Jihoon stood in the Nexus chamber, surrounded by his closest allies. The air crackled with tension as he outlined their next mission.
"The Shadow Veil poses a threat far greater than any of us anticipated," Jihoon began, his voice steady but firm. "If we don't act now, Murim as we know it will fall. It's time to approach the coalition—not as enemies, but as allies."
Ryujin scoffed, leaning back against a pillar. "Allies? After they've tried to destroy us at every turn? You're putting too much faith in their honor."
"I'm not blind to their past actions," Jihoon replied. "But desperation has a way of uniting even the fiercest rivals. The Shadow Veil's corruption affects everyone, regardless of allegiance."
Arin nodded. "We've seen the artifacts' effects firsthand. If the coalition witnesses that power, they might reconsider their stance."
The room fell silent as the weight of Jihoon's words sank in. Sora finally spoke, her tone hesitant but resolute. "How do we convince them? They see us as heretics, not saviors."
Jihoon turned to her. "We give them a demonstration they can't ignore. I'll lead a small group to confront one of their outposts. Not to fight—but to protect them from the Shadow Veil's corruption. If we succeed, they'll have no choice but to listen."
The plan was audacious, but the council agreed. Jihoon selected a team—Ryujin for his combat prowess, Sora for her adaptability, and Seojun, who had proven his loyalty during the last mission.
---
The next morning, the group set out for the coalition's nearest stronghold. Jihoon's heart pounded as they approached the imposing gates, guarded by wary sentries.
A senior coalition member, Master Yun, emerged to greet them. His eyes narrowed as he recognized Jihoon. "The rogue magician dares to show himself here? You must be mad."
Jihoon raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "We didn't come to fight. We came to help."
Before Master Yun could respond, a dark aura spread from the forest beyond the stronghold. The air grew heavy, and screams echoed as corrupted martial artists emerged, their forms twisted by forbidden power.
Jihoon turned to Master Yun. "Your men aren't prepared for this. Let us show you what magic can do."
Reluctantly, Master Yun nodded. "Prove it."
With the coalition warriors watching, Jihoon and his team stepped forward, their magic flaring to life. The battle for trust—and survival—had begun.