The air over Seoul was thick with tension. The battle had ended, but the world felt different now, as if reality itself had been scarred by the presence of the Outer God. The city lay in silence, broken only by the distant wail of emergency sirens as civilians and Hunters alike tried to comprehend what had just occurred.

Far above, Sung Jin-Woo stood still, his golden eyes scanning the remnants of the battlefield. His shadows, ever vigilant, surrounded him. The cosmic tear that had brought forth the Outer God was closing, but the lingering presence of something greater remained in the air. Jin-Woo could sense it—there were more gods, waiting beyond the tear, watching.

Behind him, Bellion and Igris stood in silence, their forms imposing yet calm. Beru hovered nearby, his insectoid eyes still scanning the city below. Jin-Woo's army had performed admirably, but this was only the beginning. He could feel it in his bones—the real battle was still to come.

From the shadows, Bellion stepped forward, his deep voice resonating through the air. "My liege, the entity we faced was but a scout. If their weakest can distort reality like this, the true gods will be far more formidable."

Jin-Woo nodded, his gaze still fixed on the shrinking tear in the sky. "I know. We'll need to be ready."

As Jin-Woo contemplated the next move, the world beyond Seoul was already stirring. News of the cosmic event had spread like wildfire, and every major power across the globe was now aware of the looming threat.

In the United States, the headquarters of the Scavenger Guild, the largest and most powerful guild in the country, was buzzing with activity. At its center stood Thomas Andre, the man known as the strongest National Rank Hunter. His broad frame cast a long shadow across the room, and his usually calm expression was now etched with concern as he watched the footage from Seoul displayed on a massive screen.

The footage was distant and grainy, but the sight of the cosmic tear, the shadows, and the battle against the godlike entity sent a chill down even his spine.

"This is bigger than anything we've faced before," Thomas muttered, his deep voice resonating in the room. "If that thing showed up here, even we might not be able to handle it."

One of his lieutenants, a seasoned S-Rank Hunter, nodded grimly. "There are more of them. You can feel it in the air."

Thomas crossed his arms, muscles bulging beneath his suit. "Get me in touch with Jin-Woo. If he's handling these things, we need to be ready to assist. This isn't a one-country problem anymore."

Meanwhile, in China, another titan stirred. Liu Zhugang, a National Rank Hunter renowned for his unyielding strength, stood before a podium, speaking to reporters. The news had hit the press mere minutes after the battle in Seoul, sparking fear and uncertainty across the nation.

Liu, ever the calm giant, maintained his composed demeanor as cameras flashed and questions flew in from every direction. His large frame dominated the space, his dark eyes scanning the crowd before he spoke.

"This is not an isolated incident," Liu stated with a commanding voice. "The creatures that attacked Seoul are not done. We have felt disturbances here in China as well, though none have manifested. But we must be prepared. The world is facing a threat unlike any we have seen before."

A nervous reporter raised her hand. "Do you think... we can stop them?"

Liu's expression hardened. "We will do what we must. But this fight is not ours alone. The Hunters Associations across the world need to unite. We must be ready."

As the world began to react, guilds and Hunters from other nations were preparing for what was to come. In Japan, the powerful Yamato Guild was already on high alert. Matsuo Yoshiro, a recently recognized National Rank Hunter and the leader of the guild, stood in front of his team, his face impassive as he watched the footage from Seoul.

"This will reach our shores soon," he said, tapping his fingers on the table. "We need to begin preparations immediately."

One of his aides, clearly anxious, spoke up. "Shall we contact the Hunters Association?"

Yoshiro shook his head. "Not yet. Let's see how the situation develops. But have the guild ready. If these gods arrive here, we need to be prepared to defend Japan."

Across the world, similar scenes were playing out. In Russia, Krylov Ivanovich, another National Rank Hunter, addressed the media, calling for immediate cooperation between nations. Governments and guilds across Europe, South America, and Australia were scrambling to prepare for the cosmic threat, each aware that their world could soon become a battlefield.

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Back in Seoul, Jin-Woo's focus shifted from the sky to the city below. His army had protected the humans well, but the power of the Outer God had left its mark. The streets were filled with chaos, emergency vehicles blaring as they moved through the devastated areas. Civilians and Hunters alike were still trying to comprehend what had happened.

Buildings lay in ruins, and the once bustling streets were now littered with debris. Entire sections of the city were torn apart by the god's tendrils, leaving craters and fissures in their wake. Seo Yuna and Kang Tae-Oh were still assisting in evacuations, their faces etched with exhaustion as they helped civilians out of the wreckage.

