Belated Reinforcements and the White Apostle's Descent
“It’s Sa Choiheon!”
“Bulmyeol Guild is here!”
Right after the S-rank hunters failed their preliminary mission.
The Association ordered all hunters to stand by. Then they called in the number one ranked hunter, Sa Choiheon.
They judged that he was the only one in Korea capable of handling the clearly escalated difficulty.
The goal was to rescue the S-rank hunters and civilians in peril.
And so, Sa Choiheon and the full roster of Bulmyeol Guild entered the Death Wave.
The first wave has ended.
The second wave will begin shortly.
“Aren’t we too late?”
“No matter how you look at it, the Association was way too slow to decide.”
“Guild Master, aren’t you pissed?!”
The Bulmyeol Guild members grumbled as they advanced through the ashen city.
The first wave was already over. They’d arrived far too late to call it support.
But Sa Choiheon remained expressionless. Far from angry, he simply gripped his sword and pressed forward in silence.
It was all as planned.
The Association President must have wanted the Death Wave to intensify even further.
The current president of the Korean Hunter Association was a Ma-in.
They sought to claim this apocalypse-ridden world as their own domain.
The failure of the Death Wave is an opportunity for them. A chance to solidify the Association’s power and seize Korea in their grasp.
Of course, things wouldn’t go according to the Ma-in’s expectations.
That’s why he’d brought the full Bulmyeol Guild with him.
“Good thing. They held out better than expected.”
“Just got word—all the shelters are safe.”
The guild members sighed in relief after contacting the shelters via special communicators.
This, too, was within Sa Choiheon’s predictions.
The S-rank hunters could have held out through Phase 1 on their own.
Repelling the waves was impossible. But enduring them? That was feasible.
And above all, there’s Cheon Iryeong.
Rank 3 All Master, Cheon Iryeong.
She’s one of the people I must recruit for the future.
Cheon Iryeong’s awakening, pushed to her absolute limits, was on schedule. She must have played a huge role in blocking the first wave.
Sa Choiheon looked up and scanned the surroundings.
Cheon Iryeong should be nearby.
A girl who, despite being utterly battered and bloodied, relentlessly pursued her own strength.
As Sa Choiheon predicted, Cheon Iryeong emerged from inside a shelter.
“What the—Uncle Sa Choiheon? What took you so long?”
“......?”
But Cheon Iryeong looked far too fine. Her clothes were a bit torn, but her eyes were as sharp as ever.
Too ordinary an expression for someone who’d transcended her limits.
“What?”
The moment Sa Choiheon’s brow furrowed.
“W-Wait a sec...”
“What’s all this on the ground? No way—all these are monster remains?”
“Eek, monster chunks everywhere!”
The guild members freaked out at the monster debris scattered across the road.
The entire street was carpeted in pieces: insect shells, chunks of flesh, shattered wings, unidentified teeth...
Moist monster fluids soaked the pavement completely.
Only then did Sa Choiheon check the Death Wave contribution leaderboard.
Sa Choiheon’s eyes narrowed as he checked the board. The numbers were unbelievable, even seeing them firsthand.
“What the...”
76,354 points?
An impossible score at this stage.
The guild members were just as shocked.
“M-Mumyeong was here!”
“76,354 points? For real? Isn’t this a glitch?”
“Guild Master, did we even need to come?”
Cheon Iryeong hadn’t awakened, and the shelters were intact.
Because Mumyeong had been here.
“The monsters were moving in organized packs during the prelim and first wave, making it tough. But now it’s fine.”
Cheon Iryeong pointed at a tall building in the city center.
“Mumyeong took care of it. Wiped out all the monsters clinging to it.”
“M-Makes sense? By himself?”
One guild member questioned, but he knew the answer.
- 1st: Mumyeong [76,354 points]
The score etched on the leaderboard said it all.
“Cheon Iryeong. Did you see Mumyeong’s face?”
“Nope. He was wearing some bread bag over his head.”
