"What… what happened? I was only following orders."
—"If something had really gone wrong, neither of us would've come back alive."
Julian's voice trembled, but denial couldn't erase suspicion. His comrades' eyes, sharp and cold, pinned him like spears.
—"Hard to believe nothing happened," one officer remarked. "You've been protecting Julian ever since you returned from Korea."
—"And didn't you two go to China together recently? Training, was it? Things sure changed fast."
Each word made the air heavier.
"Stop making absurd assumptions," Theodore cut in, his calm tone masking strain. "We simply bonded during our stay in Korea. We share similar experiences—nothing more."
But his explanation only deepened their doubts.
—"Then I'll go to Korea myself," said Lorenzo suddenly.
Julian's brow furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
Lorenzo met his glare with a cool smile. He wasn't alone. Dominic, the hard-eyed tactician, and Frederick, the cunning strategist, all turned toward Julian and Theodore, suspicion gleaming in their eyes.
—"Frankly," Frederick said, pushing his glasses up his nose, "your behavior has been… unnatural. And Lee Seong-jun — our newest 'member' — hasn't attended a single meeting."
Julian's throat tightened. The lies he'd told to protect Lee Seong-jun were piling up, threatening to bury him alive. Still, he couldn't back down.
"I understand your doubts," Julian said evenly. "You may investigate, but Lorenzo… you cannot go."
A dragon's contract bound him. Betrayal was impossible — so the only path left was to protect Seong-jun.
'If we bring Frederick instead, it's a chance,' he thought. 'He's the one leading the Association while the Chairman's missing. Capture him, and the rest will crumble.'
Theodore nodded inwardly and spoke up, his logic clean and calculated.
"Lorenzo's too emotional. It'll only cause friction. If you want someone perceptive, send Frederick. He'll see the truth."
The reasoning was solid — too solid. Frederick's eyes narrowed.
—"That's exactly what makes me suspicious," he murmured. "The world doesn't move this neatly unless someone's pulling the strings. Like the two of you, trying to lure me to Korea."
Lorenzo's fury erupted. "You traitors—have you turned on us!?"
Frederick's gaze stayed sharp and cold. —"Let's not jump ahead. I'll confirm it myself. Lorenzo and I will go together."
Theodore forced a smile. "If that makes you feel safer, then so be it."
It wasn't perfect — but it was close. Two threats, both within reach.
'Even better,' Theodore thought grimly. 'Seong-jun can take Lorenzo. We'll handle Frederick. Once they're gone, only Dominic remains. Victory will be ours.'
For a fleeting moment, relief washed over him. But the world, as Frederick said, never obeyed expectations.
Dominic's voice cut through the tension.
—"…Stop. Neither Frederick nor Lorenzo will go to Korea."
"What?" Both men stiffened.
—"Are you saying we should just let them be? Have you lost your mind!?" Lorenzo roared.
Dominic didn't answer. Instead, the screen flickered. A figure cloaked in darkness appeared — silent, yet radiating overwhelming power.
Every executive froze. Their breath caught.
Then a deep, resonant voice filled the air:
—"All executives are to assemble at the World Returnees' Union headquarters immediately. Any who fail to appear will be deemed traitors and executed on sight."
Julian's pupils widened in horror. That voice — he knew it all too well.
'Leopold Reinhardt…'
The missing chairman had returned.
Meanwhile, night fell over Hongdae. The streets still glowed with laughter and lights, though for Lee Seong-jun, the peace felt fleeting.
He and Anna had spent the evening wandering through the crowds — her silver hair hidden, her smile brighter than the neon signs. For a few precious hours, the world had felt almost normal.
'Strange,' Seong-jun thought. 'But this… this must be happiness.'
They parted ways late that night — only to meet again less than an hour later. This time, the mood was grim.
"How bad is it?" Seong-jun asked as soon as Anna appeared.
"Terrible," she replied. "Julian and Theodore… they're dying. Their bodies can't hold out much longer."
"What happened?"
"Some kind of restriction — like a curse triggered from afar."
He followed her to the hospital, the air heavy with dread. Inside, both men lay on their beds, veins bulging and eyes dim. It was a miracle they were still breathing.
"Fortunate," Seong-jun muttered, "that it's not too late."
Julian looked up weakly. "We know you're listening… but we don't have time. Leopold has returned. His destination—"
"Enough," Seong-jun interrupted, his tone cutting through the panic.
Julian and Theodore exchanged a glance. They could feel their lives slipping away.
"Please," Julian whispered, "if nothing else… protect Victoria."
"We know we've sinned," Theodore added. "We came to kill you once. Yet we couldn't turn a blind eye to this. This… is our atonement."
Their heads bowed low in guilt.
But Seong-jun's expression didn't change.
"I have no interest in your will," he said coldly.
A silence heavier than death filled the room.
Julian's lips trembled. "Then… this is our karma."
They closed their eyes — ready to accept the end.
But then came a voice they didn't expect.
"So," Seong-jun said quietly, "survive… and tell the story."
He stepped closer, placing his hands gently on their heads.
"You will not die today," he declared. "No. I will not allow you to die."
And as those words fell, a light — deep crimson and divine — began to pulse through the room.