Shadows Assemble at Am-ja
The first to arrive at the abandoned temple was a slender-built man. He hadn't taken the quickest path to Am-ja. Instead, he'd swung wide to the left, approaching cautiously and slowly. Even after drawing fully near, he showed no intention of entering. His footsteps halted before a massive boulder that overlooked the clearing in front of the temple.
As pre-arranged, the rock was cracked in places like a turtle's shell. He ran his fingers over it, finding faint scratches left behind. This confirmed it was his designated spot. The rear was open, while the front was shielded by the boulder itself. Even if someone else arrived at Am-ja, they couldn't spot him. And if anyone tried a sudden ambush, he could simply leap off the rock and escape.
Satisfied with his position, he held his breath and waited silently for the next arrival.
Soon after, another figure approached from the opposite direction. This one, too, had circled around from a route unrelated to the Dongbeonhoe's base, heading toward Am-ja. His steps were equally cautious and stealthy. As he neared, he slowed to avoid alerting anyone. He stopped behind a thick tree trunk.
Like the first man, his spot concealed him from view while leaving the rear wide open for a quick retreat. He inspected the marks on the bark and his position meticulously, then nodded in satisfaction.
The two earliest arrivals were vaguely aware of each other's presence and locations but exchanged no words. They simply waited quietly for the next participant.
More figures arrived one by one after that. One, two, three, four... a total of six. Each came at precise intervals and from different directions toward Am-ja, so none could directly confirm the others' forms. One perched on the temple roof, another behind a crumbling wall, yet another in the bushes.
All gazed at the empty clearing of the deserted Am-ja, sharing the common trait that they could vanish into the rear shadows at any moment. They knew the others existed but not their true identities. Until now, they'd communicated solely through one intermediary.
The man known as the Shadow. Now it was his turn to appear last.
But something was off. Even after the appointed time, the Shadow didn't show.
The first arrival sank into deep thought. His orders had been clear: if the Shadow didn't appear by the set time, the meeting was canceled.
Something's gone wrong? Should I leave?
He wasn't the only one pondering. Though the time had passed, none of the six gathered made a move to depart first.
Can't wait any longer. I'll go first.
As the man steeled himself and stepped away from the boulder, a voice spoke quietly from the darkness.
"He's late."
The deliberately lowered tone made identity impossible to guess, but it certainly wasn't the Shadow. The voice came from behind the tree—the second arrival.
Speaking before the Shadow arrived broke the rules. It was forbidden. They should all leave immediately.
But the man froze in place, as if waiting for something. Sure enough, another voice responded.
"Indeed. Not like him."
This time, from the bushes.
"Should we disband, then?"
Silence fell. They all knew disbanding was correct. Yet no one took the first step.
After a tense quiet, another voice from behind the temple roof.
"Let's wait a bit longer. We've all secured clear escape routes, haven't we?"
"Agreed. It'd be hard to gather like this otherwise."
The man thought, So I wasn't the only one getting anxious. He decided to stay put and listen to the Mil-ja's conversation.
"Never thought we'd end up gathered like this."
"I figured we'd meet someday. Just didn't expect it to be this thorough and secretive, even here."
"Can't be helped for security. The site selection, the precise timing and methods... very Shadow-like handling."
"You think so? I found it uncharacteristic. The Shadow I know wouldn't gather us like this until the very end."
"He's anxious too, with things going awry everywhere."
"A plan that couldn't fail... Where did it go wrong?"
"Several factors overlapped, but mostly that guy's fault."
"You mean the Yi Gajang brat. Everyone's talking about that damn kid."
Taking comfort in each other's presence, they began to relax, their words flowing more freely.
"What's done is done. Now we focus on making it happen."
"On that note, I've had some ideas. Even discussed it with the Shadow before."
"Using the Dongjeong Lake factions?"
"Exactly. Their complaints boiled over with the prolonged lockdown today. Mostly rough types close to unorthodox ways—if we prod them a bit, bloodshed's inevitable."
"Wasn't that why we started here? Far easier than using Cheongseong."
"Watch your words. One of us might be Jemyeongseon Jangno."
The group chuckled lowly.
"Never imagined Bang Jangno as one of our Mil-ja. By that logic, Je Jangno could be too. If this is all a well-scripted play..."
"The Divine Cult wouldn't take in someone that dim and stubborn."
"You never know. Maybe someone's here we never suspected."
"At this point, even a big shot wouldn't surprise me."
"What about Pung Yeon-jinin?"
Low laughter rippled again.
"That'd shock me."
"Or Yi Gajang's brothers?"
Bigger laughs erupted at the man behind the tree. Even the one behind the boulder couldn't hold back a chuckle. Pretty funny joke.
The talk stretched on. Wariness toward each other had eased considerably. In the pitch-black night, at this perfectly prepared secret spot, assured of anonymity, they delved into specifics—how to paint the event blood-red.
"Solid plan. The higher-up will be pleased."
"We never needed the Shadow anyway."
"Oh? He'll be hurt."
The relaxed group fell silent at once. Someone approached Am-ja from the Dongbeonhoe base direction.
"Finally here."
A mutter, assuming it was the tardy Shadow.
But the approaching figure wasn't. Hard to see in the dark, but the stride depth and lithe form suggested a woman.
Silence deepened. The first arrival thought, Even Ami has been recruited. Impressive reach, pulling in those haughty nuns.
Other sects had women, but few in high positions. It'd be too risky for them here—logical to assume Ami.
Sure enough, she didn't take the Shadow's spot. Like the others, she halted behind cover, sensing the air to count heads.
"Good, no one's left."
Her voice was clear and pure—not artificially altered like the others. Doesn't care if she's exposed?
As the first man frowned, the second—from behind the tree—replied.
"Told you. No one leaves before the Shadow."
"Right at the top of your head."
"Checked the full roster?"
"Of course. You too?"
"Confirmed."
Their exchange was casual, natural—no secrets between them.
The fervent plotters fell into brief confusion. What were they talking about? Why did they know each other, unlike the rest?
Meanwhile, the man behind the tree stepped into Am-ja's center. Leisurely, unhurried steps.
The boulder man tensed. Something unexpected, but best to watch—for now. No one knew his identity yet, and he could bolt anytime.
Moonlight illuminated his bare face as he reached the center. The watchers gasped soundlessly.
The one who'd just plotted world-upending schemes with them was none other than Yi Gajang's youngest, Yi Jinpyeong.
As all stared in silent shock, Yi Jinpyeong, hands clasped behind his back, scanned the surroundings with a grin.
"Alright. Everyone's here. Let's get this meeting started for real."