March 25th, Year 20 A.A.
Seoul, South Korea – 3:03 PM
The sky had torn itself open. And now, the world trembled.
---
At Professor Kuroda's boarding house, a silence heavier than death blanketed the room. The television screen showed aerial footage of the sky—no, not sky anymore. A rift, monstrous and alive, loomed overhead.
> "An unknown rift has emerged above Seoul. Evacuations are underway. Please remain calm—"
CRACK.
The screen flickered violently as a sudden shockwave cut the feed. Everyone in the room jolted.
Rover stared at the screen, jaw clenched. His knuckles turned white.
Ayaka slowly stood, eyes wide. "That's… not a Tower."
Mina turned off her laptop without a word, her face pale. Her analytical brain tried to process what her instincts screamed: This isn't supposed to happen.
Vex let out a low whistle, stepping toward the window. "Whatever that is… it ain't just some raid boss."
Professor Kuroda, arms crossed, muttered softly:
> "...The End Gate."
Everyone turned to him.
> Ayaka: "What did you just say?"
Kuroda's gaze never left the news screen. "A theory. A myth. A dimensional scar left from before the Towers. No hunter has ever seen one. Until now."
Suddenly, the house trembled. A rumble, distant but powerful.
Then came the roar.
---
The Dimensional Rift above Seoul
3:08 PM
From the vortex, the massive black arm fully emerged. Its claws tore the sky like paper. Then—its head came through.
A dragon like no one had ever seen. Its body was forged from abyssal metal, its wings inscribed with ancient runes. Its eyes—voids of pure malevolence—surveyed the land like a god staring down at insects.
It opened its maw—
And roared.
The city shattered.
Every glass window in a 10km radius exploded.
Car alarms screamed. Some vehicles lifted into the air like toys.
Children screamed. Adults sobbed.
Buildings quivered like they were made of paper.
In distant towns, people dropped to their knees from the pressure alone.
Even through livestreams, viewers worldwide gasped in terror. Some fainted. Others wept. Many simply stared, paralyzed by primal fear.
---
The Celestial Order – Jeju Island Retreat
The five legends stood outside a quiet mountain inn, watching the sky split open from afar.
Roger Wilson, flames flickering along his arms:
> "That roar wasn't meant for this world."
Hestia Roseberg narrowed her eyes, wind stirring violently around her.
> "It's not just alive. It's aware."
Christoff Erickson looked up, voice quiet but sharp:
> "It knows we're watching."
Martin Saunders stepped forward, summoning his iron armor with a single breath.
> "We leave. Now."
Naiomi Sasaki floated slightly above the ground, gravity bending at her feet.
> "And this time… we may not come back."
---
Around the World: A Global Response
India's Solar Bind loaded onto carrier ships.
China's Crimson Lotus launched four squads toward South Korea.
Germany's Iron Circles activated their anti-dragon mobile unit.
Russia's Titan Eclipse sent Dmitri Volkov himself.
The Philippines' Silver Halo—despite their recent loss—sent Maria del Rosario at the head of a new team, her arm still in a sling, fury etched in her eyes.
Even low-ranking hunters, freelancers, and unregistered awakened began making their way—voluntarily or not—toward South Korea. They didn't know what they'd face. They only knew the world was changing.
---
Back at Kuroda's House
Rover sat in silence, eyes locked on the screen. His breathing shallow. His hands trembled.
Ayaka stepped beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey… we'll figure it out."
Vex nodded. "Yeah, kid. It's not over yet."
Mina, unblinking, whispered:
> "But what if it is?"
---
To be continue...