“Seong-Hwi! What’s happening?! Get rid of these!” Muka shouted once he heard Seong-Hwi’s grunts as he pounded his fists on the Pentacles that protected him from all sides.

“Urgh!”

However, Seong-Hwi couldn’t answer him. All he could see were Jazathura, staring at him with a nasty smile, and his subordinates surrounding him to capture him alive.

[Activating Unique Skill: Symbol Embodiment.]

[Catastrophic Thunder, one of the symbols of No.16 The Tower]

[Activating Skill: Rust of Ruin.]

“AHHH!” Seong-Hwi screamed as he slammed his fists on the ground.

The dark blue Catastrophic Thunder mixed with the dark red Rust of Ruin to create magenta lightning that discharged in all directions. Everything rusted in the lightning’s path, and the crumbling ground slowed the goblins’ charge.

“Kerek! It’s pointless!” Sakozati shouted as he clenched rusted blades in both hands and leaped toward Seong-Hwi.

[Activating Unique Skill: Borrowing Destiny.]

[Chok Chun-Gyong the Unfortunate Martial God]

[Activating Unique Skill: Symbol Embodiment.]

[Sword of Koksan.]

[Activating Exclusive Skill: Chok’s National Sword Technique.]

Seong-Hwi borrowed Chun-Gyong’s destiny, grabbed the embodied Sword of Koksan, and attacked Sakozati with movements as agile as a monkey.

He shouted the name of the move inwardly, White Ape Leaves the Cave!

“Kererek!”

Seong-Hwi’s masterful swordsmanship pushed Sakozati back. His rusted swords shattered soon after.

Clash of Rhinoceroses!

Seong-Hwi found an opening and thrust the Sword of Koksan, but he heard the muscles of his left arm ripping.

“Gaaah!” he screamed.

“Kererek!”

The trajectory of the thrust that had been aimed at Sakozati’s throat deviated, stabbing his left shoulder instead.

“Kerek! Kerek! Keep going! Keep resisting!” Jazathura shouted.

Seong-Hwi retreated as he grabbed his left arm and stared at Jazathura, sinking his scimitar into the straw doll’s left arm.

“Son of a bitch!” Seong-Hwi mumbled as he stopped the bleeding of his left arm.

He thought, He’s highly cautious like a hunter. He doesn’t approach if it’s not a surefire opportunity, and he placed a sorcery spell on me with just one attack!

Lifting a sorcery spell was simple. One needed to either kill the caster or be far stronger than them to the point that the spell was ineffective. However, Jazathura was protected by his subordinates, and his Magic and secondary force stats were on par with Seong-Hwi’s.

Seong-Hwi wouldn’t have been driven to this extent if he had been against Jazathura one-on-one, since their power levels were similar. However, Jazathura still had over a dozen subordinates, and a straw doll that had been equated with Seong-Hwi.

“Kerererek! This is the power of the Sorcery Hunter, Jazathura! Kekek, damn you, Hadafu! Go to hell, Kazafu! I shouldn’t have to waste my time being your goddamn underling!”

Jazathura irritably stabbed the straw doll repeatedly, creating holes in Seong-Hwi’s body.

“Kurgh!” Seong-Hwi grunted as he fell to his knees.

His blood soaked his hoodie and poured onto the ground.

There... has to be a way! Think! Seong-Hwi shouted inwardly.

He rushed to find a way out of this crisis.

[Activating Unique Skill: Symbol Embodiment.]

[Regenerating Crown, one of the symbols of No.2 The High Priestess]

First, Seong-Hwi embodied the Regenerating Crown to heal his injuries. Steam rose from the injuries as they closed.

“Kerek? What a fascinating human. You even have a healing skill?” Jazathura smiled as he stared at the crown on Seong-Hwi’s head with the lunar phases engraved on it. “Interesting! Krrrk! Let’s see what’s faster: your regeneration, or my blade!”

Jazathura rapidly stabbed the straw doll repeatedly with his scimitar, and Seong-Hwi collapsed as he vomited blood.

“Kurgh!”

Seong-Hwi couldn’t think of a way out of this predicament.

