It was just another day at school, but today, Jeremy felt a weight had finally been lifted off his shoulders. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Kade—the notorious Freaks member—was nowhere to be found. Jeremy could barely believe it. He let out a long breath, his chest finally free of the usual tension. Maybe today would be different. Maybe, for once, he could enjoy a normal day.“Finally, a break,” he muttered to himself, allowing a faint smile to touch his lips.But his sense of peace didn’t last long.Jeremy’s breath caught in his throat as a flash of purple passed in front of his eyes. His heart sank, and he knew exactly who it was before he even turned his head. Noctis, with his unmistakable platinum purple hair, was making his presence known—again.“What are you doing here?” Jeremy’s voice was laced with annoyance, his lips pouting as his brow arched comically.Noctis turned toward him, his expression calm but smug. “I’m your new guardian, of course.”Jeremy’s ja

"Stealth mode," Jeremy muttered under his breath, his heart racing as he carefully controlled his breathing. He was hyper-aware of Noctis’s presence, knowing full well that an A- rank Hunter like him could sense the slightest disturbance in the air. Jeremy couldn't risk being detected—not now.**[Stealth]:** *Increases speed by 35% at the cost of draining the user’s stamina. Automatically activates when threatened or experiencing a surge of killing intent.*Before Noctis could react, Jeremy vanished, his body blurring into the backdrop of the crowded street. The only indication that he had ever been there was the subtle shift in the atmosphere, the pressure of his rapid takeoff causing a brief ripple of displaced air.Noctis's sharp eyes darted around, but by the time he sensed Jeremy's disappearance, it was too late.Jeremy was gone.He bolted down the empty alleyways, his mind racing as fast as his legs. Every step forward took him further from Noctis and closer to Burke’s location.

**Chapter 18: The Silent Ambush**The air was thick with tension as Jeremy and his team moved closer to the parked SUVs. The hum of the city around them faded into background noise as the mission took full focus.Jeremy’s senses were heightened, his vision sharp as he scanned the area. It was then that he noticed a subtle feature in the mask: a communication device embedded near his ear."Perfect," he thought."Brace yourselves," he whispered into the communication device his voice cold and precise. "This one is very strong. Don’t waste time on meaningless duels—distract him, but our target is the suitcase.""Yes, sir!" came the unified reply, the team’s voices carrying a mix of anticipation and focus.One of the assassins, moving with grace and stealth, spoke up. “Let us go ahead, we’ll clear the path.”Jeremy paused for a second. "Feel free," he said, his tone unwavering. "But remember—kill no one."With a slight nod, they dispersed into the shadows, their black forms blending sea

In that moment, Jeremy saw it. The smallest of openings.Jeremy backed off, breathing hard, sweat pouring down his face. He had no choice but to wait now, to stay quick, to avoid the storm that was James Detroit until the man’s energy was depleted.As James stood there, glaring at him with eyes full of hatred, Jeremy braced himself for the next round. The day was far from over."He’s way stronger than I thought… he’s a beast," Jeremy processed the reality of the fight at lightning speed, his instincts screaming at him to escape. But there was no easy way out, not with James Detroit unleashing his full fury on him. The man moved with a dark power, each attack heavier than the last, relentless and precise. Jeremy ducked under a vicious punch, feeling the force graze past his head, wind whipping his face."I can’t use my katana. I can’t risk leaving any evidence behind." Jeremy had learned to survive by being careful. If James or anyone else connected this attack to him, the consequence

The evening was eerily quiet as Jeremy and Mary walked down the narrow alley, the tension from their encounter with Burke still lingering in the air. The weight of Burke’s offer—everything Jeremy could ever want—gnawed at him. It was tempting, but he knew it came at a price far greater than money or power. His uncle had always been willing to go further than anyone else, and that’s what made him dangerous."He's willing to give me everything… everything," Jeremy muttered under his breath, his thoughts swirling as they moved through the city’s shadows. "That’s the scary part."Mary, walking beside him, cast a sidelong glance. Though her body ached from the earlier ordeal, and the pain in her ruined eye was only just beginning to subside, she couldn’t shake the curiosity stirring inside her. There was something about Jeremy, something that made him stand apart from the cold, ruthless world they both seemed trapped in. He was different, but in a way she couldn’t quite put her finger on