CHAPTER 27
PALACE GROUNDS – MIDNIGHT
The moon hung high in the sky, partially veiled by drifting clouds. A hush blanketed the palace, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves and the padded footfalls of six spies disguised as palace guards.
They moved like shadows—jumping silently between rooftops, scaling walls with ease, and weaving through the quiet corridors like phantoms. Their movement wasn't random—it was calculated.
They circled near the eastern wing, where Prince Muwon's chambers lay. Close enough to stir curiosity… or provoke reaction.
MUWON'S CHAMBER
Sihyun lay beside Muwon, their bodies relaxed, breathing in sync. Muwon's arm was loosely draped around Sihyun, lost in peaceful slumber.
Suddenly—Sihyun's eyes snapped open.
Not from a nightmare.
From something else.
His eyes glowed faintly golden-red in the darkness, and the faint shimmer of the 20th demon tattoo pulsed on his collarbone, just visible through the neck of his robe.
His brows furrowed. Something was wrong.
He could feel it.
ROOFTOPS OUTSIDE THE WINDOW – SAME TIME
The six disguised spies crouched silently, each hidden in shadow but positioned where Sihyun could clearly see them from the chamber window. Their eyes glowed faintly under their false guard masks—inhuman, taunting.
They didn't flee. They waited… as if daring him.
Sihyun carefully lifted Muwon's arm off his chest and slid out of bed with slow, cautious movements.
He stood at the window, his pale form outlined by moonlight, eyes fixed on the dark silhouettes waiting outside.
His lips parted slightly.
A breath… then a whisper:
"I'll be right back."
He glanced at Muwon, still sleeping soundly, completely unaware of the danger near.
Sihyun's expression hardened—calm yet dangerous—and in a fluid motion, he pushed open the window silently…
And leapt out into the night.
PALACE GROUNDS – NIGHT
The stillness shattered.
Sihyun landed on his feet with a soft thud, the moonlight casting an ethereal glow on his pale skin and glowing tattoos. His robes whispered around his ankles as he walked toward the six figures, who stood like statues—waiting.
But not for long.
With a swift signal among themselves, the spies moved—surrounding Sihyun in a perfect, deadly circle, weapons drawn. Blades shimmered under the moonlight. Their masked faces held no emotion.
Sihyun didn't flinch. He stood tall, his glowing eyes focused—though his breathing was shallow, and his fingers trembled slightly.
He was still recovering, still weak… but inside, the storm swelled.
One of the spies lunged. Then another.
Then—all six attacked at once.
Sihyun's eyes flared crimson-gold, his tattoos igniting in a violent pulse. In that instant—
The world tore open.
With an inhuman screech, Sihyun unleashed a surge of demonic magic, and in one devastating flash, he was no longer standing among them—but moving through them—fast, brutal, unstoppable.
SHING!—SLASH!—THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD.
Six heads hit the ground. Blood gushed like fountains.
Their bodies followed, collapsing into grotesque piles of lifeless armor and limbs.
But Sihyun didn't stop.
Eyes wide. Breathing ragged. Mouth trembling.
He stood above their remains—then suddenly fell to his knees, grabbing a corpse by the chest and ripping out its heart with savage force.
"DIE—"
He tore off another spy's arm.
"THE LOT OF YOU—DIE!"
He grabbed a leg, slamming it into the bloodied earth.
"MURDERERS! MONSTERS!"
He was trembling, his hands soaked in blood, fingernails cracked, body spasming under the force of his power.
Then—stillness.
All six lay in pieces.
The silence returned—but it was different now.
Heavy. Suffocating.
Sihyun panted, his chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. Then—
A trickle of blood slid from his nose.
He reached up, brushing it away with trembling fingers.
He stared at the blood smeared on his skin.
And then—
He chuckled.
A soft, breathy laugh that grew louder—unsteady, broken… as if something inside him had finally snapped.
His laughter echoed through the night. Twisted. Sad. And filled with something that wasn't quite madness—but wasn't sane either.
