"Are you sure it's okay?"
In the Hunter Association's temporary camp, Jo Kang-hyun stood beside Go Tae-hyun, who was being treated for his injuries. His voice trembled with anxiety, but Go Tae-hyun's expression was calm—steady, unshaken.
"Let me ask you instead," Go Tae-hyun said evenly. "Do you think we'd be of any help if we went?"
"..."
Jo Kang-hyun couldn't answer. He knew the truth—those beings weren't monsters in the usual sense. The so-called angels were incomprehensible, their language alien, their actions unpredictable. There was no room for negotiation or peace.
"Or were you planning to fight alongside Hunter Lee Seong-jun?" Go Tae-hyun continued. "Do you really believe we'd be of use to him?"
Kang-hyun clenched his fists, shame heating his face. In truth, he had frozen when the angels appeared. Their mere presence had paralyzed him.
Go Tae-hyun's tone softened, but his conviction didn't waver. "You've watched him for a long time, haven't you? Tell me—has Hunter Lee Seong-jun ever lost?"
"...Not even once," Kang-hyun admitted quietly.
"Exactly. Even the impossible bends to him," Tae-hyun said firmly. "The angels are strong, but they're not absolute. Seong-jun stands beyond even them."
Kang-hyun slowly nodded. The fear he'd felt now seemed foolish in hindsight. The angels' power was terrifying—but Seong-jun's was something else entirely. Something higher. Something absolute.
"I was short-sighted," Kang-hyun murmured.
"It's a mistake a team leader can make," Tae-hyun replied, his eyes gleaming with certainty. "But you'll soon be Vice President. Remember this—never doubt Hunter Lee Seong-jun."
His voice carried through the room, reaching not only Kang-hyun but every Association officer nearby.
"This is the mindset you must carry as the future of the Korean Hunter Association," he declared. "No matter what happens—trust in him. Only then can we survive."
No one dared to refute him.
Because deep down, everyone knew he was right.
Meanwhile, beneath the pitch-black sky, light shimmered like a second dawn.
Ramiel stood with arms folded, her golden eyes fixed on Lee Seong-jun. Her expression was calm—almost amused.
"They said there was no leader among you humans," she said mockingly. "But the one who stood before me lied."
Seong-jun met her gaze without flinching. The overwhelming pressure radiating from her didn't even make him blink.
"I should punish you for killing the celestial Jamiel," Ramiel said, her tone sharp, yet measured. "But executing your leader would only complicate governance. So I'll be merciful—this time."
Her wings fluttered as divine energy rippled around her.
"I command you, leader of this world, to ensure all humans serve the Celestials. Work, fight, and live in our glory."
Seong-jun tilted his head slightly. "You really talk too much."
Ramiel's lips curled into a faint smile. "Arrogant, aren't you? We are Celestials—born of divine blood. You exist only to obey."
"I've killed many who claimed to be noble," Seong-jun replied coolly. "In the end, they all die the same."
Ramiel's smile stiffened. "You dare—?"
"I'm warning you," Seong-jun said quietly, "that bloodline won't save your life."
Ramiel's eyes narrowed. "I was going to make you my warrior," she hissed. "But now—you've asked for death."
She vanished.
A white blur. A strike like lightning.
WHISH!
Ramiel's palm sliced through the air where Seong-jun had stood—but he was already gone. Twisting effortlessly, he countered, his movements sharp and precise.
"I told you," Seong-jun murmured, his tone flat. "Be careful."
Ramiel snarled. "Then I'll rip out those eyes that dare defy me!"
She lunged, claws glowing with divine light—but just as her strike neared, Seong-jun whispered:
'Seonghaewolchwi. Seonghaedogam.'
A golden interface flickered before his eyes.
[SSS+ Skill: Seonghaewolchwi Activated.]
[SSS+ Skill: Holy Book of Knowledge Activated.]
[A-Class Amplification Skill Active.]
[Strength +391. Stamina +391. Agility +399.]
Power roared through him like a storm unleashed.
Ramiel's wings spread, six luminous feathers flaring—but Seong-jun had already moved beyond sight.
CRUNCH!
Her wrist twisted grotesquely, bones snapping like dry twigs.
"Ghh—!" Ramiel staggered back, eyes wide with shock. She barely managed to retreat before Seong-jun's shadow fell over her again.
"That damn mortal—!"
Light erupted from her body, pure and blinding.
BOOM!
Within that storm of holiness, Seong-jun advanced—calm, unstoppable.
"How… how are you still moving?" Ramiel gasped, disbelief warping her voice.
Her advantage should have been absolute. As a Celestial, she could read an opponent's intent—the divine art of Holy Spirit Perception. But as she looked into Seong-jun's eyes, her ability failed.
"Can a human truly perceive the Holy Spirit…?" she whispered, stunned.
Seong-jun didn't answer. He stepped in close—one arm's length—and muttered:
'One meal, a thousand souls.'
His finger flicked forward, tapping lightly against her chest. The blow looked weak—but inside, Ramiel's body convulsed violently.
"Ugh—!"
Pain tore through her from within, red blood staining her lips.
She tried to move—couldn't. Her body locked, unresponsive.
"What… what did you do to me!?" she gasped.
Seong-jun's expression didn't change. "As expected," he murmured, more to himself. "It's not just your appearance that's similar."
He had noticed it earlier—the way their power flowed, the shape of their halos. Their energy moved just like the demons' horns during the old Demon War.
So he had used a countermeasure once meant for demons—and it worked flawlessly.
'They don't understand blood energy,' he realized.
Celestials, like demons, were too proud of their innate strength to study the finer flow of energy within their bodies. That arrogance would be their downfall.
Ramiel trembled, eyes wide in horror.
"Do you still think humans are insignificant?" Seong-jun asked quietly.
Ramiel gasped. "Wait! I am an Archangel! If I die, the wrath of Heaven will fall upon this world!"
"So?"
Her panic grew. "You fool! The Celestials are the highest race! If we attack, your dimension will perish!"
Seong-jun's grip tightened around her throat. His gaze was merciless.
"Then try," he said softly. "But can you even tell them what happened here?"
CRACK!
Ramiel's voice broke into strangled gasps.
All around, the other angels finally stirred—but before they could move, Seong-jun's fingers flicked.
BANG! BANG!
Invisible bullets of compressed aura pierced their skulls, one after another.
Bodies dropped like falling stars. Silence followed—then trembling.
"Hee… Heek—!"
The remaining angels collapsed to their knees, overcome by something they'd never known before.
Fear.
As they stared up at the man who had just slain an Archangel, one truth burned into their minds.
The gods of this world weren't in Heaven.
They stood right before them.