The hunters fell like flies. Each hunter's body hitting the ground made a muffled sound, then another followed, and another, and another. Hongdae Square had turned into a mass grave, blood forming red pools beneath the advancing monsters' feet.
Hunter: (Falling to his knees) "I can't… I can't fight anymore…"
Another: (Shouting) "Retreat! Fall back!"
But there was no "back." The monsters surrounded them from every side. From the front, from behind, from the rooftops, even from underground.
The sixth Earth Mage emerged, the ground shaking violently, deep cracks opening and swallowing dozens of hunters.
Hunter: (Falling into a crack) "Aaaah! Save me!"
Another: (Trying to help) "Grab my hand!"
But the crack widened further, swallowing them both.
At the front line, S-rank hunters were falling one by one. A hunter wielding a massive sword was struck from behind by a stone monster, his body flying through the air. Another hunter casting fire magic was hit by a Mountain Heart's giant arm, his bones shattering.
S-rank Hunter: (Falling to the ground) "I… I can't…"
Another: (Trying to pull him) "Get up! Don't give up!"
But the monster was faster. A huge stone claw fell upon both hunters.
KRAAASH!
Silence reigned for a moment. Then the sounds of battle resumed, but weaker, less intense. Despair began seeping into everyone's hearts.
Hunter: (Whispering) "We're dead… we're all going to die here…"
Another: (Crying) "I don't want to die… I don't want…"
Squad Commander: (Shouting) "Hold your ground! Don't give up! Help is coming!"
But even his voice trembled.
---
Park Chul-soo: (Looking at Han Ji-yeon) "Time to use it."
Han Ji-yeon: (Hesitating) "Are you sure?"
Park Chul-soo: (Smiling bitterly) "Do we have another choice?"
Each took a small glass vial from their pocket. Inside was a glowing red liquid, like the blood of a dying star. They opened the vials together and drank their contents in one gulp.
Han Ji-yeon: (Screaming in pain) "Aaaaah!"
Park Chul-soo: (Clenching his fist) "Endure it!"
Their bodies began glowing with red light. The wounds covering them began healing at incredible speed, broken bones resetting, torn muscles regenerating. After seconds, they stood as if never injured.
Hunter: (Looking at them) "They… they've recovered!"
Another: (Shouting) "Deputy commanders! Defeat that monster!"
Park Chul-soo: (Looking at Han Ji-yeon) "Ready?"
Han Ji-yeon: (Placing her hand on her sword) "Since birth."
Park Chul-soo: (Shouting) "Go!"
They shot forward like arrows. Park Chul-soo with his hardened fists, Han Ji-yeon with her gleaming white sword. Their strikes flashed like lightning, colliding with the Earth Incarnate's giant body.
KRAK! WHAM! SHING!
But the monster didn't retreat a single step. It swayed slowly, receiving blows as if they were bee stings.
Park Chul-soo: (Panting) "Why won't it fall?!"
Han Ji-yeon: (Striking with all her might) "It's absorbing the hits! Its body regenerates!"
The Earth Incarnate slowly raised its giant arm, as if playing with them. Then it struck.
WHAM!
Park Chul-soo flew through the air like a broken doll. He crashed into a building, collapsing it on top of him. Han Ji-yeon tried to dodge, but the monster's arm was faster than it looked. It struck her chest, sending her flying through three buildings before falling to the ground.
Hunter: (Shouting) "Deputy commander!"
Another: (Running) "No! No!"
The two bodies fell to the ground, covered in dust and blood. They tried to rise, but their bodies were exhausted, bones broken, muscles torn.
Park Chul-soo: (Trying to get up) "I… I can't…"
Han Ji-yeon: (Panting) "We're… we're finished…"
From the dust, an S- rank monster emerged, a massive bear-like stone creature, its claws sharp, its eyes blazing with bloodlust. It advanced slowly toward the two bodies, as if savoring the hunt.
Hunter: (Shouting) "Run! Run!"
Another: (Crying) "No! No!"
The monster raised its claws, ready to deliver the final blow.
---
At that moment, elsewhere.
Anas quietly raised his hand and whispered.
Anas: (Whispering) "Activate MOD MENU. Stop time."
Everything stopped.
