When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 1
Chapter 1 - Prologue
In this world, there existed three realms: the Human Realm, inhabited by humans; the Mystic Realm, inhabited by mystic beings; and the Underworld, where the dead resided. These were the Three Realms.
The mystic beings resembled humans in appearance, but were far more beautiful.
They accumulated spiritual power within their bodies, enjoying extraordinarily long lifespans, and possessed the ability to transform into animal forms using this spiritual power.
Occasionally, they would cross over to the Human Realm and perform great miracles. Humans referred to them as divine beasts.
Within the Mystic Realm, seven clans—Ju, Cheon, Baek, Jang, Kang, Jin, and Yeo—were divided based on lineage.
Among them, the highest-ranking was the Ju Clan.
The Ju Clan were descendants of dragons, ruling the Mystic Realm since its inception.
Possessing clairvoyance and various other powerful abilities, they governed the Mystic Realm with fairness and benevolence, earning the allegiance of all mystic beings.
The mystic beings, led by the Ju Clan, believed these days would continue forever.
Creeeaaak.
The sound of an iron door opening echoed loudly in the filthy cell. However, the woman lying on the grimy floor didn't move a muscle.
Her fingernails and toenails had been ripped away from prolonged torture in the cell.
Her ebony hair, once meticulously cared for, was now matted with blood and filth.
Her face, always elegant and composed, was devoid of color.
The person who entered the cell looked down at her pale, corpse-like face and commanded, “Infuse her with spiritual power.”
Following the order, the guards infused the collapsed woman with spiritual power.
As power surged through her body, the woman's lifeless eyelids fluttered slightly. The lips of the observer curled into a smirk.
“Leave us. Oh, before you go, bring a bucket of ice water.”
The confidently commanding figure wore exceedingly ornate clothing.
A divine dragon, embroidered with gold thread, adorned the crimson silk, the symbolic color of the Ju Clan. It was a ceremonial robe that only one person in the entire Mystic Realm could wear—the head of the Ju Clan.
The guards returned with a large bucket filled to the brim with water.
"Pour it."
Splash!
The icy water cascaded over the unconscious woman's body.
Forcibly infused with spiritual power, Ju Sehwa awoke, her parched body trembling.
“Leave.”
The guards hurriedly exited the dungeon.
The distant thud of the closing door echoed.
After confirming that no one remained in the cell, Sa Yeonju opened her crimson-painted lips.
“Sister.”
“……Yeon, Yeonju?”
Ju Sehwa's dark eyes darted around wildly. The relentless torture had damaged her senses, leaving her perception fragmented.
Thanks to the spiritual power forcefully infused by the guards, she had only just regained the ability to faintly hear and speak.
“You need to be able to see, at least.”
Sa Yeonju retrieved something from her sleeve and pressed it against Ju Sehwa's forehead. It was a Spirit Orb, spiritual power materialized into a spherical bead.
The small, red bead melted away on the soiled skin.
Simultaneously, Ju Sehwa's vision gradually cleared.
“Awake now?”
Recognizing the person before her, Ju Sehwa scrambled forward in shock.
“Yeonju, you, you came.”
She desperately reached out to Sa Yeonju, asking,
“Yeonju, what about Father and Mother? What happened to them? What about my two older brothers? Are they all alive?”
Her hoarse voice escaped her pale lips.
Ju Sehwa's soiled face softened as she looked at her cousin, who had been closer to her than anyone.
“Yeonju. Yeonju. Please get me out of here. Please get me out.”
Unable to contain herself any longer, Sa Yeonju burst out laughing.
“……Yeon, Yeonju?”
“I never knew I could be this happy. I knew it would be good, but I never imagined it would be this good.”
The corners of her bright red lips curved into a smile that sounded almost like a moan.
“I’ve been dying to see this face. Ah. Truly. Finally. My wish has come true. It’s worth descending to this filthy place just to see this face.”
Click-clack. The clear sound of footsteps echoed sharply in the cramped cell as she approached Ju Sehwa.
“How did you endure five years in this prison, Sister? It’s truly amazing. Perhaps dungeon life suits you? I would have died from the hardship.”
“…….”
“Well, that all ends today.”
The cell was devoid of light except for the occasional lanterns brought by the guards.
The dark, filthy cell. The foul-smelling floor. Her cousin lying on the ground. Her damp face and gaping mouth. That bewildered expression and gaze.
Sa Yeonju gazed at it all with rapt fascination, adding,
“You asked what happened to your father and mother? What about your two brothers? Didn’t you know? Your entire family will die today. They’ll be dragged out like dogs in front of all the clans, then beheaded. It's quite fortunate, isn't it? Your family will be together in the end.”
“……Yeon, ju.”
“There’s no need to look at me like that. You were always destined to end up like this.”
Her upper body, adorned with numerous ornaments, slowly bent down.
As if wanting to imprint her final expression in Ju Sehwa's blurred vision, she drew close, her eyes gleaming with a bright smile.
Her voice, filled with exhilaration, flowed freely.
“So, it would have been better if you had died in the Baek Clan. I sent you there with that purpose in mind, you know.”
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