A dark shadow glided silently across the night sky.It had the eyes of an eagle and the aura of a predator.
The eagle circled high above a grand golden-lit mansion, observing every detail with predatory precision.
"Hey, sweetheart, are you free to hang out with me tonight?"
"My cute boy, how about a few drinks with me later?"
"Sorry, I'm still a student. And I'm not in the mood for alcohol."
Marcus brushed the girls away with practiced ease, expression cold and unmoved—like someone far too used to attention.Standing nearby, Lunas frowned and muttered under his breath.
'Damn womanizer.'
I stood at the banquet table, a plate of food in hand, quietly watching the scene unfold.On the stage, a group of elegantly dressed guests danced beneath chandeliers, each one glittering with wealth and power.
Just one of their watches probably cost more than two of my entire outfits.
'Rich bastards,' I sighed, glancing around the luxurious hall.
The building itself looked like a blend of medieval European architecture and modern refinement—old-fashioned, but not outdated.The walls were lined with priceless art and finely crafted decorations by master artisans.Every inch of the place—every corner, every light fixture—screamed wealth.Even the restrooms looked expensive enough to make one wonder how much money had gone into the construction.
I took a sip of grape juice, then turned to observe the people who came with me.
Lunas was sitting in a far corner, talking and laughing with Emma.To get in here, he had to go through a fake identity and a full disguise.He wore a red vest decorated with white embroidery, perfectly matching his red-and-black hair and blue eyes.A silver necklace hung around his neck, with a daisy-shaped diamond in the center—an elegant, expensive touch.
The two of them sat together under the soft golden light, chatting like the rest of the world no longer existed.
"So... where were we again?"I asked without even looking at Marcus, who had just walked up beside me.The smell of perfume clung to him like a curse.
"About Lunas calling you his brother?"
Marcus tried to wipe off the perfume scent, occasionally sniffing himself with a grimace.
"Why does he call you 'big brother' anyway? He looks at least two or three years older than you."
"He lost a bet. Plus, I arrived at the orphanage a year before him. That's all."
"…Right." Marcus looked oddly disappointed, for reasons I couldn't understand.
'I mean, what do I even say? That he's copying the way gangsters call their superiors 'brother'?'
"Hehe, look at them—now I know why your ex dumped you."
"Hah, shut up," I grumbled, biting into a cookie.
"They look perfect together, don't they? Like they were meant to be."
"They were friends long before I even met Lunas. And since when are you so into romance?"
"Whatever. Come on, let's grab a drink." Marcus shrugged and led me toward the bar.
He downed his glass effortlessly, looking unbothered, while I was still questioning how someone who "doesn't drink" could look so natural at it.
Then suddenly—
"Marcus!"
"What?" he turned to me, confused by my tense tone.
"RUN!"
"Huh—?" I grabbed his arm and yanked him backward just in time.
CRASH!
A blur shot past us and slammed into the wall.It was a staff member—his face swollen, his uniform wrinkled.
"S-sir, please calm down, what seems to be the—"
Across the room, a furious man in his twenties was standing with clenched fists, red-faced and trembling.
"You bastard! You think you can flirt with my fiancée? You're dead, you hear me?!"
"Darling, stop! Please, it's not worth it!" the woman behind him tried to hold him back.
"Let go! I'll teach this trash a lesson!"
"Sir, please, you've had too much to—ARGHH!"
The poor staff didn't even finish his sentence before another kick sent him flying into the corner.
"Die, you damn dog!"
"Somebody call security!"
"Help that guy, quick!"
Marcus stood watching, exhaling deeply."The Five Finger banquet was supposed to be the best party in this entire city… up until now."
"Drunk idiots," I muttered, scratching my head where my hair gel had been ruined."They should've stationed guards at every corner."
"Hey Marcus, tell those two to head out to the streets for some air. I'll follow in a bit. This party's over anyway."
"Huh? Where are you going?" Marcus asked as I turned in the opposite direction.
"Bathroom. Just a few minutes. Wait for me."
'…'
Marcus shook his head with a half-smile."He's so bad at lying."
I walked past a tall man watching the chaos from afar.He wore a deep violet suit, his expression sharp and cold.
THUD.
I moved fast, reaching for his neck—but a fork blocked my hand in midair.
No hesitation. I kicked at his knee, making him stumble.My other hand slipped into his sleeve, pulling out a dinner knife from his pocket.
I aimed for his side, near the liver,but he blocked it with both hands.
We couldn't use mana here—this was a secret fight,and any mana fluctuation would expose us.That meant one simple knife could end either of us.
He threw a punch. I tilted my body slightly right, the blade narrowly grazing his cheek and slamming into the marble wall behind him.
Crack.
I caught his next kick and snapped his knee with a solid hit.
"Ugh!"
He fell to the ground.People nearby began to glance in our direction.
I quickly knelt beside him, pretending to help a drunk man stand.
Once their attention faded, the fight resumed in silence.
His fork slid from his other sleeve, moving like a serpent—twisting around my arm, heading straight for my chest.I blocked with my left hand.My right hand touched his neck.
Just one touch. That was enough.
The man's eyes widened in realization. He tried to reach inside his vest—but I stopped him first.
Without hesitation, I punched his jaw.A dull crack echoed.
He collapsed, consciousness fading.All he could do was groan weakly as darkness closed in.
I lifted him up, one arm around his shoulder,making it look like I was helping a drunk guest leave the hall.
Behind me, the men in matching violet suits began following.