𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐑, 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 ✰ 𝐥𝐣𝐧

CH. 8

"My name is Mark Lee, the director of the Royal Military Department. Although I'm sure you two have known who I am from your boss." He said, smiling at the two supposedly mafiosos.

Hyunjin nodded. "Yes, we're very thrilled about the temporary working contract."

"Likewise. Which is why, today I invited you to here to discuss some matters. I'm heading to Caelestis Caelum after this, so we have approximately 45 minutes."

Haneul took a sip of her champagne, heart pounding upon hearing the name. Caelestis Caelum; the Private Military Headquarters located in the 3rd district. The name came from Latin, which means heavenly heaven. The reason it was named that was because it was where they keep every possible information a human being could ever know.

There were two forbidden districts. The first one is the 21st district, but Haneul had visited that district multiple times before. The second one is the 3rd district. The security was very scrupulous and meticulous, only people that were approved by the government can enter— People like Mark and his brothers.

"Jeno, you can take over now."

Jeno nodded his head, taking out the papers from his briefcase.

"Regarding the deal that I have previously made with Haneul, we will proceed to this mission under a few terms and condition," Jeno addressed, handing the contract paper to everyone.

He took one paper for himself. "First of all, as Haneul said, she agreed to help capture Son Hyunjoo as long as she gets to kill her. As soon as we arrest her, we will take her to the Queen first then she's all yours to kill,"

They all nodded, agreeing with the first term.

"I will solely work under my brother, Mark, and you two will exclusively follow instructions from me, Mark, and your boss. Any other party that could possibly hinder our mission will be removed at once," he continued.

"Lastly," he cleared his throat. "I will not hesitate to arrest, or in worst case possible, execute any of you if you do not follow the terms and condition."

Haneul nodded, keeping her usual demeanor. "Alright."

"Good, please sign the contract. I will keep these as proof of our alliance."

No matter how she tried to put it into words, it still sounded ridiculous to her how the Royal Military managed to work with the mafia. Nevertheless, she understood his objective. 

In order to defeat the demon, one needs to be the devil. But if he can't be the devil, then he needed someone else who could- her.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Looking up at the lonely moon, her soul was somehow sent to peace by the brisk breeze. She stood right on top of the highest level of the Noir Mafia building- the rooftop. Her long, black trench coat moved against the wind, and so did her short hair.

The singularity of this night made her feel tranquil. She has worked in this organization for quite a long time, long enough for her to finally be the executive. She adored her job, although it wasn't the most pleasant job. It was something that she knew she was good at.

At the end of grey reality, darkness called her again. Even though it was her start line, she couldn't see anything upon her- nothing but pitch black.

She was doing a marvelous job. Even her boss, Wonwoo, admitted to the fact that the Noir Mafia had never been this successful before. They've finally reached their peak. But why couldn't she feel relieved?

Her demeanor remained serene, yet something inside her was screaming something else. It was craving for help, begging for mercy. 

"Haneul," a voice called. "I told you not to stay here, it's cold."

She turned around, looking at her one and only trusted friend. Though they bicker a lot, he was her only friend.

Hyunjin stood beside her, looking at the dazzling moon. They came from the same orphanage so they practically grew up together. He was a year older than her, so somehow he became a brother figure to her. He had always wanted a little sister too and when she came into the picture, it was just perfect for him. 

Until they both got recruited by the mafia.

They were turned into the deadliest and the most nefarious human beings who owned the night-time. They weren't exactly heartless, as they were previously exposed to the light. But they soon found themselves buried hundred thousands of miles underground, not a single gleam of light could seep through.

Hyunjin took out a bar of cigarette, lighting it up with his match. 

"How'd you know him?" She suddenly brought up.

He knew who exactly she's talking about. Ever since their first encounter, Haneul had noticed something odd. It was as if Jeno had known Hyunjin before he gave them a surprise visit.

"I killed his ex classmate." He stated casually, blowing out his cigarette.

"Well that doesn't sound pleasant."

Hyunjin chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh yeah trust me, it's not. If it wasn't for Wonwoo's deal with the government he'd probably lock me up. At least they weren't that close, those aristocrats annoy me."

Even until this day, none of them know why and how their boss managed to make a deal with the government. They must've had something in common, a specific goal to achieve that would put them both on a win-win situation. Haneul just couldn't wrap her mind around it yet, the pieces of information was all over the place.

"What do you think their deal is?" 

Hyunjin shrugged. "Probably something immense and meticulous. Knowing Wonwoo, we both know that only one thing that could possibly push him far enough until that point."

He was right, there's only one thing that Wonwoo would always put first against everything. "The performance and well being of Noir Mafia."

"Indeed, he always puts the organization first." Hyunjin agreed.

He was indeed an excellent leader. Not only he was excellent with strategies and planning, he was also capable of taking down his enemies in a matter of seconds. He always weights the gains and losses of his decisions, choosing the optimal solution for the organization as a whole.

It was true Haneul was the one who made the most contribution to the mafia, but if it wasn't for Wonwoo's strategy in giving orders, the mafia wouldn't be as successful as they were.

The mafia was at its peak because they had the perfect balance between the head and the roots- the functioning organs of the body.