Dancing on the golden ashes

"Master… You… you must be joking. I wouldn't dare question your strength, but…"

Han Seungho's voice trailed off. He hesitated, the words lingering on his tongue.

"You think I'd lose?" I asked, my voice calm and unwavering.

"That's…" His expression suddenly shifted, turning grim. "I've heard rumors about the one leading this relentless expansion… I can't believe they've already reached our borders." His voice trembled, his fear bleeding into every word.

I studied him closely, and to my surprise, Han Seungho was terrified.

"Who is he?" I asked, my heart tightening.

To be honest, the name of the empire had already given me an idea. Please… please let it be Nam Ji-Ho.

He met my gaze and let out a heavy sigh. "Master… Please, do not fight this man." His voice wavered, yet there was something firm, something desperate beneath his plea.

"It's said he has never lost a battle. Not against powerful warriors. Not against terrifying beasts." His hands curled into fists, his knuckles turning white. "And most importantly…"

His voice dropped to a whisper. A whisper thick with terror.

"He… He has already reached Emperor Level."

A shiver ran down my spine.

"Nam Ji-Ho," he breathed. "The strongest being in this world."

A wild grin stretched across my lips, making Han Seungho stare at me with a mix of confusion and sheer terror.

"He's already on that level, huh…?" I laughed, a low, eager sound.

We stood in the war room, the map sprawled out before me. My gaze locked onto the empire in the north. Fate was either screwing me over or handing me the greatest gift of my life. Either way, I'd take it with open arms. My body ached for this fight.

"Master…?" Han Seungho's voice wavered, thick with concern.

"Aaaahhh…" I let out a long sigh. "Sorry, I got too excited." My heart pounded in my chest, my blood surging in anticipation. "That name… was exactly what I needed to hear."

Nam Ji-Ho.

Even if he had reached Emperor Level, I was no longer the same as before. I had climbed too far, shattered too many limits. I wasn't weak anymore.

"When does the letter say they'll arrive?" I asked, my voice brimming with impatience.

"Ah? R-Right." Han Seungho fumbled, hastily picking up the letter from the Empire of Golden Lightning. His hands trembled so violently that the parchment nearly slipped from his grip. "They… they'll arrive in two days…"

A slow, eager grin pulled at my lips.

"Send word to Zeltra City. Call for my commanders at once. And—oh, right. Malrang as well." My eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Move! Now!"

Han Seungho flinched at my sharp tone, but I didn't care.
Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire

I had no time for hesitation. If they were to arrive in two fronts, this could turn into a disaster.

But for now, all I could think about was the battle that awaited me.

I stared out of the window. From this high tower, the war room gave me a clear view of the entire city and its vast surroundings.

Golden trees stretched as far as the eye could see, their shimmering leaves catching the sunlight, casting a surreal glow over the land. This place was mine. And I wouldn't let anyone take it from me.

So… he had finally crossed my path again, huh?

I hadn't expected to meet Nam Ji-Ho so soon. But maybe this was perfect. I needed to settle the score.

That defeat had buried itself deep in my chest like a festering wound, poisoning my pride, my very existence.

I hate it... My heart was in disarray.

I didn't know whether to scream in joy or fear the possibility of losing again. And this wasn't just about him. It wasn't just about a rematch. I had his entire army to deal with.

But maybe… just maybe… there would be Kings among them. That would be ideal. If I could slay another one, my path to the top would be undeniable. After that, who would dare to challenge me?

Yet, deep down, what I truly wanted... or rather, what my very soul ached for was to defeat him as I am now. I wanted to crush him at my current level... That would be the ultimate humiliation.

I took it easy that day, strolling through the city, making sure things remained balanced. Or as balanced as they could be. There was still plenty of hate, many verbal fights breaking out between the two parties. But with me here, nobody dared to act.

Most of the women had already recovered their full strength. If the men ever wanted to take this place back, they'd have to fight a losing battle. One that would tear this entire city apart.

Night fell... And soon, they arrived. Four people and one fox.

"Gaon, what is going on here?" Malrang's voice cut through the silence. Her ears twitched as she gazed up at me, something wary and unsettled in her expression.

I met her stare.

"Nam Ji-Ho is back."

Her little face paled instantly. She knew... She knew exactly what that meant. She knew what kind of monster we were up against.

"Who is Nam Ji-Ho?"

The three commanders looked at me, their eyes filled with confusion.

I didn't blame them. Only my main group knew what happened that day—the day everything changed.

I glanced to the side, my eyes settling on the people living peacefully here. I couldn't let the same disaster befall them.

Not again. My heart trembled. I wouldn't lose anyone else. Not anymore.

Ravokar was enough.

"He's the man who bested me in battle," I said, my voice steady, but laced with memories. "The one who almost killed me."

The weight of my own words pressed against my chest. "And he's the reason this empire exists." I said with a warmth in my words.

"If I hadn't been defeated that day… I don't know if I ever would've decided to build this place."

The past flooded through me—the echoes of that moment, the pain, the shame, the realization. Back then, too many things happened at once. Too much loss... Too much change... And yet… here I was. And everything was different now.

"Master, you fought him before and survived?!" Han Seungho nearly screamed, his eyes widening in sheer disbelief. He looked at me like I was some kind of monster.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, resisting the urge to punch him.

He shivered, stepping back slightly. "Master... you must understand, I'm sorry... hahaha... but… nobody has ever survived a fight with him."

"It looks like you think very highly of him." My tone was laced with annoyance. "Let me tell you something—there are only two people in this world I wanted dead who managed to survive. And in a few days, that number will be down to one." I patted his trembling shoulder, watching him flinch like a scared little mouse.

"Heh, I kinda want to give it a try against this Nam Ji-Ho dude," Kim Min-Jae said, cracking his knuckles, his fists bouncing in excitement. "Wonder how long I'd last."

"You'd die in the first few seconds," Malrang giggled, making him freeze in place. "Just imagine fighting Gaon. I'd love to see how long you'd last against her." She laughed, clearly enjoying herself.

"S-Sacred Beast Malrang, please don't joke around!" He suddenly backed off. "How in the world would I ever be a match for the Empress? She'd crush me before I could even lift a finger!" His horrified expression made me chuckle.

"When did they start calling you the Sacred Beast?" I grinned, finally finding my chance to turn the teasing back on Malrang.

She instantly hid behind Park Ji-Hoon. "It's… a long story… haha…" Her voice was awkward, and for once, she looked like the one getting bullied. It lifted my mood.

"Alright, listen up," I said, getting serious. "There's a chance they might attack from two fronts. If that happens, you all will hold them off until I return." My gaze swept over them. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that, but… considering we're surrounded by their territories, this war might be extremely bloody."

"Will you be alright on your own?" Malrang asked. She had always believed in me, but even she sounded worried.

"Don't forget," I smirked, baring my teeth. "I have an army of my own."

We spent the night talking, but the next morning, tension hung thick in the air. The entire city felt it—an unease that refused to fade. No one could relax.

And then, as dawn broke, I stepped out.

The letter had mentioned the battle would take place northeast of the city. I soared into the sky, the wind whipping around me as I took in the view.

And there they were.

A massive wave of people, marching steadily forward. Not just soldiers—thousands of beasts moved with them, shaking the ground under their weight.

Their real numbers were probably twenty thousand or more…

I chuckled to myself, eyeing the countless beasts below.

"Well… I guess I'll have enough food for a year or two… haha…"