The first sign was Yi Gwa-yun’s absence.

Kim Songcheol arrived at Ojak’s Headquarters on time, as usual.

Since he spent most of his time training in magic, if he wasn’t hunting, he wrestled with magic books at home.

Thanks to this, he was able to complete the latter half of Oneness faster than expected.

The Headquarters was as usual. Some tents were bustling, while others were quiet.

Hunters moved around the tents, and some were seen gathered in small groups, grilling something to eat.

Kim Songcheol encountered Namgung Jin while heading deeper into the Headquarters.

Oh, hello?

Namgung Jin greeted him warmly. He was dressed in clean and elaborate clothing, though he didn’t know who ironed it.

Hello.

Today, you’re particularly…

Namgung Jin carefully observed Kim Songcheol. He felt something had changed, but couldn’t pinpoint the cause.

It was because Oneness had changed a bit after completing the latter half, but Namgung Jin didn’t know about Oneness.

Nevertheless, noticing the change was proof of how sensitive Namgung Jin’s senses were.

“Was there a Castle scent?”

“Yes, a little…”

“Haha, congratulations. I’m curious to see how far you’ll go, Thread by Thread.”

Namgung Jin smiled faintly and spoke. It was a sincere congratulation for Kim Songcheol’s progress.

“But I don’t see that person?”

And Namgung Jin wasn’t the only one who noticed something.

Kim Songcheol also realized that Yi Gwa-yun was not visible.

He was a subordinate who always followed like a shadow. Not seeing him made him feel empty.

“Ah, yes. A guest is coming, so he went to greet them.”

“A guest?”

“Someone wants to meet me.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Yes, so I think I’ll be going home early today too, haha.”

Namgung Jin then walked off somewhere, looking for the Celestial Spirit Maiden.

Kim Songcheol tilted his head as he watched his retreating back.

He had an uneasy feeling.

‘Yi Gwa-yun…?’

Naturally, ‘that scene’ unfolded in his mind. The Vision was firmly embedded in his head and never forgotten. He could even identify the faces of each fallen Martial Artist.

And Kim Songcheol discovered that Yi Gwa-yun’s face was not among them.

However, he couldn’t jump to conclusions, as there were quite a few Martial Artists whose faces couldn’t be identified, such as those with their faces buried in the ground or turned away.

‘Is it Yi Gwa-yun? Or not?’

It was quite confusing to look for Yi Gwa-yun just by the back of his head, because he had never paid such close attention to Yi Gwa-yun’s back.

‘I don’t think he’s there…’

Kim Songcheol was feeling uneasy.

The second omen appeared.

“Hey.”

Someone called out. He turned around to see Cha Sehyeon walking towards him with a swagger.

Recently, she had also learned 2nd-tier Slash Attack Magic and joined Ojak.

It was a good thing, as two people catching Voidors made it much easier to block a B-grade Gate.

But today, he wasn’t happy to see her.

Kim Songcheol bit his lower lip slightly as he looked at her hair.

It had changed to pink.

“Your hair…”

“Why? Is there a hair inspection in the Dungeon?”

Kim Songcheol checked the schedule of the hair salon Cha Sehyeon frequented.

He needed to use all means to predict the timing of the incident.

According to his check, it was clearly four days later. But she had appeared with dyed hair today.

…This isn’t good.

Doesn’t it suit me? Well, I can’t help it. It’s my hair.

Cha Sehyeon shrugged his shoulders, deliberately sweeping his pink hair back.

Normally, he would have said something, but this wasn’t the time.

Was it today…?

Gambler™’s comment still hadn’t appeared. This was as good as saying he wouldn’t post it.

Perhaps there was no one to rely on from the beginning.

Somehow, he had to resolve this with what was currently visible.

Kim Songcheol hurried over and called out Namgung Jin, who was playing a Card Game with the Celestial Spirit Maiden.

What’s the matter?

Seeing Kim Songcheol’s serious expression, Namgung Jin also asked with concern.

You’re the head of the White Tiger Clan, aren’t you?

Yes, that’s right.

Can you summon the White Tiger Clan?

For what reason…?

It was then.

Let the impure bloodline of the Divine Demon come forth quickly and receive judgment!!

A loud voice echoed throughout Ojak’s Headquarters.

At that, Namgung Jin and Kim Songcheol’s heads simultaneously turned in one direction.

