At the Returnee Union Headquarters, the monthly meeting of the top executives began inside the conference room.
Chief of Staff Kim Ki-young opened the session, standing in for the absent Union Leader.
"Thank you for coming. As acting chair, I'll keep this brief. First on the agenda—Lee Seong-jun."
A holographic projection flickered to life, displaying the young man's profile.
"Age, twenty-six. Spent five years in another world. Returned only two months ago… and already defeated SS-rank villain Jo Se-hyeok."
The room stirred. Murmurs of disbelief spread, but Choi Seung-tae, martial arts master and head of the Martialist Division, cut through the chatter.
"Let's not waste time. Who here hasn't already investigated him? That boy crushed an SS-rank within sixty days of returning. He's no ordinary returnee. He's a monster."
The word monster hung in the air like steel.
Everyone knew the truth: reaching SS-rank usually took years, even with past memories to accelerate growth. But Lee Seong-jun had done the impossible.
Kim Ki-young continued gravely.
"At this pace, his growth already surpasses that of our former leader. If unchecked, he may rival the strongest in this Union."
The executives nodded, unease shadowing their faces.
"We can't ignore him," someone muttered.
"We should eliminate him now," another pressed.
Kim Ki-young raised his hand. "Then let us decide. A representative must meet Lee Seong-jun on behalf of the Union."
Immediately, ambition flared.
Choi Seung-tae declared, "As the Martialist leader, I should go."
A knight sneered. "You stole the last recruit for yourself. You won't hoard this one too. This time, it belongs to us."
Arguments erupted. Each faction coveted Seong-jun's strength. Though united in name, the Union was fractured, each division its own kingdom.
The tension thickened, voices edging toward violence—until a massive figure rose.
"I will go."
The room fell silent.
A towering man, nearly two meters tall, stood. His presence alone pressed on the others like a crushing weight. His aura was wild, feral, absolute.
Baek Mu-jin. The "Demon of Battle."
Whispers rippled. Tuma… Baek Mu-jin.
His reputation was unmatched. SS+ rank, Vice-Chairman of the Union, second only to the leader himself. A warrior who lived solely for combat, uninterested in power or politics.
Why would he, of all people, step forward?
The answer was obvious.
"…Seong-jun defeated Jo Se-hyeok," one executive realized.
Baek Mu-jin's lips curved into a faint, hungry smile. A strong opponent had finally appeared—and he wanted the fight.
No one dared oppose him. Resistance would mean clashing with the strongest man present, without the leader to mediate. The decision was made.
The executives bowed their heads.
"…We'll respect Vice-Chairman Baek's will."
Meanwhile, in Lee Seong-jun's home, the weekend should have been peaceful. But unease lingered in the air. His family, still shaken from the villains' recent attack, wore smiles dimmed by fear.
His mother, Kim Ji-young, finally broke the silence.
"Son… is it okay?"
Seong-jun met her worried eyes and forced a bright smile.
"Don't worry. From now on, I'll make sure no villain dares come near. I'll take responsibility."
He wasn't bluffing. With his growing influence and control of the underworld, he had the power to ensure it.
But his mother's voice trembled softly.
"…I'm not asking about that. I'm asking if you're okay."
Her words struck deeper than any blade.
Seong-jun froze.
The monster who defeated an SS-rank, the man the Union now watched with fear, was just her son.