After reporting to the camp, I went back to the forest infested with Demons.

This year, I had hunted enough Demons to fill the entire forest, yet today, hunting wasn't my objective.

“…Found it.”

After a long walk, killing any Demons that crossed my path, I finally found what I was looking for.

It was a small rip in the fabric of space.

This makes six of them in total.

To the untrained eye, it might look like a regular Gate of Demons, but the color was different.

It possessed a dense, dark black hue.

It was unlike any Gate of Demons I had seen before. The atmosphere around it was much more sickening.

Furthermore, this opening didn't summon any Demons.

It simply hovered in the air, devoid of any activity.

I slowly reached my hand out, my gaze fixated on the opening.

My fingers effortlessly sunk into the opening, as if it was waiting for me to do so.

As it enveloped my hand, memories of the first time I saw this type of opening flooded my mind.

I had first come across it when I first arrived on the frontlines, Gu Huibi brought me here claiming to have something to show me.

It was an opening suspended in the air, devoid of any summoned Demons or expanding in size. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just an opening—it was a puzzle.

[Grrr…!]

When I slipped my hand into the opening, that bastard reacted as though it had been waiting for that moment.

I couldn't see it, but it felt as if it was wagging its tail in happiness.

Calm down, I will feed you soon.

As soon as I finished my thought…

Cggggk-!

The opening gradually disintegrated.

It was being absorbed into my hand.

I could feel it, the energy flowing through my arms, into my Dantian, and then even deeper within me.

Crunch, crunch.

I could feel the bastard feasting upon the energy as it entered.

You have quite the appetite, huh? You already ate so much yesterday.

As the beast devoured the energy, I felt another piece of the puzzle slotting into place within my middle Dantian.

“…Phew.”

Yet, it was a very small piece of the puzzle, and I couldn't even use it as my own Qi.

I conducted numerous tests, but the outcome remained the same.

Yet, I continued my search for such openings on the frontlines, in order to get rid of them.

Because the beast wants this.

Not only did the beast tell me the locations of these types of openings, but it also wanted me to find them so that it could devour them.

Though I don't know what this is for.

I didn't know why this type of opening was forming in the frontlines, nor did I know the purpose of these openings.

Were there such openings in my past life?

I racked my brain, but I couldn't think of anything like this.

Judging by how I never even heard of a black opening, I suspected that this change was made due to my regression.

I knew that this could put me in a dangerous situation and wanted to avoid them if given the option, but I wasn't in a position to choose.

[Con… tract…]

I know.

That was the promise I had made with that bastard.

“I'm feeding you this because I know about it, so stop rushing me.”

[Grngh…]

“Also, free the old man already. It's about time anyways.”

[Grngh…?]

“Fucking beast. Always acting dumb when it's about this topic.”

I wanted to say more, but the bastard hid itself knowing that it would only be hearing more nagging.

It wasn't going to come out for a while now.

“…Sigh.”

I had starved myself so that I could feed this fucker, so such behavior made me feel rather annoyed.

“I swear if you come out later…!”

Venting my frustration despite knowing I wouldn't get a response, I prepared to head back to my tent.

I had to meet Moyong Hi-ah upon my return, and pay visits to Gu Huibi and Namgung Bi-ah.

My shift would also begin soon, so I had to go to the central area with Namgung Bi-ah.

Just as I was about to leap towards my tent…

-Ahhh… Aghh!

“Hmm?”

A scream echoed from nearby.

****************

Pow!

On the border between the plains and the forest, a figure lay sprawled on the ground, being pummeled mercilessly.

“Still have the audacity to scream, do you?”

The assailant sneered, his dark outfit and giant physique marking him as a martial artist from the Hwangbo Clan.

“Gah… Ugh.”

The one being beaten up, also seemingly a martial artist from the Hwangbo Clan, appeared frail and small in comparison to the group that surrounded him, his body bearing the marks of his torment.

The man delivering the beating spoke with a twisted smile.

