The Next day, the cool evening sky stretched in breathtaking hues of purple and orange, casting a soft, dreamy glow over the city. A warm breeze rustled the trees, carrying the distant laughter of children playing in the streets, the hum of cars passing by, and the faint melody of a street performer's tune. It was a night that felt alive, tranquil yet brimming with energy.
The Han-Woo mansion stood like a grand palace at the heart of it all, a masterpiece of wealth and elegance. Towering columns framed the massive entrance, and golden chandeliers sparkled through the tall glass windows, illuminating the vast courtyard. A long, pristine driveway led to the entrance, where luxury cars lined up, each one sleeker than the last. The sprawling estate was adorned with beautifully trimmed gardens, marble fountains, and intricate stone pathways.
The Han -Woo mansion was buzzing with life. Politicians, military personnel,celebrities, some commoners, and family friends mingled under glittering chandeliers. Han Ji-ha basked in the attention, clinging to Do-hyung's arm, a perfect picture of smug confidence.
Ye-rin and Ji-ho arrived fashionably late, Ye-rin had spent a questionable amount of time on her makeup. Stepping out of a sleek black limousine that fetched them from the front of their hotel. Ji-ho wondered why she had left this huge mansion for an hotel, heck it was a million times, better than the shack he used to live in with his mother.
Cameras flashed as the press swarmed them. imposing presence and easy charm turned heads immediately. "Miss Ye-rin , is this your new boyfriend?" a journalist called out.
Ye-rin hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding with a forced smile. "Yes, he is," she replied, taking Ji-ho's arm.
"Are you a model from overseas, or prehaps a top rank officer, " a journalist from the back shouted. "None of the above," said Ji-ho,As he tried to escape the pestering crew, someone in the crowd yanked down his hood. Exposing only his cap, which didn't do much to hide his white hair. This again threw the crowd into a frenzy, "is this your Real hair sir!", one asked. "Of course, it's my Real hair. All eyes was on Ji-ho,and he wondered how he would escape this trouble.
Inside, Ji-ah wasted no time approaching them. Her saccharine smile barely masked the venom in her words. "Ye-rin! You made it. And with a date, no less. How unexpected." Ye-rin's smile was equally fake. "Well, I couldn't let you steal all the attention, could I?"
Lee Do-hyun extended a hand to Ji-ho. "Lee Do-hyun, nice to meet you." Ji-ho hesitated but quickly recovered, shaking Do-hyun's hand. "Seo Ji-ho," he said smoothly.
The exchange ended, but the tension lingered. As the night wore on. Ji-ho shook Do-hyun's hand firmly, his expression unreadable as he quickly recovered from the earlier tension. Ye-rin stood beside him, watching Do-hyun and Ji-ha with an almost imperceptible smirk. Do-hyung finally released Ji-ho's hand, flashing a polite but smug smile.
"Nice to meet you, Ji-ho," Do-hyun said, his tone laced with a hint of condescension. Ji-ha clung to Do-hyung's arm, her lips curling into a saccharine smile that Ye-rin could only interpret as mockery."Likewise," Ji-ho replied flatly, slipping his hand back into his pocket. Are You a foreign model, You do have the stature." He said,rubbing his chin."But still i would have knowned as I'm a top model myself, not only in the country,and u Don't seem like a fighter",as he tried to exmaine the 6'3-foot figure standing before him.
Ji-ho took a foot back from the curious man before him," well you see, I worked at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa, taking care of rescued animals, mostly injured or orphaned ones. Feeding them, cleaning enclosures, and making sure they were healthy. It wasn't glamorous, but it was peaceful."
Do-hyun tried to hide his smile,admist his jealousy. "Then i take it You must be an ascendant..."As...Ascendant,Ji-ho asked. "well yeah, someone who awakened with abilities like me," trying to flex his aura.
"Nope, I guess it's just the risk i take in my job." He grinned. "I guess You're right,seeing i can't sense ur energy. With that, Do-hyun backed down from his numerous question.
