Chapter 15: The Edge of the Abyss

At The Fallen Sword's Headquarters

The chamber inside the Fallen Sword Guild headquarters was as still as a frozen lake. No sound except for the faint tick…tick…tick…of an antique clock on the wall. It was the kind of silence that didn't just sit around—it sends shivers down your spine.

Ryu Tae‑jin, the guild master of the strongest guild in Korea—and all of Asia—stood at the center. Tall. Calm. Deadly. His heavy greatsword rested behind him, taller than most men. He didn't wear armor, didn't need it. His very presence felt like armor… like standing before a storm that hadn't decided if it wanted to rage or not.

The air around him was cold, unnaturally so. Not from temperature, but from sheer pressure of his aura.

Han Soo‑min stood in front of him—his Vice Guild Master. She held the sealed orders from the Hunter Association. Even though she was an SS-rank herself, known as one of the strongest female hunters in Asia, she looked like a student standing before her master.

Then finally, Tae‑jin spoke.

His voice was soft—but it cracked through the silence like thunder.

"Tell him. Park Ji‑woo. He's close to breaking through to SS. He'll represent the guild in this raid."

He paused, his eyes hardening.

"He will choose five others. Two AA‑ranks. Three below. No more. No less."

Then came the warning. Low. Cold.

"Remind him—he must not disappoint the guild. We do not send blades to break."

A pulse of mana exploded from his body. The flames in the torches shuddered. Even Han Soo‑min felt her breath catch. Not because of fear—but because she understood the weight behind those words.

"Understood," she said quietly, bowing before she turned and walked out.

And in her chest, the pressure stayed. Ryu Tae‑jin didn't often speak. But when he did—it was law.

****

Three Days Later – At the Gate

The sky above the city had turned gray, not just the clouds, but even from uneasiness of the people.

The sealed gate still pulsed at the edge of Seoul, glowing with black-red light like a beating heart. But the real storm was not in the gate.

It was in the people.

Thirty-nine hunters gathered at the site. Divided into ten guilds and three from the academy. Each group stood close together, but glared at the others as if this was a competition—not a mission.

Whispers drifted like smoke.

Some mocked. Some judged.

Park Ji‑woo arrived with the six chosen by him;

Lee Hyo‑rin an AA‑rank sword user. Graceful, quiet, deadly.

Choi Min‑suk an AA‑rank magic swordsman. She is known to be focused, analytical, and known for finishing fights quickly.

Kim Da‑eun an S‑rank Tank, with his calm like still water temperament.

Seo Jae‑hoon S‑rank Assassin. Fast, sneaky, always chewing gum.

And finally, Yoon Hae‑bin an S‑rank Light Mage. She is young, gentle and sweet—but fierce in battle.

They stood together under the Fallen Sword banner.

From the corner, the Red Ace guild members glared.

"Fallen Sword sent children?" one muttered.

Ji‑woo ignored it. But Hyo‑rin's hand twitched near her blade.

****

Finally it's was time for the raid briefing, where the roles of each team will be explained.

The once noisy group was no where to be seen. Just silence.

A massive figure approached.

Commander Ahn Kang‑ho of the Hunter Association. S‑rank Tank. Towering body. A scar across his jaw. He wore dark armor, and on his back were a shield that looked like a castle wall and a sword that looked like it needed wheels.

His voice cut across the cold air.

"Listen up. All of you."

He tapped his tablet, and a screen hovered into the air.

"The gate is filled with Nocturne Drake. A S-Rank monster. Ice-type breath. Large wingspan. It summons lesser drakes which are at least A-Rank when hurt. It's is known to possess intelligence as it's usually attacks the healers and mages of the group first."

The screen flickered to show a blurry image: a long-necked dragon with dark scales and glowing white eyes.

"Our formation is simple," he continued. "Tanks take point. S-ranks behind. AA and A‑ranks on the flanks. B-ranks—support only. You DO NOT try to be a hero, we have to reduce the casualties, and remember it's an S-Rank gate."

Someone from Red Ace chuckled.

"Hope that includes the so-called 'prodigies' of Fallen Sword."

Ji‑woo exhaled quietly. Let it pass.

****

But the sarcasm didn't end there.

A man from Frost Veil, tall with white hair and frost-crusted boots, pointed at Ji‑woo's team.

"We don't want to clean up after your scouts. They'll run the second things get hot."

Ji‑woo raised his head calmly. "We don't run. We clean up the messes you guys can't handle."

The man snorted in anger, clenching is fist tightly. "We'll see."

"You don't have to," Min‑suk snapped, stepping forward. "Just stay out of our way and don't slow us down."

"You should both shut it," growled a broad-shouldered hunter from Iron Moon. "We're about to walk into hell, and you idiots are measuring ego."

The air heated.

Mana began to gather.

Ahn Kang‑ho roared:

"ENOUGH!"

His mana slammed into the ground like thunder. Even the dirt vibrated.

"You bicker like children. You're not special in there. You're just targets. Remember that."

Silence followed. Thick. Embarrassed.

One of the B‑rank healers whispered to another, "Are you sure this raid will be a success?"

****

Finally after a while, the gate shimmered.

The final scout team had returned. Injured—but alive.

"We saw the drake," one panted. "It's already aware. Waiting, and it's possess intelligence far higher than we taught."

Commander Ahn turned back to the group.

"Final check. Blades ready. Shields steady. Anyone turns tail in there… they're on their own."

The gate pulsed again. Louder. Hungrier.

Ji‑woo gripped his sword. His team stood ready behind him.

Banners fluttered. Armors locked. Magic hummed.

Ahn raised his hand.

"On my mark…"

The gate opened like a mouth.

Darkness spilled forward—cool, whispering, ancient.

"Move in!"

With a blinding flash of red and black, they stepped in.

Into the unknown.

Into death—or glory only the gods could tell.

To Be Continued…