“Pardon us for the intrusion, but you have something that belongs to me.”   The chill crept over their body, feeling the eeriness of Namjoon’s voice over them. By now, they knew not to trust his deceiving friendliness.   “Or rather, someone who belongs to me,” Namjoon corrected himself and winked. He strode ahead as the others unconsciously opened a pathway for him, leading him to the wendigo trapped in ice. He placed his hand against the ice block, and in an instant, melted the solid cube into liquid. It took no less than ten seconds for Yibyul to be freed.   Her body fell right into his arms as per his calculations. Namjoon carried the girl with ease, putting her motionless body over his shoulder like she was some animal trophy he had hunted.   “Come, let’s go Jangmun,” he called, not bothering to stay any longer. He knew no one would dare to obstruct his escape regime. He smelled their fear from afar, but from up close, they were threatened to breathe in the same air. He could toy with their emotion if he wanted to, but treating Yibyul was a priority now.   Jangmun faced the ground, his fists clenching. He battled an internal dilemma within him—to follow Namjoon, or to avenge Jinah’s death.   Who was he kidding? No one would stop Namjoon if he were to die now. No one would learn of his evil plans. Namjoon’s eyes were never set on the ephemeral crown to begin with.   “Hey, wendigo!”   Jangmun halted his track, knowing the caller addressed him. From his peripheral vision, he watched one of the goblin girls retrieving the double blades from her back holster. Maerin, was it?   “After killing Taemin, did you think I would let you live?” Maerin shouted, slicing her blades together as its metal tips clashed into a stinging sound.   Yeonji widened her eyes, stopping midway from applying a herbal potion to Bacon’s injured wings. She made sure Maerin wouldn’t learn the truth back then to prevent any catastrophe. Knowing the truth would only lead to Maerin’s rage, and therefore, bring forth rash decision makins.   “I will avenge Taemin’s death!” Maerin yelled, blindly charging towards Jangmun. Her speed seemed to have doubled than before. To the onlooker who blinked, she seemed to be teleporting from place to place.   Jangmun drew his gun, moving his pupils to survey the surrounding. He knew Jinah’s killer was either Maerin or Hoya. Heaven granted an opportunity for revenge. But then, he’d be no different from Namjoon who wished for darkness to rule over Ephemerus.   No. He couldn’t kill them.   “So it’s a battle to avenge the deceased lover. Since Jangmun killed Taemin, and Maerin killed Jinah, this is the perfect closure,” Jihye shouted, grinning with confidence. She knew the small revelation would make the battle a whole lot more interesting to watch.   The wendigo froze. His grip tightened around his pistols. It was Maerin, and his firm decision began to falter. Maybe he could hurt ber a little?   Maerin let out a battle cry, suddenly appearing in front of his vision when he least expected it. She sliced his clothes open, revealing his bare chest. It was the perfect target for her blades, and she aimed directly for his heart.   It was a time to fight back and take revenge, but the good side in Jangmun refused to do so. He took Maerin’s hit, feeling the sharp edge of the blade dip into his flesh. The sword was pulled out by force, a splat of blood accompanying as more skin was slithered. He was bleeding, but not hurting. When dark magic protected him from any feelings of pain, he could get mauled into pieces and still be numb to pain.   He was quiet, stating his disinterest of hurting her. But the goblin was blinded by rage, piercing her sword into his chest, nearly hitting his heart. Then she pulled the sword out, trying to target her next aim.   “For Taemin’s sake, I swear I will try to make it as hurtful as possible,” Maerin pledged. She stood in front of him, realizing he wouldn’t fight back. She held both swords in her hand, slicing them against each other as the blood splattered to the ground.   Oh, how he wished the statement could be true. He wished to taste the pain. Living beings were supposed to feel pain. Without it, he was no different from a dead man. He stared at Maerin, watching her raise her arms to land him a final blow. Should he defend himself? Should he kill her?   But Maerin’s swords fell from her grip, and she let out a choked yell. Her arms cramped together towards her body, and only her fingers managed to move. An invisible force constricted around her body, forcing her to suffocation as seconds passed. Her entire body was lifted from the floor.   “Maerin!” Jihye and Baekhyun both yelled simultaneously, even Bacon chirped in panic.   Hoya was alerted, staring at Jangmun to read the shock from his usual poker face. He wasn’t the culprit it was someone else.   They watched in horror as Maerin’s body floated before them, completely bound by an unseen chain. It tightened more and more to the point her face blanched out, her pupils widened, and tongue dehydratrd. She mumbled something inaudible, keeping open as more squeaks echoed her tormenting pain. Her entire face went from red to purple when the windpipes were blocked. But the invisible constricting continued, and her face and skin began to swell, all the air being trapped in one place.   “She’s gonna explode!” Jihye never thought she’d utter a sentence as ridiculous as that one.   It was true. Maerin was as bloated as a balloon being filled with air beyond its capacities. Within the blink of an eye, a loud pop resonated in the air as fresh meat burst apart into a festive bloodbath. Maerin’s body was no longer there, but her meat and organs began to rain down from the sky, falling on the floor next to the remnants of her attire.   “You were getting distracted, so I lend you a hand,” Namjoon’s voice chimed from behind. The sinister grin smothered the charm on his face, and with Yibyul still over his shoulder, he left for real this time.   Yeonji gritted her teeth, watching the wendigo with profound fear and annoyance. He did not even lay a finger on Maerin and managed to levitate her using some unknown force. It was his dark magic at work, she was sure of. He was more dangerous than she could ever imagine. And she could do absolutely