The crack in reality had been sealed, but the tension at Star Academy remained thick in the air. The demon inflation incident had shaken everyone to the core. With such chaos erupting within the academy's very grounds, another emergency meeting was called by Headmaster Arcan Ludien.
This time, the grand meeting room wasn't just filled with the internal staff of Star Academy. It was a gathering of the most powerful individuals on the planet.
Seated at the long obsidian table were:
Lee Fujin, the Gunfighter and Guild Master of the Assault Guild, Yujin's father.
Altherion Vagor, the Sword Saint and Guild Master of the Sword Guild, Kain's father.
Goh Ren, a Martial Artist and the current Guild Master of the Inferno Arts Guild, Taro's uncle.
Lysander Estelle, a formidable Mage and the Guild Master of the Blossom Guild, Sylvia's older brother.
Reina Kisaragi, the lethal Assassin and Guild Master of the Poison Guild, and Mira's mother.
Headmaster Arcan stood at the end of the table, arms folded behind his back, the weight of leadership clear in his sharp gaze.
"The demonic inflation we just faced was not an isolated event," Arcan began, his voice grave. "The source was far too deep. If we leave it unchecked, this won't be the last breach."
The guild leaders exchanged uneasy looks. Lee Fujin leaned forward. "Are you suggesting we go deeper into the other side?"
Arcan nodded. "Yes. We propose forming a squad of elite guild members to investigate the Outpost of the Unknown Civilization beyond the edge of the planet."
Altherion stroked his beard. "That place is shrouded in mystery. No communication comes out from there."
Goh Ren frowned. "We already lost brave men in previous expeditions. My brother… Taro's father… Inferno Blaze died fighting there."
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
Reina Kisaragi finally spoke, her tone cold yet composed. "If we don't act, more lives will be lost. Our enemies are hidden, but not gone."
After a long discussion, it was decided: an elite squad would be formed. They would travel to the other side of Earth and infiltrate the Unknown Civilization's outpost to gather intelligence. Meanwhile, a separate cadet squad would continue investigating Star Academy to identify any remaining demon infiltrators.
With decisions made, the guild leaders left the room, preparing for the journey.
As the squad warped to the far side of the planet, they arrived near a heavily fortified frozen plain—a forward base meant to contain the crack. There, standing alone among the ruins, was Taro Blaze.
His figure was hardened. Frost clung to his armor, his flaming red hair tied back, and his hands tightly gripping a massive gauntlet. Behind him lay a barricade, untouched by demons. His eyes glinted with warning.
"You're not going past me," Taro said firmly.
Goh Ren stepped forward, trying to calm his nephew. "Taro, we're here to seal the crack completely and end this. You don't have to do this alone."
Taro shook his head. "I've seen too many die, Uncle. My father—he trusted others, and look where that led him. I won't let history repeat itself."
A silence followed. But before anyone else could speak, Yujin stepped forward.
"You're not wrong," Yujin said calmly, meeting Taro's burning eyes with his calm, icy ones. "But that doesn't mean carrying everything alone is the solution."
Taro gritted his teeth. "What do you know about it?!"
"I know pain," Yujin replied. "I've lived it more than once. I know what it's like to lose. But I also know that fighting together—truly together—gives us the strength to overcome anything."
The frost beneath Taro's feet cracked slightly, his rage slowly fading into guilt and sorrow.
"Your father believed in the guilds," Yujin said. "Let us finish what he started. Together. I promise you… We'll end the Unknown Civilization. We'll protect this world."
For a long moment, the air remained still. Then, Taro lowered his gauntlet and took a deep breath.
"…Fine. But if any of you die, I'll kill you myself," he muttered.
Everyone chuckled slightly, the tension finally breaking. The elite squad worked quickly, using massive sealing runes to reinforce the crack and deploy suppressing magic.
As the final rune lit up, Yujin's Divine Perception activated once again. His vision blurred for a second, and then the words glowed before him:
[Mistake Solved 6/50 – Demon Inflation Prevented]
No messages about the secret of the world appeared—just silence. Yujin didn't need a reward. This time, saving lives was enough.
And with that, the squad returned to the academy, the threat sealed—for now.