“......”
Sa Choiheon fell silent for a moment.
A bread bag meant an Apostle. But the real Mumyeong was likely somewhere nearby.
“The Death Wave isn’t over yet. We proceed as planned.”
Sa Choiheon adjusted his gloves and addressed the guild.
Villain Han Jongu was just the beginning. Killing him wouldn’t end it.
The magi release is about to start.
The Ma-in were tenacious. Phase 2, triggered via the corrupted soul of Han Jongu, was the real deal.
“If we’re lucky, we might spot Mumyeong too?”
“Might as well give it our all now that we’re here...”
“At least the people are safe.”
The guild members followed behind Sa Choiheon.
Cheon Iryeong, who’d hesitated at the rear, boldly raised her hand and shouted.
“Hey! Take me with you! I’ve got something to say to Mumyeong!”
Pssshhh—!
Thick black smoke billowed endlessly into the sky. Magi filled the interior of the black curtain.
Crackle, fizz!
Black sparks erupted from nearby buildings and the ground.
Lucifer explained to me in a grave tone.
The magi spreading through the curtain will enrage the monsters. The Death Wave will intensify to an extreme degree—nothing like what we’ve seen so far.
I sat in the corner of the room, listening to Lucifer’s report. The TV showed news of Bulmyeol Guild entering the curtain.
But intel from inside remained a black hole.
Outsiders had no clue what was happening within.
“Can’t I just keep wiping them out with Weakling Extermination like before?”
Devil’s Eye was still active. My skill range was currently ‘Nationwide’. Even if the monsters got stronger, as long as their levels were below mine, no issue.
Well...
Lucifer was about to elaborate when.
Rumble rumble...
Monsters began pouring out from the gates spawned across the city.
Phase Two begins.
Under the influence of magi, the Death Wave intensifies to an extreme degree.
Grrraaah—!
Keeeek!
Kruuuu!
The monsters’ muscles were hypertrophied, their eyes glowing blood-red. The sheer pressure was palpable just looking at them.
And that wasn’t all.
Crackle, fizz—!
The levels of magi-corrupted monsters had been amplified.
...This is bullshit.
Was the Death Wave always like this?
No way.
Death Waves happened quarterly as a matter of course.
They were leveling grounds for hunters and opportunities to farm monster materials.
The Ma-in behind this are finally making their move. They’re an evil that must eventually be purged.
“Ma-in, huh.”
…Some info restrictions have lifted. I’m glad I can explain in detail, Master, but it’s not a good sign.
The Death Wave clear rate was nearly 100%.
Aside from that one past failure.
No way.
It resembled the Jeju Island incident.
The city destroyed by a world boss, followed by successive Death Waves turning Jeju into uninhabitable wasteland.
The hunters who’d fought in that Death Wave had said as much.
- The monsters suddenly got stronger.
- They were on another level from same-level regular monsters.
- Sorry... We have no excuses.
The despair in those interviewed hunters’ eyes still lingered in memory.
Jeju became monster territory.
Was that the Ma-in’s doing too?
Unknown.
But one thing was clear.
...I have to stop it.
The berserk monsters slowly spread toward the city.
This time, it wasn’t Jeju—it was the mainland.
The damage was incalculable.
That’s when it happened.
“Mumyeong, you’re beyond expectations. Honestly, I’m impressed.”
Sa Choiheon appeared in Lucifer’s view.
Thud.
Sa Choiheon landed on the rooftop building, staring at Lucifer. On the opposite side, Bulmyeol Guild members were rescuing hostages.
Cheon Iryeong was helping with rescues, glancing around warily.
Alone on the rooftop, Sa Choiheon addressed Lucifer.
“Apostle. You know what’s coming next.”
“Showing up ridiculously late and striking poses.”
Sa Choiheon ignored Lucifer’s snark.
He quietly drew a blue crystal from his pocket. Lucifer’s voice rose upon seeing it.
“What? Where’d you get that?”
“Mumyeong. You know what this is.”
