It’s still better than them being paralyzed with fear, so I guess I’ll let it slide this once.

A scathing remark asking what the hell they were doing rose to the back of Sa-yoon’s throat, but he chose not to voice it. At least they were different from the other Association hunters, who looked like they were attending their own funerals after being forcibly dragged into the Gate clear.

This was the final Gate.

Morale was crucial for the last battle before the war. It was far better for them to maintain their usual condition, cracking lame jokes, than to be shivering and demoralized by the prospect of entering an SSS-Rank Gate. Sa-yoon saved his breath and increased his pace before they could engage in any more useless chatter. They arrived at the location indicated by the System just before the time limit expired.

“It’s quiet.”

“Because nothing’s opened yet.”

The mountain range at night, before a Gate opened, was unusually tranquil. Entering a Gate without crowds waving flags in support or reporters desperately trying to shove microphones in his face was a refreshing change.

Just as he was feeling satisfied with the absence of shrill, noisy voices, the mountains vibrated with a deep Wuuuuung. It was the precursor to a Gate opening.

“Everyone, three steps back.”

If they got swept up in the Gate’s formation by mistake, the plan would be ruined. At his command, the group, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, silently stepped back three paces. Sa-yoon traced the turbulent flow of energy, staring straight ahead. Soon, a heat haze shimmered in the empty air, and space itself twisted.

Kiiiiiiiing.

Space screamed, a sharp, high-pitched sound, as it sucked in energy from all directions. Noticing his mana draining away on its own, Sa-yoon clicked his tongue and took another step back. The distorted space began to spew blue light.

It was the first time any of them had seen the moment of a Gate’s creation this closely and clearly. The hunters, holding their breath, marveled at the outpouring light.

The last Gate.

“It’s open.”

Sa-yoon steadied his breathing and took out his weapons for a final check. He sorted the usable weapons from the useless ones in his inventory, checked for anything he might have forgotten, and reviewed his skills for anything useful. Finishing his final inspection, he approached Geon-joo, who dutifully presented his own weapons.

Sa-yoon activated Genius’s Eyes as he checked the gear Geon-joo was pulling out one by one. His lips curled up involuntarily at the status window, which had undergone such a drastic transformation that he wondered if this was really the same B-Rank he had first brought home.

I really do have a knack for teaching.

Geon-joo had been a promising sprout, yes, but if anyone else had picked him up, he wouldn’t have grown this explosively fast. Praising himself with thoughts that would have horrified the other guild members or Geon-joo if they heard them, Sa-yoon confirmed his talent as a mentor and helped inspect Geon-joo’s weapons.

“Keep Akhart’s Bow at your waist, and carry your sword. Equip another one as a sub, just in case.”

“Got it.”

Main weapon: sword. Sub-weapon: Akhart’s Bow. And a spare sword strapped firmly to his side, ready to be drawn instantly in case the primary broke. Han Geon-joo looked satisfied with the setup. Sa-yoon, on the other hand, rubbed his chin with a regretful expression.

“I should have called Perse sooner.”

Han Geon-joo had a lot of items. Considering he was an S-Rank, it was fewer than others of his level, but in terms of his career length, the quality of items he used was absurdly high. Still, knowing this was the last Gate before the war made Sa-yoon wish for better weapons.

He had called the artisan Perse to prepare for the war, but despite Sa-yoon’s request, Perse had refused to participate in this Gate clear, claiming he needed to craft artifacts for the war instead. When told to just come early, drop off the items, and leave, he refused that too. He was a fastidious bastard who valued his own life above all else.

He was annoying and arrogant, but there was nothing Sa-yoon could do. Even Sa-yoon couldn’t treat Perse recklessly.

If he threatened to kill the only artisan in the world capable of processing Divine Artifacts, every S-Rank hunter desperate to stay in Perse’s good graces would come running with swords drawn.

An outstanding artisan possessed power commensurate with their talent. Clicking his tongue at the thought, Sa-yoon was soothed by Geon-joo.

“The weapons I have now are good enough. Besides, this isn’t a Gate where weapons are the most important thing anyway.”

It’s more important how well I can handle the divine power and my body.

Geon-joo added quietly. Nodding at the rare sensible remark, Sa-yoon shook off his regret and looked back at the group. Having checked their items, weapons, and potions in time with Sa-yoon’s maintenance, they were ready to enter and awaiting the command.

Wuuuung, wuuuuung.

