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Blackened Hair. Wearing a White Mask. Dark Color Clothing that Resembles Hair.

A height that’s rather tall with muscles that look like they’re about to burst.

And on top of that, a creeping dangerous atmosphere.

“…”

Heuksak couldn’t find the words to say as he gazed at the man in his room.

‘What the heck.’

The more he looked, the more bizarre it felt.

It felt like he was being pulled into those Purple Eyes staring at him.

‘…It’s like it’s absorbing light….’

As if it absorbed the surrounding light and let darkness seep out.

Only the area near this man appeared unusually dark.

What could he call this feeling?

Strangeness. Alienation. The words wouldn’t come to mind properly.

So, as Heuksak struggled to push through that sensation, one word suddenly lodged itself in his mind.

‘Discomfort.’

It was uncomfortable. Just being in front of that being felt incredibly unpleasant. Also…

‘Ominous.’

It felt ominous. Just seeing him stirred those emotions.

Trying hard to suppress such feelings, Heuksak spoke.

“…Since when have you been here?”

[Not long, so don’t worry.]

As he spoke, the man naturally pulled out a chair and sat down.

Despite another person casually taking the seat meant for the leader, Heuksak kept his mouth shut.

The man looked so utterly at ease that it felt inappropriate to bring it up.

Also, he had an uncharacteristic difficulty in speaking.

After a while, the man sitting calmly in the chair said.

[So.]

Suddenly, he turned to Heuksak and asked.

[How was it?]

“…”

His gentle voice made Heuksak frown.

Did he not realize where this was? This was his domain.

Even other leaders wouldn’t dare come here easily.

The reason they seldom ventured beyond their domain was due to the presence here.

‘So bold.’

Truly, excessively bold.

‘Is he confident?’

Even though he’s in His domain, does he think he could win anything?

Heuksak squinted at the man.

Those dead eyes seemed to hold some meaning.

Nothing was felt, yet there was an unusual brilliance about them.

As if they’re devouring darkness and spewing forth light.

His eyes were uncomfortably overwhelming.

What was the reason for such bravado? Heuksak’s mind raced to figure it out.

‘Right, the place where Cheongseok was also my domain.’

The place where Cheongseok had been is indeed his domain.

Thinking about that, even if it’s within his own orbit now,

‘That must be a testament to his confidence.’

That man could kill him if he wished. That confidence was probably why he acted this way.

Moreover,

‘It’s a sensation I never felt from the General.’

This was a feeling not even experienced before the General Yusa, the ruler and strongman of Mankye.

Was it distant?

Or perhaps it was numb? It felt so indescribable.

With Yusa, there was brutality and a fear of possibly being devoured.

But with this man, nothing is felt. It felt like he was both there and not there.

That strange feeling of discomfort tightened around Heuksak’s throat.

‘…What in the world.’

What is his identity? What is this man and what is he doing?

It was a continuous cycle of incomprehensible events.

As he contemplated this, Heuksak furrowed his brow.

[Can’t you hear my words?]

“…!”

The man asked.

[What was it like? That’s what I asked, right?]

Upon hearing the words, Heuksak stiffened slightly. There was a subtle anger laced in the man’s voice.

As soon as he sensed that, his body reacted instinctively.

Dangerous.

The being before him was a dangerous one.

His instincts were relentlessly warning him.

[Hmm.]

With the continued lack of response, the man tilted his head.

Just as he was about to rise slowly from the chair…

“…I did as you said.”

Heuksak said to the man.

Hearing that, the man settled back into his chair.

[You did as I said?]

“That’s right. Just as you mentioned…”

After a brief moment of silence, Heuksak chose his words carefully and spoke to him.

“…At the banquet, I told the General. You have a purpose, and to achieve that purpose, you’d be seeking other leaders…”

[And you were advised to use that?]

“That’s correct.”

At Heuksak’s words, the man let out a short, suppressed laugh.

What did he find amusing? Heuksak frowned briefly at the sight.

[Is that so.]

The man quickly wiped the smile from his face.

Tap tap. He lightly drummed his fingers on the table. For a moment, Heuksak’s attention was caught there.

[You did follow my words, right?]

“…”

At the man’s next words, Heuksak merely bit his lip.

[That means you want to ride along, right?]

There was a hint of laughter in his tone, and Heuksak’s brows twisted in displeasure.

“…That…”

[It’s too late to deny it. You know that well, don’t you?]

