He left his home immediately, without a moment's hesitation.
"Right, I need to find a new test subject and a suitable hideout to keep them in," Seol Haoran thought to himself, glancing around calmly to avoid arousing suspicion with any odd behavior.
Seol Haoran closed his eyes for a few seconds, searching his memory for a location suitable for such a purpose. He recalled the residence of the Hua Clan leader from over a thousand years ago—a man known as the Great Demonic Venerable, Yong Yu-jong.
A sinister smile spread across his face, and a crimson glow flickered in his cold eyes. "The estate of the Great Demonic Venerable Yong Yu-jong... It ended up deep in the forest after centuries of clan relocations and renovations, becoming a place strictly off-limits to clan members."
"On top of that, there are nasty rumors about the place—some say he forced people to refine Gu for him," Seol Haoran mused, his inner voice filled with excitement and satisfaction.
However, his expression shifted as he looked toward the runic gate that served as the entrance to the Jeju Island trial grounds.
He looked around in bewilderment, noticing the expressions of shock on the faces of the Hua Clan members. "What the hell happened while I was busy breaking through?"
Seol Haoran sighed in confusion, then decided on the best way to get what he wanted without unnecessary chatter: a form of thinly veiled blackmail.
He reached out and grabbed... The man was visibly annoyed when his clothes were roughly grabbed, but his expression instantly shifted to fear upon realizing it was Siul Haoran—an individual with the cultivation base of a clan elder, and then some.
He realized that Siul Haoran had reached the late stage of Level 3; he was merely one step away from breaking through to Level 4 and attaining the status of a clan leader.
Sensing Siul Haoran's intent before a word was even spoken—and fearing a predicament he couldn't easily escape—the man decided to divulge everything he knew immediately.
Siul Haoran had no intention of letting him go; instead, he saw a perfect opportunity. The members of the Hua Yu Clan were preoccupied preparing for the monster waves expected tomorrow, meaning most of them would be gathered at the clan center, fully occupied.
Siul Haoran spoke in a cold, imperious tone that brooked no argument, instilling both fear and submission in the man: "I plan to conduct a reconnaissance mission. You had best follow me without any useless chatter."
The Level 2 Gu Master swallowed hard as he listened, nodding in agreement before leading the way toward the clan center to inform the clan leader.
As they headed there, a faint smile played on Siul Haoran's lips; he had found a better solution than simply dumping the remains in the forest and risking his own life.
He surreptitiously slipped a storage ring into the Level 2 Gu Master's pocket—ensuring the blame for the killing would fall on him should the ring be discovered during a search—and then continued on his way. Pretending nothing had happened...
A few minutes later, at the Hua Yu Clan headquarters, both of them knelt respectfully before the Clan Leader—a gesture that took the leader somewhat by surprise.
Seol Haoran spoke in a loud, clear voice for all to hear: "My companion and I decided to undertake an exploratory mission. He sensed something suspicious and wanted to put his mind at ease, so I agreed to help him. He asked me to inform you on his behalf, as he felt too embarrassed to do so himself."
The Clan Leader looked at Seol Haoran with suspicion; Seol Haoran's reputation within the Hua Yu Clan was abysmal, and it was nearly impossible for anyone to believe him so easily.
Seol Haoran was well aware of this—especially given the incredulous stares of the clan members—yet such a reaction was hardly unexpected after everything he had done over the past two years.
He spoke in a voice filled with sorrow, as if he had been betrayed by his own people: "Is that how you look at me? Was I not the first to confront the Barbarian Clan Leader who sought to destroy the Hua Yu Clan a year ago? Was I not the one who sacrificed a rare Gu for the sake of the clan when the merchant Ji Tang-li tried to seize the Spring of Life? Even though I treated you poorly, I was the first to make sacrifices for the Hua Yu Clan."
Everyone remained silent, gazing at Seol Haoran. Remorse and guilt washed over them as they recalled the deeds he had performed for the clan.
The Hua Yu Clan Leader spoke in an apologetic tone—prompting Seol Haoran to inwardly mock him and everyone else present—saying, "I apologize on behalf of..." "All members of the Hua Yu clan are forbidden from leaving at this late hour, except in cases of extreme emergency."