The constellation White Dawn nods.
The constellation Master of the Black Star nods.
Why does everyone act like they know?
I don’t.
First time seeing it.
What is that thing?
Lucifer telepathically answered my confusion.
It’s the heart of the Ice Spirit King. Not something obtainable at this point—curious where he got it.
Apparently a big deal item.
“If we fail to stop the Death Wave, I won’t hesitate to use this heart.”
That heart turns the surrounding area into permanent permafrost. In short, Sa Choiheon plans to freeze this whole zone solid.
Sa Choiheon looked back at Lucifer—or rather, at me, wherever I was.
“No time, so I’ll be direct. Mumyeong. From here on, I need your power.”
Unyieldingly resolute eyes.
“Otherwise, I’ll freeze this city—and the monsters—with it.”
The crystal in Sa Choiheon’s pocket glowed with chilling aura.
Hold up—he’s gonna freeze the whole city?
Sa Choiheon’s eyes were dead serious.
No joke.
The situation was that dire.
The magi-infused Death Wave was even beyond Sa Choiheon’s ability to handle alone.
“......The scale’s gotten way too big.”
What started as a chance to level up and grab rewards in the Death Wave had escalated this far.
Could be a test of your power, Master.
“Tell him to hold on first.”
I couldn’t eliminate the monsters with my current abilities anyway.
Their levels were too high now.
Time to use this.
I pulled the skill acquisition ticket from my inventory.
◈ Grants a Legend+ grade skill upon use.
A brilliantly shining golden ticket.
Using it grants a Legend+ skill.
Not really worth selling anyway.
Only Sa Choiheon, who killed a demon, or I could have one.
Cashing it in would be a hassle. Selling takes time.
Better for me to use it.
“Let’s use it.”
No loss for me.
Whatever comes, it’s a Legend+ skill.
If it’s useless right now... oh well.
I want to help, but if I can’t, I have to go along with Sa Choiheon’s plan.
“I’ll use it.”
The constellation White Dawn feels anticipation.
Sizzle—!
I tore the golden ticket cleanly. The moment golden light leaked from the rip and enveloped me.
【Legend+】 White Apostle Summon
A new skill appeared.
My eyes widened reading the message.
...Apostle Summon.
Just like Lucifer’s. I’d already experienced its power plenty.
The constellation White Dawn applauds in cheers.
Good skill.
Legend+ grade.
Maybe even stronger than Lucifer.
Master, no way... Apostle Summon...?
“Yeah.”
Is it white?
“Yep. How’d you know?”
Kuh, I knew it’d be this. Of all things, Legend+...
Lucifer muttered, sounding a bit shocked. I thought it was because it might be stronger than him, but no.
The Apostle you’ll summon is most likely that guy.
That guy?
The constellation White Dawn smiles.
Only one possibility.
Now it clicked. Why Lucifer reacted like that.
Lucifer’s former coworker, White Dawn.
This constellation was becoming my Apostle.
That’s why it cheered the moment the skill dropped.
White Dawn. No more stalling—shower Master with sponsorships. Then get summoned. Live on as Master’s faithful servant.
If it’s getting summoned anyway, dump all the sponsorships it can as a constellation first.
The constellation White Dawn sponsors a final gift.
This constellation’s rank shakes causality!
It threw sponsorships without hesitation. The third all-in bet of its fortune.
Crack—!
Space shattered around us, and an item shrouded in pure white light appeared.
◈ Viewing restricted.
Thud.
The spear dropped to the floor. I tried lifting it, but it wouldn’t budge. Immense weight.
“......”
The third sponsorship was complete.
A message appeared before me.
The constellation White Dawn awaits summoning.
At this point, it was basically packed and waiting at the door.
“Can you handle the Death Wave?”
I asked White Dawn.
The constellation White Dawn nods confidently.
If it says yes, no reason to hesitate.
“Hoo.”
I took a light breath and opened my mouth.
Fine, let’s trust it.