The blue Gate vibrated as if urging them on. Sa-yoon inhaled the dawn air, drew Dawn of Spring, and turned.

“Let’s go in.”

They had prepared as much as they possibly could. Now it was time to see how effective it would be.

Suppressing his breath, he stepped inside. A dark, cold light, different from usual, enveloped the group, guiding them into the last SSS-Rank Gate before the war.

[Defeat the Fallen Angel]

The notification was similar to the one for the Bone Dragon.

Just as he confirmed there were no unusual clear conditions this time either, a new notification window suddenly filled Sa-yoon’s vision.

It was a message from the God of Wisdom.

Sa-yoon’s brow furrowed at the urgency conveyed through the text.

“Why the sudden fuss?”

In other Gates, she had only listed requests instead of advice, so this sudden warning felt ominous.

“What’s wrong?”

He didn’t see it.

Judging by the lack of change in his expression, Han Geon-joo hadn’t seen this suspicious notification window. Ruffling his hair, Sa-yoon said it was nothing and observed his surroundings. As Sa-yoon’s eyes narrowed, the group, realizing they had entered the Gate, opened their eyes and then shivered, rubbing their arms.

“Why is it so chilly?”

“…It’s not just cold; the Yin energy itself seems strong.”

“It feels like night by the water in winter.”

Mi-jeong, Dong-ju, and Tae-seok, entering an SSS-Rank Gate for the first time, shared their impressions. As they said, a thick chill permeated the air. Sa-yoon inhaled and slowly exhaled. He was momentarily surprised.

If I can see my breath, it means it’s quite cold.

Thanks to his Frost skill, Sa-yoon usually had little physical reaction to cold. Yet, goosebumps rose faintly on his skin, and his breath clouded in the air. Raising his guard, Sa-yoon scanned the interior of the Gate, predicting that the Fallen Angel might use ice-attribute attacks.

Despite the name ‘Sun’, the inside of the Gate was dark and vast. Like a perfect replica of the night sky.

As they waited, feeling as if they were standing in space, the sky rumbled. Kugugung!

“…”

The members of Noah, who had been whispering amongst themselves, sensed the change and fell silent.

“It’s starting.”

Jongsik, standing beside him, quietly announced the beginning of the Gate.

Angry sounds echoed ceaselessly from the distant darkness, as if explosions were occurring, and then—Flash! An intense red light flared in the sky. From that light, an Angel of the End appeared.

An angel holding a trumpet, as always.

As the creature brought the massive trumpet to its lips, Sa-yoon stepped back.

“We’re attacking immediately, not waiting for the enemy to appear. Get ready.”

Against Abaddon and the Wyverns, he had ceded the first strike to gauge the enemy’s level, and because they needed time to adjust to their first SSS-Rank Gate or sync their teamwork. But not now.

With both Night Rats and Noah in his grasp, there was no reason to retreat. As he glared at the sky, the Angel of the End blew the trumpet.

Buuuuuuuuu-!

A sound like a boat horn violently shook the heavens and earth. His head rang as if a bell had been struck. Sa-yoon adjusted his grip on his sword and grabbed Geon-joo, who was about to launch himself forward even though the enemy hadn’t appeared yet.

“You save your body this time.”

“Yes?”

Geon-joo was flustered by the unexpected command just before battle. Skipping the detailed explanation, Sa-yoon activated every buff and debuff skill he could use.

We end this as quickly as possible. A blitzkrieg.

With that resolve, he looked up at the sky splitting open at the trumpet’s call.

“…!”

“…!”

Darkness cracked open, and radiant, multi-colored beams of light descended as if stars were pouring down. Within that light, Sa-yoon and Geon-joo confirmed the existence of the enemy flapping its wings, and their eyes trembled simultaneously.

Sa-yoon faced the golden hair that often drifted before his eyes like an afterimage and the unforgettable blue eyes. His lips parted.

“How…”

Geon-joo let out a voice devoid of fighting spirit. Only then did Sa-yoon understand the System’s sudden message.

Everything is virtual, a deception. Do not be deluded by the enemy before your eyes.

They had predicted this situation and warned him.

The Fallen Angel of the Sun.

Sa-yoon chewed on the name of the Gate and, with a hollow laugh, called the name of the angel descending.

“Noah.”

At the low call, the angel’s gaze, which had been blank and expressionless as if devoid of emotion, shifted to Sa-yoon.