Ashura slowly turned back.
His breathing remained cold…
…and steady.
His sharp gaze locked onto the man standing behind him.
"…Who are you?"
The man calmly replied while observing Ashura carefully.
There was a strange respect hidden inside his eyes.
"Our boss wants to meet you."
"He'll explain everything."
"Just come with me."
The man slowly turned around and started walking ahead.
Ashura silently stared at his back.
Then whispered under his breath—
"…If this guy is from the government…"
His hand slowly moved toward the blade hidden beside him.
"…I'll cut his head off instantly."
The cold morning wind quietly passed between them.
Ashura quietly walked behind him.
His gaze remained cold…
Sharp…
Locked directly onto the man ahead.
"Do you mind telling me who you are?" Ashura asked calmly.
The man glanced sideways at him while continuing to walk.
"My boss didn't give me permission to reveal my identity."
His voice stayed calm.
Controlled.
As if he was carefully waiting to see Ashura's reaction.
Ashura's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Permission?"
"Who the hell is your boss?"
He slowly pulled the hood off his head.
Cold wind brushed against his dark hair while his expression remained unreadable.
The atmosphere between them quietly became heavier.
Ashura quietly sighed.
His hand slowly shifted toward the blade hidden beneath his hoodie—
Ready to slash the man's neck instantly if needed.
"…Are you from the Dark Owl Gang?"
His cold voice echoed softly through the empty street.
"They've been hunting me lately."
Ashura silently waited for his answer while staring directly into his eyes.
The man calmly shook his head.
"No."
"We're enemies of that organization."
He sighed lightly while continuing to walk ahead.
"After all…"
"Our boss hates them."
The man suddenly chuckled under his breath.
"They keep talking about some supernatural power hiding inside their organization…"
He shook his head slightly.
"Who even believes nonsense like that?"
Ashura's gaze slowly darkened.
But he remained silent.
The cold morning air quietly passed between them while suspicion still lingered inside his eyes.
Both of them finally stopped in front of an old bar hidden between narrow buildings.
The place looked forgotten.
Silent.
Probably the safest location for someone like Ashura right now.
Ashura glanced at the signboard calmly.
"…I don't drink."
"I'm only seventeen."
He stared at the man suspiciously.
The man calmly replied,
"Boss is inside."
He slowly lifted his hand and pressed the bell beside the metal door.
Click.
The door quietly opened from inside.
A cold voice echoed through the small opening.
"Check outside first."
Ashura's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Check who?"
"Just confirm whether we're alone," the man replied calmly.
Ashura silently glanced around the empty street once again.
Then nodded.
"…Yeah. We're clear."
The man stepped aside respectfully and opened the door wider.
"Please come in, Ashura Ji."
His tone unexpectedly carried respect.
That alone made Ashura even more suspicious.
Beer slowly poured into the glass while bubbles floated softly to the surface.
The atmosphere inside the bar felt strangely calm…
…but dangerous.
A purple-haired man lazily grabbed the glass.
His long black coat slightly shimmered beneath the dim lights.
Four expensive rings rested across his fingers while a sharp mocking smile lingered on his face.
Beside him, two women in short dresses clung closely against his arms.
"Ahhh… looks like Mr. Malik likes me more," one woman said proudly while wrapping herself around him.
The other girl instantly tightened her grip on his arm.
"No way."
"He obviously likes me more."
Both women glared at each other playfully.
Malik slowly took a sip of beer before chuckling softly.
"Sorry, ladies…"
"I love both of you equally."
His teasing tone echoed calmly through the room.
"Tch…"
"That's rude."
Both women immediately puffed their cheeks in annoyance while Malik simply smirked in amusement.
"Sir… Ashura has arrived."
The man spoke respectfully while looking toward Malik.
Malik slowly stood up from the couch while adjusting his tie calmly.
"…Where is he?"
The man silently stepped aside.
Ashura stood there quietly beneath the dim lights.
His expression remained calm…
Unreadable.
Malik slowly raised his hand for a handshake.
"I'm Malik Khan."
"Nice to meet you, Ashura."
Ashura silently stared at him for a few seconds.
Then finally raised his hand and shook it.
"…Ashura Rivaan."
His cold gaze locked onto Malik.
"Why did you call me here?"
Malik suddenly smirked in amusement.
"I've heard quite a lot of rumors about Eclipse Blade."
