Back when the System was still around, there had indeed been a passage mentioning what Beru was now proposing. Only one Marshal-grade title could exist at any given time. Therefore, newly promoted soldiers who reached the Marshal rank had to challenge each other to determine superiority. If Commander General was assumed to be a Marshal-grade title, then Beru—newly appointed as Legion Commander—did have the right to challenge.
*'Legion Commanders competing against each other...'*
Jin-Woo shifted his gaze to the other Legion Commander, Igrit, just in case, but the creature politely declined. It seemed Igrit had no interest in the hierarchy among Legion Commanders. When Igrit quietly took a step back, Bellion—who had been standing guard beside him—naturally came into view. Bellion, the current supreme commander of all 130,000 shadow soldiers. Above him stood only one person: the master of the Legion, Jin-Woo. When their eyes met, Bellion bowed his head. Even as he lowered his posture as much as possible in the presence of his master, the towering figure—taller than Thomas by at least a head—answered calmly.
"I shall follow my liege's will."
Follow his will. Jin-Woo let a small laugh escape at Bellion's response. Humble words. But within them was the meaning that he would not refuse the new Legion Commander's challenge, so long as his master permitted it. Glancing back, Beru seemed to have interpreted the words as well—claws bared, burning with fighting spirit. Kieee! Unlike Bellion, who was suppressing his mana as much as possible, Beru radiated his vicious mana without restraint.
*'Hmm...'*
After a moment of deliberation, Jin-Woo made his decision.
"Fine."
He knew Beru well, but not Bellion. Bellion's combat strength could be valuable data for moving the Legion going forward. It was only natural that Jin-Woo's inclinations leaned toward allowing the challenge.
"But I decide when the fight ends."
Having received Jin-Woo's approval, Beru's eyes brimmed with elation. The ecstatic Beru raised his voice, eyes sparkling.
"Your grace is too generous." "Don't do that." "...Thank you, Your Majesty."
Beru, rejoicing in the opportunity given, and Bellion, calmly preparing for battle. These two—looking every bit like a challenger and a champion plucked straight from a ring—had something Jin-Woo needed to check before they got serious. Jin-Woo summoned a single 'Wrath of Kamish' and channeled aura into its tip. Then he gave it a light swing toward the forest. Kwajajajajajajak—! The black roar that erupted from the blade swept across the forest area. But the damage was less than expected. Jin-Woo nodded and sent the dagger back.
*'That should do it...'*
It didn't look like the surroundings would suffer unnecessary damage from the fight between the two Legion Commanders. The earth, tempered by accumulated mana, was now well-suited as a battlefield.
'...'
For a moment, Jin-Woo gazed at the ground with a bitter expression, then raised his head. His eyes, fixed on the two Legion Commanders, were already filled with anticipation.
"Well then...?"
At that, the Commander General and the new Legion Commander—who had been waiting for their master's order—nodded simultaneously.
"Give us your command." "Simply say the word, Your Majesty!"
Jin-Woo smiled and spoke.
"Take your positions."
* * *
Korea's Hunter's Association. The Association's emergency operations room was, even after the crisis had ended, busier than ever.
"The foreign press is demanding a statement!" "The U.S. Hunter Management Bureau is asking if we can disclose Hunter Sung Jin-Woo's location?" "Seoul's Disaster Headquarters wants to know whether evacuated citizens can be recalled." "Hunter Channel's 'Jimmy Show' wants to host Hunter Sung Jin-Woo for an interview—" "Jimmy, my foot. Tell them if they can take him, they're welcome to try!"
The flood of inquiry calls was so relentless it was a wonder the communications network hadn't collapsed. Chairman Woo Jin-Cheol, even while barking out rapid-fire instructions, sighed at the ever-growing tower of official documents on his desk.
"Haaah..."
There was a mountain of work. No—this much was fortunate. The problem was that those mountains formed a mountain range, and once you climbed one peak, another rose behind it, and behind that, yet another, and after that, another still. They stretched on endlessly without a horizon in sight. It was enough to make even an A-rank Hunter's head spin. But then, as Woo Jin-Cheol was shaking his head to clear his drowsiness, a subordinate's mutter drifted over his ears—one he absolutely should not have let slip by.
"Right there of all places, Hunter Sung Jin-Woo's summoned creatures burst out..."
A resentful tone. In an instant, all sleep fled from Woo Jin-Cheol. He immediately called the man over.
"So in your view, Mr. Seong, the monsters from the super-large Gate should have poured out yesterday instead? Is that what you're saying?" "What? No, that's not what I meant—"
As the flustered subordinate stammered, Woo Jin-Cheol delivered a sharp rebuke.
"What if those calls on our line right now weren't interview requests from TV stations, but families asking whether their loved ones—Hunters who were killed—are alive or dead? Do you think you'd be working with the same attitude of 'just so busy I could die'?"
