Chapter 360: Chapter 360

A three-story house with a garden, located in the suburbs of Seoul.

It was a luxurious residence, its size and design suggesting a high price tag… but such houses weren’t very popular.

They were far from the city center, lacking convenient access to public transportation and other amenities, and more importantly, they were more vulnerable to crime, as it was more difficult for Guardians and other emergency services to respond quickly.

Even with the recent improvements in Korea’s public safety, the crime rate wasn’t zero.

Of course, they were less likely to be targeted by large-scale terrorist attacks, which usually occurred in crowded areas.

But petty crimes were much more common.

And such isolated houses were prime targets for burglars, who usually operated in the shadows, avoiding public attention.

So, the people who lived in such places were usually one of two types.

Of course, there were also those who simply couldn’t afford to live anywhere else and took their chances, hoping for the best.

After all, they were relatively affordable, despite the higher risk.

‘I wonder which type this is.’

A large garden, surrounded by a high wall, and a three-story house in its center.

The self-proclaimed ‘Master Thief’, a rising star in the underworld, observed his target through a telescope, licking his lips in anticipation.

It was a bit… ironic for a thief, whose greatest asset was anonymity, to have a reputation… but he considered it a harmless eccentricity.

After all, there were countless stories of beloved phantom thieves, weren't there?

‘As long as my true identity remains hidden, it’s fine.’

And he was confident in his ability to remain undetected.

He had been trained by a master who had recognized his potential in the early stages of his arrival in another world, and he had never been caught, his skills surpassing even his teacher’s.

‘I want to experience that thrill again. No, something even greater…!’

Earth, a world where the magic of countless dimensions intersected, was the perfect playground for his ambition.

Of course, if he wanted a real challenge, he could target the Returnee Association or the Blue House… but he wasn’t quite ready for that yet.

‘One step at a time. I’ll challenge those places after I’ve fully adapted to this world’s methods…’

He had already burgled dozens of high-end residences.

Considering that he had only returned to Earth less than six months ago, it was quite an impressive feat.

‘I don’t care about Hahoe Mask or Phantom. They don’t even know I exist. How can they catch me? Even the Supernatural Management Bureau, the Returnee Association, and the Blood Alliance in the underworld have only recently become aware of my presence.’

He wasn't like those small-fry thieves who were easily caught.

Even if those notorious monsters came after him, he was confident he could escape.

‘Let’s see what this hunting ground has to offer.’

He grinned, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, and activated his unique skill, 「Ghostly Steps」.

His other skills also activated simultaneously, erasing his presence and even his physical form, making him practically invisible.

Even a skilled Awakened wouldn't be able to detect him, even if he tap-danced right in front of them.

He approached the wall, his movements smooth and silent.

And then, he suddenly stopped, a strange sense of unease washing over him.

A chilling premonition, a primal fear that sent shivers down his spine.

He hadn't felt this since his early days, when he had recklessly relied on his unique skill and ignored his master’s warnings, almost getting himself killed.

If it wasn't for his master, he wouldn't be here today.

His pride was wounded.

He wasn't the same naive fool he used to be.

Even though his master had retired before he could reach his full potential, he had long since surpassed him in both skill and experience.

‘I can’t just keep targeting easy prey. It’s time to move on to the next level. This is my chance to transcend my past.’

Of course, he wasn’t going to ignore the warning.

He used all his sensory abilities and magic tools to analyze the situation beyond the wall, his mind cold and calculating.

‘…An impressive security barrier. And it’s perfectly concealed. Is this the source of my unease?’

It was top-of-the-line, comparable to government facilities.

‘This level of security… for a private residence in the suburbs…?’

His curiosity was piqued.

Someone important must be involved, someone with the resources and influence to install such a sophisticated security system.

And they must have something to hide.

‘Hidden funds? A secret lover? Or perhaps… something more sinister. Drugs? Human trafficking? Organ harvesting?’

His mind raced, filled with dangerous possibilities.

And at the same time, he had a feeling that this might be… more trouble than it was worth.

‘Logically, I should retreat…’

But his eyes, which had briefly closed, opened again, a strange glint of determination within them.

This was a crossroads.

To remain an ordinary thief, or to become a legendary phantom thief, a figure of myth and legend.

And he had already made his choice.

The security system might be dangerous, but it was still based on known principles.

It might be challenging, but it couldn't stop him.

He activated his unique skill, 「Wormhole」.

An ability that allowed him to create a temporary portal, bypassing all physical and magical barriers.

Its range was limited, but it was his lifeline, perfect for both infiltration and escape.

‘I’ll uncover your secrets!’

He confidently took a step forward, entering the mansion’s grounds…

…and found himself trapped within a formation.

He was surrounded by trees, their branches intertwined, forming a dense canopy that blocked out the sky.

A vast forest, its trees towering over him, their height exceeding ten meters.

“…What is this? How…?”

He couldn't help but exclaim, his voice filled with disbelief.

He had bypassed the security system and aimed for the inside of the house, avoiding the garden.

His calculations had been perfect, and he hadn't sensed anything unusual.

There was only one explanation.

‘A spatial distortion that even negates my “Wormhole”? But I didn’t detect it from outside…!’

His mind screamed in alarm, and he instinctively knew.

