CFZ

"What was their last known location?"
"I heard it was the western forest. But I'm not entirely sure."
At Tang So-yeol's question, the man answered with a worried expression.

"Is it possible they went somewhere else?"
"Yes... They often search areas other than the designated spots. It’s likely they did the same this time."
"Hmm."

Tang So-yeol lightly bit her lip. If it were those two, it was entirely possible.
"How long has it been since the return time?"
"About four hours."

"And no prior notice of delay?"
"None."
"...Damn."

Tang So-yeol's elegant brow furrowed deeply. Four hours wasn’t a short time.
‘Where on earth could they have gone?’
Her narrowed eyes betrayed her thoughts. Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were not novices; their skills were not something to be worried about under ordinary circumstances.

Gu Yangcheon had specifically instructed them not to be late for their return. For them to break that rule—and by more than just a little—was uncharacteristic.
‘Could something have really happened...?’
A strange sense of unease gnawed at her. Was it intuition? An inexplicable anxiety began to take root. Around her, other team members were already preparing to initiate a search.

Four hours had passed, and per protocol, they were now required to begin an investigation.
"Deputy Captain... Shall we proceed with the search?"
At the subordinate’s inquiry, Tang So-yeol bit her lip. If they were going strictly by the rules, they should begin immediately.
She had no choice. With a sigh, Tang So-yeol gave her order.

"...Proceed wit—"
Midway through her words, Tang So-yeol abruptly stopped speaking and quickly turned her head. She wasn’t the only one.
The surrounding team members, who had been readying themselves for the search, also turned in the same direction at nearly the same time.

And they weren’t just looking.
"...W-what is this...?"
"...Ugh...ah..."

Seconds later, many of them collapsed to the ground. Their faces were pale with fear.
"Uuueegh!"
One person began vomiting on the ground. A few others fainted. Those who barely managed to hold on were trembling uncontrollably.
The only ones still standing were Tang So-yeol and a handful of others, all of whom had reached the Hwagyeong level. Even they were far from unscathed.

Cold sweat drenched their bodies, slowly soaking through their robes.
What the hell was going on? Breathing heavily, Tang So-yeol looked straight ahead. The reason the entire team’s spirits had been shattered was clear. It was the aura emanating from a distance.
Tang So-yeol furrowed her brow as she identified the overwhelming presence.

Killing intent.
The entire area was suffused with /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ it.
Even with the lanterns lit, everything appeared shrouded in darkness. The sheer terror on the team’s faces was all due to this killing intent.

But the real issue was...
‘How could the killing intent be this strong...?’
It wasn’t just intense; it was beyond comprehension. The magnitude of it made her question whether a human could even produce such a force.

Who was it? Who could possibly exude such an aura?
Tang So-yeol gripped the dagger at her waist. If someone within their ranks was capable of releasing such killing intent, it was unnecessary to even consider whether they were a foe.
‘Of all times, when Young Master Gu isn’t here...’

The thought of who might be responsible lingered, but escaping the killing intent had to come first.
"Huuh..."
She exhaled deeply, mustering her strength to break free from the oppressive aura. Just as she was about to act, a figure appeared in the distance.

Squinting her eyes, she tried to identify the source of the killing intent.
"...Huh?"
When she finally recognized them, Tang So-yeol involuntarily relaxed her grip.

The origin of the overwhelming killing intent was someone she knew well.
A figure slowly approached, their aura whipping their robes around. Their cold blue eyes were devoid of any emotion, radiating an unfamiliar chill.
"...Young Master Gu...?"

It was Gu Yangcheon.
Was all of this devastating killing intent really coming from him? She couldn’t believe it.
"Young Master Gu... No, C-Captain..."

Tang So-yeol stuttered, her voice trembling. Gu Yangcheon’s gaze shifted toward her.
Flinch.
Just locking eyes with him made Tang So-yeol’s body tremble. For a fleeting moment, her breath stopped.

Those eyes...
They were unfathomable.
Just meeting his gaze felt like falling into an endless abyss, a hole so deep she couldn’t even fathom where it ended.

Why did his eyes look like that?
Had Gu Yangcheon always possessed such a gaze? Tang So-yeol’s thoughts were in complete disarray.
At that moment...

Whoooosh.
The suffocating killing intent began to subside. Though not entirely gone, it lessened enough to allow movement.
Not everyone had recovered, though. Aside from Tang So-yeol, the others were still incapacitated.

Had the killing intent shifted away from her? There was no time to ponder.
"Deputy."
"...Y-Yes..."

Her voice shook as it left her lips. It was fear.
"Report the situation."
What could she report? Her mind blanked for a moment but quickly snapped back.

"...Namgung and Wi have not returned from their reconnaissance mission."
"The location and time?"
"The western forest. It’s been... four... four hours since."

Her words faltered as her voice trembled. For some reason, she felt like crying. Yet she held it in.
"Per protocol... I was about to issue the search order."
"..."

