Chapter 176 – Wave of the Void

Earth, after the Apostles had vanished.

Though the Awakened of Earth did not know the Apostles had disappeared, they could sense that the distance between themselves and the Constellations had grown.

The dimensional distance from the Constellations had increased, severing their connection to Spirits.

“Why can’t I draw upon the Spirit’s power!?”

“What in the world is this…?”

It was a situation where not only Spirit Summoning but even the act of drawing upon a Spirit’s power was blocked, much like the Law Alteration Tiamat had enacted in London.

Moreover, likely because even the Constellation’s Blessings had been severed, even the Awakening Skills they had obtained themselves had become one-time-use abilities. After unleashing them once, they could no longer recharge the Starlight needed to use them again.

However, not all of Earth’s Awakened were like this.

“It seems a situation similar to the Law Alteration Tiamat enacted has occurred again, but why are we unaffected?”

“If we are the only exceptions, it means we share some commonality…”

For the Ten Great Guild Masters who, along with Park Jincheol in London, had defeated Tiamat’s 11 Demon Beasts.

They could fully draw upon all the abilities of their Spirits.

Thanks to belonging to Mirinae’s Primordial Fusion, they maintained their connection to the distant Constellations through the Infinity of the Chaos Constellation, the only one remaining on Earth.

“Wait, the Constellation we serve has changed!”

The Polaris Guild Master was the first to realize and shout that his Constellation had changed.

It wasn’t that his connection to the previously served North Star Constellation had disappeared.

Rather, it was closer to that connection remaining intact while a higher-level connection had been established.

“Park Jincheol. Are you the cause?”

The Polaris Guild Master, using his information-type ability to trace back the causality, turned his gaze towards Park Jincheol.

“I’m not entirely sure myself, but it seems that way.”

“So it wasn’t something you intended?”

Only upon hearing the other’s words did Park Jincheol realize that the reason they alone were unaffected was related to the new Constellation he had begun to serve.

The Ten Great Guild Masters, including the Polaris Guild Master, seemed to want to press for more information about Mirinae, but the situation that immediately followed left them no room to do so.

Crackle-crackle-crackle!

The Great Rift from which Tiamat and her Demon Beasts had emerged.

As if overlapping within the black rift, an even darker black rift unfolded.

KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA!!

Through it, amorphous, clay-like Hollow Specters began pouring out like a waterfall.

It was where the boundary between the Otherworld and Earth met, the part where the dimensional barrier blocking the outside was weakest, and the Outer Gods had targeted it.

“That’s… Hollow Specters!”

“Don’t let them touch you! Those without Starlight Absorption abilities, keep your distance!”

Thanks to the Void Lord that appeared during the Korean Preliminaries of the Heavenly Palace Tournament, most of Earth’s Awakened knew the characteristics of Hollow Specters.

But while that knowledge could reduce damage, it couldn’t completely prevent it.

There weren’t many Awakened with absorption abilities capable of offsetting or even devouring the Hollow Specters’ Starlight Absorption ability.

Moreover, Awakeners not belonging to Mirinae’s Primordial Fusion couldn’t use Spirit powers, putting them in an even weaker state.

Fortunately, the Awakened connected to Mirinae’s Primordial Fusion weren’t limited to just Park Jincheol and the Ten Great Guild Masters.

Naturally, the Galaxy Guild members remaining at White Deer Lake on Jeju Island’s Hallasan Mountain also served Mirinae, so they too could maintain their Spirit abilities normally.

Additionally, the Awakened of Los Angeles and São Paulo, who were fated to die in the Otherworld Apostle invasion but were saved by the intervention of Lee Hanseong and his comrades who served Mirinae, also maintained their Spirit abilities.

However, in Shanghai’s case, originally the Heavenly Slaughter Demon Lord was fated to defeat Shiva.

And in London’s case, even if Park Jincheol hadn’t come, only the Ten Great Guild Masters would have died, and the Heavenly Slaughter Demon Lord, who defeated Shiva before the damage escalated, was scheduled to come to support, so there were no others among them who maintained Spirit abilities.

In the cases of New York or Sydney, they only changed fates from being killed to having their minds dominated by Shudmuel or having their Achievements stolen by Adam Kadmon, so similarly, they couldn’t be sufficiently tainted by Mirinae’s Primordial Fusion.

“It seems those on Earth who can still use Spirits are limited to us here, the Galaxy Guild, and the Awakened of LA and São Paulo.”

Park Jincheol muttered, having surveyed the entire Earth with his Solar Wind to grasp the situation.

“Does that mean the Apostles also can’t use Spirits?”

“No, there are currently no Apostles on Earth at all. I suspect the fact that most Awakened can no longer use Spirits is related to their disappearance.”

“At present, that probability seems high.”

Then, one of the Ten Great Guild Masters asked.

“Wait, did you just check the entire Earth?”

“I did.”

