The True Key of the Apocalypse
The demonization was lifting.
Shaaa—.
The black liquid that had enveloped the building crumbled into ash and scattered. The sticky membrane vanished, allowing sunlight to stream through the windows.
The source of the demonization, the top-tier ma-in Montage, was definitively dead.
"Taken down in a single strike...?"
Isaac muttered with evident fascination—fascination bordering on awe.
This wasn't just any ma-in.
A top-tier ma-in, felled with one clean cut.
It's a power that's impossible to comprehend, no matter how hard you try.
Before being born into this world—before his reincarnation—he'd had plenty of encounters with ma-in.
From the lowest to the highest tiers, he'd faced them all.
Ma-in were dominated by a strong desire for control, most of them gripped by a sense of superiority as a superior species.
And truthfully, ma-in are stronger than other races.
A human body, once severed, is hard to repair. In this world, without the system's skills or items, it's irreversible.
But ma-in regenerate their bodies freely.
Thanks to the blessing-like power granted to them: magi.
From birth, they wield magi, performing miracles beyond the imagination of other races.
They effortlessly surpass the miracles a mage might achieve over a lifetime.
And that's not all.
Superior durability, exceptional adaptation to magi, lifespans stretching thousands of years...
At that point, it was understandable why they'd see themselves as a special race.
Among them, top-tier ma-in were even more extraordinary. Their accumulated magi over eons and unparalleled experience were beyond compare.
In other dimensions, top-tier ma-in equate to demon lord class.
Demonizing a portion of this system-dominated world? That was a feat beyond the dreams of most beings.
Yet Mumyeong had slain such a top-tier ma-in with a single stroke.
As casually as if it were a mere mob.
Even mid-demonization, it was no easy task. If I'd struck, my success rate would've been fifty-fifty at best.
Top-tier ma-in don't die even from a pierced heart.
They mockingly regenerate and boil up even stronger magi.
But the moment Mumyeong's sword pierced it...
It met a clean death.
Its ma-in physiology failed to regenerate,
and it couldn't even muster magi to resist.
That aspect struck Isaac as particularly wondrous.
What is the source of that power? It's driving me mad with curiosity.
Asking outright was impossible with so many eyes watching. Especially the constellations—they demanded caution.
"It ended so simply, I almost feel bad. Too easy, almost anticlimactic. Who knew it could be this straightforward."
Derek chuckled awkwardly, rubbing his nape.
"This is embarrassing."
Japan's Hayato felt much the same watching Derek.
Without Mumyeong, they'd have died like dogs.
Neither his nor Derek's attacks had fazed the ordinary monster, the Shadow Beast.
Mumyeong was strong.
Absurdly so.
He'd known it, but it hit home now more than ever.
...Is my training still insufficient?
Hayato recalled Mumyeong's thrust from moments ago.
The scene lingered vividly in his mind.
Clean and efficient, but ultimately just a simple stab. Nothing more, at face value.
No, it can't be that simple.
There had to be subtleties hidden in that thrust, ones beyond Hayato's grasp.
How vast the gap must be, that he couldn't even glimpse a fragment.
Hayato bit his lip with a deep sigh.
I need to grow stronger. Not content as Japan's number one. I must aim higher.
This experience drove it home: how fragile humanity was, how flimsy the tower he'd built.
As the two hunters burned with unintended resolve,
Mumyeong—Joo Kanghyeok—alternated glances between the system window and his sword.
This works...
He'd tested channeling death energy.
It moved without issue.
Since partially lifting the system's restrictions with a Fragment of the Apocalypse, he'd grown accustomed to manipulating the energy.
He first tried coating Gabriel's spear.
At that moment, sensing his gaze, Gabriel spoke up.
"Master, rate my performance out of five stars."
"Why would I..."
"It's a showdown."
Apparently, she'd made a bet with Lucifer behind his back.
"Five."
He answered casually while directing the death energy. As expected, it recoiled.
Inanimate objects couldn't be infused with the energy.
Meaning they couldn't be targeted.
But on the Nameless Sword...
Swish.
The death energy absorbed startlingly fast. It even rippled like sword aura.
Swinging this would kill on contact. The sensation of piercing the top-tier demon matched that of Instant Death.
Worried someone might touch it, he dispersed the energy.
