The sky above Shinjuku cracked with lightning as the earth below trembled under the thunderous steps of death.
Yuri Orloff, master barrier mage and the pride of Russian magic, let out a horrified scream as the massive jaws of a Giant closed around him. His intricate defenses, the layers of magic woven with hundreds of thousands of mana crystals, had failed to hold back the tide of destruction.
"NOOO—!!"
Chomp.
The scream cut off as his body disappeared into the gullet of a monster the size of a ten-story building, its humanoid face twisted in unnatural proportions, mouth stained with gore, and eyes glowing like molten gold.
His assistant stood frozen in place, unable to tear his gaze from the horrific sight. Then he dropped to his knees, head bowed. "He's gone…"
The Japanese military had mobilized within hours of the gate opening, sending tanks, helicopters, and countless ground forces. But as Kanae Tawata had warned, their bullets and missiles bounced off the giants like pebbles thrown at a mountain. They couldn't even scratch them.
But they did buy time. Time for the S-Rank Hunters to arrive.
Kanae and the other survivors of the Jeju Island Raid launched into the fray with grim determination, leaping onto rooftops, pouring mana into their attacks, and going straight for the eyes of the rampaging monsters.
"Blind them!" one shouted.
But it wasn't that simple.A single swing from one of the giants' short swords—each the size of a three-story building—forced the Hunters into a frantic retreat. The shockwave from the impact shattered windows in a four-block radius. Cars were flung like toys. Concrete split.
Kanae leapt through the air, twirling like a dancer, her blade glinting with mana as she went for a slash across the face of one monster. But even with all her speed and strength, the giant saw her.
And it moved—fast.
"MOVE!!" someone shouted.
The air pressure alone knocked her off-course, barely allowing her to avoid being flattened.
In five days of constant battle, only two giants had been slain. But the worst part? The largest one—taller than any other, its armor black as obsidian and its breath like a furnace—hadn't moved an inch. It stood before the gate, unmoving. Watching. Waiting. Breathing.
Korea – Seoul:
Inside the sleek briefing room of the Ahjin Guild HQ, a tense conversation unfolded.
"I want to go," said Jinho firmly, slamming his hands on the table. "I'm a member of this Guild too. The world needs to see that."
Po leaned back, arms crossed, a faint smirk on his face. "You're gonna stand out. You sure you can keep up?"
"I didn't come this far to be a shadow. I won't let you guys hog all the spotlight!" Jinho shot back, his usual nervous demeanor replaced with something sharper. Determined.
Jinwoo stood by the window, the sunlight catching the edge of his black coat. His gaze stayed locked on the far horizon. "Then we're agreed. We move."
"Mr. Go Gunhee, can you tell us who's been selected for the Japan operation?"
Gunhee stood at the podium with his usual calm authority. "Sung Jinwoo, Guildmaster of Ahjin Guild. Alongside him—Po, ranked S. And Chairman Yoo Jinho, representing the Guild."
The cameras flashed. Reporters whispered.
But when Po and Jinwoo stepped forward, all fell silent.
Two figures that didn't just radiate power—they commanded it.
Po's obsidian-black hair with a single white strand shimmered slightly under the lights, his sharp features unreadable. Jinwoo stood beside him like a shadow wrapped in darkness, eyes calm but unreadable.
No words were spoken. They didn't need to be.
Narita Airport – Tokyo, Japan:
As the trio exited the private terminal, the air buzzed with energy. The moment they appeared, a tidal wave of flashes from cameras hit them.
Po walked with effortless grace, dressed in sleek combat gear that made him look like he'd stepped out of an action film. Jinwoo followed beside him, dark coat billowing, every step calculated and silent.
Jinho, trailing slightly behind, was weighed down by a massive tactical backpack that looked three times too big for him—but his face shone with pride.
Reporters shouted questions. Japanese civilians cheered.
A group of Hunters stood nearby, eyes wide with disbelief.
"They're finally here," whispered one.
"They might actually save us…"
AN: Sorry if it's too short, the following chapters will be better.