Chapter 173

“What should we do? Should we head to the Central Holy Sanctuary as well…?”

Only after some time had passed since Kyurihi’s presence vanished were those remaining able to regain their composure and discuss their next steps.

Yerin spoke with a worried expression, but there was no one who could provide a clear answer.

That was because it didn’t seem like simply rushing to the scene to lend their strength would be enough to resolve the current turmoil.

‘There are currently three Fingers in the Central Holy Sanctuary. If two of them are superior to Sharliaete… it’s practically impossible to break through with our current combat power.’

Without the help of Choi Seoin and Hwang Heojae—South Korea’s strongest assets, currently in Closed-Door Cultivation—it would be impossible.

Furthermore, even if they emerged after achieving results, whether they could stand against Kyurihi… honestly, he felt skeptical.

“It seems we have no choice but to do what we can.”

“Does that mean…?”

“Let’s enter the Theater. At this rate… we won’t be able to stop the rise of the Gwangseong Church in time.”

The lack of combat power was one reason for this judgment, but the lack of time also served as a basis.

Since the enemy had already established bases in various locations, deployed Bounded Fields, and were performing the Ritual, it likely wouldn’t take long for them to achieve their goal.

‘Even if we devise a plan, we must execute it from the inside and produce results immediately afterward.’

At Taewoon’s words, which sounded as if he had already made a firm decision, Yerin and Seoyoon nodded in agreement.

The three, now separated from the rest of the group, left a communication to Hongyeon stating they were heading to the Central Holy Sanctuary and entered the Theater’s Waiting Room.

It was now a matter of all or nothing; it was time to throw everything they had at it.

“But what about the tickets? Aren’t we short?”

“One General-grade Ticket has been replenished, so for now, I plan to sell the items we have to exchange them for higher-grade tickets. There’s no other way.”

【Sold 1 Basic-grade Ticket!】

【Acquired 2 Cinema Coins!】

【You may sell possessed Artifacts and Cinema Skills!】

【Would you like to sell items?】

• Artifact: Red Wax Mask (4 Coins)

• Artifact: Divine Spear Barata (3 Coins)

• Artifact: Magic Tome Remegethon (3 Coins)

• Artifact: AI Aquila (A71-001) (4 Coins)

• Artifact: Keshatus (5 Coins)

• Artifact: Mitra’s Wings (5 Coins)

• Cinema Skill: The Red Man (4 Coins)

• Cinema Skill: Final Rampart (4 Coins)

• Cinema Skill: Soul Chasing Path Destruction (3 Coins)

• Cinema Skill: Blazing Sword Judgment (6 Coins)

【Special Purchase Items】

• Artifact: Magic Tome Remegethon (5 Coins)

Heading straight to the exchange, Taewoon checked the prices of the acquired Artifacts and skills, and soon a complicated expression crossed his face.

Noticing this, Reje summoned her Aberration and spoke to Taewoon with a smile.

[You need not worry, young master. Where there are meetings, there must be partings. Why fret over something so natural?]

“Reje…”

[I did the same, so you must do what you have to do, young master. That is the responsibility of one born into this era.]

Finally reaching a firm decision, Taewoon bowed deeply to Reje to express his gratitude and moved his hand to touch the panel before him.

【Sold Artifact: Magic Tome Remegethon!】

【Acquired 5 Cinema Coins!】

“…Mr. Taewoon, are you planning to purchase a Mythic-grade Ticket?”

When Taewoon nodded in response to Seoyoon’s question, who had remained silent until now, Seoyoon sold Perdamante—a special purchase item—without a moment’s hesitation.

【Sold Artifact: Perdamante!】

【Acquired 6 Cinema Coins!】

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“Yes. If we fail, there will be nothing left anyway.”

That brought the total to thirteen coins. Sufficient resources had been gathered to obtain the target Mythic-grade Ticket.

‘Anyway… the highest grade ticket I can purchase at my current level is Mythic-grade.’

If possible, he wanted to obtain a Transcendent-grade Ticket, but in the case of Transcendent-grade Tickets, the purchase conditions had not yet been properly revealed, making them effectively unobtainable.

Thus, Taewoon used ten coins in the shop to purchase a Mythic-grade Ticket and immediately used it to check the list of available theaters.

【Would you like to select companions? (2/2)】

▶【Cha Yerin】

▶【Seoyoon】

【You possess 1 Mythic-grade Ticket.】

【Would you like to consume the Mythic-grade Ticket to enter the Theater?】

【Ticket usage confirmed.】

【You who challenge the heavens, achieve your myth!】

【With the ticket used, entry to a total of 3 theaters is possible.】

A loud sound effect rang out, and along with a special message, three theaters began to appear.