Joo Kanghyeok checked his inventory with a grave expression.
Two Unique Skill Reset Scrolls remain, and Instant Death cooldown hasn't budged.
In summary,
he'd gained a free Instant Death.
That was the logical conclusion.
Melee range only, sure,
but Instant Death was Instant Death.
As long as it connects within sword range, I can kill without the unique skill.
Of course, closing in was the drawback. Most foes killed via Instant Death were powerhouses.
Still, an ace up my sleeve is never a bad thing.
Joo Kanghyeok shifted his gaze back to the system window.
Mission cleared.
- Top-tier ma-in ‘Montage’ defeated 1 / 1
Numerous constellations have sponsored the mission.
Coin rewards have been significantly increased.
Shaaa—.
Myth+ grade equipment selection ticket acquired.
25 Platinum Coins acquired.
A ticket and 25 coins materialized from thin air. Joo Kanghyeok swiftly snatched the coins and stowed them in his inventory.
His enhanced physical abilities proved handy.
The Myth+ grade equipment selection ticket was self-explanatory: choose any Myth+ item desired.
I'll trade this for a cooldown reduction item.
Platinum Coins gleamed larger and more iridescent than standard coins.
【Platinum Coin】
- Worth 10 million coins each.
- Holding increases Luck stat.
"...Master. You've got the ultimate item."
Gabriel approached, eyes sparkling.
"Ultimate item...?"
"Yeah, Luck applies to every probability-based event."
He recalled the item option ticket from the Japanese hunters: 50% chance to add cooldown reduction.
"Lend it to me later, okay?"
Gabriel pleaded earnestly. But ultimate? Skeptical, Joo Kanghyeok eyed her, prompting an explanation.
"For mobile gacha pulls."
"..."
Well, it didn't wear out, so no harm.
Evidently, it was the ultimate item to her.
Your reputation among constellations has risen.
Numerous constellations are pleased with the mission success.
Constellation ‘Fierce Flame’ sends congratulations.
Constellation messages flooded in, too many to read individually. He skimmed them and dismissed the window.
At that moment, Isaac, lost in thought, spoke to him.
"The situation seems settled, so shall we return to the banquet hall?"
As Joo Kanghyeok nodded,
"Wait. What's that?"
Hayato pointed outside. An unidentified black object was flying toward them across the sky beyond the window.
"Ma-in reinforcements...?"
Isaac hurriedly cast a spell. Blue mana formed a barrier enveloping the entire building.
Kwaaaang—! Crash!
But the black object shattered Isaac's barrier and crash-landed inside.
Isaac's eyes wavered.
It was a hasty shield, but not one to break so easily.
At minimum, a high-tier—no, top-tier demon had arrived.
The aura was immense.
Vast enough to make the previous top-tier ma-in seem laughable.
"It's a top-tier ma-in! Everyone, fall back!"
Mana surged in Isaac's hands.
But Hayato hesitated.
"Wait... it's not a ma-in..."
Something felt off.
A girl was clinging to the black object. And it writhed, rising up.
Black wings and black hair on a male figure.
A very familiar sight.
"Master! Are you alright?!"
It was none other than Lucifer.
"These damn ma-in bastards—I'll round them all up and annihilate them. Daring to imprison Master and demonize the place?"
Lucifer ranted furiously.
Clinging to his back was Cheon Iryeong.
"Ugh... M-my stomach feels bad."
"Too fast for a human to endure."
"Just... give me a sec to rest..."
Evidently, Lucifer had flown at full speed from France here—wherever "here" was.
【Master, are you alright?】
Soon, the Blue Dragon's telepathy reached him too.
No issues.
【Glad you're safe. We're in Africa now. I'll return as soon as material procurement is complete.】
The Blue Dragon explained calmly before resuming work. No need for hysterics now that it was over.
"This was all my failure. From now on, I'll stick by Master's side 24/7. That was too close."
Gabriel shook her head at Lucifer's words.
"With me here, nothing could've gone wrong. Master gave me a five."
"Out of a hundred, obviously. And you being alone was the most worrying part."
"You weren't here, so zero."
As the two apostles bickered childishly, Isaac clutched his head and asked,
"...Allies, then. Can we consider this over?"
"Yes."
Isaac's question was answered not by Joo Kanghyeok.
