Outside the Baekhwa Sword Palace, the White City.
Kugugugung—
Another violent tremor shook the surroundings, just like before.
Monts later, a section of the Baekhwa Sword Palace in the distance collapsed, spewing blue lightning into the sky. Not long after, white light flashed in response—and the two completely different powers collided without pause.
Kugugugung—
And it wasn't just one place.
All across the Baekhwa Sword Palace, white light erupted again and again, shaking the land. Beyond the city, floating ships continued to race toward the palace, while the Arie Rankers who normally strolled the streets were nowhere to be seen.
Civilians who had gathered for the Sword Festival—for countless different reasons—were thrown into panic by the massive, unexplained anomaly.
They had been enjoying a festival only monts ago. Now, without understanding what was happening, fear and confusion took over.
Kugugugung—
"Aaaah! Again!!"
"W-What is that?! What's going on?!"
"Are they under attack?! The Arie family?!"
"H-Hurry, film this! You—call the boss, now!"
"Yes! I'm currently in front of the Arie main house, the Baekhwa Sword Palace! Citizens were enjoying the Sword Festival when they were suddenly caught in an unknown situation—wait, huh?! Everyone, get back!"
A reporter who had been livestreaming the festival instantly switched to breaking news—
When suddenly, a nearby building lost its balance and began to collapse.
A slash extending from the Baekhwa Sword Palace had cleaved straight through it.
The building started falling toward an area where children were gathered.
Nearby adults scread and rushed forward, trying to save them—but it was already too late.
Frozen in terror, the children shut their eyes.
The building ca crashing down.
Kwarrrrr—
Dust filled the air.
As civilians rushed forward, bracing themselves to recover the children's bodies—
They froze.
Contrary to all expectations, the children were completely unhard.
Standing in front of them was a single Arie.
"Are you all right, kids?" he asked gently.
"It's dangerous here, so move to an open area.
Though… even if you don't, I'll protect you."
Arie Hanul, Captain of the Arie Royal Guard.
He had reduced the collapsing building to dust in an instant, saving the children.
The Royal Guard was a force that obeyed only the Arie Sword and the will of the Family Head.
With no reason to side with either the Elders or Hoaquin, they chose a different path.
"Royal Guard. From this mont on, our mission is civilian protection. Ensure that not a single casualty occurs. Intercept all collateral damage leaking out from the Baekhwa Sword Palace."
"Yes, sir!"
After the Royal Guard scattered to carry out his order, Hanul turned his gaze back toward the palace.
"Is that Regular, Hoaquin, still in the underground prison…? To think the family would be overturned over a single Regular. Father's expectations must be enormous. Seems like he's planning a purge as well."
The lowest levels of the Baekhwa Sword Palace—perhaps even lower.
That was probably where Hoaquin was.
Hanul briefly lost himself in thought, then shook it off and focused on his duty.
....
While Hanul and his n escorted civilians away from the palace, so people did the exact opposite—they rushed toward it.
"Hyung, did you hear that just now?"
"Yeah. Hoaquin's near the underground prison, right?"
"If he's there, then noona must be too. Those two are always together."
"Hey, how long are you going to crouch here whispering? Let's go!"
"I-I an… can't I just stay here?"
"Sure. You're not really involved anyway. Honestly, even we think charging in there is insane. You don't have to co."
"…When you put it like that, it makes want to go. Let's just go together."
Five figures, each wrapped in dark robes to conceal their faces, rose from where they'd been hiding and sprinted toward the Baekhwa Sword Palace.
To help that bastard who had gone into hiding for a hundred years.
....
Near the Arie Family Armory, Baekhwa Sword Palace
More than ten mbers of the Execution Unit had ford a formation, all swords pointed in the sa direction.
"Get ready! He'll show up any second!"
"Not 'any second.' He's already here."
"…! It's him!"
As soon as I stepped out of the dark corridor, the Execution Unit surged toward .
