Inside the Thousand Venoms Sect – Lower Levels
First Royal Guard Kwon Han-Seok sprinted through the underground corridors with Doctor Bae Haru and Strategist Hak Seongjin in tow. Their goal: activate the final defensive mechanism buried in the heart of the sect.
Suddenly—
Boom!
A crushing wave of killing intent surged behind him. He spun, drawing his blade just in time—only to be sent flying across the corridor.
CRASH!
His body slammed into the wall, coughing blood as he staggered to his knees.
That sword… that pressure… he knew it well.
Seo Gyeol.
The First Royal Guard of the Blood Blade Sect.
"No… it's you." Kwon Han-Seok gasped, using his blade to support himself."I didn't think you'd be the one to kill me."
Seo Gyeol stepped forward, calm and cold.
"Orders are orders. You knew what this cult was. You knew this day might come."
His blade gleamed.
"Mr. Kwon!" Doctor Haru screamed.
Kwon turned slightly, forcing a smile through bloodstained lips."Run. Both of you. Finish the activation. If you live, the sect still stands."
Doctor Haru froze, tears in her eyes,he is a father figure and a good man who took care of her and now he's going to sacrifice himself for them what good man—until the strategist shoved her."Move it! If you want to die with him, go ahead. But I'm not throwing my life away!"
"That damn coward," Kwon muttered, wincing as he raised his sword once more.
Seo Gyeol didn't wait.
••••
Upper Levels – Stairwell to the Core Mechanism
Strategist Hak Seongjin rushed up the spiral steps, heart pounding.Almost there. He could see the door. Just a little more—
Something was wrong.The silence.The air.Too cold.
He stopped.
"Show yourself, you bastard!" he barked, eyes darting.
A voice echoed behind him Calm and Amused.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Damn right I am. I've trained in martial arts. I can handle a coward in the dark!"
The shadows moved.
And Beak appeared—flanked by hundreds of assassins, their blades dripping with silence.
"Eek I didn't think you'd bring an army…" the strategist muttered, trembling. His knees gave in.
"I-I surrender. Please. Spare me."He tried to smile. This is bad for me I'll die right now if I make a mistake I'll deceive them and when they let their guard down ill run to activate the mechanism,but he will Try to play for time. He just needed one second to bolt—
Beak stepped forward.
"I know what you're thinking."
He grabbed the man's head.
"NO PLEASE SPARE ME !."
Boom.
The strategist's skull burst like a melon, blood painting the stone walls.
Beak turned to his assassins.
"Kill anyone who resists. Burn this place to the ground."
"Yes, First Squad Leader!" they vanished into the shadows.
•••••
Meanwhile – Above, in the Central Courtyard
The battle between Hyeolgeom Gunju and the Thousand Venoms Empress raged, shaking the heavens.
The Thousand Venoms Empress charged, her violet eyes glowing with murderous intent. Her long, razor-like nails sliced the air with lethal precision—aimed straight for Hyeolgeom Gunju's throat.
But Gunju moved like a ghost. He leaned, twisted, vanished with flickers of speed that defied the eye.
CRACK!
Her claws struck the ground, tearing a trench through stone like paper. The courtyard quaked under the impact.
"Stop dodging, brother!" she shrieked. Veins bulged along her neck as her rage overflowed. "Fight me seriously!"
Gunju only chuckled.
"Why should I? It's fun watching you throw a tantrum."
She blinked—
—and suddenly, Gunju stood inches from her face, his grin calm, cold, infuriating.
She stumbled back instinctively.
Is he toying with me?! she thought, her heart pounding with fury and… fear.
"NOOOOO!"
Her scream shattered the air. Behind her, a massive violet Qi serpent erupted—its body surging with toxic miasma. The wind howled. The stench of rot and acid spread.
The serpent hissed, its breath melting plants, trees, disciples—even Blood Blade and Venom Sect soldiers alike disintegrated in its wake.
Gunju stood firm, shielding his face with one arm. The acid scorched his skin, burning through layers of muscle.
He glanced at the wounds—then smiled.
"Ah… there's the monster I remember."
"Why are you smiling?!" the Empress screamed, her fury reaching its peak.
"You're going to die, Gunju!"
The Qi serpent coiled tighter, its form towering behind her like a divine executioner. She launched herself into the air, fist raised, her entire body glowing with venomous energy.
Gunju leapt up to meet her in midair—completely unbothered.
And he was still smiling.
She hesitated.
Why… why is he smiling like this is a joke?
That moment of doubt was all he needed.