Chapter 166 : Chapter 166

Chapter 166

After ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍calming Do Minyeong, I sent her back to the dormitory.

I ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍then returned to the Main Building and, as originally intended, faced Kim Shinwoo.

“So ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍you have made that choice in the end….”

When ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍I told him that I intended to go to Gangwon-do, he reacted as though he had already expected it.

It ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was only natural that the bloodline of Hyun Yuyeol would take an interest in matters concerning Gangwon-do, yet judging by his expression, there seemed to be more secrets beneath the surface.

“It ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was Baek Dojun who told you about the secret of the magical artifact, was it not?”

“Yes.”

“And even so, he could not dissuade you from your decision.”

“Because it is something that someone must do.”

“No. It is merely that Baek Dojun does not realize the task is impossible.”

“…?”

“That a magical artifact cannot be destroyed.”

Kim Shinwoo was resolute.

Had I ever seen such coldness on his face before?

Of course, I knew that better than anyone as the original author.

If magical artifacts could have been destroyed, the tragedy of this world would never have occurred.

“I anticipated that it would not be destroyable.”

“Hm?”

“The reason the Shard of the Mirror of Greed exists in fragments. It must be evidence that someone already attempted to destroy a magical artifact. In this case… the Sword Saint.”

“……”

Any citizen of Seoul would have wondered at least once about the Sword Saint’s death.

Why had such a great hero died?

The answer was simple.

The Sword Saint had attempted to destroy a magical artifact, was afflicted by a curse, and that curse ultimately claimed his life.

Of course, the Mist-Clearing Sword I possessed had once destroyed a Shard of the Mirror of Greed.

However, that was merely an item that held a portion of the mirror’s power.

The true magical artifact was the frame that contained the fragments.

Just as in the original story, it would have been in the possession of a Demonic Being from the very beginning.

“From whom, and where, did you hear that?”

“It is the fruit of long investment. Since I fled to Seoul, I have constantly investigated the past.”

“Well, it would be laughable to question your existence at this point. More importantly, if you know it cannot be destroyed, why still go to Gangwon-do?”

“If it cannot be destroyed, then it can be removed.”

“What?”

“I will prevent the resumption of the Great Rift by any means necessary. We simply must ensure that the Demonic Being does not learn the artifact’s location.”

“That sounds far too convenient. Evading their eyes is no ordinary task.”

“You are right. That is why I came to see you, Principal. I wished to ask about the magical artifact, the Cone Hat of Pride. More precisely, about the method my clan used to seal it.”

The method by which Hyun Yuyeol and the Hyun Clan had guarded the Cone Hat of Pride for decades.

It had never been described in detail in the original work.

The setting had merely stated that a prominent figure of Gangneung protected the magical artifact.

Although it had been stolen thirteen years ago due to a certain incident, if I could learn the method the Hyun Clan used, I might secure an advantageous lead.

“So that was what you were relying on. Unfortunately, there is no such method.”

“Pardon?”

“The term ‘seal’ is an exaggeration. The way Hyun Yuyeol and his clan guarded the magical artifact was simply by never extinguishing the Demonic Eye. That is, until the incident thirteen years ago.”

They had guarded a magical artifact in such a crude manner?

A hollow laugh nearly escaped me, yet it was not entirely incomprehensible.

After all, there was no better deterrent than a Demonic Eye.

“Still, the claim that the cone hat slipped from the Demonic Being’s possession is plausible. It is impossible to guess what occurred in Gangwon-do, but considering that the Demonic Being has not used the cone hat until now, it would not be strange to assume that some problem arose.”

“And your speculation, Principal? What kind of problem do you believe occurred?”

“How should I know? At best, I would say that a third party intervened.”

A third party…

At those words, Dwarves and Dragons came to mind.

The other races that had crossed the Great Rift at the same time as the Demonic Beings.

If I were to cast the dice, the probability favored that side.

Even if, by some chance, the Demonic Being was merely hiding it, that would not matter.

In fact, that would make it easier to locate.

“Do you truly intend to go to Gangwon-do?”

“It is the best way to protect Do Minyeong.”

“I will not stop you. But if you fail to find a way to destroy the magical artifact, you would do well not to harbor hope.”

“I understand.”

Though Kim Shinwoo spoke of impossibility, he did not stop me.

He knew it himself.

If one did not even grasp at a straw, an uncontrollable calamity would descend.

“One last question, if I may.”

“What is it?”

“Why did the Training Instructor take a leave of absence?”

“……”

“…?”

“Well, he has always been the sort of man who does not reveal what lies within.”

***

Between summer and autumn lay an ambiguous climate.

In Seoul, where changes in weather were difficult to perceive, An Hwigom stood alone atop a high rooftop.

He had taken a leave from Hero Prep and avoided meeting anyone.

He needed time to contemplate the order given to him by Baek Dojin, the leader of Manyeong.

‘Kill, or do not kill. …Can I even kill him?’

Looking back upon his life, deciding to kill someone had never been so difficult.

After all, before he had been a hero of the Great Rift, he had been an assassin who had taken countless lives.

‘Is it right to stain my blade with blood once more…?’

His torment deepened.

In the darkness approaching dawn, he finally retraced a memory he had long buried deep within his heart.

It was shortly after the Great Rift had ended and Seoul began to rise anew.

At that time, he had awakened unwillingly because of the Great Rift and had been forced into battle against Demonic Beings.

Fortunately, the Great Rift ended in humanity’s victory, but by then, the only family he had wished to protect had already died a gruesome death.

‘The loss of purpose.’

