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The first thing I sensed was the sound of my heart.

Thump—!

It felt both normal and yet had an intensified vibration.

Unconsciously, I clutched my chest.

The man in front of me looked entirely fine.

At first, I felt nothing, but the more I looked, something subtly annoyed me.

Thump—! Thump—!

The vibrations grew stronger, pulsating so hard I could feel them without even trying.

“Ha.”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

“Yeah, it was just too easy.”

It felt suspiciously smooth as if everything was going according to my plans. Of course, my life wouldn’t be that simple.

I pressed down on my chest and squinted.

Thump—!

The sound of my heart continued to grow louder. Furthermore, an energy buried deep within me began to stir.

Vroooom—!!

A sound only I could hear reverberated in my ears like a strange echo.

“Whew.”

I tried my best to stifle any sounds that might slip out.

My ragged breath could reach that guy.

– Is he the Great Lord of the Divine Dragon?

– Is that person the new Great Lord of the Divine Dragon?

– What will happen to the Martial Arts Tournament then?

The Great Lord had promised to seat the winner of the tournament.

Who on earth was that person?

As everyone bristled with questions, Geomseon finally spoke up to explain.

“I understand you’re surprised. Please trust me. The Great Lord of the Divine Dragon introduced today is truly remarkable.”

An introduction vastly different from the truth itself.

Amidst all this, he only said to believe him even though he could read their shock.

Naturally, no one was going to buy that easily.

Questions and doubts swirled in hazy excitement.

What’s with this excitement amidst all this?

Was there a good reason to favor the new Great Lord of the Divine Dragon even if it meant dying?

‘What’s going on?’

Geomseon’s explanations continued, but they simply faded from my ears.

All I was desperate to do was catch a glimpse of this so-called Great Lord of the Divine Dragon.

My heart thudded as instincts tingled.

The energy felt vague yet distinctly sharp.

That was why I could confidently associate that mysterious figure with the Blood Demon faction.

‘Blood Qi.’

From that person emanated the energy that had been infused into Jang Seonyeon and Nangong Cheonjun by the Blood Demon.

The Blood Qi flowed faintly.

It was so subtle I might have missed it had I not been paying attention.

Despite its light presence, I was surely able to feel it.

Because.

‘That Blood Qi is within me too.’

It was only right to see it as having melded into my physical body when I transformed into the dragon.

Though it felt closer to my own energy now, I could feel it because of that very fact.

‘That guy has Blood Qi.’

The Great Lord of the Divine Dragon, as Geomseon had introduced, possessed Blood Qi, indicating he was very likely an individual from the Blood Demon faction.

‘Not just likely, it’s practically a confirmation.’

Indeed, unless he was one of their people, there was no way I’d feel that energy.

But that raised another question.

‘Who is he?’

Who could this formidable being appearing as the Great Lord of the Divine Dragon possibly be?

‘Just from his physique, I can’t tell.’

Based only on his movements and muscle shape, I could ascertain he was a Sword Master.

Considering the caliber of such a person, it’s likely I’d recognize his face.

‘But I can’t see his face either.’

He was masked, so I couldn’t figure that out.

‘Should I try to verify?’

I contemplated using Qi Perception to peek beyond the mask, but—

‘That’s too risky.’

It could very easily be a gamble.

It was evident that this mask was anything but ordinary.

It likely had effects similar to the masks I utilize when disguising as the Heavenly Demon.

Even if it wasn’t, it was too dangerous to carelessly use Qi Perception.

‘Given his level, trying to sneak a peek could expose me.’

Sending out Qi Perception in curiosity would have a high chance of being detected.

Thus, there was only one thing I could ascertain right now.

‘That guy belongs to the Blood Demon faction.’

I was already aware that the Blood Demon had a hand in the Martial Alliance.

The fact that the Blood Demon had not shown up despite causing such chaos was bizarre.

‘Maybe that’s a blessing.’

Though it sounds strange to call it a blessing.

Oddly enough, I felt somewhat at ease.

‘If they hadn’t shown up, it would’ve been way worse.’

Only by showing up could they be quantified.

If they did nothing, it would be difficult for me to formulate a plan.

So this figure’s appearance complicated my thoughts yet simultaneously presented me with my own opportunity.

‘It became certain that they exist.’

The Blood Demon had outreach into the righteous faction.

That guy was moving with some kind of intention.

Having confirmed that made plotting my next steps much easier.

‘…Huh.’

I geared up my objectives.

The hassle of taking on the Great Lord title included this line of thought.

‘The problem is.’

I understood that part, but what intention did he hold?

At the same time.

‘He knows about me to some degree.’

Since the Blood Demon faction was aware of my existence, it was likely he also knew the current situation.

‘So, will he take action?’

Perhaps this moment was the very move he had taken.

Thump—.

Thump—.

My heart raced, and my mind scrambled in a whirlwind of thoughts.

“Should a crisis similar to this arise in the future…”

Geomseon’s repetitive words still did not reach me.

My gaze remained fixed solely on the Great Lord of the Divine Dragon.

As I was lost in thought, suddenly—

Swish—!

‘…!’

The Great Lord’s gaze unexpectedly turned towards me. Our eyes briefly met.

His sight was obscured by the mask, making it hard to see clearly. An instant passed before he turned away.

But during that fleeting moment, a strange sentiment washed over me.

‘What is this?’

The eyes of the Great Lord I caught a glimpse of felt oddly familiar.

As if I had seen them somewhere before.

 

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