“Found you, bitch.”

It was a voice that could freeze his heart.

Jean-Louis was sure that the voice he heard coming from the sky belonged to Lee Gun. He gulped. He felt as if a blade was right in front of him, about to pierce his neck. A chill ran up his spine. He felt another chill. Now, he felt as if the end of the blade was being dragged across his skin.

Even after looking around, the Crab Saint didn’t see Lee Gun.

‘Am I mistaken?’

Well, it didn’t matter.

‘I have to devour this place before Lee Gun can grow his power.’

Currently, the Zodiacs he was cooperating with were displeased at Lee Gun’s existence. However, some of the Zodiacs were trying to break the contract and leave.

They were probably nervous, and he could appease them only one way.

‘They won’t complain if the holy ground of the number two temple is broken up and given to them.’

A holy ground was an important foundation for a Zodiac. Having it was akin to someone having a land and being able to harvest everything atop it. The Zodiacs could also harvest various things from the holy ground.

Moreover, the Virgo temple was the main foe of the Libra temple. This was different from the Sagittarius temple, which was so small that it wouldn’t move the needle even if it was stolen. In contrast, the Virgo temple had a lot of land to be devoured.

Of course, some other temples were also adversarial toward the Libra temple, but they weren’t a sure thing.

‘The Scorpio temple is dangerous. The Zodiac of the Leo temple has a screw loose; it can’t be reasoned with.’

Pointlessly poking these temples could lead to losses.

Anyway, the Virgo temple’s lands were fertile. Such a reward was enough to satisfy the contracted Zodiacs.

As proof of this, the Zodiacs were going nuts.

[The Gemini is in a rush to demand the Virgo temple’s lands.]

[The other Zodiacs are clamoring that they have sent their disciples to this land for them.]

[Several Zodiacs are angry. They want you to quickly fulfill your promise.]

Jean-Louis knitted his eyebrows in disgust.

‘The Zodiacs are always like this.’

All the Zodiacs treated them, the Zodiac Saints, like lowly servants.

Annoyed, Jean-Louis looked at the holy ground that was being hit by lightning bolts right now. This might be a last-ditch effort of the holy ground; the holy ground was probably doing something by itself. Although the holy skill had activated for a brief moment, it wouldn’t be a problem.

[Darkness Erosion]

Jean-Louis took out a dagger stained with blood. It was the dagger that he had used to stab Kevin in the heart. His eyes flashed as he planted the blade in the ground.

Kwah-jeek!

Something surprising happened next.

[With the blood of the Zodiac Saint as a medium, the Zodiac has been cursed.]

[The Virgo is being cursed. An attempt is being made to paralyze the holy ground.]

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

[The other Zodiac Saints are glad at the downfall of the Virgo temple.]

Zodiac Saints were beings directly connected to the Zodiacs. If the Zodiac Saint was cursed, cursing the Zodiac was possible, too.

With the Zodiac’s power sealed, all the functions of the holy ground would get paralyzed.

‘Now, the holy ground skills...’

At that moment...

“Kuh-uhk!”

“Saint-nim! Help!”

“!!”

The surprised Jean-Louis turned his head, but the screams continued. The holy ground skill should have stopped, so what had happened?

Kwahng!!!

Green lightning bolts fell from the sky, and the Cancer disciples fell. Every time the light flashed, screams rang out. The lightning charred the bodies of the enemies black.

Kwahng! Kwahng!

“Ahhhhk!”

[The servants of the Star of Darkness are decreasing in number.]

[The Zodiacs are perplexed. They ask what is going on.]

The death of disciples meant the rival temples got stronger.

This was especially true of the Cancer, who was the owner of the temple of crime. The Cancer was the main Zodiac that requested human lives and pain as tribute.

The Virgo disciples had been dying at the hands of the Cancer disciples. This development allowed them to save themselves.

It wasn’t just the Virgo disciples.

[The holy ground skill has been activated!]

[This is it! We have to attack those who invaded our holy ground!]

The Virgo Constructs, which had lost their powers when the holy ground was paralyzed, picked up their blades once more.

[Drive out every single one of them!]

The Virgo Constructs’ eyes flashed as they used their area-of-effect skill.

This naturally surprised Jean-Louis and the hyenas, who had invaded the holy ground.

“How can the Constructs use their power? I thought they had become incapable of using their Zodiac’s power!”

“Why is the holy ground skill still ongoing?”

“Did the Virgo Saint return?”

“Saint-nim!”

Jean-Louis ground his teeth as he heard the screams in his surroundings. This should not be happening. They should not be able to use the power of the Virgo, so why was the holy ground skill still activated? How were the Constructs moving again?

The invaders soon realized the reason.

“It isn’t the Virgo! It’s the Serpent Bearer!”

“What?!”

“The Constructs and the holy ground are moving through the magical energy of the Serpent Bearer!”

“What?!”

