Kang Jin-seok, a martial arts prince with a story starkly different from Ji-hoon's, sat amidst the warm, dimly lit ambiance of a small pub, his trusted team members surrounding him. The smell of roasted meat and the murmur of conversations filled the air, creating a comforting, albeit temporary, escape from the constant vigilance his life demanded. Jin-seok's real name was Prince Kim Sun-woo, the second prince of Clistri, a kingdom rife with envy and betrayal.
Sun-woo's journey was one marked by survival and cunning. As a child, he learned early the dangerous nature of envy within his own family. His father, His Majesty of Clistri, decreed that Sun-woo, the second son, would inherit the throne, a decision that sparked deep resentment in his younger brother, Lee. The first son, Chul, shared the same mother as Sun-woo, a mother who had passed away, leaving a void filled by a new queen who bore Lee. The queen, filled with her own ambitions and jealousy, could not accept that her son was overlooked in favor of Sun-woo.
During a grand banquet when Sun-woo was just seven years old, he took a solitary stroll outside. Seizing the opportunity, Lee pushed him into a lake and fled the scene, returning to the banquet hall as if nothing had happened. A guard later discovered Sun-woo's unconscious body floating in the water and rushed him to a physician. From that day on, Sun-woo feigned illness, declaring his frail constitution to shield himself from further harm. The queen's subsequent attempts to poison him failed, as he meticulously checked his food before eating.
Seeking solace and safety, Sun-woo requested to recuperate in a private villa far from Clistri. The king granted his request, and Sun-woo departed, aware that distance alone wouldn't protect him. At the age of nine, he decided to learn martial arts, understanding that strength and skill were his best defenses. He hired Baek-Hyun, a skilled martial artist whose own master was the renowned Han Tae-kwon, though Baek-Hyun never mentioned his master's name.
For seven years, Sun-woo trained rigorously, transforming his body and honing his skills until he too could leave his master's blanket, a phrase signifying mastery. By the age of sixteen, Sun-woo had become proficient, and over the next three years, he gathered trusted followers. He established an arena for horse racing and other games, which served a dual purpose: entertainment and a means of gathering intelligence discreetly.
In recent times, Sun-woo, now known as Jin-seok, heard rumors of the Blood Wing Assassins, a notorious group, but lacked the intelligence to confront them directly. On this particular evening, Jin-seok and his closest allies sat in a cozy pub, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and the clinking of glasses, creating a stark contrast to the tension that usually accompanied their lives.
As they drank and exchanged stories, the pub's door burst open. A girl, clearly distressed and out of breath, stumbled in, capturing everyone's attention. Her entrance disrupted the jovial atmosphere.
"Na-ri?" Ji-hoon's voice called out anxiously.
"Hmm, I'm checking if we lost him," Nari replied, her voice strained with urgency.
"Na-ri, answer me, you goddamn wench!" Ji-hoon shouted.
"What did you just call me?" Nari snapped back, irritation flaring as she faced Ji-hoon.
Ji-hoon pointed behind Nari, her expression urgent. Before Nari could react, she turned to find herself face-to-face with a group of men engaged in a lively gathering.
"What is—" Nari began, taken aback by the unexpected encounter.
"Who are you talking to?" one of the men asked, eyeing her with curiosity.
Realizing the awkwardness of her intrusion, Nari forced a nervous laugh. "Sorry for the intrusion. I'll just leave—"
"Where do you think you're going?" another man interjected sharply.
Caught off guard, Nari glanced around uncertainly until a young man stepped forward from the group.
"That's enough, guys. You're scaring her," he said with a reassuring smile.
Nari blinked in confusion, studying his features as she tried to compose herself. His demeanor was unexpectedly kind amidst the tension of the moment.
"Good evening, dear sir. I apologize for interrupting your party," Nari began, her voice formal yet tinged with sincerity. "I hope you understand. I was just—"
"Come in," the young man interrupted smoothly, gesturing for her to enter without hesitation.
Nari hesitated briefly, assessing the situation. It was clear she had stumbled into a gathering of locals, perhaps a private affair, and her presence had disrupted their evening. Yet, the young man's demeanor offered a semblance of hospitality that softened her initial apprehension.
"Thank you," Nari replied graciously, stepping forward cautiously. She glanced back momentarily, meeting Ji-hoon's spectral gaze with a silent exchange of reassurance before turning her attention back to the young man.
The atmosphere was tense yet tinged with a curious anticipation, as if they were awaiting an explanation for her unexpected intrusion. The man led her into a small room.
The young man who had invited her in stepped closer, his expression calm yet inquisitive. "Forgive my friends' curiosity. We don't often receive visitors here."
Nari nodded politely, grateful for his understanding. "I appreciate your hospitality. I assure you, my intrusion was unintentional."
"Of course," he replied with a gentle smile. "Please, join us. You're safe here."
Despite the lingering tension, Nari felt a measure of relief at his words. She settled into a seat offered by him and another man brought them drinks.
As the evening progressed, Nari listened attentively as the young man explained that their gathering was an informal celebration of a successful project, a rare occasion of camaraderie.
"I apologize again for disrupting your evening," Nari said sincerely, feeling a pang of guilt for intruding on their private moment.
The man waved off her concerns with a smile. "No apologies necessary."
The warmth in his demeanor eased Nari's apprehension, and she found herself gradually relaxing in the company of strangers turned acquaintances. Their conversation drifted to lighter topics, momentarily relieving the tension of the night's events.
As the night wore on, Nari couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the man.
Ji-hoon who had been watching all of them attentively cleared her throat, trying to catch Na-ri's attention.
" Don't be so care-free, or feel at ease unnecessarily. You haven't even asked the man's name yet. And I sense some powerful Ki from him".
Immediately Ji-hoon gave her warning, Na-ri's expression changed.
"Who are you?" she asked, her tone carrying an edge of suspicion.
Jin-seok, maintaining his calm demeanor, smiled at her question. His eyes, however, were sharp, assessing her quickly. "Then who are you?" he countered, his voice smooth and composed.
The room's atmosphere shifted subtly, the camaraderie giving way to cautious curiosity. Jin-seok and Na-ri were the only one's in the room.
"I am Ji-hoon from the Kwon sect," Na-ri replied, her voice firm despite her obvious fatigue.
Jin-seok's smile widened slightly, an expression both welcoming and wary. "I am Jin-seok," he responded, choosing his words carefully.