“Anastasia isn’t a particularly just or kind person, I mean, fox. But she took in the artifacts because of something that occurred a long time ago. Back then, she was desperate and sorrowful.”

After Anastasia kicked them out, Freesia stopped Yeon-woo and explained why Anastasia couldn’t let go of the Adamantine Nova. She said the storage room was everything to Anastasia.

“What happened back then…”

“Since it’s not a part of our deal, I cannot tell you what it is. I only told you this much because I hope you’ll understand her.”

Yeon-woo nodded. Everyone had a story to tell, and a Gumiho who’d already lived a thousand years would have a few that an ordinary person would struggle to understand.

“Of course, it’s not like she isn’t gaining anything from it. The artifacts themselves are high-level monsters, so she can extract monstrous energy from them. But if you try to take the Adamantine Nova…”

“It will become dangerous.”

“Correct.”

“Haa.” Yeon-woo rubbed his face. His thoughts were in a jumble. Even if he wanted to take the Adamantine Nova, after what Anastasia showed him, there was no way to take it. And it wasn’t like anyone else in the Tower had it. If that were an option, Freesia would have already mentioned it.

‘I guess I have to make it myself.’

How much time and resources would it take? With Tartarus about to fall any second, time was of the essence. Even if the two Cyclopes helped, could he do it in a short amount of time? ‘I need to ask for help from Henova, Brahm, and the Head Elder….and even Victoria.’

If they all worked together like when they made the Philosopher’s Stone, wouldn’t they be able to see results more quickly? Yeon-woo began to brainstorm ways of finishing the process as soon as possible. ‘Why isn’t Victoria coming out?’

Victoria had said she would meet him outside, but she hadn’t shown up yet. At that moment, a portal opened in front of Yeon-woo. He turned, thinking it was Victoria, but Anastasia popped out with an enraged face.

Boom! Anastasia suddenly grabbed Yeon-woo by the neck and threw him to the ground. Yeon-woo didn’t even have any time to react. All nine of Anastasia’s tails were aflame, and monstrous energy simmered in the air. As the atmosphere twisted, a powerful pressure bore down on Yeon-woo’s chest.

“Where did you hide it?”

“Anastasia!”

“Shut up, wolf. I’m talking to this bastard right now!” Anastasia shouted at Freesia before turning back to Yeon-woo. “Tell me. Where did you hide it?

“What…!”

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know.” Anastasia’s eyes flashed violently. “Victoria disappeared with the Adamantine Nova. If it’s not because of you, then who?”

Yeon-woo was stunned, like he had been hit hard in the head with a hammer. ‘She disappeared? Victoria?’ Why? It suddenly occurred to him that she’d seemed glad to see him and wanted to tell him something important.

“Answer me!”

『Answer me!』

However, his thoughts were interrupted. The Gumiho was overlapping with Anastasia and growling as though it would swallow him up if he didn’t give her an answer.

Yeon-woo suddenly felt annoyed. He was already frustrated that he couldn’t obtain the Adamantine Nova, and now she was suspecting him of stealing it. He was irritated. Something seemed to tear itself from his chest and pop out. A part of the Demonism appeared from his subconscious.

“Let. Go.” It was the warning voice of a beast. The air around Yeon-woo changed instantly. Anastasia furrowed her eyebrows, realizing that something was amiss.

“You…!

『You…!』

“I said let go.” Yeon-woo’s eyes glowed as he grabbed Anastasia’s arm and pulled it away from his neck. The monstrous energy of the Gumiho and the magic power of the Demonism clashed, making the atmosphere shake. It wasn’t at all like their fight in the entertainment district. If Yeon-woo was this powerful, how had he lost to her?

Anastasia’s eyes filled with murderous intent. A mere human was resisting her. It was unacceptable. She didn’t like how the shadow behind Yeon-woo had begun to tremble, as well. The Guai, Death Nobles, and even the Lich were all annoying. She thought it would be best to just rip Yeon-woo apart and she tried to slash his face.

