Assassin

By Kyle Bolger

Haunted by the relentless echoes of a fateful night, Hana’s path takes a dark turn as she joins an enigmatic assassination corporation alongside her loyal comrades, May and Mark. For Hana, becoming an assassin isn’t just about honing lethal skills; it’s her means to safeguard and unshackle a world ensnared by darkness.

Amid a routine mission to eliminate a high-profile target, Hana stumbles upon a chilling symbol from her past – a sinister emblem that signifies the shadowy puppeteers orchestrating the criminal underworld’s malevolent dance. Consumed by a torrent of emotions, Hana’s vengeful pursuit blinds her to a more significant threat, one that vanishes into the depths of obscurity.

As the shadowy adversary’s movements intensify, the assassination corporation issues a chilling directive to all its squads: embark on a long-term mission to exterminate this ominous menace. The question looms large: can Hana muster the unwavering resolve to confront Millennium, put an end to their nefarious reign, and set the world free?

Unveil the gripping tale of retribution, redemption, and unwavering determination in Assassin: Volume 1, and brace yourself for an enthralling series that will keep you on the edge of your seat with every subsequent volume.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jan 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9781398483583

Kyle Bolger

The author, Kyle Bolger, grew up in an everyday nuclear family as a pseudo only-child as his siblings had already moved out. He developed a creative mind because of this and used it to conjure up short fan fictions from time to time, which eventually led to writing his own story.

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About the Author

The author, Kyle Bolger, grew up in an everyday nuclear family as a pseudo only-child as his siblings had already moved out. He developed a creative mind because of this and used it to conjure up short fan fictions from time to time, which eventually led to writing his own story.

Dedication

Dedicated to my Nan (who passed away early 2021).

The staff at Mulberry UTC, and my cousin Elizabeth who helped me throughout the entirety of the writing process, also to The Raines Foundation Trust.

Copyright Information ©

Kyle Bolger 2024

The right of Kyle Bolger to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398483576 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398483583 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.co.uk

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Chapter 1: Past

My Name is Hana, Kuroi Hana. I was 13 when I first picked up a sword. At the time, the only thing I could think of was revenge. Revenge on the people who had just killed my mother and father right in front of my very eyes. With my father’s sword, I was ready to sacrifice everything I had, just for revenge for my parents. As I slashed down the killers, it was almost as if my father’s sword whispered to me.

Be relentless and do not show mercy. You are soon to be my new master. This is but a test, avenge my fallen master and finish what he could not. Only then shall I be yours to command.

Even though I had never swung a sword in my life, this somewhat felt natural to me. Fuelled with rage, I felt unstoppable. Almost as if I had unlocked a new power for my own personal use. I had easily managed to break through until there were only two left; one on the right and one on the left. I went as fast as I could for the one on the right, going in for the fatal blow. Just before contact, I saw my mother’s face and heard her last words before she died.

Hana, I love you, so please continue on living for us.

Not even a second had passed since I had cut down one, before I instantly switched to the last one remaining. Again, right before contact, I saw my father. Strangely enough, he was telling me the same thing.

Hana, I love you, so please continue on living for us.

Hearing this, I knew what had to be done. I had to carry on my mother and father’s wishes. That was it, the last of them down. At this pivotal moment, I passed out. When I woke up, I was in a weird place. I was not outside my house; neither could I see any of the corpses of the people I had just killed. Having no idea where I was, I decided to investigate around the room to see if there were any hints or clues to help me understand where I was. The moment I started to investigate, a strange man had entered the room I was in and started to talk to me.

Hana? Kuroi Hana?

I thought for a moment. I did not recognise this man and had absolutely no idea how he knew my name. I remained silent for a moment. He eventually spoke again.

Ah, there you are, Hana, my name is Michael but you can just call me Mike. Would you like me to explain to you why you’re here?

Thoughts quickly raced through my mind and I was unsure what to do. I didn’t want to reply to this stranger but in a way, I had no choice. I needed answers. I took a deep breath and began.

Yes, I would like some answers actually, I replied.

Alright then, Hana. Right now, you are at the Assassination Corporation Headquarters. As to why I brought you here, well, it should be obvious. You have a great amount of potential and unrefined skills. I’m also guessing that back there was your first time picking up a sword, correct?

I nodded slowly, eyes stuck to his movements.

