The air itself seemed to curdle as reality split open, not with a bang, but with a quiet, sickening tear. Haneul stepped through, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Good grief, what is that awful smell?" he complained, waving a hand in front of his face as if to clear the air.
His bare feet, glowing with a soft, warm light, made no sound on the blackened, brittle grass. He surveyed the dying landscape, his ice-blue eyes narrowed in irritation. Everything looked grey and decayed, like a forgotten corner of creation.
"What a complete mess," Haneul sighed, his relaxed posture stiffening slightly as he noticed movement. "Honestly, can't I get a moment's peace?"
Before the thought had even fully formed, a wretched, dripping creature leaped from a nearby husk of a tree. "Gonna kill you…" It rasped.
Haneul didn't even bother looking at it. He flicked a finger, and a tiny spark of golden light shot out, turning the creature into a fine grey dust that was instantly lost in the wind. "Don't waste my time," he murmured, his attention already fixed on a much larger problem lumbering over the hill.
It was a grotesque giant, its form a chaotic swirl of dark energy.
"So, you're the big one," Haneul observed, his voice calm but laced with an evident lack of patience.
A sword of pure, solidified sunlight formed in his hand. It hummed gently.
"Midas," he called out, his tone shifting. "Where is my brother?"
"He's GONE! ABANDONED US!" the giant shrieked. Its voice was like grinding stones. "He just left!"
A flicker of confusion crossed Haneul's features.
"Left? Midas would never abandon his post for anyone." It made no sense. His brother, the self-proclaimed king of all vice, was obsessively dedicated to his duties. The idea of him just leaving was absurd. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. He's probably just off somewhere sulking."
"This world belongs to US NOW!" the giant bellowed, charging with clumsy, earthshaking steps.
Haneul let out a theatrical sigh. "Oh, for heaven's sake. This is getting ridiculous." He raised his free hand, and a spear of brilliant gold descended from the sky, piercing the giant straight through its core. It didn't even have time to scream before it erupted in a silent flash and evaporated.
"Right," Haneul said to the empty air, dispelling his sword. "I'll start with his ridiculous throne. This is going to be so annoying."
Teleporting away, Haneul appeared within a castle and sat on a throne. He leaned back to get comfortable and stared at the women all in front of him. Their expressions showed shock and surprise, but also fear and a guarded look.
Lust?
No, never. Haneul didn't feel such a thing, as these women were his brother's wives, but he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
How could his brother be such a sinner?
He knew that he and Midas were two sides of the same coin; he was the heavenly law, and Midas bore the sins.
Haneul had kept track of his brother's disappearances and used their severed connection to track him down.
Haneul got closer, only for the women to back away.
The one with horns and a tail, Radomira, raised her hand.
"Stop. Midas told me about you… You disgusting—"
Before Radomira could finish, Haneul appeared before her in a blink. His hand shot out to grab her neck, only for a gloved hand to grab his.
"Sorry for the interruption, but Sir Midas gave me authorization to kill anyone who wishes harm on his wives, including you," a well-kept, professional butler spoke.
Haneul's eyes narrowed as the butler's other hand punched him, sending him flying into the wall to the outside.
"Strong... but so pathetic."
The butler appeared before Haneul, ready to strike, and his fist connected with Haneul's chest. The impact was so strong that reality itself tore, but Haneul didn't budge. Before either of them could speak, a quick figure rushed into the tear in reality.
The butler's eyes widened, and even Haneul showed a flicker of surprise before returning to his calm state. Haneul watched the woman, wondering where she would lead. The butler disappeared for a moment, only to reappear and flicker again.
A bolt of light shot out, slamming the butler to the ground. Golden chains shot from the light, wrapping around him to hold him still.