Dawn crept slowly over the kingdom.
Golden light slipped through the tall windows of Dong's chamber, brushing across his face.
His eyes opened calmly, sharp and aware as if he had never slept at all.
The night's ritual still lingered in the air.
The bond was complete.
Dong sat up.
"Six o'clock…" he murmured.
He extended his hand.
The bell rang.
The door opened quietly.
"Yes, Young Master?" the maid asked, bowing.
"Bring me breakfast."
"At once."
She vanished down the hallway.
An hour later, the plates were cleared. The last traces of steam faded into the air.
Dong wiped his hands slowly.
"I'm going to work," he said.
"Yes, Young Master."
Without another word, Dong left his room and headed down the silent corridor.
His steps brought him to a familiar door.
Knock. Knock.
A pause.
"Who is it?" Sung's voice came from inside.
"It's me. Open the door. We're going to work."
There was a click.
The door opened.
Sung stood there… sitting in his bed, eating calmly, as if nothing unusual had happened at all.
The sight made Dong pause for half a second.
Then, without a word, he turned around and started walking away.
"Wait," Sung called out. "You're not even going to comment on this?"
Dong stopped but didn't look back.
"We both know who destroyed the Blackhorn Guild," Sung continued. "Why are we even acting like we're investigating something?"
Dong finally turned, his dark eyes narrowing.
"Did you not listen in the meeting?" he said coldly. "Our 'mission' is to find Blackhorn's secrets for the kingdom. As long as they're focused on the treasure… they won't focus on me."
A realization flashed across Sung's face.
"Ohhh…" he muttered.
Dong's eyes hardened slightly.
"And don't worry… when we find their vaults and hidden funds"
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"we take sixty percent as our 'fee.'"
Now Sung smiled for real.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
"Eat first," Dong ordered calmly.
Minutes later, they exited the room together.
Their next stop Commander Azhur.
Before they could even knock…
The door in front of them was already open.
A massive figure stood waiting.
Arms crossed. Presence heavy.
"You're late," Azhur said.
Sung raised an eyebrow. "We're not late. You're just too early."
"Hmph. Whatever. Let's move."
Dong glanced at Azhur's face.
"You didn't eat."
"Food wastes time," Azhur replied.
Sung clicked his tongue. "That explains why our soldiers are getting weaker day by day."
Azhur's eyes sharpened.
"Do you want to fight?"
The atmosphere tightened for a brief moment.
Killing intent brushed the walls.
"Enough," Dong said quietly.
Instantly, the air calmed.
"We're here for work, not to argue."
He looked between the two of them.
"Let's go."
Sung smirked. "See? Even he thinks you're wasting time now."
Azhur exhaled slowly, containing his irritation.
"…Fine. Let's move."
Together, the three of them stepped forward into the morning light.
The iron gates of the mansion slowly opened.
Morning sunlight poured in like liquid gold, washing over the stone path ahead.
For a brief moment…
Dong and Sung stopped.
They looked up.
The sky was a deep, endless blue. The clouds drifted in lazy silence. Sun rays poured over the city, painting rooftops and towers with warmth.
"…Nice view," Sung muttered.
Dong didn't answer, but his eyes narrowed slightly. He noticed it too.
Only Azhur remained unchanged.
No pause. No admiration. No distraction.
To him, the world was nothing more than a battlefield.
Without a word, he started walking.
Dong and Sung followed beside him as the gates closed behind them.
Their destination was already decided.
Blackhorn Guild.
As they walked, Sung glanced toward Azhur.
"You don't even live a life, you know that?" he said casually. "You never enjoy a single moment. Life isn't just about goals. It's about you."
Azhur didn't even turn his head.
"I was born into war," he replied coldly. "The world shaped me this way. I don't care about anything else."
Dong spoke quietly, but his words pierced deeper than Sung's.
"That's just an excuse, Azhur. Anyone can change if they truly want to. But weak minds convince themselves they can't."
Azhur's jaw tightened.
"Young Master, I respect you… but I will not break my beliefs just because you say so."
Sung scoffed.
"Beliefs? More like you're a doll, controlled by orders."
A faint killing intent leaked from Azhur.
"If there weren't a direct mission from the King right now… I'd 'teach' both of you some respect."
The air tightened for a moment.
Then Dong raised a hand slightly.
"Hah… forget it. Let's finish this quickly."
He turned to Sung.
"Get on my back."
Sung blinked. "What?"
"You don't have the power to keep up with us at full speed."
Without hesitation, Sung climbed onto his back.
"Don't drop me," he muttered.
"I won't," Dong replied calmly.
Dong shifted his stance.
The ground beneath his feet cracked.
He looked at Azhur.
"Try to keep up."
Azhur smirked. "Just run."
And then
BOOM.
Dong shot forward like a black and purple comet.
The street behind them shattered under the force. Wind screamed past them. Buildings blurred into streaks of color.
Sung's eyes widened in shock.
So fast… This is really the power of someone who killed a dragon…
Azhur pushed his body to its limit, leaping from rooftops and stone pillars, his aura flaring.
Yet even for him
Catching up was a struggle.
"It's insane…" he thought.
"Even as an almost EX-rank knight… I'm still being left behind."
The ruined land of the Blackhorn Guild stood silent.
Broken pillars. Cracked stone. Ash drifting slowly in the air.
Azur bent forward slightly, sweat falling from his jaw.
But Dong… stood straight. Untouched. Unbothered.
Azur thought:
"I… really shouldn't have underestimated him."
Sung stepped down quietly.
In front of the broken gate, an old man stood confidently with ten high-rank guards at his back.
