Chi-Woo was searching for the eighth recruits while running outside again when he got a message that prompted him to quickly return to the capital. After getting his bag from his house, he ran to the palace. There, he rushed through the corridors until he saw a familiar room.

Clack.

The door opened. A couple of people came out with a stretcher. It was covered with a white cloth blotted with blood everywhere. Chi-Woo stopped walking and watched as the stretcher passed by him. A thought came to his mind, but he decided to head to the room for now. When he opened the door, hot air rushed out, and a fishy smell assaulted his nose. Each of the familiar faces appeared downcast.

“…You are here,” Zelit said weakly after seeing Chi-Woo.

“The injured hero is…”

“He just passed away.”

Chi-Woo clenched the water bottle in his hands tightly. If only he had come earlier or been at the capital—such thoughts haunted him. A heavy silence followed.

“We didn’t gain any information, and there were no records left in his device,” Noel said while sighing and plopping down on the nearest seat.

“I’m sure that was how dire their situation was,” Zelit quietly retorted.

“Even the second, third, and fourth recruits didn’t recognize this person,” Noel said calmly and looked around her. “It’s the same for the sixth recruits, and although I am not part of the fifth recruits, I’m sure this person is not part...