It was, in a sense, a miracle of timing.
The moment the monstrous legion began advancing beyond the line, Baek Mu-jin and the other hunters were already in mock combat training nearby. Their drills had grown rigorous in recent days—sharpened by restless vigilance and a burning sense of duty. Because of that, when the threat appeared, their response was immediate.
From afar, Baek Mu-jin was the first to sense it—the dense, malevolent aura that split the sky. A fallen elf's presence. Erendir.
There was no hesitation.
Blue energy flared from Baek Mu-jin's body as he surged forward. He didn't fight for victory; he fought because retreat wasn't an option.
'We can hold the line,' he told himself. Not arrogance—just conviction.
Korea's hunters had grown immensely. Through shared information, relentless training, and bitter experience, they had closed the gap with the rest of the world. And here, near the Military Demarcation Line, magic stone-based defenses strengthened their position.
Even if Erendir and his corrupted elves looked formidable… they were not unbeatable.
With that belief, Baek Mu-jin struck first. His blue aura clashed against the black energy surrounding the elf, the sky flashing with light and shadow.
"It's pretty good," Erendir sneered, deflecting the strike with an elegant twist of his wrist, "but still not enough—!"
Baek Mu-jin grinned. "We'll see about that."
His left hand darted from Erendir's blind spot—blue light flaring like lightning.
Bang!
Erendir's expression twisted in shock as the blow connected. Black barriers erupted around him in a desperate defense, the shockwave howling across the battlefield.
"Swallow him," Erendir hissed.
At his command, the writhing black auras shrieked—Kkieeeek!—before coiling together into a living curtain of darkness. It enveloped Baek Mu-jin in an instant.
"Damn—!"
He tried to summon energy, but the moment his power flared, it was smothered. The black veil clung to him like tar, whispering and screaming all at once.
'This… this energy…' His eyes widened. 'It's spirit power?'
But no—it was wrong. The spirits within it weren't born of nature but twisted by hatred and grief. A perversion of life itself.
"You see now?" Erendir's mocking voice cut through the din. "This is the difference between humans and us."
Baek Mu-jin didn't answer. His gaze hardened instead.
'Compared to Lee Seong-jun… you're far from perfect.'
He recalled Seong-jun's movements—his impossible precision, his serene mastery. He'd studied them, visualized them, imitated them in his mind a thousand times.
And now, in the chaos of battle, the lessons came alive.
'I can see it.'
The moment Erendir lunged forward to finish him, Baek Mu-jin's eyes gleamed.
Kwakwakwang!
Black energy tore the air apart, carving a wound into the mountain behind him—but Baek Mu-jin had already sidestepped, sliding through the opening.
"I can see everything!" he shouted, laughing.
Blue light burst from his fist. "Flashing Fist—Hwa!"
His arm shot forward like a striking serpent. Ssaeak! The blow pierced through Erendir's guard, slamming into his abdomen.
Erendir coughed, retreating behind a wall of black energy. "Futile!"
Their powers collided again. Bang! The explosion split the earth beneath their feet.
But Baek Mu-jin pressed forward. His feet danced across the battlefield, every motion alive with intent.
"That's all you've got!" Erendir roared, black aura swirling around his blade.
"I told you," Baek Mu-jin said, his eyes burning, "I can see it!"
A blue shell—the Tortoise Barrier—formed around him as he charged. The collision that followed was cataclysmic.
Kwaaaaaang!
The world trembled under their clash. Baek Mu-jin's fist shone brighter, his strike cutting through the darkness like dawn piercing night.
Erendir's sword flashed—fast as a ray of light. But Baek Mu-jin's body moved faster, his instincts guiding him beyond thought.
No fear. No hesitation.
'It's reached!'
Kwaang!
His fist connected. Erendir's body crashed into the ground with a thunderous crack, bouncing across the battlefield in a cloud of shattered stone and dust.
Baek Mu-jin stood tall, chest heaving. For a moment, he'd turned the tide.
But the victory was short-lived.
"You filthy human!" Erendir screamed. His body lifted from the crater, black aura exploding outward like a storm. The sky itself seemed to groan beneath his power.
'He was holding back,' Baek Mu-jin realized grimly.
Erendir's power surged, distorting the air. Baek Mu-jin moved to retreat—
—but a shadow appeared behind him.
Wheeeek!
"Too slow!"
The blade pierced through his side. Kwajik!
Blood splattered the ground. Baek Mu-jin barely twisted his torso in time to save his heart.
"You dared wound me," Erendir snarled, eyes burning with hatred. "A chosen elf!"
Baek Mu-jin gritted his teeth, clutching the blade buried in his shoulder.
'Damn it… one mistake…'
Erendir pressed down, forcing the sword deeper. "I'll tear you apart and feed you to the beasts."
"Keep—going!" Baek Mu-jin gasped through the blood pouring from his lips.
"Perfect," Erendir laughed, voice dripping with malice. "That's the face I wanted to see—humans dying in fear!"
Hunters nearby screamed his name.
"Baek Mu-jin!"
"President!"
Returnees rushed in from all sides, their weapons blazing with light. But Erendir only raised his hand.
"Futile," he hissed.
A storm of black aura erupted—Kwakwakwakwang!—and the hunters were thrown like rag dolls, their bodies falling lifelessly to the ground.
Baek Mu-jin's heart twisted. 'No… not again.'
His people—weak, but brave—were dying for him. For his mistake.
'Because I was weak.'
He'd let pride blind him, and now the returnees paid the price.
'I have to take responsibility.'
Baek Mu-jin bit down hard, feeling his teeth pierce his lip. Blood trickled down his chin as he focused inward—toward the wall that had always held him back.
'I'll lose everything if I force it… my martial arts, my control. But…'
He looked at the dying hunters, his resolve solidifying.
'I won't live with regret.'
His consciousness reached beyond the inner wall. The sealed power deep within him stirred, answering his call.
Kugugugu—!
The air trembled as spiritual energy spiraled into his body, flooding his veins. The pain was excruciating—his heart thundering, his vision blurring—but he didn't stop.
"Get away from Baek Mu-jin!"
A flash of gold cut across the battlefield. Victoria. Her blonde hair blazed like sunlight as she lunged at Erendir.
Erendir turned, sneering. "Foolish woman!"
He flicked his wrist, and a shockwave sent her crashing into the ground.
But she'd bought him a moment—just enough.
Paang!
The energy swirling around Baek Mu-jin erupted outward in a massive wave, hurling Erendir back.
Blue light wrapped around him, fierce and pure—a power born not of arrogance, but of resolve.
Baek Mu-jin straightened, eyes burning like fire. The wound in his shoulder steamed as energy pulsed through his body.
He raised his gaze to Erendir, voice low and trembling with fury.
"This isn't over."
And for the first time, Erendir hesitated.