[NORTH EMPIRE]
Voices could be heard echoing from the walls and vaulted ceiling within the throne room. The room stretched far and wide producing a feeling of emptiness and coldness, ironically, the room was scorching hot as the castle itself was surrounded by a lava-like substance. The air carried a metallic chill as is weighed down by the presence of those sitting in the throne room discussing their battle plan.
At the head of the table sat Ra, the self-proclaimed King of all Itarim. At his table sat his top-ranking generals and advisors…all of which were Itarim who had sworn fealty to Ra in exchange for sparing their lives from certain destruction.
As Ra and his army razed universes…each Itarim God was offered a choice…kneel and submit to Ra or death. A few Itarim submitted and were thus spared…most resisted and were killed.
The discussion came to a sudden halt as an uninvited guest suddenly barged in followed by a few soldiers.
"How DARE you interrupt our King! I will have your head for this disrespect!" Orus yelled…his voice filling the throne room.
Siri continued walking toward the table unfazed by the threat…as he approached, he said with a respectful voice, "My King…apologies for the interruption…I have something you will want to see right away."
With a quick gesture he commanded his subordinates to bring forth something…a few seconds later more soldiers entered the throne room dragging along an Itarim covered in chains. His eyes and mouth were sealed shut.
Ra rose from his chair letting out a roaring laugh…he clapped his hands in appreciation as he walked towards the chained Itarim. He bent downwards…until his mouth was close to the ears of the captive. He whispered, "you should have joined me…now you and your universe will be fertilizer."
"Feed him to the Chalise…and when you are done with him…shred his universe down to last atom and feed it to the Chalise as well." Ra ordered.
Moments later, screams were heard far away…they were the screams of agony…like the screams of someone being devoured alive.
"You have done well Siri…very well. Proceed with the Dark Universe conquest plan." Ra said with authority.
"What about the defeated Apostles we captured…what do we do with them?" Siri asked.
"Eat them, play with them, I don't care…do as you like." Ra said returning his attention to his plan.
[UNITED STATES – INTERNATIONAL HUNTERS ASSOCIATION HQ]
He let out a deep sigh of relief…it was a close call but thankfully a crisis had been averted. He closed his eyes as he mentally reviewed the information he finished reading from the Mission Report.
An unexpected dimensional wall tear that resulted in a swarm of magic beasts infesting the dungeon…those beasts were A-rank according to Hunter Kihoon Son…they would have easily devoured the entire strike-team had it not been for Thalia.
To think this young girl possessed a repertoire of unique skills. First, she was able to use powerful light-based magic attacks in rapid fire. In addition, she was able to remove all the debuffs and cast wide area buffs…then there was the issue about "healing".
Although the report said she performed "healing" on the injured party members, the medics that arrived on-site and the healer that was part of the strike-team both said that the skill Thalia used was not the same as healing. They noted that certain unique features such as old scars and birthmarks on the arms and legs were somehow "restored"…that was very unusual.
Healing magic helps damaged tissue heal…as a result, if an arm with a scar was amputated during battle, "healing" such arm would completely erase the scar. It would be like installing a new arm, so to speak…one with no defects.
The skill used by Thalia, however, worked differently. It seemed more like "turning-back time" or "undoing" the damage.
Even more intriguing was the comments made by Hunter Kihoon Son. He stated that during the battle, Thalia unleashed so much mana that any hunter…even an S-rank mage, would have been depleted. Thalia, however, seemed to grow stronger with every beast she defeated….and her mana pool seemed to resupply as well.
Jinchul Woo's thoughts were suddenly interrupted with the sudden appearance of an old friend.
"You know…that always freaks me out…you can use the door from time to time." Jinchul smirked.
"Yeah I know…but I can't help dropping in." Jinwoo said with a playful smile.
"I'm glad you are back…a lot has happened during the time you were away…let me fill you in." Jinchul replied with a serious tone.
[NORTH KOREA – REFUGEE CAMP]
Hae-in Cha, Gaia, and Thalia sat together under a tree, on a small hill overlooking the base. It was Hae-in's favorite spot, and it quickly became Gaia and Thalia's favorite spot as well. From this hill they could hear the playful laughs of the children, the soft rustling of teenagers going to class, and the shuffling of hunters and soldiers as they carried on with their daily training and drills.
