I need to prepare if I want to face Juyeon.
Rushing in alone as Pandora would clearly be suicidal.
Where should I start to take down the Great General?
The Backflow Praisers and Black Hand gathered every piece of information related to the Great General.
Thanks to Hex's influence over many figures within the powerful nations, the information was of high quality. Since Juyeon, as the Great General, was always under surveillance whenever she moved, an extensive amount of information had been collected.
Even if a superhuman like her appears flawless, there must be a gap somewhere.
Pandora and Hex dug into the fundamental aspects.
Why is Great General Juyeon serving as an instructor in Elysium Academy City?
Is it really just because of the headmaster's request? Were there any special incidents before she left Samhwaguk? What was her condition when heading to the academy city? Were there days she took extended breaks? If so, why?
If there were changes, when did they start, what incidents did she experience, what does she like and dislike?
As they tracked the information, the answer came surprisingly easily.
'Her younger brother.'
They say the Great General wandered after losing her family.
Though she tried not to show emotions or mention it in public settings, everyone knew something was wrong with Juyeon.
She even used all her vacation days that she had stubbornly refused to take before. There was information that she spent her vacation days staying at the national cemetery where her younger brother was buried.
After organizing this information, Hex targeted the people managing the national cemetery, establishing another root in Samhwaguk using highly addictive drugs and rejuvenation as leverage.
Hex boldly entered the national cemetery at night and completed his work.
One thing was certain: if Juyeon defeated Pandora and returned alive, a day of purging would dawn within Samhwaguk.
"Great General. Do you like my gift?"
Two humanoid shadows emerged from Pandora's shadow.
One of them was using Juyeon's younger brother. Though lacking in combat power, it was meant to have a psychological effect.
'It worked.'
When Juyeon saw the face that Hex had reconstructed based on data, her expression crumbled like an earthquake.
Pandora noticed blood flowing from the corner of Juyeon's mouth. When emotions fluctuate, magical power becomes unstable. The flames rising from her great sword wavered.
Of course, since they couldn't be certain how effective this tactic would be, Pandora and Hex didn't neglect the combat aspect either.
To supplement their fighting power, instead of using clumsy monsters, they sought out a southern swordsman who had been wreaking havoc on organizations single-handedly.
Kun Ardo.
The head of the Ardo family before Solarea's downfall. He was also an old acquaintance of Pandora.
The man, captured by three executives working together, was excellent material for Hex. He modified him with flame-resistant materials, the same ones used on Omega.
After a long silence, Juyeon finally spoke.
Her voice came out low and heavy.
"...We meet again under unfortunate circumstances."
Juyeon was also acquainted with Kun Ardo.
The air of resignation she showed when she came to find Rohan and revealed the truth was still vivid.
"Great General. Can you cut down your own brother?"
When Pandora placed a hand on the brother's shoulder, Juyeon's eyes tensed.
Intense killing intent flowed out as the flames enveloping her great sword intensified.
"...Even if it costs me my life, I will never let you escape. I'll chase you to the depths of hell."
"You're not saying you can cut him down? Planning to prove it with actions?"
Our preparations are perfect.
How much of Hex's labor had been squeezed out while planning for this day of reunion with Juyeon?
Pandora finished the introductions and brought out all the chimeras from the shadows.
— Salvation is near...!
— Kaaaak!!!
— This life into the abyss...
Among the chimeras, they even implemented doping with drugs provided by Hex.
Pandora enjoyed the sensation of omnipotence dominating her body. It felt like she absolutely couldn't lose.
*****
"Blocked, I see."
The Snow Tiger Emperor clenched and unclenched his fist while sitting on the throne.
Yuho and Argen Blizzard, who were guarding the place together, detected the two intruders who had infiltrated the White Tiger Palace and prepared for battle.
"Your Majesty, it seems there's a problem with the troops on their way."
"Indeed. They must have at least some plan for doing this. I can sense the filthy presence of monsters swarming."
Hex had cut off the bridge leading to the White Tiger Palace and blocked the entrance according to the original plan.
He blocked the entrance by building walls with sand worms filled with deadly poison and released plenty of chimeras to intercept anyone trying to come in from the air.
The Snow Tiger Emperor assessed the situation by reading the various presences and made his decision.
"Tell the gatekeepers outside to come in. There's no need for them to lose their lives trying to prove their loyalty."
"Yes."
The royal guard captain Argen Blizzard opened the door to let the gatekeepers in, then closed it.
