The eleven Earthly Branches members, hidden under a circus theater on Broadway of Middle Earth, vented their frustrations.

“Goddammit! What are we gonna do now?!”

“Everything’s gone to shit in just a few days.”

“How do we still not know who the enemies are?! What the hell?!”

There were cages for holding circus animals around them, each jam-packed with fox beastfolk.

“Yip! Yowl!”

“Damn humans! We will never forget this humiliation!”

“The foxfire of judgment will rain down on your heads!”

“Shut up, damn foxes!” Pig, a fat man, shouted as he hit a cage. He turned to Seo-Gyeong, staring at a wall with his back toward everyone, and shouted, “What is the meaning of this, Rat?! Why are we being hunted down?!”

“Public opinion is not on our side at the moment. We have to stay hidden and wait for now,” Seo-Gyeong remarked.

“Wait? Wait for what? Our fellowmen? They’re all hypocrites! So much for bringing about a new era together!”

The furious Pig’s eyes turned black, and a grey aura seeped out of his body—Chaos Mana, the destructive energy used only by the Chaos.

“Yowl! Y-you bastards! You broke the taboo! That’s Chaos Mana!” an elderly fox beastfolk shouted in shock once he saw Pig.

Seo-Gyeong stared at the old fox beastfolk and then at Pig coldly. “Even if these fox beastfolk are destined to die, don’t use that power so recklessly. The moment we’re caught using it, we’re—”

“I know! Tch!” Pig closed his eyes and quelled his Chaos Mana.

Seo-Gyeong continued, “We cannot afford to be tried at the Black-White Trial. If we are, the truth will come out.”

The Black-White Trial, held by the Union, determined whether an individual was a Black or a White Human by ten humans with the most effective skills at discriminating between truth and lie. Each Black-White judge possessed D Weapons for psychometry, lie detection, mind control, truth serum, and more. A few could be fooled with skills, but fooling all ten was impossible.

“Then what are we supposed to do? Live in hiding for the rest of our lives?” Snake, a black woman, asked as she hissed.

Seo-Gyeong shook his head. “The Union has formed an investigation squad. They’ll surely look into our relationship with Heavenly Stems, but it’s alright. I’ve completely cut them out, so we’ll have to leave the rest to our fellowmen.”

“How are we supposed to trust them?! What if they cut us out as we did to Heavenly Stems?!” Tiger shouted.

The others agreed, but Seo-Gyeong leisurely smiled and replied, “They can’t. Have you all forgotten the two trump cards we’ve been preparing?”

“Dragon and your sister?”

“Exactly.”

“But Dragon doesn’t have the Cintamani yet, and we haven’t fulfilled the conditions for your sister’s awakening either.”

Seo-Gyeong looked around at the fox beastfolk numbering over nine hundred, glaring at him resentfully.

He remarked, “Dragon’s awakening is impossible, but... at least my little sister’s awakening is possible, albeit incomplete. We have the materials.”

His eyes shone chillingly. His two trump cards were Dragon, who possessed a dragon, a divine beast, as a D Weapon, and his sister, who possessed the tailed fox, a mythical beast.

They have as much potential as the Tortoise Emperor, Lee Kang-San!

Seo-Gyeong came up with this plan because he believed the source of Kang-San’s power was his D Weapon, the divine beast Black Tortoise. Transformers, alongside conjurers, were the most balanced in offense and defense. Among them, humans with divine or mythical beasts as their D Weapons tended to overwhelm other transformers in power.

Hence, Seo-Gyeong searched desperately for humans with mythical or divine beasts. He found two, and not just that, one of them was his little sister. However, neither his little sister nor Dragon grew as strong as he had hoped. But one day, a divine beast holder in his former organization told him a secret.

“What? You want to know how to strengthen a mythical or divine beast? Kekekek! You’re curious for a damn rat,” the individual said as he cackled mockingly at Seo-Gyeong, thinking he could never pull it off. He continued, “Sure, I’ll tell you. Divine beasts are no different from artifacts. They are unique because they hold a unique history and soul. Divine beasts have unique mythologies and legends.”

