A while after that day...
Inside Hans's tavern, Hans was looking at the two young men before him.
Jin: "What is your level now?"
Yuan: "30."
Jin: "Alright, that's enough. Let's stop leveling up here. We will need the levels if crises arise later."
Borin entered, clutching his pipe as usual.
Borin: "You brats, here is the new sword."
They looked at it for a moment.
Jin: "Wow, you made it even better than my own weapons."
Borin: "You fool, that's because the only weapon of yours worth the effort was the Orichalcum sword. And you don't even use it in the first place."
Jin and his friend stood up.
Jin: "We'll meet again soon, you grumpy old man."
Borin (angrily): "Damn you!"
A moment later, Hans and Borin were talking.
Borin: "So… aren't you going to tell him?"
Hans: "No, he'll find out on his own soon. There's no need to spoil it."
Borin: Sighs. "Listen, if 그 person intends to harm the boy, I will tell him the truth."
Hans (annoyed): "Haa, don't worry. I told you before, things will work out in his favor."
Later, inside the Demonic Cult—specifically, in the Main Palace of the Cult.
The place was massive in scale; everything was draped in black, red, and gold.
Servants and warriors were everywhere, and every section served as a private wing for those in high positions.
The architecture was unbelievably beautiful—the floors, the ponds, the plants; it was a breathtaking place.
Jin: "My God, this place is incredible. But… why are we being summoned to the Main Palace?"
Yuan: "Can I learn new techniques here?"
Later, in the Right Guardian's wing.
Jin: "Why the luxury treatment? Is one of the Cult's elders going to take us as disciples?"
Guardian: "And why didn't you consider that they might be planning to execute you?"
Jin: "Hahahaha! Do you want me to believe that that person would burn two useful cards?"
Guardian: "You reckless brat, don't even think about hinting at the Leader's name here."
After a bit of banter and provocation...
Guardian: "These files contain information about the Justice Alliance's movements and the required targets."
Yuan: "Why are you giving us this?"
Jin watched and remained silent.
Even though Yuan's intelligence surpassed Jin's, he couldn't quite grasp the situation. Perhaps the coincidences and events surrounding Jin had paved the way for him, which only increased Yuan's questions.
Jin: "So, is this help to pave the way for the upcoming period? Why take the risk?"
Guardian: Sighs. "No, it is an order to give you this. It seems the Leader wants you two to adapt quickly."
Jin: "Adapt? To what?"
Guardian: "I won't talk for long. The Great Guardian told me that you two have been permitted to fight the Blade Demon and the Poison King. The Council of Elders and the Transcendents have also been allowed to deal with you directly. Previously, no one approached you because they didn't understand what the Cult Leader wanted from you—why he changed all the rules and caused this illogical mess within the Cult. But now, the veil has been lifted."
Yuan: "How… does he know about the Blade Demon?"
Jin and the Right Guardian looked at each other, then at him. He truly hadn't understood the full picture yet.
Jin: "Sir, for heaven's sake, why is the Cult Leader allowing this nonsensical absurdity? And why are the events around me orchestrated as if I am the center of everything? Am I a Manhwa protagonist or something?"
Guardian: "Honestly, I can't understand any of it. But when the time comes, your test will be different."
Jin: "What do you mean?"
Guardian: "That is all I can say for now."
The two left, but Jin's mind was in a whirl of confusion over the events. His most important question remained:
Why? Why me specifically? And why is everything so different? I've never heard of people in Murim speaking so directly and joking so much... but, why me!!
[End of Chapter]