Ji-ho turned slightly toward Ye-rin, leaning in as if to check on her, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers with an almost possessive intensity. Ji-ha, noticing this subtle display of closeness, raised an eyebrow. "Well, Ye-rin, it's nice to see you brought someone. You know, family events can be… lonely without company," she said sweetly, her words dripping with venom.
Ye-rin clenched her fists, but before she could retort, Ji-ho rested a hand lightly on her lower back, drawing her attention. His touch was grounding, and it gave her just enough calm to respond with a sly smile.
"Oh, Ji-ha," Ye-rin said, tilting her head slightly, "you're absolutely right. That's why I made sure to bring someone who's more than just 'company.' Ji-ho here is my… everything." Ji-ho blinked in surprise, momentarily thrown off by her declaration, but he adjusted quickly, his lips curving into a confident smirk.
"Ye-rin speaks too modestly," Ji-ho added, his voice low and smooth. "I wouldn't let her come to such an important event alone, Even if it means travelling from the other side of the country, a woman like her deserves someone by her side who truly values her."
Do-hyun's jaw tightened imperceptibly, his gaze flickering between Ye-rin and Ji-ho. Ji-ha's smile faltered for just a second before she regained her composure.
"Well," Ji-ha said, her voice a little sharper now, "you two seem… close. Enjoy the party." She turned, tugging Do-hyun along as she walked away, but not before Ye-rin caught the brief flash of irritation in her sister's eyes. "Why does she seem to have the best of everything,"Ji-ha whispered to herself grinding her lips just enough for a little blood to sip out.
As the couple disappeared into the crowd, Ye-rin exhaled sharply, feeling a rush of satisfaction. "You handled that well," she said, glancing up at Ji-ho. Ji-ho shrugged, his usual aloof demeanor intact. "It wasn't difficult. I'm starting to understand humans."
Ye-rin rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered. "Understanding or not, that was some quick thinking. You really sold it back there." Ji-ho glanced down at her, his expression softening just slightly. "I'm bound to help you, aren't I? Consider it part of our deal."
The playful tension between them was interrupted by Ye-rin's mother calling out from across the room. Ye-rin, darling!" Mi-ryeong's voice rang out, carrying over the lively chatter of the party. Ye-rin turned to see her mother approaching, her father following close behind. The crowd seemed to part for them, their presence as commanding as ever.
Mi-ryeong's radiant smile widened when she reached Ye-rin. "Oh, my dear, you made it! And with a guest, no less." She glanced at Ji-ho, her sharp eyes studying him with curiosity.
"Mom," Ye-rin greeted, stepping forward to hug her mother, "of course I wouldn't miss this. You know I wouldn't hear the end of it if I did."
Her mom chuckled, squeezing her daughter tightly before stepping back. "Well, you've made your father and me very happy tonight." She turned to Ji-ho with an appraising look. "And you must be Ye-rin's…?"
Ji-ho took the cue, straightening his posture and offering his hand with a polite smile. "Seo Ji-ho, ma'am. It's an honor to meet you." Mi-ryeong raised a perfectly shaped brow but accepted the handshake. "Seo Ji-ho… quite a unique name. And you're Ye-rin's… friend?"
"Boyfriend," Ye-rin cut in confidently, looping her arm through Ji-ho's. The word rolled off her tongue more smoothly than she expected, and she was relieved when Ji-ho didn't flinch. "Boyfriend," Mi-ryeong echoed, a hint of surprise in her tone. "Well, it's about time my little pumpkin found someone. Isn't that right, Geon-woo?"
Her father stepped forward.He had broad shoulders and a lot of battle scars,his grey hair matched his light skinned appearance. A broad grin on his face. "Absolutely, It seems our little Yeti have been holding out on us!" He pulled his daughter into a bear hug, lifting her off the ground briefly.
"Dad!" Ye-rin protested,her cheeks red from embarrasment, laughing as he set her back down. Han Geon-Woo turned his attention to Ji-ho, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "So, Ji-ho was it, what do you do?"
