The Ruler of Darkness

“Phew, it’s done.”

Jung-ah, having finished cooking, lifted the apron she was wearing to wipe her forehead.

Carefully covering the dishes to keep them dust-free, she had everything prepared so they could be easily reheated when needed.

She took off her apron, paused for a moment, and gathered her thoughts.

Soon after, Jung-ah, carrying the luggage she’d prepared earlier, left the kitchen.

Inside the closed furnace, the dying embers glowed faintly.

* * *

As winter’s brief sun started to fade, 

Atop the roof of a tall building near the Black Bone Faction’s main base,

The agent’s high-quality black night suit, worn out in places, seemed to denote his expertise.

His body was adorned with weapons securely fastened to his back and various concealed arms, like daggers and “flying needles”.

Another messenger who confirmed the signal sent by the rooftop agent reported to the field commander.

“We’ve located the 15th unit.”

“15th unit, confirmed.”

The field commander, dressed in a similar night suit, absorbed the report and analyzed the situation.

Once he had a full understanding, he signaled to the messenger standing by his side.

The messenger gracefully jumped over a few roofs and landed on an exposed terrace of a building.

A group dressed in night suits were already stationed there.

He knelt before a woman in a similar attire.

She was wearing an eye patch etched with the crescent moon symbol.

“Pavilion Master, the locals have been informed. All agents and our allies are in position and on standby.”

The woman, who had been standing with her eyes closed and arms folded, was none other than Se-ah, the leader of the Crescent Moon Pavilion.

She slowly opened her eyes and pulled down the cloth that had been covering her mouth.

“Everyone maintain vigilance in their current position. Once the situation commences, act according to combat protocols. All unexpected situations will be reported later. Command authority will then be delegated to the field commander.”

The messenger acknowledged her concise instructions and leaped back onto the roof.

It was a scene that was so organized it was hard to believe it was just an intelligence group.

This was the secret behind the rapid rise of the Crescent Moon Pavilion in Luoyang, one of the major cities in the central continent.

Soon, as members left one by one for their respective duties, only Se-ah and her escort remained.

Leaning against the wall and feeling the cold breeze, Se-ah’s escort began a conversation with her.

“Anxious?”

Se-ah, who was about to reflexively answer, looked at her counterpart and decided to answer honestly.

“…It’s not unease, it’s complicated.”

“I see.”

This time, it was the escort who remained silent.

Se-ah sighed and continued, “You heard my conversation with the Grand young master earlier, didn’t you?”

The escort nodded her head. “I didn’t hear anything. Especially not any word like ‘Hyuk’ or something. Please don’t involve me in any more dreadful matters. I might quit right away.”

Se-ah, ignoring the woman’s jest, asked what she wanted to know.

“How did he seem to you? I mean, the grand young master.”

The escort shrugged. “As I’ve said before, he seems like a good person.”

“Even after hearing that conversation? Knowing that he’s the Sovereign of Dark Heavens?”

“Firstly, I don’t know what conversation you’re referring to.”

“Stop change the subject.”

Scratching her cheek wrapped in black cloth, the escort replied, “He’s intimidating. How can he not be? Still…” The escort replied calmly, “For some reason, I like him.”

Se-ah sighed.

“That’s a ridiculous answer.”

The conversation paused for a moment.

This time, the escort spoke first.

“…I will follow wherever you lead, my lady. I’m with you, no matter where you go.”

Se-ah smiled faintly.

“Even if the said person unfolds seas of blood and corpses from the netherworld?”

“…I might have to think about that again.”

The escort looked directly at Se-ah.

“You can decide as you see fit.”

“Okay.”

Se-ah, who lightly tapped the escort’s shoulder, approached the railing.

Beyond the well-camouflaged railing, the main base of the Black Bone Faction, located far on a hill, came into view.

People holding torches were seen running around, preparing for the approaching darkness.

‘Kill the wicked over and over until the world changes?’

The sight of them, looking ten times more than usual, patrolling with full armor was visible.

‘Either he’s truly an extraordinary person to say such insane things so calmly, or I’ll see it with my own eyes.’

Then, a messenger reappeared.

“Report. Sporadic skirmishes have begun in multiple alleys.”

“Is it a skirmish?”

“Yes. Field commanders have analyzed it as a move to secure an escape route.”

Se-ah took a deep breath.

“…It has begun.”

***

Narrow alleyway.

“These f*cking cowards! Just when we’re getting a little soft, you’re running us over like dogs and cows!”

A man with a dense black skull tattoo on his face yelled at his trembling subordinates.

“What are you doing, you bastards?! Attack immediately!”

As he shouted, waving his knife from behind, those armed with various weapons charged at those in dark uniforms, shouting.

“Ahhhh!”

The first of the three in the dark uniforms ducked and assumed a defensive stance.

“Die!”

The axe swung by the largest of the attackers missed its mark.

At the same time, the attacker’s belly was split open, spilling blood and entrails.

