[Earth — South Korea]
The ground trembled.
Not violently.
Not enough to trigger a global disaster warning.
But every mana-sensitive individual on Earth felt it.
A strange pulse travelled through the planet.
Across Seoul, the floating transportation platforms temporarily stopped.
The dimensional barriers surrounding major cities flickered.
Inside the Hunter Association, hundreds of alarms activated simultaneously.
[WARNING — UNKNOWN ENERGY FLUCTUATION]
[WORLD TREE SIGNATURE DETECTED]
[SOURCE: UNIDENTIFIED]
Jun Ho stared at the holographic display.
"Again?"
The researcher beside him nodded.
"The readings are increasing."
Takado Shin stood near the observation window.
His expression had become serious.
"How far underground?"
"Approximately twelve kilometres beneath the original discovery site."
Jun Ho turned.
"Can we reach it?"
The researcher hesitated.
"Our equipment can't penetrate the surrounding structure."
Takado picked up his weapon.
"Then we'll find another way."
[Above Seoul]
A dimensional passage opened.
Jinyoung stepped through.
His arrival immediately attracted attention.
Several hunters looked upwards.
Then—
The entire city recognised him.
"Jinyoung!"
"He's back!"
News spread across the Hunter Association network within seconds.
The Void Legend, who had been training nearby, stopped immediately.
He looked towards the sky.
"He's returned."
[World Council Citadel]
The meeting chamber was already occupied.
Secretary stood beside the central projection.
Liam, Baruka, Brute, Haru, Riku and Riyomi were present.
The five Legends stood together.
When Jinyoung entered, everyone turned.
Liam was the first to speak.
"Finally decided to visit?"
Jinyoung looked at him.
"Did you miss me?"
"Not particularly."
Brute laughed loudly.
Baruka remained composed.
"Your journey appears successful."
"Two civilisations have joined us."
Secretary immediately activated the projection.
"That is significant. Our current alliance now includes Elarion and the Celestial Dominion."
Jinyoung nodded.
"Both are beginning to establish communication networks. Their scholars and engineers will be useful."
Haru smiled.
"Good. We could use more people who understand dimensional structures."
Jinyoung looked towards the five Legends.
Their mana signatures were noticeably different.
More stable.
More refined.
"You've all improved."
Flame Legend grinned.
"We weren't going to remain stagnant."
Iron Legend crossed his arms.
"We're getting closer."
Jinyoung studied them for a moment.
"Good."
He looked towards Secretary.
"Now tell me about the disturbance."
The hologram changed.
The black spiral symbol appeared.
Jinyoung's expression immediately became serious.
"Show me the location."
[The Underground Structure]
Twelve kilometres beneath South Korea—
The structure remained sealed.
Its surface resembled an enormous black stone covered in silver markings.
Seven circular formations surrounded a central spiral.
The surrounding rock had been transformed into an unfamiliar material.
It wasn't ordinary matter.
It wasn't mana.
It was something connected to the foundations of existence.
Jinyoung descended alongside Secretary, Liam, Baruka and the five Legends.
The remaining commanders stayed above to coordinate the evacuation and maintain the surrounding barriers.
As they approached, Jinyoung felt something.
A faint connection.
Not a voice.
Not a presence.
Recognition.
His Void Abyss reacted.
Secretary scanned the structure.
"Analysis beginning."
Several seconds passed.
Then—
[ANALYSIS FAILED.]
[UNKNOWN FOUNDATIONAL AUTHORITY.]
Secretary's expression remained neutral, but his eyes narrowed.
"Interesting."
Liam looked towards him.
"What's interesting?"
"I cannot determine the structure's origin."
Jinyoung approached.
The seven circular formations began glowing.
One after another.
Then the central spiral opened.
A tremendous pressure spread throughout the underground chamber.
The five Legends immediately activated their mana.
Baruka raised his hand.
Ice spread across the surrounding walls.
Liam's death authority formed a protective barrier.
Jinyoung remained still.
A voice emerged.
"Successor."
Everyone froze.
The voice continued.
"You have finally returned."
Jinyoung looked towards the structure.
"Who are you?"
Silence.
