The moment that overwhelming presence appeared, every single-digit powerhouse present instinctively frowned.
Then something even more horrifying happened.
The dimensional rift—now stretched to over ten centimeters wide—suddenly revealed a gigantic eye.
It slowly opened.
An enormous pupil stared through the crack, its gaze sweeping over Izumi and everyone gathered there.
The instant that eye met theirs, every single-digit existence tensed.
No one dared let their guard down.
Yet before anyone could react...
The eye vanished.
"..."
Just as everyone thought whatever had been watching them had withdrawn—
ROOOOOAAAAAR!!
A deafening roar erupted from beyond the rift.
The sound reverberated throughout the entire Dimensional World.
Even beings who had reached the realm of single digits felt pain from that single cry.
It was unbearable.
"...!!"
Expressions changed across the board.
"What... kind of existence is that?"
"How can a roar alone be this terrifying...?"
One of the single-digit beings spoke with an ugly expression.
"This is far beyond an ordinary single-digit..."
"If merely hearing its voice is enough to affect us..."
"What would happen if its true body crossed over?"
No one had an answer.
Even Izumi and the others were visibly shaken.
For the first time in a very long while...
They felt genuine danger.
An unprecedented sense of crisis settled over everyone's hearts.
After a long silence, Izumi finally spoke.
"We need to discuss what we're going to do about this rift."
His expression was grave.
"I don't think we can repair it."
"In other words..."
"It's only going to keep expanding."
"When it becomes large enough..."
"That monster on the other side may be able to cross over."
He stared at the widening crack.
"And we still have absolutely no idea what lies beyond it."
"This is no longer just our problem."
"If that creature enters this Dimensional World..."
"I'm afraid everything here will face an unprecedented catastrophe."
Silence followed.
Everyone present had reached the pinnacle of existence.
No one there was foolish enough to ignore what they had just witnessed.
The implications were obvious.
At the same time...
Another realization struck them.
Outside the Dimensional World...
There existed another world.
A world vast enough to contain an existence even they regarded as terrifying.
It completely overturned everything they thought they knew.
After a long while, someone finally broke the silence.
"How long until you can break through?"
The speaker was Hikaru—the very same person Izumi had thoroughly beaten not long ago.
His question caused everyone else's eyes to brighten.
That's right.
If such a terrifying enemy truly existed...
Then perhaps the key wasn't sealing the crack.
Perhaps it was allowing Izumi to advance further.
Izumi paused.
"A breakthrough..."
He lowered his head in thought before answering.
"If the entire Dimensional World finishes merging into my world..."
"My breakthrough should naturally follow soon after."
The instant he said those words—
Every single-digit powerhouse looked directly at him.
"Then let's make it happen."
"We'll help you."
Hongjun stepped forward calmly.
"There are still many worlds that haven't completed their integration."
"But if all of us work together..."
"We can greatly accelerate the process."
He looked toward the slowly widening crack.
"Perhaps before, you could afford to take your time."
"But not anymore."
"The situation has changed."
"What do you think?"
Izumi fell silent.
His eyes remained fixed on the steadily expanding rift.
After several moments...
He finally nodded.
"...Very well."
"I'm counting on all of you."