After all the ruckus…
Silence returned.
Dong sat calmly in his chair, his eyes half-closed, the destruction of Blackhorn still echoing faintly in his mind.
Knock… knock…
"May I come in, Young Master?" the maid's soft voice came through the door.
"…Yes."
The door slid open. She stepped inside and bowed respectfully.
"What is it?" Dong asked, his voice low and flat.
"His Majesty has summoned you to an executive meeting," she replied. "I believe… it is regarding the fall of the Blackhorn Guild."
Dong's eyes slowly opened.
"…I see."
He stood up.
"You may go. I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, Young Master."
The maid left silently.
Dong walked toward the door, his footsteps echoing through the long corridor.
So… the ripples have finally reached the kingdom.
Without another word, he made his way toward the meeting hall.
The massive double doors of the council hall stood before him.
Dong stopped for a moment.
The corridor behind was silent… but the pressure inside the room felt like a storm locked in a cage.
He placed his hand on the handle.
Click.
The doors creaked open.
A low hum of power filled the chamber.
Six presences.
Six thrones.
Six figures who held the fate of the kingdom in their hands.
The moment Dong stepped inside
All eyes locked onto him.
The atmosphere thickened.
At the center of the long obsidian table sat the King, his gaze sharp as a blade.
King (calm, commanding): "...Hmph. Take your seat."
Dong walked forward without haste, his boots echoing softly against the stone floor.
Dong (emotionless): "I think I'm late."
No one replied.
He sat.
Silence. Heavy. Pressing.
His eyes moved slowly across the room.
In his mind, their names arranged themselves like pieces on a board.
Six Executives… including me.
1. The King A ruler built from war and blood, authority wrapped around him like a second skin.
2. Alorine The First Queen Her presence was colder than ice and sharper than any dagger. Even now… he didn't understand why she was here.
3. Sung The New Head Butler Standing quietly behind the king, eyes lowered, yet aware of every breath in the room.
4. Commander General Azhur (SSS Rank) Sitting like an unmoving mountain, arms crossed, eyes half-closed. A living war engine.
5. Business Manager Lord Archon (A Rank) Fingers calmly resting on a ledger. A merchant, a king of numbers, a man who could control wars with gold alone.
6. Himself — Dong.
The youngest.
And the most dangerous secret in the room.
Dong's thoughts (calm, but sharp): I really didn't expect Alina to be here…
The Queen's eyes flicked briefly toward him.
Cold. Unreadable. Almost… curious.
Azhur was the first to break the silence.
Azhur (low voice): "So… the rumors are true."
Archon slightly tilted his head.
Archon: "They say the Blackhorn Guild did not simply fall…" "…it vanished."
Sung's hand tightened slightly behind his back.
The King slowly leaned forward, his fingers interlocking on the table.
King: "Tell me, Dong…"
His eyes pierced directly into him.
King: "Where were you last night?"
The entire room froze.
Even the torches on the wall crackled softer, as if listening.
Dong didn't change his expression.
Not even a flicker.
Dong (calm): "In my room."
A simple lie.
Perfect.
The Queen's lips curved almost into a smile.
Azhur opened one eye slightly.
Archon tapped his finger against the table once.
The silence returned… heavier than before.
King: "Blackhorn was a cancer to this world…" "But whoever had the power to destroy them…"
He leaned back, gaze sharpening.
King: "…has the power to shake kingdoms."
His eyes never left Dong.
King: "And such power… must be understood."
Sung spoke carefully for the first time.
Sung: "Scouts report… no army. No traces. No spells matching known records."
Azhur: "Only scorched earth… and frozen meteors."
Archon: "A contradiction of elements… fire and ice in harmony…"
He looked up slowly at Dong.
Archon: "Almost… like a god playing with nature."
Still, Dong said nothing.
Inside his chest, the half-healed bone pulsed painfully.
A reminder.
I need the pain… or I won't feel alive.
The King drummed his fingers once.
King: "From this moment forward…"
The air itself seemed to bow.
King: "This matter becomes an Executive Level Secret."
Everyone nodded.
King (calm but heavy): "And Dong…"
A pause.
King: "You will take part in the investigation."
A test.
A trap.
A game of thrones.
This wasn't just a meeting.
It was a battlefield made of words.
Dong lifted his eyes at last.
Dark purple light flickered in them for a split second.
Dong: "As you wish."
The Queen watched him carefully.
A storm is sitting among us… she thought.
Outside the chamber Black clouds slowly gathered again.
As if the world itself already knew…
This was only the beginning.
A heavy silence followed Dong's consent.
