The most noticeable thing was the shape of the seal engraved with feathers on the item card.

I displayed the Phoenix's seal and the logo of the Juchwe Concern side by side as holograms to make the comparison easier.

"The Phoenix's seal and Juchwe Concern's CI have similar shapes, but they are different."

The seal that Phoenix had used for thousands of years still exuded an old-fashioned charm, and the flame-like design drawn as if with a brush was impressive.

However, the Phoenix's seal was somewhat too archaic to be used as a company logo in modern times.

So, when Juchwe Concern created their CI, they adjusted the angles, colors, and shading slightly, while maintaining the original seal's shape.

At first glance, it seemed similar, but they were distinctly different.

"Then do you think the feather you saw wasn't Phoenix's?"

"No, it's likely Phoenix's."

"It could be a replica..."

"It won’t be."

The expression on Cheong-ryong’s face, which had been full of hope, withered away.

I didn’t mean to, but I felt like I had tortured him with hope.

The others had subtle reactions, but while Baek-ho, who could read my thoughts, and Yong Je-geon, who would enjoy whatever happened, remained relaxed, the rest of the group was more serious.

"Cheon Dong-ha’s pseudonym is ‘Eye of the World’ (眼中之界). The power contained in his eyes is significant enough to match the phrase ‘containing the world in one’s eye.’ To immediately turn those eyes to ashes, an item of at least SSR grade would be required."

Personally, I thought it would take at least UR grade to destroy Cheon Dong-ha’s eyes in an instant, but by that point, after multiple battles and injuries, the item's rarity would have been reduced.

I wondered if Juchwe Concern could even make an item of that level.

Even if they were making a replica based on Phoenix's feather, I still had doubts.

For instance, the highly rare SR+++ rarity item, a replica of the silver coin used in the Silence Oath, which was made by the incredible craftsmen like Wungnyeo, was already a rare item of extraordinary grade.

If Juchwe Concern had talents like Eun-ho and Wungnyeo, perhaps they could have created something greater than a feather resembling Phoenix's, but in that case, they would have made something far more impressive.

"Jo Yi-shin, you think the feather you saw is a genuine Phoenix feather, but you also think there are differences. Then what do you think the item you saw actually is?"

"The item Ma Jin-seung and I saw is likely a modified and improved version of Phoenix's feather."

Juchwe Concern has the technology, talent, and facilities to produce or modify high-rarity items.

Although they may not have the ability to create or replicate items of that grade, considering the scale and reputation of Juchwe Concern, it’s plausible that they could modify or improve items.

It’s a well-known fact that Juchwe Concern buys and protects cultural relics and artifacts, including those of great historical value, for research and tax purposes, and that they’re able to turn them into cards.

This means they have a substantial number of subjects for research and experiments.

‘So, they likely have the capability to modify genuine Phoenix feathers into a more easily handled form, while increasing its output.’

Just like Phoenix’s feather, parts of a True Blood race's body can be turned into items.

Dragon scales, tiger teeth, and claws can also be treated the same way.

"If you want it, just ask."

Baek-ho, who had been silent, suddenly said something unexpected.

Did he mean to go back to his original form and pull out some teeth or claws for me?

I wouldn’t want such things even if they were given to me.

I ignored it, as it wasn’t worth responding to.

If it was part of the body of a mythic noble, there would likely be some of the original will embedded within it, but just the name alone would be enough.

"Jo Yi-shin, what in the world are you thinking that would make Baek-ho talk nonsense like that?"

"I thought that parts of a True Blood race's body might have the original will embedded within them. He probably said that to try and pass off his teeth or claws."

"Baek-ho..."

Hwang Ji-ho sighed, and Yong Je-geon, seizing the opportunity, scratched the backs of the tigers.

"Yi-shin has the scales of the Dragon King. Seems like the noble didn’t give him anything, huh? Yi-shin, you should take care of it."

"You’re talking about the scales of the Dragon King? No, if it’s Jo Yi-shin..."

Hwang Geun-hyung nodded as if he had guessed something upon hearing the mention of the Dragon King’s scales.

Cheong-ryong, the leader of the dragon kin, was bickering with Hwang Ji-ho about how he owed a debt to someone, so Hwang Ji-ho probably had a lot of speculations about the matter.

"The Dragon King is a higher being, not a True Blood race, but since its form is similar to a dragon, there are many similarities with us. What Yi-shin has is the scale closest to the Dragon King's reverse scale, the most powerful and with the greatest will embedded in it."

Yong Je-geon spoke with pride.

The conversation shifted slightly due to Baek-ho and Yong Je-geon’s interruptions, but it was still somewhat related to what I wanted to say.

"As Yong Je-geon said, when a body part becomes an item, the stronger the power, the more the original will is embedded. To remove that will, modification or improvement is necessary."

Since it was no longer attached to the body, the full manifestation of the original will is impossible.

Even so, if the original power and will are strong, they can still manifest to some degree.

For example, unless the Dragon King intervenes in the present world, even if I were to do something unnecessary with its scales, it would have to watch over it.

But if I were to try something harmful to the dragon kin with the scales, the Dragon King’s will would manifest to prevent it, causing the scales’ power to be diminished compared to normal use.

Since it’s no longer part of the original body and the ownership of the item has changed, it can’t be completely stopped, but in this world, powerful wills often lead to miraculous phenomena.

"Yi-shin’s reasoning makes sense. However, there is no clear proof, and the trigger for this idea is unclear. More explanation is needed."

