[The Unknown North – Astarion Continent]
Hoards of frost monsters swarmed the landscape. Marco, Lucian, and Volt were in the thick of the fray. Lucian stood before a massive crowd of beasts.
"Lucian – Judgment Ray – Momentum."
A 45-meter thrust line evaporated everything in its path, ending in a massive explosion that incinerated the bulk of the swarm.
Marco spoke with clear sorrow: "Will I ever reach that level in the future?"
Volt: "You fool, who told you that his level in that skill is something reachable through training alone?"
Marco: "What do you mean?"
Volt exhaled, firing a powerful mana bolt that pierced a 14-meter-tall giant. He continued: "Look, my friend, some special individuals are born with talents beyond humans, with instincts fiercer than beasts. From among them emerge those who can handle Aether involuntarily."
Marco: "So... is that different from Mana?"
Volt: "Of course, you idiot. Don't you see the nature of his attack? But listen, he doesn't know this himself. Don't tell him; let him find out on his own."
Marco looked at him suspiciously: "And how do you know?"
Volt: "Hmm, how do I explain this... you could say my mother made my arrogant father feel like he was living a normal life. She didn't ask him to give me special things. She just told him to teach me about life. Well... the result was that he did everything she didn't ask for."
Marco laughed: "What nonsense! You want to convince me that all your early knowledge and the special support from the Main Palace was because of that?"
Volt: "Yes, it is nonsense. I realize that already."
[Far North – The Desolate Region]
Helena stood beside a silver-haired young man. They were hidden among snow-capped mountains in a place that looked like a secret base. Helena's Wyvern circled above, breathing relentless fire. The young man stood 189cm tall, with medium-length silver hair and deep blue eyes. This was the second heir to the Grand Duchy of Verusia: Victor Verusia.
"You haven't been yourself lately, Lina," Victor said. "Why are you so sad?"
Helena was silent before replying: "You know the reason well."
Victor: "Try to stop thinking about it. This is the way of noble families. It's enough that you gave up your inheritance rights and walked away."
Helena: "No... that's not what's bothering me right now. It's..."
Victor placed his hand over her mouth, smiling into her eyes. "Shh, that's enough. Don't think about anything right now."
Helena smiled slightly. "Stop those childish antics."
Victor: "Do you really want me to stop?"
She looked away, embarrassed. "Tsk, you're truly annoying."
After destroying the place and killing everyone within, Victor scoffed. "Damn these foolish followers. They are truly delusional."
Lina: "What's the status of the investigation?"
Victor: "Many cult members have started hiding in the Murim. That was the worst decision they could make." He laughed mockingly. He was right; waiting for them there was the demon who hated demons most of all.
[North Sea Palace – Supervision Office]
Hours earlier, Jin stood before the Chief Supervisor's desk.
Jin: "Sit down, sit down. Take a look at this card."
The Supervisor's eyes widened. "Huh? Let him pass! And... come with me for a moment."
Inside the office, the Supervisor spoke: "Elder, I cannot stop you from passing, but you know the laws. I don't want a young man like you to die in vain."
Jin smiled. "Man... why does everyone in the Murim have such a dark imagination? I came to kill some monsters in the North. There's no outbreak anywhere else."
The Supervisor sighed in relief. "To be honest, no one in this land thinks of venting their rage on monsters; most vent it on humans. You've truly amazed me."
Jin: "I have a question."
The Supervisor: "Go ahead, Elder."
Jin: "What is the story behind the treaty, and what are the secrets of the Identity Medallion?"
The Supervisor looked at him in surprise. "Wait, wait... you truly obtained the medallion without knowing its significance?"
Jin: "Yes. Please, explain in detail if possible."
The Supervisor sighed slightly and began: "The medallion is the only way to pass through the Supervision Office, as you already know. As for the privileges... well, in the case of an ordinary person—whether they are an Elder, a diplomat, or anyone else—we have the right to question the reason for their travels. We can ask what they did inside the Tower before arriving, and we can even refuse their entry into the territories overseen by this office if necessary."
Jin: "And what about the card containing encrypted symbols, like mine?"
The Supervisor hesitated for a moment. "That... those symbols are granted only to those specifically chosen by the world's leaders. However, not all leaders have the power to bestow such a mark. Only the Heavenly Demon, the Alliance Leader, the Emperor of Akran, and even the Ming Emperor can grant these symbols. Most kings of other nations cannot. Perhaps the high officials of the Bureau granted this right to the North Sea Palace and the Kingdom of Orowin due to their strategic locations preceding the Unknown North of each continent. Beyond that, those who possess the right to do this are very few."
Jin: "Hmm... what makes it so different?"
The Supervisor: "This... we cannot question the holder of the symbol about anything, no matter what. We cannot prevent them from entering, even if a war is raging between the two sides, unless the leaders themselves send a specific request to do so."
Jin was greatly astonished. "Why would the leaders do this? Wouldn't they benefit from having a spy or someone with immunity in enemy lands?"
The Supervisor fell silent for a moment. "Look, Elder. The leaders of this world possess a vast amount of information that no one else can possibly know. Also, for the past 100 years, the generations of leaders in this century have been seeking a true balance. Much has changed compared to the past."
Jin went silent for a few moments, then spoke in a low voice: "Is this... because of the Regressors?"
The Supervisor's eyes widened. That question was the crux of the matter, something he hadn't dared to mention himself, but the boy had just confirmed his knowledge of it. "Ah... that is good. I am certain now that you know. Yes, it is because of the information the leaders obtained from them. But... unfortunately, that is something we are not permitted to know."
Jin: "Fine... is there another continent inhabited by humans, elves, and dwarves? In the West, for example?"
The Supervisor's eyes widened again, and he grew visibly tense for a moment before regaining his composure. "No. There are no other continents. That is all we know."
The boy's questions only intensified. The deeper he delved, the more question marks he uncovered. But... there was nothing he could do. And so, for the time being, he had to go with the flow.