Kang Tae-Oh cautiously approached Jin-Woo. His face was pale, and his voice trembled with disbelief. "Shadow Monarch... we wouldn't have survived without your help. But... how do we stand a chance if more of them come?"

Jin-Woo didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted toward Beru, who had efficiently cut down the god's tendrils, and then to Bellion, who stood ready at his side.

"I'll handle the gods," Jin-Woo replied, his voice calm but firm. "But we need to be prepared. This fight isn't just mine. The world will need to stand together."

As the Hunters dispersed, each still grappling with the magnitude of what they had witnessed, Jin-Woo called his shadows closer. Igris, Bellion, and Beru materialized from the darkness, their forms towering and ready for orders.

"Beru," Jin-Woo commanded, his tone sharp. "Continue to monitor the humans. Ensure they remain protected."

Beru bowed deeply, his voice filled with pride. "As you command, my liege. No harm shall come to your domain."

Jin-Woo then turned to Bellion. "The next wave is coming. I need scouts in the shadows, gathering intelligence. We can't be caught off guard again."

Bellion nodded, his deep voice respectful. "It will be done, my liege. The shadows will watch and report."

In the hours following the battle, media outlets around the globe were in a frenzy. Every news station was covering the event, with reporters speculating on what the cosmic tear meant for humanity's future. Citizens of major cities gathered in protest, demanding answers from their governments. Some were gripped by fear, while others tried to make sense of the new cosmic threat.

One report showed a crowd in New York, gathered around a large screen displaying footage of the battle in Seoul. The video looped, showing Jin-Woo's shadows clashing with the Outer God. People in the crowd whispered in awe.

"Did you see that? A single man took on a god!"

"Who is he? Can he stop more of them?"

"Are the gods going to attack other cities?"

The world was on edge. The appearance of the Outer Gods had thrown humanity into uncertainty. Governments were holding emergency meetings, scrambling to figure out how to respond to the cosmic threat. The Hunters Associations across different countries were preparing their top Hunters for what could be the greatest battle humanity had ever faced.

Jin-Woo took a deep breath as the shadows dispersed. His thoughts lingered on the Outer Gods. They were unlike anything he had faced before. They were not bound by the same rules as the Monarchs, and their power extended beyond the physical realm. He had felt the touch of something far greater than himself during the battle. It was only a matter of time before the next one came.

He contemplated the next steps carefully. His army was strong, but this fight would require more. He would need to delve deeper into his abilities, to awaken more of his Primordial Shadow powers if he hoped to stand against the full might of the gods.

"I'll have to expand my forces," Jin-Woo thought, his eyes narrowing. There were still powerful beings out there—ones that he could bring under his command as shadows. Perhaps even the gods themselves could serve in his army once defeated.

The city was still in chaos, but the cosmic tear in the sky was shrinking. Jin-Woo's golden eyes gleamed with dangerous intent. He was no longer the Hunter he once was—he was now a Monarch, a force to be reckoned with. And the gods, for all their power, would learn the consequences of crossing him.

"The gods have awakened," he whispered, his voice cold and resolute. "But so have I."

Jin-Woo's golden eyes flickered as he turned his gaze away from the closing tear in the sky. But just as the cosmic rift appeared to seal, something stirred beyond it. For a fleeting moment, the air crackled with a dark energy, causing the very fabric of reality to tremble in Sung Jin-Woo's mind.

From the tear's fading edges, an ominous presence began to push through—a force far more terrifying than the one he had just faced. The remnants of the tear quivered, as if something far greater was watching him. A voice, deep and ancient, echoed in Jin-Woo's mind, not spoken aloud but delivered directly into his thoughts.

"You… are but a fleeting shadow in the presence of true gods."

The pressure in the air intensified, causing the ground beneath Jin-Woo's feet to crack ever so slightly. His instincts flared, a cold chill running down his spine.

For the first time since the battle ended, Bellion and Igris exchanged glances, sensing the shift in their master's demeanor. Even Beru, usually so prideful, lowered his stance, his wings buzzing with unease.

Jin-Woo clenched his fist, his eyes narrowing as he stared into the dark void that was left in the sky. Whatever was on the other side of that tear was waiting, and it was far more powerful than the entity he had just defeated.

The voice echoed once more, darker this time, filled with a sense of malicious glee.

"We will meet soon, Shadow Monarch."

The tear finally closed, but the sense of impending doom lingered in the air. Jin-Woo's jaw tightened.

The real war was about to begin.

End of Chapter 3: The World Awakens