Lady Venara gave a quiet command to the other sisters, who immediately moved to carry the corpses away

for preservation. They would be prepared for ritual, and their families would be contacted as soon as possible. She then turned to Yun Jin. "You should rest. Let us treat your wounds."

But Yun Jin shook his head. "I just need a moment to sit."

He made his way into the quiet hall of the church, finding an empty pew and lowering himself into it. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows against the stone walls, and the faint scent of incense lingered in the air. He exhaled slowly, allowing himself a brief respite from the burden of the dead.

A soft shuffle of footsteps announced another presence. An older man settled into the seat across from him, his silver hair catching the dim light. His presence was calm, unassuming, yet undeniably powerful. Ardent Altheron.

"I suppose I am someone you were looking for," he said, his voice smooth, laced with quiet amusement. "My apologies for the late introduction. It seems you encountered the wrong people before mine could find you."

Yun Jin remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Is this place meant to worship a god?"

Ardent tilted his head slightly, curiosity sparking in his sharp gaze. "It’s rare to hear that question. You speak our language eloquently, yet you don’t seem to know of our world’s faith."

"And your answer?"

"Yes, we believe in a god. Or rather, we must. Without a higher power watching and punishing, men turn to savagery." He smiled faintly. "People are foolish. Citizens fear the government, governments fear the royal family, the royal family fears the church, and the church fears God. Without a force above, greed would consume all."

Yun Jin nodded slowly. "It was like that before my master came along."

Ardent’s eyes gleamed with intrigue. "A self-principled righteousness? Then your master must be a great person. Not only did you clear a dungeon gate alone, but you carry the fallen without hesitation and uphold honor above all else. For such a warrior to seek me out—I should apologize for my lateness."

Yun Jin chuckled, shaking his head. "You must be one of those people, aren’t you?"

Ardent smirked. "What kind? I’m curious."

"The kind that weaves words carefully—yet laces them with poison underneath."

Their gazes met, sharp and unreadable, the weight of unspoken words passing between them.

Then, Yun Jin sighed. "But I’m not interested in politics. It fills my head with pointless matters. My goal in finding you is simple—I need a way to reach the Imperial Academy. Do you have one?"

Ardent leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "That could be arranged. A normal merchant caravan would take a year to reach it from here. However…"

"What?"

"I am an old student of the Academy myself, which grants me access to teleportation coordinates." He tapped a finger against the wooden pew. "Unfortunately, due to the current situation, it would require a significant amount of resources to activate."

Then, he extended a finger, pointing directly at Yun Jin. His lips curled slightly.

"Even if you did save my friend’s life."

A sudden whispered voice echoed in Yun Jin’s ears. He stiffened, momentarily caught off guard. A technique similar to Murim’s voice transmission?

Before he could react, Ardent raised a hand slightly, silencing him before he spoke. "It’s just communication magic. The only way others can’t overhear. The current situation in town isn’t ideal."

Yun Jin’s gaze flickered around, catching glimpses of peering eyes and cautious whispers. He inhaled slowly before responding, yet made no movement—his voice instead reaching only Ardent’s ears.

"I see," Yun Jin murmured, using the voice transmission technique to ensure only Ardent could hear.

Ardent’s brows lifted slightly at the seamless transmission of words. Surprise flickered across his face, but he knew better than to pry. Some secrets were not meant to be asked about.

After a moment, Ardent’s tone shifted, measured and deliberate. "What if I asked you to kill someone?"

Yun Jin’s gaze sharpened. "I am no assassin for hire," he said flatly. "I’d rather walk." His voice carried a tinge of disappointment. "To think that Harun’s friend would ask this of me."

Ardent remained unruffled. "And what if that someone is the reason for all the suffering in this town? What would you consider then?"

Yun Jin narrowed his eyes, skeptical. "Go on."

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Ardent leaned back against the pew, his fingers tapping idly. "This town harbors two major threats—a criminal syndicate and a dangerous cult. They fester beneath the surface, unchecked. If either leader falls, I can eliminate the remnants myself. One death, and the city breathes freely again."

Yun Jin sighed and leaned back. "Didn’t you see how damaged I am? If the town’s forces can’t handle them, what makes you think I can? I enjoy a challenge, but this sounds like suicide."

Ardent’s smirk returned, calculated. "Perhaps. But I can assist. And before you dismiss my offer outright, let me remind you—power is not simply about how strong you are in the moment. It is about what resources you have access to."

His voice lowered. "I’ve sensed the artifacts you carry, and your companion seems quite capable. If nothing else, perhaps a visit to my grand library might be of interest to you?"

The word library made Yun Jin’s ears twitch in excitement. He covered his reaction with a small, amused smile.

"Well," Yun Jin mused, "if you can prove to me that they are the ones truly causing trouble and grant me access to this library of yours, then I might consider it."

Ardent exhaled a quiet chuckle. "A fair bargain. I respect a man who weighs his choices. I’ll have the proof for you soon enough."

