Far from the Sanctuary, deep inside a dark mountain—
Shadows gathered like smoke.
Dozens of dark creatures knelt on the ground.
At the center stood a larger figure.
A Shadow Boss.
Its body was thicker and more solid than the others.
Dark flames moved across its arms.
Its eyes burned deep red.
In front of it floated a moving shadow image—
Ji Young holding the Lightbound Blade.
The Shadow Boss stared silently.
Then it spoke in a low, rough voice.
"That sword…"
The shadows around it trembled.
"The Ancient Lightbound Blade…"
Its eyes narrowed.
"This reminds me of the past…
the Great War…"
The air grew colder.
"Long ago,
a powerful king and a great warrior carried that blade."
The shadow image changed.
For a moment,
the sword shone like a sun.
Its light was blinding.
"That time,
the blade burned with unstoppable light," the Shadow Boss said.
"One strike…"
The ground shook.
"…destroyed one thousand of our bases."
The creatures around it growled in fear.
But then—
The Shadow Boss laughed.
"Haaaa…"
The image returned to Ji Young.
The sword's glow was small.
Soft.
Incomplete.
"Now the blade shows only weak power."
Its laughter grew louder.
"Haaaha!"
"It has chosen… a small boy."
The Shadow Boss leaned forward.
"His power level is zero."
Dark creatures began laughing with it.
"Haaaha… haaaha…"
The Shadow Boss raised its hand.
"Send more hunters."
Its voice became cold.
"If the blade awakens again…
our king will not be pleased."
The shadow image disappeared.
But deep inside the darkness—
Something ancient was listening.
And watching.