Chapter 6: Sunai Shader

The moon hung low in the velvety sky, casting an ethereal glow upon the Shin family manor. It was a place steeped in history and power, resonating with the whispers of generations. Inside, five figures gathered in a dimly lit chamber, the air thick with anticipation. They were the custodians of the great families in the original world—Shader, Pyan, Shin, Fall, and Tan each with a legacy rivaling the other. Among them, Shader stood out as the apex, his influence echoing through the corridors of time.

In the heart of the clandestine meeting, Shin, with an air of authority befitting his status, spoke with a voice cold as the wind that swept through the manor. He sat at the center, a figure adorned with the weight of years. A half mask, reminiscent of an eagle, obscured part of his face, adding an enigmatic aura to his presence.

"My daughter, Zara, has reached the age of eighteen, and the time has come to select a suitor worthy of her station," Shin declared, his words cutting through the stillness.

The corners of the room were shrouded in shadows, and from one such corner emerged a voice, its timbre hollow and haunting. A pale, thin figure offered a suggestion with an empty gaze, "What about Sunai Shader? A prodigy within the family, is he not?"

Shader's response was swift and decisive, "Sunai is a commendable choice, but he serves as a support, not a warrior. I am reluctant to see my daughter paired with one who cannot defend her."

A third voice interjected, its tone contemplative, "Sunai may be labeled as support due to our lack of witnessing his combat prowess. How about we put his skills to the test?"

The decision was made, resonating through the dimly lit chamber. "Tonight, we shall assess Sunai's mettle. An awakened assassin will serve as the crucible, leaving him gravely injured but not lifeless. I shall ensure his survival. We dare not incur the Wrath of Shader," declared the central figure, his laughter echoing with an unsettling blend of amusement and menace.

In the quietude of the Shader family manor, Sunai strolled through the moonlit garden, the tranquility shattered by his mellifluous voice singing a haunting melody. His pale countenance, masculine form, and robes dancing in the moonlit breeze painted a scene that could enchant the most indifferent of souls.

Yet, in the same instant, a shadow crossed Sunai's path, alerting his senses. A figure materialized five meters away, wielding a scythe. The assassin, tall and cloaked in a red robe, wore a mask, and blood dripped from the scythe a dark prelude to the impending confrontation.

The moon bore witness as the clash unfolded an elegant dance between life and death. Sunai, armed with a double-edged sword, faced the assassin, whose malevolent laughter reverberated through the night. The struggle was intense, a showcase of skill and power. Ten minutes passed, leaving Sunai battered and bruised, his two-star strength paling against the assassin's three-star might.

Defying the odds, Sunai vanished from sight, reappearing in a flurry of motion. The intense duel continued, each strike telling a story of determination and resilience. Yet, Sunai found himself overpowered, his body marked with injuries inflicted by the relentless assassin.

As the assassin loomed over Sunai, victory seemingly assured, a sudden twist altered the course of fate. In a desperate move, Sunai thrust his own bone hidden behind his left arm into the assassin's neck. The deadly blow ended the confrontation abruptly.

"Fool," Sunai rasped, "you think I earned the title 'Vile' without paying the price?"

Leaving the fallen assassin behind, Sunai gathered his strength and made his way back to the manor, a solitary figure walking through the moonlit night, bearing the scars of a clandestine battle.

The door to the dimly lit chamber swung open, revealing Sunai's disheveled form. His clothes bore the stains of the moonlit struggle, and his eyes carried the weight of a silent victory. Shader's gaze met Sunai's, a mix of pride and acknowledgment passing between them. The test had been endured, and the heir to the Shader legacy had proven his mettle.

The enigmatic figure at the center of the room, the orchestrator of this clandestine trial, spoke with a subtle nod, "Sunai Shader, you have faced the Despair of Shadows and emerged stronger. Your resilience marks you as a worthy suitor for Zara Shin. The alliance between Shader and Shin shall stand strong."

Sunai, despite his weariness, inclined his head in gratitude. The alliance forged in the shadows held the promise of a new chapter, entwining the fates of Shader and Shin in the moonlit tapestry of destiny. As the chamber doors closed, the echoes of the clandestine meeting faded, leaving the Shin family manor in the quiet embrace of the night, where the moon witnessed the birth of a union forged in shadows and tested in the crucible of moonlit battles.