“Then, by any chance, are there places other than here where Hollow Specters have appeared?”

“If you mean places where Hollow Specters are pouring out like that, yes. Including here, there are six locations in total.”

As they expected, Hollow Specters didn’t only appear in London.

From all the Great Rifts where Apostles had appeared, Hollow Specters were pouring out like waterfalls, just like the Great Rift in London.

Actually, Adam Kadmon, who appeared in Sydney, came over without a Great Rift, so there were five major cities where Great Rifts had opened.

Then where is the sixth and final location?

It was White Deer Lake on Jeju Island, where the Galaxy Guild members were.

White Deer Lake, where Lee Hanseong’s party returned from the Otherworld, was a location corresponding to the Asura Three Thousand Gates where Hongye, who became the core of the dimensional erosion that unfolded over the Japanese archipelago, was located.

Similar to the areas around the Great Rifts the Apostles came through, the external dimensional barrier was weakened there, so Hollow Specters also appeared.

“However, three of them probably don’t need support.”

Park Jincheol said, incinerating all the Hollow Specters pouring from London’s Great Rift with his Solar Wind.

“…!”

“How did you do that just now?”

The Ten Great Guild Masters couldn’t hide their surprise at the sight of the Hollow Specters, which should have absorbed Starlight, being unable to absorb the Starlight contained in the Solar Wind.

On the other hand, Park Jincheol, who was in the Otherworld when Hollow Specters first appeared on Earth and thus didn’t know much about them, didn’t understand why they were surprised.

“What do you mean?”

“The Starlight Absorption. How did you avoid having your Starlight absorbed by the Hollow Specters?”

“Ah, so those things originally have some ability to absorb Starlight? When I spread my Solar Wind widely for detection, the Starlight wasn’t absorbed, so I dealt with them. Is that strange?”

Abilities like Starlight Absorption often become ineffective when the gap in power is large, so Park Jincheol understood the Hollow Specters to be similar, but that was actually his misunderstanding.

“It is strange. According to the Constellation’s revelation, even if a Hollow Specter’s Grade is lower, its absorption shouldn’t completely fail like just now.”

“Certainly, I didn’t feel any sensation of Starlight being absorbed.”

“Hmm. Could the Constellation’s revelation have been wrong?”

A Ten Great Guild Master, now doubting the information previously transmitted from the Constellations, unleashed their respective Authorities towards the newly poured Hollow Specters.

As a result, their Authorities also ignored the Hollow Specters’ Starlight Absorption.

“Huh. Our Authorities also ignore absorption.”

“This will make Hollow Specter Subjugation easier.”

While the other Guild Masters felt relief at the unexpected result.

The Polaris Guild Master, who tested a few more things against the Hollow Specters, uncovered the reason they could ignore the Hollow Specters’ Starlight Absorption.

“I see. Our new Constellation is in opposition to the Hollow Specters’ Void.”

“What does that mean?”

“The Hollow Specters’ Starlight Absorption fundamentally has the property of digging into the source of the Starlight it tries to absorb.”

Thus, by merely absorbing the projected fragments of Spirits by Contractors, Hollow Specters could absorb even the records of the main body recorded in the Constellation.

“So our Constellation being in opposition to the Hollow Specters means…?”

“In other words, when Hollow Specters try to absorb our Starlight, that suction force is directed towards our new Constellation, and it’s blocked there.”

If Hollow Specters absorbed the Starlight of the Chaos Constellation, Chaos and Void would cancel each other out, leading to self-destruction, so the Hollow Specters instinctively avoided absorbing their Starlight.

“I don’t know which Constellation it is, but it seems all those on Earth who can still use Spirits are under the influence of this Constellation. We can respond to the Hollow Specters centered around these individuals.”

“Then, I’ll send you to the most urgent places first.”

Having roughly grasped the situation, the Ten Great Guild Masters divided their forces.

The Awakened of Los Angeles and São Paulo, having come under Mirinae’s Chaos Constellation, were in a situation where they could handle the Hollow Specters themselves.

The Galaxy Guild at White Deer Lake also wasn’t at a level to be overwhelmed by Hollow Specters, so the places urgently needing support were Shanghai and New York.

“We will go to Shanghai.”

“Same here.”

The Abyss Guild Master and Lunar Guild Master, who served the Darkness Constellation and Lunar Constellation closely related to the Heavenly Slaughter Guild, volunteered to go to Shanghai.

“I’ll join as well.”

The Polaris Guild Master also requested to join them.

While observing the Chaos Constellation, he realized the North Star Constellation belonged to the Chaos Divine Realm along with Heavenly Slaughter, Darkness, and Lunar, and his hidden intention was to investigate the Primordial Fusion by accompanying them.

“Then, I’ll leave Shanghai to you.”

Whoooosh!

Once the three going to Shanghai were decided, Park Jincheol’s Solar Wind sent them flying towards Shanghai.

