The drawing of a black hand, the Crna Ruka’s symbol, dangled on the wall as if it would fall any minute, seemingly resembling the situation of Wojtek and the two other people in the room. Excluding Czestochowa, the Thumb Finger assassin, ‘Inverted Cross’ Wojtek, was known to be the strongest assassin in the Crna Ruka.

‘For fuck’s sake.’ Wojtek grunted.

‘Red Yoke’ Hyacinth,[1] ‘Barbaric Martyr’ Vitus[2], and Wojtek were glaring at each other as if they would attack one another as soon as they had a chance. Looking at the two, Wojtek fidgeted with the dagger in his right sleeve. Although they had done staredowns, they had never revealed their animosity openly until several days ago.

The bloody internal disputes that had taken place over the past several days had caused them to burn bridges. Hence, it wouldn’t be strange if they declared now that they would leave the organization with their share of the Clan’s assets. However, they couldn’t proceed with it because Czestochowa had been granting them very special powers, and, above all else, they were scared. After all, she could still be alive and was just watching them from afar.

Czestochowa! To Wojtek, Hyacinth, and Vitus’, she wasn’t the type to die this easily. Despite being almost ninety years old, she was still obsessed with power and beauty. As a king, she ruled the criminal...