The gatekeepers, bewildered by the fact that they had set foot inside the White Tiger Palace, took their places in the corner.
A moment of silence.
The Snow Tiger Emperor tapped his fingers on the throne and announced.
"They're here."
Just as the closed doors of the White Tiger Palace were about to be opened again by the intruders.
The guard captain drew his sword and charged.
In an instant, magical power spread, slowing the guard captain's sword.
The intruders avoided the slash and set foot in the White Tiger Palace.
"A sword that aims for the neck without question. Indeed, you are Argen Blizzard. Your expressionless face resembles him."
"..."
The clock in his pupil ticked as he looked at Hex.
Even though time was slowed to the maximum, part of his clothes was cut off, which was impressive.
Srrrrr——.
Ice flowers created by Yuho surrounded the area, filling the White Tiger Palace with cold air.
More than the ice flowers formed by magical power, it was the Snow Tiger Emperor's gaze they wanted to avoid. The intruders felt the pressure crushing their entire bodies.
"An interesting power you use. Have you come all this way asking to have your neck severed?"
"We've come to hunt a tiger."
At the intruder's words, Yuho and Argen's expressions filled with anger.
But the Snow Tiger Emperor remained calm. Because it was impossible for them. For now, it was just nonsense.
"You must have some interesting trick up your sleeve."
The void whale's appearance and the infiltration of the White Tiger Palace overlapping couldn't be a coincidence.
In fact, most of the Snow Tiger Emperor's consciousness was focused on the void whale.
The Snow Tiger Emperor tapped his throne with his finger.
The guard captain who had failed to sever the intruders' necks charged again. His sword was filled with ferocity from the humiliation of having allowed entry.
"Hmm!"
The clock hands rotated rapidly in the man's pupils. He grasped the time of the three main figures in the White Tiger Palace.
The Snow Tiger Emperor raised the corner of his mouth and neutralized it instantly. Yuho and Argen couldn't deal with it easily, but they continued their attack.
In that gap, Hex confirmed that the figures who had tried to open the entrance were taking a detour.
He moved some of the special sand worms that had created the poisonous flesh wall. The chunks of flesh that had pushed their way to the White Tiger Palace exploded and collided, showing movements trying to push Yuho and Argen outside.
Just as the Snow Tiger Emperor was about to counter.
"!"
A new being walked out of the void whale's mouth. Perhaps because it had finished its job or was tired, the void whale disappeared.
Power with no visible end flew toward the White Tiger Palace, drawing a pitch-black trajectory.
The intruders created a hole in the White Tiger Palace and pushed Yuho and Argen outside.
Perhaps this was the picture they wanted—a meeting without interference.
'Yuho and Argen. Neither are individuals who would die easily.'
Rex Frozenheart rose from his throne and moved his magical power.
He created an axe of ice. After sending the gatekeepers who were holding their breath in the corner outside.
He welcomed the mysterious guest.
'Similar to the ominous magical power emitted by dimensional rifts and monoliths.'
Black mist gathered like a whirlwind, forming a shape.
Though headless above the neck, below it had a human form. In place of a head, decadent and wicked energy flickered like flames.
It was too ominous a being to be considered any kind of creature.
"State your name."
"Harsh winter, crushing destruction, calamity that extinguishes life, unstoppable terror and fear."
Despite having no mouth, the voice resonated.
It came directly into his head.
"Is that supposed to be a name? I said state your name."
"The new master of the world. The embodiment of the end and despair."
The ominous being who introduced himself thus expanded his unique magical power. Hostility and killing intent raged like a storm.
The Snow Tiger Emperor, not shrinking back, announced with his usual dignity.
"As the ruler of Tigrova, I do not shy away from challenges. Even a child on the street knows this truth. I don't understand why you've caused such a commotion when the result would have been the same had you requested properly."
"There's no reason to waste time like that."
The Snow Tiger Emperor stared at the being before him with a large axe resting on his shoulder.
If he wasn't mistaken, the being was being eroded very slightly.
"It's not that there's no reason, but it seems you had no choice but to move so hastily."
Though he couldn't know the exact reason, time seemed to be on his side.
"Such strong power despite being mortal. I pay my respects."
Seeing the being who didn't deny it, the Snow Tiger Emperor raised the corner of his mouth.
"It seems my existence bothers you. Are you anxious that I might become even stronger?"
Silence fell. This silence was affirmation.
The ominous being showed his true intentions without hiding them.
"I thank you. I'm now convinced that the decision to hunt a tiger today was correct."