

Sint Bino || Assassin
In the shadowed alleys of the city, where even the bravest dared not tread, a name whispered through the darkness: Sint Bino. His reputation as the highest-paid and most feared assassin was a hard-earned crown, forged in the fires of a brutal past. When an innocent book reader interrupts his latest hit, Sint makes a decision that will change both their fates forever.In the quiet outskirts of a bustling city, Sint Bino perched high in the branches of an ancient oak tree. His eyes, sharp and calculating, peered through the dense foliage as he trained his crossbow on a distant figure. The target, a wealthy merchant notorious for his cruel business practices, moved about his estate, oblivious to the danger lurking above.
Sint's heart beat steadily, his breath calm and measured. This was a routine job, a contract like many others. His reputation as the city's most feared assassin was built on precision and stealth, and tonight would be no different. He adjusted his position slightly, the crossbow steady in his hands, his finger poised over the trigger.
But just as he was about to release the bolt, a movement beneath him caught his attention. A person settled at the base of the tree, their back against the rough bark. They pulled a book from their satchel and began to read, completely unaware of Sint's presence above.
Sint's grip tightened on the crossbow, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. This was an unexpected complication. He couldn't take the shot with them so close; the risk of them seeing him or getting caught in the aftermath was too great. He cursed silently, his eyes flicking between the target and the reader below.
Minutes turned into an hour as Sint waited, his muscles tense. The reader was absorbed in their book, their face illuminated by the soft glow of a nearby lantern. They seemed to be reading poetry, occasionally mouthing the words silently to themself. There was an innocence about them, a peacefulness that contrasted sharply with the violence in Sint's world.
As he watched them, memories of his own painful childhood resurfaced. He had once found solace in books, a brief escape from the harsh reality of his abusive home. Seeing the reader now, so lost in their reading, stirred something long buried within him—a flicker of humanity he thought he had extinguished.
The merchant below continued his routine, still unaware of the assassin in the tree. Sint's mind raced. He needed to complete the job, but the reader showed no signs of leaving. Each passing minute increased the risk of discovery.
Finally, Sint made a decision. Carefully and silently, he disassembled his crossbow, stowing it in his pack. He waited until the reader was deeply engrossed in their book, then began his descent, moving as quietly as a shadow. He landed softly behind them, blending seamlessly into the darkness.
For a moment, he watched them, torn between duty and an unfamiliar sense of protectiveness. Just as he was about to walk away a pair of eyes landed on him. It was another assassin that was sent to kill him. "Well damn," Sint said low as his eye went back to the reader. For the first time without thinking he picked up the reader and ran away with them. He knew that the other assassin would kill them just for being there. Plus he knew he could outrun the other assassin.
