World Conditions

In the City of Adventurers

The city was bustling with activity—warriors training in the arenas, and defensive preparations were in full swing. The atmosphere was tense due to the approaching Red Moon Event.

Krax, a man with a face full of wrinkles and clad in black leather, gripped his sword firmly and said with determination, "We must be ready. The Red Moon Event is about to erupt."

Kanel, a tall young man with wavy brown hair and a shining silver armor, responded, "Yes, we'll gather our best warriors and remain on high alert."

The City Lord (Lotus), an elderly man with thick white hair and royal green garments, handed Krax a letter sealed with the city's emblem: "Krax, deliver this letter to Henari."

Krax: "What's in it?"

Kanel interrupted, "Probably not the news you want to hear."

The City Lord smirked, "Don't be so pessimistic."

Krax laughed, "Haha, see? My intuition never fails—this news won't be bad."

Lotus smiled, "Well then, not this time at least."

Krax: "Yeah, yeah... Wait, what?!"

Kanel chuckled, "Honestly, since I've known you, your intuition has never been right, hahaha."

Krax: "Tsk... Damn it."

The City Lord, now serious: "Enough. Deliver the letter."

Krax and Kanel walked the path toward Henari's chamber, exchanging words along the way.

Krax: "You know, I feel like something big is looming on the horizon."

Kanel: "Yeah, with all these movements and threats... it must be... something like a war." Then he paused before smirking, "Wait, since when does the stone-headed brute think?"

Krax, raising his voice with fury: "KA—!! YOU WANNA FIGHT?! HA! I'LL KILL YOU!"

Finally, they arrived at Henari's chamber.

Krax knocked on the door. 'Knock' 'Knock'

Henari: "Who is it?!"

Krax: "It's Krax. I came to deliver an important letter."

Henari opened the door, and they stepped inside. They sat around the table and unsealed the letter.

Its contents revealed details about the newly established and approved power system.

Karex: "Wait, what do they mean by 'as you have noticed'? Those bastards… Are they saying the world has known all along?!"

Kanel: "Yes, that's probably what happened. Because to them, we're nothing more than insects—slaves they exploit for taxes and labor. Our lives mean nothing to them. If anything, you should be grateful to the rare kind soul who even delivered that message to the leader—I mean, the city lord."

---

In the Empire

In the vast imperial hall, heated discussions raged over the discoveries made in the Red Forests. The fifteen classifiers were meticulously planning their next moves.

Banz: "If Bastu is preparing for something big, then we must be ready. We cannot afford any mistakes."

Cox, his face ever-smiling but eyes razor-sharp, added, "The scouts will be delivering their findings soon. We need to use that information to our advantage."

Hunter, running a hand through his short blond hair, spoke with a tone brimming with seriousness, "We have to prepare for every possible scenario. There have been unusual movements in the Seven Kingdoms. But… they're not foolish enough to act recklessly when the Red Moon approaches."

Meanwhile, in the imperial laboratories, researchers worked tirelessly to understand Karsu's abilities. Dr. Elias and his team were on the verge of a significant breakthrough.

Elias: "We need more time to analyze these samples. The aura Karsu generates is… unique."

Another researcher: "Do you think we can replicate this ability?"

Elias: "If we can decipher how it functions, it's possible. But we must be cautious."

---

In the Sixth Kingdom

Within his opulent palace, King Bastu was devising strategic plans for an inevitable confrontation with the Empire. He knew that time was running short.

Bastu: "Mosk, we're in a delicate phase. We must be prepared for any sudden attack."

Mosk, standing with his hands clasped behind his back in strict discipline, responded with a firm tone, "Yes, Your Majesty. Our forces are ready, and we remain on high alert."

Bastu fell silent for a moment, his piercing green eyes locking onto Mosk.

"Tell me, Mosk, do you know the difference between caution and fear?"

Mosk, caught off guard by the question, took a moment to think before carefully responding, "Fear paralyzes. Caution is a weapon."

Bastu smirked slightly, though a shadow of severity lingered on his face.

"Exactly. And I want an army that is cautious—not afraid. I don't want soldiers waiting for my orders to attack… I want men who know when to strike on their own."

Mosk: "I will test the first-rank officers tomorrow and ensure they understand the message."

Bastu: "Good. But remember… The moment caution turns into hesitation, we will fall."

---

In the Adventurers' City

The atmosphere in the council hall was thick with tension, the air itself heavy as if concealing something unseen. Dim candlelight cast long, wavering shadows upon the stone walls, embodying the growing worries weighing on everyone's minds.

Seated on a sturdy wooden chair, Henari's expression was grim beneath the flickering glow of the lantern. His red hair appeared darker under the shadow of stress, and his sharp eyes remained locked onto the open letter before him. His fingers tapped the table slowly, each beat carrying an increasing weight.

"This change… is not just an adjustment of numbers."

Lifting his gaze deliberately, he turned to Karex and Kanel, his voice quiet but carrying an undertone of something hidden… something that made them lean in as if bracing for an explosion.

"It's an admission that we've never truly understood our enemies. The creatures we once considered manageable threats… are now something else entirely."

Karex, despite his muscular build and hardened demeanor, felt a cold shiver creep up his spine. He masked it with a forced smirk.

"That just means we need stronger weapons. Bigger fortresses. We are not weak."

Yet, there was a strain in his voice, and his eyes kept darting back to the letter, as if expecting it to lunge at him.

Kanel, trying to maintain his composure, felt an unsettling tightness in his chest. Still, he broke the silence with a blunt statement:

"The letter makes it clear… A three-and-a-half-skull entity now represents devastation beyond what we ever imagined. If we are forced to face a four-skull entity… this won't be a battle—it will be a massacre."

Silence fell abruptly.

The wind outside howled faintly, slipping through the cracks of the windows like a whispered warning.

Henari, who had seemed lost in thought for a moment, sharpened his focus. Leaning forward, resting his elbows on the table, he spoke in a low yet weighty tone, as if carrying the burden of the entire city.

"I know that… That's why I've already assembled our best warriors. We can't wait for the battle to come to us before we move."

Eyes met, tension thick in the air.

And for the first time, fear wasn't just about the monsters. It was about the horrifying realization that the threat was now far greater than they had ever imagined.