"My lord, it’s been three days already. We..."

That night, deep within the shadowy forest, a cluster of figures flickered faintly under the silvery moonlight.

"Hmph, shut up!" Weisi snorted coldly, his once-handsome face subtly twisted for unknown reasons. "The area’s sealed off—he can’t have escaped. He’s hiding somewhere. Find him! Alive or dead!"

The subordinate who’d just spoken shivered involuntarily under the youth’s icy glare.

But they’d searched for three full days. Every possible spot had been scoured, yet no trace of their target remained.

Orders had arrived from above: return immediately.

Yet this lord clearly had no intention of withdrawing.

"Oh? What’s this? Has Weisi-sama been worked up over nothing?"

Just as the tension thickened, a mocking voice cut through from another part of the woods.

Weisi froze, then glared darkly at the towering man emerging from the darkness.

Moonlight revealed the scars crisscrossing his face and his single remaining eye.

"Shenlei? Why aren’t you searching with your men? What brings you here?"

At this, the man called Shenlei grinned—a savage, jagged smile. "Ah, Weisi-sama, you’re so forgetful. Today’s the final day of our contract. I’m just here to remind you: pay up. And tomorrow, my men and I leave."

"You—!"

Weisi’s face flushed with rage, his eyes blazing.

As a proud, powerful knight, he’d always despised these crude mercenaries.

Yet he couldn’t deny they knew how to survive this perilous land far better than pampered knights ever could.

Mercenaries lived by the blade—perfect for chasing prey into these woods.

Still, his contempt for their profession never wavered. To him, they were just savage brutes.

Bribed with coin, they’d do anything, no principles, no limits.

Now, after three days of frustration, Shenlei’s words became the perfect outlet.

Weisi sneered, ready to order his men to seize the insolent fool—when darkness swallowed everything.

"The moon... it’s gone?"

"What’s happening?"

A stunned silence shattered into chaotic shouts.

"My lord! Behind you—look!"

The vanished moonlight startled Weisi too. He spun around—and the culprit came into view.

No clouds blocked the sky. Instead, not far off...

A colossal structure loomed like a beast crouched in the night, appearing out of nowhere.

Flickering light fragments drifted around it, dreamlike and surreal.

Yet it felt as if it had always belonged there, utterly seamless.

A castle!

An ancient, vine-covered fortress now dominated their sight.

"Impossible—a castle?" Weisi whispered, eyes wide with disbelief.

Then his brow furrowed, noticing the fading light fragments—shards of a barrier. So...

"Got you at last!"

A twisted smile slowly spread across the youth’s face as he lifted his head, gaze glacial.

Unseen by all, another pair of eyes locked onto them from within the castle.

Atop the walls, a monster melted into the shadows, fangs parting in a silent grin.

"Hmm... seems this’ll be my first proper hunt."

Wind lifted the hem of a black dress. Through the gloom, Yuri watched the humans swiftly regroup and advance.

The sweet scent was growing stronger.

No unease stirred within her, despite this being her true debut.

What needed discarding was already gone. What needed choosing was already decided...

Yuri pressed a hand to her chest, her gaze hazy yet dangerous. "I’ll prove it to you. I’m better than you. More suited... to being a Monster."

Yes—a true Monster. Not some half-baked imitation.

So...

"Let’s play."

Darkness swallowed her form, leaving only crimson pupils faintly glowing with ominous light.

The approaching humans had no idea hell’s gate awaited them.

Nearby, Weisi held back from the eerie structure.

Though Zuo Yuan was likely inside, caution kept him from rushing forward. He sent a five-man squad to scout first.

He’d wanted Shenlei’s mercenaries to go—but the captain refused, citing scattered troops.

Impatient, Weisi deployed his own knights.

No real worry there. His team comprised elite knights in polished armor and sharp blades.

Unless they faced a high-level Monster, they’d handle anything.

Those gleaming knightly swords weren’t just for show.

That was his confidence.

Uncertain of what lay ahead, the squad moved slowly, grips tight on their swords.

Light armor ensured agility.

Any sudden movement, and they’d crush it instantly.

Yet silence reigned all the way to the castle gates. No anomalies.

The rusted doors, choked by vines and thick chains, looked impossible to open.

These knights wouldn’t bother.

The high walls were no obstacle for elites with vines to climb.

Their goal: seize the ramparts, then signal the others.

Exchanging nods, the knights became shadows—scaling the walls with blades and vines.