Tang So-yeol bit her lip and averted her gaze. She had always longed to meet his eyes, but now, facing them was unbearable.
"It felt like he was someone else entirely."
Tang So-yeol struggled to endure the suffocating pressure.

"Alright."
Gu Yangcheon nodded slightly.
"Four hours. Western forest."

He repeated the report, as if committing it to memory, then turned his head to the left.
"Do you know something?"
His tone was peculiar. It sounded like he was speaking to someone, but Tang So-yeol couldn’t see who it was. Her senses were in disarray, overwhelmed by the killing intent permeating the air.

"No answer. Is my voice too soft?"
When no response came, Gu Yangcheon turned his body to follow his gaze.
"I'm talking to you. So answer."

Crack...
"...!"
The killing intent thickened once again.

"Before I grab you and force it out of you, open your damn mouth, you bastard."
With his harsh words, the air pressure exploded. Objects around them shook violently, as if an earthquake had struck.
Rumble!

As the very structures around them began to strain under the force, a voice cut through the oppressive atmosphere.
"Stop this at once."
A figure emerged through the suffocating killing intent, stepping forward from the direction Gu Yangcheon had been glaring at.

Tang So-yeol frowned at the newcomer. It was Ilcheon Sword, the leader of the Azure Dragon Division.
Why was he here?
"Star King, what do you think you’re doing? Releasing such killing intent within the branch grounds!"

Ilcheon Sword's face was filled with disbelief. Was it because of the killing intent, or had Gu Yangcheon somehow noticed his hidden presence?
Tang So-yeol couldn’t tell, but one thing was clear: something felt off.
"And I said stop this, immediately!"

Gu Yangcheon, however, seemed unfazed.
"Let me ask again. Do you know something?"
"What exactly are you asking about?"

Ilcheon Sword scowled in frustration.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I merely came here to deliver a message. But you—what in the world are you doing? How could the head of the alliance exude such overwhelming killing intent—!"
His words carried an undercurrent of shock and disbelief.

Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon paused for a moment, then murmured quietly, as if speaking to himself.
"Yeah, I suppose you’d say that. That’s the right thing to say. And I guess I should just play along and pretend not to notice..."
"...What?"

Ilcheon Sword narrowed his eyes at Gu Yangcheon’s muttered words, which were laced with weariness.
Tang So-yeol was stunned as well. She had never seen Gu Yangcheon look this drained before.
"...Young Master...?"

Worry crept into Tang So-yeol's voice as she cautiously stepped forward. The oppressive killing intent was terrifying, but not enough to make her back down.
She moved closer to Gu Yangcheon, but before she could reach him, he spoke softly:
"...No, forget it. I’m done with this."

With those quiet words, Gu Yangcheon vanished.
Tang So-yeol didn’t even notice the moment he disappeared.
Where did he go? She frantically searched for his presence.

Slap!
A sharp sound rang out not far away, and Tang So-yeol’s head snapped toward the source.
There, she saw Ilcheon Sword staggering, his head tilted to one side.

"Urgh...!"
Ilcheon Sword widened his eyes, confused.
‘What just hit me?’

His cheek stung. Was it possible? Had he been slapped? By him?
The burning pain on his cheek answered his question. Grinding his teeth, Ilcheon Sword growled,
"You insolent—!"

Boom! Crack!
"Ugh!"
This time, the blow landed on his abdomen. Something inside him felt like it had shattered.

He stumbled back a step, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of his sword. He needed to draw it.
But...
‘What the...?’

His hand grasped at empty air.
His sword was gone.
"What...?"

"This? Looking for this?"
"...!"
Hearing the voice, Ilcheon Sword turned to Gu Yangcheon.

And froze.
In Gu Yangcheon’s hand was Ilcheon Sword's weapon.
‘How...?’

Crash!
"Urgh!"
Before Ilcheon Sword could comprehend what had happened, Gu Yangcheon swung the sword he was holding, striking Ilcheon Sword square in the face.

Blood sprayed as his head snapped back, and he barely managed to hold onto his consciousness.
He tried to retreat, to put distance between himself and his assailant, but his feet wouldn’t move.
Gu Yangcheon was stepping on them.

Slap!
"Argh!"
Another blow landed, this one even stronger than before. The impact drained the strength from Ilcheon Sword’s body, and his legs gave out beneath him.

He collapsed to the ground with a thud.
The pain was excruciating, like his very skin was being torn apart.
What was happening? Why was he on the ground?

His mind struggled to process the situation.
With a dull clink, his sword fell to the ground in front of him.
It was his own weapon.

"Let me ask you one last time."
At the sound of Gu Yangcheon’s voice, Ilcheon Sword raised his gaze.
Gu Yangcheon stood over him, his face expressionless as ever.

"Is this your doing?"
The cold tone in his voice sent a chill down Ilcheon Sword’s spine.