“No, that can’t be. It can’t be…”

Galen had never seen the Emperor directly, but he had seen a member of the imperial family.

The one with the most powerful Sanggis becomes the Emperor.

That imperial family member, a cousin of the Emperor, was clearly a step below the Emperor, yet Galen felt a crushing sensation.

But Kim Songcheol was more than that.

Significantly more.

For Arcadians, Sanggis was a class distinction beyond a simple caste system, and that long history and instinct were etched not only in Galen’s memory but also in his DNA.

The shock of seeing the Emperor’s cousin was still vivid. He clearly remembered the moment he wondered, ‘If someone is stronger than that person, just how strong are they?’

And that answer now appeared before his eyes.

It was perhaps natural that Galen asked the foolish question, ‘Are you, by any chance, the Emperor?’

“Shall we… eat?”

Kim Songcheol, standing, gestured to the chairs. It was an invitation to sit, and since there was no reason to object, the Hunters rushed to take their seats.

Galen was, of course, the last to sit. He carefully placed himself in a chair, barely overcoming the instinct that told him he shouldn’t be sharing a meal with this person.

‘That person is from a different world. Get a grip, Galen.’

The others began eating their Black Bean Noodles, and Galen also awkwardly crammed noodles into his mouth. But he couldn’t quite taste the Black Bean Noodles he usually loved so much.

This was because Kim Songcheol’s Sanggis kept stimulating his senses.

“What kind of feeling is it that makes you act like that?”

Choi Jung-ho, who had been observing Galen for a while, finally asked.

He had been curious ever since they walked past Main Street, but with Galen acting like he’d seen a ghost, it was harder not to ask.

“Well… *sigh*…”

Galen continued speaking with a small sigh.

“It’s hard to explain in words. It’s a sensation. If I had to compare it… it’s like meeting a giant. You just have to see it to understand.”

He meant that if he were to substitute it with sight, that’s what it would feel like.

It was the kind of situation where you’d normally only meet people who are at most 2 meters tall, and then suddenly a colossal giant appears, and you can’t help but be flustered.

“Hmm… so that’s why…”

Choi Jung-ho somewhat understood the Arcadians’ reactions.

He figured he’d also be mesmerized if a giant appeared.

“Don’t pay any mind to it. I’m not even an Arcadian, after all.”

“Yes, understood.”

Kim Songcheol spoke lightly, but Galen replied with a stiff posture, bowing his head.

It was an attitude never seen from Galen before.

“‘Yes, understood’? Seriously, did you see him bow his head?”

“He should bow like that when he asks for Black Bean Noodles to be made too.”

Seo Munyeong and Joo Sangwon immediately jumped in and teased Galen.

Galen only blushed and couldn’t say anything.

It was Kim Songcheol who saved Galen again. He naturally stopped the teasing by asking a question.

“But is there a way to avoid Sanggis? Like training or something.”

“Ah, you just need to cover your eyes.”

The answer popped out like a button had been pressed. The content was simpler than expected, and Kim Songcheol let out a small exclamation of admiration.

“Oh, their eyes?”

“That works, or you can cover your own eyes. In Bormil, covering your eyes is considered quite rude and strange behavior, but… since you are from Earth…”

“It’s simpler than I thought. How about this?”

Kim Songcheol took out Sports Sunglasses from his bag and put them on.

He had bought them because things often got into his eyes while riding his Board to hunt Field Bosses.

The red coating on the lenses was so strong that Kim Songcheol’s eyes were completely obscured.

“Oh, that’s good.”

Galen’s expression brightened considerably.

From the moment he felt the intense Sanggis, the four characters ‘Emperor’ had constantly appeared in his mind as an official position search term.

But the moment he covered his eyes, the tension vanished and his mind became at ease.

“It will be much easier to deal with.”

“So, other people won’t know either?”

“Yes. Sanggis is not applied broadly like extending a detection range with Mana. Both the one emitting Sanggis and the one detecting it use their eyes. It’s not actually related to vision, but that’s how it is for now.”