They weren't charging blindly—this was a structured, coordinated sword formation.
Chrrrr—
Ugh. I really hate that.
As if it were their trademark, chain-blades erged from their hands.
They surrounded instantly, chains whipping out in every direction and sealing off all escape routes.
After two weeks in the underground prison, I was completely sick of chains—
So I activated Shinwonryu imdiately.
(Data) Eurasia Blossom–Type Shinsu Control Technique — Vortex
Whoooosh—
The Shinwonryu absorbed the surrounding shinsu, generating a powerful gravitational pull.
Like a whirlpool tearing everything apart, the chains binding unraveled uselessly, and the once-perfect formation began to collapse.
"What the—?! We're getting pulled in! Watch it!"
The Execution Unit tried to re-form their stance, but the pull only intensified.
Soon, a violent vortex had fully ford around .
Then—
"Got you."
I grabbed the chains spinning through the vortex in a single handful and yanked.
Naturally, the Execution Unit mbers attached to them ca flying along.
They hurried to release their weapons—
But I was faster.
(Data) Eurasia Blossom–Type Shinsu Control Technique — Torrential Current
SHRAAAASH—!
BAM!
The swirling shinsu reversed instantly, turning into a violent repulsive surge.
The Execution Unit mbers were slamd into walls and ceilings in an instant, collapsing unconscious.
With no more interference, I sprinted toward the armory and finally arrived before a massive door.
Just looking at it scread sothing important is behind this.
Naturally, it was tightly sealed.
I gathered shinsu into my hand and struck.
Hoaquin-Style Shinsu Control Technique — Severing Wave
White shinsu crashed against the door like a tidal wave.
After a few more strikes, it was cleanly cut apart.
Kugugugung—
Pushing aside the settling dust, I stepped inside and couldn't help but gape.
"…Wow. So this is how they custom-make swords for every Arie."
Calling it an armory didn't do it justice—it was a treasury.
Blades prepared for future Arie heirs, priceless proto-weapons, every conceivable item that could be called a "sword."
And not just swords.
Needles, armor inventories, A-rank Pockets, invisible weapons—
All of them rare, all high-grade.
I scanned the countless items and moved deeper, following the faint shinsu resonance of Baekya.
It was close.
Very close.
"…Ah. There you are."
At last, Baekya, carefully stored in one corner, ca into view.
Ah, Baekya. It's been too long.
My Pocket was right beside my beloved blade, and when I checked the inventory, everything I had collected over the years was still there—untouched.
I quickly reassigned the Pocket to myself, fastened Baekya at my waist, and hurried toward the exit.
Now that I had my equipnt back, it was finally ti to head for the top floor.
This ti—for real.
…But.
Just before leaving the armory, I paused and glanced back.
Countless items glimred beautifully, each radiating its own srizing light.
"...…"
Just one… should I take one?
No—maybe a few.
Yeah. Just a few. Really.
I think I finally understand how a kid feels when he secretly takes money from his parents' wallet to buy ga items.
....
"Cheon! What are you doing?! Hoaquin has already left the armory! This is no ti to take it easy!"
One of the Elders was shouting at the top of his lungs.
When Hon first announced the trial, they had sensed that things were starting to go wrong.
But up to that point, it had still been manageable.
They had more than enough cards to play, and even a single one—their strongest card, Arie Cheon, Commander of the Execution Unit—should have been enough to kill Hoaquin.
On top of that, nearly half of the high-ranking Arie had sided with them.
The problem ca afterward.
The remaining high-ranking Arie—who had been rely observing—suddenly rose up as if possessed, and now, all across the Baekhwa Sword Palace, Hoaquin's forces and the Elders' forces were locked in fierce stalemates.
Then—
From the Pocket connected to Cheon ca the sound of thunder and crackling electricity, followed by Cheon's voice.
— I'm currently being obstructed by a Khun Family branch head. Forcing my way through right now would be diff—
KIEEEEEEK!
