The news spread like wildfire overnight—Earth had narrowly avoided invasion.
The combined assault of the Demons and Kashir was thwarted before it began, and the entire world buzzed with disbelief.
At first, there was skepticism. The dimensional world of Catalu had vanished completely, leaving no physical evidence behind. Yet that uncertainty shattered the moment the five top-tier magicians—missing for weeks—suddenly reappeared.
Their testimonies confirmed everything.
They spoke of Lee Seong-jun, of Anna the dragon, and of their battle against the demonic legion. Soon, even the hidden nations and factions that had backed those magicians admitted the truth.
The story could no longer be doubted.
The media exploded with coverage—television specials, interviews, articles flooding the internet. And at the center of it all was one man: Lee Seong-jun, the "Hero Who Saved Earth."
Through Jazan's interview, the world learned of the calm, resolute hunter who had single-handedly turned back an interdimensional invasion.
The public adored him.
South Korea was now hailed as the world's strongest nation, and every lingering resentment from the Morag incident had dissolved overnight. By the time Lee Seong-jun woke from his well-deserved sleep, his name had already become legend.
Still, he could only sigh at the avalanche of headlines.
'Go Tae-hyun really didn't waste any time, huh…'
The publicity machine was efficient, as always. Every victory became a story, every story a symbol. It was a natural progression, though perhaps a bit overwhelming.
"Still… this is a little much," Seong-jun murmured as he opened his front door—only to freeze.
A small crowd stood before him. Not reporters or fans, but beings of all races and appearances.
At the front, Jazan the goblin gave a polite bow. "We've all come to offer our thanks. From the right: Nige of the elves, Kors of the werewolves, Messer of the fairies, and Tutro of the dwarves. All of them are barrier magicians like me—top-class."
The five bowed deeply.
"Hunter Lee Seong-jun! If you hadn't stopped me, things would've gone terribly wrong!"
"It's a blessing that someone like you exists on Earth!"
"I heard you defeated the entire Demon Legion led by a Duke! Thank you!"
"We all owe you our lives."
Lee Seong-jun scratched his cheek, looking slightly awkward. "I only did what anyone would've done."
Tutro, the dwarf, folded his arms and snorted. "He's exactly as you said, Jazan—different from the start."
The others nodded in agreement.
"I think we can trust him completely."
"Hunter Lee Seong-jun is the one we've been searching for."
Seong-jun's gaze softened. He could tell this wasn't a mere visit of gratitude. There was intent—something important.
"Could you explain what this is about?" he asked calmly.
Jazan nodded and began. "All five of us studied under the same master."
One by one, the magicians spoke, their eyes reflecting distant memories.
"He took us in when no one else would. He was kind… and unbelievably powerful. We swore to serve him forever."
"But one day, he left."
"Suddenly, he said he had to stop 'the invasion of a black being.'"
"He told us to prepare for the coming destruction… and then disappeared."
Their teacher never returned.
"So we began searching for answers," Jazan continued. "Each of us sought different paths. I believed the awakened—Hunters—held the key to Earth's survival, so I began testing them."
Seong-jun recalled Jazan's earlier "trials," the ones offered in exchange for elixirs. At the time, they'd seemed arbitrary. Now, he understood.
"So… you're asking me to become your countermeasure against this 'destruction'?"
Jazan lowered his head. "We wouldn't ask without giving something in return."
"We'll offer everything we have," Nige said earnestly.
"Our loyalty," added Kors.
"Our knowledge," said Messer.
"Our lives, if need be," Tutro finished.
"Please, allow us to carry on our master's will."
It was a sudden, strange proposal—but not unpleasant. Their sincerity was unmistakable.
'We share the same goal,' Seong-jun thought. 'Protecting this world.'
He nodded. "Alright. Let's work together."
Relief washed over the group like a wave.
"Thank you!"
"We'll give everything we have!"
"From now on, we're allies!"
"If there's anything you want," Nige said quickly, "wealth, resources, knowledge—just say the word."
Seong-jun shook his head. "I don't need any of that. Just keep doing what you're doing—protecting Gaia."
"That's… all?"
"That's enough."
He already had more wealth and fame than he needed. What mattered now was cooperation.
"If you ever need help," he added, "contact the guild using my name. The alliance will assist you."
Jazan's voice trembled slightly. "Then… may I also ask something? Do you think Anna Faris—the dragon—might help us?"
Seong-jun chuckled. "I can't promise anything, but if I ask, she'll probably say yes."
The magicians' eyes lit up.
"A dragon's aid!"
"This is unprecedented!"
"With her help, we can create miracles!"
They bowed deeply before rushing out, their enthusiasm almost childlike.
Jazan hadn't expected much. Even with a dragon's wisdom, stabilizing Gaia's fading energy was a monumental task.
'Effort matters most,' he had told himself.
But less than two weeks later, a call came that shattered his expectations.
– We found a way to slow Gaia's collapse!
Seong-jun nearly dropped his phone. "You're serious?"
– It still needs refinement, but yes. We'll have meaningful results soon.
– Give us a week. If successful, we can extend Gaia's stability—double what we predicted.
Hearing Anna and Jazan's excited voices, Seong-jun's brows lifted in astonishment. It was an incredible breakthrough—and perfectly believable.
After all, Anna was a dragon versed in both magic and martial arts. Combined with the five greatest magicians on Earth, their synergy was unmatched.
'That buys us time,' Seong-jun thought. 'Time to grow stronger.'
He hung up and immediately resumed training, setting his sights on the second form of the Sura Reverse Heavenly Sword Art.
But things didn't go as smoothly as he hoped.
'I'm running out of internal energy…'
The second form demanded a staggering amount of power—far beyond what his current Blood Spirit Sura Shingong could sustain.
As a martial art of ascension, each stage multiplied the burden exponentially. Even with his Force System, recovery wasn't instant.
'Five seconds of activation,' he calculated grimly. 'Too slow. In a real battle, that's suicide.'
It was frustrating, but not unexpected.
'The Blood Spirit Shingong was designed for the Blood Demon's arts. It can't handle the turbulence of the Sura Reverse Heavenly Art.'
He had foreseen this moment.
'Then it's time,' he thought, eyes narrowing with determination.
A new internal energy technique—one capable of merging with the Blood Spirit style while enduring the storm of the Reverse Heaven. A method to unleash infinite energy without restraint.
His next step was clear.
The Demon God would forge a new core.
A technique worthy of a man walking the Path of the Martial God.