The Emperor's Sword Form
Running across the night sky in reverse flow, Haneul's eyes sparkled at the vast landscape unfolding below. The crescent moon, the glittering constellations, and the fluffy clouds blooming in the sky were even more beautiful up close. The blaring sirens and the Hunter Association staff's voices shouting through megaphones added to the thrill of the moment. The gentle breeze felt refreshing, and watching the people evacuating in a panic far below was somewhat entertaining in its own way.
This neighborhood was a safe zone. No gates, not even a single break had ever occurred here. So it made sense that people experiencing something like this for the first time might lose their heads during the evacuation—but they didn't. Whether it was the Association's competence or the hunters working hard, the crowd was evacuating in perfect order. Sure, a few tried to make a fuss about protecting their cars or property, but they eventually gave up and joined the line.
In novels or movies she'd read before, there was always at least one idiot who caused an accident like that. Maybe reality was different after all. Thinking back to Baek Seungcheol's words about solid insurance coverage, those people probably had property insurance too.
Whatever the case, the environment was shaping up perfectly for Haneul to cut loose.
She turned her gaze to the hunters heading toward the red gate. It hadn't even been ten minutes since the break alert sounded, yet a huge, diverse crowd of hunters had already gathered. For a B-rank break, you'd expect at least B-rank hunters like Yoo Sera or Kim Seung-hyeok, but that wasn't the reality. There were hunters weaker than B-rank, mixed with some who looked a bit stronger.
Pricking up her ears, she overheard conversations about making a big haul this time and taking a long break afterward. There were also excited murmurs about catching a Constellation's eye and becoming an Apostle if they shone here. Guild-affiliated hunters talked about performance bonuses and overtime pay, while unaffiliated ones subtly shifted toward their dream guilds. Naturally, worries like "What if I die?" floated around too.
Even with this many hunters, not everyone would survive—that much was clear. Even low-rank gate breaks had casualties; a B-rank one would claim quite a few lives. Yet no one stopped or ran. Everyone saw this break as an opportunity, whatever the reason.
Did gate breaks really spawn that many monsters? Should she extract mana stones after the break ended, or during? Probably the latter—figuring out who killed what afterward would be impossible if they waited.
In the end, even breaks like this were just money-makers or growth chances for hunters. A disaster for non-awakened civilians, though. It was fortunate they stayed positive, but also dangerously complacent.
Hmm, everyone's hustling hard, huh. Humming a little tune, Haneul descended into a suitable alleyway. She slipped out and blended into the crowd of hunters heading for the gate.
"Whoa, you scared me! What are you? When did you get next to me?"
A gruff male voice came from right beside her. Turning her head, she saw a man with a scarred, rugged face staring at her in surprise.
"I'm Haneul. What's your name, ajusshi?"
"What? You don't know me?"
"You didn't know me either."
"Hah, look at this cheeky brat..."
Namgung Hyeok snorted in disbelief and proudly showed off the emblem on his chest.
"I'm Namgung Hyeok of the Namgung Clan. Guild master of the Namgung Clan Guild's Korean branch."
"Whoa."
Namgung Clan Guild's Korean branch guild master. The Namgung Clan was from the Central Plains, guilds were a medieval European concept, and now a Korean branch? What a mishmash.
"Now do you know me, kid? I'm thirty-five. You look barely out of your teens, and you're talking down to me?"
"You talked down to me first, ajusshi."
"You little punk."
"If you're a guild master, are you S-rank too?"
Namgung Hyeok let out a hollow laugh at Haneul's fearless attitude, even as he raised his fist.
"I'll be promoting to S-rank soon."
"So you're A-rank. No S-ranks here?"
"S-ranks aren't your neighbor's mutt. You think monsters like that show up for a mere B-rank break? I'm probably the highest-ranked hunter here right now."
Hye-seo should be on her way. Thinking that, Haneul spoke up.
"Then do you use the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art, ajusshi?"
"You really know nothing. That's a sword art beyond my current level. I use Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder instead. But it's not far off. Once I hit S-rank and head to the Namgung Clan in China, I'll master the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art as a true heir."
"Huh? Isn't Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder that flashy lightning one? I thought it was for lame collateral branches."
"Wh-what?! You crazy kid!"
He'd been holding back until now, but that crossed the line. Just as Namgung Hyeok got genuinely furious, ready to flick her forehead...
