Chapter 23: Focus

- Mars -

"Kill them all." I unleash my shadow soldiers, who don't need to worry about any public damage or innocent casualties.

As soon as I entered the unknown dimension, I reached out with my shadow as far as I could, where I learned it grows exponentially the stronger I become. So far, I can extend my shadow a couple kilometers out in any direction, where all of my soldiers receive a 50% buff. [Monarch's Domain] is seriously disgusting.

My shadows begin their charge towards the large gathering of mana, where I can sense the direction of the dungeon boss. I'm slightly surprised as this red gate feels a lot smaller than the original red gate I visited, where I met my snow folk shadows.

"Actually, wait a second." I change my mind, and instantly, my summons freeze at my command.

Iron tripped over a thick, slimy root at my unexpected reversal. Kang and Baruka snickered, the high orc and hyakki soldiers couldn't hold their laughter at my clumsy vanguard. Even the timid Tusk couldn't help but giggle to himself.

Ignoring the embarrassed tanker, I observe the native and hostile warriors who have yet to step out from the safety of the trees, where they are shielded from the unrelenting storm above us.

We spawned in seemingly the only clearing in the whole dungeon, surrounded by an obscured jungle no matter where I look. There can't be more than a couple hundred monsters trapped in this red gate with me.

At this point, it's safe to consider me a one man guild, my ant forces alone could hunt down any A-rank legion of monsters. And if I include Beru, no S-rank gate could be a threat to my new shadow colony. Just how many guilds and governments would be needed to take me and my fully assembled army down?

For the upcoming fight against the Architect and its crude Ruler statues, I won't have the safety of my shadow army to fall back on. Since I only have a couple of days to prepare, now is the perfect time to workshop my own upgraded personal powers. It's been a while since the Demon Castle.

Now that I've fully awoken to my Ruler spiritual side, I can finally work on something I've been pushing aside. My Ruler power lets me easily channel holy lightning and form light spears, but since unlocking [Spiritual Body Manifestation] I've decided to completely embrace its' brightness, along with the full light manipulation abilities. The same energy I use to conjure light spears at will or heal and bless my allies can be used for all sorts of things.

I'll be a master of the darkness as well as the light. This red gate will prove to be a playground to learn all sorts of fun new things.

Indeed, young Mars. Don't forget we are not just the Shadow Monarch, before that I was once considered the strongest Ruler. The Greatest Fragment of Brilliant Light, The Absolute Being never once blessed one of his creations with power like he gave us.

Ah, how could I forget that you created this edgy persona after rebelling against your angelic siblings. I chuckle to myself, I can tell that's Ashborn's dark origin moment. It seems even the King of Dead also has his own cringy beginnings.

What have you thought about everything so far, Ashborn?

Quite splendidly, you have exceeded all of my expectations. I am more excited to visit the unknown universe. From the painfully little I was shown, there are much more stronger worlds out there, that could destroy our whole existence without so much as a second thought.

For once I can feel your nervousness, partner, it's a rather new and unpleasant feeling.

My apologies, partner. Maybe once you have lived as many lifetimes as I have, fought Antares and the other Monarchs for millennia... When you have met and experienced fighting my siblings, the other Fragments of Brilliant Light, you could understand. You shall soon see, just what it means to be an Immortal.

Hmm. Well now I can't help but be worried about the future. I have to stay blissfully ignorant about certain things it seems, the last thing I want to do is fall into a middle multiversal crisis, I might never escape that sort of slump.

I try to erase those terrifying thoughts away, I need to stay focused on things I can control at the present. If there's one thing I've learned so far since reincarnating in this magical world, is that I can just numb my brain to the necessary violence, and take out any of my frustrations onto my enemies.

It just so happens that crushing my enemies gives me the huge benefit of collecting their souls to act as my shadow soldiers. But even I have a limit to the bloodshed, I guess I have to accept that my whole outlook on life is forever fucked now, I look at life like I do at simple accounting numbers on a screen.

