Sun and Moon Descend on Dawn
Cha Won-taek, who had rushed over in haste, was confronted by a pair of man and woman facing off against his guild members.
The woman was a beauty unlike any Cha Won-taek had ever laid eyes on in his entire life.
The man was a familiar face who seemed to be attending her.
Spotting the face of the subordinate who had just left the office amid the guild members, Cha Won-taek let out a small sigh of relief and turned his gaze.
"…Song Jae-ha, Hunter?"
A familiar man he had crossed paths with a few times as fellow SA-rank hunters.
At the way he was addressed, Song Jae-ha glanced briefly at the woman.
She gave a small nod of permission.
Cha Won-taek subtly frowned at the sight of her treating an SA-rank like Song Jae-ha as if he were a subordinate.
He couldn't even begin to imagine who she might be.
"It's been a while, Cha Won-taek Hunter."
"A while? What the hell is this?"
Song Jae-ha offered no particular reply to Cha Won-taek's question laced with anger.
He simply stared at Cha Won-taek with a calm, impassive expression.
At Song Jae-ha's demeanor, Cha Won-taek spoke lowly.
"…Should I take this as a declaration of war from Hwarang Guild? This isn't the old days—in this era, pulling something like this outside the labyrinth…"
Song Jae-ha said nothing in response to Cha Won-taek, who clicked his tongue softly.
He stood silently throughout, as if he had nothing more to say after the initial greeting.
Feeling both anger and a strange unease at Song Jae-ha's attitude, Cha Won-taek kept his emotions in check and quietly raised the weapon he had brought.
There were no casualties yet, but since they had struck first at headquarters, he intended to make them pay the price.
Regardless of his personal feelings, this was a matter of the guild's prestige.
As Cha Won-taek quietly built up his aura, the Dawn Guild members followed their guild master's lead and prepared for battle.
Cha Won-taek glanced around briefly.
There appeared to be no one else besides the woman and Song Jae-ha.
They came here alone, without other guild members? What the hell are they thinking?
As Cha Won-taek pondered this small mystery, sharpening his senses to detect any hidden presences, the woman, who had been silent until then, finally spoke.
Her voice was as beautiful as her appearance.
"There is no need to look around so cautiously. Only three of us have come here today, including this lady."
"…Who are you?"
The woman answered calmly to Cha Won-taek's gaze, which paused for a moment.
"This lady is Snow. I have come here in place of my husband, who must visit another place."
Though nothing could be gleaned from Snow's calm words beyond her name, Cha Won-taek focused on something else.
"…'Another place'? You mean you're not just targeting us?"
"Hm. Was it Bukdu and Seongho? With two places to visit just tonight, my husband must be quite busy. Well, for him now, it's barely a stroll."
Cha Won-taek frowned slightly at Snow, who nodded to herself as she spoke.
Suddenly, he recalled the recent official notice from the Association.
…The common thread in those recent terrorist incidents was definitely the Lava Zone expedition, right?
Coincidentally, the two guilds she mentioned had all participated in that expedition alongside Dawn.
Could they be behind those past attacks? Song Jae-ha too, and even Hwarang Guild?
As Cha Won-taek connected the dots, he suddenly frowned at a realization.
The woman who had introduced herself as Snow had casually revealed everything to him.
Song Jae-ha hadn't tried to stop her either.
What did that mean?
"…You're not bothering to hide anything because we're all going to die anyway?"
"Hm. As expected, you have a sharp mind."
Snow nodded in affirmation at Cha Won-taek's low murmur.
His face twisted fiercely at her response.
Even if Dawn was on the decline, wasn't it still one of the top five guilds? Was she looking down on them—and him—like this?
And she had even declared there were only three of them.
Did she really think they could handle Dawn with that kind of force?
Even if the "three" was a bluff, it was clear she was underestimating him and his guild.
With rising fury, Cha Won-taek unleashed his aura aggressively.
The ferocious presence of the hunter known as the second strongest in Korea after Kwon Je-na swept through the surroundings in an instant.
