The history of the Murim Alliance and Ilwol is an endless novel.

In some places, the Murim Alliance erased Ilwol, and in others, Ilwol overshadowed the Central Plains.

But that was only what happened in the narrow confines of the Central Plains.

As the Void expanded into a Dungeon and both factions grew in size, their clashes gradually decreased.

This was because there were far too many things to 신경쓸 about.

In the Central Plains, one only needed to focus on ending one side, but in the Dungeon, one had to simultaneously strangle the opponent with one hand while fending off countless enemies with the other.

That was impossible, and to make it possible, both factions strengthened their power.

As they recruited, devoured, eliminated, and persuaded to grow their ranks and solidify their internal structure, they suddenly realized, without anyone pointing it out first,

that they could no longer avoid mutual destruction.

If war began, both would perish.

Because of this, they couldn’t act rashly.

Even hundreds of years ago, the grandson of the then Murim Alliance leader was killed by the Divine Demon’s son.

Everyone around them expected a full-scale war between the Ilwol and the Murim Alliance.

However, surprisingly, the Murim Alliance simply covered up the incident.

Perhaps they feared a massive bloodbath. Or perhaps, since the Ilwol had already overcome the limitations of demonic arts, the reason for their constant cry of ‘Extermination of Demons’ had become blurred.

Or there might have been a greater cause.

The reason is not clear, but it was confirmed that the Murim Alliance officially did not challenge that death, and thus it became an established fact that neither faction intended to wage an all-out war.

As time passed, the son of the current Murim Alliance leader, Divine Sword Namgung Jong, Namgung Jin, and the daughter of the current Ilwol Corporation chairman, Divine Demon Cheon Pae-seong, Celestial Spirit Maiden, met.

The tension was clearly reflected in the expression of the subordinate standing next to him.

He nervously swallowed, his eyes darting around.

Neither Namgung Jin nor his subordinate, Secret Night Sword Yi Gwa-yun, had anticipated that a blood relative of the Divine Demon would be here.

This was because the Celestial Spirit Maiden’s cultivation had deepened, making it impossible to sense her Sky Breaker from a distance.

Even if the weight of their positions had grown as large as the Ilwol and Murim Alliance, the history between them did not disappear.

While it didn’t escalate into an all-out war, killing each other was commonplace.

It wouldn’t have been strange if Namgung Jin and the Celestial Spirit Maiden had immediately reached out to strike each other’s vital points.

“What are you up to?”

The Celestial Spirit Maiden asked. Her aura was taut, as if ready to throw a punch at any moment, and a dark red Sky Breaker oozed from her entire body.

However, Namgung Jin only smiled handsomely and let the Celestial Spirit Maiden’s aura flow past him.

“What do you mean by ‘up to’? I’ve come to see the esteemed Sorcerer. Please understand that this has nothing to do with Young Lady.”

“Young Lady…?”

Not only did she frown at the chilling appellation, but her Sky Breaker even wavered from the absurdity of his casual attitude.

Namgung Jin opened his mouth towards Kim Songcheol.

“If it’s alright, may I know your esteemed name?”

“Ah… Kim Songcheol…”

“Indeed. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My subordinate had just witnessed your excellent magic arts from afar and informed me.”

As Namgung Jin pointed to Yi Gwa-yun, Kim Songcheol’s gaze naturally turned to him. Yi Gwa-yun bowed his head in respect.

“I have many excellent martial artists, but I’ve always admired sorcerers due to a lack of individuals in other fields. Let me ask you directly. Have you completely settled your whereabouts?”

“Are you suggesting you want to take me away?”

“You could say that, but it’s more of an offer, haha. We have vast territories and strong martial artists. You won’t be disappointed.”

At that moment, the Celestial Spirit Maiden interrupted.

“This sorcerer and I are moving together. If you want to take this sorcerer, you’ll have to take me too. Can you handle that?”

Pyeong is a place where the younger generation of the Murim Alliance trains. It was perfect for gaining experience in small-scale battles by commanding martial artists.

It wasn’t composed only of martial artists from the Murim Alliance, but their proportion was so high that it couldn’t be ignored.

If the Celestial Spirit Maiden were to enter Pyeong, one could easily imagine what would happen.

However.

“It’s possible.”

Namgung Jin replied without batting an eye.

“By thoroughly controlling the martial artists belonging to the Murim Alliance, so that there are no inconveniences…”

“Nonsense.”

The Celestial Spirit Maiden dismissed his words.

“I tried to believe you when you said you came to see the Sorcerer. But listening to such an obvious lie makes my stomach churn. Do you think that makes sense? Control? Are you trying to lure me in with such a shallow trick?”

The Celestial Spirit Maiden spoke without hesitation.