What I've been looking for lately was my humanity, I've been treating monster life like it was nothing, when it was just as heavy as human life. The same way I'll end these monsters, and in the future, their Monarchs, is not so different if I was on their side instead, looking at humanity and the Rulers the same way.

The scale at which I've already destroyed is disturbing, if I think about it. All the monsters, demons, insects I've killed so far is nothing in comparison at what comes ahead. And it'll be up to me to control the souls of all that live and die after the War, that's why it's easier for the Monarchs to kill me.

What if I told the rest of the world the full, unadulterated truth of what's to come? Do they deserve to know, or should I just continue at my somewhat reactive pace?

Maybe I should just eliminate the roadblocks that come ahead, acting proactively while I still can?

I stopped everything for a second to think of what I've gone through since becoming a hunter, since becoming Mars. I also remember the bonds I've made, the people I'm protecting. The ideal future I hope for.

What I want, the things that could get in my way if I tell everyone the full truth.

Imagine if others had my fleetingly omniscient knowledge? The power I hold, and want to eventually control will not be given up lightly.

This is all very real to me, there are many different actions I can take, which have all begun to change and take place in this universe. I don't think it would be wise to count on the Cup of Reincarnation, since Monarchs and Rulers do not forget what happens every cycle, this is the best opportunity.

For better or worse, once Legia is released, there is no turning back. Is that why they call him the Monarch of the Beginning? The S-rank gate that will spawn in Japan will forever force the earth to become the battleground of the Rulers and Monarchs. I get why the Rulers were mindful to capture Legia first, since the giants can only be contained for so long. The mana released will fuel the upcoming war, especially once the rest of the Monarch gates spawn.

There must be some way I can take full control over what comes next.

Young Mars, are you okay?

I'm fine, just thinking what it means to have the authority of a god of death. Ashborn you never had any children did you?

Unfortunately, since birth, I was burdened with a never ending war, between the Monarchs and Rulers. He created us at the same time he did the Monarchs, watching as we built armies large enough to fill up planets, with a single bloody purpose in mind.

Right, the more I think about the Absolute Being and his motives, the more curious I get. Was he somehow generating power by forcing the two sides in this bloody stalemate, or was it purely for his sick amusement?

Whatever. Here and right now, my enemies are these tree folk monsters who have gathered all of their reinforcements, awaiting my next move. I don't blame them, my shadow legion outnumbers them quite heavily, but they will soon find out my summons will be the least of their worries.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, channeling my Ruler powers that I've used hundreds of times without really thinking about it. This time, instead of effortlessly conjuring a light spear, I create a rope as long as I can make, deciding to keep it more simple as I learn and test out my limits. With the help of my nearly maxed out [Ruler's Authority], it's basically a lock-on ability, it can be used for maximum versatility: offense, defense and everything else in between. Very much inspired by Wonder Woman, it can be used as a lasso, a whip, a noose...

Since it's made of pure holy light, I imagine this could be a devil's nightmare, although I suppose anything I can create will be useful against any devils or undead I encounter.

The training wheels are off, I throw out my light whip recklessly into the jungle in front of me, smiling as I've caught the very first unlucky test dummy.

Binding the rope, I forcefully pull the creature towards me with all of my National-rank strength, taking care not to kill it if I pull too hard.

Suddenly surrounded by me and my top shadow soldiers, the monster looks up at us in a horrified confusion.

Tribal Warrior

Level: 36

Race: Treefolk

It's about the size of one my high orc warriors, and now that I can study it up close, I can see it has bulky bark for skin. But it's rather humanoid with its opposable thumbs and sharp teeth, looking more like a great ape than a sentient tree. It's certainly part of a tribe, judging by the tiki-like mask covering its face. Ripping off the mask, the tribal warrior looks like a tree-skinned orc. The built in armor is perfect for a frontline soldier.

These must be the fodder of the gate, once it is a shadow it'll be ripe for promotion to A-rank strength. I briefly remember the boss of this red gate should be some sort of related giant beast monster. In the end, they will all be a welcome addition to my growing forces.

