In the Veins Domain, Shion Lan stared at the head lying on the ground, separated from the body that was still standing.
"So... this is it."
He turned around.
The third Vein had begun glowing with an ominous, deadly aura.
At the same time, the fifth magic circle released its annihilating power, while the fifth star approached its limit.
"...!"
Shion suddenly noticed something.
The headless body was walking toward him.
"..."
Shion didn't react.
He had already become accustomed to the strange and terrifying phenomena of the Veins Domain.
The body leaned down and picked up the head from the ground.
Shion watched silently.
The expression on Shi Yun Lan's face remained the same as always.
Calm.
Indifferent.
The body placed the head back onto the neck.
Then—
"!!!"
An ominous pressure suddenly filled the entire domain.
The bloody, deadly aura surrounding Shi Yun Lan became more and more terrifying.
It even pierced through Shion's stellar aura.
His body trembled.
His balance disappeared.
He fell onto his knees.
"That's..."
Shion gasped for breath.
"That's... breath... breath...!"
He couldn't endure the pressure.
It felt as though his skin were being peeled away, his muscles were becoming loose, and his bones were turning fragile.
The terrifying aura surrounding Shi Yun Lan began taking shape.
Faces.
Arms.
Countless distorted figures struggled to escape from the aura with all their strength.
But escape was impossible.
Despair and death were their only destination.
One after another, they were dragged toward the cut around Shi Yun Lan's neck and absorbed into it.
Then his appearance changed.
"Congratulations."
The newly transformed Shi Yun Lan looked at Shion.
"You defeated the fifteen-year-old me."
He smiled faintly.
"I'm Shi Yun Lan, eighteen years old."
He was now the same age as Shion.
But that didn't mean they were equals.
The Veins Domain represented Shi Yun Lan's current power.
The fifth level.
In other words—
The Pillar Level of Shi Yun Lan's world.
Shi Yun Lan looked at Shion.
"What is it?"
Shion couldn't even stand.
He remained on his knees, struggling to breathe.
"You didn't... 'breath'... let me... feel right... 'gasp'...!"
Shi Yun Lan approached him.
He lowered himself onto one knee, bringing his eyes to the same level as Shion's.
Shion could finally see him more clearly.
Although the pressure still prevented him from seeing him perfectly, one thing was undeniable.
Shi Yun Lan was beautiful.
His dark black hair fell over his face like a waterfall, stopping just above his sharp eyebrows.
Beneath them were pitch-black eyes that reminded anyone who looked into them of an abyss.
His horrifying features contrasted with his pure white skin, making him resemble a ceramic doll.
A terrifying beauty.
That was the best way to describe him.
"I won't lower my power for you."
Shi Yun Lan's tone was cold.
"You experienced what can happen when we get closer to each other without consideration."
He continued.
"You have to gain enough power to stand against me, or it will become a problem for both of us.
So don't challenge me before reaching the fifth level.
Don't communicate with me unless it is necessary.
And don't let my power leak into your domain."
After saying that, Shi Yun Lan placed his palm against Shion's face.
The hand looked soft.
But it was actually incredibly tough, almost as if it weren't skin at all, but bone carrying the smell of death.
Shion's facial muscles trembled violently.
Shi Yun Lan's eyes narrowed.
"That touch from Glass Sano caught my attention."
He paused.
"So..."
The air became tense.
"(Art of Annihilation: Body of the Dead)."
A perfect smile appeared on his face.
"(Death Touch)."
"Huh?"
Shion didn't understand what had happened.
Then he noticed his skin turning black.
His flesh began to rot.
He felt his teeth loosen inside his mouth.
One of his eyes became dry and black.
His hair began falling out.
Half of his face beneath Shi Yun Lan's palm had become completely dead.
It looked as if life itself had been transmitted into death.
"..."
It didn't take long.
The death spread into half of Shion's brain.
His consciousness collapsed.
He fell face-first onto the ground.
And the last thing he saw was the new Shi Yun Lan standing before him.