Should I use an emission attack using the recoil from the clashing of Demon Force and Holy Force? Would he just stand by and watch as I prepare it? Should I hide myself with a stealth skill and run away? No, it’s pointless as long as he has that doll.

Just then, he heard footsteps and sensed multiple presences. The dwarves of Ferrum were running here after hearing the commotion.

“This way!”

“We’ll capture them this time, whether it’s the iron thief or the artisan assassin!”

Jazathura remarked, “Kerek! It’s a shame, but playtime’s over. We’re on duty, after all.”

He stared at the dome made of Pentacles. The artisan he was after was inside. Seong-Hwi had not canceled the symbols even as countless holes were made on his body.

“Krrrk! I’m sure those would also disappear once you’re dead,” Jazathura said as he aimed the scimitar at Seong-Hwi’s heart.

Seong-Hwi could hear his heartbeat. He couldn’t see it, but could sense the sorcery blade getting closer to his heart.

Am I... going to die? This easily? Without... accomplishing anything?

He had continued running without rest, believing there was a destiny that only he, as a returner, could grasp. He aimed to become one of the Ten Lords and Fiends, and set his goal on the Master Stone, believed to be at the center of the Mirror World.

Thanks to that, he had become as powerful as an upper Ranker after not even a year since he was Lost. However, that was all. He was still one of the weak in the Mirror World. It was so in his past life, and it had yet to change in his current life.

Why? Because I was born as an inferior race? Because I lacked resolve? Because I was ultimately destined to fail?

“Damn... it all!” Seong-hwi groaned.

“Kererek! That’s a nice expression. Kyehahaha! Your face is filled with despair and powerlessness! You will pay for the sin of standing against Humilitas with your life!”

Jazathura thrust his scimitar toward the straw doll’s heart. Seong-Hwi saw the thrust in slow motion.

I don’t want to die!

His blood boiled, sizzling hot. His entire body pounded as if the whole thing had become his heart. He was filled with a certain premonition—an odd sense of certainty.

I will not die here! I will not die until I grasp my destiny and the destiny of humankind!

The idea of his death was absurd. His destiny whispered to him that he wouldn’t die here.

The one who’s dying is you! Seong-Hwi shouted inwardly.

[Converting Destiny Force to Sorcery Force.]

The Wings of Evolution turned light green, and their pattern changed from hexagons to crosses with rounded ends. Seong-Hwi floundered inside a genetic sea of information engraved in the genes. He instinctively understood what he needed to do. A single lighthouse emitted light from the boundless ocean.

The Sorcery Force, converted from Destiny Force, moved in a mana pattern Seong-Hwi had never used before, automatically activating a skill.

[Activating Race Skill: Sorcery Reversal.]

Jazathura’s scimitar stabbed the straw doll’s heart. He smiled as he turned to Seong-Hwi, hoping to see the light in Seong-Hwi’s eyes disappear. However, he couldn’t.

“Kurgh!” Jazathura grunted as he felt a blazing hot sensation from his heart. “What... in the... Grrrh!”

He clenched his chest as he vomited blood and collapsed, dropping his scimitar and the straw doll.

“Kerek! Sir Jazathura!”

“W-what just happened?!”

“The dwarves are coming! Krrrk! Let’s take Sir Jazathura and get out of here!”

The goblins grabbed the collapsed Jazathura and quickly retreated.

“Huff! Huff! Gurgh...”

However, the heavily panting Seong-Hwi, staring at the goblins as his eyes slowly closed, knew it was a pointless effort. Their leader was dead.

[You defeated an individual with countless Murderer Karma.]

[10,442,808 Karma obtained.]

...

[Heightening the caliber of Destiny Force.]

[Heightening the caliber of Sorcery Force.]

...

“Seong-Hwi! Cheon Seong-Hwi!”

Seong-Hwi lost consciousness as he listened to Muka’s shouts as he ran to him.

***

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

Confucius

***

Seong-Hwi heard voices when he regained consciousness.

“I cannot wait.”

“Seong-Hwi’s a patient! I already testified on everything that happened!”