“You didn't even have permission from your master, yet you scream like some wounded animal. Do you really think anyone will come to help you?”

“I-I'm sorry…”

“No, it's not your fault. It's my own failure for not teaching you properly.”

Thwack!

“Aghh!”

The man writhed in agony, unable to suppress his cries.

“Even after this mighty Hwangbo commanded you not to scream, you still disobey!”

“…Hrgh…”

“Oh, maybe you think you and I are equals just because we have the Hwangbo name?”

“N-No, never… How could I dare…”

“If that's the case, then why do you not listen to me…?”

Haha!

While the man spoke with mocking laughter, another figure watched from behind wearing a grim expression.

…I must stop him.

The spectator of the unfolding violence was none other than Hwangbo Cheolwi, while the aggressor was his older brother, Hwangbo Cheok.

Unlike Hwangbo Cheolwi who had only recently gained recognition as a young prodigy, Hwangbo Cheok was already a pretty well-known martial artist in the Central Plains.

Hwangbo Cheok, tapping the fallen man with the tip of his foot, turned his gaze towards Hwangbo Cheolwi.

“Little Brother.”

“…Yes, Big Brother.”

“I've had my fill. Would you like a turn?”

Hwangbo Cheolwi checked on the beaten man before replying.

The battered man belonged to a collateral branch of the Hwangbo Clan. He was one who received the smallest share of the Hwangbo blood, which explained his weakness.

Hwangbo Seon.

The young man's name was Hwangbo Seon.

“…I'm… fine.”

“Hmm?”

“It'll be a problem if others were to see this. I'll take care of that wretch myself— “

“Little Brother.”

Hwangbo Cheok's massive hand gripped Hwangbo Cheolwi's shoulder.

“Big Brother…?”

Hwangbo Cheolwi's shoulders shook as his eyes met his brother's gaze.

“You've been acting strange lately, showing concern for that collateral branch scum.”

“What are you talking about? Why would I care about a wretched bastard like him?”

“That's what I'm saying. Why do you?”

It was probably around last year.

The change started when Hwangbo Cheolwi returned to the clan following the tournament of Dragons and Phoenixes.

After that, for some reason, Hwangbo Cheolwi stopped looking down on the collateral line, stopped bullying others, and no longer boasted about the glory of their clan.

Hwangbo Cheok wasn't fond of that.

He couldn't fathom how his own brother had become so weak despite being blessed with the pure blood of the main lineage.

“Little Brother.”

“Yes, Big Brother…”

“Take this opportunity to finish him once and for all.”

“Huh?”

“I really don't like how your attitude doesn't suit us, the Hwangbo Clan, anymore.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“Go and break that bastard's leg.”

“…!”

Hwangbo Cheolwi's eyes widened at his command.

He hadn't expected such a demand from Hwangbo Cheok.

“Big Brother… this is the territory of the Murim Alliance.”

“I'm well aware. Do you think I'm stupid, Little Brother?”

“Then why…”

“Ha.”

Hwangbo Cheok gave a mocking laugh in response to Hwangbo Cheolwi's concern, finding it unnecessary and futile.

“Do you truly believe the Alliance would care if you shattered the leg of some collateral branch scum? They are worthless.”

“But…!”

“You didn't lay your hands on this bastard out of fear of the Lord seeing it. But right now, it doesn't matter.”

“Big Brother… what do you mean by that…?”

The Lord of Hwangbo Clan was past his prime, and it was increasingly likely that Hwangbo Cheok would ascend to the position of Young Lord soon. So, he didn't need to worry about trivial matters such as this.

“He's a worthless bastard, so might as well give him some use by relieving your stress.”

“…”

Hwangbo Cheolwi suppressed his emotions upon hearing his brother's cruel words. The madness in Hwangbo Cheok's eyes was far from a trivial matter.

…Just how did it come to this?

Hwangbo Cheolwi wondered, biting his lip.

