Episode 204 Heaven's Turn Society's Master (1)
'This is no ordinary opponent.'
That was Hans's first impression upon facing the man.
Having fully inherited the 'Immortal King' and surpassed the limits of his level, his senses had expanded to a transcendental level.
He could now cover the entire city of Seoul with his senses, and if he focused on a specific target, he could even grasp their level, disposition, and abilities to some extent.
It felt like he was looking down at the world from a higher place.
That was the biggest change in his perspective that came with his elevated level.
'But this guy…'
He couldn't grasp him.
'This is the first time I've felt this way as Hans.'
That 'unknowable' feeling was all Hans could sense.
[Who are you?]
But a true master never lost their composure, no matter the situation.
He maintained a calm demeanor while analyzing the situation with his senses.
'The dimensions are separated, the coordinates are distorted. Teleportation is impossible. There's no way in or out.'
There were several ways he could respond to a crisis on Earth.
He could summon additional avatars using "In the Hero's Footsteps" or have his main body intervene by transforming into Hans with "Individual Projection".
However—.
"You seem busy. Have you finished assessing the situation?"
The unidentified man spoke in a friendly tone, as if talking to a friend.
As he said, none of those methods were possible in this space.
The closed worlds used by the Immortal Fortress in Auterica and the Heaven's Turn Society executives in Japan were high-level magic…
'But this is on a completely different level. He can create a space like this artificially?'
It was literally a different dimension.
Even with his unique skill, he couldn't even grasp the principle behind it.
He wondered if he could escape using the 'Interdimensional Transfer Formation', but first, he had to understand his opponent.
It would be foolish to reveal his hand before knowing anything about the enemy.
[You're a nuisance. Heaven's Turn Society again? You haven't learned your lesson, have you? It seems like that beating wasn't enough.]
First, he needed information.
He provoked the man while slowly raising his aura.
Goooo—
Black energy, emanating from Hans's body, spread like smoke, engulfing the surroundings.
The world seemed to darken several shades, and frost began to form as the temperature plummeted.
Not only his near-infinite black magic power, but also the abyss, its source, was unleashed, corroding the surrounding space.
"Hmm."
The man frowned and subtly stepped back, seemingly wary of the energy, but…
He still exuded an air of composure.
"That heart… Is it a medium that allows you to directly use the 'death' of the world? It doesn't seem very stable. It's not something just anyone can use."
"Oh! Master, that's not important right now! If we can just solve that problem, it'll be an incredibly efficient energy source! It's even more impressive than when I first encountered Calicas technology!"
At that moment, a third voice suddenly interrupted.
Hans's gaze shifted to the side, towards the source of the voice.
"Innovation is the driving force of progress! The diversity of the mysteries across dimensions is truly fascinating! Master, please let me study it! I wonder what kind of knowledge it will bestow upon me—!"
A shabby-looking middle-aged Westerner with crazed eyes was standing next to the man, drooling.
Unlike the first man, his body was trembling, unable to fully withstand Hans's fear aura…
But his eyes were completely glazed over with desire.
'This is a new reaction. Who is this guy? And… Master?'
It was obvious who the 'Master' was in this situation.
[So, you're the leader of Heaven's Turn Society.]
The elusive man… the Master of Heaven's Turn Society, smiled faintly.
"Yes, I am. And I'm the one who ordered all those things you've been interfering with."
[Oh? That's unfortunate. Because that interference will continue. Hehehe—.]
"Hmm, I see."
Hans's blatant provocation didn't faze the Master. He simply nodded.
But the moment he finished speaking…
A chill ran down Hans's spine.
He instinctively sensed an incoming attack and retreated.
Crack!
At the same time, a bone-chilling sound echoed.
The space where he had been standing moments ago…
…Crumbled as if crushed by an invisible giant's hand.
"You're quite sensitive. It would be a pain to catch you."
[Hmph— You're impatient. I also prefer violence over conversation!]
Ziiiing— Ziiiing! Ziiiing—!
Dozens of black magic circles instantly appeared around Hans.
Most of this space was already under the enemy's control, but within the area affected by the abyss, he could still exert his power at his usual level.
"Let's see what you've got."
And as the Master casually extended a hand towards him,
The 'world' surrounding Hans bared its teeth.
Rumble—!
The space around him crumbled and distorted as if trying to eliminate a foreign pathogen.
'…This is tricky. This isn't just spatial manipulation. It's like fighting against an entire world.'
For now, they seemed evenly matched, but this was the enemy's home ground.
He had no idea what other tricks they had up their sleeve.
And judging by the Master's attitude, it didn't seem like he was even using his full power.
"The death of the world, huh? It's quite a troublesome power."
"Oh! Master, that's not important right now! Show them your power! Summon the Bone Dragon! Show them all the other undead you have!"
The crazed man next to him seemed to think that the Master was hiding his true strength.
'Hmm, what should I do? It's not a good idea to fight to the death here…'
But Hans wasn't worried.
'Yes, it's better to probe his abilities first and then retreat strategically. Let's conserve the undead for now.'