Ojak’s Hunters also poured out of their tents. They murmured, looking around, and through the confusion, Tiamu’s voice rang out.

Retreat!

His judgment was swift. Realizing that this was a factional dispute unrelated to the Danger Zone or Official Position, he pulled the Hunters back.

It was a natural decision as a leader. The reason they were in the Danger Zone was to collect Points and bring them back to their own world.

Ojak was a place where people gathered who had others to protect and duties to fulfill.

They were people who couldn’t throw their lives away in an unrelated fight.

Tiamu’s eyes met Kim Songcheol’s, but he shook his head apologetically and moved away with the Hunters.

At the same time, the martial artists, who had drawn their swords, rushed in.

They surrounded the Headquarters in an instant, as if they had been waiting. Through the gap, a martial artist with a dignified physique walked out.

It was Dan Hwigyeong.

What in the world is going on!?

Namgung Jin blocked his path. Behind him, the Celestial Spirit Maiden was surveying their surroundings with hawk-like eyes.

Young Master of the Namgung Family, step aside. Do you intend to obstruct the Murim Alliance’s righteous act?

Dan Hwigyeong spoke firmly. When it came down to it, he had the justification.

The rift between Ilwol and the Murim Alliance was as deep as it could be, and even if they weren’t all Demon Exterminators, most people harbored resentment towards Ilwol.

The righteousness the Murim Alliance spoke of was to deal with the Divine Demon’s bloodline.

That righteous act will only deepen the rift. This cannot be. From now on, it is time to break the chain of vengeance.

Can you say the same in front of someone who lost family and relatives to Ilwol?

“Yes. I also want to ask. How many more people have to lose their families and relatives?”

“…”

Dan Hwigyeong looked at Namgung Jin’s burning eyes, then subtly turned his head away.

“Escort the Namgung Family’s Young Master outside. There must be no impropriety.”

As the order was given, five Martial Artists stepped forward. They bowed to Namgung Jin, then slowly approached him.

Outwardly, they were polite, but the doctor’s intention to forcibly remove him was clear.

Clang!

In the end, Namgung Jin drew his sword.

“You can’t move an inch!”

Then, five White Tiger Squad Members nearby drew their swords and surrounded Namgung Jin.

Even without Yi Gwa-yun, the White Tiger Squad Members brought as escorts were there.

It was a very small number, considering there were nearly fifty enemies.

At that moment, the Celestial Spirit Maiden took a step forward.

“Your tongue is too long. I don’t know what you’re doing, rushing in like this. If you’re so confident, then let’s have a Death Match…”

The moment she threw down the gauntlet to Dan Hwigyeong.

‘Watch the situation, please.’

Suddenly, Kim Songcheol’s form flickered and appeared in mid-air.

At the same time, a huge light burst forth, obscuring their vision, and countless beams of light began to pour down.

Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gak!

It was truly a Rain of Light.

“What is this…!”

Dan Hwigyeong protected himself with a Protective Force Field and leaped into the air, but Kim Songcheol was no longer there.

Kim Songcheol, who had landed on the ground far away, indiscriminately unleashed beams of light.

“That treacherous Sorcerer The Foe!”

Kim Songcheol’s sudden attack plunged the area into chaos.

Even Namgung Jin blinked, unable to grasp the situation.

This kind of surprise attack was completely beyond the comprehension of the martial artists.

But Kim Songcheol, for his part, was not in a position to be particular about anything.

Kim Songcheol maintained Lucentem and cast Thunder Shock, handling two magic spells simultaneously.

It was proof that he had perfectly mastered the latter half of Oneness.

Red electric shocks discharged around Kim Songcheol, mixing with the golden light to create a mysterious glow.

Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gak!

Giant electric shocks struck down from the clear sky, scattering Dan Hwigyeong’s troops.

Even a Martial Artist with high Internal Energy could not ignore such power. It was better to at least dodge than to stand still and get hit by the electric shock.

Kim Songcheol looked down at the battlefield from the sky and clicked his tongue.

‘Tsk.’

He poured out magic with a brazen surprise attack, but the damage was not as great as he expected.

Around 10 out of 50 people were killed or injured.

The other 40 were still fine.

In fact, they were even more enraged. Dan Hwigyeong, in particular, was glaring at Kim Songcheol as if to kill him, emanating bloodlust from his entire body.

