Prologue: S-Rank Exorcists
In the Korean Metropolis of 202X, deep shadows lurked within the city.
Born from humanity's twisted desires and deep-seated grudges, the Dimensional Rifts hid otherworldly existences beyond them. Demons endlessly eyed the human world.
And those who stood against them wielded an innate sacred power—Holy Power. The people called them Exorcists.
Tonight, once again, a dimensional gate yawned open in the heart of the metropolis. The age-old battle between Exorcists and Demons raged on.
KABOOM!! An unprecedented crisis of the highest danger level.
The Dimensional Rift that tore open today dwarfed the usual ones by over twenty times. It was the largest in history.
Asphalt cracked, and debris from shattered buildings flew in all directions. News helicopters hovered overhead, broadcasting the clash, but the overwhelming demonic energy and Holy Power made it a struggle just to stay airborne.
Dozens, hundreds of Demons—fattened on human fear—shriekeled grotesque cries as they surged toward a single point.
Their target: just four women. Even in the pitch-black night, they shone brilliantly under the sky.
S-rank Exorcists from the Exorcist Association HQ—the strongest in Korea, no, the entire world. It was extraordinarily rare for them all to gather like this.
Proof of just how massive this Dimensional Rift was, and how unnatural the demonic aura pouring from it.
"Data analysis complete. Maximum demonic energy density at 12 o'clock ahead. Three elite ogre-type Demons. Attack patterns unpredictable. Swarms of lesser Demons acting as meat shields. Optimal strategy route... nonexistent. I recommend a frontal assault."
Yoo Ari, the S-rank Exorcist and strategic planning team leader of the Exorcist Association, spoke in a low, icy voice from behind her silver-rimmed glasses, her red eyes gleaming. Every word carried analytical precision rivaling prophecy.
"Frontal assault? Now that's my kinda talk. Was just itching to loosen up anyway."
Kang Yura, cracking her neck beside her, grinned like a starving beast. She swept back her short red hair. Her tight white tank top clung to her muscular frame, baring every curve, while her black leather jacket added a rebellious edge. Blue Holy Power, hot as magma, already blazed around her fists.
"Don't get cocky, Kang Yura. These mutant ogre-types aren't like the lesser Demons you've faced."
Serina warned coldly from atop the tallest building ruin, surveying the battlefield. Her silver hair remained flawless despite the fierce winds. She exuded perfect poise, elegant even in war. Her mere presence made nearby Demons falter—an overwhelming intimidation befitting her moniker, the Ice Queen.
"All life is precious... but evil is the exception. I will purify it."
A short distance away, Yeon Ji-ah clasped her hands in prayer-like whisper. Her pure white t-shirt and jeans clashed with the carnage, but the purity of her rising Holy Power surpassed all others. Pristine white radiance. As her eyes opened, her blue irises flooded with clear white light. Pure white energy gathered in her hands, forging a razor-sharp sword.
KIIEEEEEEK!!
The Demons' patience snapped. They crashed toward the four like a tsunami. Footsteps shook the earth; ear-shattering roars echoed through the city.
Yoo Ari moved first, unflinching. Arms extended, she declared,
"I'll block them. Deploying Absolute Barrier."
At her words, translucent blue runes etched the ground beneath her feet. Dozens of hexagonal panels assembled like a honeycomb in an instant, forming a massive dome around the four.
Her Holy Power shield calculated every attack, dispersing the impact. A perfect defense, mirroring her ironclad perfectionism. The moment proved her epithet: the flawless bulwark.
THUD! KABOOM!!
The lead Demons couldn't brake in time, slamming into the barrier. Dull impacts burst their bodies, splattering dark red ichor—but not a single crack marred Yoo Ari's shield.
"Ten seconds. That's how much time I can buy you."
Yoo Ari adjusted her glasses and murmured lowly—a signal to the others.
"Ten seconds? Plenty to pound 'em flat!!"
Kang Yura's red hair whipped as she leaped out like a hunting hound. Her kick shattered concrete on takeoff. Her eyes locked on the lead ogre-type Demon.
She charged straight at it. "Heard you're tough? I'll stomp you flat, you fucking punk!!"
The ogre swung its massive arm. Kang Yura didn't dodge. She dove deeper, hurling her Holy Power-wreathed fist at the incoming blow.
SMASH!
It looked like egg meeting rock. But the result reversed: the ogre's fist exploded on impact.
"Ngh! Cracked?"
Kang Yura's right fist wasn't unscathed either. But the ogre, too massive to scream, staggered off-balance.
"All that bulk for nothin'!"
She sneered, vaulting into the air for a merciless axe kick to its skull.
Meanwhile, Serina's eyes narrowed from her perch. Her gaze ignored the rampaging Kang Yura and lesser Demons, fixed solely on the battlefield's core: the Dimensional Rift spewing all the energy.
"Pathetic worms..."
With a contemptuous mutter, she slowly raised one hand. No chants or crude forms like the others—simple was best. Her specialty: pure Holy Power release.
White light swirled in her palm, devouring all warmth. The area's temperature plummeted; air froze solid.
"Vanish."
Her quiet command unleashed the compressed energy as a colossal beam. A wave of obliterating light swept the field.
Lesser Demons in its path disintegrated to dust without a cry. Even the ogre Kang Yura fought vanished without trace.
"What the hell! Nearly got me too! And that was my prey!"
Kang Yura landed grumbling, but Serina didn't spare her a glance. Her eyes turned to the Rift—now erased by her attack.
All this unfolded in the ten seconds of Yoo Ari's barrier.
Now, only a handful of surviving Demons and one final ogre-type, still gathering power, remained.
Then, Yeon Ji-ah stepped forward calmly.
"No more sins will be forgiven."
Her Holy Power sword blazed like the sun. With graceful, martial steps, she wove through the Demons. Wherever her blade passed, their bodies split in half a beat later, collapsing.
The last ogre roared and charged. Yeon Ji-ah didn't flinch.
"Sword of Repentance."
Her blade pierced the ogre's heart in a straight line. Black malevolence poured from its body, purified by pristine white light. The giant frame crumbled to glowing ash, scattering into the air.
With that, the crisis ended.