Alpha stood before Hong, his face devoid of fear, while the latter remained surrounded by his followers, staring at Alpha as if he were a ghost from a long-forgotten nightmare.
Alpha took a slow step forward and spoke in a low, ominous voice:
"Who sent you? And don't lie to me."
Hong didn't answer. He just stared back, the muscles in his face slowly tightening.
Alpha repeated the question, this time with sharper intensity, his eyes flashing like lightning:
"Who sent you? Don't answer… unless you're ready to die right now."
Before Hong could open his mouth, one of his men lunged forward, shouting with fury:
"Sir! Don't listen to him! We'll protect you!"
He turned to the others, yelling:
"Forward! Kill him! Save the commander!"
The guards surged forward, charging at Alpha with rage burning in their eyes, some already raising their swords.
But then
"Stop."
