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nIt was dead silent outside the imperial palace. Never mind a monster, not even a rat could be seen scurrying about. However, Rachel Chastain was pacing back and forth in constant distress.

n“What do I do? What do I do?”

nRachel Chastain looked down at the communication crystal in her hand. The light had flickered off. It was connected even when the rescue team entered the room Yi Seol-Ah was in, but all of a sudden…

n“Auuuuuu!”

nRachel Chastain clutched her hair. She remembered what Ian said. That she should run without looking back if she did not hear back from the rescue team for 20 minutes after the communication cut off.

nHe had told her to directly go back to earth without even stopping to report to anyone, and seek help by calling the number on the paper slip.

nHowever, she had been walking around hesitating for the past 40 minutes.

n“What should I do….”

nDo I go down and check up on them? Or do I run away as they asked me to?

nWill that be okay? Shouldn’t I at least tell the Representative about what happened?

nNo, Team Leader agreed with what Master Ian said…

nAll sorts of thoughts ran through her head in circles. It was then.

n“!”

nThe nervously fidgeting Rachel Chastain suddenly jumped in fright and tilted her head up. She had not sensed any sort of energy nor heard any sound. It was just that she felt something shooting up from the depths of the imperial palace.

nAlthough she only saw the empty air, she felt like she was faced with an energy that could not be estimated by human standards.

n‘Eh…?’

nThe dark sky turned even darker. It looked heavy as if it would sink down at any second.

nA look of confusion rippled in Rachel Chastain’s eyes. A chill ran down her back as she felt something like mocking laughter ring out from the sky.

nAt the same time, her hesitation vanished.

nBy the time she thought, ‘I should have run away long ago,’ Rachel Chastain had found herself running away from the palace at top speed.

nSetting aside the strange phenomenon, she could no longer bear to stay here. She felt like she had become a lowly insect that could be stomped to death at any moment.

nRachel Chastain ran with only her survival instinct guiding her.

n“Aaaaack!”

nThen suddenly, she fell over. It wasn’t that she caught her foot on something or tripped over. Something had grabbed her ankle and pulled her back.

nFlailing on the ground, Rachel Chastain looked down at her leg at the flooding pain.

nHer eyes widened. She was not mistaken. A claw-like hand had popped out of the ground and was grabbing her ankle so hard that she felt like her flesh and bones would shatter.

nIt did not end there. Dozens of arms immediately shot up and hurled down toward Rachel Chastain. A few of them soared up to the sky and flailed in the empty air.

nNo, it wasn’t completely empty.

nChwek!

nA shining pendant barely grazed past a claw. Those who did not know anything might be shocked to see a flying pendant. After avoiding the deadly claw, the pendant hesitated slightly at the sound of Rachel Chastain’s screams for help, but it shot off in the next instant.

nSorry…!

nA voice echoed out from the air.

nI’m sorry…!

nIndeed, the flying pendant was none other than Flone. Although she was pulled into the labyrinth along with Eun Yuri, she was able to escape midway thanks to Eun Yuri squeezing out the last ounce of her power to cut the pendant off and throw her ring.

nFlone tried to save Eun Yuri frantically, but she was able to calm down with Roselle joining her.

nNo… Impossible… It can’t be gauged even with origin… That could only mean one thing…

nWe were wrong from the beginning. There was a reason the Parasite Queen personally managed this place.

nShe wasn’t trying to do something here. She was trying to stop something…!

nThis is not something we can handle! Run! Hurry! It will become even more dangerous if we’re captured…!

nRoselle made a cool-headed judgment even at the sudden turn of events.

nJust what did the Empire… N-No, there’s still hope. We have him...!

nFlone heard Roselle mumbling worriedly during the escape, but she did not listen too carefully. Not only was she busy escaping, but she knew Roselle would explain once they got back.

nHowever, the situation soon turned for the worse. Having noticed the duo escaping, the mysterious thing began to chase after them.

nAt this rate, we’ll both..!

nGo! The Authority of Gluttony might be able to resist it. Do whatever you can to make it back safely. Please!

nIn the end, Roselle chose to become bait. As she yelled at Flone to not waste even a single second running away, Flone flew without looking back.

nYou must reach him…!

nThose were the final words Roselle left behind.

nIn truth, Flone was afraid of the mysterious thing. Even as a soul, she could not make out what it was. And so, she ran with her eyes tightly shut.