Well, what you did back there was a good thing. You took down some grunts in the crime association millennium.

Why did I do a good thing?

I’m sorry, Hana, I’m not quite sure I understand your confusion?

Well, if they’re a crime association, why would they come after us? What do we have that they wanted?

"The thing you have that they want is your father’s blade, or should I say your blade. It is one of the 10 Holy Weapons."

10 Holy Weapons? Why do I have it? Why did my father have it?

Your family must have been one of the guardians of the weapons. From the intel we have on the katana, we know it was left in Japan. However, because of people trying to steal it, your family moved and went undercover. You were attacked because of your family’s role and the attacks won’t stop there. You have been found and they won’t stop. What are you going to do?

I’ll fight! I must carry on my family’s duties.

Good, I was hoping you would say that. Now then, I should tell you something about the 10 Holy Weapons; each of them has three select abilities

What does my katana have?

Well, we only know one of the three of its abilities, in all honesty. The only one we know at present is ‘Extreme Loyalty’. This ability works as followed. Firstly, the katana can never be taken away from you by force, the only way to undo the ‘loyalty’ is for the current master to die or be killed in battle. Second, no matter where the katana is, you can always call it back to you just by thinking about it. Do you understand?

I nodded quicker this time, trying to conceal a smile.

One more thing too. Our goal is to stop crime and terrorist organisations like Millennium and gather all the weapons. Now then, as of this, I welcome you into the assassination corp. Also, starting from today, you are a part of our first-year assassin trainee class. You will be training here for three years and in that time, you will learn what it truly means to be an assassin. You must also learn how to use the ‘Extreme Loyalty’ ability within your katana.

What about the other two abilities?

I believe you will awaken them as you grow. Well, anyway that’s all from me, but would you please follow me to the helicopter so we can take you to where you will be training?

Will I get my katana back?

Ah yes, I almost forgot here you go.

I took it from Mike, relieved that I had it back in my possession. I had to keep it safe, it’s what my father had spent his life doing.

It had taken about half an hour to reach the site that I would be trained at but what I would find there would be something that would shock me to the core. Something that I had wanted for what seemed like an eternity and something that I would gladly accept with open arms.

Sorry to interrupt your class, Miss Rainer, but I have a new transfer student who will be joining your class today.

Oh, really? Well that’s wonderful. Welcome to the class… uh-um-sorry what’s your nam—

Hana. Kuroi Hana.

Well then, Hana, we welcome you to our class. Would you please take a seat next to May over there please?

Sure.

As I was walking over to my new allocated seat, I could see and feel eyes from every direction staring at me. I strode forward, ignoring the sudden urge to stare right back, knowing that my new classmates were staring out of curiosity. Thoughts raced through my mind as I approached the chair that had been pointed out to me. What would school be like? Would I fit in? Did it even matter?

Long ago, my parents had decided against sending me to public schools for fear that I would attract too much attention. I didn’t understand at the time but I was slowly beginning to. I took another look around, careful not to meet anyone’s eyes and slowly sat down. My parents made the choices they did to not only protect me but to protect the katana. I clenched my hand around the smooth handle of my weapon.

May, would you please show Hana around the premises at break?

Sure, Miss, I would love to!

Oh, and May, you don’t have a roommate, do you?

No, I don’t, Miss.

Would you mind if Hana became your roommate?

Not at all, Miss. It would be great to have her as company.

Hana, are you okay with that?

Yes, I am completely fine with that.

Alright then, let’s get back to the class. Hana, today we are doing basic weak spots on humans.

As the lesson began, I could slowly see that my life would be improving. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by likeminded people who were all genuinely invested in the lesson.

*Break bell rings*

Alright class, your next lesson is Kendo Practice. So I won’t see you until tomorrow!

That class went quicker than I expected and I was keen to make a good impression with May. I got up from my seat but hovered around her, hoping she would be the one to initiate conversation.

Hey, it was Hana, right?

Yes.

If you’re not busy, you can come with me and I can show you around the school. I can point out where the dorms are and tell you about our classes and rules.

Sure, I’m not exactly doing anything right now, so why not!

Great, come on, follow me.

We walked side by side down the light and airy hallway. I noted the training yard to the right and the spacious classrooms to the left. As we walked down the hallway, May began to ask me some general questions, gradually building up the confidence to