“Thanks for teaching me something good. I should definitely wear these.”

“Yes, it would be better for ‘both sides’ if you wear them.”

Galen wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled slightly.

From now on, no Arcadians would suffer from heart problems just by passing by in the streets.

***

‘Ah, it’s much more comfortable.’

Kim Songcheol walked through the streets, thinking. The Arcadians he saw through his Sunglasses just passed by.

People no longer gaped or stopped walking with wide eyes.

Instead, he saw some Mages showing a slight displeasure on their faces. It must have been a reaction to him covering his eyes.

Of course, that much was nothing. Compared to before, that is.

“It’s pleasant. I should have asked earlier.”

“Indeed.”

Kim Songcheol was not the type to enjoy being the center of attention. So, having it solved with just a pair of Sunglasses made him feel like he had gained a huge advantage.

Choi Jung-ho came out of Bluebell and added a brief explanation.

“We’ll have to go out a bit. Other monsters tend to be caught by others nearby.”

Around Bluebell was a wide Plain, and a Forest could be seen in the distance.

As explained, no Monsters were visible, but Kim Songcheol scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes.

It was because he thought there would be some kind of sign.

Bluebell was a Base where Hunters gathered, and it was a place officially managed by the Bormil Empire.

It was too significant to be simply swept away by a sudden natural disaster. There must be some underlying reason. He had to find it.

Kim Songcheol, along with Choi Jung-ho’s team, headed towards the Forest.

They continued moving, even after passing through the Forest and over a mountain.

They had traveled quite a distance, but the terrain hadn’t changed.

Unlike a D-grade Dungeon, there were no artificial terrain changes. The Forest just kept getting deeper.

Then, at some point, their vision opened up, and the Plain reappeared. It was, again, a natural change in terrain.

“Monsters will start appearing soon. Get ready.”

Choi Jung-ho said, his eyes, which had briefly lingered on Kim Songcheol, filled with anticipation.

He was a promising newcomer who had cleared a D-grade Dungeon in the shortest time. He was curious about his Thread power.

And there were also a series of incidents related to his senses and his official position.

“It’s a Felkron.”

Joo Sangwon pointed to a distant hill.

On the hill, a group of deer-like Monsters was gathered. Their number was approximately 10.

Black smoke rose from their large horns, and their mouths resembled those of a Wolf.

Though they looked like deer, they were clearly carnivorous beasts.

“Let’s go.”

Led by Choi Jung-ho, the team members quickly approached the Felkron group.

As they got closer, a Magic circle formed in front of Choi Jung-ho. At the same time, an Explosion occurred on the side of one Felkron.

It was Pin Burst.

Its side burst open, it stumbled a few times, let out a dying scream, and collapsed.

Using that scream as a signal, the Felkron group began to charge frantically towards the Hunters.

‘So that’s its defense.’

Kim Songcheol calculated the defense power from the Magic’s force and the Felkron’s wound, then raised his hand forward.

CRACKLE!

Magic circles continuously formed, and red Lightning shot towards the Felkron group.

CRACKLE!

It was Magic that changed the direction of a 3rd Circle Thunder Strike and applied the Fulmen Rubrum Magic Formula.

Thanks to Fulmen Rubrum, the Thunder Strike’s penetration power increased, giving it 4th Circle level power, easily piercing the Felkron.

‘…Hmm?’

Seeing this, Choi Jung-ho slightly furrowed his brows.

It was more a feeling of bewilderment than surprise.

While his Casting Speed and the completeness of his Magic were astonishing, he couldn’t guess what Magic he had used.

‘Was that… Thunder Strike? But what’s that power?’

He barely recognized the identity of the Magic, but he couldn’t unravel the secret of Fulmen Rubrum. He couldn’t recognize a 2nd-tier Magic Formula.

Meanwhile, Galen, seeing Choi Jung-ho’s bewildered expression from behind, scoffed to himself.

‘What are you thinking so hard about? Just accept it. It’ll be easier.’

