The masked man stood above the chamber, his dark cloak unmoving despite the wind that howled through the broken windows.
Blue flames trembled.
Rain struck the stained glass in sharp, relentless bursts.
The entire hall waited for his judgment.
His voice echoed through the chamber like a final sentence.
"Junyu, you have been penalized with the death penalty. It will be carried out at the last hour of the Black Meeting."
A cold silence followed.
Salim lowered his head.
Junyu stood motionless.
No anger.
No fear.
No expression at all.
Around them, the nobles erupted into whispers.
"I think he was framed."
"But the evidence was found in his pocket."
"He had the poison."
"What if he really killed Aurex?"
The voices rose and fell like a storm trapped inside stone walls.
Guards seized Junyu's arms and began leading him away.
Chains rattled across the marble floor.
Just before reaching the door, Junyu stopped.
"One wish."
The guards hesitated.
"I want to speak with Salim one last time."
The chamber grew quiet again.
Salim stepped forward.
Junyu looked directly into his eyes.
"Hey, Salim."
His voice was calm.
"Don't try to free me. I accept it."
The words felt wrong the moment they left his mouth.
"I don't want the group to suffer because of me."
He forced a faint smile.
"And I give you the title of captain."
Salim stared at him for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
"Okay. I won't."
Junyu blinked.
What? He accepted that too quickly.
Salim's expression did not change.
If I argue, he'll stop me. He wants me to save him. I will save him.
Junyu's eyes widened slightly.
He understood me.
A silent conversation passed between them.
I know you don't want to die.
I know you're coming for me.
Junyu slowly extended his hand.
"I understand."
Their hands clasped tightly.
For a brief second, the noise of the hall disappeared.
Then the guards pulled Junyu away.
THE UNDERGROUND PRISON
The descent felt endless.
Cold stone steps spiraled deep beneath Noctharis Castle.
The air smelled of rust, saltwater, and damp earth.
Iron doors groaned open one after another.
At the final cell, the guards shoved Junyu inside.
He stumbled, then turned toward the narrow barred window.
Far above, through layers of stone and darkness, he could barely see the distant glow of the castle.
And for a moment—
he saw the silhouettes of his crew.
Mil.
Katsa.
Ikiro.
Ton.
Michael.
Salim.
Maybe for the last time.
Junyu pressed a hand against the bars.
Stay alive, he thought.
The iron door slammed shut.
CLANG.
The sound echoed through the prison like a coffin being sealed.
Back in the hall, a noble raised his voice.
"What if they attempt a prison escape?"
Salim listened carefully without lifting his head.
The masked man answered immediately.
"This castle was not built by us. It was built as a prison long before the Black Meeting existed."
His voice carried absolute confidence.
"It possesses every security measure imaginable."
Blue runes flickered briefly along the walls.
"There is no possible way for him to escape."
Salim memorized every word.
Every entrance.
Every guard position.
Every weakness hidden inside that certainty.
Without speaking, he turned and walked back toward the crew's chamber.
THE HIDDEN PASSAGE
Far from the grand hall, behind a wall that appeared to be solid stone, a narrow passage opened.
The man who had framed Junyu slipped inside and hurried through the darkness.
Torchlight flickered along the hidden corridor.
At its end waited a circular chamber.
Seven masked figures stood in silence around a black table.
A moment later, the masked host entered.
The room instantly straightened.
He spoke a single word.
"Inkstone."
One by one, the figures removed their masks.
Pale faces emerged from the shadows.
The host smiled for the first time that night.
"It was a success."
He looked around the chamber.
"Aurex is dead, and not a single person suspects us."
Laughter echoed softly.
"They all believe the Dog did it."
His smile widened.
"We framed him perfectly."
One of the men leaned back in his chair.
"Didn't we, Dom?"
Another figure answered with a grin.
"We did very well, Morgan."
The torchlight danced across their faces.
"After all…"
His eyes gleamed.
"We are Organization X."
The room fell silent.
Outside, thunder rolled across Noctharis Isle.
Morgan placed both hands on the black table.
"And now this meeting belongs to us."
No one objected.
"No one can challenge us anymore."
The flames burned darker.
"It is going to become a bloody hell for everyone."
Slowly, all seven members raised their hands toward the center.
The masked host raised his own last.
Together they spoke:
"TO: MISSION X."
ACT 1 BLACK MEETING ENDS