RG 146

Outside, a blizzard was raging. Snow fell so thick and fast it was hard to see a thing, and even Song Ji-un, who had dashed out just moments ago, was no longer visible through the wind and white.

“Wait a moment, Hunter Cha Seohu. This weather—”

In response to the ominous storm, Ryu Seonghyeon grabbed Cha Seohu’s hand, but he shook his head firmly. “No.”

Even without hearing it, he already knew what Ryu Seonghyeon was going to say: Stay here, it’s too dangerous to follow. But Cha Seohu couldn’t accept being the only one safe—not if Song Ji-un and Ryu Seonghyeon were out there too.

“I have to go.” His pale face peeked out from beneath wind-whipped black hair. Even the corners of his eyes were twisted with tension.

Seeing that, Ryu Seonghyeon assumed Cha Seohu was afraid. His trembling hand only added to the impression—it wasn’t an unreasonable misunderstanding.

Cha Seohu was afraid, in fact. But not because of the monster’s overwhelming presence or the freezing wind that cut like blades. What haunted him was Song Ji-un. And Ryu Seonghyeon. He feared Song Ji-un, running headlong into the storm without hesitation, and Ryu Seonghyeon, who was trying to hold him back for safety.

‘Not this time…’

He wouldn’t just sit back and be protected. This time, he would be the one to protect them. Nothing had happened yet—he knew the creature was classified as an S-class demon type, still nowhere near the full-scale Calamity—but the fear creeping into his mind clouded his judgment. His chest churned with nausea, and his legs shook. Still, Cha Seohu forced himself to stay calm, keeping his voice level and steady.

“With this kind of intense cold, even you won’t last long without my divine power, Vicemaster. I have to go. Even just to save the mountain keeper.” Thankfully, his voice didn’t waver. 

Faced with Cha Seohu’s determined stance, Ryu Seonghyeon hesitated before finally nodding, as if he had no choice. “Understood. Then don’t let go of my hand until we get there.” He gripped Cha Seohu’s hand tighter, his brown eyes shining with clarity.

It was a look that reminded Cha Seohu of the Ryu Seonghyeon he used to know—before his regression. Just for a moment, the familiar sight brought a faint smile to his face.

***

Song Ji-un and the monster weren’t far. After pushing through snow up to his calves, Cha Seohu arrived at the source of the energy and spotted a flapping blue cloak whipping in the wind.

“Mountain Keeper!”

Despite his shout, Song Ji-un didn’t turn around. His eyes were locked on the figure in front of him—he couldn’t tear them away. Following his line of sight, Cha Seohu looked up and involuntarily swallowed.

‘You’ve got to be kidding.’

Beyond the howling wind, a small figure came into view. The monster, with hair like freshly fallen snow cascading past her waist. Her skin was unnaturally pale, her eyes vacant and unfocused. Her beauty was eerie, like a doll come to life.

“Ha…”

Even from this distance, the energy radiating from that tiny body was enough to make his skin tingle. Now standing far closer than before, Cha Seohu let out a dry laugh.

‘S-class demon type? With this kind of aura?’

No way. He’d seen S-class demon types in his previous life. This time, he’d even slain a Leviathan himself. That creature had been terrifying—its appearance in the middle of Seoul had been nightmarish—but even it hadn’t exuded this level of energy. This monster was clearly beyond S-class.

‘That’s weird. The status window said she was S-class.’

So what’s the difference from the Leviathan? Could it be that the system and reality have different standards for classification? If that’s the case, then this monster—stronger than the Leviathan—is…

“Hunter Cha Seohu!”

His thoughts were abruptly cut off. With a loud shout, Ryu Seonghyeon yanked Cha Seohu’s body roughly to the side and leapt with him.

Boom! Snow exploded into the air with a deafening roar. Embedded in the ground where the two had just been standing was a massive ice spike.

“Ugh, cough…”

Feeling his body slowly stiffening, Cha Seohu turned to see where the attack had come from. The S-class demon type dubbed “One Who Walks Above Snow and Painting” by the status window was hovering in the air, conjuring a new ice spike beside her. Her sleek, jewel-like silver-blue eyes gleamed menacingly. Gasping for breath, Cha Seohu said urgently, “Ugh, I need to use my divine power. Put me down and assist the mountain keeper in controlling the monster.”

“It’s too dangerous!”

“There’s no other choice.”

Using Divine Power skill required both concentration and clasped hands. It was impossible to do it while being carried around and dodging attacks. Knowing that only divine power could purify the freezing energy surrounding them—and that it was the only way Cha Seohu could survive—Ryu Seonghyeon bit his lip and reluctantly let go of him.

Just before letting go, Cha Seohu used that brief moment to cast buffs on Ryu Seonghyeon.

《Skill: Guardian’s Bond (Class S) activated!》

《Primary Skill damage increases. (Target: Ryu Seonghyeon) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Base Speed increases. (Target: Ryu Seonghyeon) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

《Stability effect applied. (Target: Ryu Seonghyeon) (Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds)》

He wanted to give him a full embrace like last time, but in a situation this tense, that wasn’t an option.

“I’m counting on you.”

Looking down at his now-glowing hand, Ryu Seonghyeon tightened his lips into a hard line. And then—

Fwoooosh! Golden light burst forth from his body, brilliantly illuminating the dark mountain like it was midday. A dazzling halo of gold radiated around him. Even One Who Walks Above Snow and Painting, watching them from above with an air of arrogance, briefly flinched in the face of Ryu Seonghyeon’s light.

Seizing that moment, Cha Seohu clasped his hands together and began focusing his divine power. He called out to Song Ji-un, “Please hold off the monster with the vicemaster!”