While there were some, like Ma Jin-seung, who immediately understood what I said with a casual "Ah, that makes sense," there were others like Cheon Dong-ha who harbored doubts.

Cheon Dong-ha’s words were right.

If not for the things I had learned and the suspicions I had while confronting the shadowy forces in this world, I wouldn’t have been able to think like this.

"A long time ago, the nobles were driven into a corner, and recently, their operation was a failure."

At my words, the atmosphere immediately grew tense.

It wasn’t me, but rather something I was referring to that felt like a threat.

Hwang Ji-ho briefly furrowed his brows but soon relaxed when he understood what I was talking about, but Kim Shin-rok was confused.

The dragon kin had been watching the nobles’ matters carefully, and before any misunderstanding occurred, Hwang Ji-ho spoke.

"It was the dark shadow that once covered the skies of the Korean Peninsula. When we did the simulation for the otherworld relics, I witnessed it during the last mission, and this time, I saw it in Phoenix’s feathers."

"Ah, the feathers did have a dark, unsettling feeling!"

Ma Jin-seung said with a slight shudder.

Hwang Ji-ho, who had much to think about regarding the dark shadow, spoke.

"However, in the replay, the Ten Great Heroes didn’t awaken. The dark shadow was sealed in their subconscious, so it shouldn’t exist in that world line."

"You’re right. The dark shadow wrapped around Phoenix’s feather wasn’t something that the Ten Great Heroes were holding onto."

Cheon Ik-san had died, and since no one had thought of the Black Tiger, there was no way for the Ten Great Heroes to regain their sanity.

Therefore, in the replay, the dark shadow they had held wouldn’t have returned to the surface.

But seeing how they were the first to come into contact with the dark shadow, the shadowy figures that had dealt with it made me uneasy.

"The shadowy figures knew the full power and usage of the dark shadow. Gung-gi immediately started handling the dark shadow."

It was strange that they were able to exert such power just from knowledge alone.

After all, their enemies had been the elite dragon kin and Wungnyeo, including Hwang Ji-ho, Baek-ho-gun, Jeok-ho, and Cheong-ho.

"Although it couldn’t match the pure dark shadow the Ten Great Heroes had carried for thousands of years, I considered the possibility that the shadowy figures might have handled and studied a dark shadow of comparable power. That’s why, as soon as I saw the feathers, I thought it might have been modified by a dark shadow."

Upon hearing my explanation, Cheon Dong-ha nodded gravely.

As a dragon kin cooperating with the nobles, Cheon Dong-ha had witnessed the power of the dark shadow during the event.

And having experienced the replay firsthand, he must have felt the malicious intent of the item that had taken his eyes.

Thinking about that, my mind grew heavy.

‘In this world, we’ll have to face a purer dark shadow than during the Plmago.’

In this world, because the Ten Great Heroes had awoken, the shadowy figures had obtained the real dark shadow.

Considering the future scenarios, it was a terrifying thought.

Moreover, those drawn to the dark shadow might begin to cooperate with the shadowy figures.

"If everything Jo Yi-shin thinks is true, then Phoenix might be in a similar position to Mujigi, Gugalanna, and Unsa. It could have had its feathers plucked while bound."

"Do you think they would...?"

"They’ve been deprived of freedom and power for a long time, but Jo Yi-shin rescued them."

At Hwang Ji-ho’s words, the atmosphere darkened.

Despite the tension, everyone quickly turned their attention to Jo Yi-shin, hoping to earn his favor, but Hwang Ji-ho’s guess was likely wrong, so they couldn’t help but intervene.

"I don’t think so."

As soon as it quieted down, I expressed my thoughts.

"Mujigi was alone in the water and suffered, Gugalanna’s situation is unclear, but they’re connected to those in the underworld, and it was hard to find them when they intervened in the present world. As for Unsa, they faked their death to deceive the nobles."

The three had something in common: they had been separated from those looking for them.

Also, in the case of Mujigi, when Jecheon Daeseong thought Mujigi had cooled down, he decided to find him, and not long after, he succeeded.

In both the Plmago world and this world, Jecheon Daeseong had tried to find Mujigi and eventually reached the TC Research Institute.

Unlike them, who had been out of touch for thousands of years, Phoenix had interacted with the nobles even about 100 years ago.

And Phoenix had connections with more beings than Mujigi, actively participating in various matters in the present world.

"Phoenix is at the center of the corporation. Not only is it connected to the True Bloods, but it has connections with influential humans and is actively involved. I don’t think the shadowy figures, who couldn’t even take control of the TC Group, can deceive the world by making all the key figures of Juchwe Concern their allies."

Honestly, I couldn’t know exactly what Phoenix had gone through.

But I didn’t think Phoenix had ended up in the same position as the other three.

"Could it be that Phoenix betrayed them?"

I couldn’t answer decisively to Cheong-ryong’s question.

However, I had a feeling that Phoenix might have met a similar end to °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° the one in the replay.

I had once wondered how to kill that being.

And Phoenix seemed very similar to it.

Having lived for thousands of years, yet being at the center of a massive corporation named after itself in the modern world, valuing its friends and blending into human society—this was a powerful True Blood race.

The nature, attitude, and position of the corporation were different.

But when viewed broadly, Phoenix and Hwang Ji-ho resembled each other.

‘If Phoenix hadn’t betrayed them, it would likely be bound in a way similar to Hwang Ji-ho in the replay.’