The dimensional gate materialized in the air above them like a wound in reality itself—a swirling vortex of crimson energy shot through with veins of corruption that pulsed like a diseased heartbeat. The void contamination was so thick around the portal's edges that normal humans would have been driven insane just from looking at it.
But Jin Ho wasn't normal anymore.
Standing at the center of a complex ritual circle that Blood Guard had quickly inscribed in the rocky ground, Jin Ho raised his transforming weapon skyward. The Trinity Unity power flowed through him in perfect harmony—blood energy providing the raw life force needed to maintain dimensional stability, lightning creating the electrical framework that would guide their passage, and ice power forming temporal barriers to hold the corruption at bay.
『Remember,』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor said, his mental voice steady with ancient authority, 『this is just the beginning. What you accomplish in the Blood Demon Realm will determine whether the universe survives the next twenty-four hours.』
『No pressure or anything,』 the Thunder Lightning King added with forced cheerfulness, though Jin Ho could feel the underlying tension in the storm lord's consciousness.
『The mathematical probability of success is approximately 73.6%,』 the Ice Soul Demon Emperor reported with characteristic precision. 『Favorable odds, but not guaranteed. We must be prepared for multiple contingencies.』
"Seventy-three percent," Jin Ho murmured, watching as the dimensional gate slowly stabilized under his power. "I've faced worse odds."
Blood Flame stepped up beside him, her own weapon drawn and crackling with her sect's signature flame techniques. "The reconnaissance team reported that the Crimson Citadel is completely surrounded by void creatures. We're looking at thousands of corrupted entities between us and the central nexus."
"Let them come," Jin Ho said, and was surprised by the confidence in his own voice. The Trinity Unity had given him more than just power—it had given him the accumulated battle experience of three demon lords. Every possible combat scenario, every tactical consideration, every way a fight could develop was now part of his instinctive knowledge.
Blood Guard finished his final equipment check and approached the portal, his dimensional scanners humming as they analyzed the energy patterns. "Corruption levels on the other side are reading at 85% and climbing. Jin Ho, once we cross over, there's no turning back until the mission is complete. The portal will collapse from the void pressure."
『Standard procedure for dimensional interventions,』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor confirmed. 『We go in, complete the objective, or die trying. There has never been any other option.』
"Understood," Jin Ho said. He looked around at his small team—Blood Flame with her unwavering determination, Blood Guard with his tactical genius, and the two dimensional specialists whose equipment would help them navigate the corrupted realm. These people were risking everything on his ability to master powers he'd only just acquired.
The responsibility was staggering, but so was the opportunity. For the first time since this crisis began, they weren't just reacting to catastrophe—they were taking the initiative.
『Before we enter,』 the Ice Soul Demon Emperor said, 『there is something you should know about dimensional amplification. The power increase is not gradual—it happens instantaneously upon crossing the threshold. The sensation can be... overwhelming.』
『Like getting hit by lightning made of pure awesome!』 the Thunder Lightning King added enthusiastically. 『Just try not to accidentally level a mountain or something on your first amplified technique.』
『The key is maintaining mental focus,』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor advised. 『The power will try to express itself immediately. You must channel it purposefully, or it could cause unintended destruction.』
"I understand," Jin Ho said, though he wasn't entirely sure he did. How could anyone truly understand what five times their current power would feel like until they experienced it?
The dimensional gate gave a deep, resonant hum as it reached full stability. Through the swirling crimson vortex, Jin Ho could see glimpses of the Blood Demon Realm—twisted spires of crystallized blood energy, skies the color of old wine, and in the distance, the massive structure of the Crimson Citadel wreathed in void corruption.
"Final systems check," Blood Flame called out, her voice carrying the authority of someone who'd led countless dangerous missions. "Dimensional anchor?"
"Green," one of the specialists responded.
"Emergency extraction protocols?"
"Armed and ready."
"Communication arrays?"
"Full operational."
Blood Flame nodded and turned to Jin Ho. "Team Leader, we're ready for your order."
Team Leader. The title hit Jin Ho harder than he'd expected. These weren't just allies following his lead—they were experienced warriors who had chosen to place their lives in his hands. The weight of that trust was almost overwhelming.
But then he felt the steady presence of the three demon lords in his consciousness, their confidence in him flowing through the Trinity Unity bond. He wasn't facing this alone. He had the wisdom of ancient beings, the power of legendary warriors, and the determination born from knowing that failure meant the end of everything.
"Alright," Jin Ho said, raising his weapon toward the dimensional gate. "Let's go save the universe."
He stepped forward into the crimson vortex, and reality twisted around him like a kaleidoscope made of blood and starlight. The last thing he heard from the human world was Blood Flame's voice calling out behind him:
"For the sake of all realms—Trinity Unity, advance!"
And then the dimensional portal swallowed them all, carrying them toward a destiny that would either see the universe restored to balance, or witness its final destruction in the void between worlds.
『Welcome home,』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor whispered as the familiar energy of his native realm embraced them. 『Let me show you what we're truly capable of.』
The amplification hit Jin Ho like a tsunami of pure power, and for one terrifying, exhilarating moment, he understood exactly what it meant to wield the strength of gods.