[Well? Have you made your decision? Will you hand over Lee Gun or not?]

Within the scorched conference hall, several thousand people turned pale from fear. These were all at least B-rank disciples.

“This is crazy.”

As they looked at the sky, their faces were filled with fear. This included the Ten Stars and the Zodiac Saints, who were the representatives of the disciples!

Hailey looked surprised as well.

‘Did Time call them here...!’

From the space that had ripped open in the sky, twelve Zodiacs came out! Although they were Zodiacs, they looked like monsters. However, there was no mistaking them.

‘The ones in the front are Leo and Virgo!’

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

This made Stevens and Kevin, who still had connections to their Zodiacs, quickly check up on them.

“I’ll give you Churu cat treats!! Hurry up and come out!!”

“I’ll give you a Lee Gun photograph collection!! Come out!!”

Their method of calling out the Zodiacs was questionable, but it was effective.

Koo-goo-goong!

A golden light and a silver light fell from the sky. They were the Zodiacs of the Leo temple and the Virgo temple.

Although they didn’t fully reveal themselves, it was enough. The energy of the two Zodiacs encircled the bodies of the Zodiac Saints.

This relieved Stevens and Kevin. Thankfully, their Zodiacs hadn’t gone over to the other side.

“I guess I don’t have to give her the Lee Gun photographs.”

“I thought he was lured to the other side using catnips.”

Their words caused a surge of anger within the two Zodiacs, but they soon spoke to their Zodiac Saints.

[They aren’t from our timeline.]

[Of all the beings, he brought them! Moreover, they look like that!]

The Zodiacs became angry.

Hailey’s fine brows narrowed. “They were brought here from a different timeline.”

Time was an existence capable of traveling between a variety of timelines. It had probably brought them from a timeline where he had already consumed the Zodiacs and the Zodiac Saints.

The only difference between the Zodiacs from this timeline and the ones from where Time had brought them was that the latter group was already going through the monsterification process.

‘The Zodiacs are becoming evil gods.’

As proof of this, every one of those Zodiacs emanated black magical energy. The dark powers coated their skin.

The radiant golden Leo had become the dark Leo, while the beautiful Virgo had become the goddess of death. The holy Taurus looked like a monstrous minotaur. The Gemini and Pisces, the twin Zodiacs who Lee Gun had defeated, were unapproachable evil gods.

Then there was the Libra. She was the previous owner of the Libra seat before Giselle had eaten her!

However, the most shocking part wasn’t them.

“I-Is that perhaps the Serpent Bearer?”

“What?!”

Amongst the Zodiacs was a strange one that looked like an enormous snake. Of course, it hadn’t completely exited the gate, so they could catch only glimpses of its body. However, it was clearly a snake!

The unearthly eyes of the snake that flashed for a brief moment could freeze one’s soul. Every disciple froze.

‘W-What kind of power is that?’

Only one Zodiac possessed the form of a snake.

“I-Is that Lee Gun-nim?”

“That’s what I’m wondering about! If it’s a snake, it should be the Serpent Bearer!”

On the other hand, Hailey ground her teeth.

‘It isn’t Lee Gun.’

Lee Gun was a unique being who existed only in this timeline. That meant...

“It’s the previous thirteenth Zodiac...!”

“What?!”

The Zodiac Saints were surprised. The snake-like Zodiac was probably Yeonwoo or Junwoo, who were called the Ouroboros.

Ouroboros was known as a god that bit its tail. It was a god that represented the beginning and the end. It was the god of life and death. And this Zodiac had yet to reveal itself fully.

However, Hailey knew what would happen if it completely revealed itself to create a circle.

‘All life will be turned into death...!’

So, she immediately said, “Hurry up and contact Lee Gun!”

Hailey’s actions became urgent as she used a skill that was most similar to Time’s. She tried to send the Zodiacs to their original world.

However, one of the magic Zodiacs flicked its finger at that moment, almost making everyone lose consciousness.

Kwahng!!!

Screams rang everywhere as beams of light flashed!

“Ahhhhk!”

The screams were reactions to the bombardment sent toward everyone. They were sent flying.

Since the heads of state of various countries were gathered in this place, a full barrier had been put up. However, the barrier was useless.

Those who were barely able to unleash their power came to their senses.

“...!”

However, they were unable to breathe. The reason was the sight that had unfolded in front of them.

“The conference hall is...!”

The conference hall, which they had occupied, had turned into ashes. That wasn’t all.

Woosh!

“!!”

Everyone became frightened when a large black sun made an appearance. The sun was big enough to cover the sky.

The one to appear above their heads was a golden-haired Zodiac. The sun was behind him, and he looked like he was going to set the entire earth on fire!

“Damn it! It’s Sagittarius!”

Moreover, Sagittarius looked to be a fusion with an original owner.

He was unlike the bald Zodiac and was more powerful than the other Zodiacs.

“Shit! We’ll all burn at this rate!”

“Where is Hugo? What the hell is he doing right now?”

If Hugo or Goat were here, they would be able to summon the Sagittarius of this timeline to offset this other one!

In the end, the sun was about to land on the ground, so Hailey stepped forward.

[Zodiac Descent]

Black light surged forth from Hailey, and her hand changed into an enormous monster hand. Hailey was allowing Scorpio to possess her.

The hand flew toward the location where the sun was about to land! Finally, the power of Scorpio clashed against the power of Sagittarius.

Kwahng!!!

The impact was incredible. The others used their powers, yet for a moment, they lost consciousness.

When those sent flying by the shockwave opened their eyes once again, they saw the monster laughing with its eyes.

[Not bad! You were able to block a strike from a Zodiac.]

On the other hand, the Zodiac Saints shook.

‘That power....!’

