Snow cracked beneath Dal Chin Hae's boots as he chased the masked assassin through the silent forest.
Every heartbeat brought him closer.
The assassin suddenly disappeared from sight.
Chin Hae stepped forward—
—and fell straight into a ditch.
"..."
He quickly climbed out and continued after them.
But by the time he reached the top of the hill, the assassin was gone.
Chin Hae sighed and slowly turned around.
Then—
An attack came from behind.
Chin Hae instinctively dodged.
He spun around, drew the katana from the back of his waist, and struck.
The masked assassin collapsed.
Chin Hae sheathed his blade.
"Done."
Dal Chin Hae eventually returned to a grand castle watched over by circling dragons.
The massive gates opened as he approached.
He entered the throne room and immediately bowed.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty."
A short woman stood before him.
Her skin was as soft as rosy milk, her silver hair flowed like silk, and her face was so beautiful that she almost looked divine.
Her Majesty crossed her arms.
"You're late, Chin Hae."
There was a hint of malice in her voice.
...There she goes again.
"I was simply executing an assassin, Your Majesty."
Silk sighed.
"I suppose I can let it go for now."
Chin Hae remained silent.
Her Majesty...
Silk Haneu.
The last Ice Dragon.
One of the most powerful beings within the Circle of the Great Five Nations.
Among countless powerful nations, she alone possessed enough power to alter the fate of immortals.
She was my highest priority.
And she still is.
But things have changed.
One Night.
Everything Changes.
Scary, isn't it?
The moon rose.
The sun slept.
And beneath the darkness of the night, a shadow blurred across the rooftops.
It moved from building to building until it reached the throne room.
A figure stepped from the shadows.
"I am Kersia Vertalian, Captain of the Versailles Knights Order."
Silk looked toward him.
"Oh my."
A playful smile formed on her face.
"Surely you know who I am."
"Of course."
Kersia's expression remained serious.
"You are Silk Haneu."
His eyes narrowed.
"The last Ice Dragon."
Silk's smile disappeared.
"And yet you still stand there opposing me?"
Her voice carried a faint edge of disdain.
"I'm doing this for your own good, Your Majesty."
"Such words."
Silk raised her hand.
"What could you possibly know about me?"
Several icicle blades formed around her.
Kersia didn't flinch.
"You're right."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a scroll.
"I know nothing about who you really are."
His gaze hardened.
"But I know the truth about Dal Chin Hae."
Silk's expression changed.
"...Tsk."
She summoned her katana.
Before she could move—
A man appeared between them.
Dal Chin Hae.
He took one step.
Then disappeared.
Kersia immediately prepared himself.
Chin Hae appeared behind him.
Kersia predicted the attack and spun around, swinging his sword.
Nothing.
An afterimage.
Chin Hae appeared above him.
His katana was already against Kersia's neck.
He swung.
But Kersia reacted instantly.
A massive pillar erupted from the ground, sending Chin Hae flying backward.
Chin Hae landed gracefully.
He looked down at his katana.
"...Fine."
He tightened his grip.
"For once, I'll actually use you like a katana."
He stepped forward.
The moment his feet touched the ground—
Pillars erupted around him.
One.
Two.
Three.
They surrounded Chin Hae, trapping him in place.
Kersia smiled.
"I've got you."
Then—
Stab.
A dagger pierced Chin Hae from behind.
His eyes widened.
He slowly looked down at the blade protruding from his body.
"..."
Blood dripped onto the snow.
Chin Hae stared at the wound in disbelief.
Then he let out a bitter laugh.
"So this is how it ends..."
His legs gave out.
As he fell, he glanced toward Silk.
His eyes softened.
This life was a grand one.
Too bad it ended here.
His body hit the ground.
Silence filled the throne room.
Then—
[A Great One Has Now Fallen]
The prologue was over.