"Very well. Tomorrow, I shall authorize a reconnaissance mission for you and ensure you are fully equipped with whatever you need for the journey. I pledge this upon my honor and the honor of my ancestors."
Seol Haoran chuckled inwardly as he listened to the Hua Yu clan leader. *You want to elevate your standing within the clan by exploiting my past achievements, positioning yourself as a benevolent and just ruler. Well, you've succeeded.* Seol Haoran's tone was laced with sarcasm as he rose from his seat.
He and the Rank 2 Gu Master spoke in unison: "Thank you, Clan Leader Yu Ziyang, for your immense generosity."
However, the pleasant atmosphere was short-lived; one of the clan elders suddenly retrieved a storage ring from the Rank 2 Gu Master, looking puzzled.
The elder fixed a cold, piercing gaze upon the Gu Master—a look so chilling that the man collapsed to the ground in sheer terror. Seol Haoran, meanwhile, feigned ignorance; after all, he was only eighteen, and from their perspective, he had only begun his path as a Gu Master six years ago.
"Elder Ming Yu Mao, something is amiss. Why is there a scent of blood coming from your hand?" Seol Haoran's tone was filled with bewilderment, leaving the onlookers utterly shocked.
Elder Ming Yu Mao confirmed Seol Haoran's observation: "You are right; there is a scent of blood—human blood. Are you hiding something? Speak."
The Rank 2 Gu Master remained silent. The man kept trembling, unable to speak, prompting Seol Haoran to speak directly:
"Could it be that he conspired with Gu Masters from other clans to have me killed? After all, someone reaching Rank 3 before the age of twenty poses a threat to their interests."
The Rank 2 Gu Master's expression shifted to shock as he listened to Seol Haoran; he spoke in a tone filled with astonishment, "I didn't..."
But before he could utter another word, Elder Ming Yu-mao of the clanHe kicked him, sending him flying several meters without allowing him to utter a single word.
Yu Ziyang spoke in a furious tone—for while killing a mere mortal was a trifle no one cared about, killing a Gu Master was an entirely different matter. "How dare you—you vile, despicable, and loathsome traitor! You betrayed the very person who defended our clan time and again, sacrificing his most precious assets to do so, all by colluding with our enemies. Do you have no pride or honor?"
Voices from other Gu Masters erupted, filled with rage and murderous intent, causing his shock to deepen.
"You despicable scoundrel! How dare you betray your clan? You have absolutely no shame."
"I want nothing more than to kill you myself, you vile wretch. But wouldn't it be better to let Seol Haoran—your victim—do the deed? It would allow him to exact his own revenge on the man who tried to kill him."
"Yes, Seol Haoran! Kill that traitor... Seol Haoran, kill that traitor!"
"Yes, Seol Haoran! Kill that traitor... Seol Haoran, kill that traitor!"
"Yes, Seol Haoran! Kill that traitor... Seol Haoran, kill that traitor!"
The Rank 2 Gu Master's face was a mask of shock as he listened to the outcry. He turned his gaze toward Seol Haoran—harboring deep resentment—yet he was powerless to act; the entire clan had rallied behind the young man, and any attack would result in him being torn to shreds and scattered as mere scraps of flesh in the air.
Elsewhere, Seol Haoran was satisfied with how his plan was unfolding. Although he had initially intended to leave the Hua Yu Clan immediately, he had realized that... If Master Gu were to suddenly disappear, they would search for the last person seen with him—which was Seol Haoran—dragging him into complex troubles he had no desire to be involved in; yet, at the same time, he had never expected matters to escalate to this level.
Speaking in a tone that blended deep sorrow with happiness, he said, "Thank you, my brothers and sisters, for standing by me. But I cannot bring myself to kill a fellow academy student—someone I've known since we were twelve. It is incredibly difficult for me."
Master Gu's expression twisted into rage as he listened to Seol Haoran's words, and he stormed toward him furiously. "You despicable bastard! How dare you play the victim after dragging me into all of this?"
But before he could reach Seol Haoran, the Huayu Clan Leader, Yu Ziyang, intervened and decapitated him using a Rank 4 Moon Gu known as "Eternal Moon."
