The moment Jacob left, the park grew eerily quiet—until several figures dropped from the sky like cannonballs, landing at different points around the scorched grounds.
They were all from the Demon-Hunting Institute of Jiangnan City. The moment they had sensed the violent fluctuations of battle, they rushed over without hesitation.
It didn't take long for them to gather in the same spot, their expressions dark as storm clouds.
"There's been a killing here. The bodies… all thrown into the bottom of the lake."
"Damn it. Where's the perpetrator?"
"Their aura… it's gone."
"Gone? How?"
The once-raging flames had died down, leaving behind a completely transformed scene. The path in front of the woods was torn open by deep cracks, every surface charred black.
An old man, clearly the squad captain, spoke in a low, heavy tone.
"No. The aura didn't vanish—it was swallowed by the fire."
Everyone turned toward him at once, curiosity written on their faces, their eyes roaming over the battlefield's devastation.
Ssshhh—!
The old man casually flicked a pebble into the ruined ground. The moment it entered the lingering heat, the air itself seemed to ignite—flaring up with a burst of brilliant fire.
"Hss—! That's some terrifying fire element power."
"Looks like some master took care of the perpetrator for us. Someone who can release this level of destructive force… might even be above a Battle General."
"When did Jiangnan City get someone of Battle General level?"
"Who knows. Maybe just passing through."
They began to search more carefully, sifting through the dense fire-element aura until they finally picked out faint traces—three slivers of the perpetrator's presence. It matched perfectly with the aura from the corpses at the bottom of the lake.
Everyone relaxed at once.
"Looks like we guessed right. Let's head out—Defense Department can handle the rest."
"Shouldn't we track down whoever controlled this fire?"
The captain shook his head.
"No. If they left, it means they don't want to be found. If we anger someone on the level of a Battle General, tell me—which one of us Privates could survive that wrath?"
A few nervous chuckles followed. Everyone silently thanked the heavens they hadn't stumbled into something far worse.
"Alright. Seal off the park. I'll erase the fire-element traces and pretend nothing happened here."
"Yes, sir!"
Just as they moved to lock down the scene, the old man suddenly let out a thoughtful hum.
"Captain, what is it?"
He rubbed his chin, frowning.
"Strange. In this fire-element field, there are two other auras. One is obviously lightning-element… but the other… I can't identify it."
"No way. Even you can't?"
Shock flashed across their faces. Their captain's talent was rare—his ability to track auras could detect nearly anything below the level of a Battle King. Yet now, he admitted he couldn't recognize it.
"Could it be… left behind by a Battle King?"
The air chilled.
A Battle King—someone at least Level 1000 in the Land of Divine Punishment—was a name that echoed across the human race. Jiangnan City had never produced one in its entire history.
The captain's eyes gleamed briefly before he sighed.
"Perhaps. Or maybe it's simply something I've never encountered before… my own ignorance."
He waved them on.
"Enough. The Defense Department will be here soon. Get to it—I'll take care of the rest."
The others rushed off, leaving the old man alone.
A flicker of heat passed through his gaze.
"Could it be… the legendary Domain aura?"
No answer came.
Outside the park, crowds had already gathered. Some noticed the unusual commotion inside and stood by the roadside, watching with wary eyes.
Meanwhile, several kilometers away, Snow was weaving through a busy street with Noah in tow, her long black hair flowing like silk behind her.
"Here's far enough."
She finally slowed, releasing his hand. Noah was still caught up in the lingering warmth of her touch, momentarily dazed.
"Noah," she said suddenly.
"Hm?"
"What I told Jacob… about you being my boyfriend…"
Noah chuckled.
"Yeah, I know. Using me as a shield—classic move."
Her bright eyes locked on him.
"You're not mad?"
"Why would I be?"
"Really not mad?"
"Really not mad."
"Then smile for me."
"Haha."
"Nope. Too forced."
"Heh-heh."
"Still wrong. Too creepy."
"Keh-keh!"
"Alright, now you're just asking for it, Noah!"
They walked side by side, the morning sun warming their backs, their banter carrying a lighthearted rhythm.
"Oh, right," Snow said suddenly, her tone playful. "When you get into university, I'll gift you an SS-grade skill book."
"Why out of nowhere?" Noah asked, surprised.
"Didn't you drool over that A-grade Earthen Spike skill before? I'll get you something way better. Happy?"
Noah stared blankly. Me? Drool over an A-grade scrap? With his loadout of SSS-grade talents, that was laughable. But Snow ignored his denial, her lips curling.
"But you have to get into a university. Any university will do."
"And if I don't?"
"You'll regret it."
Her eyes glinted with mock threat, making Noah shiver despite himself.
"Work hard, boy. Don't let your big sister down."
She reached up to ruffle his hair, her smile curved like a crescent moon.
By the time Noah reached school, class was about to start. The classroom buzzed louder than usual—everyone was excitedly discussing the Demon-Slayer breaking through the newbie village's boundary wall the night before.
"Insane! I woke up to the news and nearly dropped my phone!"
"Pfft, I smashed my dad's computer and got beaten for half an hour!"
"Respect!"
"Now that the boundary's gone, anyone can clear the newbie map. What's this mean for the college entrance trials? I'm already Level 5—if I push harder, maybe I can get into a top-tier university early!"
"Top-tier? I'm aiming for Imperial Capital University!"
Noah ignored the boasting, slipping to his seat at the very back. Tang Xia, still sprawled over her desk, hadn't moved since yesterday.
"What are you doing every night? Even pigs don't sleep this much."
He tapped her cheek until she groggily opened her eyes.
"You don't get it, old man. This is called self-care."
Her messy ponytail slipped over her shoulder as she looked up, revealing… well, the kind of tragic flattening effect only a desk could inflict. Noah silently concluded that yes, Snow still had her beat.
"Tang Xia."
"Noah."
They spoke at the same time.
"You first," he said.
"Nope, you first!"
He sobered slightly.
"With the newbie village's boundary broken, you should find a good team. If you can reach Level 50 before the entrance trials, you can transfer to the Forest Kingdom. A top university would be no problem for you."
Tang Xia blinked—then burst out laughing.
"You're one to talk. Shouldn't I be saying that to you?"
Noah smirked.
"If you carry me, you'll have to go to the same university as me. You sure about that?"
"Ugh, who'd want to go to the same school as you?"
As expected, she crossed her arms and scoffed. Their usual banter carried them until the classroom door slammed open.
The homeroom teacher strode in, his expression tense.
"I'll only take a few minutes… but there's something you all need to hear."