ROYAL BEDCHAMBER – LATE NIGHT
The chamber is silent.
Moonlight filters through the windows, bathing the room in cold silver. A gentle breeze sways the curtains.
Muwon sleeps, his breaths even, one arm reaching toward the other side of the bed.
His brow furrows.
He stirs.
His hand touches cold, empty sheets.
Still half-asleep, he murmurs,
"Sihyun?"
No reply.
He slowly opens his eyes—and freezes.
Standing just a few feet away from the bed…
…Sihyun.
Motionless.
Barefoot.
His eyes glowing red. Blood still clings to his fingertips, dried and darkened, but barely visible in the moonlight.
Muwon jolts upright in bed.
"Shit…"
he mutters under his breath, recoiling instinctively.
His heart pounds.
"Sihyun…? What are you doing?"
There's a pause.
Then softly, emotionlessly—
"I was watching you sleep."
Muwon inhales sharply. He steadies his breath.
"You scared the hell out of me."
He swipes a hand down his face.
"How long were you standing there?"
Sihyun takes a step closer.
His voice is soft.
"Not too long…"
Another step.
"You sleep deeply, don't you?"
Muwon hesitates. He doesn't answer.
Sihyun climbs onto the bed.
Slowly. Fluidly.
He settles beside Muwon, close enough for their shoulders to brush. His red eyes dim slightly, fading back to dark.
"Let's go back to sleep."
Muwon exhales again, tension lingering in his shoulders as he lies back down.
The silence stretches between them.
Then finally—Muwon turns his head slightly, watching Sihyun out of the corner of his eye.
"You're not hurt… are you?"
Sihyun closes his eyes, murmuring:
"I'm fine."
A beat.
"They won't try again."
Muwon doesn't reply. He only lies still, staring at the ceiling, listening to the sound of Sihyun's breathing slowly returning to normal.
And as the night grows quiet once more…
…he wonders if he should really be able to sleep next to someone like this.
ROYAL PALACE – EARLY MORNING
A piercing scream echoes through the palace halls.
It's high-pitched—a maiden's voice, trembling with horror.
"Help! Someone—please!"
The GONG OF ALARM follows immediately, loud and thunderous, sending birds scattering from the rooftops and guards scrambling into motion.
MUWON'S CHAMBER – SAME TIME
Muwon jerks awake, heart pounding.
The loud gong reverberates in his ears.
Beside him, Sihyun stirs, eyes still closed, brows furrowed into a deep, annoyed frown.
"So noisy..."
he mutters under his breath, his tone disinterested—as if he already knows what's happening.
Muwon sits up quickly, glancing toward the window, tension forming in his chest.
He rises from bed, grabbing his robe and tying it swiftly.
Just as he reaches the door—
A pale hand grabs his wrist.
He turns.
Sihyun is sitting up now, eyes shadowed, expression unreadable, but there's a distinct sadness behind them.
Softly, almost pleading:
"Don't go."
Muwon hesitates. His brows knit, caught between instinct and emotion.
He kneels slightly, bringing himself closer to Sihyun's eye level.
"I won't be long,"
he says, gently.
"I just want to see what's going on. You should rest… and recover. Alright?"
Sihyun doesn't answer.
Muwon slowly peels his hand away and offers a small smile. Then, without another word, he turns and exits.
The door closes with a soft click.
The smile on Sihyun's lips fades.
His eyes narrow. A darkness seeps into his expression.
All warmth vanishes.
He lies back slowly, eyes open now—glowing faintly red again.
The sound of distant footsteps running, shouts, and panic echo outside.
And Sihyun… quietly whispers to himself:
"You said you wouldn't leave…"
PALACE COURTYARD – EARLY MORNING
The sun has barely risen, but the palace is buzzing with chaos.
A cluster of guards and nobles gather near a cordoned-off area.
The corpses, already covered in white ceremonial sheets, lie still on the ground—ominous and silent.
The stench of death lingers in the air.