KWAMAMAMANG!
The Bloodstorm Skybreaker struck the ground, unleashing a fierce bloodstorm.Thanks to the reinforcement from the Ring of Aggression, the power of the bloodstorm surged even more intensely.
CRRRACKK!
"A-aaghhhh!""My body, my body! Aaahhh!"
Quite literally shredding the players' bodies,the players caught in the storm screamed as their entire forms were torn apart by the wind.Absorbing the blood of the scattered enemies, Han Yuseong spun like a raging whirlwind.
"This bastard, what the hell...!""Enemy! Get a grip! It's just one guy—kugh!"
The jaw of the player who tried to calm his comrades was shattered.His body crumpled to the ground.Han Yuseong kicked the collapsing body with a rotating strike, unleashing a volley of magic missiles.The swarming missiles disrupted the enemies' movements,and Han Yuseong didn't miss that opening.
BAM! CRACKKK! CRUNCH!
The sounds of blows and bones breaking echoed from all directions.With their formation already in shambles, the players could no longer resist properly—one by one, they were helplessly taken down by Han Yuseong.
"Wh-where the hell did this guy come from?! Is he an Oathkeeper of Justice?!""How the hell is someone this strong at that level…?!"
The players here were all in their level 50s.By contrast, Han Yuseong's level was barely 10.In ordinary circumstances, such a gap would've made it impossible for him to stand a chance.However, the presence of the skill
[You are facing a powerful opponent who is difficult to defeat at your current level.][Effect of
To be precise, it was
On top of that, with high-tier skills like Bloodstorm Fist and Blood Demon,Han Yuseong's martial prowess was simply overwhelming.Ordinary players who only relied on their level had no hope of standing against him.
"G-goddamn…"
The last player collapsed.After looting the valuable items they carried,Han Yuseong left the ravine.There was no reason to linger—and more importantly,staying here any longer would only increase the danger.
"The Oathkeepers guarding the entrance must all be dead by now."
Considering how those players had just arrived at the scene,it was a safe assumption.Soon, reinforcements sent by the Lord of Justice would arrive.
He had to leave before they arrived.There was no need to expose his identity—and among the reinforcements, that guy would surely be present.
"Better get out before then."
With a burst of Windstep, Han Yuseong dashed through the shadowy ruins.
***
A thick scent of blood filled the air.Beneath the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, hidden in a secret underground chamber,the entrance to the Labyrinth of Dilemma was now buried beneath a heap of corpses.The bodies of Oathkeepers of Justice and the intruders alike.
"Damn it, we're too late! Any survivors?""None. Looks like they're all dead.""So we missed it by a hair…"
Not a single soul had survived.The Oathkeepers, arriving too late, clicked their tongues as they surveyed the slaughtered comrades.In a way, it had been a predictable outcome.
"Who would've guessed he'd be hiding in a place like this?"
That the Lord of War would conceal himself not just anywhere,but in the heart of Seoul—No one could've expected it.
The Oathkeepers had chased him to far-off places,and naturally, the number of Oathkeepers left to guard Seoul had dwindled dramatically.Even this current group had arrived as fast as possible—but it was clearly too late.
"What should we do now, Captain Misuho?""It's possible the ones who went in first may have escaped…"
The Oathkeepers of Justice quickly turned around.Standing there was a man in white.Clad in armor personally bestowed by the Lord of Justice,the man—Lee Suho—stood expressionless.There was not a hint of tension on his face.
"Stay calm.""…Yes, sir."
His voice, cold as ice, was enough to settle the anxious Oathkeepers.Lee Suho began walking forward, unhurried.
"There may be someone who entered, but no one has come out. Form ranks.If someone managed to sneak ahead, we'll simply take it back.""Understood, Captain Suho.""We're going in."
The Oathkeepers responded in unison to Lee Suho's command.They entered the Sanctum of War,and under Suho's lead, began moving swiftly through its labyrinthine passages.Several glanced at him with startled eyes.
"Does he… already know the path?""How is he moving so quickly, without hesitation…?"
He moved as if he already knew the layout.And in truth, he did—because only he could see something invisible to the others.
It was the markers left behind by Jung Seohyun, who had arrived ahead of them.As long as he followed those, there was no risk of getting lost.
"Even if someone entered before us—it doesn't matter."
That was the source of Lee Suho's calm confidence.He knew that Jung Seohyun was already inside the Sanctum of War,and that she had been entrusted with an important artifact.
If they made use of that, they could hold out—even if Oathkeepers from other Lords arrived.More than anything, she was a skilled player.There was no way something would go wrong.
"This might be a chance to gain more of the Lord's favor."
Lee Suho thought of his rivals.Currently, the position of "Apostle" under the Lord of Justice was vacant,and several Oathkeepers were vying for the title.Of course, he was the clear front-runner.And this incident was a perfect opportunity to widen the gap.
He had no intention of letting it slip away.
"Th-this is…"
That's what he believed—until they reached the chamber drenched in blood and corpses.It looked as if a brutal battle had taken place.Bodies were strewn everywhere.
Among the dead were Oathkeepers of Justice,Oathkeepers of other Lords,and—one figure that made him doubt his own eyes.
"Wait! That corpse…""I-is that… Jung Seohyun?"
Her face was smashed beyond recognition, making it difficult to be sure—but it was unmistakably Jung Seohyun.
The shocked Oathkeepers of Justice froze in place.And even Lee Suho was no exception.
"Jung Seohyun… is dead?"
It was something he hadn't even considered possible.Could that really happen?
