The Void Sea trembled.
Divine chains shattered one by one, dissolving into dust that vanished before touching anything. Runes carved by ancient gods flickered desperately, trying to maintain control, but they were already too late.
With a deafening crack that echoed across dimensions, the cocoon split open.
From within it stepped a figure.
It was humanoid in shape, tall and slender, with skin like polished obsidian and veins glowing faintly crimson. Its eyes were empty hollows filled with swirling void-light. No emotion. No will. No soul.
Only purpose.
Kill gods.
Reality recoiled around it, forming cracks wherever it walked.
"Heaven's weapon…" murmured one of the observing ancients. "…has awakened."
The next moment, it vanished.
Frostwind — Midnight
A peaceful breeze passed through the imperial gardens.
Lanterns swayed gently.
Elara slept quietly, one hand resting protectively on her abdomen, bathed in soft moonlight.
Arin stood by the window, cultivating.
Suddenly—
His divine core convulsed.
A sharp pain pierced his soul.
His eyes snapped open.
"…It's here."
Before alarms could sound, the sky shattered.
Not cracked.
Shattered.
Like glass.
A hole appeared above the capital.
Beyond it lay endless darkness.
And from that darkness—
The God-Hunter descended.
No aura.
No pressure.
No warning.
Yet the entire world instinctively trembled.
Mountains bowed.
Seas receded.
Cultivators collapsed unconscious.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Existential Threat Detected
Threat Level: Cataclysm
Arin stepped into the air.
Golden light erupted behind him.
His Sovereign Domain unfolded fully.
Citizens watched in horror and awe as their Emperor rose to meet the unknown monster.
"You've come for me," Arin said calmly.
The God-Hunter tilted its head.
"Target confirmed."
"Execute."
It raised its hand.
The space between them vanished.
In an instant, it appeared before Arin and punched.
Boom!!!
The impact tore open the sky.
A shockwave flattened three cities.
Arin was sent crashing through seven mountain ranges before stopping.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
"…Strong," he muttered.
Inner Palace — Emergency Awakening
Elara jolted awake.
Her abdomen burned with white light.
A protective barrier formed around her automatically.
Moonlight, starlight, and origin light merged.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Maternal Guardian Protocol Activated
Auren and Ardyn rushed to her side, instinctively channeling their power.
The palace transformed into a fortress of destiny.
Back to Battlefield
Arin wiped the blood from his lips.
His eyes burned brighter.
"Good."
"I needed this."
He spread his arms.
Divine runes covered his body.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Proto-God Form: Released
Duration: 30 Minutes
His presence exploded.
The sky turned gold.
Time slowed.
The laws bent.
Round Two
The God-Hunter attacked again.
Thousands of void blades formed.
They cut through laws themselves.
Arin raised his hand.
"Sovereign Command: Stop."
Half of them froze.
Half pierced his body.
Blood rained.
But he didn't fall.
Elara's Voice
Through their bond, he heard her.
"Come back alive."
His heart trembled.
"…Always."
He clenched his fist.
Golden flames erupted.
"Divine Dragon Cataclysm!"
A dragon made of pure law crashed into the Hunter.
Space imploded.
One entire region vanished.
Gone.
No ruins.
No dust.
Nothing.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Realm Damage: Severe
Stability: Critical
The God-Hunter staggered.
For the first time—
It was pushed back.
A crack appeared on its chest.
High Heaven Panics
"It's injured?!"
"This wasn't predicted!"
Arin hovered in the storm.
Breathing heavily.
Power surging.
Family watching.
World trembling.
He smiled.
"You're not invincible."
The God-Hunter's eyes glowed red.
"Killing mode… unlocked."