ushernet Chapter 232
Chapter 232
An EX-Class Gate Appears Over Seoul
The skies above Seoul were the center of global attention.
And why wouldn’t they be? This was the first time in history that an EX-Class Gate had been declared by none other than Seol Hayeon herself.
Speculations about gates beyond S-Class had existed for years, but for someone as authoritative as Seol Hayeon to confirm it—this was unprecedented in the history of Awakened beings. Naturally, the world watched with bated breath.
The rumors circulating were nothing short of terrifying.
“The monsters can’t be harmed by attacks.”
“There are at least ten thousand of them.”
“The United States is considering a nuclear strike.”
Even the sudden presence of U.S. special forces, Ninomiya unexpectedly being stationed in Korea, and Bojji-kong rushing over—all of it was said to be linked to this EX-Class Gate.
The growing size of the gate added to the panic.
Some claimed the gate would expand until it engulfed the entire world, leading to humanity’s extinction. Doomsayers’ pessimism had even made the news.
[An All-Star Raid Party with Four S-Class Awakened Declares Assault on the EX-Class Gate!]
[Does the U.S. Have a Hidden S-Class Awakened? Did President Morrison Know?]
[Prime Minister Suguru: “If it’s Yujin and Ninomiya, I firmly believe they’ll succeed.”]@@@@
Following the declaration of the raid, most people across the globe united in their hopes for success.
Some devout followers of the God of Providence had even stopped eating and drinking, dedicating themselves solely to prayer.
Creak.
“Th-The Gate!”
“A crack has formed on the gate!”
Could their prayers have been answered?
Under the watchful eyes of tens of millions, perhaps even billions, the EX-Class Gate began to tremble. It oozed a dark, blood-red aura as though it were bleeding.
This change occurred eight hours after the raid party had entered.
—However, the change wasn’t due to the raid’s success.
‘Wait. A crack in the gate? Usually, they just vanish...’
BOOOOOM!
Before hope could fully bloom on the faces of the onlookers, the gate exploded in a burst of dark crimson light.
It was accompanied by an ominous cloud.
“What... what is that dust?”
“...It’s not dust.”
“What?”
“Those cloud-like things... they’re all monsters!!!”
“...!!!”
What initially seemed like clouds were actually monsters.
And these were no ordinary monsters. They were the ones immune to attacks, now descending en masse.
The sheer number was impossible to count.
But in reality, approximately thirty thousand monsters were falling from the gate.
People instinctively understood the gravity of this.
‘If S-Class attacks don’t work and hundreds of A-Class Awakened can barely hold off a few of them... how are we supposed to stop this many?’
Gulp.
“Seoul... no, Korea is going to be wiped out.”
This wasn’t just the worst disaster in Korean history—it was the worst act of terror in human history.
Compared to this, even Necromancers seemed trivial.
If only Korea were at risk, it might have been a blessing. But these monsters were airborne, capable of spreading across continents. The implications were global.
These falling creatures were a lethal poison that could potentially lead to humanity’s extinction.
‘And they’re falling so fast!’
There wasn’t even time to prepare.
Freefall accelerates much quicker than most people realize.
From 15 kilometers above ground, it would take these creatures only six minutes to hit the surface.
Even considering air resistance and other factors, it was just six minutes.
Not enough time to mount a defense. Not enough time for civilians to evacuate.
Thud.
‘It’s over...’
The realization struck, and despair etched itself onto countless faces.
SHHHRIIIIING!
“...!!?”
Until the moment the sky was filled with dazzling starlight.
***
Regaining Consciousness—Only to Fall
When I came to, I was falling.
“Eeeek!! S-Sis, I’m scared of heights!!”
“Dad! Daaaad! Do something about that crazy monster woman already!!!”
Around me, my daughters were panicking.
“What the...!?”
“Damn it, my foresight isn’t working!”
“My sixth sense is broken too!!”
The three S-Class Awakened near me were somewhat composed but still visibly shaken.
Whoosh.Tup. Chup.Squeeze.Slam!Shift.Clap!
My master appeared, leaping through the air toward me.
She clung to my back, completing our group formation.
Thus, our nine-member raid party was reunited.
‘...Though the position is a bit... off.’
Shia and Alice were still locked in their 69 pose under one arm.
Haru and Winterer clung together like they were about to kiss under the other.
The S-Class trio was strapped awkwardly beneath me.
And my master was glued to my back.
With my arms spread wide and my legs bowed into an O-shape to hold everyone together, I probably looked ridiculous.
If someone saw me, they might yell, “Flying mating man!”
It was embarrassing.
“Phew!! Hey, Fox Girl, where are you putting your nose—”
“Everyone! How much mana fuel do we have left!?”
I interrupted Shia’s complaints, trying to focus.
Before anyone could comment on my awkward position, I needed to achieve the purpose of gathering everyone here.
“Phew!! Shia and I have about half left!”
“My sister and I are out!!”
“Sibylla and I are the same!”
“I-I still have one full rod....”
“The one my disciple gave me? Long gone.”
The results were grim.
In total, we had the equivalent of just two mana fuel rods remaining.
Despair crept across my face.
“...”
‘That was our only hope... that katana bombardment.’
Earlier, I’d used my ultimate skill to fend off the boss’s tentacle barrage—a long-range attack where I summoned katanas and rained them down from the sky.
If we pooled all our mana fuel and fired dozens of rounds per second, I thought we might manage.
But that technique was a mana-devouring monster.
During the boss fight, I’d burned through eight fuel rods in just five minutes.
With only two rods left, I could sustain the bombardment for one minute at best, taking down maybe three thousand monsters.
‘According to Paimon... no, just looking around, there are at least ten thousand.’
Gulp.
‘Yeah. This isn’t happening.’
It was impossible to deal with them all in my current state.
My mana was far too limited.
I sighed, a bitter smile creeping onto my face.
‘I’d love to run away, but...’
Smirk.
‘...I have wives to protect. So, no choice, really.’
“Disciple, do you have some brilliant idea...?”
“Master, can you hold everyone for me?”
“...What?”
“I’ve got something to take care of.”
I slowly released the others, letting them drift away from me.
Whoosh. Thud.
“Got them all!”
“Thanks, Master.”
It seemed fine.
My master was a transcendent being. She could protect them in my stead, even if I fell.
“Alright... I’m going.”
“Wait, going? Where to?”
“To take care of those things before they hit the ground. I’ve got a trump card.”
With that, I leapt slightly, breaking away from the group.
From above, I looked down at my master, holding everyone close in a far more elegant pose than mine.
Shia and Alice, my beloved wives.
Haru and Winterer, my precious daughters.
My friends and comrades.
I created some distance between us.
“...Yujin, why does your expression...?”
Whoosh.
‘Haah. I can’t even meet their eyes.’
I gazed upward instead, too ashamed to face them.
After making so many promises, here I was, unable to keep them.
Ding.
‘I won’t say it out loud since it’ll just make them sad, but... I’ll tell them in my heart.’
Above my head, a system window flickered.
The interface, lovingly fixed by Hypnosis-chan, displayed a single glowing button.
‘Shia. Alice. Master.’
That button shone brightly, as if waiting for this moment.
Click.
‘I loved you all very much.’
Starlight filled the sky.