I tighten the rope further, slicing the warrior in half with brutal efficiency, looking to my loyal soldiers awaiting my next order.

"Shadow ants. Form a perimeter around the jungle." I call out to my newly risen ants, over eight thousand strong. "Don't let any escape."

The ants all flew up high, forming a cone in the sky, keeping a watchful eye over the trees.

As long as the boss stays alive, the gate allowing me to leave will not spawn.

The rope disappears when I create a new golden instrument, this time an elven bow, based on Baruka's deadly weapon, along with a handful of holy lightning arrows.

The rest of my shadows will stay back, I doubt the scrambled warriors will head their way. Well if they do, they will hardly last long. I'll give them some time off in the storm while I properly solo hunt the dungeon boss. I cover myself in Ashborn's [Spiritual Body Manifestation], the rain no longer impeding me whatsoever, and I can see well into the dark forest, many more tribals are timidly looking my way.

Time to hunt.

- Michael Connor (Federal Bureau of Hunters) -

"I have no excuse." The Deputy Director apologized out loud, bowing his head to the head of the organization, who immediately arrived to Seoul after hearing about the incident with Mars.

Norma Selner was standing next to him, both of them looked like guilty students being chewed out by their teacher.

Sitting in the makeshift desk in front of them was the patriotic David Brennon, the Director of the whole bureau of hunters.

"I didn't come here for an apology. Tell me what happened." David said bluntly, not caring about anything else but their next move.

"According to Mrs. Selner's observations, Mars is one of the strongest kings..." Michael spoke out, not quite sure how to start explaining the whole situation.

"What?!" Michael asked, his shrewd eyes peering at Norma. "You mean because of his army, right? Could he take on Thomas Andre?!"

"Let me clarify..." Norma cleared her throat, ready to explain what she saw exactly. "All awakened draw their power from the other side. I can sense that connection they have, which is how I unlock their potential. But sometimes, the power from the other side is so strong that they look like they're covered in a brilliant light. I call those people kings. But for him... There was no such connection, when I looked into his eyes, the darkness inside him stared back. He was darkness itself."

"So are you saying that Mars is evil?" The pragmatic director asked, needing to know if Mars was going to be a threat.

"I'm only referring to where Mars got his power, not whether hunter Mars is good or evil." Norma Selner composed herself, but she looked shook whenever Mars or his powers were mentioned. "Mars doesn't borrow his powers from the other side, like every other hunter. Because his powers do not come from the other side, but instead from within, he doesn't have any-"

"There is no effective limit to his power?" David accepted rather quickly, standing up and opening the door to his office. "Lady Selner, thank you. You should get some rest now."

"Before I go..." The upgrader picked up the signal, the next conversation will be without her. "Just for the record, no, I don't think Mars is evil."

Michael helped Norma to the door, where her personal security force were ready to take her back to her hotel room.

The mood felt more ominous now that Mrs. Selner left the room, the friendly smile on David's face gone. In its place was a more cunning smirk, the sign David had a plan in place.

"Listen, Michael. I didn't come to Korea empty-handed. If we cannot use Selner's powers, we'll have to win him over some other way." David revealed, bringing out a black briefcase.

His boss opened it, revealing a large black rune, with a magma red draconic symbol scratched in the middle.

"That's Kamish-" Michael instantly recognized the legendary treasure that the inextinguishable flame Kamish carried.

"This was the rune stone found in the belly of Kamish's corpse." Michael picked up the glass case holding the stone worth billions of dollars. "I always wondered what we were going to do with it. Since none of the original National rank hunters were the mage type, this rune stone has been sitting in the basement of the headquarters for almost 8 years."

"This is for Mars..?" Michael asked if David would really give away one of their most sought after artifacts.

"It's certainly a good thank-you present, for sparing my agents... And I believe this will be the key to winning his trust. Kamish will once again give our country a valuable gift."

- Mars -

In less than thirty minutes I find myself face to face with the boss of the red gate jungle dungeon, observing its strength compared to previous encounters I've had.

