The world was bigger than Siheon ever imagined.
As he and Seraphina boarded a private flight—courtesy of her hunter connections—Siheon couldn't help noticing how tense she looked.
"You're quiet," he said.
"Because I'm thinking," she replied.
"About?"
She hesitated.
"About how the Council will react when they find out about you."
Siheon raised a brow.
"The Seven Continental Council… what exactly are they?"
Seraphina exhaled deeply.
"They're the strongest awakened humans across the seven continents. Each one is beyond S-rank. Some even rival Celestials."
Siheon blinked.
"And… we're going to them?"
"Well…" Seraphina scratched her cheek awkwardly. "My mentor is part of the European branch, so technically, yes."
Siheon groaned.
"Fantastic. More superhumans to misunderstand me."
"Oh, they will," she said bluntly.
"But they'll also want to recruit you. Or kill you. Depends on their mood."
Siheon glared.
"Comforting."
She laughed softly, leaning back.
"Relax. I'll protect you."
That made him raise an eyebrow.
"Really now?"
"Yes. Obviously."
"…How are you going to protect me from people stronger than Celestials?"
She blinked.
"I… never said it would be easy."
He stared.
She coughed dramatically and looked away.
"W-What? I can try!"
For the first time since Lilith appeared, Siheon chuckled.
Halfway through the flight, the lights flickered.
A sudden pressure filled the cabin.
Seraphina instantly stood.
"Something's wrong."
Siheon scanned the area.
A tear in space shimmered above the aisle.
A figure dropped through—
—but unlike the monster from before, this presence felt human.
Deadly human.
A tall man with white-blond hair, wearing a fur-lined black coat and carrying a double-headed axe.
Seraphina froze.
"…Oh no."
Siheon whispered,
"You know him?"
"My mentor."
The man glared at Siheon with icy blue eyes sharp enough to cut steel.
Then he pointed the axe directly at Siheon's throat.
"You. Are you Baek Siheon?"
Siheon blinked.
"…Yes?"
The man narrowed his eyes.
The cabin temperature dropped five degrees.
Then—
He extended a giant hand.
"Good. You're coming with me."
He grabbed Siheon by the collar like a wet kitten.
"W-wait—"
"He's not a threat, Mentor!" Seraphina shouted.
"I'll decide that after smashing his face once or twice."
"THAT'S NOT HOW DECISIONS WORK!"
Siheon dangled helplessly as the man dragged him toward a new spatial tear.
"Hey! Can you maybe NOT abduct me?!"
"No promises."
Seraphina ran after them.
"PUT HIM DOWN!"
The man growled.
"Seraphina… why are you defending a walking catastrophe?"
"BECAUSE HE'S MY—"
She stopped.
Siheon blinked.
"…Your what?"
She turned bright red.
"JUST PUT HIM DOWN!"
They emerged into blinding snow.
An enormous fortress of ice and stone towered into the sky—engraved with runes from ancient Nordic mythologies.
A dozen powerful humans turned toward Siheon as he landed face-first in the snow.
Siheon groaned.
"…I hate portals."
Seraphina ran to him, brushing snow off his hair.
"Are you okay?"
"No. My dignity is gone."
He looked up.
The humans around him radiated pressure strong enough to distort the air.
"Seraphina," he whispered.
"Yeah?"
"These people…"
"Yes?"
"…are ridiculously strong."
She nodded gravely.
"Welcome to the European Continental Court."
Siheon swallowed hard.
The mentor stepped forward.
"Baek Siheon," he boomed.
"You will explain who and what you truly are."
Siheon took a breath.
Then—
The systems whispered.
〈Celestial Ascension System〉
Proceed cautiously. Do not reveal classified information.
〈Demonic Sovereign System〉
Reveal everything. They'll panic. It'll be funny.
Siheon stared at the crowd of overpowered humans.
Then he exhaled.
"Fine. But after this… someone better give me hot chocolate."