Seol Haoran was stunned; he had not expected the Clan Leader himself—rather than an elder—to step in. Yu Ziyang then spoke words that made Seol Haoran's heart burst with inner joy: "Anything possessed by a traitor becomes the property of Seol Haoran, as an apology for the Huayu Clan's incompetence in exposing the traitor."
Ming Yumao handed him a storage ring Gu, though a look of annoyance lingered on his face; it was an exceptionally rare Gu—a manufactured hybrid rather than a natural specimen—making it far superior to ordinary storage Gus.
Seol Haoran bowed respectfully, clasping his fist in salute. "Thank you, Clan Leader Yu Ziyang. However, I find myself in need of some rest." "I have just broken through to the late stage of Rank 3."
Shock was etched across everyone's faces as they listened to Seol Haoran. It seemed impossible for someone with his talent—a Class C individual with only 40% Qi in his primal sea—to reach such a level in such a short time.
He left the scene immediately, without waiting for a response from any of them. He had retrieved the storage ring—an item he once thought he would never see again, having allowed himself to be searched to strengthen the evidence against Master Gu and facilitate the disposal of the corpse.
However, the problem of disposing of the body still weighed on him. Yet, with the storage ring back in his possession—no longer a source of suspicion—and his reputation within the Hua Yu Clan bolstered, his plan had not been in vain.
He spoke inwardly, his tone calm and filled with satisfaction: "Alright, I must prepare for the arrival of Yuta Caseral in the coming days."
He then continued on his way home to rest after the breakthrough.
Three hours earlier, in the Central Continent—specifically the city of Berhais—the Heavenly Sword Emperor, Yushira Iskaura, silently observed the situation, turning his gaze toward Yuta, who was with his family.
"Leader, he settled the matter in mere moments. It seems the world is about to be turned upside down, doesn't it?" The Heavenly Sword Emperor Yushira Iskaura spoke in a calm, respectful tone as he looked toward the Sacred Weapon Ruler, Mashairo.
The latter replied... Mashairo spoke in a measured tone: "You are right. Discovering such a shocking truth about the world—and the death of one of the mightiest rulers, the Magic Emperor Aster Glifwood—is no small matter. Yet, what will you do, Yuchira?"
A deep sigh escaped the lips of the Sky-Blade Emperor, Yuchira Escanora, as he tore through reality to create a teleportation portal. "I shall do nothing until I receive word from the Leader himself."
He stepped into the portal while Mashairo, the Ruler of Holy Weapons, watched him go. "That is good. Continue being a servant to the Venerable Great Creator, Yuta Casiral; it suits you well."
The following day—Friday, July 24th, at 8:30 AM—everyone was gathered at the dining table. The Venerable Sky's Blessing, Iselabeth, was present, unlike the Venerable Lotus Flower, Jihao Yuxuan, and the Venerable Final Board, Ping Tao Xin; the latter two had chosen not to remain in the same space as Yuta—for who could say who might end up exploiting whom?
The Venerable Sky's Blessing, Iselabeth, spoke in a calm, gentle tone: "Jia Casiral—my second child in all but blood—you must rest during this time. I know you have been meditating over the past few days, and I encourage that, my dear."
Jia said nothing in response to Iselabeth's words; instead, she simply nodded in agreement, prompting a faint smile from the other woman.
She then turned her gaze toward Yuta, who was eating in complete silence—though he could sense... ...that he was planning something.
"So, when will you be leaving for the Northern Continent?" The speaker's tone was dignified and solemn—calm as the skies of Islabith—yet it was enough to draw everyone's gaze toward him.
Yuta shot him a look of slight annoyance but decided to let it slide, given that he would be leaving anyway.
He spoke in a calm tone while continuing his meal: "I'll be leaving at the start of next month; I have a lot of things to take care of."
Kiri and Liri looked visibly shocked as they heard his statement.Even so, they couldn't say anything to stop Yuta; they knew him well enough to know that once he made a decision, he would always follow through with it.
They sighed in frustration, lamenting the fact that they hadn't spent much time with him lately. Seeing this, the Honorable Lady Izalabeth smiled faintly as she looked at them.
She spoke to them in a calm, gentle tone: "How about you two take a stroll with me through the palace gardens? It would be quite enjoyable."
