Chapter 204

Chapter 204
## Chapter 204

Heaven’s Turn Society’s Master (1)

‘This foe is far from ordinary.’

Such was the initial judgment Hans formed when confrontating the individual.

By completely inheriting the legacy of the ‘Immortal King’ and shattering the constraints of his previous level, his perception had expanded into a state of transcendence.

His sensory network could now span the entirety of Seoul, and by narrowing his attention onto a particular person, he could discern their level, general nature, and distinct traits with relative clarity.

It felt akin to observing the mortal realm from an elevated, loftier vantage point.

This shift in awareness was the most profound transformation brought about by his newfound strength.

‘Yet this person… ’

He was entirely unreadable.

‘This marks the very first instance of such a sensation since becoming Hans.’

An impenetrable shroud of mystery was the sole thing Hans could gather.

[State your identity.]

Even so, a true expert never permitted their composure to slip, regardless of the circumstances.

He preserved an unruffled mask while swiftly evaluating his environment using his enhanced senses.

‘The fabric of this dimension is isolated, and the coordinates have been warped. Spatial jumping is completely blocked. Escaping or entering is out of the question.’

Back on Earth, he possessed multiple methods to counter an emergency.

He could materialize extra manifestations via “In the Hero’s Footsteps” or directly involve his primary physical form by taking on the identity of Hans through “Individual Projection”.

Yet—.

“You look preoccupied. Have you concluded your evaluation of the surroundings?”

The mysterious adversary initiated conversation in an amiable tone, mimicking the familiarity of an old acquaintance.

Just as the man implied, none of those escape routes functioned within this pocket realm.

The isolated domains utilized by the Immortal Fortress within Auterica, as well as those employed by the regional directors of the Heaven’s Turn Society over in Japan, were considered sophisticated sorcery…

‘But this exists on an entirely separate tier. To manually construct a domain of this caliber?’

It was, in the most literal sense, an alternate realm.

Even with the aid of his signature trait, the underlying mechanics governing it eluded his understanding.

He considered attempting a breakthrough via the ‘Interdimensional Transfer Formation’, but prioritizing a thorough assessment of his foe came first.

Revealing his strategic options prior to acquiring any data on the enemy would be reckless.

[You are an irritation. The Heaven’s Turn Society once more? It appears you refuse to absorb the lesson. The previous thrashing clearly failed to suffice.]

Gathering intelligence remained the priority.

He flung the taunt while steadily gathering his internal energy.

Goooo—

A dark, swirling miasma began to pour from Hans’s frame, spreading outward like a dense fog and blanketing the vicinity.

The light in the area seemed to dim significantly, and a sudden drop in temperature caused frost to coat the surfaces.

He liberated not only his nearly boundless reserves of dark sorcery but also the profound abyss from which it originated, actively degrading the structural integrity of the surrounding space.

“Hmm.”

The man pulled a slight grimace and took a subtle step backward, seemingly cautious of the surging pressure, and yet…

His underlying sense of ease remained entirely intact.

“That core… acts as a conduit enabling you to directly wield the concept of ‘death’ inherent to the world, does it not? Its stability appears precarious. Such power is hardly meant for common hands.”

“Oh! Great Leader, that is hardly the priority at this moment! Provided we can iron out that specific flaw, it would serve as an incredibly potent reservoir of power! Its potential completely eclipses the caliber of Calicas technology we previously analyzed!”

Suddenly, an unexpected third voice cut through the air.

Hans whipped his eyes to the flank, seeking out the origin of the disturbance.

“Progress thrives entirely on revolutionary discoveries! The sheer variety of mystical arts found throughout the diverse planes is absolutely breathtaking! Great Leader, I implore you to permit my analysis of it! Imagine the profound secrets it might unveil to me—!”

An unkempt, middle-aged Caucasian male possessing wild, manic eyes stood beside the Master, salivating openly.

In contrast to his leader, his frame vibrated uncontrollably, clearly struggling against the suffocating aura of dread Hans exuded…

Yet his gaze remained entirely consumed by fanatic obsession.

‘An unfamiliar variable. What is this person’s identity? And… Great Leader?’

The identity of the individual designated as the ‘Great Leader’ in this context required no guesswork.

[So, you are the figurehead ruling the Heaven’s Turn Society.]

The elusive figure… the ultimate Master of the Heaven’s Turn Society, permitted a soft grin to surface.

“Indeed, I am. Furthermore, I am the architect behind every single operation you have taken it upon yourself to disrupt.”

