In the middle of the night, at the youth training center.


    Yesterday, the first-year students stayed upte, evading the watchful eyes of the staff even after lights-out time.


    However, unlike yesterday, most of them were too tired and fell asleep early today.


    Today''s main activities were hiking and rafting, but somehow, a sspetition in a time attack format had emerged.


    ‘ss 0 was expected, but I never imagined ss 1 and ss 2 kids would be this enthusiastic...’


    Eunho recalled that, because the ss 0 quota was filled quickly this year, kids like Cha Seokwon, who were typical of ss 0, had been ced in regr sses.


    With such kids assigned to ss 1 and ss 2, the whole ss was incredibly interested in mischief and pointlesspetition.


    Cha Seokwon from ss 1 had modified the rafting paddle to race through the rapids too quickly, almost flipping the boat, while in ss 2, students had attached waterproof lights and mirrors to their helmets to blind the opposing team by reflecting light at them.


    Of course, ss 0 didn’t remain idle either.


    Eunseoho and Euniho used their abilities to increase the speed of their boat, but failed to adjust the power, causing their boat to capsize. Yoon Yeorang had to call upon the Dragon God’s colorful threads.


    In the end, they rafted on clouds instead of a boat, and that group was disqualified as a result, creating a bit of an incident.


    ‘After all thatmotion, it’s no wonder they’re exhausted. But at least it made things easier for me.’


    The ss 0 students, who shared a dorm with Eunho, were excitedly discussing the secret ghost stories of Eunghwang Highte into the night.


    However, it was difficult for tired teenagers to shake off their need for sleep.


    As a result, everyone except Eunho couldn’t resist their exhaustion and quickly fell asleep as soon as their heads hit their pillows.


    If the kids in his dorm really nned to keep talking about ghost stories all night, Eunho had nned to slip away with a little help, so it worked out well.


    Eunho quietly got up, suppressing his presence, and checked the time.


    ‘Now’s the time for Teacher Noh Youngmi and the new recruit to switch shifts for the night watch. They should be heading out for their walk soon.’


    Gongcheonghwon’s nighttime walks were one of Eunho’s headaches.


    It wasn’t just a casual stroll—Gongcheonghwon made it a habit to engage in all kinds of dangerous activities under the guise of a walk.


    Considering the feats Gongcheonghwon had aplished in Eunghwanggu, it was on par with the achievements of a seasoned professional yer team.


    During all this, Gongcheonghwon had never been injured once.


    Given his abilities, he likely wouldn’t be harmed by anything trivial, but as someone who had served the new recruit, Eunho couldn’t simply leave him to his own devices.


    Especially with a nighttime walk far from Eunghwanggu—Eunho couldn’t let that slide.


    ‘...That was before the war began. He truly hasn’t changed.’


    Eunho remembered the days when life wasn’t full of threats of war, though they were not exactly prosperous times either.


    Normally, the new recruit’s bodyguard would be Cheongho, or at least someone like a noble n member, a wind spirit, or one of the others would apany them.@@novelbin@@


    However, there were times when the new recruit would leave unapanied, suddenly disappearing without warning.


    Eunho recalled the vivid memory of hastily moving to check the new recruit’s whereabouts after he had discovered this toote.


    —My younger sibling searched for hours.


    When he finally found the new recruit, Baekho had shown no hesitation in expressing his difort.


    Unlike now, Baekho used to be unable to hold back his emotions in his youth, even with the new recruit.


    Eunho had to step in to manage the situation on Baekho’s behalf.


    He had quietly signaled Baekho to stay still and had confronted the new recruit directly.


    —What are you doing alone in a ce like this, New Recruit?


    The new recruit, who had been gathering hisposure, slowly turned and gazed at Eunho and Baekho.


    Having moved his body for the first time in a while, the new recruit seemed genuinely pleased, almost refreshed.


    —I’m a beast who incurred the wrath of a god who is not a celestial deity. Without realizing the danger, I stepped on the divine gift the god had bestowed on thisnd, trampling it with my dirty feet. I had to deal with it before I lost control and went on a rampage.


    —If you hadmanded it, Cheongho would have dly followed the order.


    —Had that been the case, there would have been no ce for me to step in.


    Though Eunho and the new recruit exchanged their words with smiles, an icy energy surged between them.


    Eunho realized that he couldn’t break the new recruit’s will with casual words.


    Instead, he thought of a way to prevent the new recruit from taking further action.


    ‘How did the new recruit foresee this beast’s rampage and act alone?’


    Eunho looked down at the dead mountain beast with a rxed expression.


    Although it seemed at peace, upon closer inspection, its vital energy was all twisted, showing the signs of rampage, just as the new recruit had said.


    The real question was how the new recruit had known and acted to stop it.


    It hadn’t gone on a rampage yet, so it would have been hard to detect from afar.


    Could it be that the new recruit had gained the power to sense the desecration of the divine gift that was not of the celestial gods?


    But the celestial god had a strong possessive attachment to the new recruit and was extremely protective, making it impossible for the new recruit to gain powers tied to another god.


    ‘If someone else had given the new recruit a blessing or a gift rted to another god, the celestial god would have been the first to react in anger before the beast went wild.’


    However, it was unlikely that someone had crossed the noble guards and approached the new recruit to offer advice or request assistance regarding the beast.


    While Eunho was lost in thought, the new recruit spoke.


    —Are you curious about how I came here?


    —You know me well. We can’t let this happen again in the future.