Sa Choiheon had somehow reached the 13th floor. He looked exhausted—likely from battling the demonization underground.
"What the hell? Where've you been?"
Lucifer glared at the innocent Sa Choiheon, who replied calmly, unfazed.
"Bound the ma-in-side hunters and pinpointed the ma-in fueling the demonization. The demons' puppet was Britain's Isabelle."
"Really?"
Isaac's brow furrowed.
"Really."
"...What reason did she give?"
Britain hadn't fully purged ma-in yet. A human spy wasn't implausible.
Sa Choiheon answered flatly.
"Something about reviving the dead. Ask her yourself for details. She put up such a fuss, it was a hassle capturing her."
"So that's what it was..."
Isaac smiled bitterly, as if something clicked.
"More importantly, something bigger remains."
After a brief situation rundown, Sa Choiheon approached Joo Kanghyeok.
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. A top-tier ma-in mentioned that name."
"Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? You mean those guys?"
Lucifer's expression darkened too.
Sa Choiheon's gaze was deadly serious.
"We must stop the summoning immediately. It might already be too late. Bluntly put, current humanity can't handle the Four Horsemen."
Top-tier ma-in Ganon.
"Kuhuk...! You damn..."
He crawled arduously from the pit. Unfamiliar with his magi-forged limbs, he face-planted repeatedly.
Red veins burst in Ganon's eyes. Madness gleamed within.
"Mumyeong, I'll kill you."
He'd just been tuned by the system's agent. It felt like mere venting after Mumyeong humiliated him.
He'd lost his arms and legs in the end.
No matter how strong ma-in were, resisting a system agent in this governed world was impossible.
As Ganon crawled, someone approached.
"Ganon. Pathetic sight."
It was Turanter, one of this world's overseers. Dressed in noble attire, he placed a cigarette in Ganon's mouth.
Spit.
"Here to pity me? These fake limbs are nothing."
"Montage is dead."
"What?"
Ganon's eyes shook. Turanter offered a fresh cigarette.
"Don't know the details. Tried something at a spot where Mumyeong was expected. Seems like a stalling tactic."
Ganon took the cigarette with trembling hands. Manipulating magi prosthetics wasn't easy.
Montage's sacrifice.
Unexpected.
The moderate faction ma-in had no reason to go that far.
"Montage..."
Ma-in society ran on strict hierarchy, but top-tiers got along decently.
He wasn't one to fall easily.
Turanter patted Ganon's shoulder.
"While you were gone, preparations for summoning the Four Horsemen are complete."
"You were against the summoning, weren't you?"
"Better than failing to dominate this world."
Turanter smiled wryly.
"You won't waste Montage's sacrifice, right?"
Swish.
Ganon raised his prosthetic, igniting magi. The cigarette lit. As potent magi permeated his body, his mind cleared.
"Of course."
Ganon's eyes burned redder.
His hatred for Mumyeong deepened. Losing limbs wasn't enough; now Montage too.
The entire demon realm mocked by one human. Was there a more humiliating moment in demon history?
As Turanter said, summoning prep was fully ready.
"Just insert the Key of the End, and descent begins."
The two ma-in headed to a remote, unnamed island.
Ganon and Turanter stepped onto a massive magic circle etched in blood—not livestock, but human.
And not just here.
Similar circles hid worldwide. Connecting the vertices formed a global magic circle.
This island was the center.
A colossal ritual permitting no failure.
[Item description implied in context]
Ganon raised the artifact in his hand.
"Mumyeong, if you can stop this too, I'll acknowledge you."
Immense energy surged from the circle's edge. Fierce magi whipped up a storm.
The surrounding sea roiled with angry waves,
powerful winds and rain howled.
Lightning and thunder cracked across the thunderhead sky.
Ganon's lips curled.
Indeed, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Even pre-summoning, their presence alone wrought massive anomalies.
But Turanter beside him thought differently.
"Ganon, did you use the key?"
"No, not yet. Problem?"
Energy converging here was expected.
But weather changes felt off.
The Four Horsemen weren't summoned yet.
This was like someone artificially...
"Ganon—! Use the key now!"
Turanter shouted urgently.
"What?"
Ganon's gaze fixed skyward. His mouth gaped.
Kwaaa—!
Through the pitch-black thunderheads,
beneath the raging storm.
A blue dragon descended into view.