974 (edited) - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

How much time had passed since the banquet began? Quite a bit had gone by in terms of minutes, yet unlike the elapsed time, the conversation had not progressed. This was because they mostly remained silent, and few dared to start a conversation. There were many topics to discuss, yet they were unable to bring them up. Perhaps it was due to the tension between them. Ultimately, the reason also lay with the host of this gathering. Keugh. Ruler of the Night Moon. Yusa exuded an intimidating aura, applying pressure around him. Although it wasn't intentional, Yusa sat with a fierce glare, his legs propped up on the table. K-rack--! The release of energy distorted the space around them. Despite this, Yusa seemed unfazed, as he casually bit at his fingernails. After sitting silently, emitting his presence for a while, Yusa seemed to have reached a conclusion and opened his mouth with a ferocious gaze. "White." “…!” White flinched at Yusa's call. “Yes….” He replied in a tense voice, drawing Yusa's gaze towards him. Eyes sharply torn, filled with a fierce aura. A dense shadow of a monster engulfed White from within Yusa's otherwise non-threatening appearance. Gulp. A sense of crisis dominated his body, as if he might be devoured if he made a wrong move. “You said you've encountered him, right?” There was no need to ponder who 'him' referred to in the question. White was well aware of why this gathering had been arranged. “…That's correct.” Clearly, the one the general referred to was that man. He had not only initially attacked him but also left Blue in utter disarray. 'Though I didn't fully grasp it.' It was rumored that a hole had been pierced through his chest, bringing him to the brink of death. And even the eye of the son who was next in line to be leader, was plucked out. Truly, it was a devastating situation. 'As pleasant as that is, it's unsettling.' White wasn't fond of Blue, so his demise was somewhat gratifying. But there was a problem: he was one of Night Moon's leaders. Hence the question, "What did he look like?" Yusa, the Ruler of the Night Moon, who had scarcely shown himself for decades, was now present. Knowing this well, White spoke straightforwardly. “…He had black hair, which flowed far past his waist. He wore a mask covering his face, but it was clear he was of the Moonlit Night.” The memory was still vivid. The way he appeared as dusk began to settle. Those inexplicable purple eyes that seemed to emit darkness. Even the swift movements with which he launched his attacks. 'Who is he?' What on earth was his identity? White had tried every means to identify him afterward. Yet, he eluded them like a ghost. And then to hear he had broken into Blue's residence last night—how startling that was. Moreover, 'Even the leader was there, I heard.' To have penetrated there and simply left after having a conversation? When White sent a messenger to Blue to inquire what had happened, there was no reply. At the time, he suspected it was due to their usual rocky relationship. But now, 'Seeing this...' That wasn't entirely the issue. It wasn't simply that Blue had clammed up. 'Was it that he couldn't speak?' Could it be something he couldn't reveal to others? Would speaking lead to dire consequences and thus he was silenced? '…What reason would that be?' White's gaze turned to Yusa. At the time, when Blue and the general encountered him, and he escaped unscathed. This must mean, 'The general couldn't stop him.' Meaning that man possessed power beyond even the general's. Could that be why Blue had remained silent? The moment such thoughts crossed White's mind, "White." A chilling presence enveloped White's entire body. “…Kuuk!!!” Crack! His body, swept up by pressure, slammed into the table. Yusa had suddenly approached and was holding him down by the neck. "What was that look?" Like a snake hissing, a chilling and creepy sound penetrated White's ears. “What was with that contemptuous gaze? What impertinent thoughts were you entertaining to look at me with those eyes?” “G, general…. N, no...! I-I was just…!” “Is that truly not it?” Yusa reiterated as he faced a hastily defending White. “N..No…!! Truly not…!” White cried out desperately. Watching him, Yusa released White’s throat and stood up. “I mentioned earlier, didn't I? That I’m a bit on edge right now.” “Yes… Yes… I heard you.” “Then soften up that gaze. I almost killed you.” Though his voice carried a humorous tone, White couldn't help but shudder upon hearing it. For an instant. He had almost been killed in a heartbeat. “Continue. How did that guy handle you?” "..." Yusa’s interrogation resumed, urging White to describe the incident. Even as he explained, there was a lingering question. The general had already seen him. Given the situation, why ask about his appearance? White pondered the question but dared not voice it, choosing instead to remain silent. “…I see…. Taken down in an instant….” Without further comment, Yusa stepped away from the table and walked off. “Grrr….” White painfully lifted his body, and suddenly, “Ha ha.” A mocking laugh came from the side. Hearing the sound, White glared in the direction