The War to End All Gates

Location: Deep beneath the Rift – The Dark Triad Stronghold

Flashes of distorted magic still flickered across the ruins of the chamber. The ground was cracked. Ancient walls wept blood. The ritual had spiraled out of control—and yet… Reid Stone stood smiling.

A slow, delighted exhale escaped his lips as he watched the rift tear fully open on the surface.

> Reid Stone (grinning): "There it is. The Breathless One. The Dragon Beyond Names. We succeeded."

The others weren't so composed.

Mae Lou was kneeling, coughing blood into her sleeve, the backlash still writhing under her skin.

Dao and Yao stood like wraiths, silent, panting, trembling.

Kim Hwan leaned against a cracked pillar, his eyes blazing with hatred and awe.

> "That... wasn't part of the plan. We unleashed a god."

Reid chuckled, almost giddy.

> "We broke the system's spine. The Hunters' Association is done. Watch how they crumble beneath their own arrogance."

He spread his arms as if welcoming the end of an era.

> "Now we don't need to win. We just need to watch."

Luri, still recovering, whispered in fear:

> "We've called the end."

Reid (softly):

> "No, my dear... we've rewritten it."

---

Above Seoul – The Battlefield Begins

The dragon's form was fully visible now. Towering. Abyssal. Unnatural.

It was Calamity-Level, but even that term felt meaningless. Its wings, each the size of a city block, spread wide as it roared again.

Buildings collapsed. Streets cracked. The world groaned.

---

The Celestial Order stood ready.

Roger Wilson, encased in infernal armor, stood at the frontline.

> "All units fall back! We hold the line here!"

Martin Saunders stomped his foot, summoning an iron barrier to shield a group of retreating civilians.

Naiomi Sasaki bent gravity around the beast's claws, pulling its trajectory to misdirect its swipes.

Christoff Erickson's psychic field flickered, holding chunks of buildings mid-air to avoid casualties.

Hestia Roseberg, wind-blades swirling around her, launched high-speed aerial strikes toward the dragon's head.

It was a fight of legends. A battle that would be written in every history book—if anyone survived.

---

Around the World – The Hunter Mobilization

Dmitri Volkov, leader of Titan Eclipse (Russia), stood aboard a transcontinental aircraft surrounded by his elite.

> Dmitri (commanding):

"This creature will not stop with Korea. We must stand now. If we don't kill it here, it will devour every continent. Get ready. Prepare for war."

Other nations' guilds—Crimson Lotus, Solar Bind, Iron Circles, Silver Halo—all converged.

---

Kuroda's Boarding House – Evacuation

The group stood outside the house as far-off sirens screamed and the sky flickered with fire and lightning.

Ayaka: "We need to leave the city. Now."

Mina clutched her laptop bag and a survival kit. "I've marked a safe route. We move through the subway line—"

But Rover didn't move. He stood still, watching the horizon blaze.

> "I need to go."

Ayaka (shocked): "What?! Rover, no. You'll die out there!"

Mina: "This isn't some petty fight. That's a dragon."

Vex: "You're not even awakened, kid. Come on."

Rover turned to Professor Kuroda. Silent. Steady.

The professor stared at him long and hard. Then… he nodded.

> Kuroda (softly): "Please, Rover… be safe."

> Rover (quietly): "I will."

And without another word, Rover ran.

> Ayaka: "Rover!!"

> Mina (voice cracking): "No!! Come back!"

He didn't look back.

---

The Battlefield – East Seoul

Explosions shook the skies. Dozens of S-rank and below Hunters had arrived—most fighting in desperation.

A second-tier fire-type B-rank hunter was crushed like a bug.

A C-rank tried to help civilians and was incinerated by a stray blast.

This wasn't a raid. This was a war for humanity.

---

Rover, panting and exhausted, finally arrived at a ruined overpass near the frontline.

His eyes widened.

There they were—his squad. His team.

Jin Bo Gun, massive hammer resting on his shoulder, shirt torn, bloodied but defiant.

Sera, barrier-user, shielding a group of children.

Eun Ji, dagger-wielding support, issuing commands.

Nox, summoner-type, calling forth beasts of smoke.

> Bo Gun (shouting): "Kid?! What the hell are you doing here?!"

> Rover (firm): "I'm done running. I'll help."

> Eun Ji: "This isn't a dungeon crawl! This thing is beyond anything we've seen!"

> Rover: "Then I'll stand at your back. Just don't ask me to hide."

There was silence for a heartbeat.

> Bo Gun (sighing): "…Fine. But stay behind us. One reckless move and you're dead."

> Eun Ji (quietly): "If he wants to die a hunter, we honor it."

The dragon descended lower. The battle was about to start again.

---

The Final Clash Begins

The Celestial Order charged together, striking in perfect sync. Blades of light, flame, metal, psychic energy, and gravity surged forth—clashing with the beast's divine hide.

All the while, Hunters of every rank rose to meet doom… and history.

And among them—

Rover, breathing hard, eyes blazing with something unfamiliar.

And then.

---

To be continue...