The individual had told Seo-Gyeong that divine and mythical beasts could be awakened by reenacting their mythology or legend. After hearing the secret, an Akasha Message appeared before Seo-Gyeong.

[Assisting the Awakening (Black Quest)

Rank: —

Description: Complete the mythology and legend of the nine-tailed fox and the dragon to assist the awakening of their true power.

Condition 1: Feed the tailed fox 1,000 fox beastfolk livers to take their power. One liver is equivalent to one year. The tailed fox will awaken into the Millennium Nine-Tailed Fox upon ingesting 1,000 livers.

Condition 2: Steal a dragon’s Cintamani. The awakening depends on the power and attribute of the Cintamani.]

I’ve come this far with this as my sole objective in life. If I help with the nine-tailed fox and the dragon’s awakening, Dragon and Seo-Yeon will become Rankers—no, High Rankers in no time!

Seo-Gyeong planned to use them to take his clan to greater heights.

“Hmm... We’re still lacking about a hundred. It won’t become the Millennium Nine-Tailed Fox.”

“It doesn’t matter. We can fill the remaining amount later. We must show them we’re too valuable to cut off,” Seo-Gyeong replied.

“What about your sister?”

“I asked her to come. She should be here soon,” Seo-Gyeong said, his dry voice echoing throughout the basement.

***

“What? You’re pressuring Clan Earthly Branches?” Seong-Hwi asked.

“Yeah, and we’re almost there. The media manipulation is done, and information is coming in left and right. We should be able to pinpoint their base soon,” Jurie replied excitedly as she tapped on her smartphone.

However, Seong-Hwi clicked his tongue and remarked, “Damn...”

The future has changed too much. Events are progressing too quickly! he shouted inwardly.

Once Jurie explained what she had been up to, he immediately realized the anomaly. It was Thumper, the white baby rabbit, seated while reading a magazine as he licked vanilla ice cream.

Thumper brought the fox beastfolk to Jurie so they could ask her for help... and Jurie accepted. What a series of coincidences.

The situation was the complete opposite of the events in his past life. In his past, the fox beastfolk of Fox Village caused a massive stir by rampaging throughout the Capital to find the culprit, but it had simply been a chase without evidence. Ultimately, the Union kicked them out of the Capital.

But the situation changed with Thumper’s and Jurie’s involvement. I didn’t expect that she, the Database, would help the fox beastfolk find the true culprits!

Seong-Hwi knew the truth behind the tragedy of Fox Village. The atrocity was committed by Kim Seo-Gyeong, the leader of Clan Earthly Branches, to assist in the awakening of Seo-Yeon’s D Weapon, the tailed fox. They succeeded in kidnapping a thousand fox beastfolk in Seong-Hwi’s past life, then moved to Reykjavik to become warlords of the north.

Seong-Hwi clicked his tongue. He had done nothing despite knowing this because he believed he had plenty of time. However, the future had changed, and Clan Earthly Branches was put in far more danger through Jurie’s intelligence warfare.

What do I do? I warned Seo-Yeon, but she currently has unconditional trust in Kim Seo-Gyeong.

From what he remembered, Seo-Yeon was a child starved for love. She had a severe obsession with family, so she blindly trusted whatever her stepbrother Seo-Gyeong told her.

But Kim Seo-Gyeong is a Chaos Human.

Chaos Humans were humans who accepted Chaos Mana. When corrupted by Chaos Mana, lifeforms normally turned into Chaos, losing all sense of reason. However, an escaper discovered a way to take in Chaos Mana without losing their sense of reason. The method was secretly passed down and spread like a poisonous mushroom throughout humanity and other races.

They become much stronger since they can use Chaos Mana, but they become prone to losing their sense of reason at any moment.

Not only that, but after becoming a Chaos Human, they would start seeing the Chaos as members of their race, no longer seeing their former race as their own.

Kim Seo-Gyeong doesn’t see Seo-Yeon as family or a fellow human. He sees her as a mere tool.

Seong-Hwi had planned to take Seo-Yeon away when the time was right, but the situation had changed.

There is only one choice left for Kim Seo-Gyeong now that he has been driven into a corner. He’ll try to awaken Seo-Yeon despite being unprepared.