People hailed him as a hero, yet his heart remained empty.

To carry the expectations of others without even knowing what he himself desired.

For a young man who had lost the family that might have anchored him, it was a pressure difficult to overcome.

In the end, he leaned upon a mercenary group whose purpose was somewhat unsavory.

The mercenaries there expected nothing of An Hwigom.

Rather, the clear objectives of missions and rewards soothed his hollow life.

Relentless accomplishments dulled the guilt of failing to protect his family, and at some point, seeking stronger stimulation, he left the mercenary group and stepped into contract killing.

For assassinating someone was more stimulating than any other mission and brought an unparalleled sense of achievement.

‘It allowed me to forget the reason and meaning of my existence.’

Immediately after the Great Rift, those who sought power coalesced into factions across Seoul, and naturally, an assassin who had once been a hero enjoyed tremendous compensation and popularity.

The salary he had received for decades at Hero Prep seemed laughable in comparison.

Thus, after several years, when his name had become well known in the underworld, he was given a commission of considerable difficulty.

The assassination of Cha Jaehee of Hyeonseong Construction.

At the time, assassinating Cha Jaehee, who served as Director-General of the Bureau of Superpowers, was nearly impossible.

Cha Jaehee was also one of the heroes and possessed skill commensurate with that title.

In other words, he was a target that none but an assassin of An Hwigom’s caliber could even attempt.

Yet to An Hwigom, the identity of the target did not matter.

Even if it were a former comrade, if it allowed him to escape the suffocating question of life’s meaning that pressed upon him each night, even if the target were Sword Saint Kim Yuseong, he would have accepted.

Though he would have had no chance of victory.

After meticulous preparation, An Hwigom went to Cha Jaehee’s estate and, near midnight, pressed a blade against the neck of the man who was reading in his study.

If he so much as twitched, his head would have parted from his body in an instant.

Yet there was no trace of panic on Cha Jaehee’s face.

Rather, as though he had encountered countless assassins before, he spoke in a calm voice.

“How interesting. To think that you would point your sword at me.”

“……”

“I have heard news of you from time to time since the Great Rift. You have been doing quite well.”

Had he ever conversed with a target of assassination before?

Indeed, it was rare for him to hesitate over killing as he did now.

It was because he recognized him as a former comrade.

After a brief pause, An Hwigom finally responded.

“I have no intention of making a name for myself. I simply do what I desire.”

“What you desire? I see. Then go ahead and sever my neck.”

“……”

“Are you hesitating? I am seated, rifling through a book, while you entered through the window without even revealing your face and hold a blade to my throat. There are not many ways for me to resist you.”

An Hwigom sharpened his tone.

“What is that composure? Do you think I cannot strike?”

“No. You would strike without hesitation. I saw it many times during the Great Rift.”

“Then why do you not resist?”

“Well, if you were another assassin, I might offer ten times the fee, but I do not think you are moved by money. Let us say that, as a former comrade, I understand your circumstances. You must have had reasons for pointing your sword at me.”

“…You do not resist for such a trivial reason?”

Cha Jaehee let out a brief laugh.

It was not mockery.

Rather, it was closer to a hollow laugh at his own actions.

“My apologies. I was momentarily imagining a Seoul without me.”

“…?”

“An Hwigom, why do you think I cling to this position?”

“Because it is something that must be done.”

“No. Even without me, someone would have sat here and guided Seoul correctly. Perhaps I am even ruining it. However, the reason I became Director-General… is because of a trivial promise.”

“A promise?”

“Yes. I promised that I would protect this Seoul. Although the person to whom I made that promise has already closed her eyes.”

“…Why keep a promise when there is no one left to see it?”

At that question, Cha Jaehee turned his head.

The blade followed, brushing close, yet it did not cut his neck.

More precisely, it should have already drawn blood, yet there was not the slightest mark.

Unable to conceal his bewilderment, An Hwigom looked down at him.

There was conviction in his unwavering gaze.

“A promise does not end simply because the other person is no longer in this world. I still remember her and carry her within my heart.”

“Carry her… within your heart….”

“I can no longer show her this Seoul, and she may never recognize my efforts. Even so, I took this seat. Before I knew it, that promise became the will that sustains me. I always think that she watches over me like the Clock Tower in the plaza. Absurd, is it not?”

“Will….”

“And so, upon reconsideration, I do not believe I can die so quietly after all.”

In an instant, the sword touching his neck vanished as though it had never been there.

At the same time, a revolver suddenly appeared in Cha Jaehee’s hand and aimed at An Hwigom’s glabella, reversing their positions in a heartbeat.

“Here is a question. Is there a bullet in this cylinder?”

“Shoot if you wish. I do not regret my actions.”

“As you wish.”

The trigger was pulled.

Yet what sounded was a dry fire, empty of any bullet.

This time, Cha Jaehee spoke with a faint sneer.

“I am sorry, but I do not engage in actions without value.”

“Is my death worthless?”

“No. Quite the opposite. I believe you possess immense value.”

“What?”

“An Hwigom, if you are willing, will you join hands with me? As I said, I intend to protect Seoul. By whatever means necessary. If you lend me your strength, I will help you recover the meaning of your life.”

“…!”

“This sword.”

In a single motion, An Hwigom’s blade appeared in Cha Jaehee’s other hand, as though he freely manipulated subspace.

“How about using it not to spill blood, but to protect?”

“To protect…?”

“Yes. In a way that only you can, something that Yuseong could not accomplish.”

Cha Jaehee continued without pause.

“So, will you not stand with me beneath the ashen sky and become one of the countless shadows hidden within it?”