EGO POV Yibo

It took over two and a half hours to cross this long, seemingly endless cave passage. And what for? Just so we could get back to another cave, similar to the first cave, and meet the other groups there as well. Which, in short, meant it didn't matter which passage we took. Each one led to this cave.

And now? Now we're in a cave that looks like Swiss cheese, with all the other passages and holes. If the passages we came through had not been marked by us, we probably would have lost our orientation within a very short time. But from the hikers and policemen is still, far and wide nothing to see.

I honestly don't think they even went this far. I mean, the hikers split up. They knew their friends were waiting outside. I just can't and don't want to imagine that they then walk for hours through such a cave passage while their friends are waiting for them outside. Especially when they were totally unprepared.

And the police officers? Just because they are police officers doesn't mean they are professionals in everything else. Somehow it's unbelievable to me that they didn't call in a cave expert. A professional to get them in and out safely.

I'm beginning to think they've never actually been here anyway! In the case of missing persons, the information is passed on to the media. So what is really going on here? What is this really about? Who or what are we looking for?

While I'm sitting here having one of those boring tasting one-man rations, the commander and the team leaders are in a corner talking. I also see Rin trying to eavesdrop on them. I think if I didn't have to kill him, with proper training he could have still become a good spy. One who works for the Assassin Order as an ally.

But unfortunately, part of my order, is no survivors! And so I have to kill him. Still, it's a pity about him. Because before Rin went off to eavesdrop, he sat next to me and told me that he had eavesdropped a bit on the other men. Apparently, they've also figured out that we're not looking for corpses or artifacts.

Also, Rin made me realize that here, with me, we are 30 more than capable men. 30 professionals in their respective fields. But none of these professionals have ever been involved in spelunking or archaeology. Or learned how to rescue people from unknown caves. So why are they all here?

I also noticed that the commander keeps looking over at me. He tries to hide it, but I noticed it anyway. Did Yang tell him who I really am? But if that's the case, Rin should know too, right? After all, he overheard Yang and the commander talking about me.

Or it's just that the commander doesn't trust me because he didn't choose me himself like the others. It could also be that he just has a foreboding of what my blade will do to him. It is said that there are people who can sense the danger that comes from other people.

Oh yes, actually I had planned to kill as many of the men as possible this night. But since we will surely all be in other areas of this cave, it might be difficult. So I was thinking about maybe waiting until the last night. Because the commander said that we will all spend the last night in the first cave and then leave this cave together.

That would be really practical, because then they would all be gathered in one place. But at the same time it increases the danger for me. And even if I manage to kill them all in just this one night without being injured or killed myself, I couldn't just wait in the midst of the dead until the iron door is opened. There I would be killed anyway. So I would then have to disappear again through one of the corridors and somehow look for an exit in another way.

I absolutely have to think of something else, how I can best proceed. At the moment, the only thing I can think of is to use the last night. But if Yang should have betrayed me, I will fail. I don't think I'll have an easy time with the commander.

However, right now I am curious to see how they are going to solve the problem with all the new cave passages. I guess they will have no choice but to reduce the groups to be able to form more groups.

"Hey you." Said Rin, returning to my side.

"Hey."

"I know what they're planning now. So, about the cave passages."

"Uh-huh, and what?"

"They form 10 groups of three."

"I see."

"I hope I'm in a group with you."

"Well, it's not a group anymore, is it? It's nothing more than a trio then."

"True. But still, I hope you and I can go together."

"Why?"

"Well, because we're friends now, after all."

"We're friends?"

"Sure. Because you're the only one who talks to me. Everyone else avoids me."

"Do they?"

"Yes. I don't know why, either. But they just don't like me."

"Because you're a spy and they know it."

"But..."

"Listen Rin. If you sneak up on them, they'll think you're trying to spy on them. And in a way, it's true. No one likes to be overheard. Do you understand?"

"I see. But you don't worry about it, do you?"

"Why should I? I'm just talking to you."

"Haha, yeah right."

"So, did they say anything else?"

"Unfortunately no. The commander spotted me and sent me away."

"Mhhh, that was to be expected."

"But what I'm sure you didn't expect is that the commander would want you in his team."

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah. He said he wants to keep an eye on you, and that's why he wants you in his team."

"What an asshole!"

"I definitely want to stay by your side. I'll talk to the commander in a minute."

"Better not. I think it might be dangerous."

"I'm not afraid of that. If the commander wants to hurt you, I'll help you."

"You want to help me?"

"Sure! Friends help each other, don't they?"

"Ah, yes."

"Besides, I hope to learn from you how to be an assassin like you."

"What did you just say?"

"Yes, I know who you really are. But I promise I'll keep it to myself. Yang said that you are one. At first I didn't want to believe that. But I see that you are different. You move very differently from us soldiers."

"And that doesn't scare you? I mean, you don't know what my mission is."

"I know I'm supposed to be scared. And you're probably supposed to kill all of us. But, I don't want to be scared of you. Let me help you. I'll prove to you that I'm capable of more than just being a spy. Train me to be an assassin."

"It's not that simple. You have no idea what is required of you in this job. Very few are capable of being an assassin."

"I firmly believe that I can do it. Don't kill me and let me help you."

"Rin, I understand you. But do you really think you can?"

"I know I can! I also promise you that I won't be in your way. I'll abide by everything you say."

"Then start by not talking about the Assassins anymore. I don't want anyone else to know who I am."

"Okay. I'm going to go to the commander now and I'm about to ask him to let me escort you two, okay?"

"Yes. Do that." I replied.

What should I do now? Should I really let Rin alive? Well, I mean, it wouldn't hurt to have an ally here. Besides, I think he could be a good ally for us with some special training anyway. And I suppose Sigma wouldn't mind. Since he had suggested me to look for allies in the military a while ago anyway.

Since the commander knows who I am, he will probably want to try to kill me before I can kill him. He will not succeed. I will make sure of that. And when I get out of here, I'll go after Yang. Even if he is no longer an assassin, he should still follow the code of honor. That says to never admit that assassins exist in front of others!

Even if we don't work for the same order, that code still applies! And I will remind him of that before I send him to hell!

When Rin came back to me after his talk with the commander, he told me that the commander agrees that he should accompany us. I guess he sees no danger in Rin and his pretended naive nature. Well, let him think so.

Just now the commander yelled through the cave that it's about to go on and explained the new division of the teams. A general groan and murmur could be heard from the other men. No one seems to be thrilled that the teams now consist of only 3 men each. No wonder! If there really is any threat here, three men might be badly outnumbered and killed.

For my part, I'll get rid of the commander first! And then we will see how tough Rin really is!