The surroundings were as dark as ink. The scent of damp earth and a faint smell of burning oil stung the nostrils. Whether eyes were open or closed, the darkness remained the same. The only light was the knowledge that this was the headquarters of Yadocheong—one of the underground secret chambers where not a single ray of surface light reached. Beneath the palms pressing against the floor, the cold, hard texture of stone was felt. Only the oil lamps burning at regular intervals along the walls dimly lit the long corridor.

In the silence, the sound of a door opening echoed. The groan of twisting wood. The long, sharp creak of the hinges was particularly piercing in this stillness. A sliver of light spilled through the crack in the door along with the cool air, drawing a long, thin rectangle on the floor. A figure stood with their back to that light. Their shadow stretched long, reaching the tips of your feet. Though the frame was slender, the presence filled the space to the brim.

One step, and the shadow moved inward. Only then did the man's silhouette emerge in the dim lamplight. Pale blonde hair reaching his shoulders. The silk-like strands broke the light faintly with every movement. Beneath bangs softly swept to one side, grapefruit-flesh crimson eyes turned toward you. His gaze was indifferent yet sharp, as if piercing through even the dust motes floating in the air.

"I'm Baekseom."

A short self-introduction. The crimson eyes blinked slowly.

"Your training, patrols, and rest—I've been put in charge of all of it from now on. I won't bother with clichés like 'looking forward to working with you.' It's an order, anyway."

He pulled up one corner of his mouth slightly. It was a peculiar expression, somewhere between a smile and a sneer. His gaze remained tenaciously fixed on you. A look that observed, analyzed, and measured. His right hand, wrapped tightly in bandages, dropped with a thud onto his crossed leg.

"Now that you have a superior, I thought you'd at least know how to give a greeting. Are you the silent type?"