974 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

As the banquet commenced and time flowed relentlessly on, the gathering was marked by an awkward silence. Despite the hours slipping away, conversations were sporadic and hesitant. The air was thick with unspoken words, yet no one dared to voice them. The tension was not just a product of individual power struggles, but also the presence of the host himself. Yusa, the ruler of Night Moon, exuded an intimidating aura, with an unintentional display of power that pressed upon all in attendance. Perched nonchalantly with his feet propped on the table, his fierce gaze bore down on those around. The space seemed to warp under the pressure, yet Yusa appeared indifferent, chewing on his nails absent-mindedly. After a long period of this menacing silence, Yusa broke his contemplation with a sharp command. "Baek Seak." The sudden call startled Baek Seak, the leader of his faction. "Yes..." He replied, his voice a mix of tension and formality. Yusa's eyes, fierce and predatory, focused on him, veiling a monstrous shadow beneath his calm exterior. Baek Seak swallowed hard, fear gripping him at the thought of potentially provoking Yusa's ire. "You encountered him, didn't you?" There was no hesitation in Baek Seak's mind as to whom Yusa was referring. The current meeting's purpose was clear. "Yes, that's correct." The figure Yusa inquired about had first attacked Baek Seak, and later left Blue Seak in shambles. ‘Though I didn’t grasp everything,’ Baek Seak recalled hearing that a hole had been punched through someone’s chest, leaving them on the brink of death. Blue Seak's heir had been so gravely injured that one eye was effectively destroyed. ‘Ugly, yes, but still troubling.’ Baek Seak had little affection for Blue Seak, and found some grim satisfaction in their misfortune. However, Blue Seak was still a faction leader within Night Moon. "So, what did he look like?" Yusa pressed on, curious as to what had drawn him out after decades of seclusion. Baek Seak didn't hesitate with his reply, knowing Yusa wasn't one to be kept waiting. "He had black hair, long enough to reach well past his waist. His face was obscured by a mask, but we deduced he was from the Wolya tribe." The memory was vivid. How he appeared as twilight descended, the peculiar violet eyes that watched Baek Seak from the darkness, and the unrestrained strength that bore down in an instant. ‘Who is he, really?’ Baek Seak wondered. All his attempts to identify the figure had only ended in failure. Even when the stranger attacked Blue Seak’s residence during the last nighttime meeting, it was a shock. ‘Especially since they say our commander was there, too.’ To escape unobstructed from them? When Baek Seak had initially demanded an explanation from Blue Seak via messenger, there was no reply. Initially, Baek Seak dismissed this as typical antagonism. ‘But... it seems that wasn't the only issue.’ Perhaps it wasn't a matter of being unwilling to speak. Maybe it was that he truly could not talk about it. If Blue Seak held his tongue out of fear of some greater consequence? If sharing such details were guaranteed to cause considerable harm? 'What could drive such fear?' Baek Seak’s gaze landed on Yusa. When Blue Seak and their commander faced the stranger, and if the stranger had truly slipped away with ease, it implied something troubling. ‘Our commander couldn’t stop him.’ The thought crossed Baek Seak's mind when suddenly, "Baek Seak." A chilling presence enveloped him. "Urgh!!!" A sharp clatter resounded as his body was forcibly pressed against the table. Yusa had approached in silence, pinning his throat with unnerving ease. “What was that look just now?" The snake-like whisper cut through Baek Seak, sending shivers down his spine. “That repugnant look in your eyes. What were you thinking to give me such a disrespectful gaze?” "Commander... No, I meant nothing like that...! I just..." "Are you sure?" Yusa’s voice was a razor as he questioned Baek Seak again. "Absolutely not...!! Truly, not at all...!" The desperate denial inched forward, but Yusa let go, rising to his feet. “I mentioned it before, didn’t I? That I'm quite sensitive right now." “Yes… yes... I heard.” “So keep your eyes pleasant. Almost killed you, you know." It was spoken with a careless humor, yet Baek Seak couldn’t suppress a shiver. It was so swift—a whisker away from death. “Continue. Describe what he did to you?” As Yusa’s inquiry resumed, Baek Seak recounted his encounter. Even as the words left his mouth, questions lingered. The commander claimed to have seen the figure as well, so why ask about his appearance? Despite the curiosity, Baek Seak kept that doubt buried, opting for silence. "Indeed... You were taken down quickly...." Yusa murmured as he treaded down from the table, leaving Baek Seak to gather himself, still aching from the earlier pressure. “Heh heh.” A mocking laugh echoed from somewhere nearby. Baek Seak turned towards the sound with eyes burning. A red-haired member of the Night Moon tribe, Jeok Seak, stood there, laughing at Baek Seak. “…That damn woman….” “Oh, I'm sorry. I laughed before I realized it.” Though Jeok Seak feigned contrition with a wave, the laughter remained unhidden. “But it’s kind of funny, isn’t it? Not only did you get beaten by someone whose identity you don’t even know, but you lost your pride as well.” "You...!" "Quiet, both of you, before I tear your mouths apart." At Yusa's warning, Baek Seak bit his lip and Jeok Seak made a gesture of zipping her