'It seems quite obvious where theyre hidden but the fact that I appear to have come here alone is nagging at me.'

Nahan's illusionary abilities were impressive, but they were not enough to evacuate a crowd of people. Surely, the probability of having at least one ally nearby was high.

On the other hand, it would take quite a while for Yuder's companions, Ever and Gakane, who had completed their individual missions and discovered Yuder's absence at the rendezvous point, to reach this location.

'I did leave a signal inside the underground tunnel but still, it will take some time.'

In fact, he didn't think being alone was necessarily a disadvantage. Against someone with abilities like Nahan's, having a large group could even be a hindrance. The only concern was the warning that Kishiar had drilled into his ears, not to get hurt.

...Remember, what's most important isn't the mission, but your safety and lives.

...

After a moment of silence, Yuder shook his head, dispelling the voice of Kishiar that echoed in his mind.

'What about this situation?'

The priorities do not change regardless of the situation. The primary task was to find and protect the Awakeners, and the next was to suppress Nahan and save Beltrail's life. As Yuder clenched his sword hand and steeled his resolve, Nahan, sensing something amiss, extended a hand to stop him.

Dont move. You have a dangerous power, brother. If you come any closer, Ill have no choice but to use mine.

Go ahead.

With no hesitation, Yuder continued walking into the forest. Nahan, with a frown, curled his lips up in a smirk.

I cant tell if youre brave or if you have another trick up your sleeve. If thats what you want then...

The moment Nahan put power into the hand he stretched towards Yuder, Yuder saw Beltrail, who had been writhing behind Nahan, suddenly go limp. It was proof that Nahan had withdrawn the power he'd been using in the area around him - the very opportunity Yuder had been waiting for.

Now!

Yuder immediately crouched low and sprinted full speed towards Nahan. The wind power beneath his feet flared, exponentially increasing his speed.

Seeing the surprised Nahan dodge to the side, Yuder charged into the created space and grabbed the back of the fallen Elder Beltrail with both hands, throwing him into the entrance of the underground tunnel behind him.

Thud!

Seeing Beltrails body roll down into the dark tunnel, Yuder didnt stop. He immediately changed direction again and ran towards the forest.

'Although the illusion power is strong, it ultimately only works within the set range. There's bound to be a gap when the range is changed. Besides, no matter how strong the illusion, it can't affect everyone in the same way. That's your weakness.'

Yuder and Nahan had already measured each other's power in the East. At that time, Yuder hadn't quite caught on to when Nahan was changing the range of his power and had suffered a great deal. But this time was different.

From that experience, Yuder had learned that Nahan barely moved when using his abilities. When focused, he could distinctly feel the faint energy, like a mirage, stretching out from Nahan's fingertips.

Nahan, too, having seen how relentlessly Yuder could break through his illusions, felt his guard rising considerably more than before.

To face someone capable of shattering illusions so quickly, one needed to use equally powerful strength. However, having already exerted considerable power in dealing with Beltrail's group, he didn't think he had enough strength left to restrain Yuder as he had done before.

'And once I find the Awakeners and his comrades in the forest, the odds will be in my favor.'

The more people one had to protect, the harder it was to use power, a principle that applied to everyone. The 20 Awakeners thought to be in the forest were beings that Yuder had to protect at all costs. However, the fact that this also held true from Nahans perspective was crucial.

If Nahan recklessly demonstrated his illusions as before, and Yuder unleashed his power indiscriminately, it would ultimately be he and his comrades who suffered.

'If it were like before, I would have turned this forest upside down and ended it.'

But how could he help it when someone's words, instructing him not to hurt anyone, kept nagging at the corner of his mind? Thanks to the map Kishiar showed him before he came here, Yuder did not wander and found the sanctuary right away.

In front of the beautiful sanctuary, built in an ancient style, a few unfamiliar men were loitering. They were taken aback by the sight of Yuder and Nahan rushing toward them.

"Who... is that?"

"Stop him! Don't let him in!"