This realization wasn't sudden; he had likely known deep down, but failed to acknowledge it, much like his brother.

“…Big Brother, even so this is— “

“What the… who are you?”

Hwangbo Cheolwi began to speak, only to be startled by an unknown voice.

Hwangbo Cheolwi stepped back in shock, and he wasn't alone—all of the Hwangbo Clan's martial artists felt the same way.

No one had felt his presence until someone interrupted.

Caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, Hwangbo Cheok readied his Combat Qi and asked.

“W-who the hell are you…?”

Despite Hwangbo Cheok's flustered question, the young man paid no attention to him. Instead, he approached Hwangbo Seon, who lay on the ground and examined his beaten body.

He seemed absolutely indifferent to the martial artists surrounding him.

“He was brutally beaten up, in a stupid way at that. It would be impossible to hide this as it's too noticeable… jeez.”

“You bastard…! I asked who you are!”

Hwangbo Cheok grabbed the young man's shoulder, attempting to lift him.

“…!”

But shockingly, the man remained still.

The young man didn't move an inch, it was as if he was glued to the ground.

…This fucker…?

It was the strength of a direct descendant of the Hwangbo Clan possessing such a massive physique, yet the young man didn't move an inch despite Hwangbo Cheok's full strength.

As Hwangbo Cheok prepared to charge up his Qi while hiding his shock, the young man turned his gaze towards him.

“Hey.”

“…Ah!”

Hwangbo Cheolwi gasped inwardly as he caught sight of the young man's face.

It was undeniably familiar—a face as fierce and terrifying as they come.

However, Hwangbo Cheok, wearing a menacing expression, seemed oblivious to the young man's identity.

“Ha, you must be out of your mind. Looks like you don't know who I am.”

As Hwangbo Cheok wondered what to do with this bastard who didn't seem to know his place, the young man spoke first, startling Hwangbo Cheok.

“Five.”

“Huh?”

“You better let go of me by the time I count to five. I'm not in the mood to be patient right now.”

Hearing the young man's words, Hwangbo Cheok couldn't help but smile.

“And what if I don't let go? Huh?”

“One.”

“What will you do to this Hwangbo Cheok of the mighty Hwangbo Clan?”

“Two.”

“I don't know what tricks you have up your sleeve, but do you honestly think you can even touch the clothes of this great Hwangbo Cheok? What a joke… unfortunately, you will die here tod— “

“Three.”

Craaack-!

“Uggh…!?”

Accompanied by the sound of something breaking, Hwangbo Cheok's arm that was gripping the young man's shoulder, became twisted.

Despite Hwangbo Cheok wrapping his body with Qi, the young man effortlessly twisted his arm as if molding clay.

“You…!”

Hwangbo Cheok growled immediately upon seeing his arm being twisted.

Crack-!

Thud!

Yet, he was brought to his knees in an instant, his massive frame now looking up at the young man.

…What just happened?

Hwangbo Cheok couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

By the time Hwangbo Cheok realized it, he was already on his knees.

As the young man's eyes met Hwangbo Cheok's trembling gaze, he spoke bluntly.

“This is why I shouldn't waste my time trying to talk to beast-like people. There's a thing called conversation, but they always resort to violence first, which really annoys me.”

His calm voice, tinged with anger, exerted an overwhelming pressure on the surroundings.

Meanwhile, Hwangbo Cheolwi, who had been watching from behind, was trying to calm his racing heart.

T-True Dragon.

He knew exactly who the young man was.

The True Dragon.

One of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes, rumored to be the disciple of the Dishonored Venerable. He was also the monster who defeated Hwangbo Cheolwi with a single blow as well as achieving first place in the tournament.

Why is he here?

However, there was something that intrigued him even more.

W-Why…?

It was a curiosity that surpassed the mystery of his older brother being brought to his knees, and the presence of the Gu Clan's True Dragon.

…Why did he only count to three when he said five?

That was the question that puzzled Hwangbo Cheolwi the most.