After killing Pride, Seo Jun-Ho waited for Skaya to come.

You actually killed a Squadron leader? The Fiend Association must be pretty weak, she said. Seo Jun-Ho watched her approach with envious eyes as she hummed.

Youre lucky. Whenever I dig deeper into the Fiend Association, it adds another weight on my back.

Huh? Isnt it obvious that Im happy?

Its my bad for speaking up. It was his fault for trying to have a normal conversation with Skaya Killiland.

Remember this house, he said, pointing to a building with a blue roof. I put his body in the third room on the first floor.

Youre gonna read his memories after the battle?

Of course They could still see the beach from here, and the battle was still going strong. Looking at the monsters, it would probably last a few more hours. They could also feel a powerful force calling for them from Dragon Rock, so they couldnt just stay here. If we go to the beach first, theyll probably destroy the entire city and kill all the citizens.

What a textbook threat. As expected of a fiend, Skaya scoffed.

Yeah. Skaya took note of the shape of the building and the color of its roof before she spoke again, By the way, why are you asking me to do that? You can just come here yourself after the battles over.

We dont know what will happen. Whoever was calling to them was incredibly powerful. They would be just as strong as Pride, if not stronger. I bet theyre a Squadron leader as well. Theyre probably the Despair Squadron leader.

Jang Seon-Hos memories had been incorrect. Seo Jun-Ho hadnt thought that the Despair Squadron leader would be joining in on this mission.

A Player must always be prepared. If something goes wrong, youll have to retrieve the corpse.

Youre right. You had always been the most Player-like out of all of us. She shrugged. So, what abilities does that Squadron leader have?

...Unfortunately, I dont know. Though Jang Seon-Ho had been a promising fiend, he had spent too long being a Watchguard. In fact, it was an entire two years. During that time, the Fiend Association kept their contact to a minimum while he flawlessly masqueraded as Player Jang Seon-Ho. That was probably why he didnt know much about the skills of other fiends and Squadron leaders.

Aw, thats too bad. With that, Skaya casually walked up to the Frost Queen and lifted her. As the Frost Queen thrashed in her arms, Skaya inhaled the smell of her hair. Im done charging up. Shall we?

Lets go.

When they climbed up to Dragon Rock, Seo Jun-Hos eyes flashed.

Its that guy...

Two fiends were standing there, but it was easy to tell which one had called them here. The short fiend had an unwavering, lazy smile as he looked at them. It wasnt like he was giving off a powerful vibe, but he had a large presence.

As Gilbe had said, he doesnt seem like a physical fighter.

This meant he had some kind of special skill.

The fiend spoke first, You actually came. How obedient. I suppose thats why they call you Heroes.

Are you Gu Shi-On? Seo Jun-Ho asked. Gu Shi-On seemed a little surprised hearing that.

There was a dark look on his face for just a second as he looked at the other fiend standing behind him. Your Squadron leader mustve sensed my presence and opened his mouth. Gu Shi-On turned back to Seo Jun-Ho and nodded. Yes. I am the Despair Squadron leader, Gu Shi-On. He smiled brightly as if nothing had happened. I enjoyed watching you kill Pride. Actually, I want to thank you.

Hes thanking me for killing his comrade

They were both Squadron leaders as well. This immediately told Seo Jun-Ho something about the Fiend Associations structure.

As expected, the Fiend Association isnt a unified group with a singular goal.

After Seo Jun-Ho had returned, the thing that shocked him most was the existence of the Fiend Association. He couldnt understand how they came to be.

I always wondered how the fiends could come together like that.

But now, he understood. The fiends hadnt stuck together because they had the same goal; it was for their own safety.

Its simple, then.

If they lost their common interest, they would go back into hiding, just like in the past. They wouldnt be able to walk around with their heads held high, wreaking terror and havoc like they were currently doing.

Gu Shi-On tilted his head when he saw Seo Jun-Hos lip tilt up. Why are you smiling? Well, I suppose it is funny to hear a fiend say thank you. But seeing how an ice elemental user is running around with the 5 Heroes, I suppose youll free the remaining two."

Thats right. Seo Jun-Ho wouldnt be able to hide this from anyone, not just from Gu Shi-On or Pride. They already had all the information. It wasnt hard to guess what kind of relationship he had with the 5 Heroes.

And thats not a bad thing

It was actually beneficial. They would come to the conclusion that Seo Jun-Ho and Specter werent the same person.

I freed Specter-nim and awakened the Archmage and the Envoy with his help, he said confidently.

He was barking like a cute little puppy because he had the support of the 5 Heroes. Gu Shi-On couldnt hold back his laughter. HaHehehe God, youre adorable.

He faced two of the 5 Heroes, but Gu Shi-On wasnt particularly scared. After seeing the Archmage in person, he became confident.

Even though Specters the strongest, hes probably not so different.

Perhaps that was why he hadnt come with the others.

He doesnt want to show us.

Gu Shi-On was sure that it was because he didnt want to show off his abilities to sharp-eyed fiends. It must be because once they took off his mask, the fiends would no longer be afraid of him.

This is some good intel.

Gu Shi-On watched as Seo Jun-Ho stood there stupidly. What do you think of joining the Fiend Association? With your abilities, you could become the new Pride Squadron leader right away. You killed Pride, so youre qualified, he proposed.

Gu Shi-On liked him, which was why he asked.

Of course, it wasnt merely an extension of goodwill. His intentions were much darker.

If this idiot becomes the Pride Squadron leader, it wont be difficult to control him.

Unfortunately, Seo Jun-Ho didnt even bother considering it before he refused.

