Chapter 495
Episode 138: The Keeper of the White Night Tower (Part 1)
Shhhk.
The sharp sound of a cigarette lighter flicking to life cut through the chaos.
The raucous clash of swords and magic that had filled the arena abruptly fell silent.
It was as if the very presence of this muscular, towering man demanded nothing less.
An overwhelming aura of intimidation.
There was no clearer, simpler way to describe the man named Hedo.
Just by standing there, blocking the entrance, the arena felt like a sealed chamber with no escape, the air thick and heavy, suffocating like mud.
What is that monster…? Whose head is that?
The Runcandel warriors exchanged glances, their eyes silently asking the same question.
Even the Phantom Corps, who knew exactly who he was, shared those looks.
But unlike the Runcandel, the Phantom Corps’ expressions carried a different weight:
Confusion. Grief. Shock.
And fear.
The reason was clear.
The head that Hedo casually dropped was that of one of their own.
“Hedo killed Loeb!”
“Damn it… I came back to the Mage Tower just to avoid this kind of disaster…!”
Of course, the Phantom Corps’ emotions didn’t reach the Runcandel, who had been locked in fierce battle moments before.
With their faces hidden behind hoods, the Phantom Corps were no loose group to reveal their feelings to the enemy, no matter how dire the situation. They were elite among elites.
Yet those born and bred to wear the gray robes of the Phantom Corps, forged through brutal training and selection, understood all too well.
That sometimes, there are monsters beyond reach. That beyond one mountain lies another—and beyond that, the sky.
Just like the few superhumans they’d encountered in their lives as Phantoms, this man was one of them.
Crackle!
The long cigarette burned like a fuse, the thick ash falling in chunks rather than drifting away. With a single drag, the entire cigarette turned to ash.
Fwoosh!
Hedo exhaled a cloud of smoke so acrid it could have been poison, shrouding his broad chest.
“Huh?”
Murakan broke the silence.
He wore a scowl that was as menacing as possible without seeming desperate or forced, and continued with a sneer.
“Who the hell are you? Didn’t even knock. Look at those muscles—did you just walk out of some bodybuilding contest? If you don’t want to get your ass kicked, I suggest you pretend you didn’t see us and move along.”
He subtly jabbed Jin’s side with his elbow and whispered.
“Kid, we need to get out of here.”
Jin felt it instinctively.
The four Phantom Corps warriors were formidable, but the Runcandel’s combined strength was enough to handle them.
But this unknown warrior? He was on a whole other level—beyond their control.
Even with Murakan, Dipus, Joshua, and the Black Knight, all at half their strength, standing together.
He was definitely not a Changseong Knight. Both the Runcandel and Murakan, who had witnessed the might of the Changseong Knights up close, were certain of that.
Still, even if not a Changseong Knight, he was clearly somewhere close to that level…
A giant standing tall in the realm of such a formidable warrior.
“I’ve never heard of a warrior like that existing in Jiple. Could it be… Kinzelro?”
Not only Jin, but Joshua, Dipus, and the Black Knight were all in the dark about Hedo’s identity. Even the secret roster of Jiple’s elite forces, accessible only to the Black Knight and top riders, made no mention of him.
Crack!
Hedo crushed the head of the fallen Phantom Corps soldier beneath his boot and spoke. The Phantoms didn’t dare utter a word.
“Knock? As the second steward of Jiple, that’s not even a consideration, Black Dragon. This isn’t the Runcandel’s domain, is it?”
Wait—he called Murakan the Black Dragon?
The Phantom Corps realized they’d been mistaken the moment Hedo said that.
They hadn’t ruled out the possibility entirely, but with Murakan’s face covered, they’d assumed he was more likely the Black Knight.
“Huh? My mask’s still on. How’d you recognize me?”
“It’s common knowledge that the Black Dragon prefers a somewhat coarse tone. The one wielding the greatsword is the 4th rider, the one with the black sword Kainer painted to look like a lump of iron is the 2nd rider, that fellow must be the Black Knight Jane, and the last is the 12th rider, Jin Runcandel.”
It was only a matter of time before their identities were revealed anyway, since they’d fought only the Phantom Corps. The stealth suits were just to minimize unnecessary exposure.
But the revelation that this man was the second steward left the Runcandel utterly dumbfounded.
Someone like him holding such a lowly title was beyond all reason.
Moreover, Jiple’s “steward list” had long been public knowledge, no need for the Runcandel to access secret intelligence.
Not just Jiple, but the Runcandel, the Imperial Court, and other major families and factions all had their steward information openly available.
Stewards handled not only family affairs but also external duties—negotiations, welcoming dignitaries, banquets, various events. The press often reported on these, naming the stewards involved.
