1. Someone Is Watching Us
At the inn where Damien and his group were staying.Late at night, Ian sat by the window, looking outside.
The streets were nearly deserted.Yet something faint, something imperceptible, made her uneasy.
'…Strange.'
She leaned forward slightly, shifting her gaze.Someone was definitely hiding nearby, watching them.
While quietly flipping through a book, Rean spoke.
"You felt it too?"
Ian smirked.
"You as well?"
Rean nodded.
"Most likely… either the Occult group or the Wizard Guild."
Ian twirled her dagger in her hand.
"They're tracking us?"
"Highly likely."
Rean added in a low voice,
"Especially with someone like me—the one who sees Fate—here, they have every reason to be cautious."
Damien quietly touched the hilt of his sword.
"…So our movements are already within their sights."
They were no longer just adventurers.They had intervened in too many things. They'd gone in too deep.
And the price for that… might be surveillance, pursuit—or worse.
2. News of Death – The Fate of Reformist Haspel
The next morning, disturbing rumors spread across the city:
"A mage from the Wizard Guild has gone missing.""Haspel was last seen near the guild last night.""Bloodstains were found in his room—but no body."
As soon as Rean heard the news, he clenched his teeth.
"Haspel… is dead?"
Cain gave a quiet nod.
"Technically, his body hasn't been found. But this is clearly a warning."
Ian cursed under her breath.
"Damn it… So the Wizard Guild made the first move."
Haspel had been part of the reformist faction within the Guild.He knew the truths the upper echelons tried to conceal.He had planned to go into hiding—but it seemed the Guild's trackers had found him first.
Rean clenched his fist.
"We… don't have time to wait anymore."
They already had vital information.But they still needed time to decipher it—and now, even that time was being taken from them.
3. The Arrival of the Holy Knights – Reunion with Lars Bark
In the city center, white banners flew above the citadel.The shining white armor of the Holy Knights glinted in the sun.At their head stood Lars Bark—the "Spear of the White Citadel."
His mere presence caused a stir across the city.
And Damien… once again stood before him.
Lars Bark was one of the youngest and most powerful paladins in the Order.A man of absolute faith, justice, and judgment.
He had come here for one reason:
"Someone is impersonating the Language of the Gods."
Lars Bark walked straight up to Damien.
"It's been a while, Damien."
His hand lightly gripped the hilt of his sword as he asked in a low voice:
"You've heard the rumors, haven't you?"
"…I have," Damien replied briefly.
Lars nodded.
"Blasphemous language. Heretics mocking God."
He said coldly:
"They will face divine judgment."
His voice was unwavering.As if the verdict had already been delivered.
"I will find the source of the rumor."
With that, he turned and walked away without another word.
And Damien knew—he would soon act.
4. A City Wrapped in Ominous Energy
The atmosphere in the city was now unmistakable.
The Wizard Guild was hiding information—and eliminating dissenters.
Radical Sorcerers were preparing to strike against the Guild.
The Occultists were deepening their plans in the shadows.
And the Holy Knights had begun to move, intent on punishing those who "mocked the name of God."
All of these forces… were converging toward a single point.
Damien gripped his sword.
He knew.A great clash was about to erupt in this city.
Anyone could feel it—the air itself was brimming with tension.
The storm… had already begun.
And at the very center of it—stood Damien and his companions.
**
Chapter : Night Raid – The Assassins of the Wizard Guild
1. Night Raid – The Shadows of the Wizard Guild
The night blanketed the city in darkness.The streets had grown quiet, with only a cold wind rustling through the alleys.
Yet unseen shadows were on the move.
The upper echelon of the Wizard Guild had made their decision:They would no longer wait.
This time, they would act directly.
And their target was singular:
"Eliminate Damien and his companions."
Silent steps.Hands gripping blades.The assassins were stationed quietly around the inn.
It was Ian who sensed their presence first.
She felt it instinctively.
'…They've come.'
Quickly stepping away from the window, she signaled to Rean, Cain, and Damien.
"Guests have arrived."
And before the words had fully left her mouth—
The window shattered as black shadows stormed in.
2. Damien's Group vs. The Wizard Guild Assassins
Their attack was as fast as lightning.These were the Wizard Guild's elite assassin unit, trained in both magic and silent killing.Once they chose a target, they never missed.
"Move!"
Damien swung his sword, blocking the first strike.But this enemy was no ordinary killer.
"Shadow Binding!"
An assassin cast a spell, and Damien's shadow reached up to restrain him.
But—
"Sword Technique – Sever the Flow!"
Damien ducked low and slashed.The magic split apart, tearing the shadow with it.
In the same instant, Ian slipped behind the assassins and threw her dagger.
"You underestimated us."
Cain drew his bow and fired, targeting enemies hidden in the dark.
Rean quickly cast a spell.
"Iron Wall!"
A barrier rose, blocking the incoming attacks.
But these assassins weren't going down easily.They continued their assault, weaving magic and blades into one seamless onslaught.
This was not a battle that would end quickly.
3. The Holy Knights' Intervention – Judgment of the White Citadel
Then—
"O Light, judge the profane!"
A pillar of blinding light struck down.The assassins scattered, narrowly avoiding it.
And then—Holy knights clad in white armor appeared.
At their lead stood:
Lars Bark, "Spear of the White Citadel."
He raised his spear and spoke in a firm voice:
"Those who skulk in the dark of night… dogs of the Wizard Guild, are you?"
The assassins ground their teeth in frustration.They had aimed for a clean and silent operation—but with the holy knights' arrival, the situation was no longer in their favor.
Lars Bark charged into the battlefield.
"Receive divine judgment!"
As he swept his spear, a storm of light erupted—scattering the assassins.
Damien drew a breath and said,
"Finally… the tide turns."
Ian smirked.
"Since when did the Holy Knights become our allies?"
Damien glanced at Lars Bark and replied simply,
"At least for now… we share the same enemy."
The Wizard Guild's assassins had no choice but to retreat.
4. Damien and Lars Bark – The Beginning of a Bond
After the battle, Lars Bark turned to Damien.
His voice was sharp:
"I know who you are."
"And I know you're not someone to be trusted easily."
But he set his spear down and added:
"…But I saw how you fought."
"I serve justice and order."
"If the Wizard Guild is committing secret assassinations, then they stand against the will of the divine."
He extended his hand toward Damien.
"For now… it seems we're heading in the same direction."
Damien stared at the hand.
Then, slowly, he took it.
And so—The two began to recognize one another.
5. The Sorcerers Mobilize – Prelude to a Clash
Meanwhile, news of the failed attack spread.The radical faction of the Sorcerers decided it was time to act.
"Now it's our turn to move."
Their leaders spoke in anger.
"The Wizard Guild continues to oppress us!""We will not endure this any longer!""We will fight them head-on!"
They began preparing for open conflict with the Wizard Guild.
The city… was falling deeper into the shadow of war.
6. Those Who See Beyond – Quiet Movements in the Dark
Amidst the growing chaos,The occult group known as Those Who See Beyond held a quiet meeting.
They had been observing everything,Waiting patiently for the moment that would change everything.
At last, their leader spoke.
"The time has come."
"When the Wizards and Sorcerers devour each other… that is when we shall act."
"And thus, reveal the hidden truth."
They had planned for this day long ago.
And now—That plan was about to unfold.