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The scene was buzzing with whispers from the direction of the gatekeeper.

I patiently waited, taking in the situation.

Gu Bong seemed restless for some reason, but I didn’t mind. After all, I had a firm grip on his arm, ensuring he couldn’t escape.

“Noble Person. What is this—!”

He looked flustered as I restrained him, but I had my reasons.

“You never know. He might run away, so better safe than sorry, right?”

“…Where could I possibly run off to…?”

“Well, who knows?”

Moreover,

“If he runs, we catch him anyway, right? But that sounds like a hassle.”

“…”

Honestly, my bluntness made Gu Bong’s expression sour in an instant.

Just then, amidst our odd standoff—

-Oh. What’s that?

-…Why are they…?

The already tense and chilly atmosphere grew even heavier.

Fear manifested on everyone’s faces. Those around us suddenly parted to clear a path.

It was voluntary, but honestly, it looked more like they were fleeing from something they didn’t want to confront.

The unease in the air was palpable, and I could feel the rigidness creeping in.

And then, beyond the path they created—

Thud-!

Someone was approaching.

With a long, towering flag and a dozen figures trailing beneath it.

I tilted my head, observing them.

‘Different.’

They were not from that White Family I saw yesterday.

These people wore a completely contrasting color.

They were clad in a sinister black.

An unusual detail was that all their faces were hidden, making it impossible to see their features.

Strange folks. What even are they? I stared at them in confusion.

“…Damn…”

Gu Bong murmured as he observed them. I could feel his grip on my arm tightening.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t run away?”

His reaction was rather unusual compared to what he had told me moments ago.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

“Look, you can’t escape anyway, so just stay put.”

“…Let go. This isn’t the time for games—”

“Games? Who’s playing?”

“…Noble Person?”

He looked at me wide-eyed as if he sensed something from my reaction.

“Could it be…?”

“Ah, don’t look at me like that.”

His gaze was quite overwhelming.

“It wasn’t intentional… Well, sort of, but I had no idea which side it would be.”

If we’re going by color, I had no clue.

Plus, I didn’t fully expect it to turn out this way.

It was simply—

“I was just a little hopeful.”

Not just expecting, but hoping for it.

This moment right now was the realization of that hope.

“You…!”

Hearing my response, Gu Bong’s expression twisted as he tried to escape, but I wasn’t about to let go.

“Ah, just hold still. What are you going to do being here?”

“You know nothing… I don’t know how you figured it out, but this is of no help to Hwasan…!”

In fact, it would be toxic.

Gu Bong yelled, but I interrupted.

“True. It could be.”

I was already aware of that fact, so I cut him off.

“No matter what secret you hold. And whether that secret brings harm to Hwasan, yeah, that could be the case. But—”

I lowered my gaze to Gu Bong.

“But what does that have to do with me?”

“…What?”

“Don’t get it twisted. I haven’t once been an enemy to Hwasan while being here.”

Even the anger I showed yesterday was directed at Gu Bong.

If it was entirely for Hwasan, that would be a mistake.

“I was angry for Noya.”

“I really don’t care about Hwasan.”

I have no significant interest in that place you call home. Whether it crumbles or not, it doesn’t concern me.

Gu Bong’s eyes trembled at my reply, and I could see his anger bubbling up.

Seeing that look, I shrugged.

“Don’t worry though. The Elder asked me to do something, so I have no plans to ruin it.”

“Really…!”

Gu Bong couldn’t hold back his words.

“Long time no see.”

“…!”

At the sound interjecting, Gu Bong was left speechless.

It was flat and lacking emotion, as if someone was speaking from deep within a well.

Gu Bong’s gaze shifted.

It was one of the figures who had approached earlier, standing at the front.

Their face remained concealed, shrouded in black from head to toe.

The voice caught my attention.

“Black Young Master.”

“…”

Gu Bong seemed to mutter through clenched lips, shivering.

“The Great Leader is looking for you.”

Hearing those words, Gu Bong forced himself to respond.

“…I am not the Black Young Master. I’ve forsaken that name.”

The man’s lack of response to Gu Bong’s denial was telling.

He remained silent for a moment before following up with a flat statement.

“He mentioned he would like to speak with you regarding this matter. Shall we go?”

“Did you not hear? I’ve discarded that name and thus am not part of your side anymore.”

Gu Bong appeared resolute, placing a hand on his waist.

It looked as if he was ready to draw his sword at any moment.

“I will not… go there again. Not in life or death.”

“…”

The man regarded Gu Bong with a slight nod from behind his mask.

He seemed to contemplate something briefly.