from which it came. The red haired leader of the Red family was jeering at White. “…That damn woman….” “Oh, I’m sorry. I laughed without meaning to.” Still covering her mouth, she gestured dismissively, but her laughter remained untouched. “But isn’t it amusing? Getting bested by someone you don’t even know…. No pride whatsoever.” “You…!” “Before I tear your mouth apart, both of you quiet down.” “...” “...” At Yusa’s warning, White bit his lip, and Red mimed zipping her lips. Yusa released a frown but refrained from further addressing either of them. Then, “Black.” “Yes, general.” Yusa turned his gaze toward Black, the leader of the Black Clan, who had remained silent until now. “What do you think of the current situation?” “...” The sudden shift in attention to him did not faze Black. Without revealing any change in expression, he met Yusa's gaze and began to speak. “I believe it is a dangerous situation.” “A dangerous situation? Can you elaborate more concretely?” Asked with an air of curiosity, Black continued his response as if he had been waiting for this moment. “The emergence of a force opposing the nobility and with the power match it is not the main issue.” He paused for a breath before adding a brief summary. “The fact that the Night Moon is being shaken is the most critical issue.” A single defeat for the nobility could disrupt the established order. Those within the castle walls were uneasy, and if this continued, the honor associated with being nobility could suffer. Moreover, “I anticipate that this won’t be the last of the attacks.” Both White and Blue had been assaulted by this mysterious being, resulting in dire consequences. “A leader has been defeated.” Black's voice was resolute. Despite White's glare, nothing changed. "Blue is on the brink of death, and White has only stirred his wrath. That is our current reality.” “You-!” “Even if the defeat of a leader is not considered problematic, the fact that he belongs to the Moonlit Night could be an issue.” “Issue? What kind?” Ignoring White's interruption, Yusa inquired further. Black provided his answer. “The weakness of a leader will eventually reflect on the Night Moon’s stability, which you, general, have established.” "…" “And the instability of the Night Moon may eventually pose a problem for you, general.” Yusa's face contorted at Black’s words. He had mentioned the Night Moon and implicated Yusa himself in this issue. While others tensed, expecting Yusa to react with anger at these statements, “Hahaha.” Yusa laughed instead. However, “A problem for me. Indeed, that’s quite accurate.” Everyone in the room knew that his laughter wasn’t one of amusement. "The more impotent you all act, the more ridiculous I become." Ku-u-u-uuu--!!! The hostility embedded in his laughter spread heavily. The force of his aura was incomparable to before. “So, what should I do? What’s your take on it? What do you think I should do?” “...” Black broke into a cold sweat. Keeping his hands from trembling required effort as he calmly responded to Yusa. “We need to apprehend and eliminate the threat without delay.” He stared at his reflection in those slit pupils. Confirming this, Black spoke to Yusa. “Eliminate?” “Yes.” In front of many watching eyes, eliminate the one who dared to bare fangs at the nobility. By doing so, restoring the declining dignity and presence of the nobility. “But capturing him is necessary for that, and you’ve yet to find even a trace of him, right? What’s the point in stating the obvious?” It was laughable to talk about capturing someone when they hadn't even found any trace of the attacker. “…It’s true we haven't found him yet, but there’s no need to worry over this.” “Hmm?” Yusa's expression turned curious. No need to worry? Standing by, Yusa waited for clarification. “…Although we are unclear about his precise intentions, from his pattern of attacking leaders, it's apparent he might have a purpose like bringing down the nobility or something comparable.” “So.” “If the clash with Blue wasn’t his last, it’s highly probable that he might soon target another leader.” While saying this, Black’s gaze turned to one woman. “Hmm?” The woman who met his eyes widened in surprise. “Me? Why are you looking at me?” “…Exploiting the next target might make things easier. That’s how I see it.” Leaving Red’s stunned expression behind, Yusa's glistening eyes fell upon her. **************** Shortly after the banquet concluded. Black headed straight for his mansion. He walked through a dimly lit path, not a single light on, the darkness quite pervasive. Whether it was due to the dim space or merely his dark expression, the surrounding atmosphere was stifling. “We greet the general.” “We greet the general….” Ignoring the greetings of his servants, Black proceeded to his room. Upon entering, he immediately caught sight of someone standing inside. A figure observing the outside through the window with hands clasped behind his back. Noticing him, Black frowned. “You’re already here.” The figure turned slowly at Black’s words. Wearing a white mask and bearing long, sharp black hair. [You've come. The meeting seemed to end later than expected.] Gu Yang…. No. It was the Heavenly Demon.