The cushioned chair rocked gently as Albert slowly sat down, letting out a long sigh as if exhaling the weight of the world from his mind. Across from him, Yorgi sipped warm tea, his face still pale though noticeably better.Albert opened a small drawer to his right and pulled out a crystal vial containing five orange-red pills that gave off a bitter yet refreshing scent. He handed one pill to Yorgi.“Drink this. It’s not a top-tier pill, but enough to crush the poison in your blood and regrow your broken bones.”Yorgi accepted it gratefully, saying little. He knew pills like this were rare, and Albert had given one freely, without cost.Then Albert’s eyes shifted to Hansen.“Hold out your hand.”Hansen didn’t resist. He was accustomed to spiritual examinations, even back on Earth. Though his current body was different, he could still sense how the energy within him functioned—just as he had once studied. He raised his right hand and held it open above the wooden table.Albert placed

The sky above Four Pillars City was bright, sunlight gently refracting off the tall white-stone buildings, casting a glow in all directions. The city was alive—merchants shouted out their wares, children chased spirit-kites through the air, and travelers from across the continents filled the streets, each with their own stories and purpose.Hansen walked casually beside Yorgi. Their clothes were modest, yet something about their presence made some passersby glance at them—unable to explain it, but sensing they were not ordinary."This is the Weapon Hall," Yorgi said, pointing to a massive round structure made of black steel and bronze. Above its arched entrance, a carving of a dragon and tiger entwined in battle loomed, and beneath it, words were etched:"Where courage is sharpened and guts are tested.""If you’re looking to get rare weapons or sell anything from the battlefield, this is always the first place people go."Hansen nodded, observing the crowd offering blue-hued swords, s

The night sky stretched vast and dark, strewn with stars, but above Four Pillars City, the moon shone full—round, bright, and beautiful. Its silver light spilled onto the cobbled streets, casting a timeless charm upon the classical city.Hansen stood in front of the Moonlight Inn, a six-story building with graceful curves, polished wooden arches, and a roof shaped like the wings of a phoenix. Small spirit lanterns lined the walls, glowing softly with golden hues that lit up the night.He had asked Yorgi and a few locals earlier—it wasn’t hard to find. The inn was well-known as a place where nobles and high-class travelers stayed.Just as he was about to step inside, someone was already waiting.Jarl.The gruff guard from earlier stood tall with a cold expression. His eyes were wary, but this time, there was no anger. Only heightened vigilance.“Third floor, west corner room. Her Highness is waiting,” Jarl said curtly, then added flatly,“Leave your weapon and storage ring. Direct orde

Night had grown deep. The moonlight was beginning to fade, replaced by shy, flickering starlight behind the veils of the sky. Inside the Moonlight Inn, silence blanketed the room, broken only by the ticking of time—slower, heavier than usual.Serisya lay on a large bed layered with soft sheets, her body wrapped in a thin silk blanket. Her beautiful eyes peeked out from under the covers, watching Hansen who sat cross-legged in the corner of the room—still, unmoving, as if the world had disappeared from his senses.“He doesn’t even glance at me...” Serisya whispered in her heart, both surprised and... disappointed.She had prepared for every possibility tonight. Beneath her pillow, she had hidden the Snow Venom Bracelet, a legacy from her mother’s northern clan. With one press, it could release a dozen poisoned needles in every direction. She was not a woman to be easily conquered—not by men... not even by love.But Hansen?The man just sat there in silence, immersed in his cultivation,

In a secluded underground chamber, far from the main palace, Young Lord Halim sat atop a throne carved from black stone, arms crossed. His narrow eyes stared into the violet flames dancing in a metal bowl before him. Each flicker of light revealed dark lines on his face—marks of a soul consumed by hatred, lust, and boundless ambition.Surrounding him stood several figures clad entirely in black—members of the Eastern Shadows, an elite assassin guild that only moved for blood-bound contracts.“So... it failed?” Halim asked in a tone flat yet terrifying.One of the agents dropped to his knees, trembling.“We didn’t expect… that man… Hansen… he’s not what we thought. He defeated three of our elites... with his bare hands…”CRACK!!The bronze goblet in Halim’s hand shattered. The red liquid inside—supposedly sacred wine—splashed onto his robe, but he didn’t care.“Because of some lowborn bastard no one’s ever heard of… I have to hear this kind of report?” His voice was as cold as glacial