Outside, a blizzard was raging.
The snow was falling so heavily that they couldn't even see in front of them, and the wind was so fierce that even Song Jiwoon, who had just rushed out moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.
"Hold on, Hunter Cha Seohu. This is—"
"No."
Ryu Sunghyun grabbed Cha Seohu's hand at the ominous weather, but Seohu firmly shook his head.
He already knew what Ryu was about to say, even without hearing it. It's dangerous—stay behind and wait.
But unless Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon were both going to remain safe too, there was no way Cha Seohu would ever choose the path of being the only one to remain unharmed.
"I have to go."
His face, revealed beneath his windswept black hair, was pale. Even the corners of his eyes were contorted.
Seeing that, Ryu Sunghyun thought Cha Seohu was terrified. His trembling hand only made that assumption seem more certain.
And in truth, Seohu was afraid.
But not of the crushing energy of the monster or the razor-sharp wind that sliced through the air.
No—the ones tormenting him were Song Jiwoon and Ryu Sunghyun.
Song Jiwoon, who had rushed headlong into the storm, and Ryu Sunghyun, who tried to hold him back, telling him to stay behind because it was dangerous... they scared him.
"This time... never again..."
He wasn't going to just sit still and be protected. He had to protect them.
Nothing had happened yet, and this wasn't even a true Catastrophe—just an S-rank demonic type—but the fear crawling up from his gut muddled his thoughts all the same.
His chest churned with nausea, and his legs were shaking. Still, Cha Seohu forced himself to speak with a calm face, pretending everything was fine.
"With a cold this severe, even you won't last long without my holy power, Vice-Guildmaster. I have to go. Even just to save the caretaker."
Thankfully, his voice came out steady. Ryu Sunghyun hesitated at Seohu's resolute tone, then finally answered with an expression of reluctant acceptance.
"...Alright. But don't let go of my hand until we get there."
Ryu's grip tightened around his hand, and his brown eyes gleamed with sharp clarity.
It was the same look Cha Seohu had often seen before the regression. Just for a moment, Seohu was able to smile faintly, forgetting the situation.
Song Jiwoon and the monster weren't far.
Plowing through snow that reached up to their calves, Cha Seohu followed the energy to where a violently whipping blue cloak came into view.
"Caretaker!"
Despite Seohu's shout, Song Jiwoon didn't turn around. His gaze was locked on the being in front of him—he couldn't tear his eyes away.
Seohu followed his gaze and looked up... and swallowed dryly.
'You've got to be kidding me.'
Beyond the raging blizzard, a small figure stood. A monster with waist-length white hair.
Skin so pale it seemed translucent, lifeless eyes without focus, and eerily beautiful features—it looked more like a doll than a living thing.
"...Ha."
The aura radiating from that small body made his skin tingle. Now that he was facing the monster up close, much closer than before, Cha Seohu let out a hollow breath.
'An S-rank demonic type? With this level of energy?'
No way.
He had seen S-rank demonic types in his previous life, and this time, he had even taken down Leviathan himself.
Even the Leviathan that appeared in the middle of Seoul had been terrifying, but it hadn't emitted an aura this strong. This one was definitely a grade above standard S-rank.
'Strange. The system said it was S-rank.'
Then what was the [N O V E L I G H T] difference from Leviathan? Could it be that the system's classifications didn't perfectly reflect reality? If so, then this monster—stronger than Leviathan—must be...
"Hunter Cha Seohu!"
His thoughts were abruptly cut off.
With a loud shout, Ryu Sunghyun, still holding his hand, yanked him forcefully to the side.
BOOM!
A tremendous explosion of white snow erupted into the air, shaking the earth. Embedded in the spot where they'd just been standing was a massive ice spike.
"Haah, cough..."
Seohu felt the creeping numbness in his body and looked again toward the source of the attack.
The S-rank demonic type named "The One Who Walks Above Snow," as identified by the system, was now floating midair, forming another ice spike beside them.
Her jewel-like, icy blue eyes sparkled with menace. Gasping for air, Cha Seohu called out,
"Ugh... I need to use my holy power. Put me down and help restrain the monster with the caretaker."
"It's too dangerous!"
"We don't have a choice."
Using holy power required concentration—and both hands. Being carried around in Ryu's arms wasn't going to cut it.
Ryu Sunghyun knew that Seohu needed to purify the oppressive cold in order to stay safe. Biting his lip, he reluctantly let go.
《Skill: Bond of the Guardian (S-Rank) activated!》
《Primary skill damage increased. (Target: Ryu Sunghyun) (Duration: 4:59)》
《Base speed increased. (Target: Ryu Sunghyun) (Duration: 4:59)》
《Stabilizing effect applied. (Target: Ryu Sunghyun) (Duration: 4:59)》
Before releasing his hand, Cha Seohu took a moment to buff Ryu Sunghyun.
If he could, he would've hugged him like last time—but things were far too urgent for that now.
"...Please."
Ryu Sunghyun, his expression conflicted, stared down at the hand now glowing with buff effects. Then—
FWOOSH!
A brilliant golden light erupted from his body like an explosion. The dark mountain lit up like midday as a dazzling halo of gold bloomed around him.
