n

n

n…

nNot many people knew the story. After the Tyrant and united the Korean Peninsula, people became curious. Why didn’t the Tyrant come up earlier?

nThe fight between the south and north was close. Considering the Tyrant’s nature to invade and conquer, it was curious as to why he came up after 50 years.

n“He couldn’t come up,” Giwon said. “It was about 30 years after that he took control of the south. And when he did… he found the unexpected.”

nA port.

nThe Tyrant was overjoyed. With the port in their hands, he did not have to care about a Korean peninsula. The ships were available for him to travel outside to other lands.

n“It was an adventure that only the Tyrant could take, I guess. We don’t have any information regarding other lands.”

nIt was 30 years after the world changed. They did not know what was it like outside the world they were in. Yet Ilgyu did not hesitate.

nHe plainly thought that there was no one stronger than him.

nWith this in mind, he invaded the vast lands of China. However, when he arrived, he was faced with the impossible. The vast amount of land was ruled by one person.

nThe Swordmaster.

nThe monster who would later be known as one of the Phenomenal Nine, overpowered Ilgyu and killed half of his men. That was the first time. Ilgyu barely escaped fearfully… and a few years after-

n“He faced the second monster.”

nAt the coast of Polynesia, he faced the ruler of Australia.

nCactus Bill.

nThe navy was comprised of weird metal ships that decimated the remaining half of the Tyrant’s ships. He had lost too many forces and resources. That’s when he changed. He was once cold and ruthless, but he had a clear mind. However, he was now full of damaged pride.

nI will kill them all!

nI will rape the swordmaster and set Australia on fire!

nI am the best!

n…

nAnd when the story was finished, Dohyuk was no longer on Giwon’s back. They were at Giwon’s private place, in the basement of the old ruins in the city. They were in Giwon’s region.

n“Coffee? It’s not that good, but it’s okay.”

n“…”

nDohyuk couldn’t understand.

n“…I don’t intend on saying I’m the best.”

nHe heard that he was the best out of the Phenomenal Nine. But the Tyrant was decimated by two of them whereas the Tyrant fought against him as an equal?

n“You make it sound like I only won against the Tyrant because he had lost too much against those two.”

n“You are right,” Giwon answered as he put the water up on a portable stove.

n“The people in this region don’t really know the Great Emperor. No one called you that even when I was killed. Not even the people by your side called you that.”

nThe Tyrant didn’t consider Dohyuk to be that dangerous either. He just thought Dohyuk had flirted with the Swordmaster to be given the north region.

n“And so were the Phenomenal Nine. North America and Europe were mysterious places, and we had just heard about the third monster who reigned in the Middle East.”

n“…I see.”

nDohyuk then realized why Giwon decided to follow him. The reason why Dohyuk wasn’t viewed highly in this place was simple.

n“So I wasn’t that strong back then.”

n“I don’t know. I mean, you were as strong as the Tyrant himself anyway.”

nDohyuk or Tyrant, neither of them were even close to fighting the Swordmaster at the time. But it was different afterwards.

n“I… do not know how you became such a figure after that. But what’s certain is that you still hold that possibility. That’s what I believe in.”

nGiwon handed Dohyuk a cup of coffee.

n“And how do you feel about my region?”

n“Disappointed.”

nHis region did not have Casita’s needle. It was a place that was not controlled by any god.

n“Right. I can’t even call it a territory.”

nYet, it had its purpose as it shared the border with five different regions.

n“The Tyrant appointed me here. He’s making me watch out… and keep an eye on other regions.”

n“And keep them from growing?”

n“Right.”

nDohyuk took a sip. It seemed like Giwon was a ‘dog’ from the beginning.

n“Can I ask you something?” Giwon asked, “What are the top three things you think you need to be at the top of the world?”

n“…” Dohyuk answered, “Power, resources, and charisma.”

n“Charisma…” Giwon nodded. “I see. I guess that’s how you view it. I would rather call it a ‘fear’.”

nDohyuk did not object. He knew what Giwon was talking about.

n“I think if you want others to bend to your will, you need to become more fearful then the Tyrant himself.”

nGIwon then took out a handheld flashlight and pointed to a map with various markings that Giwon made with a red pen.

n“This is our region.” Giwon explained, “And this, to the south, is the region that now lies in ashes. The two regions in the east are worthless for now.”

nThere were two more regions on the map. There was one by the beach where Dohyuk was heading towards, and the region that the Tyrant visited every day. The remaining region was…

n“It’s a hell.”

n“…Hell?”

n“It’s the region governed by the infamous god.”

nA living hell. The monsters were strong and increased in numbers way too quickly for any humans to settle down. Only the followers had the ‘possibility’ of surviving.

n“The one who controls the place is the Four Circle – Jung Ilhu.”

n“The name…”

n“Yes, he’s the Tyrant’s twin.”

nDohyuk looked incredulously at Giwon. The land didn’t seem like much to send a brother to take.

n“Ilhu was a follower of that god from the previous life. I think it was good for the Tyrant, to make it look like sending him there is normal. I mean, it’s not normal to even want that place.”

nWith what he just realized, Dohyuk then asked, “So, you mean he’s hiding something there?”

n“Yes. Quite possible. I think that’s the only reason why he sends me here is to see if there are any unneeded clashes between the regions.”

n“…”

n“What has to be done is simple. I send you in there, and you ‘grow’ with whatever that’s within.”

nGiwon knew about Dohyuk’s Nature. Dohyuk had to become more powerful if he was going to fulfill Giwon’s wish.

n“If I had time… I was going to find a way to put you in there..”

n“That’s unnecessary,” Dohyuk said, “That’s enough.”

nThe map. He knew where the treasure was hidden and he had a map to get there.

n“I want to get the item now.”

n“Are you going now? But-”

nDohyuk still didn’t trust Giwon after all. If what Giwon said was true and Dohyuk succeeded in getting what was hidden, he would become much more powerful.

n“Then maybe I can relax.”

nGiwon then stood as Dohyuk took something out from his pocket. Giwon thought he was trying to kill him, but…

n<>

n“I don’t trust you, but I trust you in some way,” Dohyuk stated. He wanted to know the pointed to this man who was corrupt. Why did he have the same ‘wish’ as him?

n“I will see you s…”

nBefore Dohyuk could finish, a man rushed in, calling out to Giwon.

nDohyuk quickly dived toward the ground.

n“S-sir!”

n“Do you wish to be killed?”

nThe Two Circle became silent after seeing Giwon’s cold eyes.

n“Bursting past the door isn’t the right process.”

n“B-bu-but…”

nHe glanced around. On the ground was Giwon’s prize, the mysterious man that he had up in the ashlands. Blood was seeping out from man’s head who seemed to be lying on the ground, unconscious.

n“Speak, before I punish you.”

n“…!”

nThen the man brightened up and tried to speak.

n“It’s not needed.”

nWith the voice, the man was sliced off from his shoulder to the waist.

n“Did you see that? He was relieved when you told him to explain.”

n“…”

n“Dumbass idiot. He should’ve objected right away. Do I need to be ‘explained’ when I come to see you?”

n“…No, sir.”

nDohyuk listened carefully. It was the first time he sensed bloodthirst even without seeing the person.

n“I heard about it while I was coming here. You killed two Three Circles? Isn’t that too much?”

nThe Tyrant spoke while cackling with a smug face.

n“Is that him?”

n