Being assassin has it's own perks. High salary, a lot of traveling, new acquaintances, free soda... well last one can be achieved even by a bum, so... Oh my target.

“Steady... now...” *plink*... *plink* *plink* *plink*... hoh... how it burns... “[Target neutralized]”

[What about the body?]

“[Burned... along with the car.]”

[Rest of the payment was transferred. Pleasure doing business with you Pyro.]

“Any more targets?”

[Not in this country.]

“Aw... then I'm going back to base.”

Oh right... my name's Pyro... well it's a nickname which I got because-

*BOOM*

I like burning everything to the ground... I mostly carry incendiaries, explosives and long-range weapons. Ever saw 47? Hitman, clone with barcode on his bald head? Yes, so he is infiltrator, while I am more of an assassin/ghost/sniper. Thing is that no one know my face, even in our organization I am the most secretive and annoying guy. Hell, once I told them I was a girl and they thought it was true. Some of them still debate on my gender. Oh right... so I am currently in Italy in the Terni. My target was some dude that got a witness protection program, but he crossed quite an annoying 'Syndicate', so he died not a month after the start of said program. With the rest of his family... well... there was no mention for it in the contract, but I'm not losing my cut of fun...

Hmm... now that I think about it... it was said that Krestel family had three kids... I only saw two... maybe one was left at their house? Or it was somwhere else? “Doesn't matter anyway. I only needed to kill Mr Krestel... [Hey do you know where is the last one of his family?]”

[What for? In contract you only needed to kill the witness.]

“[Yeah... well... just curious...]”

[She's currently in the Africa working as a volunteer.]

“[Oh OK... I'll be in the Rome... whistle when there will be new contract, 'kay?]”

Right... current year is 2026, and we have quite a few interesting things, well let's start with relations between countries. Europen Union is no more, as after the exit of England few more countries decided to leave, some formed new alliances and others simply ceased to exist from the financial crisis of 2021. China grew bigger after it bought a part of Russia, which had some financial problems after, well, let's say they grew a bit arrogant, so there was quite a lot of terrorism involved in it's downfall, mostly from the countries that had a 'help' from Russia. Ukraine was divided in two new nations, with same financial and corruption problems. Belarus actually became quite powerful with it's new president. Syria was completely devastated and depopulated, but not forgotten, which is why Russia had a slight terror problem, along with some other unneeded conflicts. Japan, after they finished research on matter fabricator, became self-sufficient and started an expedition to the moon, all in order to create the first space colony, at least officially, not like they had the doomsday weapon already installed on the moon after the expidition, but I digress. India had a plaque, which wiped around 80% of it's population, did I mention it was some sort of Zombie thingy? Well now I did, by the way, Ireland mostly remained the same. Brazil with the rest of South America, except Colombia, made a Southern State Alliance (SSA), don't ask me why... Colombia, Central America and Cuba entered unofficial 'drug alliance' along with some European and Asian countries. Portugal, Spain, Morocco...

Wait, why am I thinking about it again? Oh right, forgot that I have a bit of schizophrenia, but at least my imps don't bite me so everything is fine as it is. Anyway looking at the current world map and comparing it to that of 2000, you could find a lot of new countries.

So with everything said about the current situation, I guess that WWIII will be soon, reason? Some European nations allied with the China, USA started on extending their nuclear program, while also adding some military satellites, oh they also got a robot army... Oh right, forgot to say that USA, Canada, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Brytania (Wale, England, Scotland, Ireland) and South Korea became a new Anti-China alliance. Also they are the most technologically advanced group out of them all, while China has the advantage in resources (after the buyout of the Russia territory) and manpower.