The invading disciples screamed.

“No way! How can another temple...!”

The disciples from other temples and even the Cancer disciples glared at the Crab Saint. They had come here trusting Jean-Louis’s words.

“Hey! Please explain what is going on!”

“We came all the way here because you said this is unoccupied land!”

Even the Cancer disciples furrowed their brows.

“I’m sure something went wrong! There is no way Saint-nim would make the wrong move....”

As if to mock them, Constructs appeared from the ground, all emitting green lights.

Kwahng!

Jean-Louis’s face turned pale at the familiar light.

‘Lee Gun!’

The Zodiacs were flustered.

[The Zodiacs glare at the servant of the “Star of Darkness.”]

[They are angry. They ask how the Serpent Bearer’s power can be used within the Virgo Saint’s holy ground.]

[The angry Zodiacs want a quick explanation.]

Suddenly, the disciples expressed their rage when they looked at a certain location.

“Lee Gun! He’s over there!”

“!”

They pointed at the top of a spire. Standing there was Lee Gun, letting out a green light.

The disciples became certain.

‘As expected, Lee Gun is the one moving the Virgo Saint’s holy ground...!’

This was why they couldn’t understand what was going on.

“How can the Serpent Bearer command the Virgo Saint’s holy ground and Constructs?”

Lee Gun smirked when he heard the commotion below. How else?

[The Virgo has paid the price of using Super Regeneration.]

[Price: Authority to the Virgo temple]

[The Serpent Bearer and the Virgo have become allies.]

[If the Serpent Bearer requests it, the Virgo disciples and Constructs will become the Serpent Bearer’s strength.]

Lee Gun laughed. When Kevin was under Jean-Louis’s attack, Lee Gun had received an unexpected and urgent request. It was from the Virgo.

[The Virgo desperately asks for your skill.]

[The Virgo wants to borrow Super Regeneration.]

[She is willing to pay any price if you lend the regeneration skill to her.]

Lee Gun didn’t know where she would use it, but he was quick on the uptake.

‘If a Zodiac is taking action, the matter probably has to do with either a Zodiac Saint or a Construct.’

There was no downside to lending out the skill, so he had readily let the Virgo borrow his skill.

That was why he hadn’t lent out the rental skill, but the skill that he used himself.

[You have rented out Super Regeneration(Once)!]

This move allowed him to acquire an alliance with the Virgo.

Anyway, since Lee Gun had the seal and alliance, he could use his power within the Virgo’s holy ground. He suddenly heard a notification.

[The Virgo said this is enough.]

[The Virgo is grateful to you for protecting the Virgo Saint’s holy ground.]

[She requests you return the seal of the Virgo temple to her servant.]

Lee Gun smirked. “Why would I?”

The Virgo seemed taken aback. Of course, Kevin had tried to leave the Virgo temple and go under Lee Gun. But...

[Her servant handed over the seal without realizing what it entailed.]

[The Virgo is flustered. Wouldn’t the “Alliance” be enough as a substitute for the seal?]

Lee Gun let out a menacing laugh. “Whatever.” That is neither here nor there.

Something surprising happened then.

[You possess the Virgo Saint’s holy ground. You can designate the “Alliance” as an “Affiliate.”]

[The Virgo has been asked this question. Will she enter under you as an “Affiliate”?]

[The Virgo is alarmed. She refuses in anger. A rookie Zodiac should not take matters too far.]

Lee Gun grinned as he activated the seal of the Virgo temple. “If you don’t want to, you can leave.”

As soon as he spoke, a response appeared.

[With the authority of the “Holy ground Admin,” you can demolish the temple’s buildings.]

The Virgo reacted in fright.

As if he had expected this, Lee Gun laughed. Since the temple of the Serpent Bearer was small, he barely had any buildings to demolish within his holy ground.

But the second-ranked temple was a different story. There was the Virgo Saint’s Golden Palace that he had visited before. Then there were the other facilities considered the temple’s assets, which provided energy.

It had taken the Virgo several decades to amass all of this. That was why she quickly tried to stop him.

[She agrees to become an Affiliate. In exchange, she requests you never demolish any internal facilities. She also begs that you do not mess with her disciples.]

“Agreed.”

Lee Gun laughed. In the first place, he never planned on harming the people who would become his underlings.

Of course, Kevin had handed over the seal through a misunderstanding, but it would be more beneficial for Lee Gun to use the facilities instead of demolishing them.

[The owner of the temple has accepted the “Affiliate” contract.]

[The Virgo temple has become an affiliate under the Serpent Bearer’s temple.]

An incredible light surged from the holy ground.

[As the Virgo temple has become an affiliate, affiliate-related skills have been formed.]

[The Virgo and the Virgo Saint have become the affiliate Zodiac and the affiliate Zodiac Saint of the Serpent Bearer, respectively.]

[This great achievement has been recorded in the Bible]

[Your Divine status has increased.]