A chill ran down her spine as something appeared in Yeon-woo’s eyes. It was a deep, sticky abyss that made her feel like she would be trapped forever if it caught her soul. A thing hunched inside, looking at her.

As soon as she looked into its eyes, Anastasia felt fear for the first time in hundreds of years. It was a great being that considered a thousand-year-old Gumiho like her little more than prey.

『Stop acting out. You’re only Rhea’s pet. That’s enough of your little tricks. 』

Anastasia stiffened at the voice that pierced her head. Yeon-woo pushed her arm to the side and stood up. “Don’t make things up. Victoria’s disappearance has nothing to do with me.”

It was a completely different voice from the one that had just spoken. Anastasia looked at Yeon-woo with a blank expression. Yeon-woo’s eyes narrowed, puzzled. She wanted to give him the same look. He didn’t seem to know about the voice—how was that possible?

Anastasia shook her head. Whatever was in Yeon-woo’s eyes was dangerous. Also, it mentioned that she had been Rhea’s pet—this was a secret she hadn’t told anyone, not even Freesia. That meant that it recognized her.

Anastasia decided to take a step back. She stood up and adjusted her clothes. “Do you really not know anything?” Victoria was a special disciple, so she had to check one more time.

Yeon-woo shook his head. Anastasia frowned. “Then…” Where had that lousy disciple disappeared to? A shadow appeared on her annoyed face.

* * *

“The storage room is in that state.”

Yeon-woo followed Anastasia into her residence. The garden had changed greatly. A dark fog had swallowed up half of it and the building, wafting upwards. There was a barrier around the garden that kept the black smoke from spreading, but it was impossible to tell how long it would hold.

Multiple monsters were already fighting inside the black smoke. The Spite that leaked from the artifact were clashing with Anastasia’s subordinates. This was all the result of the Adamantine Nova’s disappearance.

「A few of them seem pretty strong. They don’t fall short of me. There are even a few that are stronger.」 Shanon couldn’t look down on the Spite.

“It’s not hard to bind them, and I can keep them within the barrier. But that means I won’t be able to do anything else, and one or two might escape.” Anastasia put her pipe in her mouth. She must have bitten down on it because there were teeth marks on the stem. “If you remember anything, let me know. Victoria isn’t well yet. If she has the Adamantine Nova in that state…she’ll be in danger.” Her voice was filled with concern for her disciple, which was uncharacteristic of her.

However, Yeon-woo didn’t have any clue where Victoria might have gone. Then, he suddenly remembered that Victoria had said, “Let’s talk later. I have something to ask you.”

She’d asked him, “You’ve received a letter, right?” He hadn’t answered at the time, but could that be related to her disappearance?

“Did Victoria receive a letter recently?”

“A letter?” Anastasia looked at Yeon-woo as though he had asked something ridiculous. Yeon-woo assumed that Victoria hadn’t received anything but…“The Iron Lion’s son sent a letter to Victoria.”

“Is he still alive?” Anastasia knew about Victoria’s guilt around Kahn and frowned.

“I got a letter, too.” Yeon-woo gave his letter to Anastasia.

She chewed on her pipe as she examined it. “It seems normal. There aren’t any spells or charms on it.”

Freesia tossed a fine gold powder on the letter. It was a method she used to uncover any strange phenomena, but nothing happened. She shook her head. “It’s just a normal letter.”

“I guess she didn’t leave because of the letter. If she left to look for the Black Lion’s son, there’s no reason for her to take the Adamantine Nova.”

Yeon-woo opened his Draconic Eyes when he got the letter back, but there was no way he could find something that Anastasia and Freesia couldn’t. However, he was sure that the letter contained a secret. ‘Something’s up.’ If there wasn’t, Victoria wouldn’t have disappeared like that. ‘Maybe this way?’ Yeon-woo ignited Holy Fire and burned the letter.

“What are you doing!” Anastasia shouted in surprise, but the ashes of the burnt letter trembled and fell to the ground as words appeared in the air: “Help me.”