▶【Cradle of Immortality (★★★★★★★★) / Survival, Creature, Adventure】

▶【Even So — I Was Here (★★★★★★☆) / Fantasy, Action, Historical Drama】

▶【Dawn’s Daybreak (★★★★★★★★★) / Fantasy, Occult, Mystery】

【Today’s Recommended Theater】

▶【Dawn’s Daybreak (★★★★★★★★★) / Fantasy, Occult, Mystery】

【Additional rewards based on results are given when clearing the Recommended Theater!】

“…The difficulty is honestly laughable.”

There was practically no room for deliberation.

Aside from the six-and-a-half-star ‘Even So — I Was Here’ theater, there were no theaters with a difficulty level that Taewoon’s party could realistically challenge.

However.

“…Will that really be enough?”

“…….”

“There are Level 8-rank Hunters in other countries who appear in official settings, but I don’t believe Kyurihi is an existence on the same level as them. Don’t you all agree?”

As Seoyoon brought up a fact they had tacitly avoided mentioning, dark clouds began to gather over Taewoon and Yerin’s expressions once again.

“That is… true. Considering the presence of Kyurihi we encountered then, it wasn’t a gap that could be closed by clearing one or two more theaters.”

“Then, is there any reason to hesitate?”

Taewoon looked at her with stunned eyes at Seoyoon’s incredibly bold suggestion.

In truth, Taewoon had thought the same, but he hadn’t dared to mention it because it felt like it would inevitably become a self-destructive move.

“Of course, the possibility is slim… but the Theater provides sufficient time. And we have three opportunities.”

“…….”

She wasn’t wrong.

Rather than facing Kyurihi after achieving only minor results, this path at least offered a glimmer of possibility.

But.

“…If we fail, it might be the end. There would be nothing more futile than losing our lives before even facing Kyurihi. Are you truly okay with that?”

“Yes. Because I’m certain… that there is no other way.”

Leaving the determined Seoyoon behind, Taewoon turned his gaze toward Yerin.

Yerin, who had been touching her hair for a moment, gave a bashful smile and answered immediately.

“Actually, I naturally assumed we were going to take a gamble… were we not?”

“…If you say so too, then there’s no need to hesitate.”

Taking a light breath, Taewoon conveyed his will and made a choice that might be his last.

【Selected ‘Dawn’s Daybreak’ Theater.】

【Moving to the Waiting Room!】

A moment later, Taewoon’s party had moved to the Waiting Room of the theater after undergoing another transformation.

And now, they had to face the feast of messages that had become more than just familiar—they were intimate.

【Please set your Starting Point!】

▶【Dawn Assembly First-Class Solver】

▶【Apocalypse Society High-rank Priest】

▶【Odd-Job Worker of the Ark】

▶【Passerby Waiting for the End】

Checking the contents for a moment, Taewoon suddenly gasped and stared at the first item of the Starting Point with disbelief.

‘Dawn Assembly? The Dawn Assembly…?’

Though there hadn’t been much overlap, it was clearly the same name as the organization in the ‘The Red Man’ theater, the first one Taewoon had cleared.

Wasn’t Jain himself a Third-Class Solver of that Dawn Assembly?

Even if it were a different organization that simply shared the same name, it was an absurdly striking coincidence.

‘No, perhaps… it really is the same organization.’

After remaining in shock for a while, Taewoon explained the situation to the other two, and with that, his destination was decided.

Following him, the two others set their respective destinations and exchanged glances filled with complex emotions, nodding with their own resolve.

【Starting Point – Dawn Assembly First-Class Solver selected!】

【Starting Point – Apocalypse Society High-rank Priest selected!】

【Starting Point – Odd-Job Worker of the Ark selected!】

【‘Mythic’-grade Theaters provide a special experience for the viewers.】

【To achieve a great feat, carve your own trace!】

▶Nameless Coin

▶Nameless Card

▶Nameless Mask

“This is…”

“I’m not entirely sure, but it seems we have no choice but to select one for now.”

【Special Prize – Nameless Mask selected!】

【Special Prize – Nameless Coin selected!】

【Special Prize – Nameless Card selected!】

【You may select an Entry Privilege!】

▶【A Handful of Blessing】

▶【A Step of Change】

▶【A Word of Advice】

Taewoon chose Blessing along with the Mask, Yerin chose Advice along with the Coin, and finally, Seoyoon chose Change along with the Card.

Soon, along with a strong gravitational pull pulling at his body, Taewoon found himself waiting for someone’s answer in front of an antique door he had never seen before.

And then, permission was granted.

[…I have kept you waiting. You may enter.]

It was a voice that revealed a profound mystery and wisdom born of ages, yet for some reason, it didn’t feel strange to Taewoon; it felt familiar.

When he opened the door and stepped inside the room, Taewoon could only widen his eyes in shock at a sight he had never even imagined.

Because the person standing before Taewoon’s eyes was none other than a future version of Jain.