The Four Hundred always advised that understanding the minds of those who create such problems is either difficult or not worth the effort. They advised thinking of it as tripping on a stone and taking a bad fall. I think they’re right.
But in such a situation, it couldn’t simply be overlooked.

I quickly recollected the events since the moment I first encountered the impostor son earlier today.

The true face he had shown only to me from the beginning. The behavior emphasizing ‘next’ while recognizing me twice afterward. The capability in sorcery to the extent that he could disrupt the formation that Team 400 had set up, and lock up both 400 teams in a formation all by himself.

‘An outstanding sorcerer targeting me.’

That made one thing come immediately to mind.

Although the reason was still unknown, a certain force had been targeting me, ‘Ha Hyun,’ since as far back as six years ago.

“The Devil Sect.”

“Hm?”

“You… You are from the Devil Sect.”

No response came back. However, the impostor son now smiled a bit more brightly than before. That expression spoke affirmation.

Suddenly, my sword-gripping hand started to tremble. Whether it was due to confusion over his attitude, which seemed to enjoy being exposed, or anger, or tension, or even fear, I couldn’t pin down the exact reason.

The only clear thing was that I couldn’t afford to be disturbed during this standoff.

I gripped the sword handle tighter to suppress the tremor. As I remained silent, the opponent threw another question while still wearing the same smiling face.

“Not attacking right away, huh? Do you think it’s over since you’ve dispelled the mental binding yourself? What about the ruin of your family? You folks delve quite deeply into the Circle.”

“No matter how deep the Circle is, there’s nothing good I can do for you.”

I hesitated for a moment but responded without delay.

Even if I took his life, it wouldn’t have resolved Ha Hyun’s Circle. There was no guarantee that I could even take it by attacking, so gathering more information seemed better.

The Devil Sect may be Ha Hyun’s enemy, but the one now called Ha Hyun was me.

Therefore, that person was targeting me, posing a threat to my safety.

And the fact that he had information about my recent activities meant it wasn’t a mere one-time scam from a pseudo-religion six years ago. There was something about me that even I wasn’t aware of.

Despite the considerable passage of time, he was still digging into my background.

‘Perhaps… Hwa San could be targeted because of me as well.’

That was my greatest fear.

I clenched my teeth and exhaled deeply. I had to act cautiously. I slowly lowered my sword. Although I didn’t loosen my grip, ensuring that I could swing it at any moment, I no longer aimed it directly at the opponent.

“Your depth is considerable.”

The thought that I didn’t necessarily have to lower my sword flickered through my mind momentarily. However, I soon realized it wasn’t a bad choice.
“Fine, then. Now that you’ve sheathed your sword, we can have a proper conversation.”

From the beginning, when he’d been pretending to be the fake eldest son, he had been obsessed with talking. It seemed he was serious about the topic.

“What do you wish to discuss?”

“I want to give you some useful information.”

The other tilted his head slightly, speaking as if singing.

“Later, look into a dark path called Heukcheonmun.”

“Heukcheonmun? What does it have to do with witchcraft?”

“It has nothing to do with it; that’s why I’m telling you. You shouldn’t get involved with such worthless things. I’ve only intruded to meet you.”

“What…”

For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

The arrogance of those who spoke about their own organization as something great was annoying, but what was even more irritating was the last remark.

‘How did he know that I would come to this place at this time…’

His mind cooled down.

As soon as he had a question, he almost immediately realized what the most likely answer was.

‘It’s not that the volcano is targeted.’

It was clear that it had been touched a long time ago.

‘Come to think of it, he knew that I was cursed and that he had lifted it himself.’

He had realized too late.

Moreover, since his initiation, he had been confined to the sect for six years and had just ventured out of Hwaumhyeon for the first time this year. If he had timed it this accurately to meet him, there was only one answer.

“Did you… plant a spy in the volcano?”

“I can’t answer that.”

Despite pretending to be troubled, the other smiled broadly. Just like earlier when I tried to confirm his identity.

As if he had wanted me to realize this fact sooner.

‘Who exactly, and since when?’

The volcano was a large sect. Despite being in such a dangerous mountain, the sect was expansive and had many people.

Even if it was just sect members, it was enormous. If you added the porters who delivered food and necessities every three days, and the cooks, I couldn’t know the total number.

‘…Calm down.’

Since it was unknown, there was no use thinking about it further.