You dont want to? Oh, well. Just let me ask you one question. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12. Which number is your favorite? Gu Shi-On asked.

...Is the question related to his skill?

Seo Jun-Hos first thought was this. Some skills had certain terms to be fulfilled before they could be activated.

Im gonna count. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

... Seo Jun-Ho remained silent until the end, but Gu Shi-On didnt seem to care. Its your fault for not answering, okay?

He lifted his hand to them. Lets just go with 1, then. Its my favorite number, you see. He slowly curled his hand, grinning wide. Bye, Ill see you soon. You dont have to pay me extra for rent.

...!

Seo Jun-Hos eyes widened slightly. He had been focusing entirely on Gu Shi-On, and a great amount of demonic energy exploded from him.

Hes fast!

The demonic energy covered him in the blink of an eye, making him a little nauseous. The scenery around him rapidly changed.

...

...

Both Seo Jun-Ho and the Frost Queen were speechless. Neither Skaya, Gilbert, nor the fiends were there anymore.

The Frost Queens hand shot up in the air. I I think I know where this is. Her eyes sparkled. She was a huge fan of dramas, after all. Is this not a goshiwon? Ive seen it on TV.[1]

...

Seo Jun-Ho wanted to say no, but he couldnt do so. The room was a little more than three pyeong. He looked around and nodded. This is that bastards skill.[2]

I suppose the number he gave you has something to do with this, then.

Number He could clearly tell that it didnt indicate size. It was too big to be one pyeong.

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12They are not just odd numbers. What kind of rule is it, I wonder? the Frost Queen pondered.

...The length of stay? For the first time in a while, Keen Intuition told him something. Seo Jun-Ho was confident when he spoke. It would be too obvious if he asked you to choose a month, so he cleverly labeled them as numbers instead. And he probably added the 12 at the end so that you wouldnt just focus on the odd numbers.

I seeWait, does that mean we will be trapped in this tiny space for a whole month?

Yeah. One second. He tried to open the door, but it wouldnt budge.

Boom!

He sent a magic-enhanced kick everywhere, but not a single crack appeared on the floor, ceiling, or even the walls.

...This isnt a normal room. It was completely indestructible. There werent any hidden clues similar to an escape room, so the only way to get out was to wait until the time was up.

Theres just one problem.

The Frost Queen started complaining about how they would have nothing to do for a month, but he was lost in thought.

Why did he give me number 1?

Did it actually signify the shortest length of stay? Or

Seo Jun-Hos face darkened.

***

Urk Cough

...

Gilberto closed his eyes.

Shes really mad.

He looked down at the heap of flesh and blood that had once been a fiend. So youre telling me that Gu Shi-On's skill is called Goshiwon Landlord (A)?

...I think hes lying. What kind of skill is that? Lets torture him a little more. She looked at Fuze with sharp, cat-like eyes.

G-guhBlegh! Fuze vomited blood, but he chuckled. He knew he would die, but all he could do was laugh. Your friendcough! ItsOver for him

What do you mean?

Ugh Do you really think Id tell you? Ha! He spat at them.

... Gilberto looked at the bloodstain on his shirt and pulled the trigger, his face expressionless.

Bang!

Fuze let out another strangled scream as the bullet lodged into his abdomen.

I can kill you painlessly. Since youre gonna die anyway, shouldn't it be better for you to die peacefully? Gilberto tossed his long hair and crouched down to Fuzes height. Let me ask you again. What did you mean when you said its over for him?

... The only part that wasn't stained by blood were Fuzes eyes. He trembled.

These bastardsTheyre too good at this to be called heroes.

Their carrot-and-stick approach was excellent. From what he had seen so far, he could tell that they were well-trained torturers.

If I wanted to, I could keep you alive for another year just to torture you. Is that what you want? Gilbertos emotionless voice told him that he wasnt lying.

...

No one would expect loyalty from fiends. Fuze decided to confess so that he could die a painless death, The goshiwon Nothing changes in that tiny space.

What do you mean?

Time comes to a halt. You dont get hungrycough! And your muscles dont grow either. In other words, it was a place where time was suspended. Gu Shi-On can keepcough! Cough! He can keep someone in a goshiwon for up to a year.

...A year, you say?

He felt satisfied as he watched their faces crumble. Heh, yeah. Though, in reality, only about an hour passes. In About an hour, Seo Jun-Ho will have gone crazy.

There was no one to talk to, no food, no hunger, or any way to check the time. Even a week was enough to drive someone crazy. But Seo Jun-Ho wouldnt be there for just a few days.

Hell be there for a whole year Hehehe. Cough! Even if Even if Seo Jun-Ho returns, he wont be able to free your teammates. He would be a husk of a man. But that was assuming that he could even come back. Eighty percent of people that Gu Shi-On had trapped for longer than six months had taken their own lives. Fuze looked forward to seeing a cold corpse appear in an hour and seeing the two Heroes despair.

But their reaction was totally different from what he had expected

Geez. Thats all? I thought wed never be able to get him back

Its just a year. It shouldnt be too much of a problem.

Fuze was shocked by their nonchalant response. W-what kind of crazy H-hell be there for a year. A whole year! Fuze started to curse them. Hell go insane! Hell bash his head against a wall and kill himself.

That wont happen. Gilberto loaded a bullet with a click. You dont know him.

...What kind of bastard is he then? he asked, defeated. As soon as he did, Gilberto pulled the trigger and sent a bullet through his head. However, he replied to the fiends final question.

Whether it's one year or ten, hes someone well always believe in.