The day after the Rift encounter, the world felt quieter — but it wasn't peace.
It was pause.
A breath before collapse.
Jiwoon sat in a temple once buried under ash. The Oracle had called him back… but she wasn't alone this time.
Across from her stood an old monk with no eyes, no shadow — but a voice that pierced bone.
"You are not ready," he said.
"I don't care," Jiwoon replied.
"Show me the book."
A Forbidden Chronicle
The Oracle stepped aside, revealing a pedestal.
On it lay a book that bled. Its pages pulsed like veins — ancient, alive, cursed.
"The Book of Names," she whispered.
"Each name written in here… was devoured by sin."
Jiwoon opened it.
His fingers trembled.
First page: "Park Dae-Hyun."
Second: "Nam Gitae."
Third: "Kim Hyoryeon."
His own name was not there.
Yet.
Revelation
"This book doesn't record those you kill," the monk said.
"It records those who are consumed."
Jiwoon's eyes narrowed.
"Then why isn't my name here?"
"Because you haven't fallen yet."
The Oracle added:
"But if you manifest the full Demon Avatar, your name will be written in fire."
"And once written… it cannot be erased."
Flash – Back in the City
Meanwhile, Qilin and Kravein analyzed the sky patterns. The Rift hadn't closed — it had split.
Now there were two.
One in the north. One over Sector 0.
And in both, whispers echoed the same phrase:
"The Names are returning."
Kravein looked toward the east.
"Someone's calling them back."
Return to the Temple
Jiwoon stared down at the last page.
It was blank.
But only for a second.
Then — ink formed.
A name he didn't recognize.
"Eliad."
"Who's that?" he asked.
The Oracle's voice cracked.
"A name that shouldn't exist anymore."
"The first to ever bend the system."
"If he returns… not even sin will matter."
Final Warning
As Jiwoon left the temple, the book burned itself shut behind him.
He didn't flinch.
But a small voice whispered in his head — not the system, not the demon.
"You can still turn back."
Jiwoon's answer was silence.
Then:
"Not a chance."