In the Deep Realm, there were once mighty beings regarded as the strongest: the ten dragons led by Dragon Lord Izaas, and Spirit Queen Laghaim, the mother and ruler of all spirits. However, it had been a long time since they vanished from the Deep Realm.
Now, they were only remembered as legends in the annals of history.
With the highest thrones of the Deep Realm abandoned, countless kings who once ruled from their seats began waging wars for supremacy over the title of the strongest in the Deep Realm. Amid this endless conflict, a rumor spread throughout the Deep Realm: “Those who go to Earth die.”
A lone fortress stood in a gloomy and oppressive region, a desolate, navy-blue desert where thunder and lightning never ceased. At its highest tower sat a man on a throne, looking down at forty demon legions lined up outside with a curious expression. This was Amon, ranked seventh among Solomon’s demons, who governed malice and selfishness.
Perhaps that was why, despite being one of the last-born of Solomon’s demons, he rose above even the Great Demons and reached the top-tier ranking among Solomon’s ranks.
“Rumors are just that, rumors, Lord Amon,” said one of his subordinates.
“Rumors, you say...” Amon muttered at his subordinate’s assurance.
The rank board made it clear that Vapula was dead, as was the Flame King Hyperion. However, they didn’t die in the Deep Realm; they had been killed on Earth.
“The truth is known only to the dead,” Amon stated.
And the dead don’t speak.
“Berber,” Amon called.
Amon drew on his demonic energy, making even Berber, the commander of his legions, swallow nervously, as he felt the overwhelming force and terror of his lord’s power.
“I shall visit Earth briefly,” Amon declared, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes.
It was Friday evening.
Do-Jun had worked late until 9 PM and was on his way home when he noticed a sign that read “Ocher Sauna” on the wall of a shopping center. A large banner next to the sign announced a grand opening sale.
Do-Jun pulled out his smartphone and checked a message he had received earlier.
Notice: Changshin Villa water outage from 9 PM to 11 PM. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Having removed all his clothes, Min-Hyuk closed his locker and locked it with a key. Just as he turned toward the bath entrance, he froze in place upon seeing an unexpected individual.
He couldn’t believe his eyes. Do-Jun was unbuttoning his dress shirt on the same side of the locker room.
S-Supervisor Lee? he thought, frustrated.
Meeting at a sauna, after all, meant seeing each other fully unclothed. Unless they were particularly close, it was sure to be awkward.
“What a coincidence, meeting you here,” Do-Jun said with a faint smile as he hung his shirt on a hanger and put it inside his locker, noticing Min-Hyuk’s visible discomfort.
Steaming hot water flowed from the faucet into the bath. It contained faint traces of mana, a trend that had recently gained popularity with many bathhouses. Although this didn’t enhance one’s mana levels, experts claimed it helped recover fatigue faster.
Thick, hot steam filled the bathhouse. Through the haze, Min-Hyuk observed Do-Jun’s upper body. He had broad shoulders and perfectly balanced, lean muscles. Min-Hyuk himself had an impressive physique, comparable to that of a fitness trainer; however, even though his frame was larger than Do-Jun’s, the latter’s muscle definition and balance were nearly flawless.
This is awkward, he thought to himself.
Submerged in the bath, Do-Jun kept his eyes closed. Min-Hyuk searched for a conversation topic, desperate to break the awkward silence. Oh, right. He could thank him for the artifact he had received last time.
“Um, Supervisor Lee, thank you for the artifact you gave me last time.”
Do-Jun slowly opened his eyes. He recalled handing out artifacts to the S-rank Hunters who had helped with a comprehensive Fissure survey. To Min-Hyuk, he had given Lemargu’s Heart Extract, which permanently increased the wound recovery rate and stamina regeneration by thirty percent.
“I should have given you something better,” Do-Jun said.
“No, not at all! Everyone else was envious of me.”
For Hunters who often fought for ten to twenty hours straight inside a Fissure, an artifact that boosted recovery and regeneration was as valuable as having a healer in the party. Its worth was incalculable in monetary terms, leading many to wonder where Do-Jun had obtained such an item.
“That’s good to hear,” Do-Jun said.
Once again, silence enveloped the room, and Min-Hyuk searched his mind for a new topic. His gaze fell on a sign affixed to a pillar.
Excellent for fatigue and mana recovery.
Submerge fully, even your head, for faster effects.
“Supervisor Lee! The sign says you get better effects if you submerge completely, head and all,” Min-Hyuk said excitedly, pointing at the sign with his finger.
Do-Jun turned slightly to read it. “I see.”
“Shall we give it a try?” Min-Hyuk asked.
“Oh, and let’s make it fun—a competition. Let’s see who can hold their breath underwater the longest.”
The challenge was a bit out of the blue, but Do-Jun smiled faintly and nodded.
“Three... Two... One!”
Min-Hyuk dove under the water, resembling a playful child, which Do-Jun found endearing. However, before Do-Jun could make his move, he sensed a presence from afar. Had it been any ordinary monster, he would have ignored it. But this presence was on a different level, something even the combined strength of all S-rank Hunters couldn’t handle.
“Tsk.” Clicking his tongue, Do-Jun rose from the bath.
A demon stood atop a transmission tower. He was a giant clad in jet-black armor and a matching helmet. The demon, Amon, gazed at the city’s nightscape—a wretched dwelling built by lowly humans, unworthy of any admiration.
