11. The Next Leader of District 1
The emerging religion “Night,” which denied humanity’s moon, had become a major problem in District 1. At first, they merely held sit-ins on the streets and gathered for obscure meetings with their followers, but their actions grew increasingly violent by the day.
It started with them throwing all sorts of filth at the walls protecting the estate. The district’s master dismissed it as nothing more than childish tantrums, brushing off Night’s acts of terror.
However, as Night’s believers multiplied at an alarming rate, they managed to infiltrate the estate—once thought to be completely cut off from the outside world—seeking to bring down humanity’s moon.
Because of them, a massive blackout had already occurred three times. The damage suffered by District 1 was beyond imagination, and at last, the district governor lost patience and decided to eradicate Night.
But nothing was known about Night’s leader—not their name, appearance, gender, or age. The ten elders also constantly changed their identities, making it nearly impossible to track them.
Still, the leader of Night was human in the end. Somewhere, there had to be traces left behind. After a relentless pursuit, the governor finally began capturing individuals suspected to be Night’s leader.
But all his efforts were in vain. The painstakingly compiled list turned out to be useless, and in the meantime, Night had grown even stronger—triggering a fourth blackout.
“At first, they worshiped it like humanity’s blessing, and now they’re begging to return to the darkness. Isn’t that funny?”
The district master spoke with a bright smile.
Vin nodded, ignoring the throbbing pain in his cheek. He hadn’t managed to dodge the object that came flying at him upon entering the office, and it had struck him in the face.
Even after seeing his bruised and battered face, the district master didn’t offer a single word of apology. Vin raised a hand and quickly wiped the torn edge of his lips. Thick blood stained his fingers.
“Joshua has achieved nothing these past two weeks, but I expected better from you. Unlike the other Shining siblings, you’re competent.”
“I failed to meet your expectations—”
“Don’t say you’re sorry. It only makes me angrier.”
The man cut him off, his face twisting in irritation. Vin obediently shut his mouth and lowered his gaze. His anger was rising, but he couldn’t afford to show it in front of this man. He reminded himself of all the times he had endured until now, and soon enough, he regained his composure.
“Vincent.”
Hearing his name, Vin lifted his head and followed the gesture calling him closer. He knelt on one knee, and a large hand gently stroked his bruised cheek, as if asking whether it hurt. As if that were even a question.
“Do you remember the promise we made when we first met?”
Of course, how could he forget? When his attempt to return to Seo-yul had ended in failure, he had been thrown into a pitch-black underground cell. He was dying, tormented by thirst and suffering, when the district master appeared before him and said:
—Defeat the other Shining siblings and rise to the top. Then, I will give you what you desire.
Driven by the single-minded determination to see Seo-yul again, Vin took the district master’s outstretched hand—even though he knew he was walking straight into a hell far more wretched than anything he’d endured before.
So he buried his longing, killed off his emotions, and in the end, discarded even himself. He became exactly what the district master wanted—the most superior of all the Shining. And in return, he got what he wanted. He got Seo-yul back.
“Yes, I remember.”
“Good, then.”
When the district master spoke of the most superior Shining, what he really meant was grooming a successor to take his place as governor of the district. But Vin had no noble lineage, no elders backing him from behind. If he was to silence any objections, he would have to see the matter with the Night cult through to its absolute end.
“If you want to protect that boy, you’ll have to work hard for it.”
The moment he brought Seo-yul back, he had essentially placed another leash in the district master’s hands. The man knew Seo-yul was an Omega, which meant that if Vin made a single wrong move, he could use that as an excuse to cast him out of the district. So, if he truly wanted to protect Seo-yul, he had to become the district master. He needed power—enough that no one would dare lay a hand on Seo-yul, even if his status as an Omega was revealed. Power strong enough that not even the district master himself could touch him.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Pushing away the hand still resting on his cheek, Vin bowed deeply. As he carefully rose and stepped back, the district master waved him off impatiently, gesturing for him to leave.
Once he finally escaped the suffocating office, Vin loosened the tie that felt like it was choking him. He attempted to undo the top button of his shirt, but his fingers kept slipping. Frustration mounting, he finally yanked it off roughly.
