The only ones allowed to attend the Shining gathering, held once every six months, were the five individuals closest to becoming the next district leader. It had already been six years since he first started attending that gathering of chosen Shining members.
The day he attended for the first time—an event he couldn’t even dream of when he was living like an insect—he was doused in the filth thrown by the other Shining members. “The trash heap suits you,” they had mocked him. It took him only a single year to crush every one of those who ridiculed him and take the position of the next district leader.
Officially, the position of the next district leader remained vacant, but everyone in District 1 knew the truth. The one destined to succeed Luis Shining and become the new master of District 1 was Vincent Shining.
“Vincent Shining has arrived.”
At the attendant’s announcement, which echoed through the dining hall, the gazes of the other Shining members, who had arrived earlier, all converged on him. Walking inside, he passed by everyone and took his seat closest to the district leader. It had been his designated seat for the past five years—unchanging.
“The man who turned District 1 upside down has finally arrived.”
Joshua, who had left his own seat to approach another Shining member, started his usual provocations—ones that would never get a reaction. Ignoring his petty remarks entirely, Vincent looked at the empty district leader’s seat. As expected, it was vacant.
“I hear you’re getting married soon. But your partner is from District 5. Is that true?”
“……”
“The Omega who gave birth to you was also from District 5, wasn’t he?”
Joshua’s mouth never stopped running, regardless of whether anyone was listening. Vincent wanted to plug his ears, but he knew the moment he showed any reaction, this bastard would assume victory and become even more insufferable. So, he remained calm.
With Vincent’s arrival, all five Shining members were present, yet the district leader himself showed no sign of coming. In District 1, where there was no night, the concept of time held little meaning—but even so, the district leader’s tardiness was excessive.
Normally, he wouldn’t have minded waiting indefinitely. But today was different. That damn mouth of Joshua’s was making him desperate to return to Seo-yul as soon as possible. He was reaching his limit.
“When is Father coming?”
Unable to endure it any longer, Vincent turned to the attendant beside him and asked. As always, the response was that he would be arriving soon. Vincent let out a deep sigh. In other words, no one knew when he would actually show up.
“Hey, are you deaf? Why the hell aren’t you answering me?”
Joshua, having now completely moved over to Vincent’s seat, lightly kicked his leg, trying to provoke him. Vincent ran both hands down his face, rubbing it hard, resisting the urge to reach for the holster at his waist.
As he seriously pondered the consequences of shooting Joshua Shining dead here and now, he ultimately decided to forsake the trivial for the sake of something greater.
If it were any other time, he might have considered it. But now, he had to be even more careful. He couldn’t let a mere rat’s provocation ruin everything.
Regaining his composure, Vincent gave a bright, artificial smile and finally responded to Joshua’s meaningless taunts.
“Don’t act like some brat desperate for attention, Joshua.”
“When the hell did I—”
“Well, Joshua does have a tendency to crave Vincent’s attention a little too much.”
Ina Shining, seated in the fifth chair, sneered at Joshua. The fifth seat was one that changed with every gathering, but for the past three years, Ina Shining had firmly held her place there.
The only female Alpha among the Shining, she had a reputation for doing whatever it took to successfully complete the district leader’s orders—without regard for means or morality.
Though she currently remained in the fifth seat, rumors whispered throughout the mansion that she might soon rise to second. Not that she had any hope of making it to first.
“Shut up, Ina Shining.”
“You shut up, Joshua Shining. Do you even realize how fucking insufferable you’re making this whole situation? Read the damn room, you moron.”
Joshua’s face flushed red from the intensified mockery. Sensing her victory, Ina smirked widely. But Joshua refused to back down and immediately struck back.
“And you think you have the right to talk? You barely scraped your way into the fifth seat.”
“At least I’m not stuck in second place forever because of my incompetence.”
The argument quickly escalated, and soon, both had drawn their hidden guns, driving the confrontation to its extreme.
Watching with his chin propped on one hand, Vincent sincerely hoped that Ina Shining would just put a bullet through Joshua’s skull already. Of course, whatever punishment followed for Ina wasn’t his concern in the slightest.