Yet Snow and Song Jae-ha remained utterly nonchalant, showing no real reaction.
On the contrary, the woman let out a low exclamation of admiration.
"Quite impressive. Definitely stronger than you."
Song Jae-ha bowed his head apologetically at her glance.
"I apologize for my inadequacy, my lady. I will strive harder from now on."
"Do not worry too much. Rolling around under this lady will help you grow plenty. If not, I can ask my husband as well."
"Thank you."
Snow nodded lightly at Song Jae-ha, who bowed again deeply. Their demeanor showed no tension whatsoever—even with the enraged Cha Won-taek right in front of them.
Instead of growing angrier at their overwhelming composure, Cha Won-taek judged the situation coldly.
There had to be a reason they seemed so relaxed.
He didn't know what it was, but he needed to stay cautious.
Was the reason other hidden allies?
Cha Won-taek expanded his senses again, scanning the surroundings.
Still, nothing hidden.
Snow spoke up again at his actions.
"No need to guard the perimeter. The ones handling you are just me and this child. The other one is at the back door, in case any try to flee."
Snow's calm statement didn't seem like a lie no matter how he looked at it.
And at her words, Cha Won-taek felt a twinge of confusion.
He simply couldn't comprehend her confident attitude.
Even amid the confusion, Cha Won-taek moved steadily.
He signaled one guild member with a glance to report the assault outside, while keeping a sharp eye on Snow and Song Jae-ha, ready to charge at any moment.
Snow and Song Jae-ha watched him with continued leisure.
"If you're thinking of contacting the outside, I recommend against it. Jeong Soo-ah mentioned using an EMP or something."
Was that what the initial explosion was?
He glanced at a guild member, who shook their head quietly, confirming her words—no contact outside.
Cha Won-taek clicked his tongue briefly.
If electronics were down, he'd have to go on foot…
As he selected a quick-footed guild member to send, Snow, still watching leisurely, continued.
"Going outside yourself wouldn't be wise either. This lady didn't come without preparation. I've already set a barrier around the area—you can't leave carelessly."
Her calm voice, as if reading his mind, made Cha Won-taek clamp his mouth shut.
"…How do we break the barrier?"
"Naturally, by defeating this lady."
"…Then outside contact will have to wait."
Cha Won-taek stepped forward boldly.
On second thought, no need for useless scheming.
Contacting outside, handling the third at the back door, preparing for hidden forces—all pointless.
Defeating these two in front would solve everything at once.
As Cha Won-taek prepared to charge, Snow, arms crossed in leisure, finally readied for battle.
With her still-relaxed demeanor, she drew two swords.
One red, one blue.
Cha Won-taek's eyes widened momentarily upon seeing the pair.
Not just him.
All the guild members preparing alongside their master couldn't tear their eyes from the swords Snow had drawn.
Any hunter in Korea would recognize them instantly.
Regaining some composure after a brief shock, Cha Won-taek spoke quietly.
"…Those swords—don't tell me…?"
His voice trembled slightly despite his regained calm.
Snow replied leisurely to his cautious question.
"They called them Sun and Moon. I received them as a gift recently, but he thinks this lady will handle them just fine on her own."
Cha Won-taek clamped his mouth at Snow's shrug.
Even without her words, he knew they were genuine.
The subtle aura emanating from the swords matched what he knew of Sun and Moon.
The pair that had vanished over a decade ago with the strongest hunter, Seong Jae-myeong, were now before him.
Though confusion deepened beyond mere doubt, Cha Won-taek pushed further thoughts aside.
No need for useless worries.
Focus only on defeating the enemies before him.
Unlike Cha Won-taek, who steeled himself, the guild members below still looked confused, but he had no time to mind them.
Snow's aura, after drawing the swords, began erupting explosively.
At first glance, she had seemed merely excessively beautiful, like an ordinary person.
But facing battle properly, she was different.
Her presence swelled ominously, reminding him of those he had seen before.