“You should really act a little more refined. What if someone sees you like that?”
Ina smiled as she picked up the button that had rolled across the floor. Vin, his expression turning cold now that he no longer had to keep up appearances in front of the district master, made to walk past her without a word.
But she caught his arm, forcing him to stop. He shot a sharp glare at the hand gripping him, but instead of recoiling, Ina stepped in front of him, blocking his way entirely.
“What happened to your cheek?”
Only now noticing the deep bruise marring one side of his face, she frowned. Vin instinctively raised a hand to cover it but quickly realized it was pointless and lowered it again.
“That’s none of your business, is it?”
“Damn, that’s gonna last a while.”
Ignoring his dismissal, Ina reached out toward the bruise. Vin immediately pulled back, dodging her touch. Seeing how completely he rejected her, she hesitated for a moment before casually hiding her hand behind her back, as if nothing had happened.
“Well, that’s your problem. But we still have unfinished business, don’t we?”
“What the hell are you—”
“Our contact. The collaborator issue.”
At that, Vin recalled their previous conversation and let out a deep sigh. He had assumed it was settled, but apparently, things were still in motion.
Brushing off her grip, he closed the distance between them first. Startled by his sudden invasion of her personal space, Ina instinctively tensed, her guard going up.
Bending down, Vin glanced around, ensuring there was no one else nearby before whispering into her ear.
“Make it to the second rank, and then I’ll consider it.”
People liked to say that Ina Shining had a chance to surpass Joshua and claim the second rank. But unfortunately, that was impossible. Ina’s color was simply too faint.
“The second rank—”
Ina’s face twisted the moment she grasped his meaning. Shining always carried an innate inferiority complex about their colors. And he had just prodded at that wound. Of course, she wouldn’t take it well.
Vin figured she’d take the hint and walk away, but instead, she grabbed him by the collar. Forced to bend to her eye level, he came face-to-face with the dim flames burning in her gaze.
“If I make it to second, why wouldn’t I aim for the top?”
“Then go ahead and try.”
Vin easily brushed off her obvious provocation. Ina barely stopped herself from swinging a fist at him. His brilliantly vivid flames seemed to sneer at her, saying she could struggle all she wanted, but she’d never reach where he stood.
She knew that already. She had fought like hell to reach fifth place, but going any higher was nearly impossible. Her color was too faint by birth, and being a female Alpha only made things harder.
That was why she had changed her approach. If she couldn’t claim the top, then she would survive by standing beside the one who did. She wasn’t like the other Shining.
She would never be “disposed of.”
“Can’t even take a joke,” Ina muttered, letting go of his collar and reclaiming her usual composure.
As Vin brushed off his now-crumpled shirt, he caught the slight tremble at the corner of her lips. If she wanted to act unfazed, she should at least do it properly. How sloppy.
“There’s a rumor that at this year’s District Day, the next district governor will be announced.”
Vin’s brow arched at that. Seeing that her information had finally gotten his attention, Ina grinned and tapped his arm. Instead of answering, he turned his gaze toward the office he had just left.
For reasons unknown, the district master had continually postponed the announcement of his successor. Unofficially, Vin was already considered the next in line. But official and unofficial held very different meanings.
—What’s the point of all that devotion? Don’t you get why Father keeps delaying the announcement? You’re just a disposable pawn, you son of a bitch!
Joshua’s words were bullshit. Vin knew that. But even so, he needed certainty. With no elders backing him and no faction of his own, all he had to rely on were the district master’s habitual reassurances.
“I’ve come this far. Might as well see it through, don’t you think?”
Ina was the first to extend her hand. Her small, pale fingers were marred with rough scars. He had heard the rumors about how she clawed her way up to fifth place.
It hadn’t been easy for her, either.
Only then did Vin realize what he had sensed the first time he spoke with Ina Shining.
Recognition.
For the first time, he saw a reflection of himself in someone else.
“Hey, my arm’s getting tired.”
Ina grumbled impatiently.
Vin shook off the unnecessary thoughts and grasped her hand.
For the first time in this mansion, he had gained an ally.