mouth, stifling any further laughter. Yusa frowned at them but refrained from further comment, turning his attention instead. "Heuk Saek." "Yes, Commander," replied Heuk Saek, the reticent leader of his house. "What do you make of the current situation?" The abrupt shift of inquiry toward him was unexpected, yet Heuk Saek maintained his composed demeanor as he met Yusa’s gaze. "I believe it is a perilous situation," he stated. "A perilous situation, you say? More specifically, how?" Yusa inquired with an apparent interest, urging Heuk Saek to continue. "The emergence of a force opposing the aristocrats, along with its evident power, should not be the core issue, however," Heuk Saek paused, taking a moment to collect his thoughts before continuing, "the fact that it's causing turmoil within Night Moon is the primary concern." The mere defeat of noble members had already set their established system ajar, making the internal members anxious. Should this persist, the very honor of the aristocracy could suffer irreparable damage. Moreover, "I anticipate this attack might not be the last." Both Baek Seak and Blue Seak had been assaulted by this mysterious figure and faced devastating consequences. “The leaders have been defeated,” Heuk Saek affirmed resolutely. Despite Baek Seak’s glare, Heuk Saek remained unperturbed. “Blue Seak hovers on the brink of death, while Baek Seak is left with nothing but rage. That’s our current reality.” "You—!" “Even beyond the leaders' defeat, the fact that he identifies as part of Wolya poses a substantial threat,” Heuk Saek added. "A threat? In what way?" Yusa asked, ignoring Baek Seak’s interjection. Heuk Saek continued, “The leaders' weakness reflects on the Night Moon you created, Commander.” “...” "And the problems within Night Moon could ultimately reflect on you, Commander." Yusa’s expression twisted at Heuk Saek’s assertion, one that dared to connect Night Moon’s issues back to him. The tension in the room spiked as everyone waited for Yusa’s reaction. “Ha ha ha.” Instead of anger, Yusa let out a laugh, though it was clear to all it wasn't one of amusement. "Indeed, it is my issue too, don’t you think?" The laughter carried an immense pressure, more intense than before. "So, what should be done? What do you suggest we do?" Yusa challenged, his eyes narrowing. Heuk Saek felt a cold sweat forming, carefully controlling his trembling hands as he answered, "We must capture and eliminate him without further delay." In Yusa's eyes reflected an imposed image of himself—Heuk Saek found this realization unsettling. "Eliminate?" Yusa repeated. "Yes." Before the eyes of many, the plan would be to eliminate the one who had dared to bare his fangs at the aristocracy. Doing so would restore their diminishing honor and presence. "But isn't that only possible if you capture him first? You've not even found a trace, and now you speak of capturing him. It seems laughably straightforward." Admittedly, no trace of the assailant had yet been found. Finding him was easier said than done. “...Although traces have eluded us thus far, this should not concern you,” Heuk Saek assured. “Hm?” Yusa raised an eyebrow, curious as to what Heuk Saek meant by his confidence that the situation need not worry them. "We’re unclear about his ultimate goal, but looking at his targeting of faction leaders, we suspect the intent might be the collapse of the aristocracy, or something similarly grand." "And so?" "If his altercation with Blue was not the end, there’s a high chance another leader is next in his sights," Heuk Saek mused, his gaze falling onto a woman among them. "Hm?" The woman, Jeok Seak, widened her eyes in surprise. "Me? Why are you staring at me?" "...Using the next target as bait could effortlessly solve the matter. That's my judgment." Leaving the bewildered Jeok Seak behind, Yusa's glittering gaze fixed on her. **************** Immediately after the banquet concluded, Heuk Saek made his way to his residence. Walking through unlit paths that matched the darkness of the surroundings, or perhaps the darkness of his own expression, the atmosphere was somber. "We greet the Master." "We greet the Master...." Ignoring the greetings from his attendants, Heuk Saek proceeded straight to his quarters. Opening the door, he was greeted by the sight of someone already there, standing silently with their arms behind their back, gazing out the window. He frowned upon seeing the figure. "You're already here." At his words, the figure slowly turned their head. A sharp-featured person with a long black mane wearing a white mask. [You're here. It concluded later than expected.] Gu Yangcheon... no. It was Cheonma, the Heavenly Demon. New 🧩( ᐛ )و🧩 Ready to leave work!!! Have a wonderful dinner and a pleasant evening 💜 10.https://jigex.com/kTZqQ11.https://jigex.com/VQYjo12.https://jigex.com/Zyyb913.https… Moon Crystal Power 11.11 Seeking assistance for a possessed and fusion-punk reincarnation story. +1 11.11 Main character in an isekai dealing with slaves.manhwa 11.11 🥬Requesting story customization!!🥬 11.11 [Haenal] How to Survive as a Terminally Ill Idol Season 3 11.11 Request for regression-themed visual novel adaptation! +1 11.11 "I've Come to End This Fight" please upload the next part +2 11.11 Request for "Unjust Grand Duchess - Hope Journey" 11.11 Requesting "Redemption and Its Brutality - By Han Bo Yeon" in romance/fantasy genre!!!! +15 11.11 🥬(Invisible Lettuce) +3 11.11 Request for "Magical Girl Uncle" The Best in All Heaven and Earth’s Childhood Friend Chapter 974 (974/1059)