Hae-in and Gaia were deep in conversation…for the last two weeks the two had spent much time together and had gradually formed a friendship. They spoke often about home, growing up, work, the status of the camp, etc. Both women were happy to have a friend…given their line of work and their history…it wasn't easy to meet other girls and form a close friendship.
Their conversation was interrupted as the group noticed a man casually approaching the hill. He wore dark pants, sleek white shirt, and a long-tailored coat. His steps although calm and relaxed also exuded confidence and strength.
On arrival, he bowed politely at the group of women. Hae-in Cha immediately sprang up and hugged him tight. The two shared a romantic embrace…happy to be reunited after a lengthy departure.
"Allow me to make introductions…this is my husband, Jinwoo Sung." Hae-in Cha said with an air of pride and joy.
"This is Gaia, and her daughter Thalia." Hae-in said.
"It's certainly a pleasure to meet you…" Jinwoo said in a friendly and casual voice.
Gaia was frozen…absolutely frozen…like a deer caught in headlights…unable to utter a single word…or even make some sort of comprehensible sound.
"I had some time off today…so I decided to swing by and bring lunch. Do you have some time later today?" Jinwoo asked his wife.
This…this was too much…Gaia was about to pass out.
Standing in front of her was the Dark God! The absolute ruler of the Dark Universe…the Shadow Monarch! Jinwoo Sung…the one who defied all the Itarim Gods and whose power was so great that not even their combined forces could defeat. The Shadow Monarch himself…in the flesh…standing on the hill…bringing lunch to his wife…like an ordinary salary-man.
'Oh my God… Oh my God… Oh my God…what do I do? Do I kneel? Do I bow? What do I say? Oh my God… Oh my God… Oh my God…he is looking right at me…I am so freaking out right now.' Thalia thought to herself equally shocked as her mother.
Turning his attention to Gaia and Thalia, Jinwoo said in a polite tone, "we are glad to have you…if there is anything we can do to help…please let us know."
After a very uncomfortable long silence, Gaia managed to compose herself enough to speak, "thank you for allowing us to stay here…if there is anything we can do to help you make a decision on our asylum request…"
Jinwoo smiled kindly and replied, "thank you, but that is not really up to me. Our world's leaders will decide on that, but I will do all I can to help."
Again, Gaia nearly fainted…what? What did he mean? He is not in charge? Someone else is making those decisions? Who other than the Dark God was qualified to run this universe?
"I'm sorry…it's just that…well…it's just that I don't understand…you ARE the Shadow Monarch…the Dark God. You mean you don't have the authority to make a decision like that? Gaia asked clearly confused.
In an instant, Beru popped out of the shadows screaming, "HOW DARE YOU! I WILL KILL YOU FOR YOUR INSOLENCE TO OUR KING!"
Beru's mana erupted like a volcano…bloodlust and hate fueled.
By sheer reflex, Gaia unleashed her massive power in self-defense…her hair glowed brightly, wings appeared behind her back, her body shimmered with a beautiful yet terrifying aura.
Standing before Gaia was none other than Beru, Legion Commander of the Dark Army. Every Apostle in the cosmos recognized and knew 3 specific shadows.
Bellion, the Grand Marshall and Legion Commander of the Dark Army…also known as the "Obsidian General".
Igris, Legion Commander of the Dark Army…also known as the "Shadow of Death".
Beru, Legion Commander of the Dark Army…also known as the "Devourer".
All three shadows were well known and deeply feared by every single Apostle across the vast cosmos. In the early days of the Outer Gods War, Apostles and warriors wanting to distinguish themselves and gain fame and glory, eagerly challenged any one of the three shadows. Most of the challengers did not survive beyond a few seconds, few managed to survive more than 5 attacks, only a handful managed fight on equal ground.
The few warriors who managed to fight equally against any of the 3 shadows were given the unofficial title of "Fier"…iron-born…tried and tested in the cauldron of battle.
"Enough." Jinwoo commanded…and in an instant Beru deflated and returned to the shadows.