After a short pause, the heavy doors of the church creaked open. Merlin strode in, his minor wounds now treated. Yun Jin looked up and gestured towards Ardent. "We found him."

Merlin quickly bowed in greeting, but as he straightened, a shiver ran through him. The moment he stepped closer, he felt it—a dense, overwhelming presence of mana radiating from Ardent. It was subtle, yet vast, disguised beneath a composed smile.

Ardent waved a dismissive hand, but his gaze sharpened slightly as if noticing Merlin's reaction. His expression shifted—briefly intrigued, as if assessing something unseen. "No need for such formalities. I am just an old man asking for help. My name is Ardent Altheron."

Merlin hesitated for a moment before replying, "My name is Merlin. Nice to meet you, sir."

Ardent’s silver eyes glimmered with curiosity. "Ah, Merlin—a name with weight. Named after the ancestral Grand Mage himself, are you? Your parents must be from a lineage of mages with deep history. Few would dare name their child after such a figure unless they carried great expectations."

Merlin swallowed. "Something like that." He forced himself to maintain composure, but the way Ardent was studying him made him uneasy. There was no hostility in the noble’s eyes—only interest, curiosity layered with a subtle weight that made it clear he was already trying to figure Merlin out.

Ardent then gestured toward the doors. "Come, both of you. My carriage awaits."

As they stepped outside, Ardent handed a heavy pouch of gold to one of the priests, a sum large enough to cover the corpses’ preservation, their burial rites, and Seraphine’s full recovery. Yun Jin watched the exchange with quiet interest before commenting, "A generous act."

Ardent merely smiled. "It is the least I can do for those who put their lives on the line to protect this town."

They climbed into the luxurious black carriage, its interior lined with velvet cushions. As the horses began to move, Ardent gazed out the window, his expression darkening. "Years ago, before corruption took root, this town supported its adventurers with everything they needed—subsidies, training, even prepaid burial rites for the departed. Back then, no one had to wonder if their sacrifice would be remembered."

Yun Jin listened carefully, noticing the subtle shift in Ardent’s tone. Beneath the measured words, there was anger—too much anger. A stark contrast from the man’s composed demeanor just moments before. Was he telling the truth, or was he weaving the story to his benefit?

"But then," Ardent continued, his fingers tapping against the carriage’s wooden frame, "the wretched got their claws into our town. A syndicate draining our wealth, a cult siphoning away both coin and manpower for their greed. Our resources dwindled, our stability rotted from within."

Yun Jin noted the tension in his words, the bitterness bleeding through. For a man of such control, this topic unsettles him.

After some time, the carriage rolled to a stop before a colossal manor nestled within the heart of the town. Grand iron gates adorned with intricate sigils parted as they approached, and waiting for them at the entrance was a pair of dignified figures—a maid in an immaculate uniform and a butler standing with military posture.

Ardent stepped out first, nodding at them. "These two are esteemed guests. Treat them as you would treat me."

The maid and butler bowed in perfect synchronization. "Understood, my lord."

Merlin barely suppressed a gasp as he took in the estate. The towering marble columns, the glowing chandeliers that floated without support, and the intricate crimson carpets embroidered with arcane sigils were unlike anything he had ever seen. Even Yun Jin had to admit—it was an architectural marvel. A blend of classic grandeur and magical artistry that exuded both history and refinement.

"This place is incredible…" Merlin murmured in awe, his eyes darting across the enormous hall lined with paintings, floating orbs of light, and bookshelves that stretched to the second floor balcony.

"Not bad, is it?" Ardent smirked, leading them deeper inside. "Though a house is just a house—what truly matters is what lies beneath it."

They arrived at a seemingly plain stone wall. Ardent pressed his palm against it, and a faint pulse of mana spread across the surface. Before Yun Jin could ask, Merlin narrowed his eyes. "That’s not just a simple unlocking spell… that’s a layered security enchantment, bound to your blood and mana signature. A delicate system."

Ardent raised a brow, impressed. "Not many can discern that at a glance."

With a low rumble, the wall parted, revealing a spiraling staircase leading deep underground. They descended into a vast, dimly lit chamber—one that sprawled out like a subterranean fortress.

Yun Jin took in the sight. It was something straight out of a warlord’s fantasy— tomes lined endless bookshelves, alchemical vials bubbled in corner workstations, and large surveillance crystals floated, projecting images from across the town. But despite the mystical grandeur, the cavern held a sense of practicality. This was no mere library or laboratory—

This was a control center.

Yun Jin crossed his arms. "If you have all this, why do you need us?"

Ardent let out a weary sigh and extended a hand, summoning a glowing board into existence. A series of moving portraits appeared, flickering with different faces. "Because what I lack… is firepower."

The images solidified, revealing ten individuals—their descriptions listed below in runic text.

Ardent gestured toward them. "Meet the Anomalies—the ones who hold this town hostage. Eight individuals, each an obstacle to peace."

Then, Yun Jin’s eyes narrowed. Two of the portraits… belonged to him and Merlin.