Jung Seohyun possessed exceptional talent.While she lacked somewhat in magical ability,with time, she could've become a reliable right hand.
This… wasn't just unexpected—it was unthinkable.
He hadn't worried about that task at all.With her skills, she would have handled it without any trouble.
But Jung Seo-hyun was dead.Lee Soo-hyo's face froze over with cold anger.Without a word, he crossed the ridge of the funeral mountain and entered the space beyond it—A space with nothing but an empty altar.
"... Find them.""Y-Yes? What…?"
Lee Soo-hyo slammed his fist down hard on the altar.The altar was completely destroyed, and his clenched fists trembled with rage.
"Find the bastard who killed Jung Seo-hyun and stole the relic. Now!""Y-Yes, sir!""Move out!"
The Vow Keepers of Justice rushed out urgently.But it was all in vain.They searched the area desperately, but couldn't find a single trace.As if a ghost had come and gone.
"How dare they...!"
Lee Soo-hyo's fury echoed through the empty chamber.
**
Han Yoo-sung swiftly left the Gwanghwamun area.
Using Shadow of the Night and Cloud Veil together, no one noticed his presence.
"By now, Lee Soo-ho must be fuming."
With one of their own dead and the Lord of War—their target—having slipped away,The Eyes of Justice would surely be deeply disappointed.They failed at something they thought couldn't fail, so Lee Soo-ho must be absolutely livid.Of course, that wasn't Han Yoo-sung's concern.If anything, it was slightly satisfying.
'It proves I still don't have the strength to face Lee Soo-ho.'
At this point, even Han Yoo-sung didn't know Lee Soo-ho's exact Bevel (power level),But it was practically confirmed to be near 150.A monster far beyond what Han Yoo-sung could handle right now.
"Now's not the time…"
He wasn't foolish enough to throw his life away in a fight without a chance of winning.But with time—and growth—he could take him on.Just like he had in his past life.
"Lord of War. Are you listening?"[Indeed, I hear you. Hmph, it's quite cramped inside this backpack.]
Han Yoo-sung took the relic out of his backpack.As he drew the rusted sword, the Lord of War spoke.
"What are you going to do now? Stay inside the relic?"[The stars are countless, the universe is vast. And I… am not weak.]"What the hell are you talking about? And is that supposed to be bragging?"
It was baffling that she declared her weakness with such pride.The Lord of War let out an awkward cough.
[You likely know this already. We, the Lords of the Stars, reside in an independent dimension. There, we watch over countless worlds. I was no different. The problem is…]
"You're saying… you've grown too weak to return there?"
[Ahem, yes! Cough cough… Indeed. If I were to return now, all sorts of predators would pounce on me. Makiros, that scoundrel, would surely be among them. So… it seems I cannot return.]
"So, you're planning to stay in this relic?"
She couldn't return to the dimension where the Star Lords reside.That left her with only one option.
[I plan to stay in this relic for a while and gradually recover my strength. There's no need for concern. If I deliberately suppress my presence, not even the other Lords will be able to sense me. I'll be safe.]
Even as things stood, the Lord of War had lost much of her power.It was actually the perfect time to hide her presence.She might be noisy to have around, but Han Yoo-sung couldn't afford to lose such a valuable entity after going through all the trouble of obtaining her.For now, he had no choice but to carry her inside the relic.
"If I give you the 80,000 coins I earned, how much power can you regain?"
[That would only be enough to rebuild a basic foundation. I don't mean to boast, but as a Star Lord of the Dawn...]
"So, your efficiency is poor."
[Such an unpleasant way to put it… but yes, that's accurate.]
Han Yoo-sung wasn't particularly surprised—it was what he had expected.It would take a considerable amount of time for the Lord of War to recover the power she once had.There was no need to rush anything right now.However—
"I want to restore this relic itself. Is there a way?"
[With my current strength, I cannot restore it. However, if you offer a certain amount of coins, I could briefly restore it for a short time.]
"I see."
Han Yoo-sung examined the sword in his hand.A pitifully rusted blade.Relics are all inherently powerful.And this one—Path of War—was something he wanted to make usable again.
"It'll be a big help during the upcoming Trial of the Gods."
Relics grow stronger in proportion to the power of the Lord they are tied to.And Star Lords grow stronger through the use of coins.In the end, it all came down to coins.So then, what was the best way to earn them?
[Participating in the Trial of the Gods would be the best method. However, there's still some time before the next one.]
"Then there's only one other option."
Han Yoo-sung and the Lord of War thought of the same thing.
"The Star Battlefield."[Yes… there's no other choice.]
A place where Oathkeepers from various worlds gather and clash.There, he could quickly earn the coins he needed.Han Yoo-sung stood up.He had to sell the loot he'd obtained after clearing out the Sanctuary of War.He was about to leave with that in mind when—
[Ah, come to think of it, I almost forgot.]"You forgot what?"[There's something I need to tell you.]
The Lord of War suddenly called out to Han Yoo-sung.A clear, commanding voice echoed from the relic.
["Kakasha."]"Kakasha?"[That is my true name. Normally, we don't reveal our true names to Oathkeepers, but you and I share a bound fate—so it's fine.]
The Star Lords each have a true name.The Lord of Justice, for example, is known as Akiros.Such names are never shared lightly—only with the most trusted of Oathkeepers.And now, the Lord of War had shared hers.
"Short and simple. I like it—Kakasha."[Don't forget it. Etch it into your memory.]
Han Yoo-sung nodded and resumed walking.He wouldn't forget it anyway.After all, they were bound by fate.