Chapter 112. Playing Assassin 2

Alex's next target was located at the south east side of the city near the wall.  The bodyguard had been an easy target because of his reliance on his backing hence Alex didn't bother to read his file. This new one though might be complicated so he pulled up the file Nyx sent that was attached to the assassination board. Target Profile: Varen Dross Pokemon: Dugtrio, Sandslash, Arbok, Haunter, Golbat, Machoke Threat Level: Expert Rank Contract Value: 4.3 million Pokedollars Status: Kill on sight Varen Dross, male, 38, 5'8" (1.73 m), skinny build, scar on left cheek, blond hair, right foot drag. Confirmed specialist in subterranean evasion; operates through self-dug and repurposed tunnel systems. Primary residence is a decaying stone house near the southeastern city wall of Saffron City, isolated, reinforced, and rigged for fast exits underground. Rarely seen in daylight; activity spikes between 2200–0300 hours. Known for unpredictability and paranoia; keeps no known allies or contacts but does have contracts with local operatives for escape services.  This was the kind of target that was hard to kill. Someone who had survived enough assassination attempts to master the art of escape. Even Alex would have struggled to eliminate him if not for his Elite ranked Pokémon. As for any official bounty on his head, he was never identified by the League and managed to avoid ever having his name added to the list. According to Nyx, the price on the assassination board came from local sources. Varen had a habit of preying on nearby residents whenever he got too drunk. Several assassins had attempted to take him out over the years but failed every time due to his method of escape through underground tunnels. Varen kept his operation going by being fast enough to evade Expert ranked trainers while remaining just low profile enough to avoid drawing the attention of Elite ranked ones. Unfortunately for him, Alex needed the money. "Raticate, hunt him down," Alex commanded. Raticate darted forward and entered the stone house, with Alex following closely behind, his team in tow. Among Alex's Pokémon, Raticate was the tunneling expert and had undergone specialized training for this exact purpose. Though not as fast at digging as Ground types, he was relentless and would eventually track down the target. Inside the house, Alex spotted Raticate digging behind the fireplace, revealing a dark tunnel. Without hesitation, Raticate slipped inside, following the scent that likely still lingered there. With a sigh, Alex followed, Arcanine by his side to guard against any potential collapses. "Crobat, Ceruledge, Dusknoir, follow Raticate and provide support," Alex ordered. The four Pokémon obeyed, descending into the dark tunnel after Raticate, while Alex jogged behind, Arcanine leading just ahead to keep track of their movements.  More than an hour into the tunnels, Alex heard the sounds of battle echoing ahead. "Chase after them, Arcanine," Alex ordered, holding tightly to Arcanine's side. The canine surged forward, weaving swiftly through the tunnels until they reached a wider chamber where their target was fending off Raticate and the others with a coordinated assault. Fortunately, Alex and Arcanine arrived just in time to provide backup. "Arcanine, use Extreme Speed through their formation," Alex commanded, then boosted Arcanine's power with a Beat Up bullet to maximize his Attack stack. Like a bolt of orange lightning, Arcanine surged through their Protect formation, sending the defending Pokémon flying and isolating Varen. With a swift motion, Alex drew his guns and fired at Varen, who was still reeling from the impact. After a few shots, Varen lay bleeding out on the ground, wounds covering his body. Alex checked the profile to confirm his target. With a final shot to the heart, he ended Varen's life before storing the corpse in his bag. Another assassination complete. "That was much easier than I thought," Alex said while retrieving his Pokemon except Arcanine. "Onto the next target." They teleported north of the city where plenty of local businesses were thriving. Alex checked his phone for his new target. Target Profile: Joren Merrow Pokémon: Persian, Hypno, Grimer, Weezing, Venomoth, Mr. Mime Threat Level: Expert Rank Contract Value: 4.1 million Pokedollars Status: Kill on sight Joren Merrow, male, 44, 6'1" (1.85 m), medium build, smooth black hair, always dressed in tailored suits. Owns and operates a chain of luxury boutiques throughout northern Saffron, with his main residence located above his flagship store in Crescent Row. Known predator with multiple rape allegations tied to in-store "private appointments." Uses narcotics and threat of social ruin to silence victims. Security detail is discreet but professionally trained, equipped with internal comms and nonlethal deterrents. Surveillance systems active at all times; building is protected by concealed countermeasures and panic triggers. Operates primarily during business hours, with private meetings scheduled after dusk. Maintains a clean