Meet Moran. He starts his journey at the very bottom of the food chain. A typical loser crippled by severe social anxiety. But as the scroll unfolds, he transforms into the coldest, most emotionless apex predator in a world where everyone wields a unique talent. While others cultivate power, this absolute menace shatters the system itself. He devours monsters, stealing their abilities and stacking them infinitely. And watching his back is Chief Kang, a warrior goddess with abs of steel and a presence that demands absolute submission. You might think Maru has walked a flower path, but reality is far cruer. The odds are stacked against him like a mountain. In exactly one year, the skies will tear open. Monsters will rain down, plunging humanity into an era of chaos. And only he can stop the end of days. But before the world burns, let us rewind the clock. Our tale begins deep within a restricted zone, a camp swallowed by the silence of the forest. A lone survivor crawls on the earth, his shirt stained crimson. Before him lies a gruesome tableau, his companion slaughtered in cold blood. In his desperation, he whispers of a horror hidden within the yellow dust. A silhouette emerges from the haze, dragging a colossal blade. The weapon is drenched in gore. Ominous bells chiming at its tip. The boy pleads for salvation, but the shadows are not merciful. A nightmare leaps from the brush. Claws sees his ankle, dragging him, screaming into the smoke. Only a trail of despair remains. Moments later, his lifeless shell is discovered. A squad of elites looks down at the corpse, their expressions cold and calculating. One agent sigh, noting another casualty for the report. But the black-haired leader analyzes the footprints, sensing the ticking clock. They need to act before the trail goes cold. Suddenly, the stunning female officer picks up a sound. The flowing of water. No, something else. The team turns. She steps forward, hands sliding into her pocket. With a swift motion, she draws a blade and slices her own palm. The steel drinks her vitality. Her blood resonates with the weapon, defying gravity as it crawls up her arm like a living crimson serpent. The glasseswearing agent points toward the swirling dust. It is coming, he warns. The tension creates a suffocating pressure. I will handle this, she declares. The small knife devours her aura, expanding instantly into a massive claymorized blade on her back. This is the power of the yellow dust task force. But far away from this bloodshed, a different kind of battle is taking place. Deep within the concrete jungle of Sous City, the ultimate ordeal awaits. A public service job interview. Candidates wait like cattle for the slaughter. In the restroom, one man trembles violently convinced his end is near. He wants to flee to retreat to safety. His heart hammers against his ribs like a war drum, threatening to burst from his chest. Impossible. He gasps. He splashes cold water on his face, a desperate attempt to wash away the fear. He recites a mantra of courage. I can do this, he lies to himself. He downs a handful of pills. There are too many, but at least they dull the edge of his panic. Suddenly, his gaze drifts. A small bird descends onto a branch outside the window. The tiny creature locks eyes with him. Silence stretches. Then, the bird's eye widens unnaturally. What are you staring at? It chirps. You are completely screwed. Yet, our hero isn't phased by the talking animal. He sigh, realizing his panic attacks have reached a disastrous new level of hallucination. As he heads to the slaughter house, I mean the interview room. A news report flashes. Four campers missing in Gyongi province. He walks the corridor of doom. This is Maru Han, 29 years old, the definition of mediocre. He is the ultimate background character. Average grades, a third rate university, and currently fighting a losing battle against unemployment. And his mother terrifying. I honestly cannot tell what is larger, her maternal love or her bone crushing jawline. For five long years, he has chased the dream of becoming a civil servant. This is the first time he has ever reached the final boss. The interview. The door opens. A staff member calls his name. He shoots up like a spring, shouting, "Here!" with desperate enthusiasm. "This time, surely," he thinks. He marches into the room like a rusty robot, convincing himself this will be a walk in the park until he locks eyes with the interviewer. The man behind the laptop stares with the intensity of a predator. Maru swallows his fear. The question is launched. "Why do you seek to become a civil servant?" Maru panics. He shouts his rehearsed answer. to serve the community, to help society. But his inner voice screams the truth. What he really wants is stability, a paycheck that doesn't bounce, a boring, safe life with absolutely zero adventures. The interviewer presses on. What would you do if you witnessed a superior committing corruption? Maru replies, I would honestly point out their error and seek a solution while remaining flexible and positive. He knows the game. If he says he'd ignore it, he fails. So, he lies through his teeth, pretending he has a spine. The final question. How are your interpersonal skills? With a bright, confident smile, Maru prepares his answer. I am garbage at it, he announces cheerfully. I get stressed. I cannot communicate and I was bullied relentlessly for my panic attacks. Wait, that wasn't the script. In his mind, he was the life of the party, a social butterfly with a thousand friends. The interviewer stares in confusion. The fool freezes, realizing he just vocalized his darkest insecurities instead of the lie. Desperate to save face, he scrambled for words, but his mind was blank. The interviewer cleared his throat, the sound echoing like a judge's gavel, and moved to the final hurdle. Light glinted off his glasses in that ominous anime style as he asked how Maru handled the darkest, most agonizing moment of his existence. Looking like a deer in headlights, Maru lied through his teeth. He claimed life had been a breeze, pretending he hadn't walked through fire. But the interviewer wasn't buying it. He pressed harder, demanding a single struggle. Maru, his insides twisting like a pretzel, finally cracked. His mind went blank, saved for one scar. Nothing comes to mind, he stammered, except that day in the mountains with my father. Instantly, a dormant nightmare clawed its way to the surface. He saw the cursed yellow mist. His heart hammered against his ribs like a war drum as he recalled the abyssal beast with eyes of burning gold staring into his soul. His breath turned shallow. The monstrosity looming in his memory had a crown of unblinking eyes sprouting from its head, standing over a mountain of bloody corpses. Maru had been just a child, a helpless witness to the apocalypse. Back in the office, reality began to mutter, "Fracture!" His vision swam in a haze of panic, and the chair betrayed him, tipping backward into the void. He hit the floor, staring at the brand, spinning ceiling as the world dissolved. The interviewer loomed over him, shouting, "Mr. Han," and shaking him, but the voice sounded miles away. Panic clawed at his throat. He tried to suppress the rising bile, but his body rebelled. It was too late. He unleashed a torrent all over the interviewer. Cut to the aftermath. Maru sprawled on his bed, wishing for the earth to swallow him whole. A total disaster. The interview was dead in the water. No job, no girlfriend, no friends, just the crushing weight of a failed existence. How was he supposed to live a normal life with this curse? Suddenly, a thunderous knock shook the door. He froze. Who could it be? Disheveled and broken, he stumbled to the entrance. He swung the door open, asking, "What is it?" and found himself facing a titan. Was this a woman or a deity of war? The towering figure demanded to know why he delayed. He called her mom, but the aura she radiated was overwhelming. She stepped into the room 3 m of pure muscle built like a legendary martial artist from a shownen manga. Yet, beneath that iron exterior beat a mother's heart, she had come to deliver supplies. He thanked her, his eyes searching for protein, asking if she brought meat to fuel his weary body. No such luck, just kimchi and beans. She replied with a jawline sharp enough to cut glass of physique that would shame professional bodybuilders. Her sharp gaze swept the room. Instant noodle cups, stained napkins, empty soda bottles, the natural habitat of a man who had given up. He sat there, posture crooked but stomach full. Sighing, she began to tidy the chaos, questioning how her son could live in such filth. He promised to clean later, but she cut to the chase. How did the interview go? The question pierced him like an arrow. Critical hit. Maru slumped to the floor, his soul leaving his body. There was no way he could confess that he had vomited on a potential employer. He muttered to himself, hiding the shame. His mother crossed her massive arms and delivered a hearty smack to his back, nearly sending him flying. "If you fail, you try again," she declared. While he wallowed in misery, she continued to scrub away the filth of his depression. A while later, she handed him an allowance. Tears welled in his eyes at her kindness, but his pride flared. "I'm an adult," he protested. "I need to work." But then she flexed, her arm expanded, muscles rippling with terrifying power. "He snatched the money instantly." "Argument over." She scratched her granite chin. "If you failed," she mused. "Then the shaman was right. She dropped a spiritual bombshell. He had to visit the mountain. Terror washed over him, but the scene shifted instantly. He stood under the blazing sun, sweating in a sweater and pants a true shut-ins's fashion sense. He wondered how many years had passed since he last stood on this cursed ground. He never thought he'd return. Standing before the mountain where his destiny was shattered, the memories flooded back. He recalled his mother's words. She had consulted a top tier shaman about why he couldn't land a job to save his life. The verdict. It wasn't anxiety or ADHD. It was spiritual. His father, who vanished 20 years ago, had left a scar on his fate. A spiritual barrier tainted his soul. Until it was cleansed, the shaman warned the universe would block his path at every turn. To ever become a public servant, he had to appease his father's restless spirit with an offering on this very mountain. The hike was grueling. Time stretched endlessly as he trudged upward, wondering if the destination even existed anymore. Finally, a gate appeared. "This is it," he whispered. He pushed it open, but paused, sensing a disturbance in the air. A flicker of movement caught his eye. A transparent figure stood there, an exact copy of his younger self, a phantom of the past. The spectral boy rushed toward the old house, pushing the door open. Inside, a man stood with his back turned to the world. Maru watched frozen in time. The boy approached the figure, tugging at his father's pant leg, unaware of the horror to come. "Dad, I'm hungry!" the echko cried, but the father's face twisted into something inhuman, and a blood curdling scream tore through the silence. Maru flinched and the illusion shattered like glass. A sharp pain pierced his chest as reality crashed back in. Another panic attack loomed. He forced a deep breath, fighting the rising tide of fear until his heartbeat steadied. Calmer now, he reached into his bag. He unccorked the ritual liquor and poured a libation onto the dusty floor for the dead. He tossed the alcohol around the ruin. "Hope you're having a blast wherever you are," he muttered, doing this only for his mother's sake, begging his father to rest. He came seeking peace, offering solemn prayers to the mountain spirits. The memories of his late father came flooding back in the silence. His mother had worked herself to the bone to secure his future. But as he sprinkled the yellow dust offering, the atmosphere shifted. A sinister fog began to encroach like a living thing. Maru panicked, fearing a mountain fire, and bolted, reminding himself, "Safety first." But then, a distorted voice echoed those very words back at him from the mist. Was it a trick of the wind? He glanced back into the swirling yellow smog. A silhouette emerged. "Ma'am, you've seen this before. Why are you just standing there?" Horror struck. A monstrosity with a burst head and bloated belly lunged out, chanting, "Safety first." Maru, plagued by hallucinations. His whole life assumed his mind was breaking again. He rubbed his eyes, praying the nightmare would vanish. But the beast drew closer. Instinct screamed at him to flee, but his legs were too slow. A sudden impact. Something impaled him right through the stomach, crumpling to his knees, he faced his own mortality. Was this really the end? A life spent studying and struggling with zero joy. Yet death whispered a tempting promise. No more bills, no more pain. A bitter smirk touched his lips. Who would mourn a failure like him? But then the image of his ironwilled mother flashed in his mind. That woman who broke her back for him, finding happiness only in his success. Her indomitable spirit became his fire. Ancient resolve surged through his veins. Ignoring the skewer in his gut, he forced himself up. He refused to die here. But the predator wasn't finished. Catching the scent of fresh blood, it twitched unnaturally, chanting that cursed mantra again. Safety first. It opened its maw to feast, revealing a grotesque eye, staring from the back of its throat. The creature latched onto Maru's waist. He desperately shoved against its torso, fighting a losing battle to keep those jaws at bay. But the maw was too massive. Fangs sank deep into his shoulder. A scream of pure, unfiltered agony tore from his throat. Consciousness faded, but a memory sparked his father's voice. Always eat well. If this monster could bite, so could he. Maru sank his teeth into the creature's neck and ripped out a chunk of flesh. Savage brutality unleashed. The predator became the prey. The beast writhed in shock while that unblinking eye in its mouth stared into Maru's soul. Dark energy poured from the creature's iris, seeping into him. Maru<unk>s mind fractured under a sudden flood of alien visions. He saw mountains of corpses dragged by demons. A landscape of absolute carnage where monsters devoured their own kind. And watching it all, a singular ominous green eye floating above the battlefield. Maru's sanity reeled. Was he dead? Who was whispering to him? A thick metallic taste flooded his mouth, the undeniable flavor of blood. Was this the taste of the afterlife? Then a voice cut through the darkness, calling his name. Slowly, reality returned. He blinked, open his eyes. A stranger stood there asking why he was in a restricted zone, staring at Maru's bloodstained lips. Maru scrambled up in shock. Where was the beast? Where was the horror that had emerged from the yellow dust? The man in the loud Hawaiian shirt narrowed his eyes. What did you see, kid? Maru stammered, trying to explain. The mist. A monster attacked me. He touched his stomach. He was certain he had been skewered, destined to die. Yet there was no wound. The strangers exchanged knowing glances, a silent signal passing between them. The Hawaiian shirt man smirked. The demon alarm went off. I thought it was a glitch, but clearly I was wrong. And it looks like this rookie killed it. The girl beside him scoffed. Impossible. Civilians can't just kill demons. Ingesting demon blood grants power. Sure, she argued, but wielding it instantly. That's unheard of. The man ignored her. He looked at Maru currently sporting a shredded shirt like a disastrous fashion statement. Do you know what happened yesterday? Yesterday, Maru checked his phone and nearly jumped out of his skin. He had been out cold for 24 hours. If he survived the blood toxicity this long, the man mused. He's definitely awakened an ability. The girl crossed her arms. "It's too early to tell. He's clueless and just woke up from a coma." "Don't worry. It's a right of passage." The man grinned, gripping Maru's shoulders with heavy intent. "You arrived at the perfect time, kid. You're going to participate." Maru was baffled, but he had no choice. After being ordered to change out of his rags, the scene shifted. They arrived at a bustling port facility. New employee orientation special service. Maru sat there still looking like a wreck, utterly bewildered. One minute he was dying on a mountain. Now he was at a government orientation and the vibe was dangerously off. It wasn't welcoming. The other recruits wore unsettling predatory expressions. Then the click of red clogs echoed. A woman walked in, adjusting her pants with arrogant swagger. Her aura was suffocating and absolute queen of the battlefield. I am Yu Young, the head of this branch, she declared. Maru timidly raised a hand. Um, I think there's a mistake. Maru tried to refuse, claiming he shouldn't be involved, but she silenced his protests instantly. She simply smiled, announcing he was officially hired. The poor guy stood there completely dumbfounded by this woman's insanity. Without skipping a beat, she continued her orientation, declaring that everyone present was now part of the elite. They were the special task force of this facility, their sacred duty to protect human lives above all else. However, a shadow hung over this duty. They were forbidden from revealing their identity to family, friends, or lovers. A leak meant violating national security laws, a crime punishable by eraser. Maru swallowed hard, realizing the gravity of his situation. Yuen then shifted to the source of their power. She explained that everyone here had awakened demon abilities this very month. When the vile blood of a demon enters the system, a rare few survive to gain power. Maru<unk>s mind flashed back to that moment. It must have triggered when he bit through that monster's neck in a desperate bid for survival. She continued her lecture. For now, these abominations were confined to the mountains. The yellow dust was the harbinger of their arrival, rated 1 to 10. Naturally, the thicker the dust, the more catastrophic the threat. She then summoned Shaun Wu, the class prodigy. Since he had inherited power from a level seven beast, her expectations for him were sky-high. The handsome recruit smirked, radiating confidence as he promised to exceed her hopes. Then her gaze landed on Maru. Her tone shifted. He had only acquired an ability from a level one trash mob. She asked what his power was. Still reeling from shock, he admitted he had absolutely no clue. Immediately, some arrogant elite snickered nearby. That smug jerk deserved a bite to the jugular. Or perhaps not. Maru felt a strange urge rising, but pushed it down. He ground his teeth, deciding to ignore the mockery. His only goal was to escape this hell hole as soon as possible. Suddenly, a blaring alarm shattered the atmosphere. Yu Yong grinned, calling it perfect timing. A demon had appeared. In the blink of an eye, they were marching up the mountain for a live combat trial. She announced the practical test had begun. It was sink or swim. But our main character was still questioning his sanity. All he wanted was to flee before he became Demon Chow. But just as he plotted, his exit fate intervened. He walked straight into the yellow dust. Terror gripped his heart, his face twisting in pure fear. Through the suffocating fog, a silhouette emerged. It was the girl wrapped in bandages. He worried for her safety, but as she turned, Maru froze. She had casually skewered a 3 m monstrosity on a massive spike. Maru collapsed in shock while the others watched in awe. Yuong called for focus. The lesson was far from over. The beast before them looked formidable. Yet, it was merely a rank one demon, the bottom of the food chain. Captain Kang had already neutralized it, but her eyes weren't on the monster. She was studying the terrified boy. She was intrigued by the anomaly who had slain a demon solo yesterday. Awakening powers mid combat was legendary rarity. Yu Yong, however, was buzzing with excitement. She ordered the recruits to unleash their new gifts immediately. But our boy stood frozen in the biting cold, staring at the behemoth, convinced the instructor was psychotic. How could a novice fight a Titan? A wave of panic crashed over him, drowning his senses. His chest tightened. Air refused to enter his lungs. Then reality fractured. Suddenly, he stood a top a river of blood. From the crimson depths, a creature with obsidian limbs approached. It was a grotesque hybrid, part woman, part hound, draped in matted fur, an incarnation of ugliness. Maru stood paralyzed as the entity reached out, grasping his skull. It tilted its head and whispered a single command, "Eat." It seems our protagonist has a beast sealed within him. But unlike a hero, he wasn't powering up. He was losing control. Back in reality, while others trembled, Maru was practically drooling. He muttered about hunger, eyes glazed over. This wasn't normal appetite. Thick saliva dripped from his lips like a starving predator. A hand shook his shoulder. It was Sha Wu asking if he was laughing from sheer terror. Maru blinked his voice flat as he denied it. I swear this pretty boy is begging for a beating, calling Maru pathetic while standing next to a ticking time bomb. If Maru really is turning into a ghoul, Shan Wu might look delicious. Maru shook his head, wondering where that hunger came from. At the summit, Yu Yong demanded their attention. Before the slaughter began, they needed to understand the mechanics. She explained that the yellow mist was the demon's exhalation. It was their very essence polluting the air. The stronger the demon, the denser the fog. She drew a combat knife, her expression deadly serious. Slicing her own palm, she prepared to demonstrate the link between blood and power. Demon powers surged with enhanced regeneration inside the mist, making them nearly immortal, yet a fatal wound could still end their existence. They had to tread carefully for their arcane gifts only awakened within the fog. Outside facing creatures in the light, they were nothing but fragile ordinary humans. Sunnu, the so-called humble man of Korea, stifled a yawn, asked when the lecture would end. The critical instruction should have come first, how to unleash the dormant power within. He smirked, deciding to test the theory himself. He bit his lip hard. Crimson blood welled up, and the yellow mist drifted toward him like a living entity. An ancient switch flipped deep in his soul. Strength flooded his veins, and his eyes burned with a golden hue. The secret key was letting the mist invade his very bloodstream. He snapped on a glove, declaring the start of the real show. Suddenly, the stake that had been acting as a seal dislodged, and the monster's head exploded into life. Kang screamed for caution as the yellow mist swirled violently around them. Now unleashed, the beast roared a sound that shook the earth before slamming its massive fists into the ground. The poor rookies fresh to this hellish job were paralyzed with absolute terror. Kang moved to intercept, but Yu Yong barked in order to hold her ground. Kang pleaded that this was a death sentence for beginners, but the instructor remained ice cold. This was the perfect crucible for evolution. If they could not survive a level one trash mob, they were destined to perish anyway. The the monster suddenly twitched, sniffing the air. It locked its predator gaze directly on Maru, who stood frozen like a statue. He panicked, wondering why this abomination had singled him out. Then, without warning, the creature's hand split open, and a bone knife shot forth, flying straight at Maru's heart. The velocity was insane. Maru took the impact to his arm, collapsing to the floor in agony. Kang felt a pang of pity as he writhed in pain. He struggled to his feet, arm throbbing, but the monster was already closing the distance, ready to crush him into paste. The beast landed looming over him. Fear met malice as it reached out, but suddenly a nightmare burst from the earth. A monstrous centipede coiled around the creature, choking the life out of the beast. It was staring it down with cold intent. This was Sunnu's ability, the demon centipede. For a man obsessed with beauty, his power was a grotesque contradiction. Then the female student struck from the shadows, her blade slicing through the monster's neck. Her art was of the Rojo demon. Whatever the lineage, the result was clear. The monster lost half its brain and screamed toward the heavens, spewing more mist. The girl smirked, claiming victory. But the yellow mist swirled back into the monster's wounds, stitching flesh and bone in seconds. The fool finally realized that the creature's regeneration was overwhelmingly powerful. The monster seized the centipede and ripped it from Sunnu's neck, dragging him along since it was fused to his arm. The creature used the connection like a whip, flinging Sunnu into the girl. It reeled Sunnu back and crushing him in a vice grip. This beast was petty. Opening its massive maw, it prepared to feast when suddenly a sickening snap echoed inside a glove. The monster's neck twisted violently, mirroring an invisible force, and it dropped Sunnu. It made sense now. Sunnu wasn't just a flashy pretty boy. The bastard head style. He wielded the curse of the temple demon. The law of equivalent exchange meant when he broke his own bones, he shattered the started his monster's bones in return. The creature lunged in desperation, butsu calmly removed his glove and snapped his own wrist, commanding it to die. Instantly, the monster's neck spiraled and detonated. Its colossal body collapsed, leaving its severed head at his past feet like a trophy. Sunnu explained that once a demon's head is severed, it can no longer emit or absorb the mist. That was the end of it. The surviving trainees stood in stunned silence. He commented casually that it was a fine opportunity to test a new theory, but Kang appeared behind him, eyes narrowing. She asked if he had intentionally broken the seal to wake the demon. The kit had villainous potential written all over it. He denied it smoothly. No, of course not. Where was the evidence? But she grabbed his arm, whispering that they could find the truth quickly by breaking his fingers to see if her weapons shattered in response. With that tension peaking, Yu Yong clapped her hands, cutting the drama and praising Sunnu for a magnificent first attempt. However, one sheep was missing. Our boy had bolted out of the war zone. He wanted no part of this insanity. A job hunting monsters. No way. He craved a peaceful, mundane existence, not a life where he had to battle demons with cursed arts. But fate needed to remind him that he was the protagonist of this saga. So there was no escaping the narrative gravity. Yu Yong shook her head, declaring that a coward who flees is not qualified to walk the path of a special agent. Meanwhile, Kang was still processing the anomaly she had witnessed. There were countless targets in the arena, yet the creature had unmistakably chosen him as its primary prey. Yu Yong ordered a search party to see if the runner was still breathing. But Kang was the only one who noticed the terrifying detail. Why hadn't the yellow mist dissipated if the leader was truly dead. Dread began to dawn on the