The great hall of the royal palace loomed before them, its vastness doing little to ease the suffocating weight of tension in the air. The throne sat elevated on its golden dais, with King Go Soon watching the gathering before him with an impassive expression. Seated beside him, Queen Seo's fingers curled into the silk of her robes, her gaze sharp as a blade.

Master Lee Cheol stood at the center of the room, flanked by Seo Yul, Park Dang-gu, Jang Uk, and Park Hae-rin. They had entered as witnesses, allies, and challengers. What they would leave as—none of them knew.

The King's voice was calm but edged with curiosity. "Master Lee, you claimed to have something important to reveal about the existence of Soul Shifters in my kingdom."

"I do," Master Lee replied, his voice carrying easily through the silent hall. His gaze flickered briefly over the gathered nobles, before settling back on the King.

"But before I do, I must confess something to Your Majesty."

A pause.

Then, a single truth fell from his lips like a hammer striking steel.

"I am a Soul Shifter."

The words sent a shockwave through the hall.

Gasps rippled through the assembly. Even the King's composed expression faltered for a brief moment before settling back into something more unreadable.

Jang Uk clenched his fists. His mind was spinning—Master Lee had always known about Mu-Deok. He had known what she was. And yet he never said a word.

The Queen, on the other hand, did not look surprised. She looked furious.

"This is absurd," she snapped, her mask of grace cracking.

"A man of Songrim, a revered mage of Chwiseonru, admitting to being an abomination?"

Master Lee merely smiled. "An abomination, you say? Then I wonder, Your Majesty—what would that make you?"

The Queen went still.

Jang Uk's eyes darted toward her, and realization struck him. Master Lee wasn't just revealing himself—he was calling her out.

Master Lee turned back to the King, speaking as if the Queen had not just been accused of something deadly.

"Because of my nature, I can recognize others like me. There are Soul Shifters in the palace, and one of them stands very close to Your Majesty."

The tension became unbearable.

The King studied Master Lee's face. "And how do you propose we prove this claim?"

Master Lee smiled knowingly. "With a beast that never fails to sense a Soul Shifter."

The Queen's fingers twitched. "Your Majesty," she said hurriedly.

"We must not allow this. The creature is dangerous, wild. It will bring disorder to the palace."

The King turned his head toward her, his expression unreadable. "You seem quite eager to stop this test, my Queen."

She opened her mouth, but no words came.

Master Lee gave a small bow. "If Your Majesty wills it, I shall summon Gwigu."

The King took a moment to consider before nodding. "Very well."

Master Lee turned toward Jang Uk. "You will be the one to bring Gwigu inside."

Jang Uk met the older man's gaze. Something about the way Master Lee looked at him told him this was a test. Not just of his strength, but of his will.

"If you succeed," Master Lee said, "I will grant you a gift."

Jang Uk didn't hesitate. "I'll do it."

The moment Jang Uk stepped toward the palace gates, a shadow moved to block his path.

Jin Mu.

Flanked by several mages from Cheonbugwan, he stood with an air of casual arrogance.

"You are not welcome here, Jang Uk," Jin Mu said smoothly.

Jang Uk's grip tightened on his sword. "Then you should move aside before I make you."

Jin Mu smirked. "Foolish boy."

He raised a hand.

The Cheonbugwan mages attacked.

Jang Uk had no time for hesitation. His sword flashed as he met the first strike, parrying a blade before twisting to evade a spell aimed at his side. Sparks flew as he countered, stepping into the fight with all the precision of a trained warrior.

A bolt of energy shot toward him—only for Seo Yul to intercept it with a wave of his own power.

"Need some help?" Yul asked, stepping beside him.

Jang Uk exhaled. "Took you long enough."

Park Dang-gu appeared on Jang Uk's other side, cracking his knuckles. "Can't let you have all the fun."

The three of them fought together, cutting through the enemies with swift, practiced movements. Jang Uk surged forward, cutting down the last opponent in his way before sprinting toward the doors.

Gwigu barked loudly in the distance, sensing something inside.

Jin Mu turned and vanished into the shadows—his real goal was the throne room.

Elsewhere in the city, Mu-Deok stumbled upon a scene she should have never seen.

The bodies lay scattered, their blood seeping into the wooden floors. Three men, dead.

And standing at the doorway—

Park Jin.

His eyes landed on her, taking in the sight of her standing amid the corpses. His expression was unreadable. Then, in a voice as cold as winter rain, he asked,

"Did you do this?"

Mu-Deok did not move.

Because she knew that no matter what she said, no one would believe her.

She had been framed.

And she had a feeling she knew exactly who was behind it.

So-I.

So-I watched from the shadows.

She had not killed those men herself. But she had let it happen. She had made sure that Mu-Deok would be the only suspect.

She turned away, her lips curling into a smirk. Soon, Mu-Deok would be gone for good.

Back in the palace, the Crown Prince sat across from Master Lee, deep in thought.

"You truly believe it?" the Prince asked. "That Naksu is still alive?"

Master Lee set down his tea with a small smile. "Belief is not necessary."

He met the Prince's gaze.

"Because she is."

The words hung in the air like an omen.