[Your temple has expanded.]

[You can designate the Virgo Saint’s holy ground as your holy ground(occupied territory).]

[The holy ground is massive, so it will be a big help in the development of the Serpent Bearer. Would you like to designate it as holy ground 1?]

[Current Serpent Bearer’s Occupied Territories: 1 – Living room within the Archer Saint’s holy ground!]

Lee Gun snorted. “Why would I change it?”

[The Virgo Saint’s holy ground has been registered as Occupied Territory 3.]

The Virgo was dissatisfied for an odd reason. Why was her holy ground listed lower than the Archer Saint’s holy ground?

Lee Gun just picked at his ear. He never planned on changing the holy ground 1.

‘I find Taeksoo’s living room the most comfortable.’

Lee Gun’s eyes flashed as soon as he designated his holy ground.

Kwahng!

When the Virgo’s holy ground became his affiliate, Lee Gun could use 100% of the holy ground.

Finally, green light exploded forth from the holy ground.

* * *

Around that time...

“Ahhhk! Saint-nim!”

The Cancer disciples continued to vomit blood as they fell to the floor.

Jean-Louis ground his teeth at this sight.

‘Lee Gun...!’

He was sure. Lee Gun and the Virgo had made an alliance. That was why the Virgo Saint’s holy ground and Constructs could move again. Jean Louis realized the catalyst for this move had probably happened when he had stabbed Kevin in the desert.

‘I wondered what kind of contract she made with Lee Gun.’

It seemed to be an alliance. All the Zodiacs considered the Serpent Bearer sinister. Therefore, the Crab Saint had thought none of them would make an alliance with him. That had been his mistake. However, it didn’t matter.

‘We have to retreat for now.’

They had taken too much damage. They had to retreat and stem the loss. And so, Jean-Louis picked up his phone. He sent an order to a subordinate located in the southern hemisphere. “Prepare the Aquarius’s chalice. I’ll be there right now. I’ll use it to—”

Before he could finish...

“Where are you going?”

“?!”

Bbah-gahk!

A hit sent him flying away.

Kwahng!

Jean-Louis had taken a hit to the face. Several of his teeth got sent flying in a flash. Surprised, he tried to get back up.

“!!”

Unclear when the man had appeared next to him, but Lee Gun slammed Jean-Louis’s head into the ground.

Kwahng!

“Koo-oohk...!

When Jean-Louis opened his eyes, he saw the man stepping on his head. Lee Gun’s monstrous appearance was nowhere to be seen. He was handsome. He felt completely different from a month ago when Jean-Louis had encountered Lee Gun in the press conference room.

‘It’s the energy of a Zodiac...!’

Lee Gun’s energy was different from the vicious energy he had before. For some odd reason, Jean-Louis found the eyes looking down at him different, too.

“Do you know who stabbed me in the tower?” Lee Gun’s eyes were colder than ever.

Meeting those eyes, Jean-Louis gulped.

‘I have to split myself and run away.’

He was scared of death. This wasn’t a good situation. His instincts told him that he needed to run away.

‘Like before, I’ll...!’

However, Jean-Louis flinched when he tried to use his cloning skill.

‘I can’t clone myself!’

Why? Despite that, Jean-Louis didn’t outwardly display his shock. First, he had to pacify Lee Gun. He had to buy some time before he could escape this place. So, he said, “Ah! You’re looking for the culprit. I know who it is.”

Lee Gun mockingly laughed. “Come here, Heaven’s Punishment.”

Jean-Louis became desperate. “Please listen to me! I didn’t reveal it since I didn’t want to damage the honor of the temples, but... telling you about it is indeed the right thing!”

Lee Gun stopped. “Really? Who is it?”

He smiled at Jean-Louis as if he were encouraging Jean-Louis to speak.

The Crab Saint looked at a certain location. “Him.”

“!”

Jean-Louis pointed at the rear of a building. Surprisingly, Kevin stood there in his Demigod state.

Suddenly pointed out, Kevin was surprised. He had planned on killing the enemies who had invaded his holy ground. He planned on killing those who would harm Lee Gun. The Virgo Saint never expected to be found out.

‘Was my presence leaked because of my injury?’

Jean-Louis laughed as he pretended to be a good person. “I saw it all. The Virgo Saint stabbed you.”

Flustered, Kevin looked at Lee Gun and the Cancer Saint. His face had turned deathly pale.

At Kevin’s reaction, Jean-Louis laughed as if he were soothing a child. “Please do not fault him too much. He doesn’t remember it at all.”

Kevin gnashed his teeth, but he didn’t know what to say. He just lowered his head.

“Hmmph.” Lee Gun laughed as if he was dumbfounded. “Really? You’re going to push your sins onto someone else?”

“What?”

“You’re the one, right? You stabbed me.”

“...!”

Heaven’s Punishment pierced Jean-Louis.