My brother was better at everything than me when I was young.

Studying, sports, even art and music.

My brother could accomplish with ease things I couldnt do, even if I poured in all of my efforts.

My brother, three years older than me, was like a supernatural being; he was my superman.

However,

When actual supernatural beings called Awakeners appeared and shattered the fantasy of my young self, the situation changed.

The celestials of the 12 Zodiacs.

Unlike me, who was chosen by the celestial of Leo, my brother couldnt get selected by any celestial.

I can beat him.

The inferiority complex that had been stacking up from my childhood became my drive.

I put in more effort than anyone else, desperately sharpening and honing my power.

And then

-Haha. You you became an 8-Star? And with the stigma of Leo at that?

I reached a distant realm my brother could never reach.

I did it all without understanding how my brother felt, I was unaware of just how appalling his despair was.

-Why are you being like this, brother?

My brother started to lose more weight day by day.

He didnt have proper meals; he stayed shut inside his room in deep lethargy.

-No. Its nothing.

Although he said it was nothing, I soon came to the realization that I was the cause.

My brother couldnt take it.

A world filled with fierce monsters.

The fact that he had to take protection from his younger brother in this gruesome world, rampant with blood and flesh.

A deep sense of shame that came from the fact that he was being protected by the existence he should be protecting became the cause of my brothers disorder.

-Brother Please.

I could understand him since what dragged me into this realm was my sense of inferiority towards my brother.

However,

Because I understood

Because I could relate

I also knew that his despair would not go away easily.

-Im sorry.

The distance between us gradually grew.

Reeking with a foul stench, our deep-rooted emotions gradually rotted away.

-Woohyuk!! I awakened as well!! I got the stigma of Pyxis!

And then, my brother awakened.

I was sincerely happy.

My chest thumped as I thought about returning to the times when my brother and I were close.

Of course, he remained distant from reaching the same realm as me, as I possessed a stigma of one of the 12 Zodiacsbut I was still happy.

I hoped that he could find at least a little bit of confidence.

I bought him equipment and an expensive spear.

I couldnt stay with him often since I was busy with guild matters, but it still seemed we were getting closer compared to before.

Just like that, I carried hope.

Just like that, I dreamed of the future.

But

[Im saying that weve taken Lee Shinhyuk.]

What kind of nonsense is he talking about?

[Nonsense? Hmm. Then I guess Ill have to send this photo as evidence]

Ring

One photo arrived.

An ominous feeling spread throughout his back.

This photo is

A spear with subtle blue light flowing out of its blade.

The symbol of the Valhalla guild, a design of a roaring lion, was engraved in great detail on the shaft.

Thump, thump

His heart thumped roughly.

A burning heat rode up the nape of his neck and into his brain.

This is

It was the spear he gave to Lee Shinhyuk as a present.

It was custom-made, with only one in the worldhis brothers very own spear.

You, who are you.

His rage boiled to the point that he couldnt focus on anything else.

As if exploding, a current that drove him crazy spouted out.

I asked who you were, you bastard!!!!

He shouted out as if howling.

[The names Yujin, thats what Im called.]

Yujin, Yujin, Yujin.

He engraved that name into his brain.

Naturally, he knew that it wasnt his real name to a certain degree, since there was no way a kidnapper would proudly expose their own name.

However, he was certain of one thing.

Lee Shinhyuk, his brother, has been taken by him.

* * *

What do you want.

[By the 25th, prepare $3M in cash and come to the observatory located at Mt. Baekunsans peak.]

$3000000.

Was that why they kidnapped his brother?

No.

That couldnt be true.

$3M wasnt a small amount of money, but it absolutely wasnt enough to kidnap the brother of the Black Lion, Lee Woohyuk, one of the Seven Stars candidates.

Is what theyre aiming for not my brother, but me? That could be why theyre calling me towards the meticulously set trap.

[Naturally, you need to come by yourself. If you bring anyone else you know, right?]

A sunny laughter could be heard coming across the smartphone.

Kyaha!

He clenched his teeth and barely suppressed the curses that were about to explode out.

You if you touch even the tip of his hair, I wont leave you in one piece.

[Iya~! Im so scared, whatever will I do? Puhahahahat!!]

Lee Woohyuk gently closed his eyes.

Owooong!!

The stigma of Leo engraved on his left chest started to pour out blue light.

Mana boiled up like a wild beast.

[Ah! I talked longer than planned! Well, you remember my words, right? $3M in cash by the 25th. Peak of Mt. Baekunsan. Hahaha! The time~ lets see. Right. Since its the observatory, itll be nice to see the stars in the evening!]

[Then, lets meet each other there!]

Beep

The call ended.

Crunch!

The grasped table broke apart.

Yu jin.

Crumble, Bang! Bababang!!!

The fluctuating mana spread across the surroundings and destroyed all the luxurious decorations placed around the office.

Yujin, Yujin, Yuuuuuuuuujin!

His eyes burned.

The rage boiling up inside his mind burned away his rationality.