Just then, a thunderous sound rang out, and the silhouette of a man soared through the air. He landed on a power line attached to the transmission tower where Amon was standing.
Amon slowly examined the man. He wore an orange short-sleeved shirt and shorts with the words “Ochre Sauna” printed on them. Despite locking eyes with Amon, the man’s expression didn’t waver; instead, he walked across the power line as if it were solid ground, heading toward Amon.
Word had it that humans on Earth had developed Status Windows through the effects of the Encroachment, gaining the means to grow stronger.
There was no need to exert much effort to kill an insect. Amon flicked his arm, sending a wave of dark energy toward the man.
However, the energy did not strike him. Instead, it reversed course and surged back toward Amon with far greater power.
Before Amon could dodge, the energy morphed into a dagger and struck him. The dagger, infused with overwhelming energy, sliced through Amon’s armor and penetrated his abdomen.
His once-impenetrable armor now had a hole. Amon stared down in disbelief at the blood pouring from the wound.
His torn skin regenerated at an unrealistic speed, but the damaged armor did not restore itself.
This armor was no ordinary artifact. Even Imfelheim, known for his immense power, would struggle to leave a scratch on it. It was a highly coveted hidden piece, boasting unparalleled defensive capabilities.
“A mere human dares to challenge me!” Amon growled.
He summoned a massive black giant greatsword over four meters long in his hand. Do-Jun narrowed his eyes at Amon, who, despite his warning, continued to exude killing intent. In that moment, for the first time ever, Amon felt fear.
Fear? How could a great demon of Solomon fear a mere human?
This incomprehensible sensation gnawed at Amon, filling him with unease. He had to make a decision. Should he trust his instincts and flee, or ignore his brain’s warnings and press the attack? Many beings of the Deep Realm who ascended to Earth had perished. Perhaps they, too, had faced a similar choice.
In the end, Amon made his choice.
Amon drew every last bit of his mana. The transmission tower collapsed, the power lines snapped, and the ground split apart in a cascade of destruction.
“How dare I, huh...?” Do-Jun murmured soullessly as he watched Amon muster all his strength.
He repeated the word, savoring its irony, and walked toward Amon. Step by step, Do-Jun moved through the air as if it were solid ground.
Amon’s eyes widened in shock.
The dark energy that had enveloped his entire body dissipated like a gust of wind. Then, as if a blackout had swept across the Earth, all light disappeared.
Before Amon could even process his dismay, his soul began to erode. Amon was a being who had lived his entire life in darkness, but now, he was being consumed by that darkness, blinded. In addition, all sensations in his body began to fade.
“It’s been a while since I heard someone say that to me,” Do-Jun muttered as his eyes grew cold.
At the same time, seven stars appeared in the pitch-black sky. Each star glowed in a different color, forming a constellation: the Seven Star Formation. Heavenly Pivot, Heavenly Jade, Heavenly Pearl, Heavenly Authority, Jade Balance, Opening Sun, and Shaking Light—the stars, glowing in the colors of the rainbow, created a brilliant spectacle.
Amon couldn’t speak. The overwhelming light had left him senseless.
What... is this...? This power was beyond comprehension, utterly defying logic.
Amon recalled the rumors circulating in the Deep Realm: “Those who go to Earth die.”
The seven stars etched in the sky turned into seven soul swords, glinting ominously.
How much time had passed?
Immersed in a forty-degree hot tub, Min-Hyuk finally opened his eyes, but Do-Jun was nowhere to be seen. No, wait—he could see someone’s feet that he assumed belonged to Do-Jun.
The water bubbled as he exhaled. Ah, I’ve reached my limit.
“Pah!” Min-Hyuk surfaced, then inhaled and exhaled sharply, water dripping from his face.
After splashing his face, he glanced at Do-Jun, who was sitting leisurely in the tub. When he looked at the clock, he realized ten minutes had already passed.
“When did you come up?”
He was curious to know how he had measured against Do-Jun.
Do-Jun thought for a moment before replying, “About five minutes ago.”
Upon hearing this, Min-Hyuk’s expression froze. He had naturally assumed that Do-Jun would win any endurance contest, such as holding one’s breath, and was caught off guard that Do-Jun didn’t last as long as he had.
“D-did I...” Min-Hyuk felt ecstatic. Though a breath-holding contest wasn’t anything crazy, he had won. Against Lee Do-Jun.
Unable to believe it, Min-Hyuk’s lips curved into a victorious smile. Seeing his childlike grin, Do-Jun chuckled softly.
“Seems so,” Do-Jun said with a nod.
“Here, drink this.” Do-Jun handed Min-Hyuk a bottle of banana milk.
“What’s this for...?”
“You won, so I’m treating you.”
Grinning widely, Min-Hyuk accepted the bottle.
Min-Ji glanced at her phone as she ran on the treadmill. It was a message from Min-Hyuk.
Kang Min-Hyuk: Supervisor Lee treated me to banana milk.
“So happy over just a banana milk,” she muttered, rolling her eyes.
Kang Min-Hyuk: Jealous?
“You wish,” she muttered, pretending to be indifferent.
Min-Ji put her phone back in its holder, cranked the treadmill’s speed to maximum, and sprinted at full power.