The air trembled with a deafening crash as the ceiling of the grand conference hall collapsed in a shower of dust and debris. A massive figure landed amidst the chaos, his voice calm yet laced with disdain.
"I was wondering where the rats had gone… turns out you've all gathered in one place."
A torrent of blue energy burst from his form, taking the shape of a black tortoise's tail entwined with a serpent. The spectral creatures lunged, their jaws tightening around the throats of panicked Chinese officials.
The attack came too swiftly for the human eye. Screams died in throats as the unprepared bureaucrats — now twisted into half-human, half-demon forms — tried to resist, their skin splitting open to reveal growing horns as corrupted magic surged within them.
"How dare you! Do you even know where you stand?!" one shouted, rushing forward.
But before they could reach their assailant, silver energy slashed through the air in a sweeping arc, shaped like a crescent moon.
Chook!
Bodies split cleanly in half, collapsing like puppets whose strings had been cut. The silence that followed was heavier than any scream.
Baek Mu-jin stood unmoved in the center of the carnage, his sharp eyes reflecting the silver aura surrounding Theodore.
"I wasn't sure when I only heard the rumors," Theodore muttered, his tone cold. "But you're not human at all, are you?"
Before the survivors could react, another explosion shattered the roof. A bald man in a pink shirt — Julian — dropped from above, swinging a fist that detonated skulls like bursting fruit.
Even with their newfound demonic power, the corrupted officials stood no chance. Their confidence dissolved into panic. Those who could still stand turned and fled, screaming for help.
Amid the pandemonium, Wang Huning alone kept his composure. His brow furrowed deeply as his gaze fixed on the trio — Baek Mu-jin, Theodore, and Julian.
'Why are they here? Why are they working together?'
His mind raced. The energy radiating from them was unmistakable. These weren't Chinese forces. These were members of the World Returnees Association, fighting alongside Lee Seong-jun's people.
'The Returnees… are siding with Korea?'
The thought chilled him. The situation was worse than he could have imagined. There was no time to think, only to survive.
'I have to retreat. Now.'
His decision came quickly. Even with the demonic energy bestowed upon him, he was no match for monsters like these. Survival was the only path left.
Wang Huning invoked his hidden power — Dark Site. His form blurred, melting into the surrounding shadows.
A silver crescent slash roared through the space where he had stood a moment ago, grazing his vanishing outline. Theodore narrowed his eyes, noticing the faint shimmer of darkness escaping across the walls.
"What the hell was that?" he muttered.
Within the shadows, Wang Huning smiled grimly.
'In this state, no physical attack can touch me. I can ride the darkness itself.'
Through the labyrinth of shadows cast by Zhongnanhai's buildings, he slipped unseen into the night, racing toward safety.
There was only one place left that could protect him — the stronghold of the Leader, the being who had granted him demonic power. Even if it meant defying orders, he had no choice.
'I just need to reach him. Then I'll be safe.'
But Wang Huning never realized… another presence was following him, cloaked in a deeper darkness.
Meanwhile, in the ruins of the conference hall, Baek Mu-jin, Theodore, and Julian surveyed the aftermath. Dozens of lifeless bodies lay scattered across the floor, yet none of them looked satisfied.
"He got away," Theodore muttered.
Baek Mu-jin clicked his tongue. "How could he move that fast? He wasn't supposed to have that kind of ability."
They had underestimated their opponent — and it cost them dearly.
Theodore clenched his jaw. "I got careless. The others were weak, so I assumed he'd be the same. I won't make that mistake again."
Baek Mu-jin's glare hardened. "You should've finished him when you had the chance. Don't tell me your reputation was just talk."
Theodore's patience snapped. "You think I planned for him to vanish into thin air?!"
Their argument was cut short when a heavy stillness fell over the room. Shadows thickened, and from within the darkness, a cloaked man emerged. His eyes were cold and distant.
"Enough," the man said. "I've located Wang Huning. Follow me."
"Who are you?" Baek Mu-jin demanded, though he already recognized the aura — Bi-hyeong, one of Lee Seong-jun's most trusted agents.
Without waiting for a response, Bi-hyeong turned and began walking, his black robe trailing behind him like smoke.
The three men exchanged glances, then followed.
Their pursuit led them far from the city, across the plains and into the misty forests of Henan Province. After a long flight, fatigue set in, but Bi-hyeong showed no sign of slowing.
Finally, he stopped before a small, run-down thatched house nestled deep in the mountains.
"He's in there," Bi-hyeong said quietly.
Baek Mu-jin narrowed his eyes, energy flaring in his hand. "Then I'll end this."
But before he could move, Bi-hyeong's staff slammed into the ground.
"No," he said flatly. "You won't survive if you attack first."
Baek Mu-jin scowled. "Are you saying I'm too weak?"
Bi-hyeong didn't respond. Instead, runes around them lit up, releasing a surge of black lightning that tore through the forest. The explosion shook the earth — yet when the dust cleared, the thatched house stood untouched.
Julian and Theodore froze.
"Impossible…" Theodore whispered.
The house was ordinary, unremarkable — yet it had withstood a blow that could have leveled a fortress.
"This isn't a house," Bi-hyeong murmured. "It's a seal. Or a prison."
He turned his gaze toward the structure, his voice low and grim.
"A high-ranking demon… no, a noble of the infernal court resides inside."
The ground trembled violently. From the house, a massive wave of magic erupted, dense enough to blot out the sky.
The hunt was far from over. The true battle had only just begun.