“Olryeong!” Anastasia waved the pipe in her hand, sending out smoke over the black ashes, and information entered her head, including Victoria’s location. “Follow me.” She transformed into her Gumiho form, her red eyes flashing as she dashed away without even looking back.

“White Wolf!” Freesia quickly summoned the White Wolf, and Yeon-woo spread his Fire Wings open.

* * *

The Gumiho was extremely fast despite its large size. It was like looking at Shukuchi, one of Allforone’s three signature skills. Although ordinary players wouldn’t be able to follow it, the White Wolf pursued it easily with Yeon-woo and Freesia riding it.

“How did you figure it out?” Freesia was talking about the hidden information in the letter.

“It’s a Bian.”

“A Bian…are you talking about the ancestors…?” Freesia seemed to want to know how Yeon-woo knew about it, but she dropped the subject.

Yeon-woo’s eyes were grim. ‘What happened?’ Why was Kahn asking for help? The contents of the letter had been a red herring so that Kahn could send his true message without arousing suspicion. What did he need help from? ‘The Devil Army?’

That was the only thing Yeon-woo could think of. ‘Or is this something related to Doyle?’ He hadn’t been able to find anything about Doyle, after all. ‘Maybe it’s both.’ He turned to Freesia.

“Freesia, where did the letter come from?”

She shook her head. “I cannot tell you.”

“The price…”

“Even if you want to pay, I can’t do anything. You won’t be able to meet the price.” Freesia was firm. There was nothing she could say, which meant that the person behind this was even more powerful than Anastasia. However, Yeon-woo had a feeling that she was trying to tell him something subtly.

“Then how about this? Just answer me yes or no.”

Freesia didn’t say anything.

“Is it the Devil Army?”

“I cannot tell you.”

“Is Kahn there?”

“I cannot tell you.”

“Is By the Table also making deals with the Devil Army?”

“I cannot tell you.”

“Thank you.” Yeon-woo was certain now. ‘It has to be the Devil Army.’ She would have said no if they weren’t involved. But he couldn’t understand why the Devil Army was involved. They were so unpredictable, there was no rhyme or reason to their actions.

They hadn’t even tried to take revenge after their humiliation, but now they popped up at the least likely moment. He couldn’t understand what they were planning. However, he was sure of one thing: Kahn was his friend, and he couldn’t ignore the fact that he was in danger, even if he had to delay creating Kynee.

They traveled for a while, and the Gumiho crushed the few obstacles that appeared in their way. Then, suddenly, the Gumiho stopped running and stared ahead at a mountain. Yeon-woo and Freesia turned to look, too.

There was a small shrine on the mountain. It wasn’t noticeable, and it didn’t seem to have many visitors. The Gumiho and the White Wolf took a few more steps to enter the shrine. There were seven stone statues near the entrance, each one bigger than the Gumiho and the White Wolf. They didn’t match the shrine at all.

The statues were of creatures like dragons, rocs, or lions, and they all stood upright on their hind legs. Two statues of monkeys looked at the visitors. The biggest statue was on the far left, and it was obvious who the shrine was dedicated to.

‘Is it possible?’ Yeon-woo lifted his head as he stood in front of a statue of a bull, feeling anxious. The great monkey statue looked like it was visiting the temple, but also like it was challenging the statue of the bull. The monkey’s appearance was familiar—it looked just like the one in the Monkey King’s Palace. It was the Monkey King!

Yeon-woo realized who the statues were. The two monkeys were the Monkey Yun King and the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. The statue of the bull was the Bull Demon King.

They were the Seven Knights, who were also called the Seven Demon Kings. They were the holy beings who had caused chaos with the Monkey King. Yeon-woo was standing in a temple dedicated to the beings of the Jie and the Chan sects that terrified even gods.

Urrrng, urrrng! The pieces of the Ruyi Bang in Yeon-woo’s pocket began to tremble as if welcoming him.