The air itself seemed to tighten around the table.
Dong's fingers rested calmly on the arm of his chair as he spoke again, voice quiet… but absolute.
Dong: "As you wish. I will join the investigation."
He paused.
Then slowly lifted his head, dark eyes sweeping across each executive.
Dong: "But… we all know something very important."
His gaze hardened.
Dong: "Even if we do find the one who destroyed Blackhorn Guild…" "…we won't be able to touch them."
The torches flickered.
Commander Azhur's eyes snapped open.
The King leaned forward slightly.
King & Azhur (at the same time): "What do you mean?"
Dong folded his arms.
Dong: "Blackhorn was destroyed in our territory."
He spoke as if stating an obvious fact.
Dong: "Which means no other kingdom… no superpower… has any right to interfere in this matter."
A faint, dangerous smile touched his lips.
Dong: "So if we waste time 'hunting the destroyer'…"
He looked at each of them, one by one.
Dong: "…we gain absolutely nothing."
Silence.
Then
Lord Archon adjusted his gloves and spoke in a calm, calculating voice.
Archon: "I agree with Dong."
Everyone turned to him.
Archon: "Our funds and coin routes were constantly being robbed by Blackhorn and their branches." "If there is a hidden vault… or secret treasury…"
His eyes gleamed slightly.
Archon: "It would strengthen our kingdom's economy for decades."
Dong's eyes then turned to Sung.
Sung returned his gaze… and smiled faintly.
A smile too knowing.
Too sharp.
Dong's thoughts (cold): I have to kill Sung… He's becoming dangerous for me.
Sung bowed lightly.
Sung: "I also stand with Young Master Dong."
That smile never left his face.
Across the table, Alina's eyes darkened.
She slowly placed both her hands on the table.
Alorine (coldly): "I am against this."
All eyes moved to her.
She looked straight at Dong.
Not at a prince.
Not at an executive.
At a potential enemy.
Alorine: "And you, Dong…" "Why are you so eager to push the investigation in this direction?"
The air sharpened between them like drawn blades.
Before Dong could answer, Commander Azhur's low voice filled the room.
Azhur: "He already explained his reasoning, Your Highness."
Alorine didn't look away from Dong.
Alorine: "I am still against it."
Her voice was steady… but filled with warning.
The entire hall held its breath.
Then Dong slowly turned to the King.
Dong: "Your Majesty… give your final order."
The King's eyes moved around the table.
Counting allies. Counting enemies. Counting power.
King: "Out of five executives…"
His voice was final, unshakable.
King: "…three stand with Dong."
A beat.
King: "We will proceed with Dong's plan."
Alorine's fingers slightly tightened.
King: "The meeting is over."
Chairs scraped softly against the stone.
One by one, they stood.
Dong was the last to rise.
He turned and began walking toward the massive doors.
Just as his hand reached for the handle
Alorine's sharp voice cut through the chamber.
Alorine: "I know you are planning something."
The others froze.
She didn't care.
Alorine: "But I can't prove it…" "…I don't have any evidence."
Slowly, Dong turned his head back.
For the first time during the meeting
He smiled.
A soft, calm, terrifying smile.
Dong: "Then I truly hope…" "…you find the proof that I am wrong."
Their eyes locked.
Two storms colliding.
Then Dong turned away and exited the hall.
The doors shut behind him with a deep, echoing thud.
Inside the room, the Queen exhaled slowly.
Outside the palace
A dark cloud rolled across the sun.
And somehow…
It felt as if the world had just taken a step closer to ruin.
The long palace corridor was silent.
Only the echo of Dong's footsteps followed him, slow… deliberate… measured.
Sunlight slipped in through high arched windows, painting golden lines across the cold stone floor. But Dong couldn't feel the warmth of it.
His mind was somewhere else.
Sung.
That smile…
That intelligence…
That dangerous calm behind polite eyes…
Dong's fingers slowly curled.
If Sung is willing to make a blood promise with me… then there is no need for me to kill him…
His eyes narrowed as something dark and calculating took shape in his thoughts.
A sharp mind is rare.
A loyal sharp mind… is a weapon.
"He is dangerous…" Dong murmured under his breath, barely loud enough for even the walls to hear.
"But he is also… useful."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"Good tools don't deserve to be thrown away."
He stopped walking for a moment.
His glowing eyes locked onto the red carpet stretching toward the exit of the hall.
"If he betrays me…"
A silent killing intent leaked from his body, cracking the air for a split second before vanishing again.
"…I'll erase him so completely that not even his shadow will remain."
Dong resumed walking.
Calm again.