others as they asked the same question. Elsewhere, Maru stood before a gate that was leaking an insane concentration of mist. He questioned his cursed luck. At that very moment, a new nightmare manifested. A titan at least 15 m tall rose up, forcing Maru to dive behind a bush in pure terror. Why did fate choose him? Of all the souls desperate to escape, why did he have to stumble into this nightmare? He dared to take another peak, hoping Ed had vanished into thin air, but reality was cruel. The predator was breathing down his neck. Just then, the tech specialist with the dyed hair radioed Kang Chana. That is her name, ladies and gentlemen. She demanded a Citrep. The response was chilling. A level three demon had breached the perimeter. Yu Yong frowned. This pattern was unnatural. Demons didn't typically swarm like this. Kang demanded coordinates, but we all knew where ground zero was, didn't we? Our protagonist was sprinting through the restricted zone, screaming for salvation while his boots skidded across the treacherous earth. Clumsiness struck at the worst moment. He tripped and tasted the dirt. Scrambling up, he saw a familiar silhouette, his father's old house. At least he knew the terrain. He bolted for the iron gate, sliding into the shadows, his lungs burning as he questioned reality. What in the world was that monstrosity? He peered through a crack, whispering desperate reassurances that he had lost the tail. But despair hit him instantly. It was right there. Why was this beast so fixated on him? And what were those ominous crystals hovering around it? Suddenly, the squeal of the gate pierced the silence. An elderly figure stepped into the kill zone, confused by the unnatural yellow mist. The poor elder's vision was clouded by cataracts. He couldn't even perceive the 15 m tall nightmare looming before him. The creature grinned a predator, ready to snap up an easy meal. Maru watched his heart hammering against his ribs. He had to act. He had to save this civilian. But what could a weakling do against a monster? He was powerless. Then a memory surfaced Yuyong<unk>s lecture. Those awakened with demon abilities possessed accelerated regeneration within the mist. However, a fatal blow was still a one-way ticket to the afterlife. His hands shook uncontrollably. Fear paralyzed him. "Should he stay hidden? Was his life worth throwing away for a stranger? The instinct to survive was overwhelming." The old man squinted, mistaking the silhouette. "Is that Chunguk's mother?" he asked innocently. The monster tilted its head, mimicking the human speech with eerie precision. The old woman stepped closer, scolding the shadow. Then, she froze. "Fate is cruel, but it is also clear. At this range, even her failing eyes could see the truth. A massive demon stood before her radiating death. Terror seized her legs as her mind struggled to process the horror. The monster mocked her, repeating her words like a broken record. It raised a finger and deadly spikes took aim. It unleashed the volley. Blood sprayed across the pavement, but Maru had moved faster than his fear. He had thrown himself into the line of fire. The old woman opened her eyes to find the boy collapsed in her lap, life draining away. "Are you okay?" he wheezed. She nodded, trembling as he slumped against her, missing an arm and riddled with holes. Fighting the encroaching darkness, he urged her to run. Internally, he cursed his wretched luck and his pathetic level one rank. His power was as useless as his job applications. This was the end. He was dying, and he hadn't even managed to save her. All he ever wanted was a hero to swoop in and save him, just once. But as he lay there waiting for the Reaper, the yellow mist didn't kill him. It invaded his wounds. Ancient markings flared to life on his neck, glowing with ominous power. The beast within awakened. With a feral roar, he launched himself at the demon, sinking his teeth into its flesh. Meanwhile, Kang was tearing through the forest. A scream echoed. She smashed through the gate, arriving at a scene of madness. Maru wasn't fighting. He was feasting on the monster's neck. She froze, unable to comprehend the savagery displayed by this rookie. The creature shrieked, grabbing Maru and slamming him into the wall. The boy was barely conscious, but the damage was done. He had swallowed the chunk of flesh hole. The monster roared in fury, realizing a mere human had dared to consume it. The beast tried to retreat, but Kang noticed an anomaly. The wound Maru inflicted. It wasn't regenerating. She didn't know why, and she didn't care. Now was the time for slaughter. She leaped into the sky, intercepting the beast. She snatched one of its floating crystals. Steel demon art activate. The crystal morphed into a jagged greatsword in her grip. The monster retaliated, firing a barrage of spikes. Kang spun midair, a whirlwind of steel reflecting every single projectile. The creature flinched, forced to block its own attack. But she was already there, a beautiful angel of death. With a single vertical slash, she cleaved the beast in two. It didn't just die. It crumbled into meaningless dust. The battle ended in silence. Blood rained down, painting the courtyard crimson. She walked to the old woman, checking for life. The trauma had knocked the elder out, but she stirred awake, disoriented. Kang stood there, pristine, the monster's blood having vanished. Just a wild boar passing through. Ma'am, she lied effortlessly, her voice calm and reassuring. The old woman murmured about boores being common pests. Kang smiled, promising to handle the pest control. As the woman thanked her and retreated to safety, Kang's smile dropped. She turned her cold gaze toward Maru. She was consumed by a singular obsession to uncover the truth behind that boy because she had never witnessed such an anomaly. A level one user regenerating an entire arm from absolute nothingness. Impossible. By all theoretical laws of mana, he should have been powerless. Cut to our protagonist screaming in sheer frustration. He had just received the notification that his shift started tomorrow. But the trauma of that spiked monstrosity that nearly ended. His life was still hauntingly fresh. He had zero intention of marching back into the jaws of death for a paycheck. Marva collapsed onto his bed, swearing that there was no way in hell he was returning to that job. Yet the cruel reality of poverty weighed on him. He desperately needed the funds. Desperate or not, he was too drained to process his fate. So he surrendered to sleep. However, peace was a luxury this man could never afford. The moment his eyes closed, the nightmare returned. That endless war where crimson beasts slaughtered and devoured one another in a frenzy of blood, a mysterious voice called out from the abyss, commanding his return. He jolted awake, drenched in a cold sweat, his chest heaving as he stared at his trembling hands, unable to comprehend the horrors he had just witnessed. Morning light barely broke before he witnessed a catastrophe outside his window. The entire mountain was being consumed by a raging inferno amidst the burning timber and brush. An entity forged from ash and cinder stalked forward setting. The world ablaze with every step. A hydro user appeared, desperately casting water. But against such hellfire, those splashes were effectively useless. But she wasn't alone. Another hunter arrived, unleashing a devastating glacial blast. The beast's leg was instantly encased in a prison of solid ice, transforming it into a frozen statue. The girl cried out for their leader, noting the anomaly creatures of this magnitude were never supposed to manifest after sundown. But the captain barked orders to focus. Priority one was containing the wildfire before it spread further, but the heat was too intense. The monster was already melting its icy shackles. The captain drew his twin blades, declaring he would end this now. He charged into the fray. But at that exact second, a horrifying third eye split open upon the creature's forehead. It issued a single chilling, "Command! Bring that person!" With a roar, the monster shattered its restraints. The captain and the beast closed the distance in a clash of violence. one ready to slash the other, winding up a devastating punch. The captain managed a desperate block, but the difference in power was overwhelming. He was sent rocketing into a tree, his body broken on impact. He was completely wrecked. The hydrogirl screamed for her leader in pure panic, but the creature morphed, hunching down as its back twisted into a cauldron form. Molten lava began to spill onto the earth, and the captain realized with dread that the monster was evolving, growing larger, and more invincible by the second. Meanwhile, inside the soul headquarters, the command center was bathed in crimson light, blaring emergency sirens. Director Yu Yong demanded a status report. With the warning signals going berserk, it was clear the situation was spiraling toward total disaster. A staff member shouted the grim news. 20 mountains were under siege simultaneously. The behavior of these dimensional creatures had shifted aggressively. This pattern only began this week, and the cause remained a terrifying mystery. Suddenly, a staff member interrupted, signaling a priority override from Busousan. Yu Yong snatched the line, demanding the situation report. She was immediately greeted by a casual, "Hey there, big sis." It was Bob Mayangi, the director of the Busousan division. He cheekily asked when she planned to grace his city with her presence. She sighed, cutting through his charm, and ordered him to get to the point. That is when his tone darkened, explaining, "The nightmare unfolding in the south. A dimensional gate had been ruptured for 3 days straight. Yu Yong stood frozen in disbelief. How was that physically possible? Abominations were pouring out in an endless stream. The defense team was fighting on fumes, battling non-stop with no victory in sight. Yuong demanded to know why the portal hadn't been sealed. Had they found the anchor, Mayangi revealed the chilling truth. The guardian beast was sentient repeating a single loop. They had even deployed a hunter with interpretation skills to decode the message. The monster's demand was absolute. Bring that person. As the creature continued its rampage, Yu Yong asked for the identity of this target. Mayangi admitted that was the fatal flaw in their plan. They had no idea. He didn't know the identity, but whoever it was, they needed to appear on the battlefield. Immediately, Yu Yong wasted no time dialing the one number that mattered. A man answered from a helicopter, his voice calm amidst the noise. She quickly briefed him on the catastrophe. Without a moment's hesitation, the man stepped to the edge of the chopper door and simply stated, "I'm on my way." He told her to prepare the debrief for later. And with that, he leaped. He plummeted through the clouds like a human meteor. On his descent, he pierced through a layer of yellow myasma, showing zero fear. Then, defying gravity, he activated spatial inversion, suspending himself in the void before landing with the grace of a god at top the gate. The hunters below were flabbergasted. Who was this lunatic who just dropped from the heavens? A woman screamed for him to get down, warning him of the extreme danger. Meanwhile, the red-hooded demon grinned, sensing fresh prey. It lunged at the woman with a lethal, piercing kick. She barely managed to dodge death, but she had backed herself into a corner. The monster was now looming directly above her, leaving her no escape route. But then, the newcomer reached into the empty air. With a tear in reality, he ripped the monster's entire spinal column out of its body. The creature froze instantly lifeless. He casually congratulated the squad for their endurance, telling them to stand down. "I'll take it from here," he declared. The captain looked on in awe, but the girl demanded to know the identity of this monster of a man. The captain whispered the truth. This was the legend himself, the first awakener and founder of the task force. Director Jung Yildo placed his palm against the earth and let's<unk> finish this. The strongest ability user had entered the fray. Purple lay lines erupted across the soil racing toward the mist. They ascended, climbing higher and higher until they towered over the moon itself. From a distance, civilians stared in horror, witnessing a power beyond comprehension. The glasseswearing analyst trembled. He had never seen it in person, but theory confirmed it. The ultimate spatial art. Jung was carving a highway of destruction straight into the yellow mist. Meanwhile, on the burning mountain, the magma monster had evolved into a titan. The ice user's mana was depleted. His female comrade had already fallen. He screamed for her to rise or they would both perish. The lava beast roared, charging for the kill. Desperately, he conjured a final ice barrier, but the monster smashed through it like glass, sending him flying. The attacks were relentless. His shield shattered into dust. He hit the ground, gasping for air, staring death in the face. This was the end. But suddenly, reality tore open behind the beast. Jung's rifted hand grabbed the monster's head and hurled the entire behemoth away. The shock waves scattered the crows as Jung declared it was time for a purge. Not just this one, all of them. He activated every rift unit across the entire Gangan province simultaneously. Elsewhere, a boy was being trampled. The monster spoke in a vile tongue before raising its claws to strike. But in a flash, a void opened. The beast was dragged, screaming into the abyss. Across every mountain range, the phenomenon repeated. Hundreds of monsters were being forcibly teleported to a single location. It was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the targets were concentrated. On the other, it was a death trap. An operator panicked as danger signals vanished, but the director remained calm. It just means he has arrived. The good news, Yung's insane plan worked and the enemies were contained. The bad news, every monster in the region was now in one spot. But Yung, Yung was smiling. Let the slaughter begin. The demon screeched, swarming him from all sides. Unbothered, he pointed a finger and tore reality apart. With the elegance of a dancer, he spun a whirlwind of spatial blades slicing in every direction instantly. Demon heads rained from the sky. The squad watched in stunned silence. This was power on a godly level. Young walked up to the subdued magma creature and summoned the translator. Ask it why they are so agitated. The translator shivered as she relayed the monster's guttural reply. Bring that person. Young frowned. Who is this person? The monster only mindlessly repeated the demand. It was a drone. Without hesitation, Jung slammed the beast into the dirt. If you won't speak, I'll just keep killing until you run out. Drenched in black blood, he turned his gaze to the massive dungeon gate. It was time to close the curtains. He touched the ground, opening a massive spatial void. In seconds, the entire area was swallowed whole. Terrifyingly efficient. A squad member sighed in relief, grateful that a monster like Jung was on their side. He deactivated his aura, and the gate vanished into nothingness. The next day at the bureau headquarters, Yu Yong stormed into the office. "What did you do with the portal?" Yung looked up, casual as ever. "It's stored inside my void." He complained about exhaustion, but his nagging deputy wasn't having it. "Handle it properly," she scolded. Yung groaned, "I have limits, too. You know, I can't run this whole show alone." He switched on the TV. "I got the intel you wanted." He had been busy, even while resting. The screen flashed with photos of the new recruits. Yu Yong was confused. Why the sudden interest in rookies? I'm trying to figure out their objective, Young mused. Not just what they want, but why they want me. Beneath the pile of monster corpses, a giant female demon lay dead, her frozen lips still whispering, "Bring him." Meanwhile, it was Maru's first day on the job. A new chapter was beginning. Maru stood before the building. His mother had wept tears of joy over his government position. He couldn't tell her the dangerous truth, but seeing her smile meant he couldn't refuse. Immediately, a man in a Hawaiian shirt confronted him. Why the hell did you come back, coward? The man rire of booze and disdain. I don't need weaklings on my team. The actual team leader stepped in. Though the drunk subordinate, Sean Wu demanded a transfer to the main city. The leader just shrugged. I have no idea why a level seven was sent to this dump either. But welcome to Gangs team. Maru looked around confused. What exactly was he supposed to do here? The moment the door creaked open, Maru hallucinated a chaotic battlefield, imagining the office staff slaughtering zombies and dissecting monstrosities. But reality struck him hard. It was just a mundane, soul sucking office like any other. The man in the loud Hawaiian shirt introduced himself as go to man. He was the eccentric team leader. Beside him, the woman adjusting her glasses was Yun J, a veteran with 7 years of service. Then there was the plank guy. Kimac had also survived here for 7 years. And finally, the social media addict Yosu, who had barely one year of experience under his belt. Leader Go issued a simple command. Get along or get out. Maru, sweating bullets, scanned the room for a safe haven. Was the pressure always this suffocating on the first day. Trembling with nerves, he tried to greet his new comrades, hoping to secure an ally. But then he made eye contact with Samu. The man sitting across from him radiated pure murderous intent, barking at Maru to avert his gaze. Poor Maru felt his spirit crumble instantly. Samu was clearly enraged. He was furious about being exiled to this desolate outpost. Desperate Maru shifted his focus to Yosu, who was blatantly ignoring work to browse luxury brands. Maru timidly asked what their duties actually entailed. Yosu gestured vaguely, explaining they were a special unit combating the yellow dust. There were 13 divisions scattered across Soul. Those ranked level seven or higher handled the glorious highstakes missions. But this isolated island, it was a dumping ground for the incompetent and the freaks. Maru felt a pang of recognition. He fit right in. That explained his placement perfectly. Yet an ominous chill lingered in the air. Yuk then chimed in, noting that some elites actually volunteered for this hell. Suddenly, heads turned toward the corner. That girl, her aura was different. She had been training with ferocious intensity. Maru, feeling the weight of the silence, straightened his posture. But her cold stare drilled right through him. Yan advised her to head home. Her shift was over, but she refused to move. She sat like a statue, claiming she had no home to return to. Kang Chana watched the drama unfold in silence. She observed Maru's arrival with suspicion. Something was wrong with her own mind. She had awakened today with her memories of yesterday completely wiped clean. Meanwhile, Maru received a shock that nearly stopped his heart. Hazard pay. The base salary was decent, but that bonus implied one thing. The danger level here was lethal. His life was essentially on the line every single second. Then Yosu dropped the bombshell. The pay was five times the national average. Maru's terror vanished, replaced by dollar signs in his eyes. That was a fortune. Yosu, annoyed by the newbie's excitement, told him to get lost. Maru sat back, bewildered, wondering what exactly he was supposed to do in this bizarre purgatory. Time slipped by. He was adapting to the rhythm of doing absolutely nothing. He never dreamed he'd land a job this easy with a paycheck this massive. Leader Go stretched his limbs, declaring the workday finished. He loomed over the two rookies, asking if the abyss of boredom had raised any questions. Samu offered a curt refusal, but Maru raised his hand. He needed to know the origin of their enemies. Where did the demons actually come from? Why did they exist? Leader Go merely shrugged. It was a mystery lost to time. Samu muttered that most believed they descended from the heavens. Maru realized the terrifying truth. No one knew the source of the monsters, yet no one seemed to care. Humanity was walking blind into extinction. It was maddening. Yet, these misfits continued their duties, ignoring the absurdity of their doomed existence. Meanwhile, deep within headquarters, Yu Yong descended via elevator. She found Jang transfixed before a glowing golden capsule. He asked for her assessment. She skimmed the data, noting that the frequency of monster manifestations had finally plateaued. But Jang couldn't tear his eyes away from the swirling yellow mist. What triggered this sudden surge? The answer remained elusive. Yu Yong suggested they were inching closer to the truth. Jang remained skeptical. His gaze shifted to the horror suspended in the tank. A fallen angel bound upside down, its white hair drifting in the fluid. Jang murmured his doubts. He ordered a state of maximum vigilance for all leaders. If the lower ranks discovered they had a celestial being in captivity, panic would tear the organization apart. The scene shifted back to the island. Maru was still confused. The team was grilling barbecue, celebrating as if it were their last meal on Earth. They explained the grim reality. This feast wasn't just dinner. It was a coping mechanism. Yosu mentioned the prophecy. Because the end was nigh, they chose to live each day like kings. Maru, bewildered, demanded a proper explanation. What was coming? Hoppin finally dropped the truth. There was a prophecy. In exactly one year, demons would rain from the heavens like a monsoon of death. Portals would tear open across the globe, and the soil of Earth would be drenched in human blood. Maru felt a chill run down his spine. That wasn't just scary. It was apocalyptic. Leader Go warned him to keep his mouth shut. This was top secret classified intel. Meanwhile, the team embraced hedonism. They encouraged everyone to drink until they passed out. Yuke wanted to flee, but Chana warned of the hangover. They had work tomorrow after all. It turned out Samu's kryptonite was alcohol. The tough guy was already unconscious. Maru pleaded for sanity, begging them to stop drinking. Why was he the only one terrified of the looming Armageddon and then, as if fate heard his thoughts, the atmosphere shifted. A golden light pierced the sky above the mountain. Space itself tore open. A gate manifested. Yellow dust poured out like a plague, and countless grotesque hands clawed their way into reality. The moment the first bald abomination stepped through every phone in the vicinity, screamed with an emergency alert. Yu Yong sighed, annoyed. Nighttime disasters were such a drag. She just wanted to relax. But amidst the chaos, Kang Chana rose to her feet, ready for war. She declared she'd returned shortly. But when he instinctively volunteered to join her, she shut him down cold. Instead, she dragged Han Maru along against his will. Now here he was, forehead glued to the cold car window, questioning every life choice that led him to this nightmare. Kang broke the silence, calling his name to quell his rising panic regarding after friv, the ominous prophecy. Maru insisted this wasn't a joke, but she radiated absolute confidence, assuring him that the higher-ups had already set the grand plan in motion. He might be oblivious, but a legion of elite hunters operated from the shadows at this very moment. their sole directive. Locate the demons and exterminate them. Maru was trembling with terror, yet simultaneously starruck by her overwhelming charisma. She then brought up his unique latent potential eyes sparkling with curiosity about his true strength. Maru felt a spark of hope. For the first time, someone actually believed in his worth. Then she dropped a bombshell observation about his voracious appetite, speculating it was a gluttony demon's trait. Maru was bewildered until she clarified the horrifying truth. He possessed the literal power to devour demonic entities. He recoiled at the thought, but the scene shifted instantly to a beast being skewered. Kang pinned the abomination effortlessly and turned to him with a sadistic smile. You're making me say it. Eat it. Beaming, she explained that his gut was the key to halting its regeneration. It was showtime, and it was time for him to take a bite. Maru hesitated, tearing at the writhing tentacle. He realized there was no escape from his duty. The creature was repulsive, but he tried to brainwash himself. It was just chewy octopus at a restaurant. He leaned in teeth bared, but only managed a pathetic nibble. Kang snapped, demanding he put some soul into it. He needed to chomped down like a predator. Maru sighed in defeat, nodded, and reluctantly began the grotesque feast. The next day, back at HQ, Maru was a walking corpse body, screaming in agony. Sang Wu smirked immediately, mocking Maru for vomiting yesterday like an amateur. Maru was too drained to argue, simply asking what the elite hunter expected from him. Sang Wu scoffed coldly. Someone of his lowc caliber shouldn't pollute their ranks. They needed assets, not liabilities. He should be on his knees thanking Commander Kang for her pity. With that, he walked away branding Maru as absolute irredeemable trash. Maru stood there roasted to a crisp. But deep down, he knew the jerk was right. He needed to awaken and evolve. That was when the siren blared. Kang Rose ready to summon him. But Maru was trapped in the restroom face buried in his hands, desperately trying to cope with his monstrous diet. His ability was a blessing, sure, but the condition was to consume hell beasts, which was a curse. As he stumbled down the corridor, he nearly collided with Kang, and his soul nearly ascended from his body in fright. She arched a brow, questioning if he was cowering in the toilet. Maru confessed he heard the alarm, but the food poisoning from that demon meat had crippled him. Kang sighed, lowering her gaze in disappointment. "So, you truly lack the resolve for this path?" she muttered. She clarified that serving the government wasn't mandatory just because he held power. There was an exit strategy sign, an NDA stating he would take the secret to his grave. The cost, living under the association's watchful eye until his dying breath, Maru was stunned. He naively assumed the alternative would be freedom, not a cage. Kang added grimly that this fate was preferable to a gruesome death on the battlefield. Those with fragile mentalities like his were the first to perish. The way he was acting, he would be deployed to save a civilian only to let them die due to his incompetence if he lacked the guts he needed to quit this instant. Kang leaned in her presence, suffocating, and whispered, "We don't need useless baggage. Damn." Maru was burnt by her words. Meanwhile, at the office, Kang assumed he had probably thrown in the towel. You'd expect the training montage here, but no. He stood on a bridge, actually, smiling for once. Maybe he wasn't cut out for the hero's journey. Maybe a life of surveillance beat dying in battle. The poor fool didn't realize he was the main character. Escape is never an option. Right then, his phone buzzed. It was his mother. He picked up already formulating his resignation speech and how he'd quit hunting monsters. He answered with a casual greeting. She chirped happily that she was hiking up In Wong Mountain. Maru froze. He slammed a hand over his face and groaned. How many times had he warned her, but then the connection quality crackled with static. His mother paused, voice trembling, asking why the air was suddenly thick with yellow dust. Instantly, his heart plummeted into the abyss. The line went dead. Oh no. The motivation ark just kicked the door down. At Inong Mountain, the suppression unit was already on site, bracing for a demonic manifestation. The guard stood paralyzed dread washing over them. One of them glanced up to witness a nightmare, perched in the branches, feasting on a human arm. A man crystal glinted ominously on its chest. The creature grinned, its forehead gleaming with malice, while Maru sprinted toward the mountain like a man possessed. But the security team was already annihilated. The level five demon was feasting on the rookies, leaving no one standing. Suddenly, a heavy set woman, the regional leader, crashed onto the scene. She activated her doppelganger technique, ordering the survivors to signal for reinforcements while she held the line. One survivor scrambled for a landline as cell service was dead in this cursed zone. It was their only lifeline. Back at headquarters, Yu Yong stared at the emergency alert, her fingers flying across the keyboard to coordinate a counterattack. The situation was critical. If that level five calamity broke through the containment and reached the city, the streets would run red with blood. Time was bleeding away. They had to mobilize immediately. Meanwhile, Maru arrived, but he wasn't just arriving. He was launching himself out of a taxi, dashing toward the entrance. He reached the terrified tour group, his eyes darting frantically for his mother. She wasn't there. Desperate, he begged the guides to let him pass. My mother is in there. But the guide blocked him, trembling about wild animals in the co area. Wild animals. Don't make me laugh. Maru knew the scent of the abyss. While the guards were distracted, securing the main gate, he scaled the mountain from the blind side. It was the most dangerous route, but the fastest. As he climbed, he sent a silent prayer to the heavens for his mother's life. Deep within the thick yellow myasma, someone struggled with a twisted ankle. It was his mother, the absolute matriarch, casually piggybacking an injured woman. She paused, sensing a disturbance in the fog. What in the world? She muttered. A hand reached out. It was Maru. He emerged, gasping for air. His mother spun around, eyes wide. How on earth did you track me down? He explained. He saw her social media update. She immediately tried to pivot to his new government job, but he cut her off. Not the time, Mom. The injured woman smiled weakly. "Oh, is this the son? I'm so happy for you. A government post is prestigious." Maru's mother beamed with pride. "Yes, now I just need to find him a wife, though he's hopeless with girls." Maru sighed heavily. "Can we focus, please? We need to evacuate." Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. The demon was directly above them. He looked up, locking eyes with the beast. Instantly, the trauma seized him. His breath hitched. His body froze. Every time he faced a monster, the PTSD hit. How could he possibly protect his mother when he was paralyzed by fear? The ambush came from below. The injured woman noticed the shift in atmosphere. Hey, that boy looks pale. Maru<unk>s mother screamed his name, shattering his trance. The demon turned snarling at. She reached for her son, but the monster lunged. Maru tried to intercept, but his feet tangled, and he tumbled down the slope like a novice. It was too late. The jaws were inches from his mother. Maru screamed in despair, but then steel flashed. The demon collapsed, black blood spraying from its back. Maru stared bewildered. "Where did those spectral blades come?" From his mother shrieked, "What is that thing?" Then she noticed a strange glow above her son. Maru looked up and realized the blades were his. Oh, holy hell. He had absorbed the skill of the demon he devoured earlier. Flashbacks hit him. The creature he killed before had this exact projectile ability. A sensation tingled in his spine as another knife materialized. This changed everything. He didn't just halt regeneration. He was a skill thief. He could plunder abilities. A dark smirk formed. All right, then. Let's take this power for a test drive. The demon was crawling away, surprisingly frail. That was suspicious. Why was the regional leader struggling against something this pathetic? Meanwhile, on a different ridge of the a mountain, a wounded soldier slumped against a fence. Two special agents from HQ loomed over him. Report. Trembling, the man stammered. The demon. It was a nightmare. It wiped out my entire squad. One agent rubbed his chin. Skeptical. Hard to believe. The regional leader is a rank seven powerhouse. The other agent, hair sllicked back, asked the crucial question. What was the level five's unique trait? The soldier whispered. It had the mirror skill back with Maru. The air shimmerred around the demon's spine. Maru's eyes widened in horror. The attack he just launched it had been copied. Before he could blink, the demon retaliated. Crystalline spikes impaled Maru's body. But there was no panic in his eyes, only shock. That bastard. It mimicked me. The demon advanced slowly, its forehead shining like a polished mirror. Maru instantly deduced the mechanic reflection. The monster mirrored his movements. If he struck, it would return the damage twofold. Behind him, his mother cried out. He turned to see her knee bleeding. She was fretting over his wounds, but he only cared about her safety. He lifted his shirt, revealing his accelerated healing. Don't worry, Mom. I'm built different. His abs were carved from granite supreme genetics activated. Now he knew if he wanted to save his mother, he had to slaughter this thing. He turned to her voice steady. Hide. I'll handle the trash. His mother looked terrified, but he squared his shoulders. I am a public servant tasked with protecting civilians. And today he would earn his keep. With a heartbeat to decide, he became a living projectile. He seized the beast by its waist and hurled them both into the abyss. Gravity took hold as they plummeted. His mother's scream pierced the heavens, scattering the crows in terror. Maru crashed onto a jagged ledge while the abomination spiraled into the darkness below. He rose his body screaming in agony flesh, knitting back together inch by inch. His only mission now was survival, not his own, but hers. He had to lure the demon away. Distance was the only shield he could offer his mother. If he could just stall for time, the mountain squad would descend to purge this evil, and balance would be restored. But the two enforcers arriving from headquarters walked straight into a nightmare. This wasn't a skirmish. It was an invasion. Instead of a single level five threat, a legion awaited them. A horde of monstrosities stood motionless. Their dead eyes locked onto the intruders. One agent scanned the eerie formation, the unnatural uniformity, sending shivers down his spine. The bald enforcer realized the horror the mountain leader possessed. A duplication art. She had been mimicked. He knew instantly to end this he had to shatter the original vessel. But amidst this sea of doppelgangers, locating the prime body was like finding a needle in a hay stack. The other agent, wearing a reckless grin, simply scoffed at the complexity. "Kill them all," he declared, "and the problem solves itself." He slammed his fist into the earth, unleashing a devastating shock wave. "The impact sent the lesser clones ragdolling through the air." The bald agent sighed, lamenting his partner's simple mind. Yet, he noticed one crucial detail. Judging by the chaotic movements of the horde, the master puppet wasn't among them. No, the true threat was elsewhere. The one gorging on the yellow essence directly beneath Maru. Maru realized with dread that this beast possessed a regeneration factor rivaling his own. The standoff was draining him. His stamina was plummeting from the constant self-repair. Suddenly, a familiar voice curdled his blood. "What is wrong, Maru?" The demon was wearing his mother's voice like a twisted mask. "Shut up!" Maru roared, blind rage guiding his hand as he hurled his knives. But his aim was pathetic. He cursed under his breath. Wielding a stolen ability was far harder than it looked. Meanwhile, the creature moved with terrifying calm, manifesting a jagged crystal and driving it deep into Maru's shoulder. Pain exploded, fueling his fury. He retaliated, unleashing a chaotic barrage of steel, miraculously, one blade found its mark, piercing the monster's shoulder. Maru cried out in triumph, but the creature merely grunted. A sickening crunch echoed as it reset its body, healing instantly. Maru's spirit plummeted. They wielded the same powers, yet the monster's recovery speed was superior. Wait, if its healing was faster, that meant its base durability was weaker. A memory flashed through his mind, a harsh lesson from Kangchana. Her voice cut through the noise. I get the feeling you never actually absorb a word I say. He remembered lying in the dirt, battered and bleeding, muttering that perhaps he was too weak for this world. But she had extended a hand pulling him from his self-pity. You are not weak, she had said. You are just terrified of the pain. He had to accept the truth. Inside the yellow mist flesh knitted back together. The agony was real, yes, but it was temporary. And to fuel that healing, he had to devour these demons. She had crushed his hand in her grip, forcing him to focus. He had asked for a strategy, a way to win. Kang Chana had paused before delivering the verdict. To slay a beast like that, you must sever the head, cut off its connection to the yellow dust. Since he lacked destructive offensive arts, his role was usually support. However, he possessed the ultimate shield, supreme regeneration. That meant he had no excuse to cower. He was built to tank the damage. He shouldn't be afraid to clash headon. Back in the heat of battle, a savage grin spread across Maru's face. If his body was the ultimate weapon, fear had no place here. Thanks to his gluttony skill, he had the raw power to end this. The issue remained his terrible aim. Hitting a fatal neckshot from a distance was impossible. The monster continued its psychological torture, mocking him with his mother's gentle tone. "What is wrong, Maru? That was the breaking point. Maru made a reckless choice. If he couldn't aim from afar, he would close the distance." He hurled another crystal as a distraction. The demon dodged effortlessly, but when it looked back, Maru was already airborne, a human missile descending. The creature panicked, spewing yellow mist to form a barrier, but Maru bit down on his knife, bracing for impact. Then, the beast seized him by the throat. It pulled him close, hissing into his face. Why do you struggle like this? It slammed him against a boulder before launching them both toward the summit, crushing Maru into the unforgiving earth. Oxygen left his lungs. He couldn't activate gluttony without his mouth, but the demon kept him at arms length. Then, the beast sank its fangs into his neck. First, Maru couldn't counterbite. In a frenzy, he ripped the knife from his back and drove it into the creature's side. Blood sprayed like a fountain. He tried to stem the flow, but the monster just watched with cold, dead eyes. Suddenly, vertigo struck. His vision swam. The wound. It wasn't closing. Had this monkey copied an anti- regeneration ability? Staring at the pooling crimson, he lost track of time. If he fell here, it was all over. Darkness began to creep in. Another memory surfaced. Another lecture from Kang Chana. She had sighed, looking down at him. How many times are you going to faint on me? He had tried to explain the panic, the loss of control. His chest would tighten, his mind would go blank, leaving only the primal terror of death. Her response was ruthless but necessary. That is exactly why you must conquer it. At this rate, the next time you fear death, it will become a reality. You are the final shield for the innocent. If you crumble, they die. Death seemed certain as his mother wandered the chaos, crying out his name. Yet against all odds, Maru clung to life, clutching. His bleeding neck, his visage twisted in agony. He seized a mana crystal. The monkey demon mocked him, mirroring the action. Suddenly, instructor Kang<unk>s teachings echoed in his mind. Even if this was the end, he would drag this beast to hell with him. Biting his lip until it bled, he unleashed a primal roar and charged straight into the abyss. The monster ducked, weaving past the attack to impale his ribs. But it was a trap. Maru had already launched his dagger skyward. The creature paused, confused by the feudal move. Maru seized the beast, eyes blazing. Every crystal he had scattered suddenly obeyed his command, flying straight for them both. The monster froze as the barrage struck home. A storm of shrapnel shredded man and beast alike. But the dagger he had launched moments ago, descended like the judgment of heaven, cleaving the creature's head from its shoulders. The body crumbled. Maru, trembling from blood loss, staggered back and collapsed into the darkness. Meanwhile, at headquarters, agents watched the signal vanish. Had they actually destroyed the original body? The bald commander denied it? No. An unknown variable had eliminated the threat. Back on the mountain, Maru's wounds began to knit together with supernatural speed. He had truly danced with death this time. Struggling to his feet to find his mother a chilling sound stopped him. His missing father's voice whispered from the void. Eat. The apparition pointed a spectral finger at the corpse. Go back and consume it. Maru finally understood the truth. That eccentric old man knew everything. This monster possessed a rare dormant power. If he devoured its essence, he might inherit a new ability. The prophecy of Godman flashed in his mind. In one year, monsters would reign from the heavens. Fueled by the burning desire to become a shield for his mother. He approached the carcass. He gripped the severed demon arm. Stealing his resolve, he began his grotesque feast. As power surged through him, his eyes sharpened with new intensity. From this day on, he would devour every powerful demon that crossed his path. He licked his lips, a predator born a new. Later, amidst the sterile white of the hospital, his mother awoke, confused about her collapse on the mountain. Strangely, she seemed unbothered, claiming her memory of the event was nothing but a haze. Maru breathed a sigh of relief. Logic dictated she should have been traumatized seeing the beast standing right before her eyes. He showed her the breaking news report regarding the mountain incident, imploring her to steer clear of danger henceforth. That was when she dropped a bombshell. She had ventured there chasing rumors of a man who bore a striking resemblance to his father. That was why she had gone. The gears in Maru's mind began to turn, connecting the sinister dots. His father had also vanished on a mountain. Was it linked to the demons? Suddenly, a repressed memory erupted from the depths. He was back in that forest, a child paralyzed by terror. Blood dripped from his mouth, life hanging by a thread as he watched his father's arm being devoured by a beast. It was a nightmare he had buried until this very moment. Then darkness threatened to consume him. But his mother's voice snapped him back to reality, worried by his ghostly power. Working for the government took a heavy toll. He lied. Still trembling, he forced a smile, assuring her he was just adjusting to the burden. Back at the bureau, a voice called out, "Officer Maru." He had tried to remain invisible, but there was no escaping now. He stepped forward, awkwardly greeting the team. "John wasted no time cornering him." "Where did you vanish to yesterday?" he demanded, eyes narrowing. Siamu scoffed with a sneer. "Isn't it obvious?" The coward turned tail and fled. Instead of revealing that he had left to save his mother's life, Maru simply bowed his head. Meanwhile, Kangchana, radiating an aura more stunning with every passing day, intervened. He was ill. I authorized his leave. Maru blinked in shock. Why was she shielding him? She simply held his gaze, her eyes silently, commanding him to stay quiet. Jon sighed, irritated. You should have notified the team, Captain. Kang offered a curt apology. Jon, however, wasn't ready to sheath his claws. A simple, "Sorry, doesn't fix a breach of protocol like that." Before the tension could explode, the siren blared. Kang instantly shifted into combat mode, dawning her. Battle gear, level two, demon detected. I'm moving out. Then a voice cut through the noise, shouting with unexpected fire, "I'm coming with you." The operations room fell deathly silent. Moments later, they were ascending the rugged mountain path. Maru apologized for staining her reputation. Kang shrugged it off coolly. "She admitted she thought he had fled because her training had been too brutal. But why return?" she asked. Maru was already drenched in sweat, gasping for air merely halfway up the slope. Yet his eyes burned with resolve to fight. Suddenly, yellow dust billowed from the earth. A grotesque massive silhouette emerged from the haze. The ground trembled as the beast charged. It was a titan resembling a gray obese elder roaring for blood. Kangana drew her weapon. It's a level two. But do not underestimate it. Remember, an elite squad was annihilated by a mere level five. Maru froze. He knew exactly which monster she meant. The very one he had slaughtered yesterday. Then the team social media addict casually chimed in. Those guys got lucky. HQ handled it. The main branch only deploys level seven agents, so they're on a god-like tear. Maru hesitated, heartpounding. Should he speak? Should he reveal that the level seven agent was actually him? The problem wasn't just his early departure yesterday, explaining that would take ages. But deep down, he craved acknowledgement. He desperately wanted him to realize that he had poured his blood and sweat into this too. But before he could utter a word, Kang's voice cut through. What in the world is that demon doing? The creature stood there, hands tucked deep under its arms, vigorously scratching its pits. Fall back, someone screamed in terror. Yet defying all logic, Maru took a bold step toward the beast and declared, "There is no need. I will handle this." Kang stared genuinely baffled. "Since when did a measly level one user believe they could challenge a level two threat?" Maru pointed a thumb at his chest. "That level one user is me." He faced the abomination, then cooly sllicked back his hair. It was time to demonstrate just how much he had evolved since slaying the beast on the mountain. He mirrored the monster's stance and began scratching his own armpits. I am not a useless burden to this team anymore. Instantly, a horrific soul-crushing stench flooded the air. The moan of the monster was pitiful. It sniffed, screamed in pure terror, and tried to flee. That was supposed to be times its times ability. Even Maru felt a wave of nausea at what he had done. Still, he grit his teeth and rushed in for a brawl. I am not losing to trash like this. His fist connected squarely with its stomach forcing the creature to stumble back. Yosu, meanwhile, frantically covered his nose, gagging. This isn't a fight. It is biological warfare. Kungcha was dizzy, swaying on her feet. How could a level seven hunter be brought to her knees like this? Maru kept flailing, his arms locked in a highintensity slap battle with the beast. The creature wailed, realizing its own foul power was being used against it. Finally, it vomited, collapsed, and passed out cold. Maru turned to his teammates, flashing a triumphant smile. I won right. Their expressions, however, were far from impressed. Later, as they scrubbed themselves raw in the river, Kangcha sat nearby, her gaze fixed on Maru. So, she began, "You really can't absorb demon abilities through gluttony." Maru nodded, explaining that the essence of the last demon he devoured granted him its specific power, which unfortunately was this. Yosu scoffed, seizing the chance to mock him. Oh, so that is what your whole dramatic speech was for all that epic buildup. For times, that times Maru felt his face burn with embarrassment. But Kang simply shrugged. It doesn't matter. You did well. You are improving. Maru blushed at the praise until she instantly ruined the moment by adding, "But honestly, it is still disgusting that you have to eat those things." Utterly humiliated, they left soon after claiming they needed to patrol for more demons. Maru sat alone, sighing at the injustice of it all. Why did I have to get stuck with Times that times monster? Why can't I ever look cool? Suddenly, a voice emerged from behind him. Are you Maru? Hanaru froze instinctively, covering his face. Who are you? It was Jang. He only had one question. Did you kill the level five demon on the mountain? Considering Maru was supposed to be a level one user. This accusation was extremely dangerous. Maru, feeling awkward, answered. Yes. Jang smiled, his aura shifting. I am here to take you to HQ in Soul. Maru blinked, stunned. Wait, is this a promotion? Jenang simply asked. You know what issue is right? Maru nodded slowly. As far as he knew, that was where the absolute elite gathered. So why was times he times being recruited? Jang smiling like a protagonist from a Kdrama. Answered because I recognize talent when I see it. Petition for the artist to spend less time drawing this handsome guy and use that extra time on the characters we actually care about. Back at headquarters, Yu Yong was grilling the director about why he had delayed the meeting. He explained calmly that a new recruit had caught his attention. She immediately asked if he was referring to his son, the kid named Samu. Oh, so that is why. I hated that bastard the the moment I saw him. He is a nepotism hire. The director sighed, explaining that the boy hadn't spoken to him since the divorce. But the person I am interested in isn't him. It is another new recruit. Yu Yong raised an eyebrow intrigued. You think the a sudden appearance of highle demons might be related to this recruit? He nodded gravely. I have a feeling. Keep an eye on Gangway Island. The scene shifted to another portal swirling with yellow dust. Inside what looked like a ruined house, a small twisted creature crouched in the shadows. Something that looked like a sickly mutated gremlin. Back at the police station, Maru was grinning like an idiot, absolutely thrilled that he had been invited to work at headquarters. This was huge. But then reality struck him hard. If they were calling him there, that meant it was even more dangerous than here. He had to remember safety first. Right now, he was in a beautifully peaceful workplace. Still, it felt damn good to be recognized by someone at the top. Right then, Samu was glaring at him from across the room. Why have you been walking around with that stupid smile all day? It was obvious how much this arrogant jerk hated seeing a level one weakling enjoying an easy life in this office. But for once, Maru fought back. You are the incompetent one. You wanted to work at HQ, but you are not there, are you? So, you don't have the right to say anything. Samu's face darkened instantly. He stood up fuming with rage. Say that again. He wasn't going to sit there and take moral lectures from someone who possessed the legendary ability of stinky armpits. Maru froze. Who the hell leaked that information? He glanced around, locking eyes with Yosu, who started frantically typing away at his computer, pretending to be busy. Maru immediately knew it was that bastard. Feeling the rage of a thousand sons, he lunged. Yosu instantly bolted, running for his life. Meanwhile, Chief Godman was laughing his head off while Jan shouted for everyone to stop, bullying Maru. Maru sighed, relieved. Jiwan, "You really are a good person." Then she clapped her hands with a bright smile and said, "At least." Kang breathed a sigh of relief, believing Maru was actually a good person deep down. She clapped her hands together, a smile forming on her lips. "Well, you aren't hiding in the restroom anymore, but you still weak of fear. That is progress." At those words, Maru felt his soul ascend right out of his body. The humiliation was endless. But what stung even worse was Kang's icy indifference. Even after Maru had saved her that day, she still viewed him as utter trash. Defeated, he stared down at Jon<unk>'s contact card. Jon had told him to reach out the moment he made his choice. Suddenly, Kang stood up, her voice cutting through the air. A level two anomaly has materialized. Before Maru could process this, Samu gripped his arm with a manic grin. I am taking point this time. The man was bored to death, looking like a bomb ready to detonate if he stayed inside one more second. He spun toward Maru. You are coming too, Rookie. We need some serious team bonding. Later on the mountain trail, the two of them were drenched in sweat under the brutal, unforgiving sun. But when it came to the thrill of the hunt, Samu was vibrating with more excitement than a child meeting a superhero. Maru, however, did not want to spend another heartbeat beside this battlecrazed lunatic. He just wanted to clear the dungeon and go home. Suddenly, Samu froze. This won't be as simple as you think. Maru followed his gaze. The entire safe house ahead was suffocating in a thick yellow myasma. Maru realized there had to be multiple entities inside, but Samu, blind to caution, ignored him and marched ahead, barking at him to keep up. The gate groaned open with an ominous creek. Maru hesitated at the threshold. His instincts screamed that something was wrong. The density of that yellow dust. It was thick enough to mask a level four catastrophe. They stepped inside and Maru whispered that they needed to retreat immediately. Monsters like this could ambush them from the shadows. But Samu just kept walking deeper into the abyss. Finally, they reached a green door. Maru knew the beast was waiting right behind it. Samu reached for the handle locked. Maru jumped in front of him. This is dangerous. We have no idea what is inside, but Samu had already snapped on his combat gloves. If you are too scared to open it, I will just smash it. He twisted his pinky finger, trying a delicate technique to pick the lock. Maru flinched, expecting an explosion, but nothing happened. He stood there confused, telling Samu to stop acting like an expert when he couldn't even bypass a simple latch. Samu scoffed and leaned in to peer through the keyhole. Sitting in the darkest corner of the room, he spotted it, a scrawny, pathetic looking devil. Samu shoved Maru aside so the rookie could see the creature trembling in the shadows. Maru muttered that it looked weak. But Samu's voice dropped to a grave whisper. Judge by the aura, not the size. That amount of spiritual pressure, this monster is at least level seven, maybe higher. Terror seized Maru<unk>s