“Who will go to New York? For reference, New York has several Transcendent Species fairies that followed the Apostle of the Wind Constellation, which have been devoured by Hollow Specters and reborn as Void Lords, so it will be dangerous.”

“If it’s wind as the opponent, then the Wheel should step forward.”

“Wind suits wind best.”

“If it’s New York, it’s our territory, so I’ll go too.”

Those going to New York were the Trishala Guild Master of the Wheel, the Tempest Guild Master of Wind, and the Aurum Guild Master of Gold, who stepped forward first.

“Then I also…”

When the Shining Guild Master of Radiance also stepped forward, Park Jincheol shook his head.

“You would be more suitable for São Paulo.”

The Shining Guild Master’s role was more fitting for overseeing São Paulo, where the Church of Radiance was spreading due to Seras’s influence.

Whooosh!

Park Jincheol’s Solar Wind sent the Trishala, Tempest, and Aurum Guild Masters to New York, and the Shining Guild Master to São Paulo, then turned his gaze to the remaining Guild Masters.

“Earth Guild Master, Center Guild Master, and Iron Guild Master, please guard London here.”

“What about you?”

“I plan to go to LA.”

“What about the remaining location?”

When Park Jincheol said he would go to Los Angeles, the Iron Guild Master worried about White Deer Lake, the only place not receiving support.

“Don’t worry about that place. They are currently the ones closest to our Constellation on Earth. No matter what happens, the Constellation’s Blessing will protect them.”

“If you say so, then it must be so.”

Having brushed off the other’s concern, Park Jincheol immediately rode his Solar Wind towards Los Angeles.

Thus, at least until a Void God appeared, the five major cities excluding White Deer Lake would be safe.

* * *

Meanwhile, around the time a Great Rift opened at White Deer Lake and Hollow Specters began pouring out.

The Galaxy Guild, despite having the ability to confront the Hollow Specters, was hesitating to step forward.

Because of their prior knowledge about Hollow Specters, they hadn’t attempted to attack and thus hadn’t realized that the Hollow Specters’ absorption ability didn’t work on them.

“Hollow Specters are coming out in such numbers?”

“What should we do?”

Even the promising candidates from the Heavenly Palace Tournament, who had officially joined the Galaxy Guild, received the Blessing of Transcendence, and become High-Rank Awakeners, were hesitating.

Jingle.

Kim Yul’s stone staff jingled loudly.

Kim Yul, who had closed his eyes briefly as if in prayer, opened them and took a step towards the Great Rift pouring out Hollow Specters.

“You should be ashamed. Staying still like this won’t solve the problem.”

“Anyone can talk big! Attacking them will only make them stronger!”

At Kim Yul’s criticism, Baek Woohyeon, who had experience facing a Void Lord before, flared up.

“So you plan to just watch?”

“What else can we do!?”

“We must fight.”

“…That’s suicide.”

“No. Believe in the Guild Master. We will not die.”

Having worshipped Lee Hanseong even before joining the guild, Kim Yul could attack the Hollow Specters without hesitation.

Flash.

“This is insane…!”

Right after Baek Woohyeon and the other promising candidates were shocked to see Kim Yul’s spell activate.

Thud!

A spear of light made of main force pierced and killed the Hollow Specter closest to them.

“…It died? The Starlight wasn’t absorbed?”

“This is proof that our Constellation protects us. Will you still keep cowering even now!”

“Could it be that Starlight Absorption doesn’t work on us?”

“Then, we have no more reason to stay still!”

Whoosh— Bang! KWA-GWA-GWA-GWANG!

When a few others, seeing Kim Yul’s attack work, successfully attacked and killed Hollow Specters, there was no more hesitation in the Galaxy Guild.

“Everyone! Don’t attack separately, we must move in formation. You all learned how to deal with monster waves at the Training Center, right?”

“Uh, that was so long ago, I don’t remember well…”

“If you don’t remember, I’ll teach you, so follow my commands!”

“Hmm. Confirmed!”

Seo Minah, who had most recently completed the Training Center, began commanding, disseminating the wave response formation, which was rarely used and only appeared in tests, to everyone.

As the formation was established, the speed at which Hollow Specters were killed slowed slightly, but the Galaxy Guild’s attacks became more stable and efficient.

A tactic prepared to fight for a long time by dividing into groups and taking turns.

‘If we keep this up, we can hold out for hours.’

Seo Minah felt relieved seeing the Galaxy Guild’s stable formation. That was the moment.

Gnaw-gnaw— Gnaw-gnaw—

A sound of something gnawing came from above.

As the number of Hollow Specters decreased, the Hollow Specters emerging from the Great Rift in the sky, instead of falling to the ground, were gnawing at the rift’s boundary, continuously increasing its size.

“…!”

This phenomenon was occurring identically at the Great Rifts in the other five cities, not just White Deer Lake.