They now had a weapon of their own to wield.
"We've been dealt a blow, but we'll return it twofold.
This won't end with one strike. We're going to crush them thoroughly this ti."
The gathered n all nodded in agreent. If they succeeded in obliterating the enemy's forces, ultimate victory would be theirs.
rentil's resources and power were insurmountable compared to Kalden's.
The enemy had already suffered once; this ti, they wouldn't recover.
"As for today's tasks, let's adjourn the eting here. Move swiftly. We have no ti to waste."
Gin made his way to et the other operatives assigned to today's transport. Six hours remained before the operation comnced, giving him enough ti to coordinate defensive strategies.
With Kalden Pharmaceuticals stretched thin, most of the security team had been sourced externally, and even those numbers were lacking.
However, Eddington, the Kalden executive overseeing the mission, was unconcerned. Gin had already proven his capability by dismantling rentil's transport with surgical precision.
The captured operatives from that operation included not only mages but also rentil's elite security team.
Their leader was renowned for his prowess, and his subordinates were rumored to rival the best of Kalden's own divisions. Yet, Gin had taken them all down single handedly.
Eddington had been in awe ever since and had grown increasingly curious about Gin's true nature.
For his part, Gin wondered if it was finally ti to reveal his identity as a mage. It wasn't as though he had actively hidden it; circumstances had simply made it convenient to keep the truth quiet. But if he revealed his power, better opportunities—and greater authority—would surely follow.
Lost in thought, Gin slowed his pace as he approached a gathering a hundred ters ahead. The group was unmistakable.
The Belion Guild.
Their presence was impossible to miss. Alongside them were teams of freelance ability users, including Team Daeyoung. Gin's steps faltered. Although he wore a mask, there was no way Baek Jin-hee wouldn't recognize him if they crossed paths directly.
For now, it seed they hadn't noticed him. He adjusted his route, taking a longer path to buy ti to think. He would need to develop a spell that could alter his facial muscles and nerve structure completely—sothing to obscure his identity when he returned to his ho world. But that was a task for later. Right now, he had to decide whether to remain hidden or reveal himself.
The answer ca quickly. Gin pulled out his phone and called Eom Dae-hyeop.
It wasn't ti to step into the light. Not yet. He needed more power—enough that no one would dare challenge him. Doubt had no place in his mind. Magic was limitless, and if he continued to walk its path, he would eventually reach the pinnacle of power.
Soon, Gin saw Jay approach the Belion Guild. From a distance, he watched the exchange, his body concealed by a distortion spell. He was once again reassured that bringing Dae-hyeop into the fold had been the right move.
The Fishmongers Guild had arrived in force. Seven operatives from Team Daeyoung were present, along with two additional teams of five.
From the guild itself ca Odis, the beast-slayer Chromdor, and five other ability users. However, the guildmaster was absent.
Under normal circumstances, this force would have been sufficient to protect the transport. But today was different.
The enemy was preparing for a decisive strike, and an insufficient defense would be annihilated within monts.
The guild mbers noticed Jay's approach and collectively scowled. His reputation preceded him—a shady broker known for luring naive ability users into dangerous traps for profit. Despite their distaste, both Odis and Chromdor had exploited his sches before and weren't eager to alienate him just yet.
"What brings you here, Dae-hyeop?" Odis asked sharply.
Dae-hyeop grinned, unbothered by the hostility.
"I'm here as a representative."
"A representative?"
"Yes. The ability user you're eting today is under contract with ."
Odis snorted.
"Contracts an nothing without coordination. We need to et in person and plan the formation together."
"That's not how I operate," Dae-hyeop replied lazily. "He'll act independently. That's all you need to know."
Odis's expression hardened, echoed by the others.
"Independent action? During a potential assault from rentil?"
"Think of him as a hidden blade. Sotis subtlety is more effective than brute strength," Dae-hyeop suggested with a smirk.
The guild mbers remained skeptical until Dae-hyeop added one final detail.
"He's the one who defeated a mage—decisively."
Eyes widened in shock.
"A mage-slayer?"
Dae-hyeop nodded confidently.
"Exactly. Trust . We have everything under control."
Odis frowned but ultimately relented. Challenging the arrangent could jeopardize their contract, a risk they couldn't afford with so much at stake.
"We'll see about that," Odis muttered before turning back to his team to discuss strategy.
From his hidden vantage point, Gin watched the scene unfold, quietly preparing for the battle to co.
Five massive trucks rumbled through the gates of the warehouse district, their engines growling like beasts awakened for battle.
Leading the convoy were two armored vans, and another three followed closely behind the trucks. Each vehicle moved in disciplined formation, as if sensing the weight of the mission ahead.
The escort force numbered twenty-two, not counting the drivers and support personnel riding alongside them in the cabs of the trucks. Among the frontmost escort vehicles was Team Daeyoung, with its mbers evenly distributed across the leading vans. Riding in the very front were Alberta and Michael, their eyes scanning the darkened streets ahead.
Michael leaned forward in his seat, his voice low and tense.
"Sothing feels... off," he muttered.
Alberta, her expression hardening, nodded grimly.
"Yeah, I feel it too. Stay alert—everyone."
From the backseat, two ability users acknowledged her words with silent nods. The air inside the vehicle was thick with tension; each of them was already on edge, their instincts warning them of unseen danger.
"You all understand how risky this mission is, right?" Alberta finally broke the silence.
Michael exhaled sharply.
"Of course. We're up against rentil Pharmaceuticals. It's not exactly a fair fight."
Alberta's gaze darkened.
"I did so digging. This fight... It's not looking good for Kalden. Winning won't be easy."
"How do you know that?" Michael asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I have a contact—soone with ties to the black market," she replied.
"The black market? That shady place? I thought it was a wasteland with nothing useful," Michael scoffed.
"That's what I thought too," she said, her tone serious. "Turns out I was wrong."
"Wait, what? Are you telling we're risking our necks when we could've just solved this with money?" Michael's frustration boiled over. "If that's true, what the hell are we doing here?"
Michael shook her head.
"It's not that simple.
We don't have access to the better parts of the black market. The ones we can reach? They're no better than garbage heaps."
Michael sighed heavily and slumped back in his seat. The reality of their situation weighed heavily on everyone.
They weren't just facing superior forces—they were fighting in a world where the odds were stacked against them from every angle.
Outside, the convoy pressed forward into the night, each wheel turning with the weight of fate's unrelenting march.
The shadows lengthened, and with every passing mont, the sense of impending conflict grew stronger.
Hidden eyes watched from the darkness, and sowhere ahead, danger awaited.
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