I Know the Secret to Surpass Level 100

Elliot, along with the rest of the group could've believe it. They could only look at each other, faces filled with shock and disbelief.

"Kang Seungju is the first emperor of Kkeun?" Elliot said, stuttering as he tried to speak the words. "Then, he's one of the–"

"One of the Twelve Suns, yes," Emperor Kang said. "My ancestors, albeit not related to Kang Seungju, chose to follow his last name. I do not carry his blood, but his name lives on."

"Maybe he's the owner of this realm," Elliot whispered. "What else do you know about Kang Seungju?"

"Nothing more unfortunately," Emperor Kang sighed. "But what I do know is that the others knew him well. By others, I mean the other emperors and their wives. He was flamboyant, and everything would lit up wherever he goes."

"Jungko," Elliot whispered. "We need to speak to Jungko."

"We can't, remmeb?" Connor said. "Perhaps this was why communications to other realms are prohibited. Kang Seungju knew that Jungko would recognize him, so he blocked the other realms."

"But how did he know that Jungko is in Inferno?" Lance raised the question. "Has he been watching us all this time?"

"Come to think of it, how did Kaminari arrived in Shyako when he was in Kkeun?" Ed asked, making everyone look at him. "I mean, this place is pretty far from the capital. How did you know we were in there and at that same day, we needed help."

"A patrol told me," Kaminari replied. "He told me that he was from a team sent by Emperor Kang to observe Shyako. And that his name was– oh, my god."

"It was Seungju, wasn't it?" Guan Yin smirked. "That man is sly and he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. He has the power to do all the things he did so that's no surprise."

"He has been following us all this time," Elliot said. "What could his purpose be? If he truly wanted to eliminate the darkness that loomed over the East, he could get rid of them."

"Your highness," Kaminari suddenl spoke after a minute of silence. "I almost forgot. Your son, Kang Ilwoo was found in the West."

Emperor Kang fell to his seat. His eyes widened and he gripped his chest in utter shock, "W-What?"

"Ilwoo?" Connor asked, turnings to face Elliot. "The food vendor?"

"Food vendor?" Emperor Kang gasped. "My son, the crown prince of Kkeun, one who has never been in a kitchen and has never worked in his life, is currently a food vendor?"

"He owns a restaurant," Elliot clarified. "When we first met, him and his wife were selling food at the city centre. But he said that they have a restaurant somewhere in the city."

"That's better," Emperor Kang sighed in relief. "I guess anywhere is better than here. At least he didn't– wait, he got married? But he's only nineteen."

Elliot paused for a moment. He tried to remember the part when Ilwoo said his age, but he realized Ilwoo didn't say it. He just assumed that the man was old since his face looked older.

"I don't recall having anyone he's interested with," Kaminari said, turning to face the emperor. "Your majesty, who could be with Ilwoo?"

"I do not know, child," Emperor Kang muttered. "But it's impossible that he got married. He was only a child when he went missing."

"Her name is–" Elliot froze for a moment. He looked at Lance, who had the same expression on his face. "Lance? What's her name again?"

"I can't remember," Lance muttered, almost speechless at the thought.

A bubble appeared that enclosed the Avancians' heads. It popped, making them stare at each other.

"Well?" Emperor Kang spoke. "Who is she?"

"Your majesty, we don't understand," Elliot said. "We swore we knew her name. But now, we can't even remember her face. All we know is that Ilwoo had a wife. The rest is a big blur."

Emperor Kang looked at them, hoping that what they're saying wasn't the truth. "Who could she be? And as you said, you can't remember what she looked like. How is this even possible?"

"Emperor Kang, please calm down first," Guan Yin said. "We'll have to discuss this with clear heads. Let's deduce the clues we have so far. Starting with the skill that was inflicted on both the ones Prince Ilwoo encountered and Kaminari."

"The bubble?" Elliot asked.

Guan Yin nodded, placing her finger below her chin. "Yes. They used the exact same skill. This could mean that they either have the same elements, or…"

She trailed off, making everyone look at her. They waited for Guan Yin to continue, but the girl stopped completely.

"Or what?" Elliot asked. Guan Yin turned to him with a shocked expression.

"They could come from the same era!"

Just after she finished, the ground shook heavily. The paintings on the wall and the decorations on the shelves fell by how hard the shaking was.

"What's happening?" Elliot yelled. 

Before they could even understand what was happening, the dark underground city lit up like the sun shoned at them.

"The ground has opened up!"

"What's happening?!"

"Emperor Kang, generals! Please help us!"

…

The group went outside as fast as they could. There, they saw that the underground city has risen from underground and into the surface.

Seoule lies completely underneath the city. It seemed like the ground had opened up from the middle and pushed Seoule up, replacing its version above it.

People were panicking. The citizens were running around in fear, not knowing what they'd do now. 

"Everyone calm down!" A loud voice of a woman yelled from a tower. She had a cone-shaped device on her that she used to make her voice louder.

The tip of the cone had a small glowing orb while the round end was pointing in the air. She speaks at the orb that amplifies her voice, then the large end of the cone would release the amplified voice.

"We are investigating what's going on, so please just stay where you are and do not leave your premises," the woman continued. "If you do, then we cannot find you and we will not find you. We know which house belongs to who, and that's what we will follow."

"Emperor Kang, please let us go somewhere safer," Jimin said. "It's not safe for you to stay here, sir."

"No," Emperor Kang said. "I believe it is Kang Seungju himslef who had lifted Seoule from underground. Wherever we go, we cannot escape from him."

Just when they were about to leave the room, they felt another presence with them.

"Exactly."

They all snapped their heads to the direction of the voice. It came from behind them, right at the edge of the room.

"E-Emperor…" Emperor Kang stuttered. "Emperor Kang Seungju!"

Sitting right where Emperor Kang sat was Seungju himself. He was sitting cross-legged, while looking at them, a sly smirk playing on his face.

"I believe we haven't met properly yet," Seungju said. He stood and walked in front of them, offering his hand to Elliot himself. "I know what you are. And I believe you and your friends can help my people."

"What?" Elliot asked, his face filled with confusion.

"I am the Sixth Sun, Kang Seungju," he introduced. "The Son of Pearl."