He Walks Alone in the Moonlight [COMPLETED]

THE BEAST OF BYULRAN

Eunbin stared into the red wine in her glass, swirling it around slowly. Tomorrow, her brother would be departing for the Plains. She'd sent out several letters earlier that evening, but worry continued to gnaw at her. It always did, whenever her brother left the capital. Left the immediate scope of her protection. She set her glass down with a sigh, looking out at the sliver of the starry night sky visible through her window. Her gaze unconsciously wandered to the constellation for Hwang, the complex tower of stars seeming to mock her in their distant isolation. Her view was disrupted as a dark shadow slithered through the window, closing the shutters silently behind it. The black-swathed figure faced her, pulling down their mask as they bowed deeply in greeting.

"I've returned, Your Highness."

Eunbin smiled. "A bit late in the evening, isn't it Lady Chaesung?"

~~~~~~~

The assassin stared at the grinning council member before her as she ran her tongue against the metal of a shining coin. Inhaling through her teeth she tossed the coin back onto the small mountain of money in front of her, sending several coins skittering across the desk.

"So you want me to kill the Crown Prince?" Chaesung questioned as she leaned over the arm of her chair, stretching her back.

"Yes." The council member eyed her with distaste. "I figured you were the best for the job, given your reputation, Beast of Byulran." She gave the councilman a feral grin.

"Do you know why they call me a beast? It is not because I kill people with poison." The council member squinted at her with suspicion.

"Are you refusing my offer? If it is more money you wish for, you can have it."

Chaesung drew back her pant leg, seeming to ponder over the several blades strapped there before choosing the smallest one. The councilman shifted uneasily, casting glances at the door behind him. "I wouldn't be able to kill the Crown Prince outright. That's too risky. And poison isn't my style. Besides, I quite like seeing how his antics make men like you squirm." She sat up in her chair, weighing the knife in her hands. "You'll also find that money isn't the only factor that motivates me to kill. If I don't feel like doing it, I won't do it. If I decide the risk is too high, I won't do it. I may be blood thirsty, but I'm not stupid, understand?" She raised a brow, her dangerous gaze hidden by the cowl of her cloak. The councilman scoffed, gripping the arms of his chair.

    "Now that is just-. You're an assassin! You don't get-" the councilman choked, his hands flying to his throat where the hilt of a thin dagger protruded. Chaesung stood, pulling back her hood and sauntering over to the councilman.

"Maybe you should consider that an assassin wouldn't want a more capable heir, a more capable king, it tends to be bad for business. Also, I need this back." She smiled sweetly as she slid the blade out of the man's throat and wiped it on his shirt as blood bubbled from his mouth.

~~~~~

Chaesung ducked into a tavern, holding the door open to peer at the person tailing her. The assassin couldn't pick out many details through the heavy rain, but the person was small, probably female. Their figure turned around in confusion, trying to look over the heads of the people who were swarming out into the street to collect the rare rain water with various pots and jars. Smirking, she closed the tavern door behind her and walked up to the bar, her shoes leaving wet footprints behind her. Shaking her head she flipped a coin with her thumb, catching it in her palm.

"This nation is going to absolute shit, am I right?" Chaesung said as she cozied up next to the men drinking at the bar. She held her coin out and the bartender took it wordlessly, giving her a porcelain jar in exchange. The other drinkers eyed her cautiously, but one with cloudy eyes spoke up.