"And honestly…"
"I became a fan."
He casually sat back down onto the couch again.
The two women beside him immediately stared at Ashura coldly.
"You ruined our moment," one of them muttered irritably.
Ashura calmly glanced at them without reacting.
Malik's expression instantly turned colder.
"Girls."
"Give me a minute."
His voice remained calm—
But carried enough pressure to silence them immediately.
Malik slowly poured beer into a second glass before sliding it toward Ashura.
"Cheers."
He calmly raised his own glass.
Ashura lowered his head slightly before sighing softly.
"Sorry, Mr. Malik…"
"I'm underage."
"I can't drink."
His tone remained respectful—
But firm.
The woman beside Malik instantly glared at Ashura angrily.
"You seriously rejected Malik Ji's offer?!"
"You stupid scum—"
Before she could continue—
Malik calmly covered her mouth with one hand.
Silencing her instantly.
He slowly glanced toward Ashura again.
"…Sorry about that."
His gaze quietly met Ashura's.
"I respect your choice."
A faint smirk slowly appeared on his lips.
"To be honest…"
"I thought you were an adult trapped inside a child's body."
"But no…"
"You're still responsible."
"And mature."
Malik leaned back against the couch before sipping his beer calmly.
"…I like that."
Ashura silently stared at him.
Still suspicious.
But now—
Slightly curious too.
Malik slowly raised one eyebrow while staring at Ashura with a faint smile.
"I'm Malik."
He leaned back calmly before continuing,
"…An underworld mafia leader."
A dangerous amusement quietly lingered inside his eyes.
"And honestly…"
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Eclipse Blade."
He slowly sipped his beer.
The sound of the liquid passing through the silent room strangely echoed in the atmosphere.
Ashura calmly stared back at him without changing expression.
"…So?"
"What exactly do you want from me?"
His cold gaze remained locked onto Malik the entire time.
Malik quietly rested his back against the sofa.
Then smiled.
"I'm offering you something."
The room suddenly became silent again.
Even the women beside him stopped speaking.
As if they already knew—
This conversation was important.
"I saw the entire country wanting you dead."
Malik slowly loosened the empty glass from his hand.
Crash.
The sound of shattered glass echoed throughout the silent bar.
Nobody moved.
A smirk slowly appeared across Malik's face.
"I have an offer for you."
He raised one eyebrow calmly.
Ashura exhaled slowly before replying,
"…Then tell me."
Malik leaned forward slightly.
"I'll protect you."
"From the police."
"From the media."
"Even from the government."
The cigarette smoke slowly rose between them.
"But in return…"
"You have to do something for me."
Ashura silently stared at him.
"…What?"
Malik's expression slowly darkened.
"You know the Dark Owl Gang, right?"
Ashura calmly nodded without speaking.
"They're secretly holding three supernatural beings hostage."
For the first time—
Ashura's expression slightly shifted.
Just for a second.
His eyes quietly darkened with discomfort before instantly returning cold again.
Malik silently noticed that reaction.
His smirk slowly deepened.
As if he had just confirmed something important.
"If you bring those supernatural beings to me…"
He calmly placed a cigarette between his lips before lighting it.
"…Then my entire mafia organization will stand behind you."
"No one will even dare raise their voice against Eclipse Blade anymore."
Silence filled the room again.
Ashura quietly exhaled.
Then finally replied—
"…Fine."
"Deal."
Ashura slowly stood up from the couch.
The atmosphere instantly became colder.
His dark gaze locked directly onto Malik.
"But before that…"
"You need to prove something first."
His voice carried a quiet warning beneath it.
"You need to show me whether you're even worthy of my trust."
Malik calmly stared back at him with an amused smile.
"Then tell me."
"What do you want?"
Ashura's eyes slowly darkened.
Then he muttered coldly—
"…Kill Aryan Velryna."
Silence filled the bar.
Even the women beside Malik froze slightly.
"Then…"
"I'll trust you."
Ashura's voice sounded cold as ice.
Not emotional.
Not angry.
Just deadly serious.
For a second—
Malik remained completely silent.
Then suddenly—
He laughed loudly across the room.
A dangerous laugh.
One filled with excitement.
"Sure."
"No problem, Eclipse Blade."
Malik slowly smirked while cigarette smoke rose around him.
As if he had just accepted a game he was waiting for.
Chapter 27 Endes.