The monster froze mid-swing, its claws suspended in the air. The hunters froze mid-scream. The dust stopped swirling. Drops of blood halted in mid-air. Absolute silence reigned.
Anas raised his right hand, and in an instant a massive screen appeared before him, shimmering with blue and golden lights.
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SYSTEM ALERT: MOD MENU ACTIVATED - Absolute Mode] ║
║ [Time Stop Mode: Active] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ [Available Options] ║
║ ║
║ ■ [STATS EDIT] ║
║ ■ [SKILLS EDIT] ║
║ ■ [RANK EDIT] ║
║ ■ [WORLD EDIT] ║
║ ■ [TIME CONTROL] ║
║ ■ [ADVANCED OPTIONS] ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```
Anas: (Pressing SKILLS EDIT) "Skills Edit."
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SKILLS EDIT - Adding New Skills] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ [Adding skills...] ║
║ ║
║ ■ [EX] Absolute Annihilation Blade ║
║ ■ [EX] Thousand Swords of Heaven ║
║ ■ [EX] Throne of Blades ║
║ ■ [EX] Time Cutter ║
║ ■ [EX] Absolute Sword Eye ║
║ ■ [SSS] Shadow Blade ║
║ ■ [SSS] Sword Tempest ║
║ ■ [SSS] Point of Annihilation ║
║ ■ [SSS] Sheath of Infinity ║
║ ■ [SSS] Sword Race ║
║ ■ [SSS] Sword Spirit ║
║ ■ [SSS] Sword Rain ║
║ ■ [SSS] One Sword Throne ║
║ ■ [UX] Absolute Eternity ║
║ ║
║ [14 new skills added] ║
║ [Total Skills: 39] ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```
Anas: (Smiling) "Excellent. Deactivate time stop."
He closed the screen, and time resumed.
---
The monster's claws descended. They were about to strike the two bodies.
But before they could touch, something strange happened.
SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING!
Five flashes of light, faster than sight. No one saw what happened. They only saw the claws fly through the air, sliced into thousands of tiny pieces.
The pieces scattered like rain, falling around the two bodies.
The hunters stood in shock. They looked toward the source of the light.
A man stood before them. They had never seen him before. His short white hair gleamed, his gray eyes were deep, his skin was radiant white. He wore an elegant black suit, as if he had stepped out of a banquet, not a battlefield.
Behind him, five swords floated in the air. They rotated slowly, guarding him, awaiting his command.
The first: a dark gray blade that absorbed the light around it.
The second: a glowing red blade, faint smoke rising from it.
The third: a translucent silver blade, barely visible except for its trace in the air.
The fourth: a dark brown blade with gleaming golden veins.
The fifth: a curved blade, silver with a golden tint, Arabic inscriptions gleaming, its hilt studded with rubies and emeralds, shining like a king's crown.
The hunters stood dumbfounded.
Hunter: (Whispering) "Who… who is this?"
Another: (Admiring the swords) "These swords… I've never seen anything like them."
Park Chul-soo: (Trying to rise) "You… who are you?"
Anas looked at them, then took two small glass vials from his pocket. Inside was a glowing blue liquid, like a piece of liquid sky.
Anas: (Calmly) "Drink."
He handed them the vials. Park hesitated for a moment, then drank. Han followed.
Han Ji-yeon: (Her eyes widening) "This… this feeling…"
Their bodies began glowing with blue light. The wounds that even the rare potion hadn't healed began vanishing as if they had never been. Broken bones reset, torn muscles regenerated. After seconds, they stood as if never injured.
Park Chul-soo: (Looking at his hands) "This… this is impossible. How…?"
Han Ji-yeon: (Looking at Anas) "Who are you? How did you do this?"
Anas: (Calmly) "I am Anas Sharif Yazeed. An independent hunter."
He took out his silver card and handed it to them. They looked at the card, their eyes widening.
Park Chul-soo: (Bowing) "SS rank… independent? I've never seen such power before."
Han Ji-yeon: (Bowing) "We owe you our lives."
Anas: (Smiling) "You're welcome."
He looked at the battlefield. The hunters were retreating, the monsters advancing. Screams of pain filled the air.
