Chapter 82 : Chapter 82

{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"}},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Chapter 82. White Night"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The boy's identity was Jude Basterion."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The moment they met, Modric's instincts screamed at him to run."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"A feeling of all the hair on his body standing on end and being consumed by fear."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Crunch—"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Jude crunched on the lollipop in his mouth and glared at Modric."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Why is a dog running around instead of guarding its house? Making it a pain to find you.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"There was no time to face the fear."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The moment Jude swung his arm wide."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"KABOOOOM—!"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"A massive explosion engulfed the entire force beyond Modric."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"In an instant, his subordinates were swept away by an inexplicable explosion."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Modric shook his body, frozen with fear."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"As a demon, he couldn't just back down like this."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"No, if he stood still, he would die."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"He had to at least put up a fight."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Die—!”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Ten long-drawn-out nails flew towards the boy at once."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"No, they were more like ten swords than nails."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Although he swung instinctively, they were precisely aimed at the boy's entire body."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"There seemed to be no way to avoid them."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"‘Got him…!’"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Even if the boy was a powerhouse on the level of a 'king' of a race, if he was defenseless at this distance."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"His arrogance would finally lead him to victory…."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Thwack—!"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The sound of flesh being pierced, which Modric had expected, was heard."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The problem was that it came from his own chest."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Looking down, a hole was gaping in his chest."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Cough—!”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“What’s with the sudden attack, you bastard. It got all over my clothes.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"He had no idea what had hit him."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"An unknown attack without any prelude, like a trace of mana."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Modric's gaze fell on the tip of the boy's blood-stained finger."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"‘A finger…? With just that, my body…’"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"A situation far beyond comprehension."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"His questions were shattered by the ensuing pain."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The boy lightly flicked his finger."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Kaaaaaaaahk—!”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"But the result was not light."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Modric's pride, his nails, were shattered to pieces."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Besides that, his arms, legs, and even his internal organs, everything."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"There wasn't a single part of his body that was intact."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Baron Modric, with the tenacious life force befitting a descendant of the Lycanthrope king."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Now, at this moment, that fact was not a blessing, but a curse."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"He could neither die nor live, flailing in excruciating pain."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Not dead? Not bad.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Modric, feeling the damp, rain-soaked earth on his cheek, barely lifted his head."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Who… who…?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“He even talks. How arrogant.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The boy, as if displeased, frowned and brought his finger down."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Just that alone was enough to increase the pain that was squeezing Modric's heart."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Keoheob— Keok!"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"In his pain, Modric looked into the boy's eyes."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The deep eyes that held the weight of time were a color that, once seen, could never be forgotten."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Dark purple eyes."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"‘Basterion……?’"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was the eye color that was the symbol of the strongest in the Demon World, whom he had once seen from a distance."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“De, Demon King…”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The trace of the Demon King he found in the boy took away even the last of his will to live."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"In the end, a moment later, Modric's breathing stopped."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“These dog bastards sure are tough to kill.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Jude watched the scene he had created for a moment."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The scattered pieces of flesh and the bloodstains soaked into the red earth were the only hints that a battle had taken place here."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The green halo of light shining faintly on it gave it a grotesque feeling."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Just then, it began to rain."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Pitter-patter—!"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The traces of the battle were quickly washed away by the falling rain."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"His presence would not be revealed in front of the traces of one-sided violence."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"In the first place, the outside was not a problem."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The real problem was inside his own body."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The chain that squeezed his heart trembled."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“…Weak body.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"He had only revealed a little of his power, but the curse threatened him as if it would burst his heart."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Jude clutched his chest and looked at the Kerno Gorge with a subtle gaze."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"He briefly thought of the human who had entered the gorge."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Could a human really come out of there alive?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Well, he'll figure it out.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"If he couldn't even withstand that place, there was no point in giving him the qualification in the first place."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Jude shook his head and quietly disappeared like a mirage."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"* * *"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The inside of the Kerno Gorge was a pitch-black environment without a single speck of light."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Not long after entering, rain began to pour down."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Pitter-patter—!"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"One might have thought it was dark because of the rain clouds completely covering the sky, but this place was always dark regardless of the weather."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The gorge was a landform created in ancient times, before the demons of the Demon World had even established their respective territories."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was a scar carved into the Demon World from the battle between a dragon and the ancestor of the ‘Basterion’ family, who became the first Demon King."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"This was the setting for the origin of the gorge, so deep that sunlight could not reach it."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Van, who had been listening to Hyunwoo's words in silence, threw a question."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Setting?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Ah, I misspoke. It has such a history.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Do they teach Demon World history in the human world?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“I just have a personal interest in it.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“As expected of royalty?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Royalty…”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo smiled bitterly."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"There would be no royalty in the world who suffered from working overtime every day and being overworked."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Because Lionel had openly advertised him as royalty, the party also thought of his status as royalty."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Lucas, who seemed to have taken an interest in the word ‘royalty’, joined the conversation."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Are human royalty well-versed in the Demon World?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Seeing Lucas’s sharp gaze, it seemed he would pry if I answered carelessly."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"He had a subtly persistent side to him."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo brought up a story that would divert his attention."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“As you know, I have a connection with Claudia Knox.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Suddenly?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Thanks to her, I became interested in the Demon World and looked into it more.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“…I see.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was an anecdote he had used when learning the Po Dienda Swordsmanship from Lucas in the past."