Chapter 196

Early ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍morning, Chuseok.

Baek ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Dojun stopped in his tracks.

He ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍raised his head and cast his gaze toward the path leading to Seoul's Outskirts District 26.

It ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was a vital transportation route connecting Seoul and Gyeonggi-do.

Under ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍normal circumstances, the road would have been bustling with numerous vehicles, but due to the martial law enforced by the Bureau, only a desolate atmosphere remained.

Barricades ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍were plastered everywhere, resembling a scene from a disaster movie.

The environment felt as if zombies might jump out at any moment.

Baek Dojun turned around and faced his colleagues.

“I will not tell you to survive. Nor will I tell you that you must achieve our goal. I only hope you know what we are sacrificing ourselves for, what the heroes of the Great Rift bled for, and what humanity has fought so fiercely to survive for.”

He and his companions numbered approximately several hundred.

The group ranged from Special Affairs Division investigators, who were capable of handling three or four A-rank hunters on their own, to a waiter who used to serve coffee at White Bottle.

The regular troops of the administration who had been protecting them did not follow.

They were unsuitable for battling awakened beings in the first place, and moving such a large number of people would only hinder the plan.

“Our plan is to eliminate the key figures of the Bureau. Once we pass this road, there is no tactical retreat, nor can we turn back due to a change of heart. Perhaps our actions today will become the most historic scene remembered by future generations, or perhaps it will end as the worst rebellion, leaving not even a name behind.”

Baek Dojun scanned his colleagues one by one before his gaze stopped on Do Minyeong.

“What is the reason for becoming enemies with the greatest power in human history? ……Is it for family? For justice? For freedom? If someone were to ask me, my answer would be, ‘I am simply doing what must be done.’”

In an instant, a roar of cheers erupted.

The momentum was unbelievable, coming from those who were well aware of the enemy’s strength.

Baek Dojun watched them for a long time before turning back toward Seoul.

“Now then, let us begin.”

***

I reached District 30.

Since it was close to Gangwon-do, it was a peaceful area where the clouds of war were not felt.

This was the place where Aileen used to live.

It was lined with villas built by wealthy awakened beings from Seoul's District 5 as suburban retreats.

Of course, due to the martial law, almost no one remained here.

Most stayed in the safe inner districts, and those left behind were only about a hundred troops managed by District 30.

“Still, because it is a wealthy neighborhood, they seem to have some decent skills.”

In the distance, a group of hunters killing time idly caught my eye.

None of them were familiar faces, but the Demonic Eye revealed that their skills were not to be underestimated.

“Assuming they are facing ordinary awakened beings, that is.”

I spied on their information while in Stealth.

From what I heard, most of the Bureau's forces had moved toward Incheon.

Baek Dojun must have devised a trick.

The rebels' attack would surely begin soon as well.

Since their goal was to target key figures of the Bureau, they would use the fastest and shortest route possible.

Of course, Bureau Chief Baek Dojin was no fool.

Possessing a brilliant mind equal to Baek Dojun's, he would have prepared at least a minimum level of insurance.

After gathering enough information, I deactivated Stealth.

The hunters jumped in surprise as if they had seen a ghost when they saw my armored state.

“W-what! So suddenly!”

“A shadow? Is a shadow moving?”

“Is it a monster? A new species of monster!”

“I have never heard of a monster like this!”

The hunters were flustered.

However, they quickly drew their weapons and aimed them at me.

“What are you! Are you a human or a monster!”

None of them were forced awakened.

I could consider them B-rank hunters belonging to the Hunter Association.

I did not know what their ideologies were, but there was no need to kill them.

Without answering, I placed my hand on the ground.

Someone fired a bullet at the same time, but it lost its momentum the moment it touched my black armor and fell to the floor.

Unless it was a light-element magic bullet, it wouldn't even leave a scratch.

Well, even a light-element one would only leave a scratch.

KABOOM!

As I channeled mana into the ground, the earth shook.

To be precise, the shadows created by the gray clouds of Seoul surged.

“A-an earthquake all of a sudden?”

“Everyone, stay calm! He is using a trick!”

Shadow? Shadow? Dark? Death?

Anyway, shadow golems that were hard to name rose from the ground, instantly outnumbering the hunters.