From the start, Kim Songcheol was not at a level where his Thread power needed to be checked or verified.

Senses were originally a comprehensive perception that detected Magic talent. Galen, who had already accumulated a lot of data related to senses and Magic Thread power, was ready to simply nod and accept whatever Kim Songcheol did.

As expected, the Felkron group was dealt with before the Swordsmen even had to step forward. Since they were taken down with light 3rd Circle Magic, the processing speed was considerable.

“Let’s take a wider look…”

It was when Kim Songcheol was suggesting a reconnaissance.

“What is this?”

Thump-thump-thump-thump!

Suddenly, the ground began to vibrate. It was an unexpected rumble.

Kim Songcheol looked around and then spotted a horde of monsters rushing over the hill.

It was a massive horde of Felkrons.

There were at least 50 visible, and more kept appearing behind them.

Kim Songcheol quickly looked at Choi Jung-ho.

“Let’s get out of here first.”

Choi Jung-ho spoke calmly and ascended high into the sky with Advanced Fly Magic. He used Telekinesis to lift Joo Sangwon and took him along, and Galen took Seo Munyeong up. Kim Songcheol also shot into the sky and landed on his Shield.

“Is this normal?”

Kim Songcheol stood on his Shield, looking down at the endless horde of Felkrons. There seemed to be hundreds of them now.

“Yes, I’ve heard that monsters sometimes do this, but this is the first time I’ve seen a Felkron horde move like this.”

“The first time?”

Kim Songcheol asked again, even though he had clearly heard it.

“It’s the first time for me. Galen, have you ever seen this?”

“I’ve seen it once before. About two years ago. Much further north.”

Galen said casually.

“That’s what it is. We’ll descend once they pass. The Felkrons will all be dealt with before they even reach the Base.”

As Choi Jung-ho spoke, he cast magic towards the Felkron horde. Galen did the same.

Five-circle magic explosions erupted throughout the Felkron horde.

Each explosion knocked down five or six Felkrons.

While its attack power wasn’t as high as Pin Burst, its range was quite wide.

It was suitable magic for killing enemies moving in groups.

However, Kim Songcheol did not enjoy this long-awaited points burning time.

Instead, he looked at the hill the Felkrons were coming from.

‘Should I consider this a sign too?’

Even a large horde of Felkrons wouldn’t be enough to destroy the Base, but the C-rank Dungeon was full of much stronger monsters.

There were some enemies that, if only two or three gathered, could compromise the safety of the Base.

If such enemies were to rush in…

‘…!’

Suddenly, Kim Songcheol sharply turned his head. It was the hill on the right.

“Just a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Kim Songcheol immediately jumped down on his Board.

“Mr. Kim Songcheol…!”

Choi Jung-ho shouted, but Kim Songcheol didn’t look back. He increased his speed with fly magic and descended diagonally, and as he neared the ground, his Board emitted a blue light and shot forward.

Having accelerated during his descent, Kim Songcheol swiftly crossed the plain and ascended the hill on the right.

‘…?’

In the distance, a wolf was visible. The sensation that had stimulated him was clearly the presence of that wolf.

The Wolf also looked back at Kim Songcheol from afar. It was about twice the size of a normal Wolf, but in a C-rank Dungeon, it was by no means considered large.

The Wolf stared at Kim Songcheol with its bright yellow eyes, then quickly disappeared over the hill. It was too fast and already too far to catch up.

‘That’s very suspicious.’

Kim Songcheol returned to Choi Jung-ho’s side and asked,

“Are there any monsters around here that look like a Wolf? About… two or three meters long?”

“There are no monsters that small around here. I’ve never seen a Wolf either. Did you see a Wolf?”

“Yes. It was a Wolf.”

At Kim Songcheol’s words, the other team members just tilted their heads.

They had never seen a Wolf before.

And that reaction gave Kim Songcheol a certain conviction.

That there was something about that Wolf.

‘The mere fact that the Wolf gave off such a presence…’

Kim Songcheol felt like he had caught a Thread.