A thunderous bird's cry erupted, filling the room, followed by roaring lightning.
— Tch! —
"Haha, taking calls during a fight is bad manners, you know?"
BANG!
Understanding Cheon's situation, one of the Elders slamd his fist onto the desk.
"That damned Khun Maschenny Zahard again! She brings a Khun branch head into Arie affairs?!"
"…Did Father foresee even this, when he permitted outside interference?"
The room fell silent again.
From the thunderous cry, the electricity, and Cheon's description, the Elders realized who Cheon was fighting.
Khun Lucas Aldebain.
Alias: Thunderbird.
Back when the Khun and Lo Po Bia families briefly maintained friendly relations, Lo Po Bia had gifted the Khun a sacred beast—the Thunderbird.
Aside from Eduan himself, Lucas had been the only one capable of handling it, earning him that epithet.
If the opponent was the Head of the Blue Spear Cavalry Branch, then even Cheon—their strongest card—could not guarantee victory.
If only they could intervene directly…
But, of course, Father had forbidden it.
"I want a report. How many Execution Force units are not currently engaged?"
"…Understood. If any units finish their engagents, send them to Hoaquin imdiately."
"How bad is it?"
"Not good. First Unit is engaged with the forr 77th Floor Ruler's faction. The First Unit commander is locked in combat with Dickel and Schmitt. Other High Rankers are also tied down—there aren't many we can spare for Hoaquin."
Things were worse than expected.
Far worse.
With multiple rulers and branch heads siding with Hoaquin, the Elders' military—though still dominant—was forced into deadlocks everywhere.
Sending proper High Rankers after Hoaquin was becoming increasingly difficult.
"…It's too early to panic. He hasn't even climbed halfway yet. Ti is still on our side."
"Optimism alone doesn't guarantee favorable outcos."
"..."
As the Elders huddled, plotting, another call ca in.
— Elder. This is Cain.
"…!"
— I'm heading toward Hoaquin alone. The Second Unit is holding off Hoaquin's Rankers.
"Can you handle him alone? Didn't your entire unit fail to capture him last ti?"
— That's actually what I wanted to ask about.
"Permission granted."
— His talent is unique in the Tower's recorded history. If nurtured, he could make Arie the overwhelmingly strongest family.
…May I kill him?
The confidence in his voice reminded the Elders who Cain, Commander of Execution Force Unit Two, truly was.
As Execution Force No. 3, his weight—his martial prowess—was not to be underestimated.
And more importantly—
It was Cain.
Relaxed smiles spread across the Elders' faces.
"Of course. If you encounter Hoaquin, kill him. Capture is not an option."
— Understood. Also, the military has reported in. Reinforcents are steadily arriving. The battlefield's outco will soon be decided.
"Very well."
Beep.
"Hehehe… it seems our family still favors stability and balance."
"True. But we mustn't grow complacent."
"All Rankers under our command have already been ordered to converge on the Baekhwa Sword Palace."
"Once reinforcents arrive, we'll restructure troop placent—into a true desert of death."
The Elders' authority, built across countless ancient wars—including the Great War—was not sothing to be taken lightly.
....
After receiving updates from Uncle Dickel via Pocket, I realized the situation wasn't as bad as I'd feared.
Honestly, I hadn't expected nearly half the Arie to support —or for so many to harbor such deep resentnt toward the Elders that they were effectively staging a coup.
Maybe… it really was thanks to Uncle Dickel.
Back then. Now too. I kept receiving help from him.
I felt a little guilty.
Well—once I beco a Ranker, I'll repay it a hundredfold.
For now, reaching Father at the top floor was the best repaynt I could offer.
Checking the palace map Schmitt had sent , I sprinted at full speed, monitoring my heartbeat with one hand.
Okay. No issues.
Another staircase upward soon ca into view.
With most fighting happening above, the lower floors were relatively sparse.
I broke through effortlessly—just like before.
…Or so I thought.