The subordinate could not meet Woo Jin-Cheol's piercing gaze. Even if you worked for the Hunter's Association, unless you'd been in the field, you couldn't know. What Hunters endure in moments of crisis. What happens in the dark depths of a Dungeon where no one is watching—and what gets buried. Considering the countless scenarios that could have unfolded during the super-large Gate raid, yesterday's outcome was the best possible result. Over a hundred thousand monsters had poured out, yet not a single person was hurt. Nothing was destroyed. And on top of that, those monsters had been absorbed into Hunter Sung Jin-Woo's forces. Who could have predicted that? It exceeded anything anyone could have dreamed of. That was precisely why Woo Jin-Cheol could face the mountain of work that would keep him up for several nights in a row with a smile. But then, for a staff member of the Hunter's Association to complain about yesterday simply because he was a little tired—did that even make sense? If Hunter Sung Jin-Woo had been nearby, Woo Jin-Cheol would have slapped the man across the face before Jin-Woo even had a chance to get angry. That was how deeply Woo Jin-Cheol understood what Jin-Woo must be feeling. After halting all the staff for a moment, he looked around at them and spoke with a firm voice.
"I know you're all anxious because Hunter Sung Jin-Woo has suddenly disappeared."
But a Hunter as responsible as Sung Jin-Woo would surely have a good reason for vanishing like that.
"The person who's probably the most anxious right now might be Hunter Sung himself."
*With great power comes great responsibility.* The chairman recalled a line he'd once seen in a movie and thought about the weight on Sung Jin-Woo's shoulders.
*'I've watched the Hunter for a long time, but I've never seen him that tense before.'*
He had no idea what was about to happen. If you had steeled yourself for a life-or-death battle in a Gate, and suddenly your summoned creatures burst forth and pledged their loyalty—who wouldn't be overwhelmed and want to get away from the scene? Who could point a finger at him for that? Right now, the Hunter's Association's job was to share in his hardships and wait for Hunter Sung Jin-Woo to overcome his confusion and return to explain the situation. The Association must always be a steadfast bulwark for its Hunters.
"If we of the Hunter's Association can't understand Hunter Sung Jin-Woo's turmoil, then who can?"
At the chairman's impassioned words, the staff forgot their fatigue and felt their eyes sting with emotion. The very employee who had been complaining so carelessly about the summoned creatures at the Gate now turned red to the tip of his nose and bowed his head to Woo Jin-Cheol again and again.
"I'm sorry, Chairman. I was being shortsighted. I'm truly sorry."
Without a word, Woo Jin-Cheol gave him a light pat on the shoulder in encouragement, then sent him back to his desk and sat down himself.
"Haaah—."
Even though he'd only talked for a moment, the paperwork on his desk had somehow doubled in size.
'...'
Turning away from the documents, Woo Jin-Cheol worried about Jin-Woo, who was no doubt wrestling with his own dilemmas at this very moment.
*'What is Hunter Sung Jin-Woo doing right now?'*
* * *
Jin-Woo stood a good distance away from the two Legion Commanders with a bright expression. Igrit had stepped up beside him. The other shadow soldiers had also formed a wide circle to give the two Legion Commanders plenty of room to move freely. At nearly opposite ends of that circle, Beru bared his claws to the fullest and let out a roar, jaws gaping wide.
"Kieeeeeeeeeek—!"
Bellion quietly drew the sword at his waist. If one stopped there, one might think he was a swordsman of a similar type to Igrit.
'Hm...?'
Jin-Woo's eyes locked onto Bellion's sword. A very peculiar-looking blade.
*'Can you even call that a sword?'*
The weapon's blade was made up of dozens of segmented joints, like a centipede. Both combatants seemed to have finished their preparations, as they turned to look at Jin-Woo at the same time.
"Begin!"
The instant Jin-Woo's signal fell, Beru lunged forward like a beast on the hunt. Kieee—! Closing the gap at tremendous speed, Beru swung his claws with full force, but Bellion blocked and deflected the blow. He then turned to face Beru, who was carried backward by his own momentum. And then—
'...!'
Jin-Woo's eyes widened. Bellion's sword, thrust straight forward, had elongated like a serpent and was surging toward Beru. Ssssssss—! Beru hastily twisted his direction and slapped the blade away reflexively. Kkak! That was where it truly began. Bellion started wielding his sword like a whip, unleashing a relentless barrage of attacks like a storm. The blade, imbued with fearsome mana, moved freely at Bellion's will, razing the ground and the air around Beru to nothing. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! In contrast, Beru could barely keep up with blocking the onslaught.
"Kieeeek!"
Watching Bellion's attacks transcend the limits of a sword weapon, Jin-Woo imagined what it would be like if he were standing in Beru's place. And then—everything slowed down. But even in that frozen time, Bellion's sword was fast enough to be threatening. Jin-Woo's gaze grew grave. His gleaming eyes didn't miss a single movement of the unpredictable blade. Upper left, right side, upper left again, then lower left, upper right. A virtual self that dodged every attack stood before Bellion. And then—slash. In Jin-Woo's mind, Bellion's head fell. The entire visualization took only an instant. However, Bellion—having sensed that phantom sensation of his own neck being severed—flinched and looked toward Jin-Woo.
*'Oops...'*
He had gotten too absorbed in the interesting weapon and reacted a bit too seriously. Jin-Woo gave Bellion an apologetic look for just a moment—but Beru, not letting that opening slip, batted away Bellion's sword that had been pesteringly chasing him and closed in at lightning speed.