Everyone's eyes turned to the gate. It pulsed like a massive heartbeat. To Haneul's eyes, it looked like something inside was searching for prey among the hunters.
Rumble—
The gate shook violently. Then came a tearing crack...
Rooooooar—!!
Monsters began pouring out.
Haneul couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
"Whoa..."
There were so many. Really, really many. Winged monsters emerged from the red pillar reaching to the sky, crawlers slithered from the ground— all sorts, in overwhelming numbers.
"...You're lucky, kid. And don't go spouting that crap anywhere else. Got it?"
"Yeah."
"Be careful. Don't get hurt. If it's dangerous, come to me. You won't die at least."
With confident words, Namgung Hyeok drew his sword from his waist and charged forward. Namgung Clan guild members followed his lead.
"Namgung Clan! We'll clean up this break! Kill 'em all—!"
"Waaaaah—!!"
That was the signal. All the hunters surged toward the monsters. Up close, hunters didn't look much different—some flew, some leaped, some burrowed underground, others teleported into position.
Amid the chaos, Haneul spotted Baek Hye-seo desperately searching for her.
"What a spectacle."
This wasn't her first time seeing such a scene. She'd wandered countless worlds, witnessing humanity fight apocalypses billions of times. But seeing her hometown folks do it felt refreshingly different.
No broadcast helicopters? Scanning around, none nearby, but some were approaching from afar. They moved sluggishly, unable to get close due to the flying monsters.
Gotta make it visible from those choppers.
If she got famous, maybe old divine friends would come looking. Grandpa Chronos was alive, so Nyx must be out there too. And countless others.
Recalling past connections, Haneul kicked off and dashed through the air. Not too high—just low enough to draw eyes, skimming over their heads as she rubbed her hands together.
"With the Namgung Clan here..."
Today, martial arts it was. Azure energy gathered in her palms. She overtook unaffiliated hunters, then even the Namgung Clan members, and kept going until she stopped dead center in the thickest monster cluster.
"Whoa, there's really a ton."
Up close, it felt even more massive. At least a thousand, easy.
"Huh?! Haneul!! No!!!"
"What?! You! You! Cheeky kid! What are you doing there?! Get out now!!"
Baek Hye-seo's scream mingled with Namgung Hyeok's roar. Then came stunned murmurs from hunters and shocked gasps from reporters with cameras.
"Wha... wh-what, is that a person? Am I seeing things?"
"Eek! Kid! It's dangerous!! What are you doing!!"
"A-a girl just appeared out of nowhere and charged into the monsters! Oh no... the hunters need to rescue her quick...!"
Baek Hye-seo and Namgung Hyeok fretted over Haneul. Hunters were baffled by the incomprehensible scene, reporters debated whipping out their cameras. Meanwhile, Haneul gripped her fists like a sword hilt. Light mimicking the Azure Heavens rippled.
Others might not know, but the martial Namgung Clan recognized it.
Namgung Hyeok muttered blankly.
"...Internal energy?"
Constellation 'Heir of the King Who Cleaves the Azure Heavens' gapes in shock.
He hadn't seen a Constellation message since becoming an Apostle. But his eyes were fixed on Haneul. The energy in her hands was unmistakable internal energy—pure, impossibly refined, akin to his own yet superior. Even he, on the cusp of S-rank, couldn't match that purity.
How could this cheeky kid from moments ago possess such power? Only now reacting to the message, Namgung Hyeok asked in a trembling voice.
"What... what is that, Supreme Patriarch...?"
Constellation 'Heir of the King Who Cleaves the Azure Heavens' denies the impossible reality.
"Th-then... what the hell is that...?"
As Namgung Hyeok sought answers from his Constellation, Baek Hye-seo sensed indescribable power and looked up at the night sky, hunters recoiled in horror, and reporters' cameras shook...
"Ehehehe!"
Giggling wildly, Haneul swung her arms downward like drawing a sword. The night sky tore open, and a massive azure blade descended.
Constellation 'Heir of the King Who Cleaves the Azure Heavens' shouts that this is the true essence of the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art the Namgung must reclaim!
The essence of the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art. Namgung Hyeok knew it well—from China's Master Azure Heavens Sword Lord Namgung Hwi to every Namgung Clan member, reclaiming its essence was their goal.
He muttered blankly.
"Emperor's Sword Form..."
The sword embodying the Azure Heavens touched the ground. The emperor's aura crushed the world.