The morning sun sliced through the thin fabric covering the window, casting a golden line across the room. Jiyul opened his eyes slowly. The estate was silent, but his mind was loud, filled with the static of old memories that refused to sharpen.
He sat up, running a hand through his hair, and stared blankly at the far wall.
"What am I even doing here?" he murmured to the empty room. "Shuyong... that bastard said something about my mother right before he died. I didn't catch it. Or maybe I didn't want to hear it."
He stood up, his bare feet pressing against the cold wooden floor. He walked toward the mirror, staring at the stranger reflecting back at him.
"I came here to dig up the truth about myself. But I don't know a damn thing. Who am I, really? All I see is blood, shadows, and broken faces."
His fists clenched at his sides.
"I need answers. And if getting them means killing half this kingdom, then so be it. I don't care who has to die. I will rip open this cursed world if I have to. I am done kneeling. I will shatter everything to correct it."
A faint creak echoed from the doorway.
Jiyul didn't look. He knew someone was standing there. He could hear the nervous shifting of weight.
"Cursed world, huh?" Daren's voice floated in. "You hate this world that much?"
Jiyul didn't turn his head. "You again. You have really turned into a tail, haven't you? Always behind me. Poking at my back."
Daren stepped inside, leaning casually against the doorframe as if he belonged there. "Yeah, maybe I am a tail. But not a useless one. You know, you are like the older brother I never had. Cold, angry, and terrifying. But you have got something the others don't."
Jiyul snorted. "Spare me the drama. I don't care about your fantasy family."
"Haha, figured you would say that," Daren shrugged, grinning. "Still, I like your personality. Even if you don't give a damn about anyone."
Jiyul narrowed his eyes, finally glancing at the young noble. "This world isn't fair. Never was. Power bends justice, gold buys the truth, and the weak bleed in silence." He paused, his voice dropping an octave. "I don't want to fix it. I just refuse to kneel to it."
"I am not weak enough to bleed," Jiyul added. "I am strong enough to make the weak bleed instead."
Daren's smirk faded a little. "Damn, man... That is raw."
Jiyul turned back to the door, sliding his sword onto his back with a practiced motion. "I need to go out again."
Daren held up a hand immediately. "Wait. You serious? You almost died yesterday in front of the King, and now you want to take another stroll? Chill out."
"I said I need to go. Don't try to stop me. You know what happens when people stand in my way."
Daren exhaled a long breath, raising both hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Sheesh. I am not trying to get cut up. Guess I am coming too. No way I am letting you cause chaos alone."
Jiyul frowned. "You are annoying."
"And you are dramatic. Let's go."
The two stepped out from the manor into the cool morning air. Morning fog still kissed the cobbled paths of the noble district, softening the sharp edges of the buildings. The city was quiet and refined. Fresh perfume from flower carts and the scent of baking bread drifted on the wind. Birds chirped in perfect harmony above golden spires.
They walked in silence for a while. Servants bowed as Daren passed, though some cast second, wary glances at Jiyul's sharp presence.
"You don't talk much, huh?" Daren muttered after a few minutes.
"You talk too much," Jiyul replied.
"Balance," Daren chuckled.
As they turned a corner into a wider plaza, a sudden stillness settled in the air. It was almost imperceptible, like a drop of ink falling into clear water. But Jiyul felt it instantly. The birds stopped sounding . The wind died.
He stopped.
His eyes sharpened, scanning the crowd, the rooftops, and the distant alleyway with surgical precision.
Daren noticed the shift. "What? What is wrong"
"Shut up," Jiyul hissed.
That was when they stepped out.
Two figures.
Their outfits were bone-white from neck to toe, covering every inch of skin except for their eyes. Pale masks rested atop their faces like ghosts attending a funeral. Each carried a thin, curved sword sheathed at their hip. Their steps were silent, yet heavy with killing intent.
Even the air seemed to hesitate around them.
Daren's face went pale. "Shit... those aren't just guys in uniform. They are assassins. High tier ones. I recognize the sigil they are from the Silent Fang sect. They have been trying to kill us for weeks!"
Jiyul didn't flinch. He stood there, completely still. His fingers slowly curled around the hilt of the sword behind his back.
"You want me to run?" he asked, his voice calm as ice.
"No I mean yes! Wait, Jiyul, if they are here, it means they are serious. And there are nobles watching, we can't just "
Jiyul turned his head and glared at Daren. "You are paying me to run away?"
"N-No..."
"You want me to let them chase us through alleys like rats?"
"No, I just "
"You really thought I would run?"
Jiyul took one step forward. The pressure in the plaza dropped as if a storm was about to break.
He drew his sword.
Shhhk.
The sound was like steel tearing through silk, echoing loudly through the quiet plaza. All the nobles in the distance stopped to watch, frozen by the sudden violence in the air.
Jiyul's eyes locked onto the masked assassins.
"I will ask once."
The wind blew across his robe, revealing the edge of his blade black steel etched with crimson marks from battles long past.
"Which one of you wants to die first?"
Daren swallowed hard.
One of the assassins responded with a smirk hidden behind his mask. "Arrogant."
"Accurate," Jiyul corrected. "Now come."