Chapter 216

A massive hull, piercing through the clouds, cleaved the skies of Seoul.

The Ark, a masterpiece of the old era forged with mythical technology, boasted a majesty sufficient to overwhelm everyone on the ground by its mere existence.

Taewoon stood on the highest deck of the Ark, looking down at the landscape unfolding beneath his feet. Seoul, once the heart of the Republic of Korea’s capital, had now transformed into a Magic Forest covered in bizarre golden pillars and waves of Magical Power.

And at its center sat the central Holy Sanctuary of the Gwangseong Church, its maw open as if to swallow the world.

“…….”

Taewoon’s eyes narrowed.

The countless years and experiences he had endured in the Dawn’s Daybreak Theater had elevated his senses beyond the human realm. Now, even without visual confirmation, Taewoon could clearly feel the presence of the enemies lurking beyond those golden walls.

‘The Fingers of the Gwangseong Church.’

There were currently three enemies garrisoned in the central Holy Sanctuary.

The First Finger, the Second Finger, and the Fourth Finger, Paragon, who oversaw construction and defense.

While Taewoon’s party had been fighting a desperate struggle inside the Theater, not much time had passed in the outside world.

However, in that short span, a brutal war had already swept through this place.

‘The momentum of the allied forces has been severely broken. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say they suffered catastrophic losses.’

The aura of the Hunter Alliance forces, camped quite a distance from the entrance of the Holy Sanctuary, was faint.

They had tasted the bitter cup of defeat and were now merely holding their breath, waiting for their final hope.

The Level 7 Hunters known as the strongest in Korea, Hwang Heojae and Choi Seoin.

They were likely praying fervently for the two, who had entered Closed-Door Cultivation, to return and join the front lines.

“Look over there. The density of the Magical Power… it defies common sense.”

Standing beside him, Yerin pointed toward the spire of the Holy Sanctuary in a tense voice.

Taewoon nodded. A massive pillar of light was soaring from that spot, as if to pierce the heavens.

It was the hub of a giant Ritual intended to connect the Holy Grounds embedded throughout Korea and use this entire land as a sacrifice.

‘Kyurihi…’

Beyond that pillar of light, Taewoon thought of Saint Kyurihi, who existed in an unseen place.

The transcendental beings who descended at the End of Dawn in the memories of the 1st Cycle. If Kyurihi possessed the power to lead them, then the First Finger, his closest aide, would also be an opponent not to be taken lightly.

‘Judging by the detected aura, the First Finger, Esquata, is at least Level 8… no, there’s a high possibility he’s even higher.’

By the common sense of an ordinary Hunter, that was no different from a Calamity.

Of course, if it were the Second or Fourth Finger, they would be no match for Taewoon, who had already stepped into the realm of myth.

However, the First Finger, called Kyurihi’s right hand, could be a variable.

‘Carelessness is forbidden. I’ve already learned enough in the Theater.’

It was then.

The pillar of light soaring from the center of the Holy Sanctuary suddenly expanded, and its brilliant beam began to bend toward the Ark floating in the sky.

Rather than a physical attack, it was pressure manifested from a massive will.

“…It’s coming!”

Seoyoon shouted, gripping the hilt of her sword tightly.

A torrent of light crashed into the Ark. The high-density Magical Power barrier enveloping the hull screamed and fluctuated.

A single interception. Yet, its power was instantly pushing the Ark’s defense system to its Limit Value.

Taewoon intuited it. This was not the power of the Fingers in the Holy Sanctuary.

‘Kyurihi.’

It was a greeting. An arrogant and overwhelming warning directed at the uninvited guest who had stepped into his domain.

The hull of the Ark creaked, shaking as if it would break at any moment.

While Yerin and Seoyoon struggled to keep their balance, Taewoon took a step forward.

‘…Quite a rough greeting.’

A cold smile played on Taewoon’s lips.

In the past, he would have been crushed by this overwhelming power, unable to even breathe. But now it was different. Two Divinities were fused and beating within Taewoon’s heart.

“Get back.”

Taewoon murmured softly and extended his right hand into the air.

Then, the brilliant light of dawn erupted from within Taewoon’s body.

【Condition 1: The sun must not be obscured】

【Condition 2: Must possess Divine Power above a certain level】

【Condition 3: Must possess a firm will】

【Condition Fulfilled】

▶【Cinema Skill: Dawn’s Daybreak】

The Dawn Sun God.

The Authority of an artificial god, created by humanity to resist extinction, manifested at Taewoon’s fingertips.

The red-golden aura launched by Taewoon collided head-on with the white radiance of Kyurihi that was engulfing the Ark.

As the two absolute powers clashed, a roar erupted that sounded as if the sky were tearing apart.

However, the outcome was decided in an instant. Taewoon’s dawn greedily devoured Kyurihi’s light and finally annihilated it.

The shock that had shaken the Ark vanished as if it were a lie. The overloaded defense system returned to normal, and silence fell.

‘…Is there no further attack?’

Taewoon gazed at the sky. Kyurihi’s aura vanished like a mirage.

Was it a simple contest of strength, or a test to gauge Taewoon’s power? Either way, it didn’t matter.