Seong-Hwi couldn’t determine whether it was good or not. He welcomed the fact that Seo-Yeon would become stronger. However, not only was an incomplete awakening extremely dangerous, but there was also the matter of whether she truly wanted it.

He recalled Seo-Yeon in his past life, staring at him with blank, lifeless eyes.

“Life sure is a bitch, isn’t it? I can’t help but suspect everything now. I won’t trust anyone anymore.”

It took an infinite amount of time for her wounds from betrayal to heal. Even after meeting new comrades in Calasanz and developing nearly a familial bond with them, her wounds never fully healed.

“Jurie. Hypothetically speaking... Let’s say that you could become a High Ranker at the cost of betrayal from someone you trust the most. What would you do?” Seong-Hwi asked.

“What? What kind of bullshit is that?” Jurie said as she took her eyes off her smartphone and scanned Seong-Hwi. She shouted, “There’s no way I would agree to that! I can live without power, but not without trust!”

“Is that... so?”

“What about you? What if you could become one of the Ten Lords and Fiends by betraying me?” Jurie asked playfully.

Seong-Hwi chuckled and answered, “Of course, I’d do it.”

“What? You son of a—”

“Hahah! I’m joking. I would never. There would be no point in becoming one of the Ten Lords and Fiends if I had to do something like that.”

“You sure about that? You’re not very convincing,” Jurie remarked as she stared suspiciously at Seong-Hwi.

He smiled and thought, Yeah. Even if Seo-Yeon grows stronger through the Millennium Nine-Tailed Fox... There’d be no point in power gained at the cost of eternal sorrow.

He hardened his resolve and asked Jurie, “How long do you think it’ll take to find their base?”

“Hmm... Half a day to about a day?”

“That’s more than enough time to visit Lina. Is she in the basement?”

“Yeah. She’s been waiting for you, too. Sheesh, talk some sense into her, would you? She hasn’t had a wink of sleep.”

“Really? I’d bet her dark circles made her look like a raccoon again.”

Seong-Hwi turned around and headed out of the room. Seo-Yeon’s sorrowful voice echoed inside his head.

“If only you had been my oppa, Seong-Hwi oppa...”

***

Yip! Yowl!

Yap! Bark! Bark!

“What is... all this, oppa?” Seo-Yeon asked as she looked around blankly at the vast underground space.

Countless cages were filled to the brim with fox beastfolk. Miho, Seo-Yeon’s D Weapon, whined as it walked between the cages.

“They’re fox beastfolk,” Seo-Gyeong replied.

“The rumors were... true!” Seo-Yeon shouted as she glared at Seo-Gyeong.

Seo-Gyeong pretended to express sorrow and answered, “Yes. I was behind the Fox Village kidnappings.”

Seo-Yeon was left dumbfounded and thought, Why would oppa do this?

Seo-Gyeong was a highly respected human. He was the leader of Earthly Branches, a clan made up of Semi Rankers, and the leader of the spec force’s Extermination Team 1 that hunted Dark Humans. Seo-Yeon couldn’t believe such a man was a Dark Human.

“Why? Why would you do such a thing?! Why you?!” she shouted, Miho crying alongside her.

“Huuu...” Seo-Gyeong sighed deeply as he activated a skill in secret, using his D Weapon, a muskrat.

[Activating Unique Skill: Charming Musk.]

A sweet scent enveloped Seo-Gyeong’s sigh.

He answered, “It was all for you.”

“For... me?”

“Yes. It was to make my beloved little sister stronger.”

Seo-Yeon remained silent.

Seo-Gyeong approached her and patted her head, saying, “You’ve been... so miserable since your life on Earth, at the mercy of a hostile mother and an unprotective father. I didn’t want to see you hurt anymore.”

Every word was filled with worry for his little sister.

He continued, “Being weak in the Mirror World is a sin. Humans are far too weak in this world. You need more power—enough power to protect yourself and your family!”

“Family?” Seo-Yeon mumbled blankly.

It was what she wanted more than anything.

“Yes, family. We’re irreplaceable siblings, the only people in this world we can call family. I planned this whole thing to grant you great power.”