Until a familiar Arie figure stepped out at the top of the stairs.
"…Cain… hyung?"
Arie Cain, Commander of Execution Force Unit Two.
I slamd the brakes mid-sprint, skidding across the floor as I ca to a stop in front of him. Cain looked down at as he slowly descended the stairs.
"Hoaquin. You got good last ti. I thought you were about to unleash a finishing move—then you just ran away."
He stepped off the final stair, standing level with , and after studying for a mont, drew a single sword from his waist.
"Last ti, I had a choice—capture or kill. And considering the family's interests, I chose capture. Your talent is overwhelming. You're what—156 years old now? In another thousand years, I can't even imagine what kind of monster you'd beco."
Shuaaak—
His blade began to glow white.
"Of course… that's a aningless assumption now."
"…Why?"
As his power surged upward, I too began gathering my strength, readying myself for an ambush.
And finally—
The man who had maintained a relaxed, almost gentle deanor until now snapped his eyes open, fixing with murderous intent.
"Because I'm going to kill you here."
His pressure exploded outward, waves of Shinsu flooding the space. I could feel his true caliber now.
So my intuition back then hadn't been wrong.
A fight where even going all-out, I don't know if I can win.
…Huh?
Chwaaaa—
A problem—no, a serious one—arose.
Instead of stabilizing, his Shinsu pressure grew even more violent. Stronger. Wilder.
"Hoaquin. Regrettably, I will take your head."
I took several steps back as his power continued to swell. He extended one hand and concentrated Shinsu into it—
And then, the sword he had kept hidden revealed itself in the physical world.
"Plesio. A pair of sister blades forged together from the beginning—and personally bestowed upon by the Family Head."
…Damn. A dual-wielder.
KWA—!
With both blades of Plesio fully unleashed, Cain revealed his true strength and leveled his swords at .
C to A-rank items floated around him like attendants, and just the killing intent, battle lust, and Shinsu waves radiating from him made my body tingle.
This wasn't just stronger than what I'd sensed before—
It was several tis beyond that.
This is insane. This is really—
"…This is so fun I might lose my mind."
"…What?"
Cain tilted his head, confused.
Did he not understand? I thought soone like him would.
"This is the kind of fight that gets fired up."
"..."
Cain's overwhelming power matched the boiling excitent surging inside .
Clashing blades with him at full strength.
This battle itself.
Every beat of this feeling reminded that I was alive.
Pajik—pajijijik—
White electricity crackled around my body.
And just like last ti—
Brilliant white light engulfed once more.
Hoaquin-style Shinsu Reinforcent — White Blooming
But this ti, it didn't stop there.
From my back, white, branch-like structures burst forth—
Then spread wide into enormous wings.
Hoaquin-style Shinsu Reinforcent — White Wings
Pocket Inventory — Spiked Mode: Open.
Countless weapons surrounded .
From among them, I chose five swords.
Hoaquin-style Sword Control Art: Heavenly Judgent
Encased in radiant white Shinsu, the five blades grew—each swelling to the size of buildings—and floated in the air, locked onto Cain, ready to descend at any mont.
"Kh… hahaha! Ridiculous! Don't tell —you weren't even serious back then?"
"Haha. Just like you've laid all your cards on the table, hyung… so have I."
Releasing even my final trump card—Baekya—I revealed everything, just like Cain.
White light poured from my entire body.
Four massive wings spread wide.
Five judgnt swords hovered in the sky.
"You look like sothing straight out of legend—an angel said to act as heaven's will."
"I am kind of flashy. So—shall we begin? I'm in a bit of a hurry if I want to reach the top floor."
"Hah. You really think you can beat in a one-on-one?"
"Of course."
I smiled.
"Sorry, hyung, but—"
Heavenly Judgnt Sword — Strike
"You're weaker than ."
The opening salvo of our first true battle wasn't a blade—
But a colossal sword descending from the heavens, shattering the Baekhwa Sword Palace itself as it fell.
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