“I must confirm it with the person concerned.”

One was Muka’s voice, and the other was a stern, businesslike voice. Seong-Hwi slightly opened his heavy eyelids and looked around. Muka was preventing a dwarf in full plate armor from approaching the bed Seong-Hwi was in.

“They were targeting me! I heard them say to hand over the dwarf named Muka!” Muka shouted.

“I’d bet. You placed first in the first exam, after all. The artisan assassin targeting exceptional artisans is already established. If they truly were the artisan assassins, that is...”

“What do you...”

“You also testified that the human’s skill that protected you prevented you from seeing exactly what was happening.”

“So you’re saying you’re gonna shake Seong-Hwi awake or something?”

“If needed.”

“Son of a—”

Rika swung the door open, her red hair fluttering, as Muka was about to swear.

“Manfu! How dare you intimidate my grandson in my home?!” she shouted.

“I, Manfu Kosa, have the right to do so as Ferrum’s chief of security.”

“Kekek! Ferrum’s chief of security? What use are you if you can’t even capture either the iron thief or the artisan assassin? No, should I say that you aren’t capturing them?”

“Watch your words, Rika Haswell. I can only respect the elderly so much. I simply wish to get that human’s testimony to capture the artifact assassin.” Manfu stared at Seong-Hwi, who was pretending to sleep, and continued, “I investigated him, and he’s rather famous. He’s Cheon Seong-Hwi, alias Record Breaker, a Semi Ranker 143rd on the human ranking. He’s an eyesore for the Union and has killed Tutobure.”

“What does that matter?! That bastard Tutobure got what he deserved for running that damn Clan Trophy!” Muka shouted.

Manfu shook his head and replied, “I am simply stating it’s no wonder the goblins have a grudge against him. What if they weren’t trying to assassinate an artisan, but taking revenge for their fellow goblin?”

“What?” Muka said, his face twitching in rage.

Rika smiled and remarked, “I can see you have no intention of hiding the fact that you’re from Blue Anvil, Manfu Kosa. To think you’re trying so hard to defend goblins from being branded as artisan assassins. I see what you’re trying to do.”

“I told you... to watch your words.”

Manfu drew out his aura, but Rika only smiled in response.

“You want to fight me, boy? You’ve sure grown up from taking your first steps. Have you received good items from Hadafu?”

Manfu glared at Rika in silence. He turned to leave the room soon after, saying, “I will come again. Tell him to be awake next time.”

Seong-Hwi opened his eyes once Manfu left the room and closed the door.

“It appears... things are taking a weird turn,” he remarked.

“Seong-Hwi!” Muka shouted as he ran to the bedside and examined Seong-Hwi’s condition.

“I’m fine, Muka. I feel deathly awful, but I’m not dead yet.”

“You idiot! What the hell were you thinking?! Huh? Do you have any idea who your opponent was? He was Jazathura, a goblin High Ranker! The Sorcery Hunter!”

“Oh, was he a High Ranker? He felt a little insufficient by my standards. If that’s the case, it saves me some face.”

“What? Save face? You lunatic...” Muka shook his head exasperatedly.

Seong-Hwi turned to Rika and asked, “May I be briefed on the situation?”

Rika stared at Seong-Hwi peculiarly and remarked, “Ferrum was flipped upside down after you passed out because goblins were revealed to be the artisan assassins. Ferrum then carried out a full inspection of all goblins and captured a few suspicious ones, who all mentioned Blue Anvil.”

“Blue Anvil?” Seong-Hwi asked.

Muka answered, “It’s the tribe that the second place, Kazafu, is from. I’d bet he tried to have me killed because he can’t beat me with skill!”

Rika continued, “Of course, Hadafu of Blue Anvil denied the absurd accusation and demanded they find proof.”

“I highly doubt there would be such a thing,” Seong-Hwi remarked.

Rika nodded and said, “But a few artisans, me included, are sure that Blue Anvil orchestrated the artisan assassinations.”

“Why?”