Then—
"We are the remnants of the First Framework."
[The First Framework]
The black structure began separating.
Its seven circular formations rotated around the central spiral.
A humanoid figure emerged.
It possessed no recognisable face.
Its body consisted of silver branches, black roots and countless glowing symbols.
Unlike the Primordials, its presence didn't overwhelm the surrounding universe.
Instead—
It felt familiar.
Ancient.
Foundational.
Jinyoung studied it.
"Are you connected to the World Tree?"
"We are part of its original architecture."
Secretary immediately looked towards the entity.
"Original architecture?"
"Before the World Tree became the axis connecting existence, its foundational framework was established."
The figure raised its hand.
An enormous projection appeared.
The World Tree.
Countless roots extended through the projection, connecting universes, dimensions and timelines.
But beneath those roots—
Something else existed.
A network of structures supporting the entire system.
"The World Tree does not function through its branches alone."
"Its roots connect existence."
"Its foundational framework maintains the conditions necessary for those connections to remain stable."
Jinyoung looked carefully.
"Why are you awakening now?"
The figure turned towards him.
"Because the system is approaching an unprecedented instability."
The projection changed.
The Primordials appeared.
Then the Sovereigns.
Their influence spread across countless universes.
"The Sovereigns have begun preparing their descent."
The atmosphere became heavier.
Secretary spoke.
"How much time do we have?"
"Unknown."
The entity continued.
"Their presence is already affecting the foundational structure of existence."
Jinyoung clenched his fist.
"So this is another warning."
"No."
The figure approached.
"It is an acknowledgement."
[A Forgotten Truth]
The projection changed again.
A second image appeared.
Yogaroth.
The Primordial of Creation.
His enormous form stood before the World Tree.
But unlike the images Jinyoung had previously encountered—
This one showed Yogaroth creating something.
A massive network of structures surrounding the World Tree's roots.
"Yogaroth anticipated the possibility of the Sovereigns eventually turning against creation itself."
Jinyoung remained silent.
"He therefore established several safeguards."
The projection showed three distinct structures.
The first represented the World Tree.
The second represented the Chaos Sphere.
The third was unfamiliar.
It resembled a gigantic sealed network beneath the Tree.
Secretary studied the image.
"Three safeguards?"
"The World Tree maintains the connections of existence."
"The Chaos Sphere protects its authority against misuse."
"The First Framework preserves the foundations upon which both depend."
Jinyoung understood.
The three structures served different purposes.
The World Tree connected.
The Chaos Sphere protected.
The First Framework supported the underlying system.
But something was missing.
"Why were you sealed?"
The figure became silent.
Then—
"Because the First Framework contains the original records of creation."
Jinyoung's eyes narrowed.
"Records?"
"Every foundational change. Every structural alteration. Every major cycle."
The projection changed.
Countless records appeared.
Some were familiar.
Others were completely unknown.
Then one particular image appeared.
A vast darkness surrounding the World Tree.
Even the Primordials seemed insignificant beside it.
Jinyoung felt his Abyss react.
"What is that?"
The figure answered.
"The first recorded encounter between creation and the Sovereigns."
[The Five Legends]
While Jinyoung continued speaking with the entity, the five Legends remained on guard.
Suddenly—
A warning appeared.
[UNKNOWN SIGNATURE DETECTED.]
Void Legend turned immediately.
"Something's approaching."
A dimensional fracture opened behind the group.
Three humanoid entities emerged.
Their bodies were covered in silver markings.
Unlike the Eldritch servants, they possessed no visible corruption.
Their energy signatures were almost identical to the surrounding structure.
Secretary looked towards them.
"Defensive constructs."
One of the entities moved.
Iron Legend reacted immediately.
His metallic mana formed around his arm.
The collision shook the chamber.
Flame Legend attacked from the side.
Storm Legend followed with concentrated lightning.
Blade Legend appeared behind the second construct.
His sword struck.
A spatial line crossed its body.
But the construct remained standing.
Void Legend disappeared.
He reappeared above it.
His attack connected.
The construct staggered.
"These things are stronger than expected!"
Iron Legend stepped forward.
"Then stop holding back!"