heart. Why would a calamity that powerful be on this remote island? Samu replied that he had no clue, but a twisted smile spread across his face. Now he understood why his blood was boiling. For years, he had been desperate to clash with a true apex predator. Maru had already turned to flee, screaming that this maniac was going to get them, killed, and that they needed to call headquarters instantly. He grabbed the front door handle to escape. It wouldn't budge. Panic set in as he slammed his shoulder against the wood. Why won't it open? Why can't we leave? And then the cold realization hit him. This wasn't a mechanical lock. It was a spatial barrier created by the demon inside. Meanwhile, Samu was violently kicking and punching the green door, screaming at the damned shutin to come out and fight him like a man. Maru, paralyzed by fear, did not want to spend a single second near that demon, and certainly not with this psychopath. He realized with horror that they were facing a Hikori type level seven disaster. The black-haired figure inside just stood there unmoving. Then a voice rasped out repeating a single mantra. Lonely. So lonely. As the creature chanted, its face began to warp and distort. Samu looked down at his own hand. The bones were completely shattered from his assault. Yet the door didn't have a single scratch. What kind of invincible material was this desperate Maru grabbed a heavy chair and smashed it against the window, but it bounced off like rubber? It seemed the lonely creature's ability was manifesting a trap house domain. Maru's chest tightened. The walls were closing in, triggering a severe panic attack. He could only pray that the team back at the office would realize they were missing. Two agonizing hours passed. Maru was furious, wondering if those bastards had completely forgotten their existence. Back at the office, the defense manager suddenly shouted, "We have a problem." Jan looked around, realizing they really had forgotten about the training mission in Busousan. The room exploded into chaos. Everyone started frantically flipping through files trying to salvage the situation. Kang Chana slammed her keyboard, bolted upright, snatched the mission file, and shoved it at the manager. He thanked everyone for their hard work, and dismissed them until tomorrow. Jon sank onto the couch, sighing that after such stress, they deserved a go. Nice coffee and some tranquility. The team relaxed, enjoying a moment of peace, until the realization struck them all at once. Where have those two been for the last 3 hours? The manager pald. This is exactly why you never send a rookie out alone. Suddenly, the goddess of the office, the beautiful and terrifying senior barked orders through the comms. She told Kang Chana and the others to hold their position. The artist had truly outdone themselves, capturing her divine fury. She stood up, her aura flaring. I am going too. I have a bad feeling about this. She stormed past Jon, who stared at her with wide eyes. Wait, that location is right next to that place. Are you sure you can handle it? It seemed the girl carried the weight of a heavy trauma. She ignored him, simply commanding them to hurry. If one had to wager a trillion dollars, it was a safe bet that demons had slaughtered her family. That was the only thing that could fuel such a murderous determination to kill them all. The scene shifts to the safe house tension hanging thick in the air. As voices cry out through the settling dust, a menacing shadow looms closer. The desperate group screams, begging them to hold the door, but fate is cruel. The heavy door slams shut right in their faces. Safe but terrified, the fools collapse, gasping for air on the floor. Jan demands a sitrep immediately as the situation is explained. They stand guard by the entrance, realizing a horrifying truth. The demon outside has no intention of leaving. That is when Kang commands everyone to stand back. Blood magic activates. She draws a blade from her very flesh, forming a crimson katana. She strikes with killing intent, but the barrier is impenetrable. Yosu trembles in fear, terrified that even a direct hit didn't leave a single scratch. Jan steps up with a smirk. Leave it to me. She rolls up her sleeve to reveal a dark ominous orb embedded in her skin. Summoning technique. A tiny spider named Minnie appears. Go demon spider. But oh no, the lock is too small for the chubby arachnid. Mission failed. Our boy Maru watches her console, the rejected spider, thinking she might be the most eccentric one yet. Sano turns his frustration on Tik Tok. Do something, clockman. But the time user claims he has zero combat ability. Maru seizes the chance to roast him, calling him useless in a fight, but the boy fires back with venom. Look who's talking. Where are all those abilities you absorbed? Why not use the needle power to pick the lock? Tension spikes between them. Our protagonist explains the limitation. The creature is out of range. He's blind here. His powers can't bridge the distance. Despair begins to set in. Shan Wu voices the fear in everyone's hearts. Who saves us now? We are alone. Jan delivers the bad news. The guild master is away on a training arc and won't return until tomorrow. Yosuk reminds them of one last hope Kimmy back is nearby. Suddenly, a chill runs down their spines. The elderly bespectled man materializes from thin air. He arrived unnoticed because no one else had returned. The group shuddters. This weirdo has zero presence, the ultimate stealth skill. He approaches the lock to inspect it. Jan asks if he can crack it, but suddenly he drops to the floor and falls asleep. Maru is baffled. Is this the composure of a master or just a bizarre quirk? Jan admits she has no clue what his actual ability is. She has never seen him fight. The rookies are devastated. Every reinforcement has been utterly useless. Joan claps her hands trying to rally their spirits. Focus. We find a way out together, but Sahune is drowning in pessimism. We tried everything. It's over. She asks if he is ready to just give up and die. Tik Tok suggests waiting for the leader. Meanwhile, our boy Maru bites his nails, anxiety gnawing at him. He notices Kang standing frozen in the background. Why is she just staring? Something feels off. Yosu wonders why the demon outside has stopped its assault. Suddenly, the earth groans. A massive tremor shakes the foundation. Kang's eyes widen and she sprints toward the main hall. It's coming from inside. She throws open the door and witnesses a nightmare. The entire room is shifting. The walls and ceiling are closing in. The house itself is shrinking. Sonu realizes the enemy's trap. It is a spatial compression domain. It will keep shrinking until the entire house is reduced to a single crushed point. Maru realizes the horror. Since the walls are indestructible, they are going to be flattened like pancakes. They need a miracle. Flashback to 4 years ago. The mountains are lush and green. We see a younger, brighter Kang arriving. I'm home. A cheerful greeting. Her little sister runs to embrace her. A picture perfect family moment. But in this world, happiness is often a prelude to tragedy. The sisters were inseparable, dreaming of the future. They talked of growing old together with grandma. Kang spots a scribble on the wall. Stop drawing or grandma will scold you, but her sister smiled. It's our happy family portrait. That drawing. It was right there on the wall. Back in the present, the wall with the drawing is shrinking. This isn't just a base. It's her childhood home. Rage explodes. She activates her mummy blood art, summoning a colossal blade. She hacks wildly at the encroaching walls, but the space keeps compressing. Her blade begins to crack. She pushes her limits, burning more life force. Bandages wrap around her as her skin turns deathly gray. Jan screams, "Stop! You'll kill yourself!" Maru dives into the chaos. He yanks her back just as her sword shatters and the wall crushes the space. Tears stream down her face as she watches her memories disappear into nothingness. She collapses, completely spent. Guiwan tries to rouse her, but our protagonist knows the cost. She fainted from severe blood loss. Maru is confused. Why risk death for a wall? Samu reveals the heart-wrenching truth. This house was her grandmother's legacy. She lost her entire family within these walls. It was the only piece of them she had left. At that moment, Maru finally grasped the heavy burden weighing on her soul. Yos grimly announced that the dimensional compression had paused, but the relief was temporary. They were trapped in a shrinking coffin. Time was ticking before the very walls crushed them into nothingness. Witnessing Kang rip a fragment from the wall with bare hands, Yan recited the ancient marshall proverb. Water dripping on stone eventually pierces through. Hours bled into eternity. The forest echoed with the symphony of their desperate attacks. Ru had achieved the impossible, carving a tiny fissure after a billion strikes. Their stamina was drained, their monores completely empty. Hope seemed to fade until a blade clattered onto Maru's lap, Samu declared it was his turn to shoulder the burden, dragging his battered body up. Dying of thirst, but fueled by sheer willpower, but Kang intercepted him, snatching the weapon with a steely gaze, she commanded him to recover his strength, taking the weight of destiny upon herself. She approached the barrier, grinding the blade against the impossible surface. The main character noted the eerie cleanliness of this abandoned estate. It was unnatural for a ruin to be so pristine, proving that someone or something had been meticulously maintaining this cursed ground. She revealed the chilling truth. She had been honing her blade, waiting for the return of the demon that slaughtered her kin. Maru questioned her certainty. How could she know the beast would return? Her eyes darkened as she described the entity from that nightmare. It wasn't a mindless beast. A creature with a twisted feminine silhouette had stepped from the gate, freezing her blood with pure terror. But the true horror lay beside it. A second entity approached, possessing a masculine form and an aura of overwhelming dread. These weren't simple monsters. Their eyes held the spark of intelligence. A dark purpose that transcended mere slaughter. If the ancient prophecy held true, the demons would descend once more. Maru finally understood why a high-ranking level seven user remained on this island. She asked if her cliche backstory disappointed him. But Maru scoffed. He was a pragmatist trapped by circumstance, driven only by the promise of a fat paycheck. She resumed her assault on the wall, striking with rhythmic fury, predicting his talent would soon land him in the legendary Sue Guild, where the rewards were astronomical. So, he pressed for details, and she revealed she had witnessed the guild master scouting him personally. But before the secrets of his potential could be unveiled, the dungeon roared to life. The spatial contraction began once again. Chaos erupted. Screams tore through the air as the team scrambled for the hallway. Maru's mind raced, burning with curiosity about her unfinished sentence. By dawn, their prison had shrunk by half. Exhaustion hung over them like a shroud, the team teetering on the brink of collapse. Yosu declared their survival hinged on the leader, but the man was nowhere to be found. Tension spiked as their hope dwindled. Meanwhile, Kimyak was still Comeos, locked in peaceful slumber while the world ended. The main character's patience finally snapped. While they fought for every breath, this guy was napping. Suddenly, the foundations trembled. The final collapse was imminent. They moved to drag the dead weight, but Kim Yak rose like a revenant. His body coated in grotesque fungi, resembling a ghost from the underworld. Panic surged, but Kim Yak simply smiled through the mold, declaring that the trap was finally sprung. The perfect moment had arrived. The door burst open. The creature fled in sheer terror, its body consumed by the parasitic spores. The team shook Kim, demanding answers. He casually revealed his hidden class ability, the mold fungus demon arts, a slowb burn curse that guaranteed inevitable death. The team erupted in cheers, praising his genius strategy while he rubbed his neck in embarrassment. But the veterans remained vigilant. The war wasn't over. The demon wept in agony until the shadows on its back writhed. A horror show unleashed as a swarm of entities burst from its flesh. Dozens of eyes locked onto the hunters. The lonely monster was a hive mind all along. Maru's blood ran cold at the sight. As the swarm lunged, a crimson threat of fate pulsed from the host. Kang shouted orders, commanding the support to vanish, activating her zero presence technique. She faded from perception, becoming a phantom on the battlefield while keeping the aggro. She danced through the horde, her blades singing a song of death. But the hallway was a tactical nightmare, restricting her great sword's ark. The environment betrayed her, her weapon lodged in the wall, and the swarm capitalized instantly, crawling along the steel like insects. Death loomed over her, but our boy launched himself into the fray, biting into the enemy with feral desperation, risking it all. As the jaws of death closed around him, he thrust his hand toward the heavens. The ceiling began to descend, crushing everything below. But the main character roared in defiance, unleashing his latent power. The mirror ability flared to life, halting the crushing weight with a telekinetic command. His allies gasped in awe, but the battle raged on. Suddenly, a demon's head detonated. Samu had activated his voodoo link. By snapping his own pinky finger, he crushed the enemy's skull, screaming for the level one rookie to stay behind the shield. Maru tried to warn him, but the shadows were too fast. Fangs sank into Samu's shoulder, tearing through his defenses from all angles. He was overrun. a mountain of monsters burying him when suddenly a massive white blur pierced the chaotic mass. Joan's tiny spider had evolved, transforming into a colossal beast. She stood with eyes closed, mentally commanding the arachnid predator. The tide turned. Kang became a whirlwind of steel. Samu crushed bones with his bare hands. The team synchronized perfectly. Safe inside the barrier, Shau and our boy locked eyes, sharing a smirk amidst the carnage, admitting that their crazy friends were actually pretty reliable. While others were making fools of themselves, Yan sensed something wrong with the endless flow of monsters. The moment he locates the source, our hero dashes forward, vowing to end this nightmare right now. He commands Kang and Simu to clear a bloody path, diving past the beastly horde and crashing into the secret chamber. Hidden behind a wall of wretched clones, the main body was crouching in the shadows like a coward. He realizes the trick. Every time a clone was struck, a new one spawned. So Maru raises his hands, summoning his power. If you want to hide, stay there forever. He brings the entire ceiling crashing down to crush the summoner. But his power was too effective. The roof collapsed with catastrophic speed, and he desperately reached out for salvation. His friends grabbed him, pulling him from the jaws of death just as the dust settled. The crowd outside erupted in cheers. They praised his magnificent mirror ability, calling it a miracle. But Kang gazed at the ruins with a heavy heart. Memories of her grandmother and brother lingered in that destroyed home. Maru noticed her sorrow and canceled the skill. The battle was over. He turned his gaze to the fallen creature, his predatory instincts taking over as he moved to devour it. The others watched in confusion, but he had done this before. He had to act fast to absorb the lingering yellow manust. Channeling the creature's stolen power, he began to manipulate the debris, pushing the broken walls back into place. However, the reconstruction drained the monodust rapidly, and soon his telekinetic grip faded into nothingness. Kang gently grabbed his arm, whispering that it was enough. Thanks to him, the family drawing was restored on the wall. Back at the office, the chief arrives in high spirits, sensing good fortune, only to find the headquarters completely empty. He had traveled all the way to Busousan for this legendary bread, yet his subordinates were nowhere to be found. He checks the breakroom wondering if those brats were sleeping in. Suddenly, a call comes in from Director Jong. The director demands to know why Maru refused the summons to headquarters. The chief is left speechless. He glances at the girls sleeping peacefully, looking like angels, while our boy sits there covered in sweat and grime. His life was far from perfect, but looking at them, he realized he was finally finding his place in this chaotic world. Suddenly, the scene cuts to a nightmare. Our protagonist is being torn in half. Someone screams for him to run. But wait, let us rewind the clock 7 hours. That is what I call a massive spoiler, folks. Earlier, our boy was dying of exhaustion, lamenting that earning money as a hunter was harder than fighting demons. Just then, the roar of an engine approaches. Of course, it is a Porsche, and driving it is the filthy rich rival, Shaun Wu. Shameless as ever, our hero begs for a ride, but the arrogant young master speeds off, leaving him in the dust. The social media addict appears, cursing his jealousy. How does a public servant afford a foreign supercar? Maru sigh, agreeing that the guy is simply an oddball. But then Yok drops some harsh truth. It does not matter how rich or handsome he is. With that trash personality, he definitely has zero friends. They laugh, but Maru's smile fades. He realizes he is poor, friendless, and lacks a car. He is losing at everything. Cutting to the office, the team arrives looking like walking corpses, completely drained of energy. The chief welcomes them with open arms, calling our boy an amazing level seven user. Maru pushes him away, confused. Zaan explains the logic. Since he devoured a level seven monster, he has inherited its rank and power. A teammate slaps his back, admitting they thought he was dead weight, but he has finally proven his worth. Our boy blushes the warmth of recognition spreading through his chest. It felt good to be acknowledged. Yosu adds that his potential is limitless. A hunter who grows stronger with every meal is unheard of. Suddenly, Shan Wu slams his desk. Work hours have begun. Stop this idol chatter immediately. Our poor hero realizes this petty rival hates him simply because he used to be a weak level one user. Now he has to suffer the wrath of a jealous superior. Just then, the beautiful Kang taps his shoulder. Can we speak privately? Outside on the bench, the autumn breeze blows. As he asks what is wrong, she thanks him for restoring her grandmother's house. He scratches his head, humble as always. We are a team after all. But then she turns to him with intense eyes. After yesterday, I am finally certain about my feelings regarding you. His heart begins to pound. Is this a confession? Is spring finally coming to his lonely life? But tragedy strikes, she continues. I am certain you are not a level one user. Talk about a mood killer. He asks for an explanation and she argues that no level one could recover that fast. He recalls the first beast he ate, but then Kang pierces him with a question asking if he had witnessed a creature of the abyss before his time here. He pauses, claiming such a nightmare would be etched into his soul forever. Yet in that split second, a phantom smoke coils behind her. Pure terror seizes his heart. A chaotic vision of a black claw and a humanoid wolf drooling with hunger sends his pulse into overdrive. The can slips from his trembling fingers. Kang asks what is wrong, and he stammers, trying to mask the darkness, clouding his mind. He blames his imagination, but she sees right through him. She grips his hand, her warmth anchoring him, promising that he is safe in her presence. I wish I could believe that too, but she knows now demons from his past are haunting him. Suddenly, De Man breaks the tension. He teases them, asking if their little office romance is finished. Our boy flushes Red frantically, denying any such bond, but Kang shuts it down with cold logic. She states that in one year only rain and monsters will remain, so love is meaningless. She claims their partnership is purely for survival. That rejection, it struck him with more force than a level 10 monster's ultimate attack. That was a critical hit to his pride. While he lies there spiritually defeated, De Man laughs and our boy tries to salvage his dignity. He stutters out an excuse, but deep down her cold pragmatism sliced right through his heart. Time flows on. Juan suggests checking the alerts before deployment. Meanwhile, Kang and our protagonist ascend the mountain peaks. The air between them has been heavy ever since that brutal conversation on the bench. He feels unworthy just standing in her shadow. Kang reaches the equipment, analyzing the cursed yellow dust. Maru, however, sinks into a pit of despair. He convinces himself that romance is a fool's dream. When the apocalypse is ticking down, both are consumed by their own dark thoughts. They ponder how to exterminate this plague of beasts. When suddenly, the silence is shattered by a ring, a distress signal. It is a call from zone 3. Yosk speaks with trembling urgency. Leader Dean has fallen and the entity is moving their way. He warns them that words are the weapon here, but before he can explain, the signal is severed by static. Kang's face pales. Dean was a level 10 ability user, a powerhouse, and he was crushed. Maru cannot believe his ears. That lazy elite was defeated. The yellow dust thickens like a shroud, and Kang screams for him to stay sharp. This is no ordinary foe. The aura approaching them is unlike anything they have ever felt. A silhouette forms in the mist, and the pressure brings them to their knees. A slender creature clad in a kimono manifests. It blinks a single unnerving eye, freezing the blood in their veins. It speaks with terrifying elegance, expressing joy at meeting humans and politely requests a moment of their time. It seeks an audience with the ruler of this territory. Maru is paralyzed. This monster does not just roar. It converses with intelligence. Kang orders him to raise his guard, but the entity raises a hand, claiming it harbors no hostility and seeks only dialogue. Maru is baffled. A demon wanting to talk, but then a memory flashes Yosk's warning not to listen to its voice. Yet, our reckless protagonist ignores the danger. Sensing an opportunity to uncover the secrets of the enemy, he demands to know its origin. The creature smiles, revealing it hails from Naraka. Maru is confused, so the demon enlightens him. It is the deepest pit of the underworld, the true hell, a prison where those who committed unforgivable sins are cast into infinite darkness, forced to slaughter each other for eternity. The gears in Maru's mind begin to turn. He asks the forbidden question, "Does this mean every monster here was once human?" The realization hits him like a sledgehammer. He remembers devouring the beasts. He has not just been eating monsters. He has been eating people. Violent nausea overcomes him. The demon then smiles, declaring, "It is now its turn to ask a question." Maru trembles, but Kang grips his arm, shouting for him to silence his mind. She knows the truth hidden behind that mask. This is the entity that destroyed their leader. She summons a massive spear pulsating with power, but the demon sigh at the violence. Kang does not hesitate. She lunges with killing intent, but the creature merely smiles, whispering that vengeance won't resurrect the dead. She freezes mid-strike. With a single finger, it deflects her devastating attack as if she were nothing more than a child. It pierces her psyche, blaming her weakness for her brother's death. Memories she buried deep come flooding back in a tidal wave of pain. She sees her brother again, a boy who looked so much like Maru, standing as a shield, his chest torn open to save her. He had told her to run before collapsing in her arms. The phantom sensation of his blood returns, drowning her in despair. How could this monster know her darkest trauma, it taunts her, saying that as the elder sister, her duty was absolute, yet she failed. The boy died because she was weak. Maru screams her name as she collapses, catching her falling body. But wait, blood is pouring from her, yet the demon never touched her. Maru realizes the horror this monster's words are physical blades. It attacks the mind to destroy the body, and they are in grave danger. For if anyone has a fragile psyche, it is our protagonist. The demon suggests they continue their chat, dismissing the broken girl, but Maru's fear ignites into fury, and he refuses. Maru commands the beast to silence its vile tongue before launching himself like a cannonball at the demon. He swears he will crush it for daring to speak of. His fist connects with the force of a sledgehammer, smashing the demon's skull against the jagged rocks. The creature is still realigning its jaw. When Maru is Gin already descending for a second devastating strike, but suddenly a chilling laughter echoes through the air. So that is what triggered you. The monster sneers. Did that rejection sting a little too much? Maru freezes instantly. It is as if an invisible arrow has pierced his very soul, stopping him dead in his tracks. Well, well, he stammers in absolute confusion. That that makes no sense. He has never faced rejection before. Such trivial things should not shake his resolve. So why does the day the world suddenly spin around him? He swears he holds no romantic love for her. He only respects her as a legendary and powerful senior. Meanwhile, she remains prone on the earth, whispering broken apologies. Maru hesitates, but the phantom pain in his chest flares into agony. He coughs up a violent spray of crimson blood. The demon grips a stone, his eyes gleaming with malice. I detest human emotions. It hisses. They are crutches for the rose. Even when I walked as a human, such feelings were beneath me. It looms over Maru, its shadow swallowing him whole. Why the silence, boy? Did a cat get your tongue? Now Maru finally realizes the terrifying truth. This is why even level 10 ability users fell before this beast. The demon tosses the rock high, signaling the end. It is time to close the curtain. Since the boy has lost his voice, he shall die silent. As the boulder plummets toward his skull, Maru thinks, "Unless a savior with a heart of ice appears, there is no boulder. Hope for my salvation." The rock is inches from crushing him when suddenly the demon's body twists in unnatural agony. The emotionless bastard has finally arrived on the stage. He demands to know why a level one scrub is napping on the battlefield. Our boy grins through the pain, saying he has never been so relieved to see a total sociopath in his life. But the icy prince is already irritated, asking why this fool is grinning like a maniac. At death's door, suddenly Wu hears the demon mutter, "Huh, that one actually stung a little." The beast cracks its uh neck back into place. My vocal cords are forged of steel. It taunts, especially against such pathetic low-level strikes. Now, the monster was targeting their very egos. Both warriors prepared to silence this loudmouth once and for all. