The most prosperous and peaceful era in the history of the Great Hwang Empire. Under the reign of the elderly Emperor, the capital was filled with the lights of festivals every night, and the borders were calm. Kamishiro Rui, the genius strategist who held sway over the court, had temporarily stepped away from the complex power struggles of the Imperial Palace to stay at his private residence on the outskirts of the capital. A quiet mansion where willow branches hung down gracefully. In a state of perfect peace, free from both war and petitions, he was leaning against a pavilion by the pond, enjoying a long-awaited rest while sipping tea.

It was at that moment that the surface of the Cheongigak pond, where koi fish had been swimming serenely, began to ripple violently.

Tearing through the surface of the quiet Cheongigak pond, a soaking wet man crawled out onto the grass by the water's edge, coughing violently.