Laughter echoed through the courtyard as Jin and the rest of the squad finally let themselves relax. The tension of the mission had loosened, and for the first time in a while, things felt… almost normal.
That is, until they heard the squealing.
A group of girls in pristine red-and-white robes — inner disciples of the Thousand Venoms Sect — had gathered like moths around Rak, who stood with arms crossed and his usual scowl firmly in place.
"Oh my god, his hair is perfect!"
"Look at those eyes, like stormclouds and sorrow."
"Kyaa~ he's got the cold, deadly look down!"
Rak clicked his tongue and looked away, but that only made the girls squeal louder.
Dol-Gae stood a few feet away, biting the edge of his sleeve in pure frustration.
"Damn that traitor! Why does he get all the beauties?! I mean, betrayal is fine and all, but good hair too?!"
Jin was already laughing, slapping his knee. "You're just mad your muscles didn't work on 'em."
Dol-Gae huffed, rolled his sleeves, and marched toward the group with as much confidence as a rooster in a lion's den.
"Ladies," he said, flexing his arms, striking a pose. "Did someone say charisma?"
The girls stopped… blinked… then turned back to Rak like he was made of gold.
Dol-Gae staggered back in horror. "I've been… ignored?!"
Jin threw an arm around his shoulder, trying to contain his laughter. "Don't worry, Dol-Gae. There's a girl out there for you."
"Really?" Dol-Gae's eyes lit up.
"Well…" Jin grinned, "maybe in your next life."
The squad burst out laughing again.
Behind them, Mae-Bi approached quietly, catching the tail-end of the exchange. A small smile tugged at his lips — it was rare to see his team this lighthearted.
But that smile faded when Dol-Gae sighed and muttered under his breath, "Too bad it doesn't matter. We're assassins. Love's not in the job description."
Jin's expression shifted.
He stared at the sky and gave a faint, strained smile. "Yeah… we are. But maybe someday it ends."
Dol-Gae glanced sideways. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Before Jin could answer, Mae-Bi clapped a hand on both their shoulders.
"Mission's complete," he said, eyes sharp again. "Time to go."
"Yes, Squad Leader," they said in unison.
Mae-Bi nodded. "Good job surviving today. Let's return the box to the First Pillar."
Jin walked beside him, quietly observing. Mae-Bi looked sharper, more focused—too different from the clumsy slacker he once knew. It made Jin proud… and uneasy.
What happened to him? he thought. What changed him so fast?
As they approached the outer gate of the Thousand Venoms Sect, Mae-Bi stopped cold. Mun-Jae was waiting.
The First Squad Leader stood like a statue in the fog, his presence sharp as a drawn blade.
Mae-Bi stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Greetings, First Squad Leader. Did something happen?"
Mun-Jae's single eye narrowed. "No. I simply came to acknowledge you… Fifth Squad Leader Mae-Bi."
Mae-Bi blinked. He just called me squad leader… so he Acknowledge me.
"Did the Empress request me again?" he asked.
"No." Mun-Jae's tone didn't shift. "I came of my own will. To apologize."
That caught Mae-Bi off guard.
"I detest those who hide strength behind cowardice," Mun-Jae continued. "But I hate even more those who bite back after receiving kindness. So this is my apology—and my warning. You survived her trial. Don't make me regret letting you walk away."
So this is an apology laced with a threat. Mae-Bi smiled inwardly. How very Demonic Cult of him.
"You don't have to worry," Mae-Bi said calmly. "I was trained not to resent my masters. I volunteered for the poison. I endured it."
"What?! You ate poison?!" Jin's voice cracked out, louder than he meant it.
His thoughts scattered. While we were out there waiting? Laughing? He staggered back as the pain hit—like a jagged blade twisting in his chest.
The centipede.
It reacted violently to the surge of anger in him, coiling like a beast, ready to burst. Jin clutched his ribs, eyes wide, body trembling. His legs buckled.
He was going to scream.
A gentle hand steadied his shoulder.
"Jin," Yuri whispered, voice low and sharp. "Don't. Think of something else. Focus. Now."
He bit down on the panic. Forced himself to breathe—think of Dol-Gae whining, Mae-Bi complaining about food, anything but this. The pressure inside his chest began to ease.
But his face was soaked in sweat.
Not from fear.
From hatred.
This cult… this rotten, twisted place. It breaks people for fun. Uses children like tools. And we smile through it like it's normal.
Mae-Bi didn't turn around. He couldn't. If he showed concern now, Mun-Jae would sense it like blood in water. And lunge.
Instead, he kept calm—at least on the outside.
Damn it, he thought, trying not to grind his teeth. Why am I letting this get to me? I'm supposed to be an old soul. A second-chancer. I've lived a full life before. I shouldn't be this easily provoked.
But the truth was, he was provoked.
Mun-Jae wasn't just testing him. He was baiting him.
Mun-Jae watched with his single eye, his aura cold and detached. "Mm. Already trembling? That's not how a squad leader carries himself, Mae-Bi. You're soft. Weak. You won't last."
Mae-Bi's lips tightened. "Is that a threat?"
Yuri stepped in quickly. "Let's go. We finished our mission. This doesn't need to escalate."
Mun-Jae didn't move. His gaze was still locked on Mae-Bi, unreadable. But something about his stillness made Mae-Bi's skin crawl. It wasn't just pressure.
It was disgust.
And that made Mae-Bi angry.
Why does this bastard look at me like I'm beneath him? I'm not a kid anymore. Not someone you can break.
He forced himself to breathe and smiled lightly. "You're right. My mistake for taking it personally."
"Good," Mun-Jae said flatly. "You're learning. Still… I wonder how a piece of trash like you even became an assassin. Or why anyone in the cult thinks you're worth anything."
That was it.
Mae-Bi's hand moved toward his dagger before he could stop himself.
And just like that—ten blades were already at his neck.
Mae-Bi froze.
I didn't sense them. Not one of them. His heart dropped. They're that fast?
He lifted his hands slowly, voice steady. "I don't know what you're trying to prove, but I'm not here to fight. You're disgracing me in front of my team—fine. But let's not pretend this is anything but ego."
Mun-Jae didn't blink. "You're acknowledged by the Second Pillar. And now even your First Pillar takes notice. That means Baek Mu-Gi will acknowledge you soon too."
There it was.
Mae-Bi's gaze sharpened. So that's it.
He smirked coldly. "Ah. So you're still bitter Baek Mu-Gi wiped the floor with you."
Everything stopped.
Mun-Jae's killing intent exploded.
It was like standing in front of a falling guillotine—cold, heavy, and absolutely final. A shockwave cracked the ground beneath him as Mae-Bi threw up a Qi shield, stepping in front of his squad.
"You arrogant little bastard," Mun-Jae hissed. "How dare you speak that name in my face."