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder, face to face with the abyss. Maru warned Son Wu urgently. Guard your mind. That bastard uses psychological warfare. But Son Wu simply scoffed. Watch and learn. I will show you how it is done. Obviously, our boy was furious. He wanted to slay this arrogant beast himself, but he had no choice. Survival came first. They had to deal with this threat together. See Wu snapped another finger, and with that, a chunk of the demon's el torso shattered into dust. The monster immediately weaponized the opening to taunt him. If that is the limit of your power, you will never earn your father's approval. But Son Wu did not flinch. He simply continued his barrage, breaking finger after finger to tear the monster apart. The breaking with not flung. Creature chuckled darkly. Ah, I see. You are hollow inside, just like me. A fitting fate for the son of a woman who took her own life after being discarded by her husband. Damn. The tragic backstory was spilling out. This explained why Sean Wu<unk>s soul was so twisted. Obviously, Maru was stunned. He had no idea. He thought the guy was just some spoiled golden spoon brat. Even a heart of ice should crack under such a mental assault. But then Maru froze in horror. Wu was laughing. The bastard sneered. What does that matter? It wasn't my fault. It was hers for being too weak. He struck the demon's neck with brutal precision. In this world, only the strong deserve to live. The monster grinned, sensing the crack in the armor. If that is true, then you are not long for this world. You are far weaker than Hanaru. Now times that times psychological attack landed a critical hit. But our boy dove in, blocking the lethal strike just in time. I have decoded its pattern, Maru shouted. It disorients you with trauma and then fires a blade from its gullet. Right on Q, Kang swooped in like a Valkyrie. Her blade sliced the creature's tongue cleanly off, leaving it writhing in agony. She asked if Maru was safe, and our nonent. The boy was instantly lover struck. As expected, she is magnificent. I am falling for her all over again just like a fool. But he slapped his cheeks focus on the battle. He grabbed Sean Wu by the collar, shaking him violently to wake him up. But damn, being called weaker than Han Maru had completely shattered his ego. On one hand, our boy felt a surge of pride that someone as elite as Sean Wu was jealous of him, but he stomped on the guy's foot to snap him out of it. Get over it. Being worse than me isn't a death sentence. You might be annoying, but right now you are still cooler than I am. Suddenly, the light returned to Seon Wu<unk>s eyes. He scoffed with his usual arrogance. Obviously, after all, you remain nothing but a trash tier level one. The three warriors turned to face the boss, knowing they had to slay it before nightfall. If the sun set, they would be at a fatal disadvantage. Maru hesitated. How were they supposed to close the distance? If he got too close, that deadly tongue would strike again. But Kang declared, "Now is our chance. For now, it cannot speak to cast its spells." However, Sean Wu objected instantly. She is in no condition to fight. Look at the wound on her. Her chest, it refuses to heal. In that split second, Maru made a reckless choice. He bolted to the flank, needing to create an opening against this monster. He started waving his arms wildly like a madman. Hey, you ugly [ __ ] I am right here. The creature turned its gaze toward him. The bait was taken. That was the opening he had been praying for. He screamed at Seon Wu to protect Kang while he unleashed his new power. Power surged through his veins, but the restriction was absolute. His ability only triggered within closed spaces. Kang screamed out, begging Sun Wu to save Maru before his recklessness became a death sentence. Meanwhile, our protagonist was sprinting for his very life with a nightmare beast snapping at his heels. His eyes darted frantically, hunting for any kind of enclosed sanctuary, but the streets were barren, no cover in sight. Just as despair began to set in a luxury, car screeched to a halt beside him. It was Sunw slamming the brakes and commanding him to get in. Without a second thought, Maru leaped toward the vehicle. Though he felt a spike of jealousy that this billionaire brat would risk such a priceless ride, he didn't hesitate. He dove through the open sunroof, aiming for safety as the monster closed the distance. The beast lunged, aiming a fatal strike at the car while Maru screamed for Sun Woo to seal the entrance. But this this was actually a trap. The creature dove inside and Sun Woo locked the doors tight. The plan was in motion. Maru prepared to escape, thinking the trap was sprung. But suddenly the nightmare scenario played out. Our boy was shredded into 36 pieces. The monster grinned, crawling from the wreckage, satisfied with the kill. But then a grip of steel seized its neck. The beast froze, realizing its mistake. That is when the truth was revealed. The instant he entered the car. Maru had triggered his clone ability. Now a legion of clones swarmed the beast, dragging it back into the darkness, devouring it alive. The monster shrieked in agony, desperately searching for the real body hidden amongst the shadows. Sun Wu pounded on the glass, screaming at the fool to get out. Then Kang arrived, watching in horror as the car became a chaotic battlefield. The monster wheezed, bargaining for its life, asking if they could just talk this out. It taunted Maru, asking if he was naturally violent, just like his father. Then a psychic shockwave hit him. Maru was dragged into the depths of a suppressed memory. Tears blurred his vision as his father hoisted him up, roaring for him to sigh. Stop crying. Stop what the monster whispered. How did it feel when he abandoned you? Maru refused to listen to another word. He smashed his hands against his ears, rupturing his own eardrums to silence the lies. Blood streamed down his face as he told the beast to stop toying with human hearts. The creature mouthed silent words, trying to weave its spell, but Maru just scowlled. If he couldn't hear the taunts, they held no power. With cold determination, he clenched his fist, and the trap sprung shut. The vehicle ceiling collapsed inward. Kang rushed to intervene, but Sun Wu held her back, telling her it was too late. The car shook violently as the crusher did its work. Inside, our boy had been reduced to a pool of crimson. Kang watched the golden energy fade. The car was crushed into a cube of scrap metal. She stepped forward, her voice trembling, insisting they had to save him. Sun Wu shook his head, declaring the kid had been dead for a while now. But Kang refused to yield. As long as the golden dust remains, there is hope. She tore at the wreckage with bare hands, screaming at Maru for his idiocy. Why sacrifice himself like this? Then fate answered. Sun Wu jumped in to help fueled by the same desperate hope. Meanwhile, Maru drifted in a void, completely detached from reality. He couldn't feel his body, only the grim satisfaction of taking that loud-mouthed monster down with him. Then he tried to recall the creature's silent warning. The abyss was hunting him. He needed to remember the call. As consciousness faded, he wondered, "What the hell is the call?" Suddenly, a voice commanded him to wake up. His eyes snapped open in a crimson dimension. His clothes writhed like living shadows. A hand emerged from his stomach, and then a black furry beast began to crawl out of his very skin. Maru, clearly in agony, demanded to know what this abomination was. The entity stepped forward, asking a single question. Do you remember? A memory unlocked. Back to his childhood. The first time he saw the beast, the monster had stared at both him and his father. Maru, terrified, had begged his dad to run, but his father gripped him tight and said, "No." From this day forward, we fight. Tears streamed down young Maru's face as he begged to know why. That was when his father revealed the truth. They needed to seize that bastard's unique ability. He dragged his son toward the abyss, declaring their destiny. Then he threw the boy to the wolves. The moment the beast raised its head, Maru was seconds away from being devoured. Back in the present, Sun Wu sacrificed his fingers, tearing through the jagged metal. Deep within the wreckage, at the very bottom, they found him. Maru, encased in a blood red seal, preserved like a relic. In amber, Sunw declared the dust was gone. Recovery seemed impossible. He looked away, believing. Hope had finally been extinguished. Meanwhile, Kang gripped Maru's hand, calling out to his spirit. Suddenly, a finger twitched. They stared in disbelief. Like a demon rising from hell, Maru began to generate his own golden aura. His broken, sickening crunches echoed as bones snapped and reshaped, leaving the witnesses frozen in absolute terror. His body had miraculously reconstructed itself. But the toll was too great, and darkness claimed his consciousness as he face planted into the dirt. San Wu wasted no time, his foot slamming down on the unconscious boy, demanding to know what kind of abomination lay before him. Maru, barely clinging to the mortal coil, groaned in agony as San Wu hauled him up by the collar. his rage boiling over. How was he summoning the yellow dust? In theory, his only awakened ability was the gluttony skill, nothing more. But then, a terrifying realization struck Maru like a thunderbolt. Gluttony was merely the second curse he had inherited. The first was that monster's power forced upon him by his own father in a memory he wished he could forget. Panic seized his heart, sending him crashing back to the earth, while San Wu relentlessly grilled him for answers. Kang, the voice of reason amidst the chaos, stepped in to shield the broken boy, insisting he needed time to heal, not an interrogation. She proposed a pact of silence, begging them to keep this dark secret buried within their threeperson squad. San Wu recoiled, arguing that letting a potential demon roam free was nothing short of insanity. Headquarters had to know, but Kang held her ground, declaring her absolute faith in Han Maru<unk>s humanity, believing he would never become a threat. San Wu clicked his tongue in disgust, washing his hands of the brat's fate as he stormed off, leaving Kang to shoulder the heavy burden alone. On the train ride back, the mental toll weighed far heavier than the physical fatigue as our protagonist wrestled with his grim reality. He tried to make sense of the gluttony skill, but suddenly a demonic visage glared back at him from the windows reflection. Maru jolted in pure fright, prompting Yoso, who sat beside him, to snap at him to stop acting like a lunatic. clutching his chest as his heart hammered against his ribs. Maru asked if his senior had a moment to listen to his troubles. Yosuo shut him down instantly, cold as ice, stating it was better for everyone if they remained strangers outside of work. Maru sank into his seat, realizing with a heavy heart that in this cold corporate world, he was truly alone. The scene shifts to a dimly lit bar where Kim Wu was desperately negotiating his escape from the notorious mountain group. The chubby hunter hesitated, his voice trembling before finally agreeing to the transfer. But his eyes darted to the stranger at the table. It was our boy Han Maru, an uninvited guest, who simply confessed that his life was a living hell, and he craved company. Yoso turned to Kim Wu, noting how rare it was to meet a defector from another team, and asked what drove him away. Woo revealed the toxic atmosphere and endless internal conflicts that made the mountain group unbearable. Yoso scoffed correctly, guessing that it wasn't just arguments, but a systematic case of one-sided bullying. Our protagonist leaned in, asking if the rumors of the legendary office hazing were actually true. It was confirmed. Woo was simply too kind for a world of wolves, and he should have caused a scene before leaving, just as Yoso once did. Maru was clueless about the office lore until Woo dropped the bombshell that Yoso had once been the primary victim of their brutality. A chill ran down Maru's spine as he wondered what kind of monsters masquerading as humans populated that team. Yosuo explained darkly that even among demon hunters, there were humans with souls far more twisted than the beasts they hunted. Some public servants were more dangerous than the targets, a fact that made Maru recall Sanu's warning about his own potential corruption. As dread pulled in his stomach, he wondered if he too was destined to become one of those dangerous aberrations. Later, while driving the chubby hunter home, Maru asked if they had reached their destination yet. They arrived at Woos family noodle shop, but the warm welcome was cut short as Woos face drained of all color. A towering giant standing nearly four meters tall had arrived, claiming he was looking for the defector, but found Yoso instead. Without a shred of mercy, the giant delivered a devastating kick to Yoso's chest before crushing his head beneath a heavy boot. He sneered that if Wu wanted to leave, he should have done so quietly instead of scorching the earth on his way out. The giant continued to brutalize the defenseless man until Maru, driven by instinct, grabbed the aggressor's arm to stop the carnage. The giant turned slowly, asking who dared to interrupt him, only to find Maru's eyes glowing with an ominous light. He laughed, mocking Maru as a reject from the island where only idiots and freaks were banished. But the laughter was followed by a swift, crushing blow that flattened our boy instantly, leaving the giant free to resume his torture. Poor Yoso was being pulverized, taking a beating far worse than anything the demons had ever inflicted upon him. Maru struggled to his feet, wiping away a bloody nose. But something was wrong. Golden dust began to spill from his lips. The atmosphere warped the air, turning thick and yellow as our protagonist's rage reached its boiling point. Meanwhile, the giant continued to rain, blows upon Yoso's face, unaware that a true monster was awakening right behind him. The crowd in the back stood frozen in disbelief, whispering about his transfer to Gangwa Island. But that was the moment. A true beast emerged from the shadows. The door crashed open and before the thug could react, a heavy boot slammed directly into his face. His skull cracked against the wall, crumpling him like a broken doll. The terrified crowd gasped, demanding to know the identity of this monster. It was Sanu. He coolly declared that he too hailed from Ganga Island. Striding toward Maru with an intense gaze, he warned him that playing games would only lead to an early grave. Maru instinctively concealed the sacred sand and questioned why he had intervened. Sanu scoffed, admitting he shadowed him to prevent any train incidents. But his sharp eyes had caught something else. He wasn't the only one watching. Our fiercest warrior, Kang Cherin, had been tailing Maru, too. She stormed into the shop, demanding an immediate explanation. She marched over to the battered student, checking his condition with a concerned gaze. She spat that they should count their lucky stars. She was leaving peacefully. However, the military huntress wasn't about to let them walk away, claiming blood for blood since her ally was half dead. Meanwhile, the trembling weakling whined that Sanu still owed him, a debt of pain, looking to settle the score. Kang sighed heavily, realizing these fools were begging for another discipline session. Just as the woman threatened that luck had run out, the hard-headed brute rose from the debris. He locked eyes with Sanu and roared a death sentence. He charged like a bull, but Sanu only smirked, whispering, "I've been waiting for this." The air crackled with killing intent. Maru stood on the sidelines, paralyzed by indecision. He prepared to join the fry, but Kang ordered him to stand down. If he triggered his transformation now, the consequences would be catastrophic. He had to remain hidden. In a blur of motion, Kang shifted her stance. Now it was her turn to teach these punks a lesson. A thug rushed in with a steel chair, screaming for blood. But out of nowhere, a cannon-like strike slammed into his ribs, shattering his momentum. Armed with nothing but a broom, Kang immobilized the first attacker and smashed the second one's shins. The trembling coward rolled on the floor in agony as she issued a final warning. End this now or pay the price. Suddenly, a chilling voice cut through the noise, asking why they were assaulting civilians while he was merely using the restroom. Kang narrowed her eyes, demanding his name. He revealed himself as the leader of Guang Mountain. Kang lowered her guard, attempting to explain the situation. But if I had to bet my life, I'd say this man was far deadlier than the trash on the floor. And I was right. Without warning, he drove a fist straight into her face. Are you kidding me? You dare strike her, I ought to jump into this story and strangle you myself, you absolute piece of trash. Consider your name written in my death note. Yet he had the sheer audacity to lecture her, claiming she was no civilian and had no right to touch his subordinates. He glanced at the battered Sanu and smirked, "Long time no see." Maru looked over and saw Kang crumpled on the ground. Something inside him snapped. He began furiously absorbing the yellow dust. There was no way in hell he would let them hurt the woman he admired. Sanu screamed for him to stop, but it was too late. Maru launched himself at the leader like a missile. The man didn't even flinch, wondering what this child hoped to achieve. Suddenly, boom! A direct hit to the face sent him spinning across the bow room, his head slamming into the wall. Maru stood amidst the debris, his breath ragged with yellow dust. The room fell into shocked silence. Sanu knew this just escalated the war. Maru rushed to help Kang up his rage, turning to concern. Weakly, she whispered, scolding him for using the forbidden dust. He simply apologized, his voice trembling. Seeing her hurt had blinded him with a need for vengeance. But from the shadows, the lunatic leader began to cackle, and the nightmare was far from over. He too was absorbing the yellow dust. He muttered that it was impressive for a mere human, not a demon, to harness such power. He stepped right up to Maru, eyes gleaming with curiosity about the boy's true nature. Then came the offer, "Join my team." Maru recalled the monsters associated with this man beings worse than demons. With eyes burning, he flat out told the bastard. He would never align himself with trash. The leader didn't seem offended, merely sighing that it was a pity. "Too bad," he grinned. "I can't<unk>t let you leave now." With the air thick with yellow dust, he suggested they settle this properly. Guyang Mountain versus Ganga Mountain. After all, slaughtering only demons had become tedious. Maru watched in horror as the enemy group began to twist and transform their auras, screaming like psychopaths. The leader sat down casually chewing on a snack as if watching a show before declaring it was time to commence the competition. Kang protested vehemently, but her words fell on deaf ears. He laid out the rules, a brutal three versus three death match. The winner takes Youk. If Maru's team won, the villains would erase the memory of the office incident and forget they ever saw the boy with the demon's power. Because Maru knew the truth if headquarters discovered his secret. However, Kang knew there was no escape. Letting him leave was not an option, so silence had to be bought with violence. But the arrogant leader wasn't even listening to her. Her son scoffed, asking why they didn't just assassinate the boss right there. Kang immediately shut that down. It would unleash chaos. His minions would rise up, turning this into an uncontrollable war zone. The enemy leader smirked his eyes, gleaming with amusement. He proposed a friendly duel. The rules were simple. Whoever surrendered first lost. Defeat meant submission, but killing was strictly forbidden. Sha Wu and Maru exchanged glances. This fool had no idea who he was messing with. He didn't realize the danger standing before him. Shan Wu adjusted his cap and tightened his gloves. He had been itching for a chance to crush a human ability user. Maru told him he was out of his mind, but to his surprise, Kang agreed. "Fight," she ordered. "But strictly to buy us time." The boys asked why stalling was necessary, but she remained mysterious. "You will understand soon enough." She then turned to the group who wants the first round. Shan Wu stepped forward, cracking his neck. "I'm tired of watching," he growled. The leader called for a challenger. That was when the man with the trembling eyes removed his glasses. He activated his vision ability, staring at Shaun Wu, and he saw it. a monster trapped within a human shell. He realized Shan Wu<unk>s terrifying power. The boy could fracture his own bones to weaponize his body. But suddenly, a 5- giant stepped up to answer the challenge. The giant declared he would crush the boy. He launched his attack, firing a barrage of twisted treelike branches straight at Sha Wu. "I'll rip you to shreds," the giant roared. Shan Wu didn't even flinch. "Asterisk! Snap! Asterisk!" He broke his own finger to deflect the blow. "Is that all you've got?" he asked. Then a grin twisted his face like a true psychopath. "Of course not," he whispered. The broken bones were still under his absolute command. But in the blink of an eye, the opponent shifted the terrain. The battlefield transformed into a wooden coffin. Shan Wu was completely immobilized. Trapped in wood, unable to move his limbs to break them. "How could he fight back now?" The giant raised a massive fist, aiming straight for Sha Wu<unk>s eye. "Die!" he screamed. But Shan Wu just smiled. I still have plenty left to break. Asterisk crunch. asterisk. He bit down, shattering his own teeth. The shockwave of force obliterated the giant's attack in an instant. In that split second, he lunged, grabbing the giant by the throat. Now he whispered into his ear. Let me show you what a snapped fifth vertebrae feels like. Damn you. The giant's legs gave out instantly. Shan Wu tightened his grip. Stand up. Don't pass out on me yet. I was just about to fracture your neck. The giant was foaming at the mouth, eyes rolling back. Suddenly, Kang grabbed Shan Wu<unk>s arm. "Stop! You're going to kill him!" she warned. And just like that, the first round ended. "Victory belonged to them." The massive giant had done nothing but get destroyed. He lay on the ground, vomiting in disgrace. A pathetic display. The leader, unfazed, called for the next match. Kang scolded Shan Wu. "You overdid it. You barely stalled for any time at all." Kang stepped forward, her expression cold. Send the next one, she commanded. The enemy analyzed her, noting the sharp aura around her. She possessed the ability to crystallize her own blood into blades. Shan Wu and Maru smirked. A battle between beauties never had a loser. The opponent reached into her own chest. Asterisk rip asterisk. She pulled out two of her own ribs, wielding them like daggers. Kang warned her against using sharp edges. It's too dangerous, she said. But the bone user ignored her, summoning an army of skeletons and mounting a massive bone spider. I don't care, she shrieked, launching herself at Kang. The speed was blinding. Kang barely managed to form a small blood sword for defense. asterisk boom asterisk. The skeletal spider rammed straight into her ribs. Damn it. 10 seconds in and she was already on the back foot. I can't keep up with this speed, Kang admitted. She slashed outward, forcing the woman to recoil, but the enemy advanced again instantly. The bone user unleashed a flurry of attacks. Kang dodged with effortless grace, planning a counter. Just a light cut, she thought. Then I retreat. But there was a problem. Asterisk slash asterisk. That light cut unleashed a torrent of blood. The pressure was far too high. The enemy team screamed for their comrade, asking if she was alive. Kang panicked. I'm sorry. I can't control the output properly. Shaun Wu and our boy cheered from the sidelines. Nice. You actually stalled for time. Kang blushed embarrassed. It's my first time fighting a human, she confessed. The opposing team began to back away in fear. Meanwhile, the man with the eye ability stood frozen in shock. What is this place? He had heard rumors that Ganga Island was full of weaklings. Those rumors were dead wrong, but their leader refused to budge. Only Hanaru is left. Kang intervened. This makes no sense. It's two to zero. We've already won. Logic dictated the tournament was over, but the leader revealed his true colors. This whole charade was just to see Maru<unk>s power. He laughed. His fight is worth three points. Kang wanted to refuse this nonsense. But the fool Maru stepped forward. Fine. Three points it is. But he had a condition. I want to fight the boss, Maru declared. Everyone thought he had a death wish. The leader just smiled, amused by the audacity. That was when the trembling nerd decided to peek at Maru's power level. He focused his gaze and then he saw it. A primordial demon manifested within Maru's eye. Asterisk drip asterisk. Blood poured from the observer's eyes. He collapsed into a cold sweat. Is that is that thing even human? He gasped. Maru simply stood there, his presence like an endless abyss of hell. The leader walked up to Maru, sensing the shift in the air. Challenging the judge's cheating, he said. I'll send my best fighter instead. The fighter dialed poor Woo, figning concern for his parents just to manipulate the terrified boy. Then he shoved the trembling guy forward and barked the order to fight. Yoso screamed for him to stop, but the thug sneered. Shut your mouth or we deal with you later. The leader turned to Wu with a twisted promise, "Fight well." And he walks free. Standing in the arena, Maru froze. He could see the manifestation of that psychological demon looming right behind Wu. It was whispering every insecurity, urging Maru to shatter the poor guy's mind. From mild insults like, "You deserve to die." to brutal truths like, "You can't even look that girl in the eye." Memories flooded in Wu crying coffee being dumped on Yak. Suddenly, Maru's jaw forced itself open. He felt the blade of words forming on his tongue. He fought to close his mouth, but the curse was too strong. The words spilled out like vomit. Aren't you happy? Are you glad Yak died instead of you? You probably watched him suffer every day and thought yourself lucky. Damn it. His power was completely out of control. The verbal blade slashed across Wu<unk>s heart. Maru rushed forward, desperate to save him, but Wu just whispered, "I'm sorry." Before Maru could process the tragedy. Wu<unk>s body detonated in a venomous burst. The acid splashed. Maru melting his flesh down to the bone. Kang screamed his name, but the leader held up a hand. "Do not interfere. The round isn't over." He strolled toward the dissolving boy, curious to see how long he would last. He crouched, mocking the agony. Your organs will melt soon. Just surrender. But even with half his face burned away, Maru snarled through the pain. I haven't given up yet. The leader smirked, eager to witness another awakening. Then prove it. Kill the boy on the ground and you win. Those were the rules. But Maru had enough. To hell with your rules. Maru ignored the victim and launched a desperate punch straight at the leader's face. If I kill you, we win. He was inches away when the leader side. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen. He caught Maru by the collar. Follow the rules. As he spoke, an invisible hammer slammed into the room. Boom. Everyone was crushed into the floor. San Wu gasped, his lungs compressing under the sheer weight of the pressure. Breathe carefully, San Wu wheezed. This is a level 9 user. The king of gravity. The leader looked down at his pinned subjects and smiled. Ah, what a beautiful sight. Now things are finally getting fun. He glanced at Maru, realizing the boy had already regenerated from the acid. Something is strange about this kid's body. He decided to run a test. He focused the gravitational field solely on Maru, increasing the density. Crack Maru's ribs began to snap like twigs. But honestly, compared to the car crash, this pain was manageable. However, the leader noticed a disturbing detail. The more pain Maru suffered, the denser that yellow dust became. That aura, the leader remembered it. The demon granting Maru power was unique. A true monster. Even for a demon, those eyes were different. Meanwhile, Maru struggled to push himself up, muscles screaming. He was basically doing high-gravity training in the middle of a death match. He tried to activate his word magic, but the leader had no text written on his soul. There were no words to twist, no mental weakness to break. The leader drew a gleaming knife. I hate unanswered questions. I think I'll dissect you to find the source. Maybe I'll remove your lungs first, but that arrogance was his mistake. Crack Kang broke her own finger to escape. She ordered Maru to attack. Kang slashed the leader's arm and leaped into the air with incredible agility. She dove straight for the kill, but the leader sighed. 20 times gravity. Instantly, everyone was flattened. They hit the concrete writhing in agony. At this pressure, you'll run out of oxygen and faint. The leader lectured. Maru called out for Kang, but the tyrant ripped the knife from her paralyzed hand. No one will get in my way now. Let's continue our game. Poor Maru couldn't see a way out. This lunatic's power defied logic. The more he restricted himself, the stronger his gravity became. This guy was a certified monster. Suddenly, asterisk knock asterisk. We are closed for the day. The leader shouted, annoyed. But a strange blue shadow began seeping under the door, spreading across the floor like spilled ink. San Wu face pressed to the tiles asked what the hell was happening. Kang just smirked. He finally arrived. Before the fight, she had sent an SOS to the big boss. Standing at the door wearing a Hawaiian shirt, was go dickman blood trickled from one eye. His ability, the demon of darkness. And when a power has darkness in the name, you know it's overpowered. The room began to sink into a void. The leader, covered in the sticky shadow, found himself submerged. Maru realized the battlefield had just changed. A realm of absolute nothingness enveloped him. His senses were severed. No sound, no scent, a complete void. It was as if his very existence had been erased from the cosmos. The gravity master panicked blind to the threat until Dioman manifested directly behind him. A ruthless grip crushed his throat. In this domain, gravity was utterly meaningless. Consciousness faded instantly as he hit the floor. The monster then turned his gaze to our boy who was still thrashing in terror. He seized Maru by the neck, delivering a swift knockout blow. Then with horrifying casualness, he fished his own eyeballs from his pocket and jammed them back into his sockets. The dark barrier shattered, snapping everyone back to reality. Dman merely noted that the ominous yellow aura had finally dissipated. Kang exhaled, relieved help had arrived, but Dukman ignored her, cutting straight to the siza heart of the matter. His voice was ice cold. Why had she and Sou concealed the truth of Maru<unk>s awakening? Were they tired of living as government agents? Kang stammered an apology, begging to speak with the opposing captain, but Delkan crushed that hope instantly. Matters had escalated beyond simple diplomacy. Words would no longer settle this blood feud. Scene shift. A towering fortress loomed. Inside, all eyes bore down on our boy, who sat bound in chains like a criminal. He trembled, wondering what cruel fate awaited him. In a grand hall of 88 seats, only four supreme leaders sat in judgment. Young broke the silence, declaring that her faction would take custody of Han Maru immediately, but Duke man cut in, refusing to yield. Even an inch, Maru was shocked. He had no idea this eccentric old man wielded such immense authority. Yang slammed the table, screaming that Maru was leaking yellow dust. An entity like that was a walking catastrophe. civilians could be exposed to that demonic energy. But Duckman, straightening his loud Hawaiian tie with zero shame, countered that this disaster was solely the fault of that rival squad. That team was a nest of vipers, and Director Jenang knew it better than anyone. Jenang should be the one holding that psychotic kill squad accountable. Yong argued he was crossing a line, but Director Jang silenced her with a single command. The cold truth was the director didn't give a damn about the morality of his subordinates. He didn't care if they came from the mystic Girong Mountain or if their leader was a bloodthirsty lunatic. As long as they slaughtered demons, they were useful tools. Even those maniacs were preferable to the Gangwa Island leader, a level 10 powerhouse who refused to lift a finger in battle. Dakman absorbed the insult without flinching, pointing out that Maru also despised violence. That was precisely why the boy belonged on his island. Furthermore, the two agents flanking him were the only ones capable of anchoring Maru's volatile humanity. Young sneered, asking if Doman was prepared to pay the price if Maru unleashed a calamity upon the world. Dogman stood tall, uttered a simple yes, and marched toward the exit. But as they retreated, a voice commanded Seonu to remain behind. The atmosphere froze. The poor guy was about to face a terrifying father-son interrogation. Outside, Maru asked how the trial went while also roasting Dioman's fashion sense. Dukman bluntly informed them that they were all facing disciplinary action and a massive salary cut. Maru<unk>'s soul left his body. His funds were gone. He wailed in despair. But Dioman snapped that he should be grateful. If those rivals hadn't instigated the chaos, Maru would have been executed on the spot. Director Jenang was a monster, far more terrifying than any demon they faced. Back in the chamber, the air was heavy. Director Jang asked his son a chilling question. Could he kill Hanaru if the boy lost control? So New hesitated, avoiding his father's gaze, and whispered, "No." He stood up, declaring that if this was all his father had to say after 20 years of silence, he was leaving. But Jang commanded him to sit. This wasn't family time. This was an official decree from the Kamas. Director Maru could no longer be classified as a human awakener. A vessel leaking yellow dust was indistinguishable from a demon. Caution was absolute for his best friend might already be the enemy of mankind. Scene shift. Welcome to the new barracks for the Ganga team. The place was a disaster zone. Laundry, mountains, and soda bottles rolling across the floor. Maru stepped in only to hear the horrifying news he would be living here. With the leader, Maru was already trembling at the man's overwhelming presence. He pleaded for another option, but Doman shut him down. It was the only way to monitor his unstable power and prevent a catastrophe. He placed a heavy hand on Maru's shoulder, inflicting instant psychological damage. Dioman grinned like a predator, announcing they would be glued together for 24 hours a day. Back at the base, tension crackled in the air. Someone was staring daggers at him, watching him burn. He froze, asking if she had a problem. She warned him coldly. One slip of that yellow dust, and he was a dead man. Inside the office, Yosu side that they needed to stop provoking the kid. Stress was exactly what triggered the demonic aura. Maru stood there fuming, unsure whether to fear his enemies or his own allies. As he let out a frustrated Doc Dab, you know, "Sigh." Kimyak panicked, asking if the dust was leaking. Dakman instantly lunged, grabbing his face to seal the power gaze upon this scene. It felt so out of place, almost dreamlike. Normally, you only see this serene framing in a heartwarming slice of life web tune. But reality was far harsher. Maru stormed through the halls, his blood boiling with indignation. He was being treated like a pariah, a monster in human skin. And just then, fate threw him a curveball. He crashed right into Sunun Wu. The man was still haunted by Jon Hi's ominous warning that Maru was a ticking time bomb, perhaps even a traitor to humanity. On the flip side, our protagonist was already losing his temper. Sparks flew as he demanded to know if this was just another lecture on keeping his head down, but Shan just shrugged him off with icy indifference, claiming he wasn't worth the energy. That dismissal ignited Maru's fury like gasoline on a fire. This guy always knew exactly how to pierce his pride. That was when the atmosphere shifted. He noticed Kimu had been transferred to their unit. Kang broke the tension, explaining that since it was her first day, she should feel free to ask questions. Suddenly, she turned her gaze toward our boy. She leaned in close, whispering that she wanted to inspect his eyes. His body went rigid with tension. He stammered that his aura was contained, that no yellow dust was leaking. There was no danger here. But as she leaned in, she was breathtaking. She softly told him to ignore the hostility. The team wasn't cruel. They were just terrified. They feared that if another calamity struck, they would be powerless to protect the island. Maru stood frozen, awkward, and stiff against her kindness. He muttered that he understood their fear. Yet, as he sat alone in the office later, misery washed over him. He had trained harder than anyone, suffered more than anyone. But the commander's solution was to bench him. A silent exile. He was still brooding in the shadows when two strangers from headquarters barged in. He turned to question their identity, but there was no time for words. Out of nowhere, one of them launched an ambush. A fist connected with his face, followed by a brutal beatdown. What the hell was happening? The attacker seized him by the collar. Sheer violence in his eyes, screaming for him to unleash the yellow dust. Maru's instincts screamed for blood, ready to counterattack. But then her voice echoed in his mind. She had asked him not to cause trouble. So he suppressed his rage and did nothing. The man in the wig threatened to crush his skull if he didn't power up. But suddenly, boom. The bald man slammed a fist into Wig's head, sending him flying across the room. He helped Maru to his feet. A completely different vibe surrounding him. He apologized for his partner's ignorance. These were the double standards duo from headquarters. Maru, skeptical, asked if this was yet another test of his loyalty. I'm sticking with Baldi and Wig because honestly it fits them perfectly. Baldi revealed a shocking twist. Wig wasn't an enemy. He was Maru's biggest fanboy. He even referred to him by the cringe-worthy title, King Maru. Maru flushed with embarrassment, demanded an explanation. Wig was already massaging Maru's shoulders like a servant attending his master. He claimed that if Maru could generate yellow dust, he surpassed even the director in potential. He flashed a giant thumbs up right in Maru's face. He possessed absolute certainty that our boy would become the greatest ability user in history. Our protagonist was left awkwardly flustered by this sudden fanaticism. Time passed and the sun began to set. As everyone prepared to leave, Maru sensed a presence. He glanced to the side to see Woo standing there looking suspicious. He asked if something was wrong and the scene cut to a disturbing detail. One of the sensors meant to measure yellow dust levels action was malfunctioning. Strangely, it was completely dead. Woo stammered an apology, thinking he had broken it. He had kept it secret, terrified of taking the blame. Maru sighed, assuring him that this team was different. No one would crucify him over a clumsy mistake. Or perhaps Maru was just projecting his own hopes. The chubby teammate suddenly looked panicstricken. He asked what Maru had just said. Maru brushed it off, repeating that he would be treated with respect here, but then his senses spiked. He noticed the yellow dust in the air. Wu immediately accused him of leaking aura. But for once, the monster wasn't Maru. Looking into the shadows, they saw a child. No, a creature with strange orbs embedded in its chest. Woo began to panic, screaming that they needed to alert headquarters. But our boy analyzed the threat level. With this low amount of dust, it was merely a level one beast, a walk in the park. The fanboys words echoed in his mind, the best ability user. Adrenaline surged. He leaped into action, roaring that he was King Maru. He lunged at the beast with primal ferocity. He tore straight into its neck without a shred of mercy. The creature collapsed instantly. Our boy was absolutely brutal. Woo stared in awe, praising the one-h hit kill. But in this world, nothing comes that easy. Because from the corpse of the first monster, a second form began to tear its way out. Maru stared in confusion. Why didn't it die? A new monstrosity spawned and one of the orbs on its chest shattered. Worse yet, the pressure in the air increased. It had evolved into a level two demon. A short while later, Maru was panting, exhausted. He was completely baffled. Every time he struck it down, it rose again, stronger than before. Wu checked the readings and went pale. The yellow dust had spiked to that of a level five disaster. He turned to flee, shouting that they needed reinforcements immediately, but Maru yelled a warning, "Look behind you." The beast had already closed the distance. It launched itself at Woo Jaws, ready to rip out his throat. In a desperate move, Woo detonated his venom ability. Acid melted the creature down to nothing. But the nightmare wasn't over. The remains hardened like steel. And from the chrysalis, another form emerged, larger, deadlier, faster. This was a hellish infinite evolution. And the most terrifying part. There were still four stones glowing on its chest. It had already reached level six power. Woo trembled, realizing they had no way to contain this anomaly. That's when our genius protagonist finally did the math. Four stones remained. If the pattern held true, 6 + 4 equals 10. A level 10 catastrophe meant certain death. He screamed for Wu to run for his life. Maru would act as the bait. He would hold the line against this abomination while Woo called for backup. Wu screamed in terror, warning that a rank six calamity was suicide to face alone. But Maru Maru was burning with arrogance. He proclaimed himself King Maru. Confident that his strength had transcended logic. With a roar, he launched himself at the abomination. Believing he had absorbed the beast's power, he threw a lethal strike. But the monster moved like a phantom, dodging faster than the eye could follow. A devastating blow buried itself in Maru's gut. The breath left his lungs as he crashed into the earth, his body paralyzed by the shock wave. Before he could recover, the beast mounted him, unleashing a merciless barrage of strikes. A storm of violence rained down and Maru was helpless. The evolution orbs on his chest pulsed. Yet his form remained unchanged. Why wasn't he transforming? The realization struck him amidst the pain. His regeneration was too potent. It was healing him faster than the damage could trigger the evolution. The monster raised a massive fist to end him. Maru screamed like a madman, begging for more pain for a harder hit. Wu watching in horror, panicked and cried out, "A warning!" But Maru roared for him to stay back. Yet, true to his tragic role, the side character couldn't just watch Woo unleashed his venom art. The toxic cloud halted the beast for a split second, but it shrugged off the poison like it was nothing. Before Woo could retreat, doom arrived. The beast's fist slammed into his skull, driving him into the dirt. It was a blow meant for Maru, but his friend took the impact. Rage exploded within Maru. He lunged from behind, locking his arms around the Titan and sinking his teeth deep into its armored neck. The creature's skin began to calcify instantly. Maru released his grip and scrambled to Wu<unk>s broken body, his voice trembling with fear. Wu coughed up blood, asking why the fool hadn't run away. Maru grit his teeth guilt, weighing heavy on his soul. This was his burden to bear. Wu whispered for Maru to flee and call for backup before darkness took him. Maru knew the truth if he left now. His friend was dead. No heroes were coming to save them. He had to slay this nightmare alone. The system warned him only three stages until final evolution. He could not let this demon reach level 10. It had to die before it emerged from its chrysalis. With killing intent, Maru struck. He shattered the hardened shell, revealing the pulsating red horror within. It was mid metamorphosis, vulnerable and raw. He lunged to bite, desperate to steal its power before it matured. But suddenly, a massive hand erupted from the flesh. The impact cratered Maru's chest. This wasn't just a monster anymore. It was an apex predator built like a titan of war. But in that moment of agony, Maru's body finally reacted. A cocoon began to weave around him. The pain was his key to awakening. Just as joy filled him, the titan grabbed him by the skull, lifting him like a ragd doll. Maru braced for the finishing blow. But instead of crushing him, the beast hurled him into the horizon. As he soared helplessly through the air, his eyes widened in horror. The monster was charging straight for Wu Maru screamed, his voice tearing at his throat, begging the beast to stop. He slammed into the forest floor, his back colliding with a tree. But the cocoon was complete. In that darkness, he was reborn. He burst from the shell, slime dripping from his new form. Memories of the monster approaching his friend fueled his legs. He sprinted the wind howling past him. His speed had transcended human limits. But when he arrived at the battlefield, silence. The yellow mana dust was fading. The monster was gone. The forest stood empty, mocking his desperate race against time. His phone shattered the silence. A monster alert rang out from a neighboring district. Had the beast moved so quickly, Dman's ID flashed on the screen. The leader's voice was tense, asking if Maru saw the level seven warning. Maru tried to speak, but the leader cut him off, ordering him to stand down and stay home. Before Maru could scream that he was already in hell, the line went dead. Ignored and desperate, our boy scanned the area. He had to find Woo. The others could handle the beast. He needed to save his friend. A faint chime echoed from the bushes. Maru rushed over his heart, hammering against his ribs. There he found him. Woo lay collapsed in the dirt. Maru turned him over, but the sight froze his blood. A pool of crimson stained the earth. He needed the yellow dust to heal him. Desperate Maru forced his body to produce the healing particles, begging the universe for mercy. But Wu<unk>s hand slipped lifelessly to the ground. The light had faded from his eyes. The first victim had been claimed by the forest. A meaningless death for a bureaucrat sent to the slaughter. Maru covered his friend with his shirt, a cold fury rising within him. Meanwhile, deep in the woods, Kang radioed the leader. She was closing in. But the leader's voice cracked with fear. "Turn back," he warned. The energy readings weren't stable. The threat level was skyrocketing past rank nine. He ordered her to wait for reinforcements, but the very mountain began to groan. The earth trembled, shaking the city miles away. The man density suffocated the air. It was a confirmed level 10 cataclysm. Kang froze, realizing she was walking into a death trap. The command center erupted in panic. Dman was sweating bullets and the other teams were scrambling in desperation. Even the strongest hunters were stuck in traffic, helpless against the clock. Kang knew no help was coming in time. She sprinted through the treeine, determined to intercept the calamity before it reached the innocent villagers. Suddenly, a presence stopped her cold. A figure emerged from the shadows. She readied her weapon, thinking it was the beast, but slowly he turned, but the atmosphere shattered instantly. Maru roared at her to stay back, his voice dripping with desperation. Confusion washed over her as she froze in place. Why was he reacting like a cornered beast? Fury burned in Maru's eyes as he stepped into her personal space, warning her to flee before the nightmare began. She pleaded with him to calm down, refusing to abandon a teammate in need. But there was no running from destiny today. The truth finally spilled from his lips. The evolution demon had achieved its final catastrophic form. She peered past his shoulder and her blood ran cold. Through the settling dust, a titan emerged. a 6- m tall monstrosity of pure muscle possessing body fat of less than 2%. It was a walking calamity. She trembled, asking if he planned to face this level 10 disaster alone. Maru<unk>s resolve was ironclad. He would end this nightmare even if it cost him everything. He raised a stake, aiming it directly at his own heart. Kang panic shoved his hand away, screaming for an explanation to this madness. He revealed the dark secret of his power. Having devoured the evolution monster's flesh, a fatal wound was the only key to triggering his own evolution. Kang realized with horror that Maru wasn't just desperate. He was unhinged. The pressure in the air grew heavier as she begged him to wait for the squad. Reinforcements were seconds away, but the boy was consumed by arrogance, declaring he needed no salvation from others. Desperate to knock some sense into him, she delivered a heavy punch to his chest. Was he truly willing to pierce his own heart without a second thought? At this rate, he wouldn't just lose the fight. He would lose his very humanity. But Maru was already too far gone into the abyss. With eyes devoid of fear, he plunged the stake into his own chest. He screamed that death meant nothing to him anymore. Kang stood paralyzed in shock. As the dust swirled around her, a gruesome sight revealed itself. Lying in the dirt were piles of Maru<unk>s corpses. He had already died and revived countless times. Just how many times had he endured this hellish loop? Suddenly, the boss monster materialized behind her, winding up a devastating punch. It was too fast for human reflexes. She braced for the end, but death never came. The prodigy had returned from the grave. Maru caught the monster strike with sheer savage power. He gripped the beast's arm and tore it clean off in a shower of gore. He had gone completely berserk. Even the terrifying creature felt a flicker of fear. Yet, it grabbed Maru by the throat and slammed him into the earth with earthshattering force. The ground disintegrated on impact, but Maru didn't even flinch. The monster tried to release him, but our boy held on like a demon, refusing to let go. He dragged the beast closer, hungry for more violence. Meanwhile, Deepman stumbled upon the lifeless body of Wu. Grief struck him, but a thunderous boom echoed across the mountain. Terror began to creep into Kang's heart. This thing fighting in front of her wasn't the Maru she knew. It was a monster in human skin. Maru smashed a fist into the creature's face, hurling his entire body into the assault. That was when she noticed the chilling void in his expression. Midair, devoid of all emotion, he wound up for another strike. But the monster regenerated its arm in an instant and delivered a counterb blow. A gut-wrenching impact sent Maru flying. He tore through half the forest before crashing into the cliffside. The power gap was terrifying. Kang knew she had to act. She reached for her blade to activate her blood arts, but a strong hand stopped her. Deepman shook his head grimly. A level 10 calamity was far beyond her league. They couldn't afford to add her body to the pile. Little did she know, they had already lost a comrade today. Deepman glared at the battlefield, wondering why Maru had disobeyed orders. He had explicitly told the boy to stay put. Meanwhile, chaos erupted at headquarters. Wong screamed as sensors detected the level 10 anomaly on Ganga Island. The tension in the command room was suffocating. A report came in from the Dukemen leader confirming their worst fears. Behind the chair stood the commander of the ancient headquarters, a woman with striking white hair and an aura of absolute authority. She had already deployed a strike team. If they failed, Director Jon would have to intervene personally. The director, sitting casually with legs crossed, noted the rarity of the situation. A level 10 hadn't been seen in over 2 years. Young reminded him of the tragedy at Seorok Mountain. The last time this happened, an entire team and countless civilians were wiped from existence, but the director remained calm. Deepman was on the scene and more importantly they had the anomaly. Back on the battlefield, the weird kid was rising. Maru emerged from the rubble. Walking with the gate of a zombie. Deepman realized with horror that the boy was losing his mind to the instinct of battle. Maru sprinted forward, ignoring his senior's commands to stop. He launched himself at the boss, who readied a massive counterattack. Fist collided with Fist in a shockwave of destruction. Maru's arm was completely shattered upon impact. The difference in durability was desparing. The monster seized him by the throat once again, choking the life out of him. Deepman moved to intercept, refusing to watch a student die. But suddenly, Maru wrapped his legs around the beast. He pulled a legendary maneuver, forcing his stump directly into the monster's gaping maw. Accelerated regeneration activated instantly. His arm regrrew explosively, punching through the back of the creature's skull. A fatal blow from the inside out. Even the veteran Deepman was appalled by the savagery. As the monster collapsed, Maru didn't stop. He descended like a vulture, tearing flesh from the beast. He began to devour the monster to fuel his own evolution. Kang watched trembling, hoping the regeneration was finally disabled. Surely, this was over, but the boy was still mounting, the creature raining down punches and ripping off chunks of flesh. He was a beast consumed by gluttony and rage. Deepman shouted for him to cease. Kang stepped forward, her blade flashing in the sunlight and severed the monster's