At the entrance of Gwanghwamun, chaos ruled the scene. Members of the Hunter Association scurried about with magical tools in hand, their faces set in grim determination as they worked to contain the phenomenon unfolding before them — a Black Gate, its swirling void humming with an ominous, ancient power.
Lee Seong-jun and Anna approached Jo Kang-hyun, who stood at the center of the operation, surrounded by subordinates delivering rapid-fire reports.
"I'm glad you both arrived so quickly," Jo greeted with a relieved smile.
The formation of a Black Gate — especially one of this scale — was no trivial matter. It wasn't just a distortion; it was a tear in reality itself, the kind of anomaly that modern technology couldn't hope to comprehend or predict. And yet, despite the tension hanging over the site, Jo Kang-hyun's shoulders relaxed slightly at the sight of the two.
"Have you learned anything about the gate?" Lee Seong-jun asked.
Jo shook his head. "It's not a raid-type gate. From the readings we've gathered, the dimensional size is vast — it could even be called a continent."
That alone made it extraordinary. However, there was still no information about what lay beyond — the environment, the inhabitants, or even the energy composition.
"The only comfort," Jo added, "is that the aura coming from it doesn't feel hostile."
It wasn't an arbitrary feeling. Experienced hunters like them could instinctively sense malice from hostile dimensions — chaotic, violent, drenched in killing intent. This one, however, emanated something… calm. Stable, even.
"Still, it's classified as Black rank," Jo continued. "We plan to send in a reconnaissance team immediately to verify its nature."
Lee Seong-jun frowned. "That won't be necessary."
Jo blinked. "What do you mean?"
"No matter how I look at this gate… I know this place."
His gaze locked on the swirling darkness, eyes narrowing as he felt the faint but unmistakable pulse of familiarity in the air.
'There's no mistake. This is blood energy.'
It was faint, diluted by time and space, but to someone like him — someone who had lived and fought among warriors who cultivated through blood and will — it was undeniable.
'The Heavenly Continent.'
He didn't need confirmation. The resonance was identical to what he had once known — the signature of the Blood Cult that had dominated that world.
"The dimension beyond the gate," Lee Seong-jun said quietly, "is where I once lived."
Jo Kang-hyun's eyes widened. Even Anna looked stunned.
"You mean… this is the world you came from?" she asked.
He nodded. "Yes. It's a world of humans — and warriors who have mastered martial arts."
A realm where humans transcended mortality through sheer will and discipline. The "immeasurable" rating now made perfect sense.
But that world… had also been home to gods and demons. A place where the severed horn of Amon once burned with infernal power, and where Beelzebub — the demon cast into the abyss — had reawakened.
And now, a gate to that same continent had reopened.
'I need to see it for myself,' Lee thought, his eyes narrowing.
He turned to Jo Kang-hyun. "Anna and I will join the investigation personally."
Jo nodded without hesitation. "Then we'll establish a defensive perimeter in your absence."
There was no objection, no question. After all, if this was truly the dimension Lee Seong-jun had once ruled, then communication — perhaps even cooperation — might be possible.
Jo smiled faintly. 'If anyone could lead us safely through that world, it's him.'
He clasped his hands together. "I wish you luck, Hunter Lee."
With a brief wave, Lee Seong-jun stepped toward the gate.
Anna followed closely behind. "Shall we go?"
"Yeah," he replied simply.
And with that, the two disappeared into the black vortex.
On the other side, they were greeted by a forest bathed in hues of blue and silver.
Anna looked around curiously. "Doesn't look too dangerous."
"I can't say I recognize this place," Lee admitted. "I spent most of my time on the battlefield. Peaceful scenery like this was rare."
He gazed into the distance. "Let's get a better view."
They leapt into the air, landing atop a towering tree. The horizon unfolded before them — endless golden plains and a few distant villages scattered across the land.
"It looks like the southern region," Lee murmured. "The golden plains… the old granary of the Heavenly Continent."
Anna pointed toward a small village where smoke rose from the rooftops. "Should we head there for information?"
"It's too small. Let's aim for a proper city instead. We'll learn more that way."
Anna nodded, drawing glowing sigils into the air.
A wave of mana pulsed outward. "There's a large concentration of life about a hundred kilometers east."
"Perfect. Let's go."
The two took off, soaring through the sky.
After an hour of flight, a familiar silhouette appeared in the distance — towering stone walls surrounding a sprawling city.
Lee's eyes widened slightly. "Sochangseong… I know this place."
It was the very city where his journey on the Heavenly Continent had begun — and where his legend had been forged.
"Looks like fate brought us home," Anna murmured.
"Maybe so."
They descended swiftly, bypassing the city gates entirely. Their speed broke the sound barrier, their presence nothing more than a blur in the sky.
Within moments, they stood amidst the bustling streets.
The first place Lee Seong-jun led Anna was a local tavern — the kind of establishment where information flowed as freely as the ale.
Inside, the chatter was vibrant and revealing.
"I heard the new lord's worse than the last one!"
"Have you seen the Sword Dragon of Namgung? They say his sword can split mountains!"
So much had changed — yet the tone of gossip remained the same.
A waitress with a mole on her nose greeted them. "Welcome! What'll you have?"
"Anything's fine," Lee replied. "But I do have a question."
The woman's eyes gleamed with interest. "If there's a tip in it for me, I'll tell you anything I know."
"What year and month is it?"
The question drew a puzzled look, but she answered readily, "It's July 25th, Year 19 of the Blood Calendar."
Lee froze. His expression darkened instantly.
"…What did you say?"
"The Blood Calendar, of course," she said with a laugh. "Everyone knows that."
Anna frowned. "What's wrong?"
Lee didn't answer. His heart pounded as memories flooded back — memories of conquest, of fire and blood.
Because the Blood Calendar was a system he himself had declared when he united the Heavenly Continent under one rule.
Which meant only one thing.
The world he had left behind… was still living under his name.