Park Chul-soo: (Clenching his fists) "No! We can't leave them! We can't…"
Han Ji-yeon: (Placing her hand on her sword) "I'll fight to the end! I won't give up!"
Anas: (Calmly) "Calm down."
They looked at him. His eyes were calm, as if the battlefield were merely a game.
Anas: "I'll handle it."
Park Chul-soo: (Looking at him) "Alone?"
Anas: (Smiling) "Alone."
In his mind, he said to himself.
Anas: (To himself) "1%… enough."
---
Anas: (Taking a step forward) "Come."
He raised his right hand.
FWOOOSH!
The five swords vanished from behind him. They appeared in the air above the battlefield, beginning to spin at tremendous speed.
Anas: "Sword Tempest."
KRA-KOOOOOOM!
The five swords exploded into thousands of small pieces, forming a storm of swords covering half a square kilometer. The swords spun like a cyclone, tearing everything in their path.
The small monsters (Pebbles, Stone Breakers) were shredded like paper. The medium monsters (Stone Throwers, Stone Walkers) were sliced in half. The large monsters (Stone Guards) fell under the weight of thousands of strikes.
Hunter: (Shouting) "Look! Look!"
Another: (Mouth agape) "What is this?! What power is this?!"
A Third: (Crying) "He saved us! He saved us!"
Everyone stood watching the scene. The mysterious man, the flying swords, the devastating storm. They were witnessing a miracle unfold before their eyes.
Park Chul-soo: (Whispering) "This… this isn't fighting. This… this is annihilation."
Han Ji-yeon: (Admiring the swords) "These swords… they're alive. They know where to strike before they strike."
In the sky, the association's drones filmed everything. Cameras broadcast live to the control room.
Employee: (Shouting) "Look! Look at this!"
Director Kang: (Standing from his chair) "My God… who is this?"
Another Employee: "The card! He showed his card! It's Anas Sharif Yazeed! The independent hunter!"
Director Kang: (Whispering) "Anas… this man… what power does he possess?"
He stared at the screen showing Anas standing amid the destruction, swords around him, monsters falling before him.
Director Kang: (To himself) "I've seen many hunters in my life… but this… this is something else."
---
Anas did not stop. He raised his left hand, pointing toward the high-level monsters: the Earth Mages, the Mountain Hearts.
Anas: "Sword Rain."
The storm split into thousands of small swords, rising into the sky. Then they fell like rain.
SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING!
Thousands of swords fell, each striking a monster, each exploding with devastating force. The Earth Mages fell one by one. The Mountain Hearts collapsed like crumbling mountains.
Hunter: (Shouting) "They've fallen! They've all fallen!"
Another: (Crying) "He saved us! He saved us!"
A Third: (Raising his hands) "Anas! Anas! Anas!"
Cheers rose to the sky. Hunters shouted his name, raised their hands, cried, laughed, embraced each other. The survivors of the battle, who had been on the brink of death, now stood shouting the name of a man they had never known before today.
But Anas did not stop. He looked at the remaining monsters. Dozens of S, S+, and SS- rank monsters.
Anas: (Calmly) "Now… your turn."
He released his aura.
The aura was invisible to the naked eye. But everyone felt it. Tremendous pressure, as if the air had become a thousand times heavier. As if the sky itself was descending upon the earth.
S+ Monster: (Trembling) "Raaaa…"
SS- Monster: (Retreating) "Kaaaa…"
For the first time, the monsters felt fear. Not fear of death, but fear of existence. As if they faced something they could not comprehend, could not measure, could not even imagine.
Anas: (Muttering) "Come."
The monsters charged at Anas all at once. Dozens of monsters attacking from every direction. But Anas did not move.
A Shadow Blade emerged from beneath his feet, stabbing a monster from below. Another emerged behind him, stabbing another. A third, fourth, fifth. Shadow blades formed from every shadow, every angle, attacking monsters from every direction.
Hunter: (Shouting) "Look! The swords! Swords from everywhere!"
Another: (Amazed) "How? How does he do this?!"
The monsters fell one by one. It was not a battle; it was a massacre. Anas did not sweat, did not breathe heavily, did not even move. He stood in place, the swords doing everything.
S+ Monster: (Trying to flee) "Raaaa…"
Anas: (Looking at it) "Point of Annihilation."
