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After the fairies, chattering away, finally took their magical egg and floated off, the chaos settled down and peace arrived.

To check how much the birth of a Fairy Dragon could lower the chances of destruction, I handed over about 30kg of Bichunmang meat as spare.

‘If the Fairy Dragon keeps multiplying.’

Eventually, it might become helpful someday. Sure, it knocked over the skyscraper, but no summoned beasts or spirits got entangled in it, and besides, it would soon be restored, so I doubt they’d hold a grudge against it.

“…Thanks.”

Suddenly, the White Deer, who had been nagging for a while, bowed its head.

“You work so hard for the fantasy world, yet I can’t think of a way to help you. How shameless of me.”

I sometimes think the White Deer’s thought process is always about the fantasy world. It’s a bit hard to comprehend, but there’s no doubt it had a special affection for it.

‘Just like this time.’

It’s saying it helped the fantasy world but has no way to repay me, almost as if identifying itself with the fantasy world. That attitude radiates strong attachment. There must be some reason behind it, but I’ll set that aside for now and first check the open routes.

[Evolution Route]

[Path of the Storm (飛嵐)] – Evolution Possible

[Path of Domination (劫火)] – Conditions Not Met

[Path of the Void (空虚)] – Conditions Not Met

‘Three options.’

After evolving from a Slime, I had always faced just two choices, but this time there are three. Plus, one route is immediately available for evolution.

‘Path of the Storm…’

[Path of the Storm: Evolves into Marang, draped in storms and gallivanting through the sky]

Checked the insight explanation. A Marang wrapped in storms and soaring through the skies—naturally, when it says ‘go’ (飛), it reminds me of Bichunmang. Maybe it opened this path because I devoured that creature.

‘However…’

The human heart is peculiar; what’s immediately available often feels a bit off. Besides, I don’t find particular advantages in being able to fly.

‘The Shadow doesn’t synergize well with it.’

While flying certainly sounds appealing, it limits ways to utilize the shadows. Would it be necessary to take the Path of the Storm with that in mind? Storms are likely related to gusts, but…

‘Not appealing.’

The utility of a gust is certainly high and plays a significant role in battles, but as it stands now, my options are already ample, and I’ll evolve to the next skill someday.

‘I’ll consider it, but…’

For now, I decided to check the other evolution options.

[Path of Domination: Evolves into a Marang that instills surrender by fire]

‘Domination (劫) and fire (火)…’

That’s most likely referring to Intimidation and Transformation. Only then could I grasp what this evolution branch meant.

‘The first evolution route was.’

A werewolf and Marang. I had to decide where to go between the two, and ultimately, I became a Marang. The difference between them lies in their species. A path signifies continuing forward. Since I chose the Marang path, it’s likely I’ll never stray from it.

‘The second path is…’

The one the queen personally showed me. The shadow ranger manipulating intangible shadows, and the malformed blasphemer made of mountains and poison. Their difference lies in shape or essence.

‘And this evolution is.’

Specialization. Highlighting the strengths I possess. Sequentially, it was species, shape, then specialization. As I briefly pondered the evolution paths ahead, I recalled that there was still one route left.

[Path of the Void: Evolves into a Marang that devours everything]

Void (空虛) signifies a state empty of anything. That is, it means creating emptiness through consumption. The final Path of the Void feels likely connected to a disintegration-type evolution.

‘Path of the Storm, Path of Domination, Path of the Void.’

For now, I’ll put thoughts of evolution aside. I very much wanted to meet the queen and get hints about evolving immediately, but—

[Lv.30 Achievement Condition: Prevent the Destruction of the Neverland Strike Force]

—I don’t have time for that.

***

“Damn. Seriously…”

As the door creaked open, Hong Yu-ri unexpectedly entered, and Baek So-yul, who was running a training room, greeted her with enthusiasm.

“Teacher! Are you okay now?”

“Who? …Ah.”

Hong Yu-ri frowned as she lowered her sunglasses. They looked like ordinary shades, but on closer inspection, they seemed excessively dark, as if painted with layers of meteor magic. Judging by her reaction, she couldn’t see a thing…

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay, so get lost. If I hear that again, I might just go insane.”

While I understand the intention behind her concern, hearing the same question from every person at the hospital is getting under my skin, and Hong Yu-ri sighed.

“Are you alone? Where are the others?”

“Most others went to Neverland…”

Ah. Of course. Wait. Then who’s left in the clan?

‘All the dead weight, huh.’

All the B-class and above must have been taken along. Hong Yu-ri frowned. There’s no way Dawn would get attacked without going insane.

‘At least there’s that.’

“Where were you all the way up to?”

“I was doing the third level spell chanting formula and the physical training you mentioned…”

It’s not too slow, but it’s going to take some time before the Academy returns to normal. Since I decided to teach, I intended to do it properly. I can’t have my students being unable to wipe their own butts; that’s not something my pride will allow.

‘Let’s see.’

Habitually preparing to snap her fingers, Hong Yu-ri let out a sound. Come to think of it, her hand was the one that was missing. Seeing her vanished wrist, Baek So-yul gasped. She had heard about an injury but didn’t know the wrist had been severed.

“Teacher! Your hand…?!”

“Shut up. Don’t worry about it.”

