125. Dragon Temple Entrance
Gana Continent's eastern edge, at the fringe of the Forest of Death. A crimson pond lay before them—the Blood Lake.
Surrounding the lake was a forest bathed in red light from the trees. Bin stood near the water's edge, while on the opposite side, the 7th Division knights had taken position.
Among the 7th Division stood Hite, the 50th Centurion, and Odekus, the 5th Division Captain. Unlike before, Odekus's one arm had been replaced by a prosthetic.
At that moment, Odekus's booming voice rang out.
"Alright, listen up! Extend the arm holding your weapon as far as it'll go. Keep the hand with the shield pressed tight against your body."
"Yes, Captain!"
The 7th Division knights responded with vigorous shouts.
Odekus was here at Bin's request—to teach the 7th Division shield techniques. It was preparation before entering the Dragon Temple, factoring in the dragons' specialty: their breath attacks. They needed to master handling shields.
Of course, ordinary shields would be useless. But every knight's shield bore a black rune etched into it—runes mined from the mountains. These runes absorbed mana and magi, often used in manacles and shackles to bind prisoners' wrists and ankles.
The plan was to use that property to block breath attacks.
As Odekus instructed, the 7th Division knights extended their weapon arms long and pulled their shield arms tight to their bodies. Grasping a shield changed the reach of their extended weapon, so this drill built familiarity.
In combat, knowing exactly how far your weapon could reach was crucial. Real battles often hinged on a single centimeter between life and death.
"Nngh..."
"Urgh..."
Groans rose as the knights whipped their heads side to side. Their extended right hands gripping weapons and left hands clutching shields began to tremble. Sweat soaked their foreheads like they'd been caught in a downpour.
These knights, accustomed to fighting with just weapons, now bore the extra weight of shields—it felt twice as grueling.
Hite was joining the drill too. His extended spear quivered, and the hand on his shield started to twist.
Odekus eyed him and spoke up.
"Is this how the spear master's heir, son of Hipo, is supposed to struggle?"
"Urgh..."
Hite grimaced at the words, his face flushing red as his whole body shook.
Odekus, who had been watching intently, suddenly sharpened his gaze.
"...!"
Could that be the Bangcheonhwageuk?
It was the red spear that had made Hipo's name legendary. The blade extended long, with crescent-shaped edges protruding on both sides—a defining feature. Unlike other spears, this one weighed over 20 kilograms.
Realizing this, Odekus stared at Hite in stunned disbelief.
So he's been training with this all along...
Three hours into the drill already. It was astonishing that he'd endured this far with such a weapon.
Soon, Odekus threw his head back and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha!"
As expected, that man's blood runs different. Indeed.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the lake from the 7th Division, Bin had thrust Luminare into the ground and was focusing his mind into one hand. A ring of red water swirled within it.
Swoosh.
Bin's brow furrowed. Then, white smoke rose from his right arm.
Shwaaak.
Pop!
The red water ring burst apart. Bin gazed at the droplets scattering to the ground, recalling his encounter with Bellatan. The Dark Sphere that had cleaved it in two. Even outside his inner world, it held tremendous power.
But recreating it wasn't easy. He'd only managed it before by immediately sucking in Bellatan's power. No matter how many times he tried now, it wouldn't form.
Yet Bin wasn't one to give up.
Until it works. Again...
Viva Bascon, the eldest of the seven siblings, flashed in his mind. The one who believed talent was everything. His mana amplification syndrome let him reach knightly heights beyond others with ease.
But Bin refused to accept that. Endless repetition and effort would yield improvement—and rewards at the end.
Thinking of Viva, Bin refocused on his hand.
"Once more."
He scooped Blood Lake water with both hands, infused it with mana, then raised one hand to concentrate.
Swoosh.
The water rippled in his ears, gradually forming a perfect circle—
Pop.
It scattered again. Drip. Drip...
Then, someone approached Bin. It was Hite, fresh from training, his forehead drenched in sweat.
He eyed Bin sharply.
Still at it...?
Bin had started before them, so at least three hours had passed. Yet he showed no fatigue, utterly immersed—oblivious even to Hite's arrival.
Hite watched with concern.
No matter what, this won't happen overnight...
Bin was practicing a form of mana shaping—infusing mana into water to reshape it. A 2nd class knight's domain. Most never even approached it before dying.