    —I intended to go quietly, but I didn’t expect things to escte so quickly. I’m sorry for making you worry.


    The new recruit apologized warmly, and the ominous air surrounding Baekho visibly softened, while Eunho also found his sharp demeanor growing gentler.


    The new recruit was someone who rarely apologized and was known for his gentle nature. The noble ns were particrly susceptible to his rare apologies.


    After that, the new recruit spoke again in his soothing voice.


    —I love thisnd. That’s why I can sense certain things.


    —What things?


    —Things that could pose a threat to thisnd. Not everything, but I can sense some.


    The new recruit exined that, as a descendant of both gods and humans, he had inherited unique powers and senses, particrly attuned to thend he cherished.


    ‘Even so, going out without any guards, relying solely on such feelings...’


    Eunho felt the new recruit’s trust in his own powers and the noble n, but there was a burning sensation rising within him. He kept it to himself, however.


    Instead, Eunho responded coldly.


    —You must be careful with yourself. Even if you trust us, you cannot recklessly expose such powers, and you should not face threats alone by using them.


    Despite Eunho’s cold words, the new recruit smiled warmly.


    Even though it was the middle of the night, it seemed that only a warm breeze surrounded the new recruit.


    —I understand. I won’t go alone next time.


    The new recruit kept his word.


    Once the war began, he prioritized his safety and never moved alone again.


    In the end, he kept that promise, and after the war began, the new recruit disappeared with Cheongho.


    That promise, however, was not kept once Gongcheonghwon took over.


    He continued to wander at night under the guise of a stroll.


    ‘But... he did mention going for a night walkst night.’


    Gongcheonghwon had warned Eunho that he would go for a walkst night.


    Eunho, being just a student, didn’t really need to bring it up.


    Perhaps Gongcheonghwon had recalled his promise as the new recruit, making Eunho feel strange.


    ‘But he didn’t tell me where he was going. Is he implying that if I can’t follow, I shouldn’te?’


    No matter Gongcheonghwon’s intentions, Eunho wasn’t ready to give up.


    Eunho quietly began reviewing Gongcheonghwon’s nighttime walk route, careful not to wake the other students.


    The guards, who were patrolling the area, were likely unaware of Gongcheonghwon’s path.


    ‘Still no news from Huangho.’


    It seemed that the noble guards hadn’t figured out Gongcheonghwon’s walking route yet.


    Or perhaps nothing unusual had urred yet for them to report.


    In any case, Eunho decided to move on his own.


    The noble bodyguards stationed here were aware of Eunseoho and Euniho’s presence but didn’t know Eunho had gotten up.


    Therefore, they would treat him as just another student and wouldn’t notice if he moved in a direction away from their patrol routes.


    ‘I’ll aim to move in a direction that doesn’t ovep with their patrol routes.’


    After confirming that there was no one around, Eunho carefully began moving, but then he sensed a presence.


    Something that had been disguised as a wall suddenly flipped over, revealing a camouge tarp.


    The person who appeared was none other than Cha Seokwon, the oddball from ss 1.


    Despite causing chaos during rafting, it seemed that he wasn’t tired at all.


    “Hey? Eunha, you’re still up?”


    “Yeah, hey.”


    Eunhopletely hid his surprise and responded with a smile.


    He didn’t want to draw attention with awkward behavior—it would only make things more troublesome.


    Eunho quickly devised a strategy.


    The best n was to make Cha Seokwon lose interest in him, so the oddball could focus on his own activities.


    “This ce has great air, and you can see the stars well. But the sun setste, and we can’t go outte at night, right? So I came out secretly to look.”


    “Really?”


    “The clouds are few today, so the star viewing is great. I was setting up my camouge wall and telescope just now. Oh, and how did my camouge tarp look?”


    Eunho felt a little awkward.


    Cha Seokwon was outgoing and, objectively speaking, had a good rtionship with Eunho, since they lived in neighboring dorm rooms.


    Moreover, Eunho’s crafting skills and Cha Seokwon’s experimental mindset had created a mutual understanding.


    So, it was natural to have casual conversations when they ran into each otherte at night during the retreat.


    Eunho tried to answer vaguely while steering the conversation to keep Cha Seokwon focused on the stars, but things weren’t going as nned.


    “So, Eunha, what are you going to do?”


    Eunho smiled vaguely, thinking of how to respond. He considered using the excuse that he was out for ate-night snack, but that would likely lead to Cha Seokwon wanting to join him.


    Moreover, there was a bathroom inside the dorm, so that excuse probably wouldn’t work either.


    He thought about avoiding contradictions and came up with the least exciting answer, but strangely, it turned out to be the right one.


    “I’m going for a night walk.”


    After some thought, Eunho said that.


    He hoped Cha Seokwon would just give a simple “take care” or something equally unremarkable.


    However, Cha Seokwon didn’t respond as Eunho had hoped.


    “Really? Then, should Ie with you?”


    Eunho felt a headacheing on.


    In the worst case, he thought of knocking him out and going alone.


    But before he could take that step, another variable appeared.


    “I’ll go too!”


    “Me too!”


    Without Eunho even asking, two familiar voices answered on their own.


    Despite causing amotion earlier in the day, the oddballs weren’t tired at all, and they were not alone.


    There were more than just Cha Seokwon—others from ss 1 had joined in as well.


    Though they didn’t possess the same level of skill in creating high-level camouge walls like Cha Seokwon, they were skilled enough to trick the senses of the Divine Family and y dead if needed.


    It was Eunseoho and Euniho.