nUp and then up again… Once she barely escaped the imperial palace, she saw Rachel Chastain struggling on the ground. Something she had never seen before was ripping Rachel Chastain apart.

nThough Flone did know her, she chose not to save Rachel Chastain and run away instead. She knew she was the only one left that knew about the situation and could seek help.

n—KIAAAAAAAAAK!

nA horrific scream echoed out behind her, but Flone did not look back. Accelerating to her topmost speed, she flew back home, leaving a trail of black smoke.

nFlone disappeared in an instant. Despite this, the thing was fiercely brandishing its claws in the air, trying to capture her.

n*

nFor the past few days, the atmosphere in Valhalla had been at an all-time low. It couldn’t be helped. They had gathered their elite members and even recruited outsiders to send a rescue team, but there was no news.

nThe last they heard from the rescue team was when they reported that they were going into the ruin. The same thing had happened with Team 1.

n“Just what is going on…? They could even defeat Army Commanders.”

n“Exactly. Could this be the second coming of the Parasite Queen…?”

nPark Woori, who was whispering with another member, quickly shut his mouth. The clacking of heels rang out from the hallway outside.

n“Quiet, everyone. Representative is coming.”

nJust like he said, the door opened, and Kim Hannah showed up. She cut through the columns of desks and headed to the desk at the back.

nTang! Roll!

nThe office became dead silent at the sound of her throwing a communication crystal down.

n“Huu….”

nA deep sigh followed. Kim Hannah, who was pressing her forehead with her fingers, looked up.

n“...Did you guys hear back from either team?”

n“No. We’ve been on standby in front of the communication crystals around the clock and keep trying to contact them every thirty minutes, but….”

nPark Woori trailed off as if he was ashamed to say the result.

nKim Hannah bit her lip.

n“Um… Representative.”

nWalking on eggshells, Park Woori spoke respectfully.

n“It might be too early to tell… but you know how powerful both teams are. The fact that we haven’t heard back from them… Perhaps we should be preparing for the worst….”

nAt that moment, Kim Hannah’s eyes turned sharp.

n“My apologies.”

nPark Woori hurriedly lowered his head and shut his mouth.

n“...I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

nKim Hannah spoke up after a brief moment of silence.

n“I know how urgent the situation we’re in is. But we have to go through the proper procedures, especially when we need to move all of Paradise.”

n“Right.”

n“Imagine what will happen if we just make the announcement now. More than one or two people will enjoy our misfortune and say, ‘So what?’ I’m sure people will also pressure us to solve the problem since we’re the ones who caused it.”

nMeaning, Valhalla should secretly tell its allies first before making a public announcement.

nPark Woori nodded. He was worried Kim Hannah would say something like, ‘We have to take care of this on our own for Valhalla’s honor and reputation!’ Thankfully, it seemed she wasn’t so blind.

n“Everyone leave. Keep the communication crystals with you, though.”

n“Yes, ma’am.”

nPark Woori took the rest of the intelligence team and quietly left.

nLeft alone, Kim Hannah plopped down on her chair. As the footsteps of the intelligence team disappeared, she dropped her head, which she had been forcefully keeping up.

n“Haaaaaa….”

nA deep sigh escaped her lips.

n“...How is this possible?”

nShe couldn’t understand how things came to this. The rescue team could very well defeat an Army Commander, which was the main reason she sent them off so confidently.

n“....”

nWhat if Park Woori was right? What if there was a monster deep inside the Empire that was even more powerful than an Army Commander?

nIn that case…

nKim Hannah’s face distorted. A face popped into her head before she noticed.

nShe swore not to burden him. She wanted to use this opportunity to leave the shade of the titan that was Seol Jihu. But seeing the outcome, she could only laugh at her folly.

n‘...Now’s not the time to be sitting around.’

nShe had no information whatsoever. It was so frustrating that she wanted to go there herself. For the first time ever, she regretted choosing a non-battle-type class.

nIn any case, now that she knew the rescue team failed, she could no longer sit still and wait for news. She had to do something as the representative of Valhalla.

n‘For now….’

nKim Hannah, who was impatiently tapping on her desk, leaped up. Before leaving the office, she walked to the window and looked outside.

n‘...Was the sky always this dark?’

nThe sky outside the window seemed darker than usual. Dark clouds were slowly creeping toward the city. Feeling like the dark sky was an ominous omen, Kim Hannah groaned internally.

