Chapter -03
Gray clouds covered the sky, hiding the sunset. Then, from the dark sky, rain began to fall—first in drops, then quickly turning into a heavy downpour.
It was the first true autumn rain in a long time. It rained hard all night.
Grand Duke Khalid Bahir stood under the open sky and held out his gloved hand, catching the cold raindrops. The rain was stronger than expected, but he still arrived early at Raven’s hideout, ready to wait.
When the door creaked open, a figure stepped inside. She pulled back her hood, showing silver hair damp from the rain, shining under the lamplight.
“You’ve arrived?” said the guild captain respectfully. “His Highness, the Grand Duke, wants to meet the purification wizard.”
Khalid didn’t reply. His face was hidden in his hood, and his expression was unreadable. With a single sharp nod, he told them to lead him inside.
“She’s on her way,” the deputy commander said as they guided him to a warehouse. “But… did you really come alone?”
The deputy gave Khalid a careful glance. He had guards, but the Grand Duke came without anyone. For a moment, the deputy considered whether this was a chance. Maybe, if they acted quickly, they could overpower him.
But Khalid noticed the thought in the man’s eyes and let out a small scoff.
When they reached the warehouse, Khalid picked a spot and sat down without ceremony. He pulled his hood lower, hiding his eyes.
So what if I came alone?
We’ll see soon enough if I lose my head or not.
He could feel the curiosity of the Raven members. They whispered to each other, wondering if the purification would work.
“As if this curse is some regular disease,” Khalid thought.
“If we don’t purify him, we’re all dead,” someone muttered.
“Oh, there’s no need to worry,” the captain said nervously, licking his lips. “I checked her myself. You saw the judgment stone, right? She’s real. She’s gifted. You won’t be disappointed.”
The captain smiled weakly, trying to hide his fear. He regretted not bringing the girl himself. That would’ve been safer.
Khalid gave him a sideways look and laughed quietly.
How funny, he thought. They’re so confident now, but they have no idea how long this curse has been eating me alive.
It had haunted his family for generations. His grandfather, and even ancestors before him, had suffered from it. He had tried everything—purification mages, temples, rare rituals. Nothing worked.
Rain hit the roof. Khalid stared at the floor, listening to the steady beat.
If this new purification helps, even a little… I’ll pay them anything. Gold. Silver. Whatever they want.
But is it worth it?
Thunder rumbled through the sky, and the warehouse flashed white before turning dark again.
Beside him, the deputy commander was pale, sweating nervously.
“Should I go get her myself?” the captain whispered, voice shaking.
BOOM.
Lightning lit the warehouse again.
Khalid’s sword was already out.
The blade pressed against the captain’s neck, gleaming under the lamp.
“Guh!”
Khalid’s hood still covered his face, but his killing intent was sharp and thick, impossible to ignore.
“Where were you planning to send your men?” he asked in a cold growl. “As commander, you should be the first to die.”
“N-No! The purification wizard is really coming! I swear!”
“She’s coming? Is this how you Eastern crows do business? Pathetic.”
“No one would be stupid enough to—Damn it!”
The deputy commander cursed and raised his hands.
We should’ve just kidnapped her, he thought bitterly. Forced her to do the job, then…
But right now, all that mattered was surviving.
“Captain!”
“Drop your weapons, idiots!” the captain shouted.
Khalid’s expression didn’t change.
Without hesitation, he pushed the sword forward.
“Ahh!”
Blood trickled from the captain’s neck, staining the blade.
The warehouse went silent. He had actually stabbed him.
This was the Grand Duke of the North—the Black Ghost. He wasn’t bluffing.
The captain clenched his teeth, trying to stay upright.
Then, Khalid pulled back the sword.
A thin arc of blood flew into the air as he calmly sheathed his blade. He crossed his legs and sat down again, like nothing had happened.
“What the…?!”
Drip.
Suddenly, there was a sound at the door.
Everyone turned toward it—except for Khalid.
The door creaked open.
The purification mage had finally arrived.
Everyone stood frozen, still feeling the pressure of Khalid’s black aura. The deputy commander ran to the door.
“You’re late!”
“I didn’t expect this much rain,” a quiet voice replied.
“You’re not getting paid more, you hear me? Just do your job!”
“…Okay.”
Luna walked in, wearing a soaked black cloak. Her hood covered her face, but she looked clearly exhausted.
The squad leader’s face turned red with anger. If she had been any later, someone could’ve died.
Luna didn’t understand what had happened, but she nodded and stepped inside quietly.
The others left the room, some looking back at Khalid with worried glances. The door shut behind them, leaving only Khalid and Luna.
Luna leaned against the wall, her breathing unsteady. Her body felt strange—hot inside, but cold on the surface.
Ever since she purified the judgment stone, something in her had changed. She was sweating, dizzy, and could barely stay standing.
Across from her, a man sat with his hood down low. The pressure around him was sharp and heavy—dangerous.
If she got too close, she felt like she might fall apart.
“Let’s begin,” he said.
His voice was cold, distant—like he expected nothing.
He took off his black gloves and held out his hand.
It was a large, calloused palm.
No warmth. No hope. Just duty.
Luna stared at his hand.
This was her only chance. All she had to do was purify him. But her vision was blurry. Her mind was spinning.
You can’t collapse now.
You have to succeed.
If she failed—if she let Raven down—she wouldn’t be forgiven.
This place already smelled like death. She wouldn’t get another chance.
She took a deep breath and placed her shaking hand into his.
His hand was rough but warm.
The warmth nearly broke her. She was so tired.
Just touching him made her want to cry… and sleep forever.
She focused every bit of strength she had and sent her magic into him.
“Ugh!”
The pain hit her instantly.
It felt like something was grabbing her heart and crushing it.
Her eyes widened. Her whole body shook.
Still, she didn’t let go.
Her magic had to flow. It had to work.
But then… her body started to convulse.
This wasn’t like cleansing a stone.
No. This was worse.
It felt like being struck by lightning over and over.
Too strong.
Too deep.
Too cursed.
I’ve failed…
Rain—or tears—ran down her cheeks.
Her legs gave out.
She fell forward.
And just before she passed out, she saw his eyes—
Pale blue.
Cold as the northern winds.
Watching her.