Controlled again.
Like nothing had ever happened.
But somewhere, far away…
It felt as if Sung had just been judged…
and placed on the edge between life and death.
2:00 AM — The Kingdom Sleeps
The entire palace was wrapped in silence.
Guards stood in their positions like statues. Torches flickered quietly against the stone walls. Even the wind seemed afraid to disturb the night.
Inside his chamber, Dong sat at the edge of his bed motionless.
Waiting.
His half-healed hand throbbed with dull pain, but it only sharpened his focus.
Now…
Without a sound, Dong rose to his feet.
He stepped toward the open window.
And leapt.
His body vanished into the darkness like a shadow being swallowed by another shadow.
---
On the way to Sung's room
Two guards stood beneath a lantern, yawning, half-asleep.
They never saw him.
Snap. Snap.
Two silent strikes to the back of their heads.
Their bodies collapsed before they even had time to breathe.
Dong didn't even look at them as he passed.
---
At Sung's Window
Dong stood before the open window.
He was already expecting a sleeping figure.
Instead…
Sung was sitting in the dark, eyes open.
Waiting.
Dong raised an eyebrow slightly, impressed.
> "I really didn't expect you to be awake."
Sung's smile was thin, nervous, but knowing.
> "The moment you stared at me in the hall today… I already knew. Trouble was coming for me."
He looked directly into Dong's glowing eyes.
> "So tell me. Why are you in my room at this hour, Your Highness?"
Dong stepped inside.
Slow… calm… dangerous.
> "You already know who destroyed the Blackhorn Guild."
Silence.
> "…It was me."
Sung didn't scream.
Didn't gasp.
Didn't fall back.
He only closed his eyes for a second… then let out a quiet breath.
> "I suspected it… but I didn't want to believe it."
"…Then why tell me? You just signed my death warrant, you know."
Dong's voice was cold.
> "Because I'm giving you a choice."
Sung looked at him.
> "Two paths…"
Dong held up two fingers.
> "Become my personal manager… or die."
The air felt heavy. Even the shadows leaned closer to listen.
Sung laughed quietly.
> "And why would I choose you? What can you give me?"
Dong's eyes sharpened.
> "Influence. Power. Protection. A place where no one will ever disrespect you again."
Sung froze.
Dong continued, his voice lower, cutting deeper.
> "I know what happened to your parents."
"Killed by the guild collectors… because of unpaid debts."
"You weren't broken by their deaths…"
"You were broken by the way the world looked down on you after."
Sung's hand trembled.
A long, crushing silence.
Then… a bitter laugh escaped his lips.
> "So you really do know everything…"
He raised his eyes to Dong, filled with an eerie light.
> "…Fine. I'm with you."
Dong didn't smile.
> "Then we make a Blood Promise."
Sung's breath stuttered.
> "That's a heavenly-level contract…"
> "I know."
> "…And you still want it?"
> "Yes."
After a moment, Sung nodded.
> "I have no problem."
---
The Ritual
Dong removed a golden bowl from his spatial ring and placed it between them.
> "Your blood."
Without hesitation, Sung took a blade and cut his palm.
Blood dripped into the golden bowl.
Dong did the same.
The moment their blood mixed—
A blinding light filled the room.
A divine presence manifested…
a beautiful angel with her eyes covered in cloth… floating above the bowl.
Her voice echoed like a thousand bells.
> "Sung… do you agree to serve Dong for eternity?"
> "Yes."
> "Do you swear to never betray him?"
> "Yes."
> "Do you vow to never act against his life or destiny?"
> "Yes."
The bowl shone with holy power.
Golden chains of light wrapped around Sung's soul… then connected to Dong's heart.
A sacred bond was formed.
The light faded.
The angel vanished.
Sung collapsed to the floor.
Dong caught him before his head touched the ground.
---
Sung weakly opened his eyes.
> "…Is it… complete?"
> "Yes."
Dong lifted him onto the bed.
> "Let me tell you something that may make you happier."
Sung breathed heavily.
> "Say it…"
> "If I become immortal… your lifespan will rise as well."
"We can communicate through consciousness."
"And with a future ritual… you will be able to summon me… or even my clone."
Sung gave a tired, almost relieved smile.
> "…Not bad for a dangerous deal…"
> "Your heart will hurt. That's normal."
"By tomorrow, you'll be fine."
> "Then go… before someone notices either of us missing."
Dong stepped toward the window.
> "Rest, Sung."
At 4:00 AM, Dong vanished back into his own room.
As if he had never left.
But in the darkness… a new bond had been forged.
A new weapon had been claimed.