Seo-Gyeong explained every detail of his plan to Seo-Yeon—about how her D Weapon, the tailed fox, would reenact its legend by devouring the liver of a thousand fox beastfolk, and become the Millennium Nine-Tailed Fox as a result.

“Y-you’re... lying,” Seo-Yeon stuttered in disbelief.

“I’m not. Why else would I commit such atrocities? It is all for you.”

“There’s... no way. You say that, but you kept watch over me through Lalisa!” Seo-Yeon shouted.

Seo-Gyeong’s eyes sank deeply as he said inwardly, The stupid bitch got caught!

However, he smiled and answered, “That was because I was worried about my one-and-only little sister. If I lose even you... I would probably go insane.”

Seo-Yeon stared at Seo-Gyeong’s desperate expression. His lower eyelids were slightly trembling.

“You have to help me, Seo-Yeon. If you obtain the power of the Millennium Nine-Tailed Fox, the Union won’t be able to punish you or me!”

As long as the awakened nine-tailed fox’s powers were a mystery, the Union would not eliminate a human with the potential to become a Ranker.

The skin is nearer than the shirt. The Union will take our side over the damn foxes of another race! Power is everything in this world!

Clan Earthly Branches would also be revived over time with the help of their fellowmen. Once that time arrived, they could aim to become one of the top ten clans with the help of Seo-Yeon, who would have fully obtained the power of the nine-tailed fox.

“This is the only way for us siblings to live on, Seo-Yeon!” Seo-Gyeong shouted desperately.

Seo-Yeon closed her eyes and mumbled, “Let me... think about it.”

***

Seo-Yeon was in a small room with a giant mirror. It appeared to be a room where circus performers stood on standby after changing costumes. Seo-Gyeong had guided her here after she told him she needed to organize her thoughts.

She looked at her frozen face in the mirror and thought, There is an observer outside the room. There are no windows.

She fiddled with her earring.

[Olfaction Paralysis Earring (Item)

Rank: B(5)

Description: A cursed earring that paralyzes the wearer’s sense of smell. It applies the B-rank debuff: Anosmia.]

...

[Debuff: Anosmia, diminishes the effect of Skill: Charming Musk.]

I was right... to follow Cheon Seong-Hwi’s warning.

Seo-Yeon recalled what Seong-Hwi had whispered into her ear.

“Don’t trust Kim Seo-Gyeong. Don’t trust anyone. It’s easy, right? It’s what you always do, after all. Oh, and block your sense of smell around him. Kim Seo-Gyeong’s D Weapon has a manipulation skill that takes advantage of one’s sense of smell. It’s especially effective against people like you with a sensitive nose.”

Seo-Yeon had never seen her big brother use his D Weapon. He had told her he had given up on his D Weapon because it was useless.

Charming Musk! Has he been using this on me this whole time?

Her expression crumpled. She always felt at ease around Seo-Gyeong, her stepbrother and only remaining family member. She believed she could always depend on him, thinking it was their familial bond, but it could have all been a lie—a trick pulled using his D Weapon.

Seo-Yeon teared up as Seo-Gyeong’s sweet voice echoed inside her head.

“It was all for you.”

“It was to make my beloved little sister stronger.”

“I didn’t want to see you hurt anymore.”

“We’re irreplaceable siblings, the only people in this world we can call family.”

“I was worried about my one-and-only little sister.”

“This is the only way for us siblings to live on.”

She wanted to trust him. She desperately wanted to believe with all her heart that her big brother loved her. However, she couldn’t.

Seo-Yeon mumbled, “I doubt you know about this, oppa... Your lower eyelids tremble when you lie. You had this habit since Earth.”

In other words, every sweet word he had muttered was a lie. Seo-Yeon flipped the meaning of Seo-Gyeong’s words.

“None of what oppa did was for me. He doesn’t care whether I get hurt or not. Not only am I not an irreplaceable little sister to him, but... he doesn’t care about me. And...” She bit her lip so hard that blood flowed from her lip, down her throat, and toward her heart. “We’re... not a family.”

Seo-Yeon wiped the blood off, disconnecting the red link to her heart. Her eyes were as void as an empty glass ball.