Descent of the Apocalypse Temple

The night sky visible through the veranda.

Whoooosh—.

Purple energy was gathering from distant places. A chill ran down the spine in the biting wind.

Lucifer's brow furrowed.

"So that's why things have been quiet."

He'd thought the ma-in might show up on their side, but they were stirring things up in a completely different direction.

For Pride, one of the Seven Deadly Sins apostles, this was remarkably fast.

Their personalities and traits stemmed from their names. The Seven Deadly Sins originated from the emotions that led humans to corruption.

"Apocalypse Temple...... This one might not be easy."

Lucifer nodded at Gabriel's grave tone.

"Think of it like the previous Cerberus incident. Just consider it an ultra-high-difficulty gate appearing."

"Meaning......"

Joo Kanghyeok swallowed dryly.

"If we fail, it's a catastrophe."

If they couldn't conquer the gate, a break would occur. The monsters inside would grow exponentially stronger.

The same went for the Apocalypse apostle.

"Yes, a catastrophe."

Lucifer continued, looking at Joo Kanghyeok.

"But since we eliminated the ma-in from the Association side, there won't be any internal strife in Korea."

"Well, that's a relief at least......"

At that moment, Gabriel held out her smartphone to Joo Kanghyeok.

"Master, check this out."

Posts were flooding SNS.

TV was still reporting on the ma-in.

"You two. How's your condition right now?"

Joo Kanghyeok asked, peering outside.

"Yes, just a light warmup. Perfect for moving now that we're loosened up."

"Same here."

Once they'd decided to take down the Apocalypse apostle, there was no time to dawdle.

"First, Lucifer, scout the Apocalypse Temple. If you spot Pride, report back immediately."

"Understood."

Lucifer transformed into a crow and soared from the veranda.

If he encountered the Apocalypse apostle, that would be ideal. He'd trigger Instant Death the moment he laid eyes on it.

"Hmm, compared to you two, how strong is the Apocalypse apostle?"

"If we're lucky, we win. But I can't guarantee it."

"Even if I release your restrictions?"

Joo Kanghyeok fiddled with his black bracelet.

The rewards from conquering the B-rank gate were two items.

Item cooldown reset scroll.

And a Legend+ skill acquisition scroll.

Resetting the item cooldown would let him release the apostles' restrictions again.

"All things considered, it'd be even."

Gabriel's response was firm. That was how powerful the Apocalypse apostle was.

Telepathy came from Lucifer heading to the Apocalypse Temple.

His speed had improved since becoming Legend+. The purple pillar ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was already visible.

Fwoosh!

Piercing the pillar of purple mist, a massive door stood inside.

It dwarfed the Cerberus door. A purple door made of unidentified bones.

If there was a gate to hell, it might look like that.

Lucifer clicked his tongue in annoyance. The door was firmly shut.

The Apocalypse Temple could take various forms. This was one of the more troublesome ones.

No method would open it before time. It was system-sanctioned.

Failing to conquer the Apocalypse Temple would end the tutorial immediately. Even succeeding only delayed acceleration.

Apocalypse would come.

That was the meaning of an Apocalypse apostle appearing.

World destruction was imminent, one way or another. Lucifer circled the area, sending thoughts.

Hiding their identity was proving effective. Otherwise, Pride would have come straight for Joo Kanghyeok.

'I must avoid risking Master as much as possible.'

The moment they met, it would be kill or be killed.

Lucifer was right.

Joo Kanghyeok nodded as well.

"......We need to prepare as much as possible."

Instant Death was powerful, but not without variables.

He couldn't kill unseen enemies. He had to do everything possible for contingencies.

Sizzle—!

I used the Legend+ skill scroll from my inventory.

A kaleidoscope of lights accompanied the system message.

"Supreme Spirit......"

Dignity was the aura possessed by higher beings. Those without it couldn't resist at all.

Joo Kanghyeok had gained a trace during the Death Wave clear.

What results it would yield......

"Let's take down the Apocalypse apostle as fast as possible. No distractions from other guilds."

They'd know once tomorrow came.

The next day, news began covering the Apocalypse Temple.

The purple pillar in central Seoul.

Of course, compared to ma-in hiding nationwide, it wasn't huge news.

Top-tier gates appeared often.