Hong Yu-ri bit her lip, unknowingly swallowing hard, as she frowned. —After seeing her missing wrist, it all came flooding back.

“…Enough. Just wait a moment.”

As Hong Yu-ri stepped out for a moment, Baek So-yul hesitated, biting his lip. Did he accidentally say something wrong? Then Baek So-yul tilted his head.

“……?”

It might be mistaken, but it seemed like she was trembling.

—Outside, Hong Yu-ri placed her hand on her chest. Trying to calm her tremors with deep breaths, it wasn’t working out as easily as she hoped.

“……”

Even with her eyelids reddened, knees trembling, refusing to cry was her last remaining pride.

“F*ck.”

Still, she couldn’t help her voice from shaking.

***

With the help of the White Deer, getting from Roteworld Tower to Neverland in Yongin City was quick.

“Be careful.”

As always, with that warning, they prepared to return to the main realm from a slight distance. The world began to distort, and as soon as I returned, I immediately spread my sensing ability.

‘The problem is this.’

I sighed at the numerous presences I detected. Three that were thought to be A-class. Besides them, B-class and above hunters were stationed. They weren’t the strike force but merely a lockdown team blocking the dungeon.

‘It’s only natural…’

Neverland. The worst dungeon, which hasn’t been cleared yet. To prepare for any emergencies, A-class hunters needed to remain as a lockdown team.

‘How to get in…’

Having a lockdown team here meant the strike team had already entered the dungeon. Therefore, to prevent their destruction, I too had to enter, which inevitably meant getting past them. I’ve grown quite a bit, but thinking of a frontal assault against a strike team with A-class included is madness.

‘Even with Stealth…’

With so many hunters guarding the dungeon’s boundaries, it would be impossible to just walk in. With the fairy along, it’s a guaranteed 100% detection.

‘I need to create a distraction.’

Time waits for no one, especially with no certainty, I couldn’t wait for monsters to appear beyond the line of defense. At least it was fortunate that everyone in the area had evacuated.

‘A bit hesitant, but…’

I had to create a commotion. To minimize damage, I ignited a fire on the main street, gradually increasing its size. When I released intimidation, I sensed the hunters buzzing around.

‘Just one would be enough.’

[Detection (D) Lv.9 has reached maximum proficiency. Detection (D) Lv.9 → Detection (D) Lv.10]

[Detection (D) Lv.10 has reached max level. Detection (D) Lv.10 → Sensing (C) Lv.1]

Upon reaching level 10, when detection transformed into sensing, I used stealth immediately. The problem was, they weren’t B-class but A-class hunters. The key issue was how many of them would move—and—

‘Got it…!’

When two A-class hunters moved, I nodded. If two out of three were moving, only one A-class would remain on guard. An unprecedented opportunity. I immediately charged toward the approaching A-class members on the main street—and—

“……!”

—The moment the hunters sensed my approach and turned their heads, I sprinted at maximum speed.

‘How many of them are there?’

Most of them are B-class or above, and the number seems to exceed twenty. Besides, with those A-class hunters, there’s no room for carelessness. As I started running at maximum speed, using magic power, the many members of the lockdown team began to sprint toward me.

Using transformation and gust together would be easy to shake them off, but that would be backtracking. I came to prevent the strike team’s destruction, so harming them would be contradictory. Therefore, I created gusts as strong as I could and had the shadows grab the hunters’ ankles. They soared past before the hunters could raise their magic power to resist.

‘Up to here, it’s okay but…!’

The real issue starts now. While I skipped past the others, the key was piercing through the A-class hunter standing in front of me. They were already packing their fists with dense magic power.

‘If I get hit by that.’

A one-shot kill. I certainly couldn’t guarantee my survival. The hunter gathered magic power underfoot and exploded it, rushing at me all at once—and—

“Kiyuu!”

—Along with the fairy’s cry, I zipped past an oddly familiar A-class hunter. When I reached right before the dungeon’s boundary, I jumped beyond without hesitation.

***

Rippling shadows. A shiver ran down my spine, warning me that I shouldn’t oppose this. It’s clear that the ruckus was caused by that wolf. I knew it. There’s no way I wouldn’t know about the wolf that brought the townsfolk into an uproar. Anyone confronted with that sinister red gaze would freeze.

“We must stop it!”

—And the only hunter who could resist the wolf at that moment awakened them with his shout. They attempted to block the wolf’s strides spreading shadows, but fierce gusts made it impossible to approach easily. In a flash, the wolf bypassed the hunters, instead accelerating as it raced forward.

‘It’s trying to enter the dungeon.’

There was no room for misinterpretation. The wolf was heading straight toward the dungeon’s boundary. The hunter clenched his fist with all his might, thinking to block it. Gathering magic in his fist, he unleashed it in a single breath.

If that thing entered Neverland, who knows what consequences could occur? Just as he extended his fist with all his strength, the wolf vanished from his sight.

“……!”

In disbelief, the hunter widened his eyes. He knew the Alpha defeated the Vice Team Leader. But he couldn’t believe this speed? How did it disappear without a trace?! When he finally turned around, the wolf was already gone.

“…Damn it.”

Bitten lip, the hunter, Woo Taek, scratched his head in frustration.

 

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