In front of the entrance that led to Rome, the elite unit assigned as bait paused in silence. One more step, and they would end up halfway across the world where the enemy awaited.

Song Ha-Eun said nervously, “Haaa... Now that we’re actually about to go, I feel like I’m gonna shit my pants.”

Just beyond that door lay the heart of Rome, a city filled with screams and wails she had only seen on TV. The weight of what awaited them pressed against her chest.

“Oh my. That’s not like you, Miss Ha-Eun,” Cassia said.

“Just what do you even think of me?”

“Hehe. A lady I deeply respect?”

“Lady...?” Song Ha-Eun rubbed her forehead as if getting a headache. She then looked at Cassia. “Are you not nervous?”

“How could I not be?”

“Doesn’t look that way—oh.”

Only then did she notice Cassia’s shoulders trembling faintly. No matter how calm Cassia tried to appear, she also felt nervous. After all, waiting beyond that door was the Celestial of Ophiuchus, the most powerful Black Star Celestial.

“Huh. Guess you’re human, after all,” Song Ha-Eun said.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Of course, I’m human.”

“No, I mean, you don’t really give off that human vibe, you know?”

“Miss Ha-Eun, what exactly do you think I am?”

As the two continued their small talk to ease the tension, Kwon Oh-Jin turned and faced the elite unit. “Let’s get ready.”

This unit had roughly thirty members, a small number compared to the thousands of troops in the entire army. However, in terms of actual power, they could probably take on the entire army and win.

The Seven Stars and Kwon Oh-Jin’s group alone each possessed enough strength to wipe an entire nation off the map in a day if they wished. Renowned Awakeners like Lee Woo-Hyuk and Sakaki Ryo were also famous for their strength.

Allen asked uneasily, “Are you really going through with the plan you mentioned before?”

“Yes. That’s what this special unit exists for.”

Allen deeply sighed. “Haaa...”

Others who heard the briefing surely had doubts as well. After all, this unit would act as the decoy despite boasting overwhelming power.

Four of the Seven Stars had been deployed. Alongside them were Cassia, Isabella, and Song Ha-Eun. The three women weren’t publicly known like the rest of the group, but perhaps surpassed even the Seven Stars themselves in terms of sheer combat power.

Their strength seemed excessive for just a decoy mission. However, the special unit’s true purpose went far beyond merely acting as bait. If anything, considering the unit’s main goal, the true decoy would actually be the main army consisting of over thirty-two thousand Awakeners.

“Honestly, I’m not sure if your plan will work, Mr. Oh-Jin.”

Kwon Oh-Jin had devised an absurd plan.

“It’ll work. No, we’ll make it work.” Kwon Oh-Jin looked at the gathered Awakeners of the special unit.

The skilled individuals who weren’t part of the Seven Stars were still world-class talents. Most were so beloved by their Celestials that the Celestials themselves manifested on Earth and followed their apostles around.

Lee Woo-Hyuk, the Black Lion, was once considered a potential candidate for the Seven Stars. Sakaki Ryo had become a globally recognized high-ranking Awakener for rising in the so-called Star-Forsaken Land of Japan.

The twin sisters, Xiao Lan and Xiao Lin, were ranked fourth and fifth among Deneb’s twelve apostles. Iron Fist Jason Hardy and Orlando Vale had also once taken part in the Seven Star selection exam alongside Kwon Oh-Jin.

They couldn’t quite compare to the likes of Cassia, Isabella, or the Seven Stars, but they were all powerful in their own right.

“As you all know, the success of this entire war depends on all of you.”

In truth, their roles were even more crucial than the Seven Stars themselves.

“I understand the gist of the plan, but...” Sakaki sighed, clearly unconvinced. “Will it really go that smoothly?”

Xiao Lin and Xiao Lan shook their heads in concern as well.

“Yeah, I don’t think this is gonna work either.”

“It’s not too late to change the plan, you know?”

However, Kwon Oh-Jin had full authority over this operation. “This is the best option we have right now.”

“Understood. We’ll follow your lead,” Sakaki said. “Haaa... If it weren’t for Lord Allen, I’d be out of here already.”

Sighing, the Awakeners stepped toward the Sanctum gate.

Lee Woo-Hyuk supported him amid the chaos. “I believe in you, Oh-Jin. You have shown us countless miracles already.”

Lee Woo-Hyuk gave him a look that was full of trust.

Feeling an odd sting of guilt due to the gaze, Kwon Oh-Jin cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Then, as planned, we’ll go ahead first.” Lee Woo-Hyuk unsheathed his sword from his waist and took the lead.