Namgung Jin stared at her chillingly cold expression with an unreadable look for a moment.

“…Not at all. I didn’t even know of the Young Lady’s existence until just now.”

“Hmph, it seems it was a mistake to listen to the Murim Alliance’s foe, who is different on the inside and out.”

“You misunderstand. I have always believed that the Ilwol and the Murim Alliance could have a peace treaty. Since both the Young Lady and I are important successors from our respective sides, if we can show that we can coexist…”

“Didn’t I tell you to stop with the nonsense?”

As the Sky Breaker emitted by the Celestial Spirit Maiden intensified, Kim Songcheol sent a magic message.

[If you go further, things will get complicated. Please, just until we block the B-rank gate.]

Pyeong is a force right next to Ojak. If things went wrong, the repercussions could spread to the Republic of Korea.

From Kim Songcheol’s perspective, falling out with Pyeong right now was not a welcome development at all.

“…”

The Celestial Spirit Maiden simply took a step back with her hand in the pocket of her training clothes.

The message that she wouldn’t speak to him was clearly felt.

At that, Kim Songcheol intervened.

“I’m sorry, but I’m here at someone else’s introduction. I can’t move because of that person, and I’m also quite busy right now, so it’s… difficult in many ways.”

“Oh, is that so? One cannot betray trust. I was rude.”

Namgung Jin immediately performed a cupped fist salutation and bowed his head.

“Yes, I appreciate the offer, but due to circumstances. I apologize.”

“No, not at all. It was I who came to you uninvited, so please don’t mind it.”

“Yes, then…”

“Yes.”

Kim Songcheol and Namgung Jin exchanged polite greetings, and then Kim Songcheol and the Celestial Spirit Maiden departed, putting distance between them.

Namgung Jin continued to perform the cupped fist salutation towards their retreating figures until they disappeared from his sight, then he finally lowered his hand.

“…Were you still thinking that?”

Yi Gwa-yun uttered her first words.

“What?”

Namgung Jin asked back with a clueless smile.

“The peace treaty, I mean.”

“Ah, that. Right. That’s still my thought.”}]}“` </body></html>

“As I’ve told you many times, that’s impossible. The rift has grown as deep as it can get. Even pouring the ocean in wouldn’t be enough to fill it.”

“It might be impossible now. But it will happen someday. This is just a transitional period. I think all we need is a catalyst.”

“Young Master, please don’t try to leave something in history. Your subordinate, I don’t think I’ll die a natural death.”

“Isn’t it a natural ambition for a man to be born and leave his mark on history? Haha.”

“Young Master.”

Yi Gwa-yun called out desperately.

“Why? Why do you call like that?”

Namgung Jin looked back at Yi Gwa-yun. He clearly saw the desperate look in his eyes.

“Why are you looking at me with those wide eyes?”

“Surely… no?”

“What do you mean, nothing?”

“What I’m worried about. I saw the Young Master’s expression earlier. Please tell me it’s not what I think.”

“…They say the prettiest flowers have thorns. That’s absolutely true, haha.”

“Young Master.”

“Hahahaha.”

At Yi Gwa-yun’s earnest call, Namgung Jin simply laughed like the clear sky.

Listening to that laugh, Yi Gwa-yun thought. No matter what, she wouldn’t let Namgung Jin be exposed to danger.

***

B-rank Gate Defense, Day 7.

Remaining time: 4 hours.

Required Points: 1.1 million Points.

Kim Songcheol appeared at the Headquarters, still looking neat.

If a normal Mage were to push themselves for 7 days straight, it would be normal for them to have dark circles under their eyes and be irritable from nervous exhaustion.

But there was nothing wrong. No, he didn’t even feel tired.

The body he received as a Stage 5 reward was perfectly supporting him.

Of course, Kim Songcheol didn’t have the luxury to think that far. Even at this moment, the time limit was ticking down.

He had to rush to the Stone Slab as soon as he gathered the required Points.

“Haha, then in that case…”

“Thank you for your kind words, haha.”

As he entered the Headquarters, he saw Namgung Jin and Tiamu emerging from a tent.

The two seemed to have had a good conversation, smiling gently at each other as they exchanged greetings.

“Why is that foe here again?”

The Celestial Spirit Maiden next to him muttered. Her gaze was incredibly cold.

“Indeed.”

Kim Songcheol’s voice wasn’t pleasant either. He had heard an explanation about Namgung Jin from the Celestial Spirit Maiden.

That there was a group called the Murim Alliance that had a bad relationship with Ilwol, and that he was the son of the current Alliance Leader.

Since he was teamed up with the Celestial Spirit Maiden, he couldn’t just treat a key figure of the Murim Alliance comfortably.