Even for a 2nd class like Bin, he'd only recently advanced from 3rd—it was too soon, too forced.
Despite Hite's worried gaze, Bin pressed on.
Swoosh. Pop. Swoosh. Pop...
The red water formed circles only to burst repeatedly. Bin ignored his body's limits, fixated on perfection.
Hite's concern deepened.
"Captain, why not rest now? The Dragon Temple's in a few days. You're pushing too hard..."
But someone else reacted—Codic, just a skull.
*Click! Click!* How dare you tell my lord what to do? Shut your trap and go carry trays again.
Codic grumbled internally. Hite's words weren't wrong. The 7th Division was heading into the Dragon Temple soon—they needed rest.
But then—
Swoosh. Shiiiing.
Silver light flashed from Bin's hand. The red water formed a perfect circle—larger than his head.
Hite's jaw dropped.
M-Mana shaping...!
Bin felt a daze of surprise. But Hite was more shocked.
Several times bigger in such a short time...!
This wasn't ordinary mana shaping. Achieving multiple times the normal size? A first.
As Hite's eyes bulged, Codic beamed with pride.
See that, tray-boy? That's my lord's potential. *Click! Click!*
Bin stared at his shaped water, a strange relief washing over him. His eyes flashed as Viva came to mind.
We'll see whose hands the heirloom ends up in.
At the southern tip of the Gana Continent, the 1st and 7th Divisions gathered. Led by Viva and Bin.
After former 1st Division Captain Dongfru died, Viva had taken the role.
They were here for one reason: to retrieve the lost family heirloom from the Dragon Temple.
To ensure success, they'd even hired Luna, a woman who could detect an object's mana.
Tombstones lined up on either side of the knights. Climbing the stairs between them revealed a square, altar-like stone structure—like a ritual site.
The knights scanned the area, murmuring.
"So this is the Dragon Temple..."
"But it's too quiet, isn't it?"
Unlike expectations, it was deserted. Just thick underbrush, no monsters in sight.
As they looked around, the 1st and 7th eyed each other warily.
The 7th had Bin and Hite—a single 2nd class, one 3rd class, the rest 5th or lower.
The 1st had Viva and the Five Generals—a 2nd class, five 3rd class, rest 5th or lower.
The Five Generals: five 3rd class cavalrymen wielding weapons in both hands. The Five Directions Knights had named themselves after them.
Then, the 1st Division's gazes shifted to the 7th's shields. Clearly high-end gear.
They whispered.
"Gear like that, they wouldn't lose to centurions..."
"Doesn't matter. No skill, just relying on equipment."
As the 1st grumbled, a wail rose—Codic.
These vermin... my gold...
The shields were bought with gold that had been in Codic's skull from the mines. His assets dwindling thanks to the knights. Bin wondered what use a skull had for money anyway.
As the divisions stared each other down, the veiled Luna stepped forward to lead them.
Thud. Thud...
Knights in black armor and uniforms marched in line between the tombstones.
Thud. Thud...
Up the stairs, five stones stood in a circle at the center—a stone well.
"..."
All held their breath as the veiled Luna approached the well.
Thud. Thud.
With a solemn voice, she spoke.
"Then, we shall open the temple."
Luna glanced at Viva and Bin, then drew a dagger from her body.
Swish.
She slashed near her index finger. As blood trickled down and hit the ground—
Light burst from the well.
Rumble.
The ground shook.
"What's this now?"
"The ground suddenly—"
Before the knights could react fully, a stone dragon's head rose behind the well.
It opened its maw.
Thud.
A rainbow membrane appeared—like Emma's gates.
Swish.
Cold sweat beaded on the knights' foreheads. They instinctively sensed the overwhelming mana from the gate.
"T-To this degree...!"
"Is it really safe to enter...?"
As they hesitated, Viva stepped forward, his troops following.
Thud. Thud.
Left of the entrance: Viva and the 1st Division.
Right: Bin and the 7th.
Viva eyed the gate, then turned to Bin with a meaningful look.
Let's see who finds the heirloom first.
Bin met his gaze without flinching.
Who're you telling?
"Hmph."
Viva snorted. With that, the 1st and 7th Divisions stepped toward the Dragon Temple entrance.