Crack.

His words cut right through him. He was furious but couldn’t counter.

[So, how is it? Are your senses returning?]

“…What is your purpose?”

[Hmm?]

Finally, Heuksak asked.

“What are you, and what are you trying to accomplish?”

He got lost in thought, recalling when this man had come to him before the banquet.

Silently, without anyone noticing.

As he looked at the man who had entered the room just like that, Heuksak couldn’t react at all.

No time to react, as he had already been caught off-guard.

The more astonishing fact was…

[Well, if we are to discuss that.]

The man said, looking at Heuksak.

[First, sit down.]

“…!”

Clunk—! Heuksak’s moving body sat down in the chair of its own accord.

Feeling that, he gasped.

It was just like before.

‘…A command…!’

A power that only those ranked as generals could wield in Mankye.

A power like the ability to directly touch the soul and command them to listen.

‘He…!’

Even then, this man was using command with such ease.

That itself was astonishing. But the fact that he could use it meant…

‘This being must be at least a general level.’

It meant he was at least a general. Additionally,

‘…Could he possibly be above that?’

Is it possible that this being is higher than a general?

Heuksak couldn’t find the words in the face of such absurd thoughts.

The only thing above a general is the great and noble lord of the heavens.

Aside from him, there’s nothing else.

So, saying this being could be above the general was utterly impossible.

Thus, it would lead to the conclusion that he was level with the general.

‘…Indeed.’

A question arose in Heuksak’s mind.

Then what was the response Yusa showed at the banquet?

‘Why?’

Why did he react that way?

He couldn’t understand Yusa’s response.

It seemed different from merely encountering another general.

His gaze had been oddly different.

While Heuksak pondered over this in confusion,

[This Lord knows what you desire.]

The man spoke to Heuksak.

[As I mentioned earlier, the reason I sought you out is the same as before. This Lord will grant your wish.]

“…What do you mean?”

He tried to suppress a tremble and asked.

“I don’t wish for anything.”

[Nonsense. A person who claims to want nothing—why did you listen to this Lord’s words?]

“That’s…”

[You’ve already acknowledged it, haven’t you? In front of this being.]

Creak.

The man leaned forward, getting close to Heuksak’s eyes.

[You might just find fulfillment of your desires. That’s what I’m saying.]

“…”

Clenched, Heuksak quietly balled his fists.

[You keep dodging, want me to help you out?]

He snickered, simultaneously making the statement.

[You want to become a general. Is that right?]

“…!”

At those words, Heuksak’s eyes widened.

[You want it so badly that the moment the lifeline appeared, you couldn’t hold back.]

He had to deny the words just spoken. Moreover, he must cut the conversation before it could continue.

Yet, even while thinking this, Heuksak couldn’t speak.

[Yusa must not be to your liking.]

He started disparaging none other than the general.

He must block that as well.

[Of course, that’s to be expected. He hasn’t shown up for decades, and then makes a sparse appearance, playing the ruler. It must be infuriating, yes?]

“…I…”

[Other leaders also don’t suit you. They all seem like fools to you, you wouldn’t want to be placed on the same plane. You wouldn’t want to be treated the same. Isn’t that right?]

“…”

He kept bringing it up.

Heuksak didn’t deny any of it.

It was as if the man was speaking truth, combined with the confidence reflected in his gaze that made it increasingly hard for his lips to move.

[That’s right.]

The flames in the man’s eyes sparkled even more.

[That’s the truth.]

Heuksak’s gaze was drawn in deeper.

[You are special. Unlike the others.]

As he spoke, the man pointed his finger towards Heuksak.

[That’s why this Lord has chosen you.]

Creeeak.

The man fully rose from his seat.

In the posture, the Purple Eyes completely looked down upon Heuksak.

Realizing that, Heuksak attempted to move his legs again, but—

[Stay still.]

—!!!

Once again, his legs turned to stone.

[I’m still speaking, aren’t I…]

His hand reached out, gently grasping Heuksak’s neck.

As if to say he could break it at any time.

[What was it you asked me earlier? Ah, yes.]

Still, his gaze remained fixed.

He wanted desperately to look away.

He felt he had to do so immediately, but his stiff body wouldn’t allow for it.

[What was my purpose, you asked?]

A laughter echoed.

[My purpose is to change Mankye into a Complete Paradise.]

Heuksak’s gaze shook at those words.

 

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