head to end the madness once and for all. The beast's severed head rolled across the pavement while Maru stood frozen, staring at his own trembling hands in horror until Kang arrived, looking absolutely breathtaking. She buried her face in his chest, finally hugging our stoic hero. Only now did the rest of the squad arrive, confusion written on their faces. Gino desperately asked, "Did the captain and Kang take it down?" But the commander simply shook his head. "No," Maru killed it alone. The soldiers gasped, unable to comprehend that a rookie had annihilated a level 10 catastrophe single-handedly. Yet, our boy just stood there wrapped in the vice captain's firstear, warm embrace looking like a titan who had transcended humanity. The scene shifts to the somber funeral of Wu. Rain seemed to fall in their hearts as relatives wept while the squad stood in a formation of heavy silence. Hosuk, who loved him like a brother, couldn't force a single word past the lump in his throat. Kang whispered to the commander. Are you holding up? He replied with a hollow gaze. One never gets used to burying their own. She then asked the hard question. How would they explain this hell? The usual lies, he sighed. Central Command will label it a work accident. At least the beast didn't devour him completely. We have a body to honor. However, the fallout was severe. Ganga Island was declared a forbidden zone. Kang scanned the room, desperate for news. Did Maru send word? The commander shook his head. No, he handed me his resignation and vanished into the shadows. We have to find him, she insisted. I will track him down, but the commander stopped her. Let him be for now. He refused to authorize the search, his eyes reflecting a trauma from long ago. I have seen this darkness before, he confessed. Back when I was stationed at soul central command. He recalled the nightmare his entire platoon slaughtered by a level 10 calamity. I was the sole survivor, he whispered. And that day I learned a cruel truth. When you witness the death of a comrade, the person you were ceases to exist. Meanwhile, Maru was back in his small room, the air heavy with depression. As he lay on the bed, a sickly yellow myasma began to seep from the floor. Suddenly, reality distorted. A crater opened and a blood soaked hand clawed its way out. Maru flinched as Director So emerged from the abyss like a phantom. At first, Maru thought his mind had finally snapped, but the intruder spoke. "I came to have a chat, kid." He wiped the gore from his coat. Our protagonist, heart racing, demanded to know how this lunatic bypassed security. Simple director so smirked. I just slaughtered a demon and thought I'd check on the recluse. You've been avoiding the world since Wu died. Maru looked away. The guilt of survival weighing on his soul. But so offered no comfort. He didn't die because of you. He died because he was weak. The words struck like a physical blow. The cold ruthlessness shocked our boy, but the director continued, claiming he was actually worried about Maru's mental stability. He casually sat on the bed, a violation of Maru's sanctuary. His expression turned grave. You cannot end up like your father. Maru froze. How do you know him? That was when the director dropped the bombshell. Your father and I. We were the originals, the first squad leaders when the nightmare began. He stared into the past. We were the first into the fire. The story rewinds to 1999. A 30-year-old Sio was unleashing a hail of gunfire at a monstrosity. But the beast didn't even flinch, shielding itself with an invisible barrier as it marched forward. Maru<unk>s father, Juan, roared above the chaos. Keep firing. Don't let up. But young stood frozen, paralyzed by the creature's aura. Juan grabbed him by the collar, shaking him back to reality. Fall back and lead the six squad now. Around them, soldiers were being sliced apart like paper. Desperate Huan pulled the pin on a grenade. Throw everything you have. Burn it all. The creature was engulfed in a symphony of explosions. They ducked as the shock wave leveled half the forest, turning trees to ash. Silence fell over the battlefield. Smoke rose from the crater as they cautiously advanced. But when Juan peered through the haze, his blood ran cold. The monster still stood. Half its body was missing. Yet it opened its maw and began inhaling the dust. In seconds, the flesh knit itself back together. Shoot it, Huan screamed. Kill it before it fully regenerates. But it was feudal. The beast deflected the bullets like rain. It surged forward, a blur of death cutting down the remaining soldiers in a heartbeat. Juan fell to his knees, unable to comprehend that such a demon existed on Earth. Back in the present, Seo's voice was grim. That day, both our squads were completely annihilated. Seo woke up amidst a sea of corpses. He found Huan kneeling in the center of the carnage. Juan, are you alive? He called out. But his friend was catatonic mind broken by the slaughter. Why? Juan muttered. What are these things? Suddenly, the air grew heavy with yellow aura. It's not over, Juan whispered, his eyes widening. He bolted upright and sprinted away. Seo chased after him, confused and terrified. "What are you doing?" Then Seo saw it. A titanic abomination towered over them, its body covered in 36 unblinking eyes. "Run, you fool!" Seo screamed. But Juan stopped and turned a strange calmness washing over him. If you want to survive, you must accept it. Seo didn't understand the cryptic warning. At that moment, reality tore open. A rift appeared and a monstrous claw pierced straight through Seo's chest. Back in the present, the director touched his scar. The rest is obvious. Just like you, I survived because my blood mixed with theirs. I became a weapon for the government. Maru clenched his fists, desperate for the truth. What happened to my father? Seo sighed. The memory clearly painful. After the dust settled, I tried to convince Juan to lead the organization with me, but he refused. The shock of absorbing that dark power, it shattered his mind. Sio<unk>'s eyes narrowed. He spoke of only one thing, reaching a place he called the abyss. A memory flashed in Maru<unk>s mind. The sensation of being dragged by a man who had lost his soul. This is the way his father had claimed. The way to the abyss, delivered the final tragic revelation. Your father became a demon because he believed it was the only way to hunt them all. It was hard to process, but Jang's words echoed in his mind. The curse was real, for demonic blood flows through the veins of every single ability user. It was a cruel fate, meaning those blessed with power could plunge into the abyss at any moment and become the very monsters they hunted. Haunted by that conversation, he stared at an old photograph of his father, the terrifying question burning in his mind. Had his dad truly succumbed to the darkness. He recalled the chilling warning that if he ever stopped fighting these creatures, he would lose his humanity and end up exactly like his father. Maru was drowning in these dark thoughts. And the next day at headquarters, the team noticed the rookie was missing from his post again. It was time to launch a search party, so Kang grabbed her coat, declaring she would head straight to his place and drag him out if necessary. But just as the tension peaked, the boy walked through the door, apologizing for his tardiness, causing the entire room to fall into a heavy silence. Internally, Maru had made a steel resolve to stay and uncover the truth. He refused to accept the twisted lie that his father had become a demon. Meanwhile, deep in the shadows, Jong entered a secluded chamber where a prisoner was bound in chains, whispering that the final preparations were nearly done. A massive, terrifying creature was restrained within the darkness, and Jang promised that soon the world would witness the true horror of the abyss. Back at the office, the atmosphere was suffocating until Jan stood up, trying to break the ice by suggesting it was time to grab some lunch. But Maru, lurking in the shadows of his corner, coldly replied that he had no appetite and told them to go on without him. As the squad walked down the corridor, they couldn't help but whisper. Once again, their formation was incomplete, just the four of them. Ever since the tragic accident with Wu, Maru had been spiraling into darkness, acting stranger by the day, and Kang was genuinely worried. She noted that a gloom had settled over the entire office. Sometime later, Dan kicked the door open and ordered our boy to handle the chores. He told Maru to take out the trash while he cooked some ramen. But the moment Maru stepped outside with the garbage, he bumped right into Kang. He had no clue she lived in this neighborhood, but she smiled, explaining it was only logical since it was practically next door to their base. It seemed most of the hunters lived nearby for convenience. Noticing he was struggling with the trash, she instinctively reached out to help. Their hands brushed against each other, sending a jolt of electricity through the air. Was this a romance flag? But she quickly shifted the mood. She told him firmly that he couldn't carry the guilt for Wu<unk>s fate alone. as everyone on that island bore the same burden of responsibility. But Maru turned his gaze away, his voice hollow as he rejected her pity, convinced that the blood on his hands was his alone to bear. However, she walked away with a cold truth, saying she wasn't offering comfort, but a warning. Moving on is the only way to survive in this hell. Every member of this team had lost someone precious. Maru was left confused by her cryptic words, but he trudged back up the stairs. Suddenly, the sirens blared. These people truly had no rest and the leader assigned the team claiming he had a stomach ache to get out of it. It was merely a level six threat and our boy was already gearing up. But suddenly Samu stood up and blocked his path. He declared that if Maru hesitated he would take the mission instead, claiming the rookie was a liability who was about to screw up again. Our boy, already mentally shattered, simply slumped back into his chair in defeat. While Samu grew increasingly agitated by his weakness out in the rugged mountains, Yuan warned Samu to watch his sharp tongue since Maru was battling his own demons. But Samu scoffed. He spat back that he had no time to coddle someone so broken. Their only job was to locate the target and execute it immediately. But before the arrogant words could leave his mouth, a mysterious needle pierced his forehead, dropping him instantly to the cold ground. He scrambled up, disoriented, only to see a massive red beast looming beside him. Without hesitation, he unleashed his power. With a sickening crunch, he snapped the monster's neck, ending its life in seconds, leaving his two teammates stunned by the brutality. They asked if he had really killed it that easily, and he shrugged it off. But then Yoso noticed something strange in the bushes. It was a chubby cat named Jang, and Yoso's eyes lit up in recognition. He explained it was his pet, though its presence here was bizarre. He scooped up the little creature, deciding it was time to return to base. though he muttered about how the cat felt unusually heavy today. Samu warned him against bringing stray animals to the office, but Yan intervened, saying to let it be since the creature looked so content. Back at headquarters, Yoso excitedly called everyone over to check out the surprise he had discovered in the mountains. But the moment they saw it, the team recoiled in shock, and Kang screamed for him to drop the beast immediately. That thing in his arms wasn't a cat. It was a demonic entity, the demon of duplication, and it launched a surprise attack. It fired spikes into everyone's foreheads before hitting the floor and bolting. But in Yosuo's hallucination, it was just his cute cat running away. He chased after it down the hallway, completely under its spell until he slammed face first into a door. Now even Deman had a spike protruding from his forehead. Moments later, he grumbled that someone had the audacity to bring a demon inside. The entire squad turned a death glare toward Yoso, who frantically tried to defend himself, claiming it wasn't his fault. The illusion had been perfect, looking exactly like his pet. And since Jan and Samu were there too, the blame belonged to the whole team. He silenced the discord, commanding them to stop looking for a scapegoat. The time for blame had passed. They needed to focus their entire will on hunting the beast down, especially since the abyssal dust settled as they reached a gateway shrouded in ominous energy. She warned it might be a mirage, but they had no choice. Entering the threshold, their breath hitched. The interior was colossal, a domain defying all spatial logic. Kang's voice cut through the silence, commanding them to focus. A Roshasa class presence surged toward them. From the yellow mist, a nightmare materialized, the spider demon. But horror truly struck when they looked beneath its massive frame. A lifeless boy lay there. Jan's soul shattered instantly. The image overlapping with her memories. The echo of him crying mom pierced her heart. Blinded by grief, she sprinted toward the beast. Kang intercepted her, his grip like iron. Hold your ground. It's a trap. But Jan screamed, insisting this was the very spot her son was slaughtered. Kang shook her, his voice booming like thunder. Wake up. This is nothing but a phantom. Clarity finally flickered in her eyes. She recalled the creature's mental attacks. It was dredging up their darkest traumas to weave these illusions. Maru voiced the dread rising in all of them. Was the spider just a hallucination? Seio theorized that the dungeon could manifest entities they had previously vanquished. The protagonist hesitated. Could such a feat exist? Then the realization hit like a lightning bolt. The demon blood courarssing through their veins creasing it carried data. It carried memories. That was the source of their power and their curse. A chilling thought took root. If that were true, every demon they had ever faced could be resurrected in this hellscape. Kang confirmed their worst fears. From the level 10 demon that empowered Deepan to the gluttony beast that cursed Maru, everything was fair game. Despair clawed at their hearts. If this dungeon could replicate a catastrophe like that, how could they possibly survive? For Maru, the terror was absolute. The gluttony demon was the source of his living nightmare. His legs gave out and he collapsed, trembling. He was certain death had come for them. But Deepan stepped in, his aura steady and reassuring. Stand up. Today is not the day we die. With resolved hearts, the squad charged. Kang unleashed a devastating slash while Seio prepared his sacrifice technique. Protect the formation. Seio snapped his own finger to trigger the curse while Kang severed the demon's neck. Blood sprayed as the illusion shattered into mist. They stood amidst the fading particles radiating absolute dominance. But the dungeon offered no respit. Another gate materialized instantly. Space warped around them, depositing the team into a new nightmare zone. The duplication ability was relentless. Kang checked on January. She nodded, her expression hardened. She had stealed her heart. Maru watched her, knowing the pain of seeing a child die never truly fades. Seo broke the silence, urging them to press on. They had to escape this hellscape before the memories consumed them completely. The floor was littered with rotting corpses. Maru noticed vile mold creeping up the walls and realized they were inside Kimyak's past. The man's echo screamed in agony, reaching for his wife. The memory played out in cruel detail, their final moments together. They watched the tragedy unfold. Two lovers dying in each other's arms, consumed by the mold. Sio pointed upward, eyes up. Horror clung to the ceiling. A massive crimson monstrosity reigned deadly spores upon them. Maru accidentally inhaled a single breath. He violently purged, his insides twisting. He scanned the room total party wipe. Everyone else had collapsed. Only he remained conscious. His rapid regeneration fighting the toxin. He tore the fungus from his skin. He was the only line of defense now. With a feral roar, he launched himself into the air. If he couldn't slash it, he would consume it. He bit deep into the monster's flesh. A cold sweat broke over him. What if that was an illusion? What if he just cannibalized a teammate? But relief washed over him as the beast dissolved. The squad gasped, waking from their coma, alive and confused. Kangs gaze lingered on the fading image of Kim, Yak, and his wife. The source of his mold abilities. Born from such sorrow, Maru clenched his fist. Kang was right. Everyone here carried a mountain of grief. He wasn't special. He couldn't let trauma be his shackles anymore. He stepped forward with new resolve, only for so to roughly shove him aside. Don't block my path. Seo marched toward the next gate. Maru called out, a warning the unknown was dangerous, but Seo scoffed. Let them come. I'll slaughter anything that breathes. He threw the doors open without hesitation, but waiting in the shadows. Uh, a silhouette stood motionless. Maru squinted the pressure radiating from the figure, feeling strangely familiar. It was Seo himself. Maru smirked. That arrogant sneer was unmistakable. This was a memory from within the gate. The towering temple demon emerged from the void. But the past Seio didn't flee. He walked straight into the lion's den. He demanded an ability. With madness in his eyes, he sought power enough to crush his own father. Maru watched in disbelief. This lunatic was bargaining with a god, so explained his twisted logic. It was the only way to surpass his bloodline. The creature snapped its own finger, and instantly Seio<unk>'s leg shattered with a sickening crunch. The demon moved to finish him. I will not be looked down upon, so roared, snapping his own fingers to transfer the damage back to the boss. Die, he screamed. But despair hit fast. The entity possessed 78 fingers. Its arm twisted unnaturally, mocking him. Seo collapsed, broken by the backlash of his own technique. Maru gritted his teeth. It was up to him to slay this god. Kang and Diamond flared their auras, ready to unleash hell. But the nightmare manifested instantly. Countless phantom limbs erupted from the creature's torso. The team realized too late they were facing a calamityclass threat. As the demon snapped its spectral fingers, their own spines shattered in a sympathetic symphony of agony. Collapsed and writhing, Maru realized this temple demon was in a league of its own. Thanks to his S-class regeneration, Maru was the first to rise from the ashes. But he couldn't understand why Sunw was just lying there. He roared at his teammate to get up. You share this monster's bloodline. Use it. But the rookie remained face down on the cold pavement, paralyzed by Maru<unk>s harsh truth. How dare he? Sun Wu had begged for this power to surpass his father to reach the pinnacle of strength. He had been granted a god tier gift. Yet here he was, humiliating himself again. If he couldn't even conquer this fear, then what was the point of his existence? The demon raised a limb, spawning a fresh wave of hands. Maru knew he was the target. He was the only one daring to stand. The invisible fingers snapped again. The pain was absolute. Bones twisted and splintered faster than his healing factor could keep up. He crumbled to the floor, a broken puppet, completely immobilized. The demon strolled past him with terrifying calm. Desperate, Maru screamed. Deman cast a spell. "The eye!" Dman gasped. "We have to rip out its eye." But fear had locked his body in place. Maru felt despair crash over him. His leader was useless. The entire squad screamed at Sunwu, their last hope, the only one tuned to this frequency of power. As the monster loomed over the survivors, its arms expanded into a grotesque mass of writhing fingers. That was the breaking point. Sun Wu realized he had to embrace the pain. Asterisk crack times. He shattered his own tooth to trigger the curse, obliterating the monster's arm the moment it spawned. Kang seized the opening. She launched herself like a bullet, slicing off another limb. But her victory was short-lived. Her blade rang hollow against the demon's bone armor, stuck fast. Suddenly, gravity betrayed her. An invisible force hoisted her into the air by the throat. She panicked blind to the mechanic while Maru watched in horror. Only Sun Wu saw the truth. The blood dripping from the temple demon had morphed into hundreds of crimson hands holding her aloft. And worse, every inch of her caught in that grip was being twisted. Maru forced his broken body up, screaming for it to stop. But a spectral hand snatched him by the neck, suspending him helplessly. He was blind and bound. But in that darkness, Sun Wu had an epiphany. asterisk. If I carry this demon's curse, I wield its weapon. Asterisk. He tore into his own arm. Blood rained to the floor, instantly forming into spectral claws that dragged the beast to the ground. In that split second of vulnerability, a shadow struck from the void. Jan's spider pierced the creature's core. "Checkmate," she declared. The battle was won, but the team was running on fumes. Later, Sun Wu leaned against the wall, a grim smile on his face. He had finally unlocked the true potential of his bloodline. Not bad, a voice called out. It was Maru. Good to see you finally awake. Next time, don't wait until we're half dead to be useful. Shut it, monster muncher. Sun Wu scoffed, walking away. Maru sighed. He was only trying to give some senior advice. After recovering, they pushed forward to the next chamber. But as they approached the threshold, the atmosphere grew heavy. An eerie sound resonated. "Who's inside?" Sunw asked. Kang shivered. The aura felt terrifyingly similar to Maru's predatory instinct. Maru stepped forward, driven by a strange pull. He threw open the door. "Father," the word escaped his lips. There he was, a small figure standing before a colossal, multi-eyed nightmare. Maru begged to be released, struggling against the invisible tide, but his father's eyes were cold. "This is the road to the abyss," he inoned. If you wish to protect those you love, you must devour the world. You must claim the power of the gluttony demon. Maru<unk>s mind reeled. Protect times. This contradicted everything Director Jong had told him. Jong claimed his father had abandoned his humanity for power. But this man spoke of sacrifice. The director had lied. Meanwhile, at headquarters, a fist slammed onto the mahogany table. Unacceptable. The elder council woman raged. Our roster of awakened users is dwindling, yet the demon incursions are multiplying by the day. Quality over quantity, Jang replied with ice cold calm. But she wasn't having it. We are critically low on level seven users, especially in the ancient region. Where is your strategy? Are you culling the weak to force an evolution? Jong leaned back, his eyes dark. If that is the price of survival, then yes. This is madness, she hissed, striking the table again. Sacrificing civilians just to forge a few weapons. You are playing God. As director, you should know the weight of those words. The tension in the room was suffocating. Suddenly, a knock broke the silence. A subordinate burst in with urgent news. The requested materials were delayed. Contact had been severed. The connection to Gangway Island was dead. The matriarch's eyes narrowed. She ordered them to hunt down the slackers immediately. Meanwhile, the squad stood paralyzed before the beast of gluttony. Its roar shook the very earth. Terror gripped their hearts. They just wanted to go home. Suddenly, Yoso pointed a trembling finger. Look, the monstrosity was melting. In seconds, the terrifying behemoth dissolved into sludge and vanished into the floor. Jan was bewildered. Why retreat now? The beast had vanished without striking a single blow. The Aaman realized something. This demon was unlike the others. A collective sigh of relief swept through the team. No battle meant survival, but peace is always short-lived. A haunting voice echoed through the hall. Sister Kang froze. She knew instantly. This was her nightmare to face. She stepped into the abyss alone. Maru tried to stop her, sensing the danger, but her resolve was absolute. She had to sharpen her spirit for the true war ahead. Stay here, she commanded. I will return. The team held their breath. Maru clenched his fists. Victory seemed impossible. Even Sanu had barely survived his trial. Maru couldn't just stand by. He peeked through the crack. Kang was locked in a dance of death with a crimson beast. But she wasn't alone. Another shadow lurked in the corner, watching with too many eyes. A spectator to the slaughter. Just as the gluttony demon had dissolved outside, the air inside shifted. But then disaster struck times. Snap asterisk. Kang's blade shattered into dust. The monster lunged for the kill. Maru screamed, "Dodge it!" But Kang stood her ground. She remembered her training. "Watch its movements!" Maru shouted. The creature had a defensive shield. If the monster possessed that power, then she could claim it, too. The realization struck her like lightning. The door slammed shut. Sangu held Maru back. "It's over," he said grimly. "She must ascend on her own." They could only wait in agonizing silence. Minutes felt like hours. Finally, the door creaked. A hand drenched in crimson gripped the frame. She emerged from hell, battered, bloody, but breathing. She stumbled out and collapsed into Maru<unk>s embrace. He caught her, his heart racing. Sanu watched grit his teeth. He had needed a savior, but she had become a warrior. The jealousy burned within him. Gene broke the tension. Only Yosuo and the chief remain, but the gate to the next trial refused to manifest. Why? Sanu analyzed the pattern. The forest creature mirrored Yak's trauma. The trials were linked to their memories. Yosuo nodded. It made sense. His demon appeared when he searched for his lost cat. The logic was sound. That meant only one target remained, the chief. But he was just standing there scratching his belly, oblivious to the atmosphere. The tension was thick, yet the leader acted like a fool. His demon was supposedly level 10, a catastrophic threat. Yoso whispered. "Maybe we got lucky," Dekman grinned nervously. "If he's chill, we survive. I'll take that win." Maru exhaled. "Perhaps fate was smiling on them for once." The yellow dust settled. The killing intent vanished. The leader looked at Kang. Looks like you handled your business. Let's get you to a doctor, then grab some food. I'm craving Korean barbecue. The leader beamed. The air in the room instantly froze. Asterisk bam. Times Maru<unk>s fist connected squarely with the leader's jaw. Everyone gasped as Maru seized him by the collar. You aren't the chief. Maru roared. Chiwan panicked. Have you lost your mind? That's our superior. The chief ate barbecue yesterday and got severe gastritis. Maru shouted. He wouldn't dare touch meat today. Silence. The logic was flawless. The imposttor looked confused. my stomach. The disguise crumbled. The team descended upon him like wolves. Get him! The fake leader screamed for mercy as the beatdown commenced. He scrambled to his feet and bolted. He burst through