Outside the Labyrinth Tower.

The bright moon bathed the black forest in frosty silver light.

After parting ways with Kuber’s group, the Silver Knights discovered another ruined demi-human village.

On the icy ground lay an elderly catfolk’s corpse—a thin slash across its neck nearly decapitating it.

Beside it, Lena gently closed the catfolk’s unseeing eyes, her face twisted with guilt.

“AAAAAH!!!”

Unable to contain her fury, she yanked out her sword and SLAMMED it into the earth, unleashing a roar of despair that echoed through the silent village.

Then—a flicker of unease.

Silence. The village was *too* quiet.

Her knights had vanished without a trace.

Lena ripped her sword free, stance shifting to battle-ready as she scanned the shadows.

*Clank… clank… clank…*

The crunch of iron boots on soil. From the darkness of a house ahead, a silver-armored figure staggered toward her.

Lena recognized her lieutenant, Dominic—but in this eerie stillness, she wouldn’t let him near.

“Halt! Dominic!” she commanded.

He ignored her, shuffling closer.

Moonlight hit his face.

Lena’s breath caught.

Where Dominic’s eyes should have been were only hollow sockets, twin trails of blood streaking down his terror-contorted cheeks. A low, pained whimper escaped his lips.

“H-help me… it’s so dark… it hurts… Why can’t I see? Captain Lena… where are you?”

“I’m sorry.”

Her heart sank—but she didn’t hesitate. Teeth gritted, she swung her blade backward. A flash of steel. Dominic’s body split cleanly in two, his suffering ended.

As his corpse fell, a shadow *leapt* from his back—landing lightly atop a rooftop behind her.

Moonlight revealed a young man in black, his face scarred by burns. He studied Lena with mild surprise.

“Oh my? Captain of the Silver Knights… such ruthless resolve. Admirable.”

“You—? Max the Phantom Blade?! An S-rank adventurer?!”

Lena’s eyes widened in disbelief, locking onto him. The scarred youth spread his hands, feigning flattery.

“Indeed. Honored you know me.”

“Why?! Why would an S-rank adventurer do this?!”

Max shrugged, casual. “Why? Because you wouldn’t let go. My employer ordered me to clean up your mess.”

“You bastard!”

Lena roared, slashing a blade of energy toward him. He sidestepped effortlessly.

“Too weak, Captain. Weren’t you once A-rank? You clearly don’t grasp the gap between A and S.”

With a flick of his wrist, silver light flashed.

Lena heard the air *rip*. Instinctively, she raised her sword—

*Clang!*

Her finely-forged steel blade shattered. A thin cut opened on her throat. Blood sprayed.

Strength fled. She collapsed, body convulsing as warmth drained away. Tears spilled. Her vision dimmed.

Regret. Rage. Terror. Helplessness. Cold.

Memories flickered like a dying lantern—then the lecherous boy she’d met, his golden card…

“Hck—hck—!”

Gagging blood, she gasped a breath. One hand clamped her bleeding neck; the other fumbled at her belt, finally pulling out the shimmering communication card.

“Tch. Why block it? Such a bother. That strike was meant to end you.”

Max sighed, leaping down. He strolled toward her, hand raised for the final blow—

***Riiip!***

Space rippled like water beside them.

A blue Teleportation Portal tore open.

A handsome boy of about fifteen stepped out, a tiny wolfling perched atop his shoulders. Behind him glided a stunning woman in a black gown.