He raised his finger, and a thin beam of light shot forward. It pierced the monster's head from the front and exited from the back. The monster fell like a stone.
Hunter: (Whispering) "With his finger… he killed an S+ monster with his finger…"
Another: (Trembling) "Who… who really is this man?"
---
The great monsters remained: three SS- rank, and one SS rank: the Earth Incarnate.
Anas: (Advancing toward the Earth Incarnate) "You're the only one left."
The monster looked at him. For the first time, it felt fear. This small man, before its towering, mountain-like body, looked like an ant. But his aura crushed it, choked it, reminded it that it was merely a stone before the lord of stones.
Earth Incarnate: (Trembling) "Raaaa… Raaaa…"
It tried to flee. It began turning slowly, moving away from Anas. The hunters watched in amazement. The monster that had nearly defeated them was running away.
Hunter: (Shouting) "Look! It's running! The monster is running!"
Another: (Crying with joy) "He defeated them! He defeated them all!"
But Anas did not let it escape. He appeared before it suddenly, as if he had been there from the start.
Anas: (Calmly) "Point of Annihilation."
He raised his finger again. The beam shot forward, piercing the Earth Incarnate's massive head from the front…
KRA-KOOOOOOM!
The head exploded.
Rocks and dust flew in every direction. The giant body collapsed like a falling mountain, causing an earthquake that shook all of Hongdae. Then it fell.
THUD!
Silence reigned.
Everyone looked at Anas, standing before the fallen corpse, no dust on his clothes, no exhaustion on his face.
Hunter: (Whispering) "He did it…"
Another: (Crying) "He saved us… saved us all…"
Hunters: (Shouting) "Anas! Anas! Anas!"
Cheers filled the sky. Hunters raised their hands, crying, laughing, embracing each other. The survivors of the battle, who had been on the verge of death, now stood shouting the name of a man they had never known before today.
---
In the sky, a drone circled Anas. Its cameras captured everything: the flying swords, the fallen corpse, the cheering hunters.
The drone descended toward Anas, and he stood before it. The microphone opened.
Drone Operator: (Voice from the speaker) "Mr. Anas… I've recorded the entire battle. Do you mind if it's released to the public?"
Anas: (Looking at the camera) "Release it. Let the people know."
Drone Operator: "Thank you… thank you so much."
Anas: (Smiling) "You're welcome."
He turned to Park Chul-soo and Han Ji-yeon, who were still standing in amazement.
Anas: "I'll go to Myeong-dong now. They need help there."
Park Chul-soo: (Bowing) "Mr. Anas… I don't know how to thank you."
Han Ji-yeon: (Bowing) "Without you, we would have died. All of us would have died."
Anas: (Calmly) "You fought bravely. That deserves respect."
Park Chul-soo: (Looking at him) "I'll remember your name. I'll tell everyone what you did today."
Han Ji-yeon: "Korea will know the name Anas Sharif Yazeed."
Anas: (Smiling) "We'll see."
He raised his hand, and the five swords returned to their place behind him. Then in an instant, he vanished. He didn't run, didn't jump. He simply disappeared.
Hunter: (Staring at the empty space) "Where… where did he go?"
Another: (Whispering) "To Myeong-dong… he said he's going to Myeong-dong."
Park Chul-soo: (Looking at the sky) "That man… his power cannot be explained."
Han Ji-yeon: (Looking at the sky) "No… it's power that does not belong to this world."
---
In the control room, Director Kang watched the screen. His face was a mixture of shock, amazement, and joy.
Director Kang: (Muttering) "Anas… you're no ordinary hunter, are you?"
He looked at the screen showing Gangnam, where the crimson point was still expanding.
Director Kang: (To himself) "Ji-won… Nayun… I hope you're safe."
On the screen, Anas appeared again, above the sky of Myeong-dong.
Director Kang: (Smiling) "Go… go and save them."
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SYSTEM ALERT: End of Battle] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════╣
║ [Location: Hongdae] ║
║ [Casualties: Heavy but survivors] ║
║ [Savior: Anas Sharif Yazeed] ║
║ [Next Mission: Myeong-dong] ║
║ ║
║ [The fun… has not yet begun] ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════╝
```