"Kieeeeeek!"
Puk—! But contrary to Jin-Woo's expectation, it was Bellion who drove his weapon into the opponent's abdomen. Reflexes that defied prediction. On top of that, each blow carried destructive power that could shatter the earth. Bellion—he was every bit worthy of the title Commander General.
*'...Still, I can't let my guard down.'*
It felt a bit strange saying this about one of his own soldiers, but an insect's greatest strength lay in its tenacious vitality. True to form, Beru—in the state of having a sword lodged in his gut—inflated his body massively and brought his enlarged fist crashing down on his opponent's head. Twak—! The impact was so powerful that part of Bellion's helmet shattered away, and black smoke scattered into the air. Kiek! Beru's second strike came right after. Or rather, it almost came. But Beru's wrist was caught—by a hair's breadth—within Bellion's iron grip. Beru tried to wrench free with force, but Bellion didn't budge an inch. In the meantime, Bellion drew his opposite arm back. Tremendous mana began to gather in that pulled-back arm. At that moment—Boom—! Beru was struck dead center in the chest and sent flying in a straight line. The shockwave that was generated simultaneously swept through the forest, uprooting every tree in its path. A long, straight path was carved through the once-dense woods.
"Kieeeeeeeeeek!"
Beru, who had been hurtling endlessly through the air, hastily unfurled his wings and halted his retreat. But the moment he stopped, Bellion had already arrived before him. A blow driven into the ground! Kuuum—! Bellion landed on earth that had been cratered as though a meteorite had struck. At the center of the sunken ground, Beru—who would have been reduced to pieces if he were an ordinary enemy—had endured blow after blow and was already scrambling to his feet to counter. Shick—! Bellion slapped aside Beru's outstretched claws with the back of his hand and drove Beru's head into the ground. Bang! And so the slugfest began. Bang! Twak! Bang! Bang! Beru's attacks were enough to momentarily disrupt Bellion's balance, but—Boom—! Bellion's blows carried lethal power. Krrrk, crack! Beru's exoskeleton began to splinter as though it might shatter at any moment. Kiek! But Beru fought to the bitter end, refusing to surrender the match. Bellion shook off Beru—who had been trying to sink his teeth into his shoulder—and seized Beru by the neck. Kwak! Beru, unable to move, twisted his entire body in struggle, but Bellion began concentrating mana into his opposite arm once more, preparing to deliver the finishing blow. Mana so grotesque it could have crushed even a dragon's skull in a single strike warped the atmosphere around them. It was over. Bellion's fist hurtled toward Beru's face. But Jin-Woo—who had no desire to see Beru's head go flying—caught Bellion's fist in his hand. Thuk!
"That's enough."
Realizing it was Jin-Woo who had stopped his attack, Bellion swiftly withdrew his arm.
"My liege."
Bellion hastily dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
*'...Good work.'*
Jin-Woo gave Bellion a look of acknowledgment for having shown his full strength without holding back, then approached Beru, who was sprawled on the ground.
"Kiek, Your Majesty, I can still, kiek! I can still keep—"
"..."
Jin-Woo looked down at the staggering Beru with a sympathetic expression and asked:
"Beru. Why are you so obsessed with the Commander General position?"
"Kiek, I, if I become Commander General, I can stay by my liege's side forever and—"
When Beru couldn't continue, overcome with anguish, Jin-Woo scratched the side of his head and offered a single word.
"The Commander General stands on my right. You just stand on my left. That's all."
"...!"
Only then did Beru realize that he could stand beside his liege even without being Commander General. His eyes went wide.
"...Your grace."
"Don't."
Leaving Beru behind, teary-eyed with gratitude, Jin-Woo stood and let out a quiet sigh. A soldier approached. It was Igrit, who had been silently listening to the exchange between Jin-Woo and Beru.
"My liege, might I also have a chance to challenge..."
To Igrit, who spoke cautiously, Jin-Woo answered as though he'd been waiting for the question.
"You're behind me."
"...!"
Igrit was rendered speechless by his master's foresight.
* * *
"So it's true... The Shadow Monarch has turned against us after all."
The Dragon Emperor, in human form, received the reports from the Monarchs who had descended to the surface. In the darkness, only the voices of the Monarchs continued quietly.
"Understood. I will deal with him personally. Do not move. We must prevent any further losses."
Having fully grasped the situation, the Dragon Emperor severed his connection with the Monarchs. The voices vanished immediately. This empty world—the gap between dimensions—was quickly swallowed by void. This space, where there was nothing left to destroy, was no different from hell for them. And so, the Destroyer of Destruction—created from darkness and charged with the mission of annihilating everything that existed—had been doing everything in his power to escape this place. And the day he could finally taste the fruit of that effort was now drawing near. The Dragon Emperor turned. And issued a command into the darkness.
"Soldiers. Prepare for war."
At that, dozens of ancient dragons, hundreds of dragons, and countless dragon-kin—all shrouded in darkness—blazed with light from their eyes and erupted into a roar. Kraaaaaaaaaaaaah—!