Trees snapped like stalks of wheat, dozens of them, until the earth was ringed by the stumps of ancient trunks fifty meters high, their rings laid bare. Some were uprooted completely, their bare roots exposed. Rootless boulders rolled like fallen leaves in a storm, and the ground was torn beyond recognition.
Once more—Koo-woong!—a heavy impact struck the rent earth. The surviving trees shook off their leaves in a clattering shower. Even S-rank Hunters kept their distance. Clack-clack- sharp sounds of scales colliding rang out as a jet-black, armor-hard tail sliced through the air and crashed into the ground.
“Yes—that’s it!”
The Black Dragon bared its teeth in delight. Riete’s True Dragon Form had power, but she’d seldom fought fully in draconic form: she’d revert to humanoid for familiar foes, and trivial opponents fell too swiftly.
Riete did not shirk her life either—she’d honed her transformation by sparring tough opponents. Yet here, such restraint was gone.
Riete lifted her forefoot. Two toes had been severed by the spear, yet she did not flinch. Instead, she brandished her tainted blood like a weapon: wherever it dripped, wood and foliage withered to black.
Moon Hyunah, having retreated, drew a water bottle from her inventory and tossed it overhead. No time to unscrew its cap—she shattered it midair, drenching the blood in a torrent that free-fell through the mist. A small wooden block, bitten and lodged in her mouth, drew poison into her cheeks and neutralized it. She readjusted her spear.
Around the wound on her arm was a dark bruise. Even with antidote gear, Riete’s poison was potent—the cursed-dragon’s blood was vicious beyond normal venom.
“...Love the feedback, but every time I prick you, I pour it all over myself.”
“—Thrilling, isn’t it?”
Thunk! The Black Dragon stamped the ground and charged with the speed of a swallow skimming the water’s surface. Facing that terrible rush, Moon Hyunah did not dodge—instead she braced her legs, planted herself firmly, and leveled the spear head-on.
Wind gathered at the tip. Whoooooosh— it sliced a path and extended its domain. Kaga-gak! New scales layered atop Riete’s hide. Her head, neck, and forelimbs thickened; the rest thinned. Reddish horns sprouted at her crown. Baring pure white fangs, the Black Dragon bowed its head and rammed the spear with its horns.
Kwa-gwah-gwang!
A monstrous crash echoed. The spear bit through scales and the horn grazed Moon Hyunah’s body. Riete froze. Hyunah’s shins were buried to the bone; blood ran down the spear shaft, but her skin was only lightly grazed.
The dragon’s eye rolled and fixed on Hyunah—an amused glint. Hyunah grinned back.
“Thought my arm would snap. I might not be able to hold my head up before Guild Leader Soyeong.”
“—Honey, your brother’s not much of a match—your poison didn’t work a whit. Next time, let’s go at it for real.”
Riete’s claws gouged the earth. Her massive head whipped skyward, launching Hyunah into the air like flingstone. Riete spun, repositioned overhead, and wind coalesced at her feet. Like a drawn bow, she dove the spear down on the dragon.
Kwang!
The ground trembled. Riete’s head whipped aside in time, but one horn was sheared off and spun through the air before clattering down. A circular crater formed, dust billowing to obscure sight. Yet Riete did not hesitate—she used her skill. The air trembled and split; even the dust cleaved apart. Beyond the fissure stood Moon Hyunah, spear held upright.
Kaga-gak! Spear shaft met invisible sword, and Hyunah staggered back, blood-tinged spittle spattering from her lips. The impact was fierce—but the poisoning was critical. She’d sworn off potions in this duel, so her recovery lagged behind the dragon’s.
“Still, ending it like this would be dull.”
“—Grrrrrr.”
Riete rumbled in agreement. Her entire draconic form tensed, raw power against raw power. Baring her razor fangs, she crouched. Kaga-gak! Her scales shifted again.
Hyunah summoned all her mana, forsaking defense, spear leveled, eyes ablaze. Screech— her claws raked the ground, carving deep grooves.
Thud!
She charged. The dragon met her with all its might, intent on unbroken collision. Any S-rank Hunter would have been flung back—but Hyunah sank low.
As the horn brushed past and the dragon’s fangs thundered down—
Hyunah leaped into Riete’s maw, spear first.
Kwa-ga-gak!
The spear pierced the softer roof of the dragon’s mouth as dozens of teeth sliced Hyunah’s limbs.
“At least once!”
Hyunah could not finish her cry. Blood cascaded down Riete’s upper jaw, burying her voice and body in crimson.
“—Ugh!”
Riete groaned as the spear blade skewered diagonally through her skull. Even dulled by skill, the pain was unbearable. Her massive form shuddered, then collapsed lifeless. Both dragon and Hyunah vanished—yet the wound remained, hemorrhaging deeper without the spear’s plug. Had she reverted to human, she would have died instantly.
“...That... really hurts!”
Her vision blurred. Numbness crept in as Riete tried to swallow a potion—a tiny vial perched on her claw. Just as she tossed it back—
Cheng-gang!