“Ah, you’ve arrived.”

Namgung Jin spotted Kim Songcheol and approached him like the wind, his robes fluttering.

“Greetings? Kim Songcheol Sorcerer. And Celestial Young Lady.”

He performed a light Cupped Fist Salutation.

“…”

The Celestial Spirit Maiden simply walked away. For her, letting it go at this point, without knowing what kind of plot Namgung Jin was hatching, was a lot of restraint.

Namgung Jin looked at her retreating figure with a strange gaze, then turned his head back at Kim Songcheol’s voice.

“But what brings you here…?”

“Ah, I came to make a small agreement. Hearing that Kim Songcheol Sorcerer was busy, I thought I might be of some help, so I made a peace agreement with a few conditions.”

“Our Captain Namgung Jin gave up a little land. Now we have no reason to fight anymore, haha.”

Tiamu seemed simply pleased with the unexpected gain.

…that far?

Kim Songcheol blurted it out without realizing.

He had received many scout offers, so he thought it was possible, but he hadn’t expected it to go this far.

Now even Kim Songcheol was suspicious of Namgung Jin’s true intentions.

The Young Master acted purely out of admiration for the Sorcerer. I hope you don’t misunderstand.

Yi Gwa-yun, who was standing beside him, answered instead. Judging by his slightly agitated voice, he seemed offended by Kim Songcheol’s suspicious demeanor.

Oh, watch your words.

Namgung Jin sternly stopped Yi Gwa-yun, then raised a Cupped Fist Salutation towards Kim Songcheol.

I apologize on behalf of my subordinate.

No, it’s not something to apologize for.

That’s good then. Ah, but… if I may be so bold, isn’t it almost time for the Voidors to swarm? Might I have the opportunity to witness the Sorcerer’s magic?

He asked, looking back and forth between Tiamu and Kim Songcheol.

Oh, really. Why not?

Tiamu immediately agreed. The Commander had given permission, and Kim Songcheol had no particular reason to object, so he just nodded his head.

And so, the 1st Combat Unit set off for the Frontline with Namgung Jin and Yi Gwa-yun.

Namgung Jin and Yi Gwa-yun followed the 1st Combat Unit from a distance.

They seemed to be trying their best not to cause any trouble.

Soon, the Voidors began to pour over the hill.

All sorts of magic rained down, and close combat ensued with the surviving Voidors.

200,000, 400,000.

As more Voidors died, Kim Songcheol’s Points increased steadily.

The 1st Platoon advanced boldly inward. This was thanks to having Kim Songcheol. With Level 4 Voidors being no problem, courage was inevitable.

600,000, 900,000.

Kim Songcheol intercepted a Level 3 Voidor with a Light Beam, and occasionally unleashed a powerful Rain of Light, dealing damage to a wide area.

Namgung Jin watched him with shining eyes.

He really doesn’t regenerate. The light itself seems to be anathema to the Voidors. And immunity to Void Sphere… Its effectiveness will only increase as it levels up, truly an unprecedented Sorcerer.

Meanwhile, Kim Songcheol’s accumulated Points reached 1,100,000.

Twenty minutes remained.

It was the moment Kim Songcheol asked for permission to withdraw.

Attack!

Someone shouted. Buris’s Hunters were rushing down from the hill.

This time, they seemed determined, with a force of at least 20 people.

Hmm…?

Kim Songcheol paused for a moment.

Should I help them? Will I have time?

Just then.

His eyes met Namgung Jin’s.

He said he was the Alliance Leader’s son, right?

Kim Songcheol sent a request with a small nod.

After taking a moment to understand his meaning, Namgung Jin immediately pushed off the ground and shot up.

“Stop!”

Rupture, crackle, crackle!

Namgung Jin descended from the air, his blue robes fluttering. He landed between Ojak’s 1st Platoon and Buris’s assault team.

When someone suddenly descended from the sky, both sides stopped for a moment.

Namgung Jin raised his Songmun Ancient Sword and aimed it at Buris’s assault team.

An unusual aura emanated from his body.

“I am Namgung Jin, White Tiger Commander of the Murim Alliance. I am the actual master of Pyeong’s Thread, and also Ojak’s ally. Let anyone brave enough to face me step forward!”

Once again, a qi Rupture erupted, and it felt as if the high sky had suddenly descended right above their heads.

Namgung Jin subtly turned his head to look at Kim Songcheol.

It was as if he was asking if this was right.

It was a more passionate intervention than expected, but an intervention nonetheless.

Since Pyeong had stepped in, Buris wouldn’t be able to move.

‘Namgung Jin, 1 point added.’

Kim Songcheol immediately used Teleport to leave the battlefield.

For now, delivering the Points was the priority.