One hour before Simon and Cami met the Priest in the Forbidden Forest (Restricted Forest.)
After going out with his eight-member group — Claudia, Cindy, and Merida — Knox returned to his dorm.
His dormmates were Simon, Rick, and Kajann. But when Knox arrived, the room was empty.
Knox frowned slightly. "Hmm… By the looks of it, Rick must still be out searching for the ingredients his group needs."
He paused.
"But Simon…"
Knox's eyes narrowed. "…Looks like he's still in the Restricted Forest."
A quiet sigh escaped his lips. "And if I'm right, it won't be long before Simon and Cami run into Flema, disguised as a Priest."
Knox turned on his heel. "…Looks like I need to hurry."
Then, Knox made his way to the Restricted Forest.
Knox let out a quiet breath before muttering to himself, "Hmm… just like in the novel, Simon and Cami really did end up inside this Forbidden Forest. But honestly… this place is way too big."
His gaze drifted across the endless stretch of towering trees.
"If I didn't already know how this part plays out, finding them would've been a nightmare."
A faint smirk appeared. "Luckily, tracking them by their mana is still an option."
Knox stepped forward without hesitation, entering the forest with an unhurried stride. The darkness swallowed him almost instantly, yet his movements remained relaxed, as though this were nothing more than a late evening stroll.
The forest was vast, unnervingly so, but Knox's senses expanded effortlessly. Threads of mana, faint yet distinct to his perception, lingered in the air like invisible trails.
He followed them casually. No rush. No tension.
After some time, Knox's eyes narrowed slightly. "…Ah."
A small, satisfied smile curved his lips. "Found them~"
Through the dense layers of trees, Simon and Camibarez came into view. Simon moved cautiously, scanning the surroundings with visible vigilance, while Camibarez stayed close beside him.
Knox leaned lightly against a nearby trunk, observing the pair with quiet amusement.
"My, my~ sneaking into the Forbidden Forest together."
With a lazy flick of his wrist, subspace opened beside him. A small paper container slid neatly into his hand.
Popcorn.
Crunch.
Knox watched Simon lead the way.
Crunch.
Camibarez lightly clutched his sleeve.
Crunch.
"How adorable."
A chilled bottle emerged next. Knox took a slow sip of his smoothie, completely at ease.
"Still, I suppose this is necessary."
His gaze rested on Simon.
"If I interfere every single time things get dangerous, Simon's growth is going to stall."
Knox's eyes shifted deeper into the forest.
"And besides… I already know what's about to happen."
Faint lights began flickering between the trees in the distance.
Lanterns. Footsteps. Dogs.
Knox didn't look remotely surprised.
"…Right on schedule."
Another bite of popcorn.
The wardens' voices echoed through the forest, followed by the sharp barking of hunting dogs. Ahead, Simon immediately reacted, summoning skeletons from subspace.
Knox's brows lifted slightly in approval. "…Nice response."
He continued watching, leisurely sipping his drink as the skeleton decoy bolted through the grass, drawing shouts from the wardens.
Everything unfolded exactly as expected.
Wardens splitting up. Dogs giving chase.
Simon grabbing Camibarez's wrist. Running.
Knox casually pushed himself off the tree and followed at a comfortable distance, his steps silent, his expression faintly entertained.
Then, Simon and Camibarez resumed walking.
From the shadows, Knox watched their figures move deeper into the forest, his expression calm, satisfied.
"Alright…"
His voice was low, steady.
"With their part done for now, it's finally my turn."
His gaze rested on Simon and Camibarez.
"Well done, Simon… Cami."
The playful edge that usually lingered in Knox's tone was gone, replaced by something far colder.
"From here on… leave it to me."
Silence settled around him.
Then—
Knox exhaled softly. The atmosphere around his body shifted.
Darkness stirred. Not violently. Not explosively.
But with quiet authority.
Like ink dissolving in water, his appearance began to change.
The familiar Knox vanished.
In his place—
Jin.
The Pseudo Legion Commander.
The Eighth Legion Commander.
The Shadow Monarch.
Black garments layered with regal sharpness wrapped around his form. A dark, flowing mantle draped over his shoulders, its edges frayed like living shadows. Gold accents traced the armor's contours, subtle yet imposing, while a faint violet hue flickered beneath the hood.
Knox — now wearing Jin's identity — flexed his fingers once, as though reacquainting himself with the role.
"…Much better."
Gone was the relaxed student. Gone was the amused observer.
What remained was a being whose very existence bent the surrounding darkness.
His eyes lifted slowly. Locked forward. Toward the presence he had already anticipated.
"…Flema."
This time, there was no humor.
Only focus.
Only calculation.
"Run? What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"Ugh… Ahh… Ahhh… Aaaahhh…!"
Camibarez suddenly convulsed, her body thrashing violently. Simon grabbed her without hesitation and bolted in the opposite direction of the voice.
But the chanting only grew closer.
-@#$@# Have mercy. The sins of the world #@$@#$@.
Simon tore through the bushes, rushing forward blindly until—
He reached the source of the voice.
A shrine.
Someone clad in a long gray robe was prostrating on the ground, their arms stretched forward, palms turned toward the sky.
Above them, the altar was adorned with grotesque offerings. Strange objects and the entrails of beasts hung loosely, swaying faintly. Beneath it lay a still-twitching animal, stabbed through the chest with a dagger. Thick, sticky blood had stained the ground a vivid red.
And at the center of the altar…
Something large was laid out.
Simon recognized it instantly. Yet his mind refused to accept it.
Something that should never have been on Roke Mountain. Something that should never exist within Kizen.
A cross.
It was unmistakably a cross.
Why is there a cross here?
A naked woman was grotesquely nailed to it, her body tightly bound by thorn-covered vines.
The robed figure slowly lifted their upper body, chanting a prayer in a dry, emotionless voice. Moments later, they bowed again, pressing their chest to the ground, both palms facing upward.
Simon felt the blood drain from his body.
…A Priest!
A Priest was here, in Kizen. Kneeling within Kizen's territory.
Bowing. Reciting prayers.
I have to run.
He had seen something he never should have witnessed. If they were discovered, it would be over.
Camibarez, having taken in the horrifying sight, stood frozen in terror. Thankfully, both her hands were clamped tightly over her mouth, preventing even the faintest sound.
Simon carefully wrapped an arm around her shoulders, preparing to retreat.
Rustle.
A soft sound echoed from the grass. The Priest froze mid-prayer.
"..."
"..."
Simon's throat went bone dry as he slowly turned his head.
!!!
The Priest was standing. Staring directly at them.
From beneath the shadow of the hood, two eyes glowed like luminous orbs.
Simon's legs tensed.
"Run!"