Suddenly, a gleaming long sword was drawn, and the attackers’ throats were slit, arms dangled, and chests were torn open.

The vanguard was swiftly broken.

“You bastards! Press on!”

From behind, amidst the terrifying shouts, more members of the Black Bone Faction kept charging.

But the combat agents who broke the enemy’s vanguard retreated, neutralizing their momentum.

Then, the two agents on standby advanced, cutting down the incoming enemies.

It was one-sided.

The difference in their abilities was so apparent; it was like they were from two different worlds.

Most of the Black Bone Faction were merely street thugs or gangsters, and such individuals trying to suppress elite combat agents from Crescent Moon Pavilion, who underwent rigorous training and real combat, was next to impossible.

“F*ck, this isn’t working.”

The Black Bone Faction’s general shouted behind him, “Hey! All of you, line up on the side! Make way for those waiting in the back!”

Following his orders, the members of the Black Bone Faction lined up along the alley.

“Damn it…”

Watching the newly deployed members between the parted forces, an agent from the Crescent Moon Pavilion gritted his teeth.

“It’s spears.”

Dozens of spear tips gleamed in the sunset.

***

“Commander! They have spears! They’ve brought out spears!”

The tactical officer shouted.

“There are too many of them for a mere retreat skirmish. Their numbers are increasing. It seems they’ve deployed all their forces, even those needed for base defense.”

Crescent Moon Pavilion’s field commander stroked his beard.

“…Deploy all reserves!”

“Yes!”

The field commander looked down at the alleys where battles were taking place everywhere.

“They value momentum more, even if it means leaving their main base vulnerable.”

***

“Push them harder! Damn it, push them as much as you can!”

With the shout of the Black Bone Faction’s executive, more men moved towards the alley.

“Is it okay even if those who are supposed to guard our main camp leave?”

Another executive expressed his concern.

At first, they just sent a few men to secure an escape route.

However, the problem began when these deployments were perceived as an opportunity for many to escape.

Once they started going in one by one, everyone began to leave the main camp without hesitation.

“At this point, retreating would only cause more chaos! Better to maintain the momentum, damn it!”

The decision reflected the experience of the executive, who had a military background.

“Moreover, aren’t the real fighters going to handle this?”

His gaze turned to the back.

Though hidden by the wall, he visualized the figures of Black Blade martial artists sitting heavily without making a move.

“Hey! Shit, at least take a weapon with you! No, that one’s actually running away! Kill him!”

The skirmish, which had been localized and sporadic, was becoming uncontrollably widespread.

* * *

“Don’t worry about the lack of manpower.”

Se-ah said to the messenger.

“Soon, those I contacted will start arriving.”

The messenger left to deliver this message to the field commander.

“How many do you think will come?”

At the escort’s question, Se-ah smirked.

“A lot.”

She rested her hands on the railing, and continued, “The Black Bone Faction has made too many enemies.”

Before she finished speaking, individuals in various outfits began to join rapidly. As they joined, the tide of battle began to turn once again.

“They all seem quite confident. They’re dealing with the Sword House Bronze Plaque. Aren’t they afraid of the Luoyang Sword House?”

At that, Se-ah hesitated.

“My lady?”

Se-ah gave a bitter smile.

“…Actually, I might have boasted too much that I’d take all responsibility.”

“…….”

The escort stared at her in disbelief.

“Don’t look at me like that. If the Sovereign of Dark Heavens is as formidable as the rumors, we can surely…”

Suddenly, Se-ah felt herself lifted off the ground.

A deafening noise filled her ears, her vision blurred, and she couldn’t distinguish up from down.

“…My lady! My lady!”

When she came to, she saw the escort shaking her vigorously.

“What happened…!”

Behind her, the top floor of the building they were on was partially destroyed.

Then, a laughter that seemed to tear the very air reached them.

With the profound inner power in that laugh, the battles in every alley paused for a moment.

“My lady, look up there!”

Following the escort’s shout, Se-ah looked up to the top of the damaged building.

Through the settling dust, a woman, entirely adorned in red, revealed herself – it was Geumju.

Whether from some ordeal or not, her exposed skin was marked with bright red streaks, emitting tangible waves of energy that made her robes flutter as if they were alive.

“……!”

Se-ah felt chills all over her body.

Even without any martial prowess, Se-ah felt Geumju’s gaze on her.

At that moment, the escort shielded Se-ah, and said, “My lady, whatever happened, that’s not the Geumju we knew.”

Before Se-ah could reply, Geumju’s chilling voice reached them.

“Crescent Moon Pavilion Master!”

The voice was dripping with murderous intent.

“Before he comes, I’ll kill you first!”

The escort pushed a dazed Se-ah.

“Run!”

Se-ah sprinted with all her might without looking back.

“Gyu! You must survive!”

The guard named Gyu unsheathed her sword and shouted back, “It’s the lady who must!”

Se-ah clenched her teeth.

‘Grand young master! Sovereign of Dark Heavens! Where are you, what are you doing?!’

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