Chapter 1
Apocalypse cult? Denomination? "Damn it."
Pitch-black clouds, bleak beyond measure, blanketed the skies over Seoul. Kim Su-ho, leader of Team Liquid, peered through binoculars from the summit of Namhansanseong, observing the city's plight. He let out a sigh heavy with despair at the grim reality before him.
The Seoul he knew had been a city that never slept, a blaze of lights rejecting even the slightest shadow. A hub of prosperity and vitality befitting the capital, the very symbol of South Korea...
"Is that the Seoul we knew?"
"Yes, sir. Leader."
But through Kim Su-ho's binoculars, only the moonlight piercing the dark clouds illuminated ruined buildings and loathsome monsters. There was no trace of the prosperity once known as South Korea's capital.
"Teeming with them."
The view of Seoul through the lenses filled Kim Su-ho's heart with despair. And rightly so—Seoul was packed to the brim with zombies and monsters that had effectively annihilated South Korea itself. The fact that this ancient fortress ruin where he stood had become their sole military stronghold drew a hollow laugh from him.
"With faith in God alone, there are no problems."
"Damn it."
What now? As worries about the future deepened, a grating phrase reached Kim Su-ho's ears. In this apocalyptic world where the nation had fallen, what was the one drug permitted to humans?
"Our Balhut Cult will never yield in protecting our kin."
Religion.
The old faiths had crumbled long ago, giving rise to countless pseudo-cults proselytizing their gods. The common sense of peaceful times had shattered, rendered meaningless. Perhaps these new creeds were born to force acceptance of apocalyptic norms. Or maybe the powerless survivors clung to them to affirm their harsh reality. Or perhaps they hurled themselves into religious madness to soothe troubled, weary hearts.
Damn it. Why did the higher-ups send these cultists here?
Kim Su-ho, commanding Namhansanseong, was no stranger to these circumstances. A former follower of a monotheistic faith before the end times, he saw the proliferation of pseudo-cults as a sign of the end itself. Still, if they could provide spiritual solace to the refugees here, he'd permit them—cult or not.
"Why tell me this?"
"Simple. As long as you walk with Him, you have no enemies."
"That's easy for you to—"
"Leader. They're from Serabeol."
Tragically, what should have been spiritual respite had infiltrated the military, even meddling in operations. Kim Su-ho gripped his aching head, itching to berate the fanatic priestess claiming faith alone ensured victory. But as curses rose in his throat, his subordinate halted him with mention of Serabeol.
Serabeol?
One place came to mind.
"From Gyeongju, by any chance?"
"Yes. I am the Balhut Priestess."
Of all the troublesome pseudo-cults, it had to be one of theirs. Kim Su-ho swallowed the profanity burning in his throat upon hearing the name of this rapidly growing group, sighing as he regarded the priestess.
In this apocalyptic ruin where the nation lay in tatters, she seemed to live in another world—her face pristine, attire immaculate.
Can't handle her like the others.
He'd heard rumors of their powers via internet communities and informants. Balhut Cult followers had wrought miracles in countless battles.
"...If faith in your god brings victory, show us proof."
"Ah, I see. You want evidence of faith? You should have said so earlier—we wouldn't have wasted time."
Kim Su-ho had voiced his doubts plainly, but the priestess affirmed she'd demonstrate, as if understanding his heart. It seemed she'd accept the unreasonable demand because they had something credible.
"Hah."
How to reverse such despair? Once the refugee escorts from Seoul ended, they'd have to abandon this stronghold. The ancient walls were no match for the ferocious horde occupying the capital.
"Watch closely."
Yet the priestess showed no fear despite witnessing the vast army beyond the walls. Religious zeal, or a true ace up her sleeve? Kim Su-ho chalked it up to fanaticism based on her conduct thus far, but she extended her hands skyward under his skeptical gaze.
"Come forth! God of our Balhut Cult! Valiant and merciful Bahamut!"
"What? Nothing..."