“But…”

“I’m not trying to kill her. But if we let her keep rampaging like this, none of us—and not even this mountain—will survive it!”

The mountain was already covered in heavy snow. If her attacks kept shaking and collapsing the ground, it could trigger an avalanche.

“If you truly want to help that monster, then we have to work together to subdue her now. Only then will we have a chance at figuring out the cause of her rampage!”

A chance to find the cause of the rampage.

Understanding what Cha Seohu meant, Song Ji-un’s eyes sharpened with resolve. “Understood.” He stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ryu Seonghyeon. Looking up at One Who Walks Above Snow and Painting floating before them, he slowly raised both hands like a conductor leading an orchestra.

Ssshhh—the ground beneath Song Ji-un’s feet frosted over. Transparent ice spread outward from his palms, swiftly forming into a defined shape. It was the first time Cha Seohu had gotten a clear look at Song Ji-un’s skill—and though it resembled the monster’s powers, it was distinctively different.

The ice forming in his hands became a long spear, and the ice rising from the ground turned into a tall wall. Unlike the monster’s skills, which materialized randomly and flew through the air as if moved by telekinesis, Song Ji-un used his own body as the medium.

There was a clear difference in the energy they emitted. The monster’s energy was savage and violent, slowly devouring and gnawing away at the body, while Song Ji-un’s was so pure and clear it felt even colder—crystal sharp and biting.

At a glance, the two energies might seem similar, but they were fundamentally different.

Etching that distinction into his mind, Cha Seohu activated Divine Power.

《Skill: Divine Power (Class S) activated!》

《A divine aura overflows!》

《Due to the high rank of Divine Power, a special effect is added!》

[Meditation Prayer: Class S (Divine Power Effect)]

With the effect of Meditation Prayer added to his basic Divine Power, the divine energy surged outward like a flood bursting through a broken dam. The snow around Cha Seohu melted, and vibrant green grass sprouted in its place. His expanded holy energy reached upward, colliding with the monster’s force in the air.

Crackle, crackle!

The divine power and the monster’s energy clashed.

Cha Seohu felt a crushing pressure, like someone was squeezing his heart. One Who Walks Above Snow and Painting—who was bearing the brunt of his divine power—would be feeling the same.

Sure enough, she flinched, her brow twitching with irritation, and raised her hand. Behind her, dozens of ice spikes began to move.

Crackle!

The ice spikes, aimed at the infuriating Support who dared to intrude on her domain, were blocked by a shimmering golden shield.

“Urgh…!”

The golden light that had managed to block the volley of falling ice spikes trembled unsteadily. Gritting his teeth and holding his ground, Ryu Seonghyeon activated another skill. Several golden chains shot out like serpents targeting prey.

As the chains wrapped around her limbs and pulled her downward, One Who Walks Above Snow and Painting narrowed her eyes.

Rumble…!

“…!”

“The ground!”

Just as Ryu Seonghyeon restrained her movements, Song Ji-un, who was about to rush in, staggered. So did Ryu Seonghyeon and Cha Seohu. The violently quaking earth suddenly burst open, and huge shards of jagged ice erupted from the ground, resembling the falling ice spikes from earlier.

Rrrumble—The mountain groaned like it was crying out, and the snow-covered ground cracked wide open. Cha Seohu, knocked over, tumbled down the slope.

“Urgh!”

“Hunter Cha Seohu!”

Startled, Ryu Seonghyeon quickly conjured a golden tether, but just before it reached Cha Seohu, an ice shard sliced it clean through.

“No!”

A sharp shard of ice flew at Cha Seohu’s neck as he pushed himself up. It sped toward him fast—too fast. The ice shard shot between Ryu Seonghyeon and Song Ji-un, who were both using their skills and racing toward him in desperation.

There was no way to dodge it. It wasn’t just a piece of flying debris—it was a skill, imbued with intent, moving with conscious control. Thanks to Ryu Seonghyeon and Song Ji-un, he probably wouldn’t die—but he’d be seriously hurt. Even knowing that blocking it with his hands would do nothing, Cha Seohu instinctively raised them to cover his neck and braced for the pain.

And then—

Caw!

A loud, high-pitched cry echoed—and then something pitch black suddenly blocked the path in front of him. Black feathers scattered into the falling white snow.

Squeak!

The bird that had intercepted the shard in Cha Seohu’s place couldn’t endure the impact and dissolved into nothing. Cha Seohu blinked in surprise at the bird’s sacrifice.

‘The shadow…’

The shadow, assigned to protect Cha Seohu on its master’s orders, had fulfilled its role and vanished. All that remained in its place were a few black feathers. As Cha Seohu sat frozen, staring blankly at the feathers, a low voice drifted to his ear.

“Hm.”

It was a voice both familiar and foreign.

A wave of overwhelming energy swept through the area like a tidal wave—so powerful that even One Who Walks Above Snow and Painting, in the throes of her frenzy, instinctively recoiled.

Cha Seohu slowly turned his head. The first thing he saw was a black hem fluttering in the wind. A tall man, cloaked entirely in a flowing black robe, spoke with detached calm, “If an A-class shadow disappears in one strike, then that thing must be S-class as well.”

The man pulled back the hood covering his face.

As soft strands of hair shifted, a pair of vivid green eyes came into view—and Cha Seohu’s eyes widened in shock.

“You…”

“Whatever it is, this isn’t something you should be handling, Brother.”

Locking eyes with Cha Seohu, Cha Sahyeon curved his eyes into a gentle smile.

“I’m back.”