In the Kingdom of Asteria, three great clandestine families once ruled the underworld.
The Ducal House of Altia governed the north.The Count's House of Zenonia controlled the west.And the Count's House of Palatio commanded the east.
These three houses split the kingdom's underworld into three massive territories, forming a colossal shadow organization that quietly manipulated Asteria from behind the scenes.
But after the assassination of Leo Palatio, the House of Palatio collapsed entirely. Their organization dissolved, their networks scattered, and their power disappeared from the underworld.
Thus, in the present, only the Houses of Altia and Zenonia remained as shadowy forces within the kingdom.
At first glance, their alliance didn't seem like a major issue.
But Alon knew the truth.
A Forbidden Alliance
"Is that true?"
"Have you ever seen me lie, Count?"
"…That's true."
"Of course, since the agreement was made in the underworld, there may not be any obvious signs. But it appears the alliance is real."
Alon stiffened at those words.
He knew the situation of the shadow forces at the beginning of the original story.
Back then, the three families possessed immense power, but they could not wield it freely because they constantly checked one another.But now—with Palatio gone—
If Zenonia and Altia truly joined hands, there would be no faction left capable of stopping them.
They could soon rule the kingdom as if it were their private playground.
'How did this even happen…?'
Alon recalled something he had said to Lady Zenonia a few months prior.
'No… that can't be it.'
He knew Lady Zenonia Kalia too well. She was the embodiment of a villainess—ambitious, ruthless, intolerant of being beneath anyone.
Someone like her forming a lasting alliance?
Impossible.
"…Hm."
He relaxed slightly. With her personality, the alliance would collapse eventually.
Still…
"Evan."
"Yes?"
"Bring me some stationery later."
"…Stationery?"
"Yes."
Even if the alliance seemed unstable, nothing was ever 100% certain. Alon wanted to prepare some countermeasures.
Rumors of the Golden Flash
"Speaking of which, Count," Evan continued, "I investigated the rumors about Seolrang you asked about earlier. It seems they've been spreading recently."
"Oh? What rumors?"
"I heard he's been very active in the Colony. He's even earned the nickname 'Golden Flash.'"
"The Golden Flash…"
Alon exhaled softly. He had always believed Seolrang wouldn't remain unknown forever, but he had still been concerned. That was why he'd asked Yutia about him in his last letter.
"I'm glad he's doing well."
"In that place, if you gain enough fame as a fighter, you can be treated better than nobles."
"If you're strong enough, you can even stand equal to the king."
Alon nodded lightly and took the stationery Evan offered.
"Oh, and I'm planning to visit the tower in about a week."
"The tower?"
"Yes. It might take a while."
"It'll only take two weeks, right?"
Alon shook his head.
"It'll take about a month."
"A month? The Green Tower is only a week away."
"I'm not going to the Green Tower. I'm going to the Blue Tower."
"…The Blue Tower? That really will take time. Is there a reason? It's located between Caliburn and Labyrinth City."
"I have business there."
Alon resumed writing his letter, signaling the end of the conversation. Evan sighed, defeated.
"Then I'll prepare in advance."
"Please do."
Once Evan left, Alon finished sealing his letter to Lady Zenonia and let out a long breath.
'Three weeks in a carriage… this is going to be exhausting.'
Still, he had no choice.
The Blue Tower held an item that could help compensate for his flawed magical talent—one that allowed him to properly study magic only once per day.
He needed that item.
And then another memory surfaced.
'Labyrinth City…'
Labyrinth City — Lartania
Labyrinth City Lartania, located next to the Blue Tower, was famous for the endless underground labyrinth directly beneath it. In the game Psychedelia, it was the place players used to grind levels and gather items without advancing the story.
The deeper the floor, the greater the rewards.
But no one had ever reached the end.
Even cheaters only claimed to have reached the 150th floor.
Alon thought of someone else there.
'Rine… I hope she's doing fine.'
He had sent Rine to Lartania not to explore the labyrinth but to train as a magic appraiser. With her talent, Library of Eternity, she was perfectly suited for it.
By becoming an appraiser in Lartania—where artifacts surfaced daily—she could build a stable and prosperous life.
He had even given her a gift to help with equipment appraisals.
'Although… compared to the others, it feels a bit small…'
A slight guilt tugged at him.
'I'll give her something more later if needed.'
The Appraiser of Merde
In the southern district of Lartania was a small appraisal shop named Merde.It wasn't located in the central area near the labyrinth, where most appraisers gathered.
Yet Merde was always crowded—with A-rank explorers, foreign nobles, and even the lord of Lartania.
Because Merde's appraiser possessed something no one else had.
"The appraisal is complete, my lord."
"Oh? And this relic?"
"It's a device that generates flames continuously when supplied with magic."
The lord smiled as he saw the black eye symbol engraved at the bottom.
"Oh? It's engraved?"
"Yes."
"How does that affect its power?"
"The efficiency has increased dramatically. With even a small amount of magic, the flames can last for an hour."
"Magnificent. As always, I'm indebted to you."
When the lord left, the masked woman—Rine—removed her crescent-moon mask and sighed. Her gaze drifted to the engraving that had earned her such prestige.
Rine could not only appraise relics—she could engrave certain ones to enhance their power.
This ability did not belong to her.
It came from the gift of the Great Moon.
She entered the adjacent room where a golden eye surrounded by a blue halo floated silently.
[248 / 500]
The Eye of the Wanderer.
At first, Rine didn't know why she had been sent to Lartania. Why become an appraiser? How was this related to the "Black Ones"?
But when she unlocked the sealed layers of the Eye, she realized the truth.
The Eye wasn't just a relic.
It was a sacrificial vessel.
With every engraving, it devoured something unknown—something even her Library couldn't identify.
'My task is to awaken this Eye.'
She reached two conclusions:
1: Only she could awaken it.
2: When fully awakened, it would grant her the power to stand against the "Black Ones."
'Everything is to kill the "Black Wolf."'
Rine caressed the floating Eye, her gaze filled with quiet fanaticism.
'And to follow His will…'
Arrival at the Blue Tower
About three weeks later, Alon arrived at the Blue Tower.
The tower master was away, so he had to meet the vice master instead.
But the reception was… less than warm.
"Come on, hurry up and state your business. I'm busy."
Alon blinked in bewilderment at the curt, dismissive tone.
And so, his troubles at the Blue Tower began.