“Young Master, Young Lady, please, calm yourselves—”
The attendant attempted to de-escalate the situation, but by that point, there was no stopping a Shining who had already lost control.
Just as the two were about to pull their triggers, the ever-late district leader finally decided to arrive, his timing impeccable as always.
“The District Leader has arrived.”
At the attendant’s announcement, all five Shining members instantly erased all traces of the commotion. The room, which had been on the verge of erupting into gunfire, fell into an eerie silence. As if nothing had happened, the five Shining bowed deeply toward the master of the district.
“We greet the master of District 1.”
Unlike the Shining members, who were dressed in full uniforms, the district leader wore only a light button-up shirt. His slightly quickened breath and languid demeanor made it obvious why he had been late. His pheromones still lingered in the air, unsettled.
With a lazy wave of his hand as a halfhearted greeting, the man took his seat, prompting the others to straighten their backs once more. Once everyone was seated, the waiting attendants swiftly filled the table with food. Thus began yet another uncomfortable meal.
“Vincent.”
The man, slicing into a thick cut of meat, called his name. When Vincent responded, the district leader gestured for him to come closer.
Rising from his seat, Vincent approached. The moment he knelt on one knee beside him, the same hand that had just been gripping a fork reached out and lightly patted his head.
Suppressing the urge to twist that hand until it snapped, Vincent lowered his head even further, maintaining perfect composure.
“You did well on your latest task.”
“…I appreciate the praise.”
“There won’t be another son as useful as you.”
At the meaningless words of praise, the other Shining members, who had been moving busily, all froze in place.
Glancing around, Vincent caught sight of Joshua’s utterly twisted expression and barely held back a laugh.
Before Vincent had appeared, this had been Joshua’s place. For over ten years, he had been the most exalted among the Shining, and now he had been relegated to second, forced to watch this spectacle unfold before him. How utterly pathetic it must feel.
Turning slightly to ensure Joshua had a perfect view, Vincent then took hold of the man’s hand that was stroking his hair and lightly pressed a kiss to it.
“Thank you, Father.”
“Perhaps—”
The man started to say something but stopped midway.
Vincent, who rarely saw those unwavering red eyes waver, immediately understood what the district leader was about to ask.
“The District 5 leader and his family are all safe.”
The man raised a hand to conceal the smile tugging at his lips, but being this close, he couldn’t hide it from Vincent’s eyes.
With a sudden urgency, the district leader dismissed him, quickly clearing his throat with a forced cough.
“Joshua.”
His voice, now directed at the other, was ice-cold.
Joshua, who had been trembling like a frightened child, lowered his shaking hands and lifted his pale face to meet his father’s gaze.
“You continue to disappoint me.”
“Father, that’s—”
Joshua tried to explain himself, but at the slight lift of the man’s hand, his mouth snapped shut.
Pressing his fingers firmly against his furrowed brow, the district leader let out a sigh before continuing.
“It was only two weeks. I left you in charge for just two weeks while Vincent was away, and yet even that was too much for you?”
While Vincent had been in District 5, Joshua had been tasked with investigating the religious sect that had long been a thorn in the district leader’s side.
Despite Vincent’s absence, Joshua had been expected to make progress. Instead, in those two weeks, he had accomplished nothing.
Every lead regarding the cult leader’s whereabouts had turned out to be false. Worse, rumors had begun to spread—mocking Joshua for being so easily deceived.
In stark contrast, Vincent had managed to capture one of the sect’s key figures within a single week of starting his own investigation.
“I think it’s best that Vincent resumes the investigation into the terrorist group.”
“But Father, if you just give me a little more time—”
“There’s no need for effort. Only results matter.”
Joshua’s plea was mercilessly cut short, leaving him with no choice but to lower his head in defeat.
Vincent, watching the tips of Joshua’s ears flush bright red in embarrassment—far more vibrant than his dull hair color—lost interest and simply placed a large chunk of meat into his mouth.
“Vincent, you can handle it, can’t you?”
The district leader’s voice was warm again, feigning affection.
It was sickening enough to make Vincent want to spit out his food, but he didn’t let it show.
After thoroughly chewing and swallowing, he flashed a bright smile and responded.
“If it’s what you wish, Father, I’ll accomplish anything.”