The five Legends coordinated.
Flame and Storm restricted its movement.
Iron absorbed its counterattack.
Blade targeted the structural weaknesses.
Void struck its exposed core.
The first construct collapsed.
The second followed shortly afterwards.
The third attempted to retreat.
Liam's authority spread.
Its movement stopped.
Baruka froze its surrounding space.
And Secretary completed the containment sequence.
The three constructs were restrained.
Jinyoung glanced towards them.
"Not bad."
Flame Legend smiled.
"That's all?"
Jinyoung looked at the restrained constructs.
"No."
His expression became thoughtful.
"You've improved considerably."
[The Warning]
The First Framework turned towards Jinyoung.
"The constructs were not designed to kill you."
"Then why attack?"
"To verify the stability of your authority."
Jinyoung frowned.
"And?"
The entity remained silent for several seconds.
Then—
"Your Void Abyss is stable."
"However, its relationship with the foundations of existence remains incomplete."
Jinyoung looked towards the projection.
"Explain."
"You have evolved beyond the systems created to contain existence."
"But evolution beyond a system does not automatically grant control over its foundations."
Secretary considered the statement.
Jinyoung understood its meaning.
He could adapt.
He could overcome.
He could resist authorities that would normally overwhelm other beings.
But that didn't mean he understood every structure supporting existence.
The First Framework continued.
"The Sovereigns do not merely control power."
"They control the cycles through which creation is maintained."
The projection changed.
Universes appeared.
Each one was born.
Developed.
Tested.
And eventually harvested.
Jinyoung's expression darkened.
"Then we break the cycle."
"Breaking the cycle without preserving its foundations would destroy countless universes."
Silence.
That was the problem.
Defeating the Sovereigns wasn't enough.
The system itself had to be changed without destroying everything connected to it.
Jinyoung looked towards the World Tree projection.
"Then we'll need to understand the entire framework."
The entity slowly lowered its head.
"That is why Yogaroth chose you."
[Earth — Later]
The underground chamber had stabilised.
The First Framework returned to its dormant position, though its central spiral remained illuminated.
Jinyoung stood beside Secretary.
"The information we received changes our preparations."
Secretary nodded.
"Agreed. We need to investigate the framework's records."
Liam looked towards the sealed structure.
"And those constructs?"
"They'll remain contained."
Baruka glanced towards Jinyoung.
"Are you leaving again?"
Jinyoung looked towards the five Legends.
Then towards the distant surface.
"No."
He paused.
"Not yet."
The Legends exchanged glances.
Jinyoung continued.
"Earth has progressed considerably. But the next stage of the war won't be limited to the Outer Sea."
He looked towards Secretary.
"Begin establishing a research division dedicated to the World Tree and its foundational framework."
"Understood."
"And contact Elarion and the Celestial Dominion. Their scholars might help."
Secretary nodded.
Jinyoung turned towards the five Legends.
"Your training continues."
Flame Legend grinned.
"Obviously."
"However, you'll also begin preparing to lead forces beyond Earth."
The five became serious.
Jinyoung looked at them.
"The coming war won't be won by one person."
He looked towards the underground structure.
"It will require everyone."
[Beyond Creation]
Far beyond the Outer Sea—
A gigantic eye opened.
The Sovereign's attention shifted.
For the first time in a considerable period—
Its gaze moved away from Jinyoung.
Towards the World Tree.
A faint vibration travelled through the endless darkness.
Then a voice echoed.
"The First Framework has awakened."
Another presence stirred.
"Yogaroth prepared more safeguards than anticipated."
The Sovereign's eye narrowed.
"It changes nothing."
A second voice emerged.
"The cycle will continue."
The eye slowly closed.
But before the darkness settled—
One final statement echoed.
"Prepare the descent."
[Earth — World Council Citadel]
Jinyoung stood alone on the highest platform.
Below him, humanity continued its development.
Hunters trained.
Engineers worked.
Civilisations prepared for contact.
And somewhere beneath his feet, the foundations of creation had begun awakening.
He looked towards the stars.
"The Sovereigns are coming."
His Abyss spread slightly.
"Then we'll be ready."
The final war was approaching.