S-rank and variant gates were everyday to the public. Less buzz than ma-in.

But top hunters felt the gravity.

Top-gate raids were business. Normally bid-decided by guilds.

This time was different.

The Association was under Awakening Management Director Yoo Jincheol's command.

Busy quelling chaos and raiding gates.

In that urgent atmosphere.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

In a provincial artisan forge.

One girl hammered away in a workshop.

'Not it.'

The red-hot sword on the anvil reformed instantly. But she tossed it aside dissatisfied.

'This level won't cut it.'

Cheon Iryeong was honing her skills.

- Master the world's finest repair skill.

The apostle had said so.

No sleep, all-nighter hammering.

In just over a day, her level rivaled top blacksmiths.

The lending blacksmiths watched mesmerized from windows.

'Why assign blacksmithing to me?'

The question lingered despite hammering.

'No, doesn't matter.'

Key was acquiring the best skill. Then he'd accept her as disciple.

She had to grow stronger.

For revenge against the ma-in who killed her family.

Closing eyes still brought vivid memories.

Dark living room, ma-in standing in blood-soaked floor.

- Pathetic human. You'll be the seed. Rage for the demons' return.

Ma-in's eyes were abyssal depths. Overwhelming, hellish power crushed her.

- I'm the pinnacle of ma-in.

Drawing sword too late, futile.

- I'll await your bloom.

Then A-rank Cheon Iryeong. Even S-rank wouldn't have mattered.

Badly wounded, she awoke with black brand on shoulder.

In that family-massacred home, she vowed revenge.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Cheon Iryeong gritted teeth, hammering. Hands ached.

Limit approaching.

'Can't improve further here.'

Not first time.

Her growth always explosive—sword, bow, magic.

But plateaued after.

'How to break through......'

Cheon Iryeong didn't know, but reason clear.

Mortal limits. Her abilities bound by mortal tech and logic. Capped potential.

Mindlessly hammering.

Something flashed.

'Maybe......'

If homework wasn't just repair skill.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Something key in this simple ring.

'There must be a reason.'

Through repeated strikes, she concluded. Hammering accelerated.

World's best, he said.

Made sense recalling Mumyeong's overwhelming strength.

'Why specifically me.'

Earth had plenty artisans.

Workshop El's top. Korea too.

But Mumyeong pinpointed her......

'Something only I can do.'

Her eyes gleamed.

To surpass all.

As All Master, only she could.

Fwoosh—.

Black flames rose over her hands.

Lucifer-taught black magic held mortal-unknown mechanics.

It infused her repair skill.

'Push further.'

Not enough. Pour all she knew. Sweat poured.

Mana control, power adjustment, breath rhythm......

Fusing all. Kaleidoscope sparks flew from hammer.

"Just a bit more......"

Potential confirmed, progress swift.

Common sense shifting.

Proper fusion could pioneer new realms.

Ultimate repair skill maybe.

Unusual aura swirled workshop window.

A crow landed, note in beak. Planned to call her to Temple once skilled.

"......?"

Crow tilted head, staring blankly inside.

"What the hell is that."

Unforeseen happening.

Seoul streets, before purple pillar.

Korea's famed guilds gathered.

No.2 Cheongmyeong.

Them too. Under prepared tents, members tensed for entry.

"Senior Chae Arin, iced Americano."

"Thanks."

"Raid scale's insane this time."

"Yeah. Historic for emergency muster."

Rank 2 Chae Arin.

Beige jacket, Cheongmyeong guild master. Sipping Americano, she scanned members.

"Iryeong can't make it?"

"On leave, but texted she'll come. Rumors she's at Bulmyeol lately though......"

Chae Arin frowned at Lee Hayeon's words.

"No way that Sa Choiheon...... seduced our innocent Iryeong?"

Sa Choiheon infamous in hunter world. Snatched talents devilishly to Bulmyeol.

"Dunno details."

"Head already hurts. Bribe with cafeteria upgrades."

"Already tried......"

Bulmyeol food was good.

Chae Arin scratched cheek.

Not naive enough to fall fully. Or maybe a bit innocent......

'Sigh, whatever.'

Cheon Iryeong's trauma deep.

Acted fine, but not easily healed.

Chae Arin looked to other tents.

