The main hall of the Hong Clan Fortress was steeped in an almost suffocating tension, as if even the ancient stones of its walls bore the weight of the decisive moments that unfolded there. The torches mounted in iron brackets along the stone columns flickered, their restless flames casting shadows that danced like specters, adding an air of unease to the already oppressive atmosphere.
Pao Hong stood before his throne, his expression carved in fury. His disheveled beard and dark hair framed a face hardened by years of ruthless leadership, a visage that inspired fear and obedience in equal measure. Raising a heavy hand, he pointed directly at Chain, his gesture leaving no room for ambiguity.
Pao Hong: "Kill Van."
His voice, as deep and thunderous as a storm, sliced through the hall like a blade.
Chain blinked, momentarily stunned. The man, known for his composure and sharp mind, hesitated for the first time in years. His shoulders tensed under the weight of the command, and he straightened, his expression caught between disbelief and caution.
Chain: "Kill Van, Master?" he asked, his voice quieter than usual, as though seeking confirmation for what seemed an unthinkable order.
Pao Hong's face darkened further, his patience wearing thin. He stepped forward, the heavy thud of his boot against the stone floor echoing through the chamber.
Pao Hong: "Yes, kill Van!" he repeated, his voice tinged with exasperation.
Chain's lips pressed into a tight line, his discomfort plain to see. Before he could formulate a response, Si-U, who had been watching the exchange with arms crossed, seized the opportunity to intervene.
Si-U: "Aren't you going to ask which Van, Chain?"
A sardonic smile played on his lips, his tone casual but laced with mockery.
Chain turned slowly to face Si-U, a frown creasing his forehead. He raised an eyebrow, his confusion evident as he met Si-U's smug gaze.
Chain: "Of course not. It's Si-U's Van."
His voice carried a hint of irritation, as though he were already weary of the situation.
Si-U chuckled softly, shaking his head as if amused by Chain's assumption. Unfolding his arms, he leaned forward slightly, his expression one of playful malice.
Si-U: "You're mistaken, Chain. You're going to kill your Van."
Chain recoiled, taking a step back as his violet eyes widened in shock. The confusion on his face morphed into disbelief, and he swallowed hard before speaking.
Chain: "What?"
His voice rose involuntarily, the absurdity of the claim striking him like a physical blow.
Si-U shrugged, his carefree demeanor unshaken.
Si-U: "Yes, you're going to kill the Van from your own group."
Chain turned back to Pao Hong, his gaze filled with incredulity, silently pleading for clarification. Surely, this had to be some kind of misunderstanding.
The chief remained impassive, crossing his thick arms over his broad chest. His cold, unyielding stare bore down on Chain like an oppressive weight.
Chain: "Master Hong, this must be a mistake."
His voice carried an edge of tension, almost a plea for reconsideration.
Pao Hong narrowed his eyes, then cast a quick glance toward Din, who leaned casually against a nearby wall. Din's scarlet hair gleamed under the torchlight, and his relaxed posture was a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere.
Pao Hong: "It wasn't Si-U who brought me this terrible news."
Din raised his hands in a mock gesture of innocence, though the glint of malice in his golden eyes was unmistakable.
Din: "It was me, Chain."
His voice was almost nonchalant, as though the confession were of little consequence.
Chain spun toward Din, his expression twisting into one of pure fury. His fists clenched at his sides, and his usually composed posture stiffened like a bowstring ready to snap.
Chain: "You liar!"
He growled, taking a threatening step toward Din.
Din, however, remained unfazed. He shrugged, the ever-present smirk on his lips mocking Chain's anger.
Din: "I may be a thief, Chain, but I'm no liar."
Before Chain could close the distance between them, Pao Hong interrupted with a sharp, commanding gesture, his boot slamming against the stone floor with enough force to echo through the hall.
Pao Hong: "Enough! I only care that you kill Van."
His voice was a blade cutting through the escalating tension, silencing the room in an instant.
Chain exhaled deeply, his shoulders rising and falling as he struggled to rein in his frustration. After a moment, he inclined his head in reluctant acknowledgment, though his eyes still burned with a mix of disbelief and contempt.
Chain: "Very well, Master."
Pao Hong's eyes narrowed further, his expression hardening into a mask of authority.
Pao Hong: "Then go, Chain. And don't pretend to be a saint."
With an impatient wave of his hand, he dismissed Chain.
Chain offered a curt, stiff bow before turning on his heel. His footsteps echoed through the stone corridor, each one heavier than the last, until he disappeared into the shadows beyond the door.
The silence that followed was even more oppressive than the tension before. The torches flickered, their light casting restless shadows across the room, but the air was thick with the weight of the command that had just been issued.
Din remained leaning against the wall, his malicious grin firmly in place. Si-U, on the other hand, cast a sidelong glance at his father, his expression a mixture of concern and disgust.
Pao Hong sank back into his throne, his disheveled beard swaying slightly as he let out a heavy sigh. For a moment, the room seemed to breathe with him, the oppressive atmosphere giving way to a brief, uneasy calm.