Chapter 1
Chapter 1 — Moonlit Strangers
Rain dripped off the edges of the high-rise rooftops, slicing through the neon-lit darkness of the city. Down below, the streets of Ametra buzzed — cars gliding over slick asphalt, lights flickering in puddles like restless stars.
Somewhere between the lightning flashes and the echo of sirens, a shadow darted across the rooftops. His black robe flared behind him, thunder crackling in his wake.
Black Thunder. The name everyone whispered, feared, adored.
A flash — and the figure landed, crouching on the edge of a building. The mask covering his lower face fluttered slightly with the wind. His eyes — sharp, amber-brown — scanned the alley below, where a group of armed immortals surrounded a trembling man.
“Didn’t your mothers teach you not to pick on the weak?”
His voice was calm — almost bored — but electric sparks ran across his gloves as he raised both hands.
The immortals froze, then one laughed. “Oh? The city’s fake hero came to play again?”
Another sneered, stepping forward with a metallic staff. “You’re just a rumor with fancy lighting effects—”
He didn’t finish. A streak of black lightning slashed across the air, splitting his weapon in two.
The others stumbled back.
“Correction,” Black Thunder said, spinning the lightning-shaped weapons now glowing in his hands. “I’m the rumor that’ll ruin your night.”
He moved like water — silent, fluid, deadly. Every hit landed with precision. Sparks painted the dark, and the rain hissed when it touched the energy radiating from his weapons.
In less than a minute, the alley was filled with groaning bodies and the faint smell of ozone.
The trembling man peeked up. “T-Thank you… who are you?”
The hero tilted his head. “Nobody important. Just someone who hates bad manners.” He threw a small device that flashed — and by the time the light faded, he was gone.
By dawn, Lian Starlight sat at his dressing table, the same hands that had held lightning hours ago now holding a makeup brush.
“Perfect,” he murmured softly, applying a touch of tint to his lips. His reflection stared back — delicate, harmless, utterly unrecognizable.
Gone was the thunder. Here stood the quiet, polite heir of Starlight Cosmetics.
“Lian, dear, are you ready?” his father’s voice called from the hall.
“Coming!”
He stood, straightening his cream-colored shirt. His whole room screamed gentle luxury — soft pastel curtains, a faint scent of roses, a shelf lined with skincare bottles.
No one would ever guess the city’s hidden hero lived here.
He stepped out, greeting his father — a tired but elegant man in his fifties, adjusting his tie.
“Lian,” his father said, sighing. “The company’s situation is… worse than I expected.”
Lian blinked. “How bad?”
“We might not last another month.”
The words hung heavy in the air.
Lian forced a smile. “We’ll figure something out, Dad.”
His father gave a small, helpless nod. “Actually, we already might have a way. The “Kindsoul Corporation” offered to help.”
Lian’s brows rose. “Kindsoul? The jewelry giants?”
“Yes.” His father hesitated. “On one condition.”
Lian frowned. “What condition?”
The older man looked uncomfortable. “Their heir, Kevin Kindsoul, is… unmarried. They want to form a permanent alliance through a merger — and an arranged marriage.”
Lian’s smile froze. “Marriage? With that family?”
“You’ve heard of him, haven’t you?”
Of course he had. The entire business world had.
Kevin Kindsoul — son of Kindsoul Corporation’s founder. Cold, brilliant, ruthless. He ran half the company already. The tabloids called him “The Ice Wolf of Ametra.”
Lian groaned. “So basically, you want me to marry an emotionless statue with abs.”
His father flinched. “Lian—”
“I’m kidding! Kind of.” He sighed, crossing his arms. “But still… that man looks like he hasn’t smiled since the dinosaur era.”
His father rubbed his temples. “Lian, please. This could save us. At least meet him.”
Lian exhaled, resigned. “Fine. But if he growls, I’m leaving.”
At exactly noon, a silver car pulled up in front of Starlight Tower.
The man who stepped out looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine cover — tall, sharply dressed, black hair slicked back, suit immaculate. His green eyes scanned the building with cold precision.
Kevin Kindsoul.
Employees whispered as he passed by — “He’s so handsome,” “He’s terrifying,” “I heard he fired three people just by looking at them.”
Inside the meeting room, Lian sat awkwardly; sipping tea like it was poison.
When Kevin walked in, the air shifted.
For a moment, Lian forgot how to blink.
‘Damn. Why is he so… good-looking?’ he thought, then immediately shook it off. ‘No, no. Evil. He’s evil. Gorgeous, but evil.’
Kevin’s eyes met his. “Lian Starlight?”
“Yes. Kevin… Kindsoul?”
He nodded curtly, sitting down. His voice was deep, smooth, but distant. “I’ve reviewed the merger documents. My father believes a union between our families will be mutually beneficial.”
“Ah, romance at its finest,” Lian muttered under his breath.
Kevin raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“Nothing!” Lian smiled too brightly. “Just… admiring your, uh, business enthusiasm.”
Kevin’s lips twitched — maybe amusement, maybe irritation. Hard to tell.
“You don’t seem… enthusiastic about this arrangement.”
“Oh, no, I’m thrilled,” Lian said flatly. “Who wouldn’t be, marrying a man who frowns like it’s a sport?”
Kevin leaned forward slightly. “And who pretends weakness like it’s an art?”
Lian froze. “What?”
Kevin smirked faintly. “Your posture. The way you speak. You pretend to be harmless, but your eyes give you away.”
Lian swallowed, heartbeat spiking. Did he suspect something? No. Impossible.
He forced a laugh. “You’re imagining things, Mr. Wolf.”
Kevin’s eyes narrowed. “What did you call me?”
“Oh, nothing. Just… business small talk.”
From across the room, Kevin’s father coughed politely. “Excellent. Since you two seem to… get along, we’ll proceed with the engagement announcement tomorrow.”
Both turned toward him, horrified.
“Tomorrow?!” Lian blurted.
Kevin’s father smiled. “Yes. A grand press event. It’ll stabilize the market.”
Kevin pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is going to be a headache.”
Lian crossed his arms. “You’re telling me.”
They both glared at each other — the wolf and the rabbit, unaware how deep their connection would run.
That night, Lian sat on his bed, tossing a lightning weapon from hand to hand.
“Engaged to the Ice Wolf,” he muttered. “Fantastic.”
His phone buzzed. A news alert flashed across the screen:
BREAKING: Black Thunder Saves Dozens From Midnight AttackKevin Kindsoul comments: “He’s reckless.”
Lian stared at the quote. “He said what?”
He threw a pillow at the wall. “Oh, it’s on, Mr. Wolf. Just wait till you see reckless up close.”
Lightning flickered faintly from his fingers as he smirked.