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"As Hyunwoo had expected, when he mentioned Claudia Knox, his expression changed to one of nostalgia."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Normally, their conversation would have ended here, but unlike before, there was now one more audience member."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Van spoke."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Claudia Knox? Is she your lover?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“…It is not that kind of relationship.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Then?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“She is just… more precious to me than anyone.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Lucas wrinkled his nose and fell silent."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo looked at him intently."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"‘Come to think of it… what is their relationship?’"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Even Hyunwoo didn't know all the settings of "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"code"}],"text":"Masal"},{"type":"text","text":"."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"He had just used the fact that he remembered she had a connection with Lucas."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"He didn't know the specific details of their story."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo took his eyes off Lucas and looked ahead."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"From the side, Van spoke."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“My body feels sluggish. Is it because it's been raining for days?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“It's because of the darkness.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“You're saying this fatigue is because of the darkness?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo nodded."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Van tilted his head."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was hard to understand that the body's fatigue was due to ‘darkness’."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"However, it was true that the ‘darkness’ of the Kerno Gorge had all sorts of nasty effects."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Don't overdo it and tell me if you're tired. Your stamina drains twice as fast here.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“I'm fine. What does it matter when the Ghost Horse is moving anyway?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Your mental strength is also drained. You'll pass out if you're not careful. Speaking of which, let's rest here.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Already? Didn't you say we had to hurry?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“We need to rest enough in this place. Otherwise, we won't last.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Although he was worried that Modric might follow them right away, fortunately, he didn't seem to have followed them yet."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"So, it was wise to rest whenever there was a chance."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Besides."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"‘I still need more time.’"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo looked up at the sky."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Pitter-patter—!"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"As if it were the rainy season, not long after entering the gorge, it began to pour heavily."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Although it was called the ‘Random Weather Effect’, it wasn't a completely random arrangement like a random number."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Aurora, a shower, and finally, it was time for ‘that weather’."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"‘Is it soon?’"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The most important thing in the gorge was the weather."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The only weather that could escape this darkness and reach the deep interior."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"That was the decisive moment."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"‘So, I have to wait.’"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The first thing to do here was to conserve as much stamina as possible until the weather became what Hyunwoo was thinking of."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"* * *"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"One day, two days after entering the gorge."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"As time passed, the anxious feeling gradually subsided."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"No matter how much time passed, Modric's main force, which he had been worried about, did not appear."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Did something happen?"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Or maybe they had just given up the chase after seeing them enter the Kerno Gorge."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"He didn't know the exact reason, but it was a relief."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"‘I was planning to just go inside and hold out if it came to that…’"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Fortunately, it seemed that wouldn't be necessary, so one big worry was gone."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Because it seemed that ‘that weather’ would be coming soon."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo looked up at the sky."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Drip. Drip."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Like water dripping from a faucet, raindrops were falling intermittently."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The rain had almost stopped, but the dark clouds in the sky were still there."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Belying the name ‘Random Weather’, it had rained for three whole days in the gorge."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was a sure sign that ‘that weather’ was coming soon."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo stood up from his seat."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Everyone, get ready to move.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Didn't you say it's dangerous ahead? I can't see anything.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"As Lucas said, the path ahead of them was covered in pitch-black darkness."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"A darkness that even Lucas's night-vision eyes couldn't pierce."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was a complete darkness of a clearly different level than before."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"From here, it was the deep part of the gorge, so Hyunwoo had been letting the party rest."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo mounted his Ghost Horse."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“It's about time.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Are you talking about that weather you mentioned? Are you some kind of prophet?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Wanna bet?”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"As Hyunwoo looked up at the pouring rain and was really about to move, Van voiced his concern."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“When you reach a place in the Kerno Gorge where you can't see anything, get out without looking back. It's a famous saying in the Demon World.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“They must have gone in when the weather was bad. Everyone, take out the item I gave you.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo first took out an item from his subspace pocket."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"An item that looked like a lantern at a glance."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"But that was just the packaging, the real thing was the ‘Salamander's Heart’ inside."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was an item that emitted a tremendous light that could blind you if you activated it right in front of you."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"‘Though it’s useless here.’"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was useless in the darkness that devoured even light."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"When he had tested it last night, the lantern's light hadn't lasted long and had disappeared."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo looked up at the sky."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was now late at night."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"However, a sparkling light was seeping through the clouds."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo, having confirmed the final piece to enter the deep part of the gorge, let out a smirk."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The time when the night of the Demon World disappeared had come."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"White Night ."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It wasn't a meteorological phenomenon that occurred at high latitudes like the actual white night phenomenon."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was more of an abnormal phenomenon that simply occurred on days with dense mana."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“What, what is this. Suddenly? To really change to the weather you talked about…”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“…An unpleasant day.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"At the sudden brightening of the night sky, Van looked around, and Lucas frowned."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“If you understand, then move. We're going to be busy from now on.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Hyunwoo took his eyes off them and looked ahead."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The path that had been invisible just a moment ago began to show its form, however faintly."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Looking back again, Hyunwoo gestured to Van with his head, and he activated the lantern."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The ‘Salamander's Heart’ inside the lantern burst into flames."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Fwoosh—!"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The light of the lantern, which had previously been sucked into the darkness and disappeared, now leaked out."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"It was only possible during a white night."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"“Let's go. We have to hurry as much as possible.”"}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Van and Lucas, who had nodded, mounted their Ghost Horses."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The random weather effect changes every day."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"From now on, the time limit was 24 hours."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"The goal was to reach the deep part of the gorge within that time."}]},{"type":"paragraph","attrs":{"textAlign":"left"}}]}