“Because we know exactly what they’re aiming for during the upcoming Faber conference. They’re planning on securing the majority of the seats to impeach Bafor.” Rika snorted and continued, “Hadafu doesn’t know his place. It’s been so for all those in House Kosa. They’re far too greedy. I’m sure he’s thinking of monopolizing the Artisan’s Soul... Tsk, tsk, the idiot.”

She looked back and forth between Seong-Hwi and Muka. She grabbed the doorknob and said, “Muka, let the patient rest.”

“Oh, right. Seong-Hwi! The second exam is in two days. Watch me floor Kazafu again! I’ll avenge you!” Muka shouted passionately as he ran down the stairs to hammer metal.

Rika smiled as she watched her grandson and turned to Seong-Hwi. “Thank you for saving my grandson. House Haswell will never forget this favor.”

“Not at all. Muka is... my friend.”

Rika smiled as she replied, “Friend, huh? I like that word a lot.”

She closed the door behind her.

***

Seong-Hwi’s smile disappeared once he was left alone. He was in pain from the many holes on his body, but he felt an agony that dwarfed anything he felt from his physical injuries—his sense of shame and powerlessness.

“Dammit!”

He almost died—not figuratively, but he seriously almost died. It didn’t matter if the opponent was a High Ranker, or that he was protecting Muka, or that he was against several opponents at once. All that mattered was that he was not strong enough, and his weakness almost resulted in his death. He would not be here if the skill, which he didn't even know about, hadn’t been activated.

“I need more... more power!”

Seong-Hwi clenched his fists. Red blood seeped from the bandages wrapped around him, but his eyes, filled with desire for power, were not red.

“I need the power to overcome destiny... to protect everything I have!”

He thought he had been doing well. He achieved his objectives one way or another and grew exponentially stronger than he had in his past life. However, all that remained was his weak self.

What must I do to grasp my destiny?

As he felt like he was about to go insane from the burning thirst and hunger, a single jet-black wing silently sprouted from his back. It had the pentagram pattern unique to the Demon Force conversion of the Wings of Evolution. A green eye opened in the center of the wing.

“You who abhors his powerless self, what are you willing to do to gain power?”

Seong-Hwi, misunderstanding the voice as his inner self, shouted desperately, “ANYTHING!”

The Demon Force pulsed intensely.

The unsettling voice said in satisfaction, “Very well. I shall reserve a stage for you soon.”

***

“Hey, have you heard the rumors? The artisan assassin was a goblin!”

“What? Are you serious?”

“Yeah! I also heard that they’re associated with the Blue Anvil tribe.”

“Dude, don’t you know that’s fake news? Someone’s trying to slander Blue Anvil’s name. They’re just jealous of the tribe’s success.”

Ferrum’s streets were filled with talk about the artisan assassin, but all were baseless rumors.

“That aside, I heard Jazathura, the goblin High Ranker, is dead! He was found in a deserted alley.”

“Goblins might be an inferior race, but aren’t their High Rankers still a force to be reckoned with?”

“That’s what I’m saying. What’s more surprising is that the one who killed him is a human. I think his name was Cheon Seong-Hwi. He’s 143rd on the human ranking.”

“What? That’s absurd. Now that’s what you call fake news.”

The dwarves chuckled as they talked about Seong-Hwi, and a human in a black robe overheard their conversation with a letter in one hand.

To the Tortoise Emperor, Lee Kang-San.

If you received this letter from Jurie, it would mean the commotion throughout the Capital has died down to an extent.

I am in Ferrum. I doubt it’s anything close to your contributions, but I am doing my best for the betterment of humanity. In short, I need your help. I have a plan, and if it succeeds, we will be able to save countless lambs in a lasting way. I would like to meet you in Ferrum if you are interested. After all, you owe me three hundred million Coins.

Oh, but please don’t feel pressured to. I am simply requesting your help as a junior who is struggling in a foreign region.

Sincerely,

Cheon Seong-Hwi.

The robed man smiled as he folded the letter and put it in his pocket, mumbling, “Should I call him bold, or reckless? It appears he’s already caused some trouble in that short time.”

The dual longswords on his waist clattered as he walked along the streets of Ferrum.

“In any case, I’m looking forward to meeting him.”