Golden flames spread in every direction.
In an instant, everything was engulfed.
Then—silence.
A vast white-covered room appeared, calm and still. At the far end stood a simple brown table. On it rested nothing but a kettle and a single cup of tea.
Seated behind it was a woman.
Her hair was pure white, flowing like silk. Her clothes resembled those of a noble lady from ancient tales—elegant, pristine, yet radiating an unsettling aura.
Beside her stood a young girl, dressed like a maid straight out of a fantasy novel.
Meanwhile, Ji Hoon's entire body was covered in golden flames, forming something like an armor. His vision was blocked, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move.
He struggled.
But he wasn't alone.
Around him stood others—trapped in the same condition, frozen like statues, as if sealed inside invisible ice.
The maid poured tea into the cup and chuckled softly.
"Her Majesty… it seems these weak little ones are in pain."
The white-haired woman smiled faintly.
"Selena, you shouldn't say that. These are the very people we will use to corrupt the entire Star Heaven."
Her eyes gleamed with amusement.
"This is going to be… entertaining."
She dipped her finger into the tea Selena had poured.
Then—she flicked it.
A few drops of tea scattered through the air and landed on Ji Hoon and the others.
And just like that—
The golden flames vanished.
The invisible restraints shattered.
In the next moment, everything changed.
Twelve people now stood in the room.
Ji Hoon was at the front.
A dark crimson aura faintly glowed around him. His clothes had transformed into something straight out of a fantasy world—dark, sharp, and ominous. His black hair framed his face, and his abyss-like eyes made him stand out unnaturally.
Behind him stood others—a man around fifty, a girl his age, and several more boys and girls.
All twelve stood stiffly, like lifeless statues.
The woman calmly took a sip of her tea, then looked at them.
"Oh… my apologies. I forgot to free you."
She snapped her fingers.
The space shifted again.
A curtain now stood between them and the woman.
At once, everyone collapsed.
Pain surged through their bodies. Some clawed at the ground, others banged their heads, crawling and trembling. A few tried to scream—but no sound came out.
Ji Hoon dropped to his knees.
His eyes were closed, one hand gripping his head. Above him, a faint crown-like shape hovered—something only he seemed aware of.
Moments later, he steadied himself.
Opening his eyes, he looked ahead.
A white curtain stood before him. Behind it, two shadowy figures were visible.
He turned his gaze behind—
There, he noticed a girl with short dark hair and deep, empty eyes staring directly at him.
Around them, others were still writhing in pain.
Then—
A voice echoed from behind the curtain.
"Welcome to the Sky Mansion… mortals."
"You have been brought here for a special purpose. So stop acting like fools… and kneel."
"Show your respect to Her Majesty by striking your head against the ground three times."
No one moved.
They simply stared blankly at the curtain.
Then suddenly—
A terrifying aura filled the room.
Selena's voice rang out again, colder this time.
"Did you not hear what I said…?"
Still, the group remained in pain, unable to respond.
Annoyed, the curtain shifted.
A masked girl stepped forward.
Her face was covered by a strange, bone-colored mask. In her hand was a sharp whip.
"I don't like repeating myself."
Her voice was calm—but dangerous.
"This is the third time I'm saying it. I don't care how 'precious' you think you are… killing you would not trouble me at all."
She snapped her fingers.
Instantly—
Silence.
Everyone froze.
In her eyes, a strange circular pattern began to glow.
"…I should have used this from the beginning."
Her gaze shifted to two individuals already kneeling—foreheads touching the ground repeatedly.
A faint smile appeared beneath the mask.
"At least some of you are obedient."
Ji Hoon, still at the front, stared at her with those deep abyss-like eyes.
Behind him, the others watched in fear and confusion.
What kind of place is this…?
What kind of monsters are these…?
The masked girl raised her hand.
A pulse of energy shot forward—piercing into everyone's heads.
Memories flooded in.
Information.
Commands.
Purpose.
Moments later—
She spoke again.
"I hope you now understand everything."
"This mission is not given lightly. Do not disappoint Her Majesty."
"And if you betray us…"
Her voice turned colder.
"…do not blame me for being merciless."
She waved her hand.
"You are dismissed. Your instructor will accompany you. Complete only the missions assigned to you."
She raised both hands.
Light erupted.
And in the next second—
Everyone vanished.
Greenery.
Trees swayed gently.
A small river flowed nearby, its soft sound blending with distant birdsong.
In the middle of the grass—
A figure appeared.
Ji Hoon.
He groaned, slowly getting up.
"…Where am I…? Was all that… a dream?"
He paused.
Then looked at himself.
The same dark clothes.
The same strange design.
And above his head—
That crown.
"…No… that wasn't a dream."
A faint smile formed on his lips.
"Looks like… I'm about to go through a lot of trouble."
He stood up, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
Looking around, he muttered—
"This… survival is going to be tough."
Then his eyes shifted upward.
Toward the crown.
"But as long as I have this… it shouldn't be too difficult."
He paused again.
"And this… is something special too."
His voice dropped to a whisper.