“Take care of it before I return. But keep that woman alive.”

Dan Hwigyeong gave the command in a chilling voice, then vanished like a phantom. The Martial Artists he brought instantly lunged at the Celestial Spirit Maiden and Namgung Jin.

“Huh? No!”

“Damn it, what are you doing!?”

Setsu and Cha Sehyeon, who had been observing the situation from the sky, joined the battle.

Meanwhile, Dan Hwigyeong appeared right next to Kim Songcheol.

‘!?’

Kim Songcheol truly felt death. He quickly used Blink, but felt a stinging sensation near his neck.

When he brought his thumb to his neck, blood stained it. In that brief moment, his neck skin had been slightly grazed.

He was able to save his life thanks to Dan Hwigyeong’s Shapeshifting Displacement being even slightly ‘visible’.

Dan Hwigyeong looked at Kim Songcheol, who had appeared far away, and spoke.

“Your eyes are good… but what good is such a wicked heart? We never threatened you, and it would be enough to just kill the Divine Demon’s bloodline, yet you complicate things.”

“Everyone has their reasons.”

“Hmph.”

Dan Hwigyeong immediately opened his dantian and unleashed a burst of energy. A powerful energy rupture, strong enough to make one’s skin tingle, swept through the surroundings, but that energy was instantly gathered and channeled into his sword.

A yellow light began to overlay Dan Hwigyeong’s sword.

Capable of cutting anything, and unbreakable by anything.

It was the Sword Aura Manifestation that every Swordsman dreamed of.

“You would do well to be prepared.”

Dan Hwigyeong said, raising his sword, which had grown to nearly two meters. The yellow light of the Sword Aura reflected in his pupils, making his eyes glow yellow.

Even in that urgent situation, Kim Songcheol glanced at where the Celestial Spirit Maiden was.

Even with Setsu and Cha Sehyeon providing air support, the numerical difference was still four or five times greater.

Nevertheless, they were holding on quite steadfastly.

There were three reasons why they could endure.

The presence of Namgung Jin. Namgung Jin’s Martial Arts were by no means shallow. On the contrary, they were at a level that overwhelmed other Martial Artists, and since they couldn’t even injure Namgung Jin, he alone was tying down many Martial Artists.

The next reason was the command not to kill the Celestial Spirit Maiden.

Dan Hwigyeong had to be the one to kill the Celestial Spirit Maiden. Otherwise, it would be meaningless. As a result, they couldn’t unleash deadly attacks against the Celestial Spirit Maiden, and they were forced to endure her deadly attacks.

However, the Martial Artists were not fools. If Dan Hwigyeong were to deal with the Sorcerer immediately and return, it would be one thing, but they could easily foresee that casualties would accumulate if the battle dragged on like this.

Since two had already fallen at the Celestial Spirit Maiden’s hands, there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t be next.

Also, the two people flying strange things from above were quite annoying.

They exchanged glances. Then the atmosphere of the battle changed dramatically.

“Aargh!”

It began with a White Tiger Squad Member screaming as he was stabbed in the thigh.

“Ugh!”

Another White Tiger Squad Member was stabbed in the shoulder, had a pressure point struck, and fell.

As the White Tiger Squad Members who were covering Namgung Jin’s back fell one by one, Namgung Jin’s movements also began to become increasingly frantic.

He had been quite formidable when facing the front while his back was covered, but as he became completely surrounded by enemies, his sword gradually lost its sharpness.

“This cannot be! This, this cannot happen!”

Namgung Jin pleaded repeatedly, but they wouldn’t listen. They had already voluntarily joined Dan Hwigyeong’s command.

As they began to have free hands, they sent personnel to keep watch over the sky. The remaining personnel surrounded the Celestial Spirit Maiden and Namgung Jin in two circles.

Now, it was only a matter of time until they were annihilated.

And as if to prove it, a sword pierced the Celestial Spirit Maiden’s shoulder.

“Sister!!”

The moment Setsu, who witnessed the scene from the sky, shouted.

Green substance radiated from Setsu’s entire body, creating a translucent sphere about 30 meters in diameter.

It happened without his knowledge.

But as the sphere grew, he could feel it.

This 30-meter space was ‘his own space’.

Setsu descended as if shot towards the ground.