Behind him, Sakaki, the Xiao sisters, and the other Awakeners followed him through the Sanctum gate.

“We’ll wait here for thirty minutes.” Kwon Oh-Jin stood before the gate with the communication Astral Relic.

Lee Woo-Hyuk and the others who had just crossed the gate reflected on the relic. As expected, a massive horde of demonic beasts awaited them at the entrance. The demonic beasts roared and charged the moment they spotted the Awakeners who had crossed the gate.

—Krrrk!

—Kuaaaa!

Lee Woo-Hyuk slashed apart a rushing demonic beast while Sakaki grabbed another by the head and hurled it aside.

—They’re coming!

—Stay together! Don’t scatter!

Even through the relic, the metallic stench of blood seemed to seep through.

—Ugh! J-Just how many of them are there?

—There are too many of them!

Shouts and roars overlapped.

Lee Woo-Hyuk and the others in the special unit continued cutting down the demonic beasts, but the sheer number surrounding the Sanctum entrance seemed endless. It was as though they were facing a tsunami of demonic beasts that came in all kinds of species and shapes with different traits.

—Huff, huff!

—Guh!

Even their superhuman physiques had limits. No matter how powerful a high-ranking Awakener was, they couldn’t fight endlessly without rest, especially not against creatures that the Celestial of Ophiuchus had strengthened.

The special unit had initially swept through the monsters with ease, but they now gasped for breath as the demonic beasts slowly pushed them back. Some even collapsed from mana exhaustion.

Allen, who monitored the situation through the Astral Relic, stepped forward. “This won’t do...”

“Wait,” Kwon Oh-Jin said.

“But—”

“If you go now, the whole operation will collapse.”

Biting his lip, Allen stepped back.

Kwon Oh-Jin’s eyes narrowed as he watched the relic.

Just a little longer.

They were unstable, but still holding on.

A demonic beast struck Jason Hardy, and h. He coughed up blood as he flew aside.

—Kugh! Gahk!

Their barely maintained formation crumbled, and the demonic beasts surged in like a flood.

“Mr. Oh-Jin!”

“Not yet.”

Kwon Oh-Jin still needed a little more time. Just as he bit his lip and watched, another Astral Relic in his pocket vibrated.

Woong!

A message appeared on its surface: Entry complete.

Nice.

The first phase of acting as bait had succeeded. While the special unit drew the demonic beasts’ attention, Alina’s main force had successfully entered Rome.

No changes in the demonic beasts’ movements yet...

Perhaps the beasts hadn’t realized that the main force had slipped in. Their charge hadn't slowed down in the slightest.

Time for phase two.

“I’ll go in first with Bella. Everyone else, stay here until I send the signal.”

Holding Isabella’s hand, Kwon Oh-Jin crossed the gate.

Woong!

Along with a floating sensation, the scene before him changed into a ruined city blanketed in ashes and dust.

From afar, Lee Woo-Hyuk shouted among the demonic beasts, “Push them back!”

“Hold my hand tight.”

“Yes, Mr. Oh Jin.”

Kwon Oh-Jin activated the Black Curtain and concealed their presence. Normally, it only worked on him, but the Black Heaven’s abilities had grown after its twelfth enlightenment. Now, it could cloak anyone physically connected to him.

And with an illusion added to it...

A silver light enveloped Kwon Oh-Jin and Isabella, completely hiding their presence and forms.

“Ready?” he asked.

The first phase centered on Lee Woo-Hyuk, Sakaki Ryo, and the Xiao sisters. The second phase’s key players were Isabella and Kwon Oh-Jin.

Isabella nodded nervously. “Yes, I’m ready.”

Still holding hands, they moved through the raging bloodstorm of a battlefield.

Kwon Oh-Jin could hear the Xiao sisters and Sakaki talking.

“Haa, haa! I-I can’t hold on any longer!”

“Hup! A real man endures this kind of hardship with spirit!”

“I’m a woman, you muscle-brained old man!”

“Hasn’t it been thirty minutes already?!”

Even though Kwon Oh-Jin and Isabella were nearby, the others didn’t notice them. They just kept busily holding the line against the swarming demonic beasts.

Kwon Oh-Jin’s voice flowed into the special unit’s heads through the Stigma of Capricorn.

—It’s been exactly thirty minutes.

“Y-You’re here, Oh-Jin?” Sakaki asked.

“Where are you?”

They glanced around, but Kwon Oh-Jin's Black Curtain and illusion prevented them from seeing him. Only his voice echoing in their minds signaled that he was with them.

—Don’t look around. Focus on the fight.

—Everyone, you’ve held out well until now.

Now...

—As planned, please go and die for the operation.