Astonishment washed over the faces of both Kiri and Liri as they listened to her words. They nodded in agreement, though they were still unaccustomed to conversing with strangers—and the Honorable Lady Izalabeth was someone they were not yet used to.
Meanwhile, Jia was recalling the words "Nameless" had spoken that day—back when she had activated the "Queen of the World" memory ability and learned everything about Nameless.
"Yuto will tell you everything you need to know for the time being. It might seem like a lot, but it is information you must have. After that, you will need to break through to the 'Boundless' rank to use your wings; once you do, you will be able to evolve with almost no need for anyone else's help."
Jia sighed inwardly, gazing at her food while occasionally glancing at Yuta. She tried to make sense of the reality of this absurd game: was it part of Yuta, or a fragment of Nameless—or perhaps both?
Jia wasn't entirely sure what was happening around her, yet she was certain of one thing: what she was about to hear would change the way she viewed the world—and Yuta. Even so, she remained uncertain... She was certain of it.
She rose from her seat and headed toward her room to get some rest. Yuta and the revered Lady Barakat Samaa Izlabith watched her go in silence, fully aware of exactly what was on her mind.
Meanwhile, in her bedroom, Jia lay on her bed, gazing at the ceiling with a puzzled expression. "It's strange... the memories of the Queen of the 'I am the Great Outcast' world and the Palace of the Nameless One haven't triggered since that day. Is there something I'm supposed to do, or what?" Her voice was laced with bewilderment as she recalled that day and her first encounter with the Nameless One.
Yet, she was surprised by her own lack of panic. Knowing she was part of the other entity's being—and how Yuta's mental strength and acceptance of that reality had influenced her—her subconscious treated the information as something ordinary, something she had heard before.
Jia could find no other explanation for why she viewed it so casually, though it remained deeply bothersome. She had wanted to prove she didn't need anyone, only to find herself part of another's existence.
She sighed slightly in annoyance and retrieved the "First Creator's Phone" from her inventory, intending to watch the day's recording.
She turned on the device and navigated to the main menu to select the voice recording app, though she hesitated, eyeing the latest recording with a hint of nervousness.
Ultimately, she decided to listen to it—after all, what harm could it do? But just as she was about to play it, Yuta stopped her immediately. He looked at her calmly.
"If I were you, I wouldn't play this audio recording. Six days have passed—meaning six recordings—and this is the seventh. I advise against opening it right now; your level of comprehension is still too weak to handle what you're about to hear. It's not that the words themselves are extraordinary, but the impact they'll have on you will be completely different."
Yuta moved his hand away as he sat down beside her. She found the situation somewhat surreal; sitting next to another version of herself felt incredibly strange—like looking into a gender-swapped mirror.
Breaking the silence, Yuta spoke while glancing at her out of the corner of his eye: "I heard 'Nameless' told you I'd explain everything. Am I right?"
Jiya's calm gaze confirmed it, prompting a faint smile from him. He moved his hand toward her face, but she flinched away.
He laughed loudly, pulling his hand back. "Hahaha... I guess you're afraid of that now, huh? But don't worry, it hasn't vanished; I was holding your hand just seconds ago. Hahaha... You're ridiculous, Jiya."
Jiya looked at him with clear annoyance. Without a second's hesitation, she threw a powerful punch straight at his face—a moment she had been waiting for for a long time.
Yet, he caught her fist with ease. She glared at him, slightly irritated by the vast gap in strength between them.
She recalled how he had forced a kiss on her twice—once at the academy... For a moment on Jeju Island, she glared at him with a look full of contempt and disgust.
She spoke in a tone that mixed scorn and revulsion—leaving him somewhat bewildered—saying, "You're a vile, repulsive scumbag—a womanizing piece of trash. Bored with women, are you? Now you want to date yourself?"
Yuta said nothing; he was stunned that such a thought had even crossed her mind, especially since he had come there for a matter of great importance. He wondered if her feminine instincts were taking over, or what exactly was going on.
Yet, he was certain of one thing: he didn't love her. The feeling was mutual; those two kisses had merely been a way to make everyone perceive them as a couple—nothing more. She was well aware of this, too; her words were simply intended to insult him.