Leysia and Kwon Je-na.
An overwhelming aura befitting SS-rank.
Even fiercer and more savage than those two.
Now he understood why she and Song Jae-ha had been so relaxed.
Not just underestimating him and Dawn, but because she was worth that leisure.
At the sudden appearance of an unknown SS-rank, Cha Won-taek felt confusion again but didn't show it.
Instead, he racked his brain on how to face her.
Honestly, their current forces were woefully inadequate against an SS-rank.
He'd need at least two or three more SA-ranks like himself.
And that assuming no Song Jae-ha.
He sorely missed his fellow SA-rank guild members on the recent labyrinth expedition.
Had they timed the attack knowing this?
Cha Won-taek straightened his furrowed brow with effort.
No time to lament absences.
The key was defeating—no, surviving—the enemies before him.
A small consolation: he wasn't the only SA-rank left at headquarters.
The one not appearing despite the commotion was likely handling the back door foe, but Cha didn't think his comrade or guild members would lose.
The back door opponent couldn't be SS-rank either.
His comrade would defeat the enemy with the others and come here.
He just needed to hold out until then.
Current forces were insufficient, but with the other SA-rank and members joining, a path would open.
Cha Won-taek believed it without doubt.
No—he had to.
The reality before him was too despairing otherwise.
This was a vow to himself.
Hold on somehow.
Ignore other worries, focus on the foe ahead.
Protect the precious guild members and comrades behind you.
You are their guild master, their leader.
Steeling himself once more, Cha Won-taek exhaled a quiet deep breath.
He fixed his resolute gaze on the mighty foe before him.
Snow, who had watched him leisurely until then, spoke quietly.
"Are you prepared?"
"…Thanks for waiting."
"No matter. This lady rather likes upright ones like you. I'm the one grateful you're not breaking yet. This should make for quite an enjoyable time."
Her huhu smile was so breathtakingly beautiful it nearly made one forget the situation, but Cha Won-taek didn't blink.
He gripped his sword tighter, igniting his battle spirit.
Snow laughed pleasantly at his demeanor.
"Your resolute stance truly pleases me… Hm. No thought of serving this lady like Song Jae-ha? I could put in a word with my husband."
As she spoke, Snow recalled Nix's unyielding nature—especially in revenge—and paused briefly, but soon shook her head.
He might not permit it easily, but if she asked nicely, he'd likely agree.
Besides, revenge didn't have to mean killing.
Wasn't keeping him by her side and using him long-term a better revenge?
With that thought, Snow gazed at Cha Won-taek with eyes full of subtle expectation.
He responded coldly to her look.
"I refuse."
"…Hm. I wonder if you realize this invitation strains even this lady. If you knew my circumstances even a little, you wouldn't refuse so easily."
Her relatively calm tone hid simmering anger.
As it required her to push her husband, it wasn't easy for her either.
Her aura thickened murderously.
Cha Won-taek spoke calmly.
"Have you ever considered our side? Hilarious."
"…Mm. Fair point. You needn't understand this lady's circumstances."
Surprisingly agreeable, Snow continued.
"Still, you please me. I'm quite looking forward to when you break."
As if no further offers would come, Snow stepped forward.
Matching her leisurely stride, thick mana surged from her.
A fierce wind howled with the artificial mana waves.
"First time with two swords, so it's awkward, but no time to practice otherwise—be lenient. This lady will enjoy a bit, then get serious."
Cha Won-taek didn't grasp what "serious" meant, but one thing was clear.
Even holding out against Snow wouldn't be easy.
"Song Jae-ha, you handle those behind. This lady will play with him at length."
"Yes, understood, my lady."
With Song Jae-ha's polite reply, Snow charged first.
No finesse—just brute force swings of the two swords flashed toward Cha Won-taek like lightning.
The crude attacks were devastatingly powerful.
Choosing evasion over blocking, Cha Won-taek hurriedly retreated.
As Snow pursued relentlessly, the full battle began.