As described before, the golems looked like lithe assassins themselves.

Excluding the key figures of the Bureau, they likely did not know that a Demonic Being stood behind Baek Dojin.

Since the execution of Kim Shinwoo was based on the pretext of being involved with Demonic Beings, it was a truth that must never be known.

Therefore, there was no need to kill them all.

There was no need to chase those who fled, either.

Well, if they died, it couldn't be helped, but my goal was strictly to help the rebels.

I just needed the rumors to spread to the inner districts.

“What are you doing! Fire already!”

“Damn it!”

In a flash, the sound of gunfire rained down on the peaceful village.

However, the golems ambushed the hunters by avoiding the bullets with exquisite movements, subduing them without me needing to grip my sword.

“I-it is a Demonic Being! Otherwise, there is no way he could summon such pitch-black golems!”

“Throw a potion! They will melt the moment they touch a potion!”

True to their nature as hunters, they showed persistence even while surrounded and subdued by the golems.

One of the hunters aimed his gun at me, approaching from my rear.

The golem immediately held a sword to the man's neck, but the hunter did not flinch and glared at me.

He seemed to have realized that the golems possessed no murderous intent.

“You...... what is your true identity?”

“…….”

“Are you also a rebel in league with the Demonic Beings?”

A rebel, huh.......

It was a suspicion worth having.

I intended to knock him out while ignoring his question.

However, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

Wasn't there a way to maximize the effect of this ambush?

Effectively drawing the attention of the Bureau and the Demonic Beings.......

For example, making an excuse that the Demonic Being Gen and Lee Eunho would have no choice but to pay attention to.

Having finished my thought, I spoke meaningfully.

“Go to the inner districts and deliver this message. Tell them that the Phantom Thief will soon go to steal their ideals.”

***

Seoul's District 2.

On the day of Chuseok, the war clouds that had been looming over Seoul finally struck the Bureau.

“We have redeployed our forces to the south for now, but since the enemies are moving while scattered, I do not know if we can defend properly.”

“Why not bring the forces to the inner districts and respond there?”

“Is everyone scared? They say there are only a few of them. No matter how skilled they are, we can just push them back with numbers.”

“If it were that easy, would we be in this situation? Most of the rebels are those born and raised in Seoul. It is difficult to deal with them if they hide among the citizens on purpose.”

“Damn it! It would be fine if we at least knew the whereabouts of the direct descendant……!”

The conference room buzzed with disjointed murmurs.

Baek Dojin finally spoke.

“We must accept some level of sacrifice.”

“S-sacrifice?”

“The residents of the outskirts. We can just use the excuse that they were forced awakened. When a mountain is on fire, does one need to worry about the weeds?”

“…….”

It was a truly shocking statement.

However, no one protested or expressed a negative reaction.

They knew well what kind of treatment they would receive the moment they got on the Director-General's bad side.

“D-Director-General!”

A strange tension was flowing.

Someone hurriedly entered the conference room.

“I have a report that someone claiming to be the Phantom Thief attacked hunters in District 30!”

“What?”

“He clearly identified himself as the Phantom Thief! It is hard to understand, but he also said he was going to steal their ideals!”

Baek Dojin frowned.

'The Phantom Thief should be moving with Gen.'

Could the Demonic Beings have moved faster than expected?

'No, given the current situation, it is hard to see them as the same person.'

Then for what purpose was he impersonating the Phantom Thief?

“So, where did that fellow calling himself the Phantom Thief move to?”

“According to the information coming in, he is heading straight for the inner districts! But the problem is……”

“The problem?”

“A report says he is moving with hundreds of pitch-black golems with him…….”

Pitch-black golems.

Baek Dojin groaned.

'Does this mean a Demonic Being is really moving? Why? It is still long before sunset.'

The situation was impossible to understand.

However, Baek Dojin's judgment was swift.

It was foolish to measure a Demonic Being with human thoughts in the first place.

“Move up the execution schedule. Announce it extensively to the citizens. We will execute the traitor of humanity at the Clock Tower Plaza.”

“Ah, then what should we do with Jang Incheol?”

Jang Incheol, the master of the production guild Ironflame.

The Bureau arrested him on the pretext that he was involved with Demonic Beings like Kim Shinwoo, but the truth was because of the Flame of Sloth he could ignite.

