he hadn't lost his family that long ago.
Felix simply sat down in a nearby chair. "No, principal. I'm here for something else today."
The principal's expression turned serious. "I'm listening, Felix."
"I want to take the university entrance exam early. I want to move on to university as soon as possible."
The principal raised an eyebrow. "That's acceptable, but may I ask why? You're still young. You should enjoy high school."
Felix's response was curt. "Personal reasons."
The principal sighed but approved the request, giving Felix two weeks to prepare.
Felix's reason was simple—university offered more freedom.
Leaving the school, Felix decided to take the rest of the day for himself.
As he walked through Gotham's gloomy streets, he was about to enter a café when he heard something in a nearby alleyway.
He turned—and saw Kara.
Why is she here? And in an alley of all places
Felix frowned. Kara was looking for a place to hide.
She had been watching Felix for days—he knew it. But now, she had been caught.
Kara kept her expression composed. "Am I not allowed to take a walk?"
Felix was about to respond when he heard something behind him.
A ninja, mid-air, leaping toward him.
Felix dodged effortlessly, and three more ninjas emerged from the shadows.
Four total.
Felix didn't waste time—he drew his weapons.
But Kara stopped him. "I'll handle this."
Felix knew why she said that—she knew he wouldn't leave any of them alive.
Felix narrowed his eyes. "Step back. This is my problem."
Before Kara could protest, Felix unsheathed Murasame.
The four ninjas rushed him simultaneously.
Felix's instincts told him—they were professionals. Their movements, their stance… these weren't just hired thugs.
Not that it mattered.
First attack!
Two ninjas lunged straight for Felix while the other two flanked him.
Felix lifted Murasame slightly and charged forward.
One ninja swung his katana—a sharp, clean strike.
Felix reacted instantly, tilting his head as the blade whistled past his shoulder.
With a single swift motion, he slashed Murasame across the ninja's chest.
The ninja's eyes widened.
Murasame's curse activated immediately. A deadly poison spread through his veins, and within seconds, he collapsed—lifeless.
The remaining three hesitated.
But they didn't retreat.
Second wave!
Two ninjas attacked from opposite sides. One aimed high, the other low.
Felix jumped, flipping mid-air, dodging both attacks.
Before landing, he drove a dagger into one ninja's throat. No scream. Just silence.
The last ninja standing realized how close Felix had landed to him. He thrust his katana forward—
Felix didn't step back.
Instead, he **stepped forward,** knocking the ninja off balance with his shoulder.
A split second later, Murasame pierced the ninja's stomach.
Within moments, he, too, was gone.
Only one remained.
This ninja was different.
He was analyzing Felix's movements. He was trained.
Felix narrowed his eyes.
The ninja disappeared.
It wasn't an illusion—he was actually invisible.
Felix focused his senses. A faint breath… a small ripple in the wind…
Right side!
Felix swung Murasame.
Sparks flew as steel clashed against steel. The ninja reappeared, eyes filled with shock.
"You won't kill me."Felix smirked darkly.
The ninja tried to retreat.
Too late.
Felix's blade struck true.
The last ninja fell.
Silence.
Kara watched from the shadows, stunned.
Felix exhaled, sheathing Murasame.
Four professional assassins. Gone within minutes.
Turning around, he met Kara's gaze.
"Why are you following me?"