the exit, tasting freedom times. Screech asterisk asterisk crash times. A car slammed into him. The driver stepped out. It was the times real times. Deckman, what the hell did I just hit? The dust cleared. The illusion faded, revealing the red devil beneath. The true enemy had been flushed out. Later at the debriefing, the chief was furious. While I was suffering in the hospital, you let a demon infiltrate the base. If headquarters hears about this, say goodbye to your salaries for a year. The threat of poverty sealed their lips. The mission was over. Kang was exhausted. She turned to leave, longing for rest. "Hey," a voice called out. She expected Maru, but it was Sangu. His expression was dark. "We need to talk. That demon you fought. I've seen it before," he confessed. The air grew heavy. Kang<unk>s eyes widened. Where? When? Sangu dropped the bombshell. That monster was director John. The genius had connected the dots. His IQ was terrifying. The scene shifted. Time rewound 20 years. A young boy entered his mother's room. Mom is dad in the basement again. His answer was cold as ice. He felt no attachment to them, so they owed him no loyalty in return. Shamu stepped out to the basement window and wiped away the grime, revealing a nightmare that would haunt him forever. Inside, the impossible was happening. His own father was mid-transformation, twisting into a demonic entity right before his eyes. He confessed that back then, fear had clouded his judgment. But looking at the memory now, the truth was undeniable. The pieces had finally clicked into place, and he was certain Kang needed to know if the director was truly a monster, or worse, why had he stood by like a statue while her family was slaughtered? Shamu<unk>s eyes burned with determination. This was his sole mission. He had infiltrated this dangerous world for one reason, to rip the mask off Jung's face. If he could climb the ranks and reach headquarters, he knew he would eventually uncover the darkness rotting at the core. Kang warned him that a fragmented childhood memory wasn't enough. To take down a giant, they needed concrete proof. A dark smirk played on his lips as he replied that he already had the perfect plan to drag the truth into the light. The scene shifted to the lion's den headquarters. Maru was already complaining, asking why he had been dragged along. She sighed, having explained it a thousand times, but Maru pointed at Shamu, refusing to risk his life for a lunatic's conspiracy. The tension broke as director Jang entered the room, his apologized smooth as silk, asking what business brought them there. Maru shifted uncomfortably, sensing the pressure, but Shamu didn't hesitate. He went straight for the jugular. He declared that the director had been there the day Kangs powers awakened. Maru froze while the director played innocent. Jong claimed he was confused, asking for clarity, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something dangerous. Kang<unk>s voice trembled with rage as she stated the demon from that day had specific eyes, eyes that matched the directors perfectly. Jong covered his face, letting out a weary sigh, acting as if he were the victim of Shemu<unk>s delusional obsession. He lamented that the boy first blamed his father for his mother's death, and now he was being branded a demon. The revelation hit Maru like a truck. He had no idea they were father and son until this very moment. Shamu slammed his fist on the table, shouting that this wasn't about family. It was about exposing a monster. He turned to Maru, commanding him to unleash the yellow dust to force the director to reveal his true form. But Jong<unk>s voice dropped an octave, warning Maru that using that power would strip him of his divine protection forever. Maru hesitated the weight of the choice, crushing him. While Kang urged Shamu to stop refusing to sacrifice her friend. She wanted justice for her family, yes, but not at the cost of Maru's safety. However, Maru looked at her. He remembered her pain, the memory of the demon tearing her life apart and his resolve hardened into steel. He stood up, declaring that if this was the only way, then Shamu better take full responsibility for the consequences. The yellow dust began to swirl, filling the room with suffocating pressure as the director rose, asking why his son would go this far. Shamu spat back that he never considered him a father, snapping his own fingers to break the tension with pure adrenaline. To him, Jang was just the coward who abandoned them. The glass behind the director shattered from the rising aura. Shamu lunged. He slammed his shoulder into Jong's chest with the force of a freight train knocking him out the window. As they fell, Maru screamed that this was insanity. Without the dust outside, there was no safety. But Jong just smirked. As he plummeted toward the earth, the director thought that these brats were finally becoming a nuisance. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. A portal tore open in midair, and the director stepped out unharmed and terrifying. He exhaled a cloud of dark dust, proving Shamu right in the most horrifying way possible. Yu Yong burst into the room. She demanded answers, but the moment her eyes locked onto the director and the dust she knew, the devil stood before her. Kang screamed out a warning, confirming that director Jang was the architect of her family's destruction. Jong calmly asked if anyone else knew of their suspicion. When silence answered him, a cruel smile spread across his face. "Good," he whispered. Space warped around his hand as he slammed it into the floor, shattering the reality around them. In a heartbeat, the office vanished. They were instantly transported to a desolate concrete wasteland miles from civilization. Yu Yong, bewildered, demanded to know what he had done. The director dusted off his suit, his demeanor changing completely. He explained that since they knew the truth, they had to die, and he couldn't very well stain his office with their endrails. Killing intent exploded from him. He launched a spatial attack that tore through the air like a guillotine. Duan screamed. They barely scrambled out of the way as the attack annihilated everything in its path. Looking back, Maru saw that matter itself had been erased. Yuen asked if he was insane, but the director simply smiled. He was ruthlessly pruning the branches of humanity, deeming the children impure variables who had witnessed too much darkness. It was a tragedy that the bald warrior and his disguised partner were entangled in this web. They would have been legendary weapons against the abyss. Yet, removing Maru was a necessary evil calculated to save himself the headache of future chaos. Maru demanded to know why he was being branded a traitor. The accusation of siding with the abyss hung heavy in the air, but Jenang simply began weaving another spell of dimensional destruction. He claimed humanity's fragility was their sin. Suddenly, a rift opened behind them. Kang turned eyes widening in horror as two heads were severed from their bodies in a split second. Maru froze in terror, but nearby Yu Yang clutched her chest in agony. She gripped her heart for five agonizing seconds, invoking the ultimate taboo, the power of eternal pause. She held the Raza of time. By sacrificing 5 years of her own life force, she could rewind the world by exactly 5 seconds. The fabric of reality warped, returning them to the past. Back to the moment Jang charged his energy, but the monster stared directly at them, his eyes gleaming with recognition. He knew time had shifted. The blood soaking Yuyang<unk>s chest was the proof of her sacrifice. Maru stammered, confused as to how the dead were standing before him again. It was chilling. Aside from the director, no mortal should have sensed the temporal shift. Sensing the danger, the bald warrior and the wig user roared. They charged with reckless abandon, declaring that time was a luxury they did not possess. They launched a synchronized assault, but Jang was a ghost. He vanished into the ether, materializing instantly behind them. He strolled toward Sew, his voice dripping with malice as he asked about the boy's father. Sew responded with violence. He snapped his fingers and a telekinetic force crushed the director<unk>'s arm, twisting the bone. Eyes burning with hatred, Sei Wu declared this monster was not his father. Jang prepared a spatial severance, but Maru and Kang reacted on instinct. They tackled the tyrant to the earth, warning the others to stay sharp or face death a second time. Yu Yang screamed a desperate order. Capture him alive. The answers they needed were locked inside his mind. The bald warrior and his partner hesitated, unsure if mercy was an option, but they stealed their resolve. They clasped hands, activating a forbidden technique as they released a crimson aura linked their very veins. It was an all or nothing gamble. The wigwearing fighter dashed forward. His speed amplified to god-like levels by the blood pact. He moved like a bolt of lightning, but Jang merely prepped a single lazy slash. In an instant, the warrior's head was separated from his shoulders. It should have been over. But even decapitated, the fighter did not fall. His headless body threw a devastating punch that connected with Jen's face as his severed head spun through the air. It wore a grotesque smile, proclaiming their inevitable victory. This was the power of their bond. The bald warrior revealed the terrifying secret of their blood arts. As long as the pact remained unbroken, death had no dominion over them. Jang fired a spatial slash to sever the connection, but the blood bond reformed instantly, knitting together like liquid steel. Now his earlier words made sense. The final mercy pact was absolute. The headless warrior lying on the ground thanked the director for the past, but declared that today the debt would be paid in blood. Maru watched in awe of their spirit, but Seu sensed the impending doom. Jang was dodging their suicide attacks with terrifying ease. Kang shouted for them to observe the battlefield. It was a trap, but arrogance had blinded the villain. After dodging for so long, Jenang had stepped right into the trap laid by the blood ties. The bald warrior and his partner pulled the ethereal strings. "This is the end," they roared, stretching Jangs body from both sides. Yuyang screamed for the finishing blow. Kang<unk>s blade flashed, slicing his arm while Sews telekinesis shattered the other limb. Excitement surged through the team. They had stripped him of his ability to cast spells. But their hope was extinguished as quickly as it rose. Jang began inhaling the yellow dust of the abyss, regenerating his flesh in seconds. The leader barked at Maru to bite him and disrupt the flow. The boy sprinted forward, screaming that he had never tasted human flesh. But as he closed the distance, the atmosphere shifted. Jang smirked. Maru's blood ran cold as the man's form twisted and contorted. It was the nightmare scenario he was transforming. He became the very demon from Kangs prophetic dreams. A punch clashed with Maru, unleashing a shockwave of spatial distortion. Maru tried to defend, but the darkness was hungry. The energy spiraled into Jangs palm, creating a black hole that swallowed the boy whole. Before their desparing eyes, Maru was erased into the void. The monster stood there, grinning with the madness of a creature beyond reason. Yu Yong<unk>s mind fractured, unable to process the horror. Jang sighed, a sound like grinding stones, apologizing for revealing his true form. Seu<unk>s heart shattered. He finally accepted that his father was long gone. The demon touched its face, lamenting the waste of resources. He mocked them, stating how tragic it was to slaughter the very soldiers he had cultivated. Kang froze as the realization hit her like a truck. She refused to believe it, but the demon confirmed her worst nightmare. He was the architect of her trauma. He was the one who summoned the demons to her home that fateful day. All because he saw her potential as a weapon. Blind rage overtook her. Kang lunged a scream, tearing from her throat, ignoring the leader's desperate command to halt. It was suicide. She swung her blade, but the demon merely extended a hand. Her body began to crumble into dust. With a single spatial slap, she was erased from existence. Yuyang lost an arm, and in a flash of dark light, the entire team was annihilated. Left with no other option, the leader clutched her chest in agony and forced time to rewind by 5 seconds. She seized Kang's shoulder, her voice trembling with a warning to freeze or face instant death. But Kang was frantic, screaming for a solution. Yu Yong<unk>s spirit broke. She confessed they were helpless. Ever since Director Jong's transformation, his power had become something monstrous. It was an overwhelming force they couldn't even scratch, let alone approach. Kang insisted that if they still had, Maru hope remained. But how could they retrieve him from the void? The leader's eyes went cold as she crushed that hope. It was impossible. No living soul had ever returned from the endless darkness created by Jang's shadow. Meanwhile, our main character was sprinting through the abyss, stumbling like a lost soul. He ran until his lungs burned. Yet, darkness swallowed everything. Just as he collapsed in exhaustion, a flicker of hope appeared, an exit shimmering in the distance. Adrenaline surged, and he scrambled toward it. He was desperate to uncover the truth. But as he stepped into the light, he froze. Standing there was none other than Director Jong himself. The man looked withered a shell of his former self. Staring in disbelief, Jong whispered, "How did a mere human enter this realm?" Maru answered innocently, explaining he was ens snared while battling a doppelganger. But he needed answers. "What on earth was this place?" That was when the director revealed the terrifying truth. The entity Maru fought was a demon that had broken free from the abyss. A chill ran down Maru's spine. This creature wasn't just a beast. It possessed intelligence and speech. Then the real Jong dropped a bombshell. That monster was one of the eight gods transcendent beings standing far above ordinary demons. They wielded the authority of the supreme king of the abyss. Unlike mindless beasts driven only by the instinct to slaughter these entities possessed terrifying clarity. The eight gods acted on their own twisted free will. Back in reality, the monster unleashed a devastating spatial slash. Kang screamed to protect the leader knowing she was their lifeline, but the attack was too fast. In a blink, both Kang and the bald warrior were cleaved in half. Damn it. The leader was sacrificing years of her lifespan. She grabbed her heart. Agony etched on her face and turned back time 5 seconds. Severed heads and limbs snapped back into place. The illusionary Jong mocked them, declaring that mortals stood no chance against the supreme realm. No ability user could ever hope to challenge a god despair washed over the team. The entity taunted the leader, asking why she persisted when she had already reversed fate countless times. Why not just accept death? Yu Yong trembled, realizing she had been dancing to this monster's tune all along. The demon smirked, amused by their struggle. He raised his hands, tearing open the sky with demonic portals. Now he laughed. Let the real entertainment begin. Nightmares began raining from the heavens. The battlefield had become a slaughterhouse. The survivors huddled in the center, praying for a miracle. Back in the void, Maru demanded answers. "If the eight gods were demons, why were they slaughtering their own kind?" Jong explained the betrayal. The entity possessing him was a traitor to the abyss, an enemy of the Supreme King. This monster intended to forge humans into weapons to shatter the abyss itself. Maru<unk>s eyes widened. "Was the entire civil service system just a pawn in this space demons game?" He clenched his fist. "If I kill that bastard, could we end this war?" But Jong shook his head heavily. It was already too late. The invasion had begun. Our boy's resolve hardened. "If that demon dies, you regain control." He wasn't giving up. He sees Jong<unk>s arm shouting that they were leaving, but the director refused, claiming his consciousness was shackled to this hell. Maru played his trump card, his voice softening. "Director, your son is waiting for you outside." Jang froze confusion, clouding his eyes. "My son, why mention a 5-year-old kindergartener now?" Maru was thunderruck. The director's memories were frozen in the past. Jang sighed, the weight of eternity on his shoulders. "This is exhausting. I just want to rest with my family." Maru yanked him harder. "No, we escape now. There is a way out for both of us, but the director lowered his head in defeat, whispering that the seals were unbreakable. He insisted escape was impossible. Meanwhile, back at the ruins, the squad was overwhelmed by the endless wave of monsters. The space demon grinned. A perfect opportunity to erase all pests at once. He unleashed a cataclysmic spatial slash. The attack shore through the demon horde and barreled straight for the survivors. The energy expanded a wave of pure annihilation. It wasn't just a cut. Space itself was collapsing around them. The group closed their eyes, accepting their doom. But suddenly, a hand burst from a dimensional rift. It was Maru dragging himself back from the depths of hell itself. The monster recoiled in shock, and Kang<unk>s jaw dropped in awe. Maru roared, emerging with a triumphant scream. He clenched a fist glowing with power. The escape worked. Now it's time for payback. The tide had turned. Rewind a few minutes. Back when Jong declared it impossible, our boy had smirked. Impossible. Not in my dictionary. The lesser demon lunged, placing its withered claw on him to take a bite. But Maru was faster. A lightning quick punch pulverized the beast's face before the creature could even react, causing it to disintegrate into spiritual dust. Maru stood there, bewildered by the sudden ambush in this strange dimension. Memories flooded back to him, a grim conversation with Yoke. He had been anxious about a dimensional gate left open for 3 days. A calamity that had nearly destroyed Boozen City. They were only saved because the director arrived in time, sealing the rift by manipulating space itself. The director was truly a monster among men. That memory gave Maru a desperate idea. He needed to find a gate within this endless void. After wandering through the nothingness, he finally spotted a fracture in reality. He approached the distortion hesitation clawing at his heart. He had no idea where it led, but anything was better than rotting in this eternal prison. Stealing his resolve, he stepped through the veil. The transition was instant, but the new world was suffocating. Maru froze, overwhelmed by a concentration of golden myasma so intense it threatened to crush his consciousness. Just as he was fading, a voice, commanded him to endure. Through the haze, he saw a mysterious figure, a woman with flowing hair and piercing emerald eyes. She stared right through him, and suddenly every monster in the vicinity locked onto her presence. The earth began to tremble violently, and Maru wondered if the world itself was breaking apart. Before him, a literal legion from hell marched forward. There was no way he could fight. An army of that magnitude. Survival instinct took over and he sprinted away, having absolutely no clue where he was headed. In the middle of his frantic escape, Salvation appeared another dimensional gate. He dove toward it as the horde closed in, warping through space and materializing directly behind the space demon. The massive boss monster spun around in shock while our boy launched a devastating haymaker. "Damn it!" the slippery bastard teleported instantly to dodge the blow. "Come on, let the hero have his moment." The monster hissed in irritation while Yu Yong watched impressed that he had survived the void. Our boy flashed a confident grin, asked if the squad was all right, and declared that he would handle the rest. Shau scoffed, calling him an idiot since he couldn't even land a hit on the space demon before. But Maru ignored the doubt. He could feel it in his veins. His current self was strong enough to crush this threat. The demon demanded to know how he escaped the dark dimension. But suddenly, he felt a chill down his spine. Vile green energy erupted from the portal, striking the creature with the force of a truck. The king of hell roared across dimension, screaming that he had finally found the traitor. The space demon's arm was being dragged back, and it looked like his very soul was being ripped from his physical vessel. Desperate, the creature tried to seal every open gate to prevent being dragged back to the underworld. Yan realized the monsters were retreating. It seemed the director's plan to seal the area was working. The demon struggled against the inevitable while the king's hateful gaze bore down on him from the rift. It seemed like the battle was won, but the space demon realized something crucial. A massive portion of the power the king of hell had lent him had been reclaimed. Trembling with humiliation and rage, he clenched his fist, aiming straight at Maru. This is all your fault," he shrieked. Our protagonist stood his ground as a blade of spatial energy flew toward him, ignoring his allies desperate screams to dodge. The attack struck true. Maru<unk>s head was severed. "Clean off, Yu Yong" clutched her, chest in horror, but Kang grabbed her arm, his eyes wide. Look closely. Maru had triggered his evolution skill. Like a butterfly emerging from a grotesque cocoon, his new body burst forth, dashing toward the demon. The creature launched another spatial/ unbothered, but Maru didn't even flinch. Yu Yong was shaking, unable to process the violence as the demon continued to dice Maru into pieces. Yet, he kept coming. Bali and Wiggy watched in stunned silence, wondering if this boy was even human anymore. The old man accepted his death, but Maru had already surpassed limits. Let's count them. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 meaning there were now 10 clones swarming the battlefield. He lunged at the creature, signaling the finale. But the space demon unleashed a cataclysmic wave commanding him to die. Maru crouched, ducking under the reaper's scythe, and whispered, "Not today." He slipped past the defense, latched onto the creature's neck, and growled, "I'm devouring this ability." He hung there, fangs buried deep in the monster's flesh. Kang thought it was over, but something was wrong. Maru's bite hadn't drawn blood. The boy looked visibly shaken. It seemed his gluttony skill was reacting differently this time. In an instant, his mind was pulled back into the void. The consciousness of the space demon materialized before him, sneering. "You will regret this. You'll wish you never consumed me. That gluttony demon inside you will swallow my power, proving you are nothing but a pawn sent by the abyss to steal divinity." He glared at Maru. How long will you let yourself be a puppet of the deep? Do you truly desire to return to that prison of eternal war and darkness? Maru frowned, snapping back that he was talking nonsense and obviously didn't want that. But the demon seized him by the throat, staring past his eyes. I'm not talking to you, boy. I'm speaking to the gluttony demon hiding inside your soul. He demanded to know the monster's true intent. A pathetic deity so weak it failed to seize a human vessel. Despite being one of the original eight gods, Maru stepped forward, his aura flaring. He wasn't just battling the crushing pressure of the space demon. He was fighting a war within. The demon of gluttony clawed at his mind, screaming for control. Resisting is feudal, the entity sneered. Every mortal who wielded the eight gods power eventually crumbled. "Surrender your humanity. Join me against the abyss." The tempter offered a devil's bargain. Freedom in exchange for his soul. Together, we can slaughter the abyss. We only need to sacrifice a few humans as fuel. Using the stolen memories, Maru's form twisted. A nightmare manifested. Jaws upon jaws erupted across his body. I am not undoing this. Maru roared his will, shattering the demon's influence. I won't let it happen. Using innocence as pawns. Never. He refused to let this monster pilot his soul. I will devour you instead. With a feral lunge, he sought to end this madness personally. Reality snapped back to the abandoned building. But this time, Maru ripped a chunk of soul right out of him. He swallowed the essence instantly. Foolish mortal, the enemy scoffed about to mock him again. When a fountain of crimson erupted, both figures collapsed, their strength completely spent. The gorgeous Kang arrived to secure our hero. But elsewhere, silence rained as the transformation undid itself. He draped a coat over the fallen figure. The director, the old man, had crossed the river of no return. His consciousness had faded forever. The battle was over. King Maru had claimed another impossible victory. But as Yaong gazed at the body, dread filled her. What happens to the special task force now? Later at the dorms, the tension was thick. "Duck man broke the silence. He couldn't believe the betrayal." "I knew the director was eccentric," he muttered. "But a demon host. That's a twist no one saw coming." The room rire of stale beer and exhaustion until Yay Young addressed Dio Man. "Sunay," she said, using the respectful title. She considered calling an emergency council, but she needed his wisdom first. "What is our next move?" Dman's expression was grim. "If this news goes public, society collapses. Panic will destroy us. The government won't show mercy. This truth could dissolve our entire organization overnight. Absolute secrecy is our only shield. Not a whisper leaves this room until we find a countermeasure. Later, Yaya Yong prepared to leave. Dakman called out, his face softening. You worked hard today, she glared back. Don't call me Sunbeay anymore. The age gap was a sore spot, and the others snickered. What a bastard, they whispered, implying she was ancient. Meanwhile, Maru was passed out in the living room. Why is he sleeping here? Someone grumbled. Shouldn't he go back to his own place? Sun Wu sighed. Let the kid rest. He's drained. Besides, I can't stand sharing a room with someone. Maru mumbled. My room is basically a broom closet. This couch is luxury compared to that. Suddenly, Maru's eyes snapped open. Sun Wu, we need to talk. It's about your father. Sun Wu froze, sitting up instantly. Maru<unk>s voice was soft. I met him in the void of consciousness. He was trapped in that endless black space alone. I tried to save him, but the tether was cut. I'm sorry. Sun Wu turned away, his face hardening like stone. It's fine, he dismissed coldly. He missed you, Maru whispered. He missed your mother. Please let go of the hate. A single tear betrayed Sunws stoic mask. Our boy lay back down, his mind racing. The demons dying curse echoed in his ears. The eight gods of the abyss are coming. Humanity had lost its greatest defender, and now the true enemy approaches. Maru felt a chill. How can they defeat literal gods of hell when they barely survived a weakened demon? Somewhere in the darkness, a divine voice commanded,