Kaiden didn't even knock; he simply pushed the door open. Robin, writhing in pain on his hospital bed, saw him and struggled to rise. His bodyguard immediately stepped forward to assist.

Kaiden, adept at maintaining appearances, nervously approached, offering a sympathetic look. With feigned sincerity, he inquired, "Mr. Jenkins, are you feeling any better?"

To outsiders, their interaction might seem amicable, but in reality, they detested each other, each hoping for the other's misfortune.

Robin saw through Kaiden's insincerity. He glared angrily, his eyes flashing with malice, his voice hoarse with pain. "Don't pretend," he rasped. "I have something to discuss. Handle this for me, and I'll sever ties with your brother, transferring all business to you. You know how lucrative it is. Agree, and the Jenkins family will secretly support your future Steel Serpents candidacy."

Even Kaiden was tempted. The Jenkins family's backing would be invaluable, but he sensed a catch. He hesitated. "Mr. Jenkins, please elaborate. If I cannot meet your demands, no matter the reward, I cannot accept."

Robin snorted. Desperate, he had to humble himself, as Kaiden's brother held far greater underworld influence. "Kaiden, kill Yvette, the level one Interpol agent who ruined me. Once she's gone, I'll support you as promised. It's a profitable deal, isn't it? I keep my word."

Kaiden, abruptly rising from his chair, refused instantly. "Mr. Jenkins, you jest. Yvette is a level one Interpol agent, now the celebrated Goddess of Clusia. I cannot fulfill your request."

Robin's expression froze. He hadn't anticipated such a swift rejection. He believed Kaiden's refusal stemmed from insufficient compensation, fueling his annoyance. He underestimated Kaiden, believing his illegitimate status hindered his capabilities.

Suppressing his anger, Robin softened his approach. Before he could sweeten the deal, Kaiden interrupted. "Robin, you misunderstand. It's not the offer; I lack the ability to kill Yvette. Not in this lifetime!"

He continued, vehemently, "This idiot thinks highly of me! Even if I sent all of Steel Serpents, I'd be cleaning up the mess. She's an instructor! Robin, you're unrealistic! How can someone like you be a world champion? I used to respect you!"

Kaiden placed his hand on the door handle, pausing before turning back. "For Ybaulla's sake, Robin, drop this." His concern was not for Robin's well-being, but the potential disruption to the upcoming competition. His focus was solely on securing his position as Steel Serpents' successor.

The door slammed shut, leaving Robin staring blankly, his expression grim. Dismissing his bodyguards, he watched Ybaulla's televised apology, then, consumed by rage, shredded the bedsheets.

He summoned his bodyguards, accessing a killer website, the Black Gold Network, rumored to host the world's most elite assassins. Confident, he placed his order. "I don't believe an Interpol agent is untouchable! Kaiden's a coward!"

He navigated the site, observing assignments ranging from assassinating a president to eliminating a small-time businessman. "Zola," "Eagle King," and "Flying Fish" topped the leaderboard.

The sheer volume of tasks reinforced his belief in a successful outcome. He submitted his request, refreshing the screen constantly. Five minutes later, it was accepted.

But a frenzy erupted among the assassins. The top assassin, inactive for two years, had accepted such a minor contract – a mere fifteen million dollars. The sheer audacity of the undertaking – eliminating a high-ranking Interpol agent – left them stunned.