Ji-ho hesitated, and Ye-rin's heart skipped a beat, silently praying her dad buys it. "Well I work at an animal sanctuary in South Africa,"he said smoothly, recovering quickly. But right now, I'm here for Ye-rin.
Geon-woo,"Wow,that far huh,I guess you might know Kabelo then," he nodded. Ji-ho hesistated for a split second,he had been doing fine so he continued relying on his luck and he said, "no sir." "Ohh really,thats odd but it's nothing to trouble Your self about. "A person who doesn't know Kabelo, who is he really," he wondered in his mind. "Must be a tough job?" He asked.
"Ohh yeah it is,given i have no Ethereal flow at all," said Ji-ho as he tried to laugh, his hand rubbing his hair. "Well come to think of it, You're right boy," said Geon-woo as he started laughing. Ye-rin had been panicking the whole time."I like you, You're an intresting kid," said Geon-woo as he pulled Ji-ho by the shoulders."How about i get u something strong," he laughed. "Sure, anything sir," Ji-ho replied quite relieved with himself.
"You better Don't get that boy drunk" Mi-ryeong shouted. "Ofcourse, i'll keep an eye on him," he shouted taking Ji-ho away. He tought within himself "Besides I'm curious about this boy, He might not have a single ounce of Ethereal flow, but those eyes are not that of the weak, What an intresting lad.
The exchange went smoother than Ye-rin anticipated, and for a moment, she felt a strange warmth. She wasn't sure if it was because of Ji-ho's seamless integration into her family dynamic or the way he had her back, but she felt herself relaxing.
After 30 mins Ji-ho and Geon-woo came back,"Yetti, his hand on Ye-rin's head."He's a nice young man meanwhile, let me go and change my shirt, can't have a retired Director smelling of booze," he laughed.
After that, Geon-woo left. The once calm Ji-ho started his ranting. "You didn't tell me I'd have to deal with an interrogation," he muttered. Ye-rin smirked. "What, scared of a couple of parents? You're supposed to be a Grim Reaper," she whispered.
Ji-ho shot her a sideways glance, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "Well You're dad is quite terrifying ." Ye-rin stifled a laugh,"i think my dad would be happy a Grim reaper is sacred of him." As they approached the dining area, the glimmer of candlelight reflecting off the polished silverware. The party was in full swing now, with music playing softly in the background and guests mingling.
As Ye-rin introduced Ji-ho to a few more relatives and friends or rather they came to introduce themselves to Ji-ho, Ji-ha hovered at the edges of the crowd, her gaze fixed on them. She leaned in close to Do-hyun, whispering something that made him glance at Ye-rin and Ji-ho with a smirk.
Ye-rin caught the exchange out of the corner of her eye and braced herself. She had a feeling Ji-ha wasn't done causing trouble. Ji-ho noticed her sudden tension and leaned in again. "Something wrong?"
"Just my sister being… my sister," Ye-rin said with a sigh. "Let's just enjoy the night while we can." Ji-ho nodded, but his eyes lingered on Ji-ha and Do-hyung for a moment longer, a faint spark of intrigue in his gaze.
The party buzzed on, laughter and music filling the grand hall.There was a sudden pause in the music as there was going to be an announcement from a young blonde woman. As Geo-won sat down with his wife. The officers present all stood up and saluted showing their respect. Geo-won was a hero to everyone eyes, A Legend who had repeatedly saved the country countless times. They were even rumors the strongest Ascendant in the country respected him.
The blonde woman continued, her voice smooth and confident. "As per the events planned for tonight, there will be a short Exhibition Duel featuring a series of one-on-one matches between the rookie soldiers of EDC, each competing in a single bout. Additionally, a special guest will make an appearance."
Murmurs spread through the crowd. The music resumed, and everyone continued the fun,the room was cheerful once again,it seems everyone knew what was going to happen except from one person.