---
Sunrise.
The first rays of sunlight illuminated the entire Karath Academy.
The morning air was fresh.
The hearts of the students were beating as another day began.
Inside his wing, sunlight passed through Shion's window and fell directly onto his face.
"..."
His silver eyes slowly opened.
Without thinking, he touched his face.
"That... bastard."
Shion nearly died from fear more than from the techniques themselves.
He immediately stood up and checked his face in the mirror.
His handsome appearance was completely intact.
He released a relieved breath.
It will be a problem if I face him in my current state.
He had realized something terrifying.
At his current level, he had no way of touching the eighteen-year-old Shi Yun Lan.
"Huh..."
Shion sighed.
"I think I'll return to get my new techniques and decide my next step."
He prepared himself and left his wing.
His punishment was waiting for him.
---
Somewhere in a Restaurant
A fascinating beauty sat at a table, checking several documents.
She looked different from her usual appearance.
Her hair was black, and her clothes were modest and loose, revealing none of her body's shape.
"Hmm..."
She examined the documents.
"So, everything is in order."
"Yes, Milady!"
Another woman sat across from her.
Although she didn't possess the same breathtaking beauty, she had her own charm—enough to seduce almost anyone.
The fascinating beauty closed the documents.
"Now I want you to go to the academy and negotiate with Lord Lan."
The other woman immediately became excited.
"Finally! Our guild is about to be established!"
She smiled seductively.
"What method should I use to get him?"
She bit her lip provocatively.
"NO!"
The fascinating beauty slammed her hand against the table.
"Don't you dare do any of those things in front of him!"
Her sudden anger attracted the attention of the surrounding customers.
"Okay! Please don't make it so loud!"
The other woman lowered her voice.
"But why are you angry, Milady? We've done that many times—"
"Don't even mention it!"
The fascinating beauty glared at her.
"Before Lord Lan, we are a respectable guild seeking his investment."
She paused.
"If Lord Lan hates us in any way..."
Her beautiful blue eyes became completely calm.
"I will kill you."
The other woman swallowed.
"If you can't get his investment, then at least leave a good impression so he doesn't hate me."
She stood up.
"Change your clothes and go there quickly.
I'll meet him first."
The fascinating beauty left the restaurant.
She entered a teleportation circle.
She changed her route several times before eventually arriving at the Jewel Guild.
After changing her disguise again, she finally returned to her original appearance.
Her fiery red hair appeared once more, raising her already extraordinary beauty to another level.
Pearl Jewel entered her father's office.
Expensive paintings covered the walls.
Several expensive wands were displayed beneath magical glass, alongside historical weapons.
Behind the desk sat a bald man with a red beard.
Golden rings covered his fingers.
A golden tooth shone inside his mouth.
He looked at his daughter.
"Where were you?"
Pearl answered calmly.
"I finished the contract with—"
"I know!"
Her father interrupted.
"I mean, where were you while the other guilds were targeting that boy?!"
His wild green eyes narrowed.
"Were you playing around?!"
Pearl remained calm.
"Do you mean Lord Lan?"
"You call your friend that?"
Pearl had never called Shion by his first name in front of others.
She knew she shouldn't.
She just didn't know exactly why.
"Outside the academy, he is Lord Lan."
Her tone remained professional.
"We merchants can't speak however we want."
Her father raised an eyebrow.
"Lord Lan?"
He laughed.
"I didn't know you were suddenly so polite."
Pearl answered indifferently.
"He isn't merely a noble boy."
She looked at him.
"He is the head of a noble family. His status is different."
Her father ignored the explanation.
"It doesn't matter."
He clenched his fist.
"I want you to get him!"
Pearl gave him a professional smile.
"He really does have a lot of money."
She paused.
"Eight million golden coins isn't something we see every day."
Her father's expression became even more serious.
"I want you to get him too!"
"...?"
Pearl stared at him.
"Use your beauty or anything else!
I want him!"
Pearl couldn't understand what he meant.
'You want Shion's money...
