Chapter 49

The World Returner Association, after persistent investigation, discovered that Giraseong had established a major base near Incheon Port in Korea.

Thus, while pursuing Ha Seo-ho, who had been implanted with nanomachines, they prepared for a double assault on Incheon Port.

However, having learned through Gwak Sa-yeon that Ha Seo-ho had contacted the World Returner Association, they had prepared in advance.

As a result, the situation escalated into an all-out war.

“Cheonma, two people are behind the container at 4 o’clock.”

“I know.”

As soon as Baekseolhyang finished speaking, Cheonma’s figure blurred, and camellia petals fluttered from behind the container.

Her swordsmanship was overwhelmingly powerful.

Despite the opponent being a Returner, no one could face Cheon Hong-ryun head-on.

Moreover, what makes Cheon Hong-ryun terrifying is that, unlike ordinary Returners who can shatter the earth and split the sky, she can unleash her power without causing any collateral damage.

Her skill is akin to a deity, capable of bringing several Returners to the brink of death with just a tree branch.

In modern society, where countless assets exist, she achieves results with minimal property damage.

She is the ultimate one-on-one combatant among Returners, undefeated in single combat.

That is Cheonma Cheon Hong-ryun.

Once lured to join the World Returner Association, she was known as the Returner who hunts Returners.

Although her time with the Association was brief, she became a symbol of terror for opposing Returners.

The only problem is her temper.

‘And the fact that she likes Ha-chan.’

Even now, it’s hard to understand her.

She has only seen Ha-chan in games, yet she harbors feelings for him and aggressively pursues him.

‘Though Ha-chan is worth falling for.’

Still, compared to herself, she falls short.

She reunited with him fatefully, both in the game and after returning.

But Ha-chan only hangs out with Ayu.

‘I want to tell him too. But I want that fateful moment when Ha-chan truly remembers me.’

Outwardly, Baekseolhyang handles everything flawlessly.

But inside, she’s like a princess from a fairy tale, yearning for a fateful encounter.

Unaware that this aspect is holding her back, she has been hiding the fact that she is ‘I Know,’ eagerly awaiting a romantic and fateful meeting with Ha-chan.

But that special fate is being ruined by that woman, leaving Baekseolhyang sulking.

Thinking about it made her slightly upset, but being in the heart of enemy territory, she pushed the thought aside.

She then extended her gloved hand behind her.

Thud!

In her grasp was the head of a dragon, dozens of times her size.

Despite the dragon’s full-force charge, its eyes widened in shock as it was caught, and her blue eyes flashed.

Crash!

The dragon’s head smashed into the cement floor, embedding itself.

As the dragon tamer tried to escape, Baekseolhyang appeared before him.

Though she seemed like a strategist, her movements were incredibly fast.

Crack!

With a swift kick, the tamer’s ribs shattered, and he crumpled to the ground.

“Chorong, tie that person up properly.”

As she called out, sprouts emerged, binding and subduing him.

Confirming this, Baekseolhyang dusted off her gloves and surveyed the area.

The sounds of battle between Returners echoed everywhere.

In the distance, Geumgang-ho Gye-du-sik’s figure appeared between containers.

Clad in a black martial arts uniform with a golden tiger emblem, he looked towards her.

Outwardly appearing in his early 40s, he was an old man who had lived through two or three centuries.

“Take care.”

With that, Geumgang-ho nodded and disappeared.

He was entrusted with heading to Ha-chan’s location.

Even with Yekaterina there, it was uncertain what Returners might be present.

With Geumgang-ho on the move, the situation would be resolved without issue.

‘I specifically asked him to intervene only when it seems dangerous.’

Ha-chan had personally asked her to trust him.

Thus, while sending Geumgang-ho, she made that request.

‘No matter how much he asks for trust, I can’t help but feel this way.’

Reality is always chaotic, and anything can happen.

If he were to face the same situation as before, Baekseolhyang couldn’t bear it, so she had to prepare this insurance.

Ideally, she wanted to go there herself.

But having decided to trust him, she held back and moved towards the warehouse.

A tightly shut iron door came into view.

Large enough to require tilting her head back to see, Baekseolhyang raised her hand.

She grabbed the door and pulled, causing it to crumple and tear away.

“Quite aggressive.”

“No, Baekseolhyang is wise. It’s the fastest method.”

At that moment, Cheon Hong-ryun and Eun-hyeon, the silver fox, approached.

Eun-hyeon had seven translucent tails spread behind her, along with silver fox ears.

“Seven tails today?”

“Given the circumstances.”

Listening to their familiar banter, Baekseolhyang stepped inside.

The sound of a TV greeted her.

The warehouse, supposed to be filled with materials, was empty except for a sofa and a TV.

A man lounged on the sofa, laughing at the TV, and Baekseolhyang frowned at his back.

“Asura.”

“You still have the habit of using nicknames.”

The man, Asura, reduced his laughter and responded as if pleased.

He then yawned, resting his chin on his hand, appearing bored.