Top 5 guilds here.

No.1 Bulmyeol.

No.3 Yuseong.

No.4 Paegong.

No.5 Girinah.

Most concerning: No.1 Bulmyeol.

'Hmm......'

Bulmyeol members under tent relaxed. Gear upgraded from before.

Seemed surmountable, yet always edged out narrowly.

Chae Arin's eyes narrowed.

'If we could recruit Mumyeong hunter......'

Guild landscape flipped.

Chae Arin asked junior Lee Hayeon.

"Any Mumyeong news?"

"Our guys waiting near labyrinth, no sign. Elusive as ever."

Many hunting him.

Then Lee Hayeon cautiously.

"Raid okay? Warnings brutal in data."

"Association prepped surprisingly well."

Chae Arin tapped pad.

Detailed Association data. Thought ma-in crippled them.

Seemed pre-planned.

"Means can't fail."

Like first S-rank. No raid allowed failure.

Then.

Acting Association head, Director Yoo ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Jincheol stepped forward. Haggard, sleepless.

"Thanks for emergency response. Data shows, but this gate extremely dangerous."

Voice firm regardless.

"Failure could mean Korea's end."

Silence fell over hunters.

Aura from purple pillar.

Unprecedented threat.

In capital heart.

"But as always, overcoming strengthens humanity. Before raid, Association additional intel."

Briefing useful.

'Association this proactive ever?'

Chae Arin surprised.

Ma-in gripped them hard. President was ma-in.

Briefing ending.

Hunters buzzed.

"Mumyeong."

"Mumyeong's here."

"That's him?"

"Who's the woman?"

Some S-ranks gasped. Chae Arin turned at commotion.

All eyes converged.

Bread-bag-masked man and light-veiled woman walked. Casual strides.

Frowning Chae Arin to junior.

"Real Mumyeong?"

"Bread bag. Saw in Death Wave."

"Woman?"

"Suspected Mumyeong ally."

Chae Arin skipped Death Wave.

Few knew bread bag not true Mumyeong. Bulmyeol members maybe.

Eyes on Lucifer.

Lucifer scanned hunters too.

'Usable humans...... few.'

Black apostlehood sharpened aura sense.

No human stronger than Sa Choiheon here.

Some impressive potential though.

Sa Choiheon average potential.

How'd he get so strong.

Step, step.

Lucifer strode, plopping crookedly beside Sa Choiheon. Gabriel trailed meekly.

Hunter gasps erupted.

"Whoa."

Chae Arin spilled Americano.

Sa Choiheon-Mumyeong connection real.

Actually acquainted.

Around them uproar.

Irrelevant to Lucifer.

"Too many humans. Might all die."

Lucifer muttered low ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to Sa Choiheon.

"They'll help. Assuming Mumyeong aids us. All plans based on that."

"Heh, you get it. That's how it should be."

Lucifer sneered.

Sa Choiheon nodded calmly.

Raid impossible without Mumyeong. Apocalypse apostle nature demanded it.

"Mumyeong, confirmed participating?"

"If luck holds."

Lucifer shrugged. Sa Choiheon brow twitched faintly.

Meanwhile, master Joo Kanghyeok......

Waiting nearby cafe.

Sipping Americano, gazing out.

Purple pillar stark between buildings.

'Seven Deadly Sins Pride has omniscience power.'

Gathered intel from Lucifer, Gabriel last night.

'Mental invasion too.'

Formidable foe.

Seven Deadly Sins no pushovers.

'Normally ends instantly on sight.'

Unlike past foes.

'Prepare for worst.'

Even gate break, block Apocalypse apostle.

Bitter Americano slid down throat.

Finally.

Creeeak—!

Eerie sound echoed citywide.

Visible via Lucifer's vision share.

Door slowly opening amid purple mist. Ominous aura flowed like fog, enveloping hunters.

Beyond: Pride of Seven Deadly Sins domain.

Over 100 guild members gripped weapons, stepping forward.

Two apostles strode boldly center.

"Then we're off, Master."

"Go."

Boom—!

Apostles kicked ground, rocketing to door. Gale made five guilds flinch.

Wind from afar tapped Joo Kanghyeok's cafe window.

No brawl.

Who spots Pride fastest.

That decided victory.