Chapter 18: Sovereign's Wrath
The city streets were a war zone. Rubble floated in the air, and shattered glass sparkled in the crimson light of the anomaly above.
The S-Rank anomaly wasn't like any dungeon boss Tae-Hyun had faced. It twisted reality itself, warping buildings, rivers, and even the sky.
Yet, standing calmly atop a collapsed rooftop, Kang Tae-Hyun surveyed the battlefield.
No guild. No system. No limits. Only survival and willpower.
The First Strike
The anomaly's massive arm swung down, aiming to crush the city below.
"Everyone out!" Tae-Hyun shouted.
Hwan-Guk barreled forward, smashing hundreds of smaller anomaly fragments into the ground.
Seung-Ho coordinated civilians and small fighters, guiding them through collapsing streets.
Seo-Ah activated her Sanctified Sanctuary, a massive glowing dome, protecting civilians and allies alike.
The anomaly roared, and the ground beneath it cracked, swallowing vehicles and soldiers whole.
Tae-Hyun stepped forward calmly.
"Numbers don't matter."
He clenched his fist—and the energy from his will alone collided with the anomaly's massive swing.
The shockwave flattened several city blocks, yet he remained standing.
[System Warning]
Threat Level: Undefined
Entity Kang Tae-Hyun engagement recommended
Even the system couldn't calculate what he was doing.
Reality-Bending Combat
The anomaly's attacks no longer targeted Tae-Hyun's body—they tried to erase his existence.
Buildings, vehicles, and streets collapsed around him, but Tae-Hyun advanced unflinchingly.
His strikes didn't just deal physical damage—they shattered the anomaly's spatial core, forcing the monster to retreat.
Every movement was precise, controlled, and absolute, like a god walking among mortals.
Hwan-Guk shouted from the front line.
"Bro… it's too strong!"
Tae-Hyun glanced back without turning his head.
"Then hit harder. And smarter."
The Turning Point
The anomaly released its ultimate attack—a wave of darkness that threatened to erase the entire city.
Seo-Ah's dome expanded, light rippling out like a sun.
The dome redirected hundreds of attacks simultaneously.
Civilians and recruits moved freely under her protection.
Even smaller monsters were neutralized before reaching Tae-Hyun.
Tae-Hyun clenched his fists.
"This ends now."
He charged the anomaly directly. Each step caused reality itself to bend and crack.
Collapsed roads rose into the air to form platforms under his feet.
Energy waves bounced off the surrounding space harmlessly.
The anomaly screamed, realizing Tae-Hyun wasn't just dodging—it was being rewritten by his will.
Climactic Collision
Finally, Tae-Hyun leapt and slammed his fist into the anomaly's core.
The impact shattered the city skyline, sending shockwaves across multiple blocks.
The anomaly staggered violently.
Shadow and fire split apart into fragments.
Reality around the city distorted as the monster tried to reform—but couldn't withstand Tae-Hyun's raw Sovereign-class will.
[Critical System Alert]
Entity Kang Tae-Hyun exceeds predictive calculation
Threat Level: Maximum
The anomaly's roar echoed across the city before it disintegrated entirely, leaving only a glowing crater where it had stood.
Aftermath
Tae-Hyun landed softly, unscathed. His chest rose and fell slowly.
Hwan-Guk ran over, awestruck.
"Bro… that… that was insane."
Seung-Ho was shaking, still recording everything.
"This… this footage… it's going viral worldwide."
Seo-Ah floated down, exhausted but radiant.
"We did it… Bro… we protected the city."
Tae-Hyun smiled faintly.
"Yes. But this is just the beginning. The world saw a Sovereign today… and it won't forget."
Even the system's message trembled on his screen:
[Observation: Uncontested Sovereign Entity]
Status: Maximum Threat
The city had survived.
The people cheered.
And the world… had begun to understand the unmeasurable power of Kang Tae-Hyun.
🔥 End of Chapter 18 🔥