n*

nSame time. Seol Jihu was standing in front of a door with Seo Yuhui.

nToday was the day he would introduce Seo Yuhui to his parents.

n“Let’s go in.”

n“W-Wait.”

nSeo Yuhui stopped Seol Jihu before he rang the bell.

n“How do I look? Okay?”

n“You look beautiful as always.”

n“I know that. I’m talking about the way I’m dressed. I have to give your family a good first impression….”

nSeol Jihu smiled bitterly as he watched Seo Yuhui fix her makeup and straighten the hem of her clothes. Even he was nervous, so he could only imagine how nervous Seo Yuhui must be.

nThinking she would need some time before she was ready, Seol Jihu decided to wait patiently.

nSeo Yuhui mumbled, “Good, this is perfect,” then took a deep breath. She picked up the gifts she brought along and looked at Seol Jihu.

n“Let’s go now… Jihu?”

nSeol Jihu was dazedly looking up at the sky. He lowered his head at Seo Yuhui’s calling and pulled his hands out of his pocket.

n“Were you thinking about that place?”

n“No, I didn’t touch that place at all.”

nSeo Yuhui glared at him sharply. Seol Jihu flinched before laughing awkwardly.

n“Yeah, I was. I just thought about everyone and what they might be up to now…”

nSeol Jihu glanced at the sky again. Seo Yuhui asked.

n“Then do you want to go check up on them real quick?”

n“After coming this far?”

nSeo Yuhui and Seol Jihu both laughed. They both knew it made no sense to go to Paradise when they already had an important dinner plan.

n“Are you sure you’re okay?”

n“Of course. Don’t worry.”

nSeol Jihu shrugged.

n“Right now, there’s nothing more important than this. This is about our future.”

nShaking off the inexplicable feeling bothering him, Seol Jihu rang the doorbell.

n*

nSame time.

nFlone arrived in Eva and raced to Valhalla’s building to report what happened. As if the day couldn’t get any worse, no one was inside the building. The building that was always full of vigor was completely empty.

nNow of all times!? Where did everyone go!?

nIt wouldn’t be so bad if the remaining members had predicted what happened and left to respond to the crisis, but Flone had no time to think.

nSeol Jihu was on Earth. To tell him what happened, an Earthling had to be sent back. She couldn’t just grab a random person and ask them for a favor.

nIn the end, Flone went to the first temple in sight and clung to the statue of the goddess.

nSave us!

nHmm?

nLuxuria was taken aback seeing the desperately shouting Flone.

nWhat’s wrong, child? Are you okay? Explain what happened slowly.

nDo you not know what is going on…?

nLuxuria fell silent.

n...I know that something has happened and that it may lead to great danger. No, it would be more correct to call it a guess. After all, it did not happen quite yet.

nShe continued calmly.

nGods are not omniscient. Especially when it comes to this matter…

nLuxuria paused.

nI have no clue what you’re talking about. I just want to save my friends as soon as possible. No, I need to save them!

nFlone put her hands together and raised them.

nThat’s…

nInside her hands was an unidentifiable object that looked like a chunk of flesh or a tentacle. She had gotten it as a birthday gift from Seol Jihu.

nLuxuria recognized what it was immediately. It was a piece of divinity containing divine power that was ranked higher than hers.

nJihu said I could offer this item to gain a vast amount of contribution points. He said I could even make a Divine Wish. Can you take this and save everyone?

nFlone asked.

nThough you might find it hard to believe…

nLuxuria’s voice quickly sank low.

nEven that divinity is not enough to grant your wish.

nIn that case…

nFlone immediately spoke up.

nSend me to Earth.

nHmm? You?

nI know you’re not allowed to. But maybe it’s possible with this… It’s okay even if it’s for a little bit.

nFlone’s eyes watered up.

nNo one’s… left. I’m the only one who escaped from that place, and no one was inside the building.

nEvery second is precious. I just don’t know what to do.

nThey’re all good people. If they die because I didn’t do everything I could… I will go crazy and die.

nSo I need to see him. I need to tell him to come and help!

nThough what Flone said was close to gibberish, Luxuria wasn’t so stupid not to realize this was what Flone felt.

nSend me there… Please…

nMuttering with a choking voice, Flone lowered her head. Soon, the sound of her weeping flowed out.

nReading Flone’s mind, Luxuria made up her mind. Without wasting another second, she reached out toward the young lady crying tears of blood.

nYour wish…!

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