Who is it?" he screamed again.

"Where are you, bastard!"

Something suddenly flew toward him.

Gyno raised his fist to punch, then stopped halfway and twisted his body, barely dodging it. The object slammed into the ground and rolled

a short distance before stopping.

When Gyno saw what it was, his blood froze.

"James…"

It was James's severed head, his expression still twisted in shock and pain.Blood trailed on the ground from severed head that seemed to be cut so cleanly that even the person who died was unaware.

For a split second, Gyno's mind went completely blank.

Then fear exploded inside him.

He turned around and slammed his foot into the ground.

BOOM!

His body shot out of the smoke like a cannonball.

He was running.Yes, running as fast as he possibly could.

The moment he saw James's head, he understood everything. He stood no chance.

"FUCKKK!" Gyno screamed.

"Fuck… I need to move… I don't stand a—"

Before he could finish, his senses screamed again.

He leaped backward without thinking.

Something invisible swept past him.

The next moment, trees around him began falling one after another, crashing down violently and shaking the earth.

His heart nearly stopped.

"Damn!" he shouted.

"That's some good instincts."

A cold voice echoed in the forest.

Gyno staggered back and shouted toward the source of the voice.

"Who?"

Through the smoke, he saw a man crouching calmly with a sword in hand, looking straight at him.

The moment their eyes met, Gyno knew.

This was death standing right in front of him.

"I…" His voice trembled.

SWISH!

The man's figure blurred.

Gyno almost screamed as cold terror wrapped around his spine.

He felt something behind him.

Slowly, stiffly, he turned around.

The man was already there.

Kael stood behind him, sword lowered, eyes cold and empty.

Kael raised his blade slightly, preparing to strike.

[Dime–STOPPOO!"

Gyno's mind shattered."SURRENDERRR!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Huh?" Kael almost stumbled due to his momentum.He stopped mid-step and stared at Gyno.

"…Sorry," Kael said slowly. "What did you say? Repeat that."

"I surrender!" Gyno shouted again, his legs shaking violently. "I surrender! I surrender!"

Kael stared at the trembling man in front of him and frowned.

'Why the hell did someone like this even step into this mess?'

'Ahhh…My foood…'

......…

"Haaa… I wonder if they were successful," Duke Serpentine muttered, rubbing his throbbing head.

"They surely were," Adriana said firmly.

Duke Serpentine paused and looked at the blonde-haired woman, then almost clicked his tongue.

'What is up with this boy's luck?'

'Why are there so many talented women around him?'

"You don't understand," the Duke said. "It's not about finishing things. It's about finishing them quietly."

"We don't want others to be alerted."

"If my lord said he will do it, then by hook or crook, he will do it," Adriana replied calmly.

"You don't need to worry about that."

Duke Serpentine was about to reply when he suddenly felt it.

"They are back!" His eyes lit up.

He turned toward the entrance.

Kael and Melvin stepped in, and between them was another man.

Duke Serpentine frowned. "Who is this man? Why does he look familiar?"

"Father, it's Gyno," Melvin answered.

Duke Serpentine jumped to his feet.

"What!"

"What is he doing here?"

"He surrendered," Kael added calmly.

Duke Serpentine narrowed his eyes at Gyno.

Gyno immediately shrank under that gaze.

"I swear I surrendered!" he blurted out. "You can ask me anything, and I will tell you everything!"

"Don't worry," Kael said. "I checked him thoroughly before bringing him here. And if he tries anything…"

Kael slowly pulled his sword out a little.

Gyno felt a chill run through his bones.

"Just put the sword back!" he shouted nervously. "I won't try anything. I swear!"

...…

Gyno was imprisoned, but his treatment was not harsh.

In fact, it confused everyone.

This trembling, clown-like man did not look like someone who should have held such an important position.

"You are wrong," Gyno said, sitting with his hands chained. "I don't give a shit about Nightstar. I'm just a mercenary."

"I don't have family, friends, or loved ones. I was just paid well."

"Did Nightstar pay you?" Kael asked.

"It's better if you say the cult paid us," Gyno replied.

"So you knew Nightstar was taken over by the Abyssal Cult?"

"Most of the higher-ups knew," Gyno nodded.

"Yet they still followed them," Kael said.

"Yes," Gyno replied. "Because those who didn't are already—"

He stopped and dragged his thumb across his neck.

"Do you have to be so dramatic?" Kael asked flatly.

"I just wanted to add an effect," Gyno replied casually.

"…."

This guy really acted like a clown.

Seeing him, Kael suddenly remembered another clown-like person.

The fourth prince, Verion.

'I wonder what that bastard is doing right now.'

Kael shook his head and asked, "Do you know Nightstar's plan?"

"I do," Gyno said, his tone turning serious for once. "And it's terrifying."

"That's the main reason I defected."

"In fact, I was waiting for such an opportunity. That's why I took command of this place."

"I knew the first place to be targeted would be here."

As soon as he said that, everyone turned to look at Kael.

"Don't look at me like that," Kael said. "I'm not a strategist or commander."

"No," Gyno said, nodding. "That strategy was good. If someone else were in your place, they would have gone mad with anger."

He took a breath and looked at them.

"Have you wondered why Nightstar hasn't made a move yet, even after occupying land?"

The question hit everyone hard.

"Yes," Duke Serpentine said slowly. "I have been thinking about that.""I would have advanced already, if not for the people who defected."

"Your younger brother defected, right?" Gyno asked calmly.

The words hit Duke Serpentine like a slap.

"Hah…" the Duke exhaled sharply. "Of course he did."

"He was promised the position of Lord of this region after Heizen fell."

Silence filled the room.

Gyno leaned back slightly, fear still lingering in his eyes, yet his clown-like grin slowly returned.

"And that," he said softly, "is where the real problem begins."