Traditionally, executions related to Demonic Beings were usually by burning.

The goal was to force him to ignite the flame and burn Kim Shinwoo to death, but…….

“D-Director-General!”

Another person rushed into the conference room and spat out an absurd statement.

“The Sword Emperor! The Sword Emperor has vanished!”

“…….”

***

Entering District 26 was easier for the rebels than expected.

It was thanks to drawing attention toward Incheon.

Of course, they were able to shake off the pursuit easily because they had split into teams to infiltrate from the beginning.

Although the number of rebels was only a few hundred, most of them were tasked with confusing the citizens in the outskirts rather than heading to the inner districts.

The real obstacle would be the inner districts guarded by the Hunter Association.

Therefore, they decided to split the experts into three groups to ambush the Bureau's key figures and rescue Kim Shinwoo.

There were about 20 teams in total.

Naturally moving with Baek Dojun were Monica and Maxi, the loyal investigators of the Special Affairs Division, and…….

“Should you stay in the outskirts even now?”

“I would not have accompanied you if I were just going to wait quietly in the outskirts.”

It was Do Minyeong.

The direct descendant of the Sword Saint, who had become the target of everyone.

“I will definitely keep my promise not to step forward.”

“What if we fail to rescue the Sword Emperor? Will you stay still then as well?”

“……My great-uncle is not someone who will be easily defeated.”

Baek Dojun realized he could not persuade her.

She showed the stubbornness characteristic of the direct descendant of the Sword Saint, who was rumored to be incredibly pigheaded in life.

Once they infiltrated past the guard, there was no place safer than the inner districts anyway.

The Bureau would surely think that the important person, Do Minyeong, had been left in the outskirts or Suwon.

“Then, do not disappoint me.”

“Yes.”

Baek Dojun's group ran toward the inner districts again.

The place they eventually reached was the boundary of Seoul's District 8.

District 8 was an island floating on the Han River, an important location from which they could reach District 2 the fastest if they crossed the bridge.

Fortunately, the operation using Kim Seyeon was successful, and only a minimum force was stationed there.

However, their movements would be discovered if they openly passed the path where barricades were set up.

It was a quite tricky situation as they had to pass through a narrow bridge, but Maxi, who used ice, stepped forward confidently.

“I will handle it.”

With those words, he secretly jumped into the Han River.

He then approached the bridge while freezing the surface of the water and channeled powerful mana into the pillars supporting the bridge.

His intention was to freeze all the troops standing on the bridge.

It was a task that consumed significant mana, but there was no method more effective.

At the moment a sudden chill was blooming on the bridge…….

“……!”

SWISH!

A roar of a piercing sound was heard, and the bridge began to collapse as it split in half.

“What is this!”

“I-it is a sword strike! Moreover, the color of that mana is……!”

The gazes of Baek Dojun, Monica, and Do Minyeong were fixed on one spot on the bridge.

There stood a man alone, holding a massive spear.

Do Minyeong asked.

“Is that man perhaps……”

Monica nodded.

“Seo Junhyeop, the master of the hunter guild Blackcastle. The person who stands alone at the highest peak of the awakened world…….”

In an instant, Do Minyeong made eye contact with Seo Junhyeop.

Although they were physically quite far apart, his gaze was very sharp and fierce.

Sure enough, a spear strike of dark red light was fired accurately toward them.

“Scatter, quickly!”

Baek Dojun shouted urgently, but it was already impossible to get out of the attack range.

There was no way to dodge a spear strike of such absurd size flying at an incredible speed.

Having made his judgment, Baek Dojun intended to use his ability while standing behind Do Minyeong.

As someone who used ability nullification, it would be possible for him to offset the spear strike to some extent, even if he couldn't make it disappear.

However, what blocked the spear strike was a sword strike that burst out from an unexpected direction.

KABOOM!

An ear-splitting explosion and wind pressure followed.

“What is this!”

“Over there! Look over there……!”

The place Do Minyeong pointed was the beginning of the bridge.

There, an old man, who had approached without anyone noticing, was facing Seo Junhyeop.

A figure familiar to not only her but also to Baek Dojun and Monica.

“I have come to end this cycle of fate.”

It was An Hwigom, who had been missing.

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