MIDNIGHT PRINCE: Empire of Sin

The preparation for the party and the Thanksgiving celebration continued for everyone involved. Shuri and Yui were surprisingly having fun together even as they visited different shops to look out for some much-needed clothes for Shuri.

The two of them together were extremely eye-catching thanks to their natural beauty and the aura of nobility they emanated naturally in their every action. One didn't need to be a genius to realize that the two of them were part of the select few and were quite high up the ladder.

A few men expressed interest in fraternizing with them in the way, looking at them with clear intentions in their eyes.

But just one look at the giant bald man with black glasses and black suit walking behind the two women made even the staunchest Casanova hesitate and then decide that it simply wasn't worth the risk of the wrath of those women with their pickup lines.

"Your bodyguard is certainly very handy in a situation like this."

Shuri expressed her admiration for Mammoth's mighty presence. Since her bodyguards mainly consisted of women, even when she went out with them, they did not have the same deterring power as the hulking mass of muscles and intimidation that was Mammoth. She couldn't help but marvel at the presence he exuded and was glad that no flies were ruining the experience for her and Yui.

"Mammoth is really helpful in almost any scenario. Always protects me from the bad guys. He's a gem."

Mammoth's lips twitched slightly, breaking his stone-cold stance for a split second after hearing Yui speak. He was wondering in his mind just who was protecting who here? If someone that could actually threaten Yui appeared in this place, then all he could do was sacrifice his life in the hopes of gaining some small fraction of time for her to escape this place and contact backup.

This was the sad reality that every bodyguard had to face when they were actually weaker than the one they were trying to protect.

"Boss. We are being followed."

"I know. Just ignore them. They are only some small flies who are trying to obtain some information on me."

Yui was unconcerned about the presence she could feel scurrying all around them and was watching their every move like some amateurs. Those people were spies from the different organizations of the underworld that were trying to sniff something out from her everyday life.

"How is the taking over going on?"

Kang Ho had quite a bit of territory inside K-Town and by taking it down, she had managed to salvage quite a hefty bit of it for herself. Of course, she would have to concede some small cakes to the different organizations under her to stop them from banding against her… but the sharing would be at her discretion only not theirs.

Shuri looked at the way Yui acted with supreme confidence in her every move and could only marvel at how steadfast such a woman who was probably ten years younger than her was.

"You are admirable."

"Admirable?" Yui's eyebrow rose in surprise at the sudden praise that was coming from her new friend and she could only shake her head with a bitter smile in response, "I am just lucky to have talented people around me. That's all."

This was something Yui always reminded herself of no matter what status she reached in life. Her success was not thanks to her might on the battlefield but thanks to all the efforts the members of her organization and her many subordinates created for her with their hard work and loyalty.

She was simply lucky to have them at her side when she needed them the most.

This was how it was when she first started the whole underworld business and got Mammoth and then Adam to support her and push her from behind. It was the same when she met Nikola, Hacker, and the others.

She had met numerous supremely talented beings in the weirdest places at the strangest moments and made them her followers by chance. That was the secret behind her success.

"So, to thank that luck, I need to work even harder."

She needed to do more. Way, way more. Far more than what she had ever done till now. Until she reached the very top and became a legend in the supernatural scene that no one could ever forget or ignore, she had to keep going and keep pushing herself.

Shuri looked at the strong will behind the nonchalant eyes of the young girl close to her.

"Why do you fight like that?"

She knew more or less about Yui's origins. She was the illegitimate daughter of two powerful clans. Even then she refused the help given to her, smacked away the hand stretched for her, and continued to walk her own pace with absolute disregard for all rules and regulations thrown at her along the way. She was such a woman.

"Why? Because I am simply too petty."

She did not have a great cause or important convictions for her actions. She was just extremely petty. A petty woman who wanted to prove her worth to the whole world and slap that into their faces. Even if she had to scream and act unsightly to do so…

Even if she had stepped into the world of the shadows and darkness and became someone whose body would be covered in blood along the way.

She wanted to stand up, to look at them in the eyes and say…

'Look at me. I exist. The pariah you guys rejected. The one none cared for.'

'I am here and I will always be. No matter what, no matter how, one day I will have you guys look at me with awe and regret.'

She would become strong, she would take her place in all the domains they acted and looked down at her from… and she would make them bow to her will and grovel at her feet.

No matter what. No matter how. She would do it…

It was an extremely spiteful and selfish wish of hers. There was no beauty in her goal and her end might not be a happy one.

But this was her life and even if she had to trample on that of others, she would rise to the top and look down on anyone and everyone.

Shuri could see the fire in Yui's eyes and asked,

"Isn't it tiring?"

"Heh, is it something someone like you should ask?"

Yui gave a knowing smile at Shuri. After all, Shuri walked for years with a single-minded drive and rose to her current station.

Yui's respect for Shuri was no less than what Shuri felt about her.

Like this, the two women with a mind of steel smiled at each other and continued shopping.

The seed of a small friendship was planted between the two of them.

(AN: This closing arc will be more of a slice of life. I am finally going to build up Yui. The girl has been here from CH 6 but not much is known about her. This arc may be long or short. In a way, you could say that Yui is kinda the Naruto of my story. Well a kinda darker version. But funnily, Kage mean Shadow or Leader in the shadows? So Yui is Kinda a Kage already.

Anyway, a second chapter is coming soon.)