Facade (18)

Facade (18)

“What day is it today?”

“Today? I think it’s about… the fourth day?”

Hearing Crushed’s words, Jewan didn’t look back and took off running. He knew the goal he had to achieve in this world. Once you know, you just act.

With the duke gone, infiltrating the duke’s estate wasn’t too difficult. But the problem was the presence of the Hwangja (Prince) still at the royal palace.

‘I have to deliver this pendant to the prince.’

That was the starting point of the entire plan—to end this world.

‘Is infiltrating the royal palace difficult?’

No, it was possible if he set his mind to it. An S-Rank Hunter’s discretion was enough at this point. But the bigger issue was preventing the palace maid’s death.

There was a chance she wouldn’t die. The first regression showed that, and the second only saw her death at the wedding. Still, it was wise to prepare.

The problem was there was no way to prepare right now. Each member of the Salvation Sect was strong. Even if he could handle them one-on-one, his strength would be greatly reduced if he entered the palace.

‘…Probably I won’t lose.’

But if he fought while protecting the palace maid, he would be defeated. The Salvation Sect was no weak opponent. So Jewan headed first to the duke’s estate.

He concealed himself with mana and climbed over the estate’s wall. Though smaller than the Gapbu’s mansion, the duke’s estate had a refined, old-fashioned elegance.

Passing through a garden-like courtyard, he climbed the outer wall. Oddly, no one seemed aware of his presence. Was the duke really absent?

Huff…! Suddenly, a sinister aura engulfed the mansion. Jewan recognized it as the crow’s, the aura of Oa.

Just as he hesitated, the Salvation Sect arrived. Heading straight to the source, he found the palace maid and the High Priest facing off.

The palace maid was near death, while the High Priest remained calm. Considering the others nearby, the power gap was clear.

‘I’m a bit hesitant too.’

Facing many with such power was tricky. Unexpected variables could cause defeat.

‘…Should I just wait for regression?’

Starting again from day one would allow thorough preparation. He could warn the duke and approach the prince more leisurely.

But he didn’t want to abandon this regression.

BANG! He drew Mukeon and threw it. It blocked the space between the palace maid and the High Priest.

“…This sword?”

While the High Priest admired it, Jewan swiftly descended the wall, grabbed Mukeon, and swung at him. The confident High Priest exploded crow’s power to repel Jewan.

“Haha… How did you know we’d come here?”

“I want to ask you that. How did you know the duke would be absent today?”

Had he acted noticeably? No. Most time was spent making accessories at the shop. So why didn’t they quietly wait a week like the first regression?

“Ah, well… It’s what you’d call…”

The High Priest shook his dagger, laughing.

“A feeling. Haven’t you had that? Like, something’s going to happen today—and it actually does.”

Absurd and nonsensical, but there was no way to prove it false now.

‘I’ll look into that later.’

For now, rescuing the palace maid was priority. She seemed unsure if Jewan was friend or foe. Cooperation wasn’t necessary—her safety was.

And he hoped the false wedding would be stopped.

“Hide.”

Quick to understand, the palace maid nodded and moved away. Their goal was to prevent Jewan’s return, so they didn’t follow her.

“Honestly, I’ve wondered why someone like you, a mere hunter, matters to him so much.”

A sinister aura spread over the ground, creeping across the earth.

“So I’m here to find out. This is all I can do.”

Caw! Caw! Ominous crow cries echoed. Wings shaped like crows sprouted from the High Priest’s back.

“Honestly, I’m uneducated. But what can I do? That’s just how I am.”

With a sharp cry, the High Priest lunged at Jewan. His dagger clashed with Mukeon.

Click! Click! The crow’s aura in the dagger gnawed fiercely at Mukeon. But Mukeon was a perfect counter—it was the predator, not the prey.

Crack. The prey that fell from Mukeon immediately attacked the High Priest. He dodged, losing the initiative as Jewan relentlessly pursued him.

Using the dagger’s short range against him, Jewan harassed the High Priest with the long Mukeon. The High Priest’s expression gradually soured.

Bang! The High Priest released his aura again, pushing Jewan back. Jewan gasped for breath.

“Ha… haha… There’s a reason he’s interested in you.”

“…You keep saying ‘he,’ you…”

“Enough.”

Turning at the voice behind, Jewan saw the Salvation Sect holding the palace maid hostage—a pitiful sight.

“Hey, I didn’t start it! He attacked first.”

“We won’t stand by any longer.”

‘Ugh… too many of them.’

He had been saving his power for other fights, but if they swarmed him, he had no choice but to use it.

Clang! At that moment, the sound of breaking glass rang out as the head of the Salvation Sect member holding the palace maid was pierced. Blue flames burned from the wound.

“What…!”

Though a mere follower, he possessed power rivaling an S-Rank. Killing him instantly was no small feat.

“When will those cultists disappear?”

A cold, calm voice. Blue hair flowing, Catherine appeared. She had just arrived from England and immediately come here without rest.

‘What? She wasn’t here last regression?’

She had expected time in reality and within the self to flow differently, but not that regression would include absolute time.

‘Makes sense.’

Interfering with reality requires massive energy. This was the optimal method.

“Kim Jewan? What are you doing here?”

What should he say? She was the Ice Flame, but now an Ego Weapon beyond his control. With her autonomy, it was right to let her go.

‘Calling her Keron is nearly impossible.’

To her, Keron was dead at the S-Rank gate. Mentioning him would only raise suspicion. So Jewan chose another approach.

“Hunters are here to clear the gate. What else?”

He pushed boldly.

“Not wrong.”

Perhaps too blunt, Catherine looked taken aback. Though she rarely showed emotion, Jewan had known her long enough to tell.

“Shouldn’t we chase them?”

Pointing, Catherine showed fleeing Salvation Sect members. Why run when their mission was to stop him?

‘Maybe they think it’s dangerous now that Catherine joined.’

Her Ice Flame power was formidable—about half of her prime past strength, but still strong.

“That sword.”

Catherine gazed at Mukeon. It was an Ego Weapon.

“Ah, that’s my beloved sword.”

Her raised eyebrow twitched but quickly relaxed.

“I see.”

“Um…”

Just as tension thickened, the palace maid who had survived appeared.

“Thank you so much. As for repaying you for saving my life…”

“No need. But I have other questions.”

He hadn’t yet given the pendant to the prince, and now might be the only chance to approach the palace maid. Jewan stepped forward. Her clothes were torn, and her elegant dress was now ragged.

He lifted the pendant from her neck. Catherine’s eyes widened, and the palace maid looked startled.

“Where did this pendant come from?”

Regardless, Jewan pressed on.

Now was the time to end this world.