South Korea's top 10 guilds were known to wield immense power.

So much so that even the government dared not interfere with their affairs. These guilds had established kingdoms of their own within the nation, leading some to liken them to warlords.

However, they couldn't truly act as warlords due to the existence of the Kangin Guild, which dominated South Korea.

A law mandated that all guilds in the country operate under the Kangin Guild, a law upheld solely because of the Kangin Guild's overwhelming power.

Renowned as the strongest guild in the world, the Kangin Guild not only held sway over South Korean industries but also commanded substantial international influence.

At the heart of this vast power was Choi Kang-in, the guild master of the Kangin Guild.

In the original story, it was Choi Kang-in who chose Baek Seo-jin as his successor early during the latter’s academy days, naming him the heir to the Kangin Guild.

"The Kangin Guild is the perfect place to overturn this situation."

To counter those spreading baseless slander and manipulating public opinion against Seomun Ye-jin, I decided to seek out Choi Kang-in.

Choi Kang-in wasn’t in Seoul but Kaesong—a detail that didn’t surprise me. After all, Seomun Ye-jin and I lived in a remote place like Anju in South Pyongan Province.

Some preferred North Korean regions, which were developed later than the southern provinces, over the bustling crowds of Seoul. Many wealthy individuals built massive estates in these quieter areas, making use of the advanced security measures that kept out both intruders and villains.

These estates were protected by barriers that could detect and fend off unfamiliar entities. If villains tried to break through, the barrier would buy time for hunters to arrive and repel them.

Even Park Ji-hoon, the villain who had targeted Seomun Ye-jin, kidnapped her not from her house but while she was out.

If I hadn’t rescued her, she would have ended up on the slave auction block. If someone else had intervened to save her, she would likely have moved to Seoul.

But now that I was here, she could feel secure.

Even as I arrived in Kaesong, my thoughts remained focused on her safety.

• You seem quite fond of that girl, Ramisa, the Black Serpent draped around my shoulders, remarked.

Ramisa knew that part of my attention was always monitoring Seomun Ye-jin’s safety. Alongside the protective necklace I had given her, I had several other measures in place to ensure her security.

"Of course. She’s someone important to me."

• Someone important, huh? Well, that makes sense. That girl is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women in the world. Even the Fox That Devours Worlds would covet her flesh and soul.

I scoffed at Ramisa’s words.

"And you wouldn’t? Don’t act like you’re above it."

• True enough. If properly matured, her flesh and soul could be a treasure worth keeping for eternity. But, Seo-jun, you know that I’ve abandoned such intentions.

"Yes, I know. Your priority is survival. You gave me all your power so I could protect you while remaining unnoticed."

My relationship with Ramisa was one of mutual necessity.

Unlike the outright malevolence associated with the Fox That Devours Worlds, Ramisa wasn’t inherently malicious.

She was cold, indifferent to an extreme degree.

While the Fox moved with malice, Ramisa treated everything as mere sustenance.

Like a snake devouring hatchlings and eggs from a nest, she consumed without ill will. To her, the cries of the victims were no different from the desperate chirps of baby birds being eaten.

That indifference made her a cosmic horror to humanity.

"I wonder how Choi Kang-in has changed."

In the original story, Choi Kang-in’s quest for a successor in the Kangin Guild was tied to Ramisa.

But with Ramisa no longer a threat to the world and even greater dangers looming, how would he view the current situation?

"I guess I’ll find out when I meet him."

The Kangin Guild master’s estate in Kaesong was a sight to behold.

The massive hanok-style mansion resembled a palace in its grandeur.

"State-level power, indeed."

Choi Kang-in and his Kangin Guild were often described as wielding state-level authority.

As the leader of the nation’s most powerful mana awakeners, Choi Kang-in stood at the apex of South Korea’s supernatural hierarchy. Calling his power “state-level” might even underestimate it.

But even his power couldn’t compare to world-ending threats.

"Let’s see how long it takes for Choi Kang-in to notice me."

Concealing my presence, I calmly entered the estate.

The barriers protecting the property failed to detect me. Their magic wasn’t strong enough to sense my existence.

"Too easy."

I moved effortlessly through the mansion toward the source of Choi Kang-in’s energy.

The interior was surprisingly empty.

Aside from a few staff members, the massive estate was almost devoid of people.

This made sense. The mansion was Choi Kang-in’s personal residence, not a guild building.

The Kangin Guild had its own facilities in Kaesong, occupying an entire district of the city.

"This must be the room."

Standing before the door to Choi Kang-in’s room, I opened it deliberately.

Creak.

The deliberate sound of the door opening was met with a deep, masculine voice.

"Who’s there?"

Though clearly unsettled by the door opening on its own, he concealed his surprise well.

Choi Kang-in, despite being over ninety years old, looked like a middle-aged man. His appearance matched the description from the original story—red hair, piercing black eyes, and an imposing build.

Revealing myself, I greeted him.

"Good evening, Choi Kang-in."

I spoke politely, but he remained wary.

It was only natural for him to be cautious. A stranger had entered his home undetected, and such a visitor was unlikely to inspire trust.

However, I had no intention of antagonizing him, so I offered a lighthearted smile to ease the tension.

"There’s no need to be so tense."

"Who are you? What’s your purpose here? Have you come to kill me?"

It was the opposite. His death would be inconvenient for me.

And I wasn’t the type to kill someone without cause. My targets were reserved for villains at the very least.

"I have no intention of killing you. In fact, your death would be troublesome. I’m here to request your help."

"Help?"

"Yes, Choi Kang-in. I need your assistance—your power and authority."

He stiffened at my words, perhaps imagining something drastic. I pulled out my phone, causing him to flinch, likely thinking it was a weapon.

But all I did was search for an article.

I scrolled through the internet until I found the slanderous news pieces about Seomun Ye-jin. I also pulled up screenshots of the hateful comments posted by the women’s organizations.

I held the phone out to him.

"Do you know about these articles?"

Choi Kang-in’s sharp gaze turned to the screen.

As he read, his expression shifted from confusion to understanding. He looked back at me, his eyes narrowing.

"And why are you showing me this?"

"Isn’t it obvious? I want you to crush these tabloid writers, the women’s organizations behind them, and the Baekho Guild supporting them. Use your power to stomp them into the ground."

Choi Kang-in looked at me as if I were ridiculous.

"All this... over something so trivial?"

He was incredulous, but I was deadly serious.

"This isn’t trivial to me. In fact, I’m barely restraining myself from killing them all in a fit of rage."

Sensing the bloodlust emanating from me, Choi Kang-in flinched before softening his stance.

"Hmm. That was an insensitive remark. I suppose, for some, this could indeed be a grave matter."

He was likely considering my fake identity as Kim Ho-jun.

"And how, exactly, do you want me to handle this?"

"Make them regret ever crossing me."