That he had only scratched the surface, and he had walked right into a trap, blinded by his arrogance.

He tried to use 「Wormhole」 again, but only white sparks flickered in the air. It didn’t work.

‘Tsk, this is… holy power? Was it masking the formation?’

His last resort was gone. He had to find another way out.

He used his lightness skill and leaped onto a tree branch, then climbed to the top… but all he could see was an endless sea of trees.

A massive barrier, its scale and complexity beyond his comprehension.

It would require at least a transcendent Archmage to create such a formation.

No, considering the holy power, it was probably the work of multiple transcendent beings…

‘This level of security… for a private residence in the suburbs…? What is this place?! A secret base for some world-conquering organization?’

In a way, it was similar.

It was the home of someone who was fighting against a world-conquering organization.

Though there was only one official resident.

The Master Thief, as if determined to prove his reputation, moved quickly, searching for a weakness in the barrier.

But there were traps that were… close to perfect.

His stamina and energy were rapidly depleting, as if being drained by an unseen force.

His body, which could usually go for days without rest, was now exhausted, his movements sluggish and heavy.

“…Ha… Hahaha! This is… ridiculous. What kind of madman would create a demonic realm in Korea…!”

Plants, once peaceful and serene, suddenly came to life, their branches and vines reaching out to attack him.

Magic traps, triggered by his movements, kept him on edge.

Blood-red monsters, emanating a thick, metallic scent, relentlessly pursued him.

And even when he managed to find a moment’s respite, the curses and nightmares that filled the air prevented him from resting or even sleeping properly.

He couldn’t find a way out, and just surviving was a struggle.

He had reached his limit.

The fact that he had lasted for almost a day was a miracle in itself.

His consciousness fading, his mind filled with regret,

…he finally realized.

That he hadn’t entered a simple dungeon, a training ground for leveling up.

He had stumbled into the worst kind of hell, meticulously designed by high-level experts.

“Hmm, it’s over? It took longer than I expected. He’s quite skilled.”

I took a sip of my coffee and closed my eyes, sensing the intruder’s fading presence.

A man, collapsed and on the verge of death, was being restrained by Blood Spawns, creatures made of blood, within the barrier.

‘Hmm… What should I do with him? He seems… useful.’

He was far more skilled than an ordinary thief.

His combat abilities were unknown, but his stealth skills were impressive. With enough preparation, a bit of luck, and a distracted target, he might even be able to fool a transcendent being.

‘It would be a waste to just kill him.’

This had happened a few times before, and his response had always been the same.

He would interrogate the intruder, then eliminate the organization or individuals behind him, along with anyone involved.

There were no innocent people among those who shared information about potential targets. He didn't hesitate.

‘If they were truly innocent, I would just… modify their memories.’

And then, he noticed the magic tools the man was carrying.

They were among the items being retrieved from his subspace pouch, and they immediately caught his attention.

…They were magic tools he had acquired through Hubert’s Trading Company and then distributed through the Blood Alliance.

He had established a stable supply chain for magic tools, thanks to the high demand, and both Hubert’s Trading Company and the Blood Alliance had benefited greatly.

The Blood Alliance, despite being an underworld faction, had become one of the most powerful forces in Korea’s nightlife thanks to their relatively moderate approach and their access to magic tools.

If he hadn’t greased the wheels, they would have been suppressed and marginalized, despite their cooperation.

‘…Right, I’ll send him to the Blood Alliance. They can turn him into a vampire and bind him with restrictions.’

Transforming someone into a vampire on Earth was incredibly inefficient, a massive drain on resources… but for a talent like him, it was a worthwhile investment.

And it wasn't a big deal for Heinz the Second, who had unlimited access to blood without any risk of mental contamination.

Having decided on the intruder’s fate,

I shifted my attention to the other avatars, a satisfied smile spreading across my face.

‘Everything is progressing smoothly.’

The situation in Ganghwange was unfolding as planned.

Everyone was aware of the gravity of the situation, so there was no need for complex schemes.

‘After all, this is a problem for everyone in Ganghwange.’

There had been some initial skepticism, but the recent incident had changed everything.

The storm clouds filled with demonic energy that had covered the sky above Beijing.

It had been visible throughout Hebei Province, and even those in more distant regions had sensed the ominous aura.

The information had spread through various channels, through informants, personal connections, and even video recordings taken by the Golden Island Sect’s sorcerers who had been monitoring Beijing.

And then, reaching a consensus and moving on to the next stage had been a simple matter.

‘Gather the strongest warriors and launch a swift and decisive attack on the Demonic Cult in Beijing.’

Even Master Wu Jin, the one-armed Abbot of the Shaolin Temple, had decided to participate.

Now that everyone knew about the Demonic Cult’s plot, no faction, regardless of their alignment, could afford to stay neutral.

‘Of course, there are still those who prioritize their own interests and remain passive…’

But they wouldn't last long.

They would eventually be eliminated, either by the Murim Alliance or by him.

The plan was in motion.

And he knew what he had to do.

He placed various items on the table, one after another.

Each one radiating a strange and powerful aura.

‘Let’s do this properly.’

Elixirs from Auterica, Ganghwange, Earth, and various other worlds.

He had gathered them all, preparing for the most efficient use of 「Power of Gluttony」.