He had already gained a lot just by meeting the Master of Heaven's Turn Society in person.
It would be a bonus if he could see the Master's hidden trump card while playing along.
'A strategic retreat after a reconnaissance mission isn't a defeat!'
He had 'Dismiss', the ultimate escape skill, which could be used in any situation.
______________
A large room filled with intricate mandala patterns woven into fabrics, forming a maze-like structure.
The dimly lit room was illuminated by numerous candles, and various ritual tools made of precious metals were scattered throughout, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Whoosh—
A cloud of smoke rose from the center of the room, where a low table and cushions were placed.
"Report."
A languid female voice echoed softly.
"Yes, Oracle. The situation in Africa is progressing smoothly. We're in the final stages of taking over key countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa…"
A subordinate, completely covered in black cloth, began his report.
From the success in Africa to the smooth progress in South America, and the slight setbacks in North America and Europe…
Puff—
As the report continued, the brown-skinned woman sitting on the low table leisurely enjoyed her hookah, seemingly uninterested.
"…And the situation in East Asia is still not good. We had to completely withdraw from Korea, and recently, we suffered a major blow in Japan…"
"Japan."
She interrupted her subordinate as he mentioned a region she was particularly interested in.
"Did the Master go to Japan?"
"Yes. He personally went there with Doctor and Yulryeongja to capture the awakened one called Hahoe Mask."
"…Hahoe Mask, huh."
She closed her eyes as the name was mentioned, and the teardrop-shaped red gem on her forehead shimmered ominously in the flickering candlelight.
"Tsk, we were extra careful in Korea. It seems like that wasn't enough."
She opened her eyes and muttered, taking another puff from her hookah.
They had been actively operating in China and Japan, but their expansion in neighboring Korea had been unusually slow. It was a policy that had been implemented based on Oracle's advice.
But despite their efforts, things had gone awry…
'I can already imagine Doctor making a fuss.'
And Hahoe Mask was another problem.
No matter how powerful he was, he was still in the same world as her. He shouldn't have been able to escape her insight so easily.
'He's using some kind of method to make his existence uncertain… Well, he must have something special to be able to cause this much trouble.'
He was an unpredictable being, full of unknowns.
Normally, she would have observed him for a while longer until she had a better understanding of him…
'…But the Master personally went there, so there's no need to wait.'
Oracle exhaled a plume of smoke, listening to her subordinate's report.
But her mind was preoccupied with the Master and Hahoe Mask.
Despite her current limitations, there was no one on Earth who could defy the Master's will.
Unless a god descended upon this world.
'I wonder what kind of power Hahoe Mask has.'
After all—.
The Master had already driven several dimensions to ruin.
He was a monster who devoured worlds.
______________
The black lightning bolt, traveling in a straight line, bent as it hit the distorted space.
The deadly curse, engulfing the surroundings, lost its target in the severed space.
The flames of hell, burning even souls, were sucked into the broken space and disappeared.
And finally…
Crack!
A bone-crushing sound mixed with the chaotic sounds of battle.
"A shame. I was going to finish you off with this. You were still holding back?"
The Master of Heaven's Turn Society twisted his lips into a disappointed smile.
In his hand was Hans's left arm, crushed and crumbling into black ash.
'…This is bad.'
Hans flexed his newly regenerated left hand, tilting his skull.
He had been too careless, thinking this was just a reconnaissance mission. His heart was almost exposed.
'My attacks aren't working, but his spatial erosion is too efficient. At least within this space, there's no comparison in terms of energy efficiency.'
No matter how much his magic power was near-infinite, if there was such a difference in their usage, the gap would only widen.
This would be a major obstacle in a real battle.
'But it's not like I gained nothing.'
Hans raised his aura again, staring at his opponent, the Master of Heaven's Turn Society.
[I expected this, but you're not just a human, are you?]
"Consider yourself honored. I don't show this form often. It's less tiring for me to finish this quickly."
Flap—
A solemn voice, and a brilliant sunset glow emanated from the Master, engulfing the surroundings.
The abyss surrounding Hans melted away, and holes started to appear in the defenses he had erected to prevent spatial erosion.
'Damn it!'
Crack!
He hurriedly retreated, but his right ankle was severed.
It was the same attack that had taken his left arm, a power that was the antithesis of Hans's black magic and abyss: holy power.
'It's the worst matchup. But he doesn't seem to have any restrictions on his power?'
All Earthlings who used holy power suffered a penalty on Earth.
It was an unavoidable consequence of the power's mechanism, something he had experienced firsthand through Heinrich.
Of course, Hans's abyss was also affected.
'…Is it related to his appearance?'
Flap—
As he thought that,
A reddish sunset glow engulfed the surroundings, accompanied by the sound of flapping wings.
An overwhelming holy power, far surpassing what Saint Heinrich used in Auterica.
"I'm tired, let's finish this quickly."
A halo shone behind the Master's head, and a pair of massive white wings, over three meters long, extended from his back.
The Master of Heaven's Turn Society…
'The leader of an evil organization is an angel… What kind of bullshit is this?!'
…was an angel, no matter how you looked at it.