What mattered was the fact that Taewoon had repelled his power.

“…Let’s go.”

Following Taewoon’s will, the massive Ark began to descend slowly but heavily.

The target was the main gate of the central Holy Sanctuary.

A forest of abandoned buildings 1km away from the entrance of the central Holy Sanctuary.

The Hunter Alliance forces, who had established a temporary base there, were immersed in a desperate silence.

“Damn it… still no communication?”

“It’s dead. Because of the Bounded Field around the Holy Sanctuary, we can’t know the internal situation at all.”

The Vice Guild Master of the Bichang Guild, who was in charge of command, anxiously tapped the radio.

The first entry operation a few days ago had been an absolute Calamity.

Dozens of high-rankers who had entered with confidence were brutally slaughtered by just two Fingers.

Due to that overwhelming difference in martial power, the morale of the allied forces had hit rock bottom, and they were now simply waiting for Hwang Heojae and Choi Seoin, who were scheduled to join as reinforcements.

“L-look over there!”

At that moment, a Hunter on guard pointed to the sky with a trembling hand.

A massive hull descending through the clouds. A magnificent Ark, the kind seen only in ancient myths, was descending toward the entrance of the Holy Sanctuary, drawing a golden trajectory.

“An airship? No, that’s…”

“Was that ship what withstood the collision of light earlier?”

While everyone watched in a daze, the Ark stopped in front of the massive golden Bounded Field blocking the entrance to the Holy Sanctuary.

That Bounded Field was a wall of despair that had rendered all the allied forces’ attacks useless in the previous battle.

“It stopped. What on earth is it trying to do?”

At that moment, a man holding two spears jumped down from the deck of the Ark.

It was a dizzying height, but the man landed as light as a feather. Then, without hesitation, he walked toward the Bounded Field.

“Crazy, he’s going in there bare-handed?”

“It’s dangerous! That Bounded Field is…”

Before the Hunters could even scream, Taewoon had already reached the Bounded Field.

Taewoon took a Mask from his clothes and put it on his face. It was the newly born Red Wax Mask, where red and white blended in a bizarre harmony.

“…Break.”

Taewoon’s voice was low.

Inside the Dawn’s Daybreak Theater, Taewoon had slaughtered countless prey and made their power his own.

A massive phantom rose behind Taewoon.

It was the Colossus of Bram that had plunged the Tehesa region into terror. The form of a Calamity that exhausted all Magical Power and dealt physical destruction.

As Taewoon clenched his fist and threw a light punch, the Colossus behind him drove its fist down in the same manner.

The earth shook with a tremendous roar.

The golden Bounded Field, which hadn’t suffered a single scratch despite the allied forces pouring in efforts for days, began to crack like a spiderweb.

“W-what is that…”

“The Bounded Field… is breaking…”

But Taewoon did not stop. The phantom of the Colossus vanished, and this time, the form of a grotesque cloud with tens of thousands of eyeballs appeared.

The cloud with a thousand eyes.

The power of the thing that governed chaos and collapse seeped into the cracks of the Bounded Field according to Taewoon’s will.

With a clear sound like shattering glass, the Bounded Field of the Holy Sanctuary, once thought to be impregnable, shattered into pieces.

As the fragments scattered like snow, Taewoon calmly dusted off his hands and looked back.

Yerin and Seoyoon, who had descended from the Ark, stood on either side of Taewoon.

Amidst the overwhelming silence, Taewoon spoke to the allied Hunters who were staring with their mouths agape.

“I am Seo Taewoon of the Baran Guild.”

The name was not unfamiliar. A recently rising rookie and a survivor of the battle with Kalliedu. However, the being before them now far transcended the category of the Level 4 Hunter they knew.

Ignoring their bewilderment, Taewoon approached the Hunter who seemed to have the highest rank.

“Where are Hunter Hwang Heojae and Hunter Choi Seoin? Have they not arrived yet?”

The Vice Guild Master of the Bichang Guild swallowed hard and stepped back. The pressure emanating from Taewoon was choking him.

“T-those two… there’s still no contact…”

While he stammered, a Hunter with sharp features suddenly popped out from the crowd.

He glanced at the surroundings and sent a secret signal to Taewoon.

Taewoon’s eyes flashed.

‘…I see.’

Taewoon naturally approached him. The Hunter lowered his voice and whispered softly enough for only Taewoon to hear.

“The two of them have already arrived. However, judging that a frontal breakthrough was impossible, they infiltrated the interior of the Holy Sanctuary through another route 30 minutes ago.”

“Infiltration, huh…”

“Yes. To distract the enemies, they told us not to notify the main force of their arrival. They might already be in combat by now.”

The situation assessment was complete.

Taewoon nodded and stepped back.

If it were Hwang Heojae and Choi Seoin, called the strongest forces in Korea, he could believe it easily, but the opponents were Kyurihi’s Fingers.

Especially if the First Finger was there, victory could not be guaranteed no matter who they were.

“I’ll have to hurry.”

Taewoon signaled Yerin and Seoyoon.

“We need to draw their attention from this side first. As flashily and noisily as possible.”

That was the best way to help the two who had infiltrated, and the most certain invitation to lure out Kyurihi.