But you want him too?
For what reason?'
She quickly regained her composure.
"Lord Lan doesn't like girls who use their beauty to manipulate him."
She added calmly.
"Especially since he already has a girlfriend."
"A ghost?!"
Her father clearly didn't take it seriously.
"No one can escape the beauty trap!"
He laughed.
"Whoever the hero is, he will eventually fall for it!"
"You can do it, Pearl."
Another woman's voice came from the entrance.
Pearl's stepmother entered the room with a pleasant smile.
"I've seen how much Shion enjoys being with you."
"..."
Pearl silently nodded.
Her professional smile remained unchanged.
She turned toward her father.
"I already made my contract."
She spoke calmly.
"I'll secure Shion's investment."
She paused.
"And I'll be able to stay with him as well."
"Hahaha!"
Her father laughed proudly.
"That's my little Pearl!"
Pearl's face got dark.
She asked for permission to leave.
As she walked away, she repeatedly reminded herself:
I can handle it.
I can handle it.
I can handle it.
She maintained her beautiful smile and took her contract.
She moved quickly, like the hardworking merchant she was.
If she wanted the opportunity to secure Shion's investment before the other guilds, she couldn't waste any time.
She smiled.
Because the investment would belong to her, not her father.
---
Pearl arrived at the academy.
A large number of merchants from different guilds were already waiting for an opportunity to meet Shion.
Among them, she caught a glimpse of the woman who had been with her earlier.
Pearl pretended not to know her.
She approached the guard responsible for managing the visitors.
"I want to meet Lord Lan."
The guard checked his list.
"You're twentieth."
He shook his head.
"You can meet him tomorrow."
Pearl calmly answered.
"Just give him my request."
She discreetly placed something inside the guard's pocket.
The guard smiled.
"I understand."
He walked away.
---
Time passed.
Eventually, the guard returned.
"Visiting time!"
Everyone looked toward him.
"Lady Jewel, you may enter."
The other merchants immediately became angry.
"We paid for it too!"
"Why does she get to enter before us?!"
"Do you think the Jewel Guild will pay more later?!"
"I'll pay more!"
The guard raised his hand, calming everyone down.
"It's not my decision."
He pulled out the money Pearl had given him.
"Lord Lan said he would receive Lady Jewel."
He returned the money.
"And I've been ordered to give this back to you. Otherwise, I'll be punished."
The gates opened.
Pearl entered.
The other merchants had no choice but to leave.
At least they hadn't wasted their money.
---
Shion was waiting inside the visiting room.
He sat in an office, looking through several documents.
When Pearl entered, his silver eyes immediately fell upon her.
She smiled professionally.
"Lord Lan, I would like to discuss a cooperation between us and—"
"Is this about the money?"
"Yes."
Pearl answered without pretending.
That immediately strengthened Shion's strange feeling about her.
"Pearl."
He stared at her.
"Are you alright?"
Pearl maintained her professional expression.
"Lord Lan, I'm here seeking cooperation with you."
She placed the contract on the table.
"I believe you've already seen the profits that can come from investing in the Jewel Guild, so—"
"Don't talk."
Pearl immediately stopped.
Shion stared at her.
Her eyes were calm.
Too calm.
"Pearl."
His voice became gentler.
"What is wrong with you?"
Pearl continued her performance.
"I'm fine."
She smiled.
"Very, very fine.
You don't have to worry about me."
She immediately tried to return the conversation to business.
"Now, let's discuss our—"
"Pearl!"
Silence filled the room.
Shion stared at her.
He didn't understand her feelings.
But he was certain of one thing.
'She isn't being honest with me.
What is her problem?
Can't she just tell me?
Or...'
Shion fell into his thoughts.
Meanwhile, Pearl was thinking about something completely different.
'If I make Shion angry, he won't invest in the Jewel Guild.
And then...'
Shion suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
"Well."
Pearl looked at him.
"I can see that you're not alright."
His expression softened.
"So I'll invest in the guild."
"...Huh?"