Even The One Who Walks Above Snow, floating in midair and looking down at them coldly, faltered for a moment in the face of Ryu Sunghyun's radiant presence.
In that opening, Cha Seohu clasped both hands together, preparing his holy power, and shouted to Song Jiwoon,
"Please assist the Vice-Guildmaster in stopping the monster!"
"But—"
"We're not trying to kill it. But if we let it continue rampaging like this, not just us—this entire mountain could collapse!"
Already, the mountain was blanketed in thick snow. If the terrain continued to shake and crumble from the monster's attacks, it could easily trigger an avalanche.
"If you really want to help that monster, then now's the time to cooperate and subdue it. Only then do we have a chance to uncover what's driving its rampage!"
A chance to find the cause.
Understanding the meaning of Seohu's words, Song Jiwoon replied with a look of firm resolve.
"...Got it."
He stepped forward and stood beside Ryu Sunghyun.
Looking up at The One Who Walks Above Snow floating ahead, he slowly raised both hands like an orchestra conductor.
Shhhhh—the ground beneath Song Jiwoon froze over white.
From his palms, transparent crystal-like ice rapidly spread out and formed structured shapes.
For the first time, they saw his skill in full.
It resembled the monster's ability... yet was distinctly different.
The ice from his hands formed long spears, while the ice from the ground rose into towering barriers. Unlike the monster's erratic, free-floating conjurations—which darted through the air like telekinetic weapons—Song Jiwoon's skills clearly used his body as the medium.
Even their aura was different.
The monster's power was wild, consuming, and violent. Song Jiwoon's was so pure and clear it felt even colder—calm, clean, and biting.
They might look similar at a glance, but they were not the same.
Burning that distinction into his mind, Cha Seohu activated his holy power.
《Skill: Holy Power (S-Rank) activated!》
《Divine energy is overflowing!》
《Due to high-tier holy power, special visual effects have been added!》
Meditative Prayer: S-Rank (Holy Power effect)
The Meditative Prayer effect was layered atop his basic holy power. Like water bursting through a broken dam, divine energy flooded outward.
Snow melted at Seohu's feet, and fresh green grass sprouted in its place. The expanding divine aura climbed skyward, colliding with the monster's presence.
CRACKLE, SNAP!
Holy power clashed with monstrous energy.
Seohu felt as though his heart were being crushed in someone's fist. The monster—The One Who Walks Above Snow—must have felt the same pressure.
Sure enough, she twitched her brow in annoyance and raised her hand. Dozens of ice spikes floating behind her began to move.
CRACKKK!
The attack, directed at the insolent Supporter who had invaded her domain, was stopped in front of a golden shield.
"Kh...!"
The golden light trembled as it blocked the descending ice spears.
Gritting his teeth, Ryu Sunghyun triggered another skill. Several golden chains shot forth like serpents toward prey.
As they wrapped around her limbs, trying to pull her down, the monster narrowed her eyes.
RUMBLE!
"......!"
"The ground!"
Just as Song Jiwoon moved in to attack while the monster's movement was restricted, the ground shook violently. Song Jiwoon, Ryu Sunghyun, and Cha Seohu all staggered.
A massive spike, resembling the monster's ice lances, burst from beneath the earth.
The snow-covered ground cracked with deep groans as if the mountain itself were crying.
Cha Seohu lost his footing and tumbled downhill.
"Urgh!"
"Hunter Cha Seohu!"
Panicking, Ryu Sunghyun quickly created a golden tether—but before it could reach Seohu, an ice shard snapped it in half.
"No!"
A sharp shard shot toward Seohu's throat just as he was trying to rise.
Both Ryu and Jiwoon activated their skills, rushing forward—but the ice was already right at his neck.
There was no way to dodge. This wasn't a random fragment—it was a skill with intent, guided with precision.
Even if he didn't die, he would be seriously injured.
Knowing that blocking it with his hand would be useless, Cha Seohu still instinctively raised his arms to shield his neck, bracing for the pain.
And then—
SCREEECH!
With a piercing cry, something black blocked his view. Black feathers scattered through the white snow.
SCREECH!
The bird, struck by the shard in place of Seohu, disintegrated into fluttering fragments.
Blinking in shock, Cha Seohu stared at the bird that had just protected him.
'A shadow...'
It was the shadow, bound to protect him by its master's command—fulfilling its role before vanishing.
Only feathers remained where it had fallen. As Seohu sat frozen, staring at them, a low voice echoed beside his ear.
"...Hmm."
Familiar, yet unfamiliar.
A tidal wave of immense power swept in—so great that even The One Who Walks Above Snow, berserk and mindless, recoiled slightly.
Slowly, Cha Seohu turned his head.
The first thing he saw was a black robe fluttering in the wind.
A tall man, fully draped in black robes, stood with a calm expression and spoke.
"An A-rank shadow disappeared from a single hit. That means it's definitely S-rank."
He pulled back the hood that had been covering his face.
Under tousled hair, a pair of piercing green eyes stared back—and Cha Seohu's eyes widened in shock.
"You..."
"Whatever this is... it's not something you should handle, hyung."
Cha Sahyeon met his gaze and curved his eyes in a soft smile.
"I'm back, hyung."

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