Oh and there are independent groups. Mostly mercenaries, assassins, cartels etc. I am working for 'Black Hands'. Yes the guy that named this organization was a fan of C&C. We even have symbol similar to that of NOD Brotherhood. Just instead of Scorpion tail there are claws. And we form different groups. I am from the 'Arachnids' we specialize in assassinations so we work alone, well usually, sometimes we get together for some really nasty contracts, like the time we had a 'Zombie Plague', the plague that killed 80% of India population and turned them into zombies, along with the tourists and some military. That was so fun! Too bad that it was only India... so about other groups. 'Rhinos' are considered war division, or just mercenaries. Most of the 'Rhinos' are greenhorns which just entered our organization, and/or they have no talent in other spheres. They have quite a lot of vehicles, weapons and armor, they are expendable and if they survive enough missions they can become officers in 'Rhinos' or transfer to other groups. 'Beholders' are our hackers and intelligence gatherers. 'Troglodytes' are engineers and maintainers. Those two groups are always working inside our bases, or in their immediate vicinity. 'Ravens' are some sort of inquisition, or spymasters, but inquisition sounds better. They take care of the most troublesome missions and sweeping for the traitors. 'Wolves' are the strangest. They are considered a space division. Also there are some smaller groups which are usually part of some bigger one, but I never needed that sort of info.

Usually you can apply for one group and take a test, but there are exceptions. Like the guys from 'Wolves'. They are usually also from 'Beholders' or 'Troglodytes'. And some 'Ravens'. My main group is 'Arachnids' while 'Ravens' are secondary, meaning I usually take care of assassinations, but in case of betrayal I will be the one of inquisition. Hey, witch hunt is quite fun.

So now I am traveling to the Rome in order to get the famous pasta and pizza.

…

When I got to my room I started skimming through messages. And guess what? I got a contract in Japan! Need to kill some guy by the name Tokashiro, just some AC engineer. Guess it's Chinese. The tickets were already bought, so I will be traveling there tomorrow. I say ticket, but it's more of a private jet of some company. Another boon for being assassin. Free first class trave, that is if you're first class assassin..

…

My target is currently in Tendo, and I will have to make an incident instead of a regular assassination. One of the drawbacks in my line of work, though usually it's quite easy. Some help from 'Beholders' and I got his habits, address... and he actually likes fugu. It'll be quite easy then.

…

Yep he got poisoned by fugu in a restaurant, and died shortly after. Heh, too bad for the chef...

…

I'm now in Tokyo waiting for the new contract. New message already? It reads that...

“Oh shit...” nope! Nope, nope, nope, nope! “WHAT THE FUCK?!” WWIII is already started... not so bad... at least they won't-

Nuclear missiles were launched... oh well... let's eat some fugu as a farewell dish...

As I got out on the street no one was panicking. No one knew about the WWIII or the missiles... Then I can safely eat something... oh a restaurant... let's get in there.

“Hi! I'd like some fugu, ramen and-”

“Sir we don't serve ramen here.”

“... my bad... I thought that-”

“No worries. Many tourists are actually think that ramen can be found in any restaurant in Japan.”

“Yeah... well I'll get fugu, and... oh I would also like chicken.”

“Of course sir.”

Eh... maybe I should have gone to maid cafe? They don't serve fugu though...

…

After the meal I decided to go for a stroll. Not a hour after my meal I noticed a blinding flash in a distance, that's when the panic started. People got themselves killed even before the explosions did, traffic jams, as the idiots tried to get away on car and got themselves into accidents. Police couldn't calm down citizens and some even abandoned their duties. Heh... idiots... all humans are idiots... or just selfish...

“Hah... let's get to the roof of that building, shall we?” as I moved towards the building I noticed a flash and a very annoying sound of explosion... and everything turned white...

…

…

…

I'm not dead? Strange... though there are so much light... and no noise... I think I am deaf...

“Welcome Heroes!”

…

Seriously? Hahahaha!!! Guys seriously? Let me guess... Demon king? God's wrath? Some holy war? Oh will I get the cookies? I think I heard someone saying something... whatever...

Um... I'm without clothes? Nope... everything good then...