Nahan shouted sharply. But by the time he had said that, Yuder had already kicked off the ground, took a step in mid-air, and landed on the roof of the sanctuary.

"Hosanna!"

As Nahan desperately called out, seemingly summoning someone, Yuder ruthlessly struck the skylight on the sanctuary roof with his sword.

Crash!

The thick colored glass depicting the symbol of the Sun God shattered in an instant and fell downwards. Yuder jumped through the broken glass.

'I've found the right place.'

The sight that greeted him as soon as he landed confirmed that he had found the right destination. The space, cleared of all interior furniture, was filled with shabby carts. People lying powerless or crouching on top of them opened their eyes at the loud noise, looking up at the uninvited guest. Yuder sighed as he saw some of them panting feverishly.

'Is it the fever caused by being in heat?'

A rough count told him that there were just over ten people there.

"Who... who are you exactly?"

One of the more intact-looking Awakeners coughed and asked while I was observing them.

"It doesn't seem like you're the ones who saved us... how did you..."

"I am Yuder Aile, a member of the Cavalry following the Emperor. I'm here to protect you and get you out of here."

Upon hearing his swift answer, they widened their eyes at the sight of the uniform he wore.

"The Cavalry...? The Emperor... Then who are the people who saved us?"

"They are..."

Just as he opened his mouth to answer, there was a loud bang from outside. Yuder tightened his grip on his sword and moved forward.

"I apologize, but do you know where the other people who were with you are now?"

"If you're talking about the Omegas... they took them elsewhere to separate them from those in heat."

At those words, Yuder paused for a moment.

'The ones here were Alphas.'

He was really lucky he hadn't manifested his second gender yet. Even with several Alphas in heat nearby, he hadn't even known they were Alphas.

"Those who brought you here are a group of Awakeners known as Star of Nagran. There isn't enough time to explain everything now, but you must never follow them."

"Star of Nagran...?"

"I'll go to fetch the Omegas, in the meantime, if someone comes in, scream to alert me."

After uttering these words, Yuder carefully approached the door, holding his breath.

'Can't hear a thing.'

After counting to three in his mind, he swung open the door, revealing an empty hallway. Across from the large prayer room where Yuder had been, there was a smaller one. Those who had been there were already gone. Yuder ran towards it, recognizing another door behind the open one, and moved quickly.

"Nahan!"

"Damn it, they're here! Release them quickly!"

Exiting through the back door, Yuder saw several men moving a group of people. They were the same ones he had seen outside the chapel. Spotting Yuder, they blocked the way, brandishing their swords with grim expressions.

"We wouldn't face a brother, but we have no choice. We need to buy some time...!"

"Stand aside."

Yuder attempted to brush past them and pursue the disappeared ones, but the energy swirling around the men's brandished swords followed swiftly and flexibly, preventing him from doing so. They seemed to have been harmonized for a long time, skillfully pushing Yuder from both sides. Although they appeared tense and their swordsmanship wasn't particularly impressive, the blue energy bound to their swords was undeniably threatening.

Yuder instantly drew his sword to confront them. A common sword wouldn't have lasted a few seconds against the blue energy wielded by his opponents and wouldve shattered instantly. However, the sword given by Kishiar was anything but ordinary. As it effortlessly withstood the energy akin to a sword aura, the two Awakeners couldn't help but reveal their disconcerted expressions.

"He uses fire and wind, and now he's good with a sword too?"

"I told you he's not a common brother!"

"No matter what...argh!"

Did you really think I, who have lived and rolled around for over a decade in this business, would be pushed back by novices like you?

Yuder, regretting that he couldn't respond, seized an opportunity and forcefully knocked away one man's sword. Then, he exerted force towards the iron that made up the other mans sword, making it whirl in different directions, instantly losing all its functions as a weapon.

"By God, is he human?!"

"Run...Ugh!"

Before they could finish their sentences, Yuder remorselessly lifted his leg and struck their heads. That alone was sufficient to knock out the two disarmed men.