“The publicly known second steward is Melvin Grouch, famed for his brilliant mind. And this monster claims to be the second steward?”
If Hedo was telling the truth, he was in that position for some reason of his own choosing. That was the consensus.
“Second steward? Hey, Mr. Muscle, you’re just the second steward?”
“Well… I do hold a few other titles as well. Among them, I serve as the keeper of this tower.”
“The keeper?”
“Yes. I suppose I should properly introduce myself again. I am Hedo, keeper of the White Night Tower.”
Hedo bowed slightly, tracing a line inward with his right arm in a formal greeting.
Keeper of the White Night Tower.
Revealing another title, Hedo subtly studied Jin.
“Jin Runcandel…”
His lady, Sandra Jiple’s chosen love—the 12th rider of the Runcandel.
Though generally indifferent to outside affairs, Hedo had occasionally felt a faint curiosity even before Sandra’s love and marriage drama began.
What kind of man was this, who so often stirred the world into a frenzy? Since Luna, no Runcandel rider had caused such a stir.
But if not for Sandra, Hedo probably wouldn’t have paid Jin any special attention at all.
“Could you remove your mask?”
“No.”
“Though we belong to opposing houses, I have shown you the utmost courtesy by revealing who I am. This is not a difficult request.”
“I appreciate your revealing your alias and titles, but a sword rider cannot simply comply with a steward’s request. Reveal your true name and position, and I will remove my mask.”
“Bold words, but I sense a courageous spirit within you, 12th rider. As you wish.”
Swish.
Hedo slowly drew the long sword tied at his waist. Twice the length and thickness of a normal longsword, it was sleek rather than crude enough to be called a greatsword.
Murakan hesitated for a moment at the sight.
“But understand this—my mercy will diminish accordingly.”
Shing!
A piercing, ear-splitting sound filled the arena.
Hedo stepped forward and unleashed a single strike. Despite his massive frame, his movement was impossibly swift—so much so that even his companions could hardly believe their eyes.
The sword’s energy didn’t travel in just one direction.
Though the strike came from the center, the sword energy spread out in a massive fan, covering the entire front of Hedo.
One strike, but hundreds of sword energies.
A legendary technique among warriors, known as the “Sword Wave.” The wave-like sword energy swept indiscriminately through air, objects, and people alike.
The Runcandel gathered their strength, raised their shields, and wielded their finest blades to withstand Hedo’s blow.
Terrifying.
That was the unanimous feeling.
Yet despite the shock, the Runcandel couldn’t help but wonder:
“If he attacks like this, won’t the Phantom Corps get hit too?”
Hedo’s sword energy threatened not only the Runcandel but the Phantom Corps as well. In fact, the strongest waves seemed to be directed more at the Phantoms than the Runcandel.
Jin and his companions couldn’t yet guess why, but one thing was certain:
Within Jiple, Hedo held enough power to trample even the Phantom Corps at will.
“Does this mean Hedo wields authority equal to or greater than Octavia Jiple? No… something about this doesn’t quite add up…”
Jin sensed something odd in the Phantom Corps’ behavior.
“If this were a reprimand from a superior, the Phantoms would have begged for forgiveness first. But instead, they seem resigned to endure Hedo’s attack… ugh!”
Zzang!
Before Jin could react, Hedo’s sword came crashing down toward his forehead.
He only managed to block it, but the force was so immense it felt like his wrist might snap—a sensation he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Before Hedo could retrieve his sword, Murakan and Dipus lunged at him with sword and fist, while Joshua and Jane slipped in from the side, attempting to strike.
Just as the Runcandels’ attacks were about to land—
Hedo’s muscles bulged, and in the next instant,
the group had to convince themselves that the blades and fists that stabbed and struck weren’t hitting flesh, but some indescribably hard mineral.
Their swords and fists had simply bounced off.
Though they had attacked desperately, the two top-ranked riders, the Black Knight’s sword, and Murakan’s fist—now back to half his strength—all were stunned.
Murakan, in particular, stared wide-eyed.
While the other Runcandels couldn’t tear their gaze away from Hedo’s shockingly powerful body, Murakan was fixated on his unusually long sword.
As if something had just come to mind.
“You… that sword. Where did you get it?” Murakan asked in a low voice, clearly confused.
Hedo tilted his head once.
“That’s a strange question, Black Dragon. And from what I’ve heard from those who faced you on Gaipa Island before, this isn’t even close to your full strength.”
Behind his mask, Murakan’s eyes trembled as they locked onto Hedo’s greatsword.
“Oh, wait. If you’re holding back your power out of concern for your family’s support, don’t worry. No reinforcements from your clan will be coming here.”