[Is that so? How highly unfortunate. Because those disruptions are not about to cease. Hehehe—.]

“Hmm, quite so.”

Hans’s overt hostility failed to rattle the Master in the slightest. He merely gave a slow nod of agreement.

However, the very instant the words departed his lips…

An intense premonition of danger gripped Hans’s spine.

Acting purely on survival instinct, he threw himself backward into a rapid retreat.

Crack!

Simultaneously, a jarring, structural fracture resounded through the air.

The precise location where his body had been positioned just a heartbeat prior…

…Imploded violently, as though compressed by the fist of an unseen titan.

“Your reactions are remarkably swift. Apprehending you promises to be quite tedious.”

[Hmph— You possess little patience. I, too, find physical force far more agreeable than dialogue!]

Ziiiing— Ziiiing! Ziiiing—!

Multitudes of dark incantation arrays manifested in the air encircling Hans without delay.

Though the vast majority of this domain remained firmly under the adversary’s dominion, Hans could still channel his power at standard efficiency within the zones saturated by his own abyss.

“Let us evaluate your capabilities.”

The moment the Master casually thrust an open palm in his direction,

The very environment surrounding Hans turned hostile.

Rumble—!

The local space fractured and warped violently, attempting to purge him like an unwanted infection.

‘…This presents a severe challenge. This transcends simple spatial control. It feels as though I am locked in combat with a whole world.’

At present, they appeared deadlock, but this territory belonged entirely to his foe.

There was no predicting what hidden stratagems remained at their disposal.

Furthermore, judging by the relaxed posture of the Master, it was highly probable he had yet to unveil his true capabilities.

“Wielding the absolute demise of a world, are you? A rather problematic attribute to contend with.”

“Oh! Great Leader, do not dwell on such matters now! Unleash your true dominance upon them! Awaken the Bone Dragon! Call forth the remainder of your subordinate undead legions!”

The manic scholar standing nearby seemed utterly convinced that the Master was withholding his primary arsenal.

‘Hmm, what course of action is wisest? Engaging in a fatal struggle in this place is ill-advised… ’

Even so, Hans remained unbothered.

‘Indeed, the superior path is to test his limits before executing a calculated withdrawal. I shall keep my own undead forces in reserve for now.’

Securing a direct encounter with the ultimate authority of the Heaven’s Turn Society was already a massive breakthrough.

Eliciting the Master’s hidden trump card while sustaining the engagement would simply be an added benefit.

‘An organized retreat following a successful probing action cannot be deemed a loss!’

He still possessed ‘Dismiss’, the definitive evasion technique capable of operating under any constraints.

—

An expansive chamber decorated with complex mandala arrangements embroidered into the tapestries, creating a labyrinthine layout.

The shadowed interior received faint illumination from a multitude of burning candles, while assorted ceremonial implements forged from rare elements littered the space, heightening the ominous atmosphere.

Whoosh—

A thick vapor drifted upward from the center of the room, where a low-slung table surrounded by floor cushions rested.

“Deliver your intelligence.”

A relaxed, feminine voice drifted lazily through the silence.

“Understood, Oracle. Our operations across Africa are advancing without complication. We have reached the concluding phases of dominating pivotal territories including Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa…”

An operative clad entirely in obsidian garments commenced the briefing.

Detailing everything from triumphs in Africa to steady advancements across South America, alongside minor complications encountered in North America and Europe…

Puff—

As the narration rolled on, the olive-skinned woman resting upon the cushions casually drew from her hookah, seemingly detached from the updates.

“…Conversely, our footing in East Asia remains highly problematic. We were forced into a total evacuation from Korea, and we recently absorbed a devastating casualty count within Japan…”

“Japan.”

She cut her subordinate off the moment he uttered the name of the territory that commanded her focus.

“Did the Master journey to Japan personally?”

“Correct. He traveled there in tandem with Doctor and Yulryeongja for the express purpose of securing the anomalous entity known as Hahoe Mask.”

“…Hahoe Mask, is it.”

Her eyelids lowered upon hearing the title, and the tear-shaped crimson crystal embedded in her brow glowed with a sinister light amidst the dancing candle flames.

“Tsk, we exercised extreme discretion regarding Korea. It appears even that precaution fell short.”

Reopening her eyes, she whispered softly while drawing another breath from the pipe.