“White Apostle Summon.”
White Apostle Summon is invoked.
Just like before.
No sense of change.
Sa Choiheon agonized.
The magi-ridden Death Wave can’t be cleared at humanity’s current level.
He’d tried stopping it many times.
Never succeeded once.
Endure 24 hours against endless foes.
Different from the previous demon descent.
Sa Choiheon could endure.
The Black Apostle might too.
But the other countless hunters?
Outsiders couldn’t know the interior situation.
Eventually, external hunters would enter. Couldn’t abandon the Death Wave.
Protecting them all while fighting is near impossible.
The city was vast, manpower limited.
Magi-clad monsters were erratic and destructive.
The outcome is obvious.
Countless civilians and hunters die.
After 24 hours, when the Death Wave ends, monsters don’t vanish—they spread to other cities, amplifying damage.
That’s the future the Ma-in Association President wants.
In national disasters, the Association’s authority swells. Controls guilds, deploys Awakeners like soldiers to their taste.
The result...
Korea’s downfall.
Freezes the entire surrounding area into eternal ice.
Thus, Sa Choiheon had resorted to freezing the whole city. Some functions halted, but chaos prevented.
But this time might be different.
Sa Choiheon gripped the ice crystal.
If Mumyeong cooperates, things change.
Complete Death Wave clear.
This time, Mumyeong and Bulmyeol would claim the glory.
If it’s the Mumyeong I’ve seen so far, it’s plenty possible.
Sa Choiheon’s gaze deepened.
Mumyeong’s power was real.
Capable of soloing Phase 1.
His strength applied not just to singles, but masses too.
No reason not to cooperate.
Unless there’s some other agenda.
Sa Choiheon quietly awaited a reply.
Monsters emerging everywhere, spreading through the city. Time was short.
Then.
Whoosh.
Lucifer landed beside Sa Choiheon.
“You can look forward to it, Sa Choiheon.”
Standing side by side, hands in pockets, Lucifer spoke.
“Master says he’ll lend his power.”
“......!”
“But even if Master allows it, I can’t do it empty-handed.”
“What do you want?”
Lucifer replied nonchalantly.
“Hand over your intel.”
“Deal.”
“Huh?”
Lucifer blinked at Sa Choiheon’s quick agreement. After all that talk of no soup without joining Bulmyeol.
“Depending on whether we clear this Death Wave.”
He added a condition, but Sa Choiheon was sincere.
Checking contributions inside the Death Wave reaffirmed it.
Mumyeong was undeniably strong.
An irregular with power to change the future.
Trying to subordinate him was absurd from the start.
A partnership.
For now, that sufficed.
Lucifer grinned at Sa Choiheon’s words.
“Cheeky. Then watch closely. Master’s power.”
Lucifer’s head turned toward the upper floors of the opposite building—the tallest spot with hostages.
Now empty after all rescues, the rooftop garden.
Rooooar—!
An ominous energy vortex swirled above. Magi gathering in the sky dispersed, the black curtain over the city parting.
A massive hole tore in the curtain, radiant white light pouring through.
Dazzling brilliance flooded the rooftop. Pristine white feathers descended with the light.
“This is...”
Sa Choiheon’s expression hardened.
Causality adjustment parting the system’s curtain.
And the holy light descending now.
Undeniably, an angel’s advent.
Kabooooom—!
A blinding pure-white lightning bolt struck the rooftop.
A heaven-shaking roar echoed across the city. A white gale purging magi whipped around the building.
“Tch, showy as hell.”
Even Lucifer had to raise an arm against the aftermath.
Shatter—!
Where the angel descended.
The blinding light faded, revealing the rooftop’s devastation: razed garden and structures.
At the center, an angel with pristine white wings unfurled.
A beautiful woman with golden hair to her waist.
Gabriel.
She raised her head, exuding overwhelming presence.
Swish.
Gabriel spoke impassively.
“This one descends.”
The moment the second Apostle descended to earth.