“The Great Leader said, if you do not cooperate, forcibly bring you along.”

“…”

“We are merely following his orders.”

“So… you’re saying you’ll use force to take me, then?”

Clank-.

Gu Bong gripped the hilt tightly.

An immediate sound echoed from his sword sheath.

“I am a person of Hwasan.”

There was a vow in his gaze.

This was fundamentally different from last time.

“…I will no longer hold any weak sentiments—!”

Bang-!

“Guhk.”

Gu Bong collapsed mid-sentence.

I had knocked him out by striking the back of his head.

As he dropped, I caught him, lifting him up somewhat haphazardly.

With a dumbfounded expression, I looked at him and muttered,

“Seriously, this guy was going to get on his high horse when he was so willing to kneel before. Why the sudden pride now?”

You’re being such a bother.

“A person should have some consistency. Honestly, right?”

I glanced at the man, hoping for some agreement, but he only stared at the collapsed Gu Bong.

“Not even a reaction. How boring.”

Tsk. I clicked my tongue and tossed Gu Bong aside.

The man nonchalantly caught him, as if he had been waiting for that moment.

Then, finally, he fixed his gaze on me.

“So, do you have something to say?”

“The Great Leader asked…”

“Did he tell you to bring me with you?”

“…Yes.”

“Was it exactly me, or was it to bring someone else along if there was anyone nearby?”

“…”

The lack of a response indicated his intentions to keep quiet.

No surprise there. I had little hope he would reveal anything.

But honestly, I didn’t care much either.

“Let’s go then. I’m off to see this so-called Great Leader.”

I had every intention of following them.

That was the plan all along.

I eased myself into the group and followed them to an unknown destination.

Somewhere very deep and obscure.

While Gu Yangcheong and Gu Bong moved along with someone,

Someone stood silently atop the high castle walls, observing the scene unfold below.

The eyes peering through the black mask gazed down calmly, as if they could contain the entire castle in their sight.

-Let’s go. I’m going to see this so-called Great Leader.

As if responding to the voice, the brown ears atop her head perked up, accompanied by the similarly colored tail that began to sway gently.

Without uttering a word, she solely focused on Gu Yangcheong’s retreating form.

He was slipping further away, heading into the interior where he would be out of her sights and hearing.

What should I do?

If I let him go like this, I will lose him.

Especially if he ventures into that darkness; who knows what might happen then.

“…”

The woman observed quietly before slightly rising from her spot.

I must follow.

I couldn’t afford to lose him, nor did I want to.

As she thought to creep inside the castle walls, however—

“Hey.”

“…!”

Startled by the voice coming from beside her, she hurriedly distanced herself.

But.

“Why do you keep following me?”

Even with the distance, the voice remained close to her ear.

Thud-!

“–!!”

Someone grasped her mask tightly.

And in an instant—

Whoosh—!!!

In a whirlwind of speed, she was sent flying from the castle wall.

Withstanding the gust, she found herself far removed, lost in space.

She had no clue how far she had gone out of bounds, but by the time she realized it, she was rolling on the ground.

Regaining her balance, she rose to find someone standing in front of her.

“Hello.”

A black-haired woman waved her hand gently.

“I saw you last time too.”

“…”

“I let you go then.”

The woman tilted her head, showing her confusion.

“Why did you come back?”

“…”

“Why are you watching that person?”

“…”

“You.”

In that moment—

“Do you dislike him?”

A surge of intense energy erupted from the shadow of the woman.

The unleashed energy enveloped the ground, causing it to turn dark.

“…”

Despite witnessing such power, the woman remained silent.

She simply opened her hands, and in that instant, energy began to gather in her palms.

Zing—!!

The gathered energy took shape and formed into a sword.

“Hmm….”

The purple eyes of the black-haired woman sparkled.

What a fascinating sight.

Moreover, it felt eerily familiar.

Where had I seen something like this? I couldn’t quite recall.

But it probably wasn’t that significant.

The black-haired woman observed, then uncurled her hands.

Zing—!!!

The energy that burst forth from the ground converged into her hands.

Eventually, it transformed into a sword of its own.

“It feels different from mine.”

Something was definitely different; I could tell just by looking.

But,

“It doesn’t matter.”

Even if they weren’t the same, that wasn’t an issue.

The process might differ, but the outcome would likely remain unchanged.

“Are you his enemy?”

“…”

There was no answer.

“Is that so?”

Thus, I took it as a yes.

“Then that won’t do.”

As she spoke, the woman took a step forward.

With a flourish—!!!

From her toes, night blossomed like a flower.

 

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