Knock, knock

Guild leader? Kim Sunyoung carefully opened the door and entered.

Looking around the office that had become a mess, she took a step back, startled.

Whats the matter?

The calm appearance of the Lee Woohyuk who normally led the guild members with a cold personality couldnt be seen.

Instead, it was the appearance of an injured beast.

Shiver

Kim Sunyoungs two legs shook from the suffocating killing intent.

With his mouth shut tight, Lee Woohyuk bit his lips.

-If you bring anyone else you know, right?

The voice of the kidnapper surfaced inside his head.

Theres nothing wr

Wrong was what Lee Woohyuk was about to say until he cut himself off and entered deep thought.

He repeatedly clenched and released his fists with his eyes gently closed.

Guild Leader? Are you okay?

Once the time for his long thought came to an end, Lee Woohyuk slowly opened his eyes.

Contact the Association immediately.

The Association?

Thats right. Nodding his head, he continued.

And

His narrowed eyes shone.

Summon all guild members that arent inside dungeons.

He didnt have any plans on falling for the trap as the man wanted.

Its war.

His icy voice rang throughout the room.

* * *

Now.

Finishing the call, the ends of Ohjins lips tilted up.

He had set the bait. Now all that was left was to wait for the furious hound to rip apart the opponents throat.

What will be his move?

It wasnt hard to predict.

First of all, hell contact the Association.

The Valhalla guild and the Association were partnered.

Even if it wasnt direct support, they would have no choice but to contact them to use the extraordinary information power of the Association.

A characteristic of a guild made up of a small number of elites was the fact that they lacked in the information department.

And, once that happens

He would naturally find out about the Awakener named Yujin.

Hell also hear about the Black Star Organization.

He would certainly realize who the opponent he had to rip to pieces was.

Well hell suspect why the kidnapper named Yujiin exposed his name on his own, but

It didnt matter.

It wasnt like he could sit still just because it seemed suspicious. This matter had his brothers life on the line.

A lion driven to a corner would have no option but to feast on whats given.

Theyll contact me as well.

The one who handed information about the Awakener called Yujin to the Association was himself. Although there was no way of knowing if the Association or if Lee Woohyuk would personally contact him, there was simply no way they wouldnt contact him.

Theyll probably ask about Yujins approximate appearance and impression.

And once that happened, it was simple.

It would simply end once he explained the appearance of Yujin that he had personally seen in the dungeon.

Then

Theyll meet.

On the afternoon of the 25th, Lee Woohyuk and Yujin would have their first meeting at Mt.Baekunsan.

In a form worse than any meeting possible.

And next

Smirk

Laughter flowed out.

A war will start.

Although he told Lee Woohyuk to come alone, there was no way he would actually come alone.

He wont be stupid enough to fall for an obvious trap the opponent set up. Summoning all his guild members, hell gather his might.

There was no way that he wouldnt know that it was the most sensible method in saving his brother.

Well then, should I finish things up?

Crack! Crackle!!

sending an electric current into the smartphone he used to call Lee Woohyuk, he completely destroyed it.

One should always make sure to destroy evidence.

Crunch! Crunch!

After throwing the smartphone onto the ground, he thoroughly stomped on it until the shape could no longer be recognized.

It would be over once he divided the rest of the fragments and disposed of them into different manholes.

Even if the dead Steve Jobs came back to life, he wouldnt be able to recognize it as a smartphone.

Whats left is the spear and

Slightly turning his head, he lifted the corpse of the Black Star Organization member hung over his shoulders.

Hm First of all, his body shape is similar.

There werent any physical characteristics that stood out either.

Alright, lets take this as well.

The corpse had a use.

He turned his body after grabbing the corpse and spear.

I should visit a weapon shop tomorrow and buy a moderate spear.

Even though he planned on placing orders on custom-made equipment other than spears, he didnt have the spare time to wait for them to be completed.

Now when will they contact me?

He moved his feet with a deep smile on his face.

* * *

Late in the afternoon.

Bzzzzt!

Mmh. He woke up from the sound of his smartphone ringing.

Lifting the blanket, he raised his body from the floor of the small room.

Hmm. Whats that at this time? Mumbled Song Ha-eun, who was having a sound sleep on the bed while covering herself with a blanket.

Rub, rub

Dont worry about it and sleep.

Click

He wore his slippers and headed outside.

Hello?

[Sorry for contacting you at this time, Ohjin. I contacted you because there is something I need to ask urgently.]

Team Leader Hans voice was stiffer than usual.

Whats the matter?

[Its a matter thats difficult to explain over the phone]

Alright. Ill head over to the Association right now.

Ending the call, he returned inside the house and wore his clothes.

Huh? Where are you going at this time? Ha-eun asked as she raised her body.

To confirm if the unleashed hound is doing his job.

Ang? What nonsense are you talking about?

Ill come back soon.

Tell me

Click

He closed the door and went outside.

It didnt even take a single day.

Smirk

The edge of his lips went up.

I think Ive obtained a good hound.

Cackle

Shaking his shoulders up and down, he headed towards the Association.