public image but is rarely seen outside controlled environments. A man who used his wealth and connections to silence his victims. Victims who pooled enough money to fund this contract, yet still feared exposing his crimes to the League. "Oh, this one's definitely easy," Alex muttered as he released the Crobats. "Find him and lead me in." The Crobats scanned the photo before vanishing into the air, sweeping over the district's shops. Unlike his scans of Underworld businesses, tracking targets in public establishments was far simpler, most had nothing to hide and left their properties largely unguarded. It was not without risk for thieves to target these businesses, as cameras covered the streets and any would-be thief risked having a bounty placed on their head. But Alex was not here to steal. Following the Crobats' signal, he arrived at the rear of a boutique store. He released Raticate with a simple command. "Destroy their security system." Raticate darted inside, vanishing into the offices while Alex entered through the back. The Crobats guided him toward the fitting rooms. From behind one door, he heard muffled cries, the sound of a struggle. He had found his target. "No, please, I can pay—" the woman's voice cut off into a gagged scream. Alex stepped forward but was blocked by two suited men. They were tense, their eyes flicking to his mask and gear. Alex understood their fear so he gave them a chance to save themselves. "Your boss dies today," Alex said in a low voice made darker by his helmet. "Whether he dies alone is up to you." Raticate emerged from behind Alex and perched on his shoulder, done with his errand. "Elite rank," one guard muttered. "I don't get paid enough for this shit." "I'm out, too," the other agreed. They left without another word. Alex drew his gun and stepped into the room. The woman was naked and cornered, her attacker looming over her as he fumbled with his belt. He turned just as Alex grabbed him by the mouth, pressed the muzzle to his chest, and pulled the trigger twice. The shots went straight through the heart but stopped before exiting the back. The gun was one Alex used exclusively on his Pokémon, so the rounds were relatively weak. Even so, Beat Up x6 was enough to drill through skin, chest cartilage, and the heart. Joren's Pokémon burst from their Poké Balls ready to avenge their trainer, but Alex was faster, returning them with practiced ease before they could act. The woman flinched, frozen in place. She had been stripped, nearly raped, watched a man die before her eyes, and narrowly avoided becoming collateral in a Pokémon battle she could not comprehend. And now, her savior, masked and silent, held up a single finger. "Shhh." Shaking, eyes wide with shock, she nodded slowly and clutched whatever fabric she could find to cover herself. Alex stuffed the body into his bag, cleaned up the scene, and walked out. Once he reached an open space, he recalled the Crobats and Raticate, released Arcanine, and teleported away. "Definitely the easiest one so far." he said while checking his next target. Target Profile: Marcus Halden Pokemon: Primeape, Granbull, Weezing, Machamp, Gengar, Crobat Threat Level: Expert Rank Contract Value: 3.7 million Pokedollars Status: Kill on sight Marcus Halden, male, 45, 6'2" (1.88 m), muscular build, close-cropped black hair, tattoo of a cogwheel on right forearm. Head of Halden Logistics, a company controlling city-wide goods distribution. Operates from a fortified office complex in the industrial district with high security presence. Known to travel with a combat-trained Pokémon team for protection and enforcement. Frequently in contact with various supply routes and communication networks. Suspected of coordinating covert operations through his logistics channels. Movement patterns primarily within industrial zones and central business district. "This one's tough," Alex calculated. "He's heavily armed and backed by his own business. I'll need to operate in the evening or bring my full team to take him down." Alex glanced around the alley where they were hidden, then decided to teleport to the top of a nearby high-rise for a better vantage point. Since his target was inside a building, it might be easier to eliminate him with a sniper rifle. Once there, Alex took out the sniper and aimed at the Halden Logistics main office, scanning the visible rooms for his target. "Of course, he's at the very top, overlooking as much of the city as possible," Alex muttered. His target stood overlooking the city, wearing a prideful expression as if the world belonged to him. There was an air of untouchable confidence about him that made Alex's skin crawl. As Alex continued scanning the area, he noticed a striking redhead waiting in the adjacent room. She looked familiar. A flicker of recognition sparked in his mind, though he couldn't place exactly where he had seen her before. He could not see her face, but the hair was unmistakable. Along with the shape of her body, her large breasts, and her thick thighs.  "Maris?" ----- Support me on Patreon patreon/babywrath