His presence was heavy. Unnatural.
He stepped forward.
"I am the National-Level Affairs Manager of the World Alliance," he announced.
"This area is now under our control for investigation."
Sung smirked.
"And who allowed you to step onto our land?"
Azur immediately dropped to one knee in reflex, showing respect.
Dong, however, walked straight toward the old man.
Each step felt like a countdown to death.
He stopped just in front of him.
"This is my kingdom's territory," Dong said calmly.
"If you want it… you ask my executives. You do NOT walk in."
The old man smiled coldly.
"The World Alliance does not need permission. The world itself is our territory."
Dong's eyes ignited glowing deep purple.
The air froze.
In one motion, he pulled Azur's sword into his hand and rested the cold blade beneath the old man's chin.
"One more word," Dong whispered,
"and this moment becomes your last."
The old man's confidence shattered, but his pride remained.
"You are young… and powerful," he said quietly.
"But standing against us is suicide."
Dong leaned closer.
"Then die knowing… I don't fear suicide."
A single flash.
A burst of purple light.
The world went silent.
When Sung and Azur could see again…
The old man and all ten guards lay motionless on the ground eyes empty, life erased in an instant. So fast, no one even saw the strike.
No blood.
No sound.
Just… death.
Azur dropped back in shock.
"Are you insane…? Do you even understand what you've done? The World Alliance… they'll never forgive this!"
Sung's expression darkened.
"Then they should have asked for permission."
He began gathering the bodies.
"Help me," he told Azur coldly.
"Or you'll be the next one this world forgets about."
Azur trembled.
Dong looked at him.
"You're a knight. Act like one. Or die like a traitor."
Azur swallowed and nodded.
"I'll do it…"
Together, they buried the bodies deep beneath collapsed stone more than thirty feet below ground.
The past was erased.
Only silence remained.
Dong turned toward the entrance of Blackhorn Guild.
His eyes gleamed.
"Now," he said,
"let's see what secrets they were protecting."
Sung stepped beside him.
"And who's really behind all this."
They walked into the darkness.
The underground corridor grew darker with every step.
Cold stone. Silent air.
Only the echo of their breathing and footsteps remained.
Then
A massive steel vault gate appeared before them.
It towered high, covered in ancient engravings and rusted chains.
Sung narrowed his eyes.
"What now?"
Dong didn't hesitate.
"It's just steel."
He stepped forward and drove his fist into the center of the gate.
BOOM.
The impact echoed through the entire underground.
The steel split, twisted, and collapsed inward like paper.
Sung blinked.
"…You're getting stronger every day."
Dong glanced back.
"I hope you will too."
Sung gave a faint smile.
"Then give me more opportunities."
Dong smirked.
"You'll get plenty."
They stepped inside.
Golden light reflected onto their faces.
Mountains of gold coins filled the chamber from wall to wall.
Sung's eyes shone as if they had turned to gold.
"…Around five hundred million."
Dong let out a low whistle.
"Not bad."
At the far end of the vault:
sealed documents … and ancient magic books.
Sung picked up one of the tomes.
"These…"
Dong nodded.
"Those are yours. Learn everything in them."
Sung looked at him with real respect.
"You trust me that much?"
Dong smiled slightly.
"That's why I keep you near."
Sung straightened quickly.
"…Just to be clear, if you ever start liking men, I'm out."
Dong burst into laughter.
"You're an idiot."
Sung smirked.
---
The Division
"You take one hundred seventy-five million," Dong said calmly.
"I'll take two hundred twenty-five. The remaining hundred million, the documents, and rare items go to the King."
Sung nodded.
"Smart. If the kingdom gets too little, suspicion falls on us. If they get too much, greed follows."
Dong raised an eyebrow.
"You're learning fast."
"Because I have an insane teacher."
Dong activated Infinite Storage.
In an instant, his portion vanished into nothingness.
After Azur and Sung finished securing the rest, they moved out.
---
Report To The King
The three knelt in the throne hall.
"We have recovered Blackhorn's assets, secret treasures and documents, Your Majesty," Dong said evenly.
Azur bowed deeply.
"This victory belongs to the kingdom."
Sung lowered his head.
"Our loyalty is absolute."
The King's expression softened slightly.
"You have all done well."
Lord Archon smiled, clearly impressed.
"They deserve proper reward."
Queen Alorine scoffed.
"One hundred million? For a forbidden guild? That is nothing."
The King's voice thundered across the hall.
"SILENCE, ALORINE."
The chamber froze.
He turned to Azur.
"You will receive an elixir to help you break through to the next rank."
Azur's eyes widened.
"It is an honor, Your Majesty."
Then his gaze shifted to Dong and Sung.
"You two… come with me."
---
The King's Private Chamber
Only the three remained inside.
The King folded his hands behind his back.
"Sung… you are only twenty-one. Your potential is being wasted here."
Sung was stunned.
"Majesty…?"
"And Dong…" the King continued.
"Your mind is too sharp to stay confined to one kingdom."
He opened a sealed scroll.
"You both will attend the Valdyne Supreme Academy
Silence.
That name…
The center of the world continent.
An academy where even Valdyne Supreme Academy
Sung and Dong exchanged a look.
Is this real?
They stepped forward and bowed.
"We accept with honor, Your Majesty."
The King smiled.
"Don't disappoint me."
They turned and left the chamber in silence… their fates now changing forever.
Dong and sung both thought at same time The Valdyne Supreme Academy
The world's central institution built upon an ancient source of power, where only the most gifted, dangerous, and chosen individuals are trained to rule, destroy, or reshape the world itself.