As expected of an attack from a Zodiac, no one there could remain standing. Fear struck them.

‘Lee Gun was able to fight on par with those beings?’

Lee Gun being one of those beings sent chills running up their backs, but it lasted only a moment. The monster who had brought the Zodiacs laughed.

[Well? Do you want to hand over Lee Gun now?]

“...!”

Stevens was dumbfounded. “Are you kidding me? Lee Gun is on the same rank as those bastards! How are we supposed to catch him in the first place?”

The monster laughed.

[It won’t be impossible if the Zodiac Saints pool their power together. Isn’t that how you sealed him inside the Devil’s Tower?]

“!”

Although the seal was placed on the outer wall, they were able to seal the Devil’s Tower. The Zodiac Saints were able to do so because they had pooled their powers to use the sealing skill.

If they used it, they might be able to temporarily stop Lee Gun from moving.

[Those who can’t use their power because they don’t have their Zodiacs can use these guys as replacements.]

“...!”

[We killed Hugo Otis, who would have gotten in your way. Do not worry about him. You guys just have to agree amongst yourselves.]

The faces of the Zodiac Saints fell. What? Who had died?

“The Archer Saint?”

Blood drained out of their faces. This included Sophie, Hailey, and Carly. Even Liv, who had regained her body after Pisces had died, was stunned. The shock was greater especially for Kevin and Stevens, who led the same battle-type temples.

Lee Gun would never let such a thing happen, so they might be lying or he might have fallen into a trap without Lee Gun knowing it.

‘He’s very skilled, yet he got killed by them?’

The monster laughed as if it had expected them to freeze up in reaction to the news. Moreover, the people within the conference hall fell into a state of panic.

“Ahhhhk!!”

“We have no hope of winning! Let’s hand over Lee Gun!!”

“One of the powerful Zodiac Saints died! It says Hugo Otis is already dead!!”

“Please just hand over Lee Gun!!”

The monster laughed as if it were enjoying this.

[If you hand over Lee Gun, we’ll restore the missing Zodiacs by bringing them from a different timeline.]

“Did you hear that? They’ll return the other Zodiacs, whom Lee Gun consumed!”

“That’s right! They’ll spare the entire humanity if we hand over Lee Gun!”

“Hey! Be reasonable! Lee Gun-nim is—”

“Who cares! Currently—”

Pahng!!!

“...!!”

The head of the smirking monster exploded like a balloon. Everyone was shocked when they saw the person who had blown up the monster’s head.

“...!”

The other Zodiac Saints had the same reaction. Kevin and Stevens had been about to mobilize to decapitate the monster, so this shocked them.

Even Hailey looked shocked. It was a rare sight for her.

Their reactions were understandable.

“Everyone should be quiet!!”

“...??!!”

The one to blow up the monster’s head was none other than the Saintess Sophie.

“You fell to the nonsense the monster was spouting, and you dare try to sell off Lee Gun! I’ll be the first to throw you guys to the monsters!”

These words baffled the Zodiac Saints.

“You’re the one who would sell Lee Gun at the first opportunity...”

“You’re the one who hates Lee Gun the most among us...”

“You’re the biggest chicken among us...”

Sophie yelled at these reactions from the other Zodiac Saints, “I have a functioning head!! There is no way they’ll spare us because we hand over Lee Gun!”

“Whatever. You’re more afraid of the prospect of catching Lee Gun. Kuhk!!”

Stevens fell when a water cannon hit him.

Sophie served Lee Gun’s Construct Iaso, the new Zodiac for the Aquarius temple. So she wasn’t weak.

“Anyway, humanity won’t yield to you guys!”

The headless monster stood back up as it laughed.

[I see. I’ll consider this a breakdown in negotiation.]

Hailey Seemed to feel its evil killing intent. A green light appeared around her. It was proof that she had gone under the Serpent Bearer temple as an affiliate!

Stevens bit his tongue. “Ah! She’s trying to get ahead of me!” He immediately drew the holy symbol.

Green lights surged into the sky from various locations. It started with the Scorpio temple. Then Stevens from the Leo temple, Liv from the Pisces temple, and the Ten Star Taylor from the Capricorn temple followed.

For the rest of the Zodiac Saints, who were gone, the Ten Stars filled in. Lights surged into the air.

‘Shit! How did this...!’

Koo-goo-goohng!!!

As if they had been waiting for this situation to unfold, the Zodiacs called forth by Time and the monsters revealed themselves.

The monsters covered the sky like swarms of ants, and their numbers shocked everyone.

“Protect the dignity of humans!!”

Stevens moved first as he unleashed his power.

“Protect Lee Gun!”

“I will be the affiliate commander!!”

“Fuck off, cat!! I’m the commander!”

“Why are you obsessed with it? You are a master craftsman. You will get nagged the most by Lee Gun.”

“What?!”

The war with the lives of humanity on the line started.

* * *

Around that time.

[The Scorpio temple hopes to become an official affiliate of the Serpent Bearer temple.]

[The Aries temple hopes to become an official affiliate of the Serpent Bearer temple.]

...

[The Leo temple hopes to become an official affiliate of the Serpent Bearer temple.]

[All the items and skills of the relevant temples will fall under the rule of the Serpent Bearer.]

[The Serpent Bearer can directly control the abilities and missions that could be given to them.]

[All the twelve temples will give fealty to the Serpent Bearer temple. Will you accept them as affiliates?]

Lee Gun was surprised by the unexpected notifications. Since they were going to have a meeting, he had told all of them to come under the Serpent Bearer temple as affiliates, and they had balked at the suggestion.

Lee Gun, who was in his workshop, dismissed the notifications as if they weren’t important. He looked at the being in front of him.

An unexpected figure had shown up before him.

[I’ve been waiting for you.]

It was Time.