The underground chamber fell into silence after Daniel and Sebastian left. The faint hum of old lights overhead echoed in the stillness, mingling with the weight of unspoken thoughts.
Jaegyeon Na sat at the head of the table, his long fingers drumming lightly against the wood. His golden hair gleamed faintly in the dim light, but his eyes were sharp, narrowed, still locked on the seat Daniel had occupied.
"He's… not ordinary," Jaegyeon murmured finally. His tone was calm, but the heaviness behind it made everyone straighten.
"That man—Cheon Ma, or whatever name he gave—is far more dangerous than he looks. His personality, his presence, his aura… it's not human. It's like standing before a predator who has already chosen when to devour you."
Sung Jegal snorted, crossing his arms.
"Tch. He doesn't look that tough. Just some guy in formal clothes, talking big."
At that moment, Sebastian entered the chamber, a bandage still on his face from the earlier fight. His presence instantly shifted the air. He looked around at his comrades, then fixed his gaze on Sung.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
Sung frowned. "What?"
Sebastian's voice carried the weight of conviction as he stepped closer.
"My first encounter with him—I attacked with my full power. Not holding back. He countered everything like it was child's play. Dodged, deflected… like he was playing with me."
The room grew still. Yeowool's brows furrowed slightly, Boknam's chewing gum stopped mid-chew.
"And then," Sebastian continued, his voice lowering, "I landed a punch. Not just any punch—the punch. The one that's broken ribs and jaws of Dark Crocodile elites. The punch that's put down their top members. I hit him clean on the face."
Everyone leaned in unconsciously.
Sebastian's jaw tightened.
"He didn't even flinch. He stood there. Endured it like nothing. No damage. No stagger. Nothing."
Shock rippled through the room. Even Sung Jegal's cocky expression faltered.
Sebastian's hands clenched into fists.
"And then… he smiled. Like a damn predator. And with one ridiculous punch—just one—he put me down. No hesitation. No mercy. Just raw, terrifying power."
Silence swallowed the chamber again.
Boknam finally broke it, his voice low.
"That's exactly what I felt too. His presence—it's crushing. Like a beast is walking among us. Wild, but not reckless. A calculating beast. Watching. Waiting."
His gum fell silent in his mouth, forgotten.
Yeowool turned her calm eyes toward Jaegyeon.
"So… what should we do?" she asked softly. "Should we join him?"
All eyes turned to their leader.
Jaegyeon looked at each of his comrades in turn, his expression unreadable. Finally, his gaze softened just slightly.
"I will think about it. If we can get a good deal out of him—then we will join."
"And if we don't?" Sung pressed.
Jaegyeon's eyes sharpened, the softness vanishing. His voice dropped into a cold, steely tone that froze everyone in place.
"Then I'll say no. And we'll continue our war with Dark Crocodile Society the same way we always have."
Yeowool's voice cut in again, firmer than before.
"And if Cheongryong and the Union Faction become our enemies because of this alliance—or because you say no?"
The chamber grew deathly silent.
Jaegyeon leaned back, the faintest glint of cold fire in his eyes.
"Then we will deal with them too."
His words hung in the air like a blade, sharp and final.
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