At first, he just watched dubiously. But with her proclamation, a massive magic circle bloomed in the heavens.
A pale, crimson-glowing circular array unfurled, blanketing Seoul's skies.
"What the hell? A magic circle?"
Intricately dense and three-dimensional, it seized the gaze of everyone in Namhansanseong staring upward. Even the black clouds were obscured by its fine details... until it reached critical mass.
Boom.
With a thunderous roar, it began illuminating Seoul.
"Meteor?"
A colossal object pierced the array, plummeting earthward. Folks called it a meteor, but Kim Su-ho's binoculars revealed the truth: a winged creature, wings enfolding its body. It unfurled them wide, landing near Namhansanseong.
BOOM!
The impact's weight and shockwave battered ears and bodies, but Kim Su-ho had no attention for it.
"What is that..."
He'd witnessed countless monsters since South Korea's fall, but nothing this enormous. Over 50 meters tall, wings blending gold and red. Sturdy flesh clad in navy scales accented with gold. A dragon—the stuff of legends.
"Behold! He is our god! Valiant and merciful Dragon God. His name is Bahamut! Witness His power!"
Only her voice praised it, ignored by all. Not out of dismissal, but sheer overwhelm. Kim Su-ho himself yielded to the dragon's immensity and radiating aura, desperate to look away.
"ROOOAAARRRR!"
Shattered circle fragments drifted like glass, enhancing the dragon's mystique. It roared skyward with majestic dignity, then fixed its gaze on the encroaching horde.
Its reliable, imposing form sparked hope in the refugees' hearts.
"That's...!?"
"Watch and revere! God's glory! God's might!"
The dragon leaped skyward, surveying the ground. It opened its vast maw, mana surging wildly. Kim Su-ho stared in horror; the priestess urged him to observe.
Everyone in the fortress knelt in prayer at the sight.
"Insane?!"
"That light will grant us victory!"
Kim Su-ho prayed it spared Namhansanseong, tracking it intently. Blue particles gathered in its mouth, shining like the sun across Seoul's skies.
The immense power awed him; the priestess rejoiced.
The light coalesced into a sphere, then launched earthward like a newborn sun.
BOOM.
A nuclear detonation's roar and dust assailed the fortress. A massive flash blanketed dark Seoul; Kim Su-ho shut his eyes against the glare.
Silence fell as echoes faded and light receded.
No chatter, no whispers—pure hush.
Kim Su-ho, reopening his eyes, was speechless at the sight.
"They're... gone."
The monster horde advancing on Namhansanseong had vanished. Cleanly eradicated, leaving only blue-burning earth as proof of the cataclysm. Melted bedrock and ashen trees remained. The endless black wave erased in one strike. Winds carried flames, confirming utter desolation.
Only one voice rang out amid the scene.
"Ahahahahaha!"
The Balhut Priestess who'd summoned the great dragon.
"What do you think of our god's power?"
What did he think? What could he say?
"Hm? You look unwell. Shall I cast a recovery spell? Are you alright?"
Alright? No. Overwhelming awe and thrill sealed Kim Su-ho's lips. His team felt the same.
"Ooooooh..."
"Ah, our god seems greatly pleased with this battle. Please pray to the deity who granted us decisive victory."
The dragon roared in satisfaction, prompting the priestess to urge prayer. It cast a gentle gaze over Namhansanseong; those meeting its eyes bowed in rapture.
Whether dragons had expressions was unclear, but it seemed to speak, mouth moving. Then blue light enveloped it, dissolving into the air.
"You can now join the Balhut Cult and serve God Bahamut."
She claimed the miracle was their god's doing.
"I'll convert immediately."
That day, Namhansanseong gained a new deity. All had witnessed the great dragon safeguarding them from the horde, felt its power firsthand. Without doubt, they embraced the Balhut Cult's god.
The valiant, merciful god Bahamut—destined to be praised as the deity of the nation to come.
"I dunno. That's scary."
The praised god himself seemed utterly bewildered.