“You guys still can’t move on from that day.”

“Traitor, spouting nonsense.”

Cheon Hong-ryun retorted sharply, and he gave a disinterested look.

“What else can I do? If I don’t act, I’ll lose the only family I have left. As an older brother, I have to do something.”

Hearing this, everyone seemed to understand, falling into a brief silence.

But Baekseolhyang ignored the silence and stepped forward, glaring at him.

“Your actions aren’t justified. Joining Giraseong won’t solve anything.”

“Haha, you’re right. Nothing’s been resolved yet. But I prefer not to hold back.”

He showed no ill will towards the World Returner Association.

“But isn’t that how it is? Heroes can save the world but not those around them, while villains can save those around them but not the world. I guess I was destined to be a villain.”

With that, he turned off the TV and stood up.

Towering over 190cm, nearly 2m, he looked down at the three with a smile.

Scarred arms and legs, and unique black-and-white hair reminiscent of a tiger.

“So, I became a villain. Sorry.”

The leader of ‘Beom,’ Korea’s last remaining major violent organization.

An S-class Returner.

Asura (阿修羅)

Song Hyuk-seo

He was there.

One of the reasons Baekseolhyang had been cautious with Giraseong in Korea.

Song Hyuk-seo displayed the aura of a warrior, not inferior to Cheon Hong-ryun or Baekseolhyang.

Facing two S-class Returners and an A-class, he remained composed.

He was a strong opponent.

A fight with him would likely end only when one side was dead.

“Do we have to see this through?”

“If you don’t want to see it through, hand over Ha Si-ho.”

Hearing this, Baekseolhyang slowly brushed her hair back.

A smile appeared on her face.

“What to do. Ha Si-ho is now an important figure on our side.”

“Then there’s only one answer.”

The conclusion was battle.

As soon as Song Hyuk-seo finished speaking, he disappeared.

Baekseolhyang blinked briefly, and his greatsword was already at her nose.

Clang!

But the greatsword was intercepted by Cheon Hong-ryun, who stood beside Baekseolhyang.

Camellia petals scattered around her sword, while shadows dripped from Song Hyuk-seo’s greatsword.

“To discuss the answer, do you not know whose side the outcome favors?”

Cheon Hong-ryun looked at him with disdainful arrogance, and Song Hyuk-seo chuckled.

“Long or short, we’ll see.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Cheon Hong-ryun and Song Hyuk-seo clashed again.

With each clash of swords, the resulting shockwaves made Baekseolhyang and Eun-hyeon’s hair flutter.

“What will you do?”

“Cheonma said it. The outcome is already decided.”

Crash!

At that moment, someone crashed into the wall.

Of course, it was Song Hyuk-seo, rolling on the warehouse floor.

Cheonma Cheon Hong-ryun is unparalleled in one-on-one combat among S-class Returners.

No matter how skilled Song Hyuk-seo is, he can’t face Cheon Hong-ryun alone.

“Maybe you should have set a trap.”

“Cough, that’s a good idea.”

Baekseolhyang’s words made Song Hyuk-seo chuckle.

“So, I prepared something.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the floor, walls, and ceiling of the warehouse began to crumble into darkness.

It was as if they were being swallowed by darkness, with all light being sucked away.

Seeing this, Eun-hyeon grabbed Baekseolhyang and soared into the air.

The floor disappeared, and the dark space tried to engulf them.

Baekseolhyang frowned.

‘This is.’

She realized her mana was being drained into the surrounding shadows.

Eun-hyeon’s tails and ears, which usually emitted a faint light, were losing their color.

‘Shadow Proclamation.’

A skill Song Hyuk-seo used in Returner wars to incapacitate many.

Baekseolhyang never thought they would fall victim to it.

Crash!

Amidst the chaos, an explosion echoed.

Somehow, Cheon Hong-ryun was dashing across the formless shadows.

Song Hyuk-seo, having enveloped himself in shadows to maximize defense, resisted, but Cheon Hong-ryun’s sword, scattering camellia petals, relentlessly struck him.

Even in this situation, Cheon Hong-ryun attacked without hesitation, embodying the essence of Cheonma.

No wonder she is a figure of terror among Returners.

“Baekseolhyang.”

“…Yes, there’s no choice.”

Realizing Eun-hyeon’s natural energy was fading, Baekseolhyang peeked out from her embrace.

Facing an S-class Returner.

Even a former comrade.

After that day, she vowed not to use the crown, but against an S-class Returner, she couldn’t guarantee victory without it.

‘Ha-chan is also a concern.’

Once again, her resolve was undermined as the silver crown appeared above her head.

Crack!

Suddenly, a splitting sound echoed.

When Baekseolhyang looked up, she saw moonlight streaming through a crack in the shadow-covered ceiling.

Before she could question it, someone burst through the gap like a shooting star.

“What?”

Even while facing Cheon Hong-ryun, Song Hyuk-seo is an S-class Returner.

Who could break through his Shadow Proclamation and enter?