* * *

The anticipated betrayal unfolded exactly as planned.

The war, once at a stalemate or even tipping in their favor, was now turning drastically.

No matter how skilled each individual was, with their weaknesses exposed, they were vulnerable.

Antithesis was gradually pushed back until, finally, even their stronghold lay exposed.

“Zero. We need to escape.”

Outside, explosions and screams from the hunters’ relentless attacks echoed loudly.

Yet, in contrast, Doyoung’s office felt eerily calm.

He looked down from the window.

Things had gotten bad enough for his subordinate to sound this alarmed.

“Go first.”

“What?”

“I have things to take care of here.”

He turned around, hands clasped behind his back, and saw the panic in his subordinate’s eyes.

“Sir! Now is not the time to be stubborn. You need to get out of here.”

“Are you really telling me to run? Nonsense.”

He deliberately twisted his lips into a mocking smile, making the subordinate shake his head furiously.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I just want you to stay safe so we can plan our next move…”

“Shh.”

Doyoung raised a finger to his lips and perked his ears, focusing.

BOOM!

A massive explosion shook the ground.

“Go.”

At Doyoung’s nod, the subordinate flinched noticeably.

“Go, I said.”

There was no time for gentle words.

If he wanted to survive, he had to leave now without hesitation.

His subordinate understood and turned to leave.

“I’ll be waiting for you out there, Zero.”

With a solemn look, the subordinate disappeared.

“What the…”

Why is he spouting lines like that?

This isn’t even a romance novel, and he’s just a minor character, after all.

As Doyoung sighed at the absurdity of it, he shrugged it off.

They’d worked together for years, so he could let it slide.

“Though I doubt we’ll meet again.”

Soon, the name Antithesis would vanish.

He’d already made sure any survivors would have a way to continue without him.

There was no need to worry anymore.

Doyoung had something far more important ahead.

“Alright, come on. I’m waiting.”

The moment he finished speaking, another explosion echoed—not from outside, but closer this time, inside the building.

He could feel it.

The end was approaching.

Doyoung moved to the window again, catching his faint reflection in the glass.

When he raised his hand to his cheek, the cold metal of his mask met his skin.

“Hmm…”

He’d spent so many years with his face hidden behind this mask that it now felt more natural than his bare face.

How much longer?

His heart raced.

It had been ages since he last saw him.

How much cooler would he look now?

Unable to wait any longer, he sat at his desk and took out his smartphone.

[Hot Off the Press!♨♨♨ Just an hour ago—Fresh Shots of the Beom Sinje! Come see them now!]

The icon blinked, showing a new post from just five minutes ago.

“Oh…”

Doyoung eagerly tapped the screen, and soon, a picture of the Beom Sinje wielding an enormous sword filled the screen.

He couldn’t help but swallow.

Bringing his hand to cover his mouth under the mask, he glanced around, though no one was there to hear him.

Even through the mask, his eyes darted over each shot and video, appreciating the incredible sense of presence the posts captured.

The comments, all praising Beom Sinje, made his smile grow.

‘So this is what it feels like to see a child you’ve raised blossom.’

Only the Beom Sinje could make that giant sword look so effortlessly cool.

As he scrolled back up to the pictures, he heard a frantic shout echo through the hall outside.

“No one’s getting past me!”

The sound of something smashing and collapsing followed.

“Ahhh!”

“Stop them! Stop them!”

“Protect Lord Zero!”

Doyoung, still clutching his phone, looked at the closed door, baffled.

“What’s going on here?”

Why was it so noisy outside his office?

It sounded like someone was fighting desperately to keep intruders out.

‘That won’t do.’

He’d made sure no one would be around this area.

How had they managed to push their way here?

“That Beom Sinje… I’m not going to let you off easy.”

As doubt gnawed at him, the familiar name that reached his ears made Doyoung’s shoulders twitch.

“Urgh!”

“Aaaagh!”

Screams of agony filled the air.

He closed his eyes tightly, then opened them.

He wanted to rush out and see what was happening, but he couldn’t.

Just as he clenched his fists to calm himself.

Clang.

The door opened, and a man walked in, holding a long sword.

It was Beom Sinje, the one he had been waiting for.

Doyoung quickly sized up the man before him.

He was covered in blood, though it didn’t seem like he was seriously injured, probably just stained from his enemies.

Doyoung’s gaze naturally drifted past Beom Sinje.

The office beyond was a ruin.

Could anyone have survived out there?

‘See? Why did you try to block him?’

He had told them to run if things got rough.

They hadn’t been ordered to die for loyalty, yet they’d fallen trying desperately to hold off Beom Sinje.

Bitterness filled Doyoung’s mouth.

Could he even honor them properly later?

“Is it you?”

His thoughts were interrupted by a cold question.

Even in that piercing gaze, charisma flowed.

‘Of course. He’s the protagonist.’

Doyoung mused to himself.

After all, as the guild master of the hottest guild right now, just standing there made him stand out.

Out of the numerous new guilds springing up, Cheonho was the most remarkable.

Its members numbered just twenty, with an average age under thirty.

But in both combat and dungeon clearing, they lacked nothing.

In less than half a year since its formation, Beom Sinje, the guild master, had not only become a top-ranked hunter but earned the nickname “Sword Emperor.”

“Answer me. Are you the one in charge?”

Doyoung’s wandering thoughts were drawn back by Beom Sinje’s impatient voice.

“Hmm…”

Doyoung clicked his tongue as a system window appeared right as he opened his mouth.

Seriously, why were the choices always this childish?

He curled his lips at the options.

“What’s got you so serious?”

Internally grumbling at the ridiculous choice the system had forced on him, he spoke with a sneer.

Sure enough, Beom Sinje’s eyes narrowed with irritation.

‘Oh no, I think I messed up.’

The sight of those golden eyes flashing told him all he needed to know.

Each approaching step seemed to radiate anger, making Doyoung instinctively rise from his chair.

Beom Sinje’s long strides brought him right up to Doyoung’s nose.

Doyoung looked up.

“Gah!”

In an instant, he was lifted by the collar, his body hanging in the air.

Amidst it all, he was strangely annoyed by the pathetic noise he’d made.

‘Couldn’t I at least grunt or groan with a bit more weight?’

Grumbling inwardly, he grabbed Beom Sinje’s forearm.

The muscles beneath his grip were solid, like steel pipes.

No ordinary blow would faze him.

“Tell me. Is it you?”

The words snapped Doyoung back to reality.

He wanted to retort, but no sound came out.

‘Let go of my neck if you want an answer!’

Damn, he’s strong, even for someone with a strength-based class.

Ever since he’d taken on this body, his own height had surged, giving him confidence.

But now, dangling helplessly, his eyes stung with frustration—or maybe it was the choking that was making him tear up.

“Who are you?”

“Le… Let… go…”

Doyoung’s frustration bubbled over as he gripped Beom Sinje’s forearm with all his strength.

It didn’t seem to make much difference—or so he thought.

Beom Sinje’s eyes suddenly flashed sharply, making Doyoung wonder if he’d made a mistake.

Wham.

A crushing pain washed over him, stealing his breath.

“Ugh.”

Doyoung’s mouth gaped as he gasped.

Tears sprang to his eyes again.

‘Damn. This is so embarrassing.’

* * *