It shattered, potion evaporating. Riete blinked in surprise. Seong Hyunjae stood perched above her.
“What, if you want to fight, at least plug the hole first.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to withdraw now.”
“Why?”
Hyunjae bowed courteously to the fallen Black Dragon.
“We can’t allow even the dragon to be slain.”
Riete blinked. In her haze, she struggled to follow his reasoning.
“No gibberish!”
Riete lurched her head violently, spraying cursed blood. Just before she could strike, golden chains erupted around Hyunjae, vaporizing droplets before they could land.
“I’d explain, but—”
Kaga-gak! Riete’s claws slashed forward; Hyunjae stepped back calmly.
“I’m not fully briefed on the circumstances myself.”
He glanced at the chat overlay: “Beat Han Yujin,” “Dislike seeing him win.” On the surface, a viewer’s gripe—but likely from Hwang Lim himself.
Hunters famed for transcendent ties, and even the puppeteer favored Yujin—it was no coincidence.
“But it’s clear this stage harms a dear partner.”
Indeed: Chatterbox had targeted Yujin. Riete spat blood and inclined her head.
“Whatever—where’s the Police Chief?”
“Judging by the lack of smoke, she’s either conceded before her beloved brother or has been defeated.”
“You really think Honey beat her own brother?”
“Han Yujin wouldn’t rashly claim he’d beat every Hunter without plan.”
Riete low-throated in satisfied rumble. The blood scent thickened.
“Truly peculiar. Well, if the Police Chief’s out, I suppose I’ll call it quits~”
She reverted to human form and vanished, leaving only a pool of poisoned blood. Seong Hyunjae watched the noxious mire, then lifted his gaze. Noah hovered overhead, their eyes meeting. Hyunjae’s lips curved.
“You seem concerned for your sister.”
“Fighting an injured opponent feels unfair.”
“You disliked seeing Riete, of all people, suffer.”
Noah’s brow furrowed, but he nodded.
“Let’s say I dislike you slightly more.”
“That’s unfair. I treated you quite well, Noah.”
No answer came. Noah’s gaze lingered on Riete’s spot. Though no longer bound to her, he could not bear to see her powerless.
“Need help with Yujin?”
“I’ll concede after eliminating the other Hunters.”
“That’s the plan, though I almost fought instead.”
Noah flapped his wings and rose higher.
“I’ll withdraw once the field is clear.”
He vanished swiftly. Hyunjae turned and entered the forest’s depths with silent steps, attuned to every whisper.
No animals remained; any would have fled long ago. Every sound signaled his quarry.
Footfalls. A stop. Snap— a branch cracked. Careless movement marked a strong adversary unaware of attack or defeat. Through the trees, a Hunter came into view. Without hesitation, Hyunjae strode forward. The Hunter turned, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, and attempted to speak as Hyunjae neared.
As if greeting an acquaintance, Hyunjae’s hand closed around the Hunter’s throat—no hostility, no sign of intent—just an invitation to shake hands.
“...!”
The Hunter’s eyes widened. Even the mightiest display the slightest tension before attacking, yet the Hunter felt nothing. With the casualness of writing with a pen, Hyunjae’s grip snapped the neck. The body vanished, and Hyunjae moved on. Another Hunter flickered into his perception—and was gone. A few more steps—
Splash.
The earth was wet. Ice-frosted branches dripped melt. Hyunjae continued until he saw Song Taewon perched on a rock amid broken trees and small pools. Taewon looked weary but lifted his head to meet Hyunjae’s gaze.
“That little miss gave you quite a hard time, I see.”
“Not at all.”
“I experienced much the same. Though she promised to concede—”
He never gave up. Taewon sighed softly.
“I expected it, but her stubbornness was beyond my anticipation.”
“A golden opportunity she wouldn’t forego.”
Hyunjae smiled and approached. Taewon offered no resistance, merely nodded.
“I must say... I admire you.”
Taewon’s schedule had been exhausting and trying, yet he {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} could not help but feel genuine awe—sometimes even radiance.
“Before a Hunter, you showed the form you wished to protect.”
The image of laughing, joking, and sharing joy with viewers. Park Yerim was an S-rank Hunter yet also a bright, ordinary girl—lively to excess. And it was the scene Song Taewon had longed to step back and observe. Yet he had been drawn in regardless, leaving him drained yet unable to resist.
Lost in thought, Taewon stood under Hyunjae’s calm gaze.
“I considered asking you to concede.”
Crack! A golden chain pierced Taewon’s chest. He looked up in perplexity.
“...Why?”
By all logic, Hyunjae would not kill him in this fashion. Yet logic failed.
Hyunjae shrugged lightly.
“They say I killed you—but I have no memory of it. So I wanted to kill you once.”
“...”
Taewon’s brow furrowed. Hyunjae’s lips curved into a serene smile.
“Though you change, you remain the same.”
“Then go rest first.”
With a metallic clink, the chain withdrew, leaving Taewon to vanish. Silence fell. No more presence stirred. Hyunjae’s golden eyes dimmed into a chill stillness.