They had maintained aggressive campaigns within China and Japan, yet their expansion into the adjacent Korean peninsula had been deliberately restrained. This specific strategy had been deployed solely due to Oracle’s foresight.

Yet regardless of their care, the situation had derailed…

‘I can already foresee the tantrum Doctor will throw.’

Furthermore, Hahoe Mask posed a distinct enigma.

Regardless of the heights of his personal power, he still occupied the same reality she did. He should not have possessed the means to completely evade her clairvoyance.

‘He employs some manner of obfuscation to keep his very identity blurred… Naturally, he must wield a unique asset to orchestrate this level of disruption.’

He was an anomalous factor, cloaked in contradictions.

Under ordinary circumstances, she would have preferred to monitor his movements from a distance until his true nature became transparent…

‘…However, with the Master intervening in person, further observation is redundant.’

Oracle released a steady stream of vapor, permitting her subordinate to resume his briefing.

Nevertheless, her thoughts remained tethered exclusively to the Master and Hahoe Mask.

Despite the current constraints binding her own power, Earth harbored no entity capable of resisting the Master’s decree.

Short of a divine being manifesting directly upon this realm.

‘I am curious to witness the true nature of Hahoe Mask’s capabilities.’

After all—.

The Master had already reduced multiple realities to utter desolation.

He was a cosmic entity that feasted upon worlds.

—

A bolt of dark lightning, tracing a perfectly linear path, veered sharply as it impacted the distorted boundaries of space.

A lethal affliction, intended to consume the immediate area, lost its trajectory entirely within the severed dimensions.

The infernal blazes of the netherworld, capable of incinerating the very spirit, were drawn into the fractured voids and nullified.

And at last…

Crack!

The unmistakable sound of crushing bone intermingled with the chaotic din of the battlefield.

“Unfortunate. I intended to conclude our business with that strike. You were still concealing your true depth?”

The Master of the Heaven’s Turn Society curled his lips into an expression of faint dissatisfaction.

Clutched within his grasp was Hans’s detached left arm, splintering into fine dark particles.

‘…This is turning perilous.’

Hans flexed his instantaneously restored left fingers, tilting his bare skull.

He had allowed himself to grow overly complacent, treating this encounter merely as a scouting run. His core had nearly been compromised.

‘My offensives fail to register, whereas his spatial degradation operates with absolute precision. Within the confines of this domain, the disparity in energy optimization is overwhelming.’

Even if his pool of sorcery was virtually bottomless, a discrepancy of this magnitude in practical execution would only cause the distance between them to widen.

This stood as a monumental hurdle in a genuine conflict.

‘Nonetheless, it cannot be said I walk away empty-handed.’

Hans summoned his aura once more, locking his gaze onto his adversary, the Master of the Heaven’s Turn Society.

[I harbored suspicions, but your nature extends far beyond that of a mere mortal, does it not?]

“Be grateful for the revelation. I rarely adopt this state. I simply find it less exhausting to resolve matters expeditiously.”

Flap—

Accompanied by a deep, resonant voice, a radiant brilliance resembling a vibrant twilight erupted from the Master, saturating the environment.

The abyss anchoring Hans began to dissolve, and breaches started fracturing the defensive wards he had raised to halt the spatial degradation.

‘Confound it!’

Crack!

He threw himself backward in a frantic maneuver, yet his right ankle was completely severed.

It was the identical form of assault that had claimed his left arm—a manifestation of power acting as the absolute polarity to Hans’s dark sorcery and abyss: sacred energy.

‘The absolute worst possible matchup. Yet he functions entirely free of constraints on his output?’

Every denizen of Earth who commanded sacred energy operated under severe limitations while on the planet.

It was an unalterable rule of the power’s source, a reality he had witnessed firsthand through Heinrich.

Naturally, Hans’s own abyss experienced similar restrictions.

‘…Does the answer lie in his true form?’

Flap—

The moment the thought crossed his mind,

A brilliant, reddish twilight blanketed the entire domain, heralded by the distinct sound of beating wings.

An incomprehensible surge of sacred energy manifested, completely eclipsing the power displayed by Saint Heinrich back in Auterica.

“I am weary of this; let us bring this to a swift resolution.”

An ethereal crown of light manifested behind the Master’s head, and a pair of colossal, snow-white wings spanning over three meters unfurled from his spine.

The supreme leader of the Heaven’s Turn Society…

‘The commander of a global syndicate of evil is a celestial entity… What kind of preposterous absurdity is this?!’

…corresponded to an angel, by every conceivable metric.