The civilians had safely evacuated the area engulfed in flames.

Nearby windows reflected the crimson firelight. The deserted streets felt eerily empty and desolate.

Dozens of figures emerged from the darkness behind, onto the street blazing as bright as day.

Silver-armored guards stared at the raging inferno before them. Sweat trickled unnaturally down their temples.

The ancient house had turned to ash under the crimson flames. Yet the fire showed no sign of weakening—it burned even fiercer.

How could it burn without fuel? Could this blood-red flame burn endlessly...?

"C-captain... look over there..."

Several guards behind drew their long swords with trembling hands. Their faces were pale and bloodless.

Watching the shadow step from the crimson flames, every heart leaped into their throats.

Even unseen, the crushing pressure stole their breath. If it approached, they might collapse in fear right there.

"Monster..."

The lead man swallowed hard, staring into the fire. Two humanoid figures, shrouded in dark mist, slowly advanced.

With each step, oppressive force slammed into his chest like a hammer.

Deathly black aura swirled around their feet like thin snakes. Pure evil choked his breath away.

"Everyone... I must apologize..."

He bit his tongue hard. Pain jolted his nerves.

Shaking off fear, he turned his stiff neck to the guards behind. Their will to fight had vanished.

He was wrong. He’d made an irreversible mistake—a grave error that could cost all their lives.

"I shouldn’t have brought you to stop them... This isn’t about strength anymore..."

He forced a smile worse than crying.

That monster wasn’t an enemy mere Silver-rank guards could handle.

This wasn’t a gap in strength—it was a chasm in realms. They weren’t even on the same plane of existence.

Only a Hero-rank powerhouse could face the black-armored fiend ahead.

"Captain... we don’t blame you... Protecting the people is our duty..."

The guards behind took deep breaths. They crushed their fear deep down. Gripping their swords tight, they mustered courage to face forward.

They were Imperial Capital guards. Their duty was to protect it. No retreat. Backing down now would be disgraceful.

"Alright. We face it together."

The man nodded firmly. He drew his sword, gripping it tight. His expression turned fierce as he glared ahead.

"Ability Boost." "Iron Will Cover." "Flowing Breath." "Weak Point Defense."

Skills stacked on him one by one. He exhaled deeply, breathing in fresh air.

"It’s here!"

The monster fully emerged from the mist. Spiked armor covered its frame. Its horned helmet gleamed with red light.

Heavy plates clanged as it moved. The pitch-black demon slowly lifted its head toward the guards.

"Ugh!!!"

The moment their eyes met its gaze, bone-deep terror exploded within them.

Their hard-won courage shattered completely. Limbs went limp. Swords nearly slipped from trembling hands.

Those who’d planned to fight to the death couldn’t move forward—or back.

One glance. Just one glance shattered their pride in courage and duty.

They had no right to fight it. To this demon, they weren’t even opponents.

"What do you want with me, everyone?"

Just as the guards braced for death—

A deep, authoritative male voice sounded before them.

Mu Yi calmly watched the guards who’d lost all will to fight.

He admired their courage for standing here, knowing they stood no chance.

Seeing these Imperial Capital guards raised questions.

This was the Imperial Capital—Kaya, capital of the Yersas Empire, one of humanity’s three great empires.

Even weak guards should’ve held their own against him.

But these were weak. Unbelievably weak.

Their strength seemed around level 22. Could level-20 warriors guard the Imperial Capital? Ridiculous.

"You, as Demon Kin... why... why invade our human nation and do this..."

The lead guard forced out the words with his last strength.

After speaking, he slumped against his knees, gasping for breath.

Terrifying. The monster’s pressure was suffocating.

A cold chill froze him like ice, rooting him in place.

Forget eye contact—just standing here made his legs weak, his body powerless.

"Demon Kin..."

Mu Yi narrowed his eyes, murmuring softly.

The second non-human race he’d heard of here, besides humans.

From the guard’s words and face, human-Demon Kin relations seemed poor.

"Someone did wrong. I gave them deserved punishment."

Mu Yi pointed to the flames behind him, chuckling low.

Since they mistook him for Demon Kin, he’d play the role.

Later, blame would fall on Demon Kin—not him, a human. His travels would stay unaffected.

A win-win. All benefit, no harm.

Originally, that’s what Mu Yi thought...