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* * *

An abandoned ruin in Incheon

In the Black Cult’s heyday, their church headquarters hosted sinister gatherings. The kind where criminals in black robes discussed dark magic, not scripture.

“Archbishop, Divine Sword Choi Si-woo keeps interfering.”

The complaint came as their operations kept getting thwarted. Their stockpile of monster cores dwindled under Si-woo’s purges.

“How did the Divine Sword user grow so strong so quickly?”
“Hunter academies like Hanseong hinder our revival.”
“This year’s students are exceptional – Lightning Speed Yoo Eun-ha, Flame Spear Han Suji, Spirit Arrow Reina…”

They’d underestimated peacetime’s warriors.

“We must brainwash or eliminate them before they grow stronger.”

A new voice joined the discussion – their shadow benefactor who’d been supplying resources. With their forces crumbling, he decided to intervene personally.

“You’ll go yourself?”
“This Divine Sword vessel seems superior to Yoo Jin-seok.”

“Vessel” – the perfect host for their dark god. Si-woo’s mental fortitude made him ideal.

“But our god requires a tainted vessel.”
“What if we implant this SS-rank core in Si-woo?”

The man produced a sinister purple orb.

“Can you do it?”
“I’ll defile the Divine Sword’s name by any means necessary.”

Smirking, the spear-wielding man departed.

* * *

Hanseong Academy granted free training time before the tournament. While others practiced teamwork, we just assigned positions – mainly to accommodate Rosaria.

“Eun-ha, don’t come to academy until I call you.”
“What?”
“I’ve delayed it, but danger’s coming. I’ll summon you for the tournament.”

Reina and Suji seemed suspicious but acquiesced. Rosaria left for Hunter Association business. My instincts screamed confirmation.

“Akashic Records – what happens if we change the future? Like Si-woo eliminating threats early?”
[You may avert immediate threats, but tampering with causality breeds new ones.]

So Si-woo’s efforts are futile? My death event might just escalate?

“If I’m fated to die, will death find me again?”
[No death future exists for Sealed Name (4-/_#! )4#41