Name: Treefolk Tribal Chief

Level: 73

Race: Monstrous Humanoid (Jungle Centaur)

Thoughts about you: Your killing spree has not gone unnoticed, he's worried about the rest of your army

Reputation: - 40

He's about as strong as Tusk was, when I first met him.

The four-legged dungeon boss studies me up and down, clutching his battle axe tightly. It looks a lot like Thor's Stormbreaker, with the wooden handle. He's a clear step above his tribe behind him. Well, whatever's left of it, I used the weakling tribals as target practice. Just like the rest of his warriors, he's covered in bark hide, he has grotesque root-like veins showing this beast is not to be fucked with. Even his tail is one giant root, his four tree trunk legs are covered in gold and green armor, as if he's the king of this jungle.

There's even a huge branch sticking out of his chest, I can't tell if that's a badass battle scar or just some extra defense. Instead of a normal tiki mask like his B-rank warriors, the chief's mask looks to be the blood-stained skull of a dead wyvern. Monsters certainly love creating armor out of other defeated monsters, don't they.

"It is you. The bastard who's been killing my brothers." The chief began to speak in a deep guttural voice, shaking the totem poles around us with every word. "It is impressive. To reach this place with that short stature of yours, but to also know our language. However, this is the end, our comrades are already lying in wait. Come out!"

As the storm seemed to die down a little, a dozen of his hidden soldiers revealed themselves from the shadow, dropping their weapons, squirming in pain loud enough for their whole tribe to hear.

The dungeon boss tilted his large head in confusion, as some of his strongest warriors were screaming at the top of their lungs in pure horror.

In perfect unison, the group of warriors bodies exploded into a mess of blood and carnage, when centipedes suddenly burst free from their shadows, ripping their bodies apart.

"What... What is this..." The wide-eyed centaur looked at me in shock, becoming speechless as I summon Igris and Beru.

The rest of his tribe helplessly watched as my two strongest shadows approached them. Igris methodically pulled out the Demon King's Longsword I entrusted him with, as Beru began to elongate and sharpen his claws.

"My King..."

"My Liege..."

Both of my best shadows asked me at the same time, where I can feel the rising competitiveness between the two General rank shadows.

"Kill the rest of them." I finally give the order.

"KILL THEM!" The chief yelled out to his less enthusiastic group, forced to choose between fighting Igris or Beru. "DON'T MESS WITH ME, YOU BASTARD!"

My two generals were both to ignore the boss while they slaughtered the rest of the monsters, but with that insulting remark they both silently changed course, aiming for the boss. Beru went high while Igris went low, each of them cutting off a limb for his blatant disrespect towards me.

Beru easily sliced off his right arm, his heavy axe dropping with it. Igris aimed for one of his four legs, causing the dungeon boss to fall forward, facing me.

"I'll make it quick." I offer my future shadow, as my two best summons begin to eliminate the rest of the tribe.

Ignoring the sounds of his tribe screaming for their lives, I pick up his axe, and swiftly execute the crippled dungeon boss, surprising me at how much strength I needed to use to sever the thick bundle of roots he called his neck.

A great buzzing sound began to echo throughout the whole jungle, it was loud enough to even deafen the wild storm. I turn to the source, where my A-rank mutated ants have begun to descend on the small group of tribals remaining. Any stragglers will be hunted down by the ant swarms.

- Later -

After a couple of minutes, the dungeon was hauntingly quiet, only the steady rainfall picking up noise as my shadows quietly assembled all the dead monsters into a pile.

"Arise."

The resurrected group of Treefolk look up to me, their tribal chief leading the customary greeting to their new king.

The dungeon boss is one of my most imposing shadows yet, becoming one of my Elite Knight shadows. The lesser jungle centaur shadows are high A-rank, about the same size as my earth golems. A legion of freshly promoted A-rank tribal warriors are added, about the same level as my original shadow infantrymen.

Without wanting to waste any more time, I step through the blue exit portal.

"Aw shit..." I utter out in defeat, covering my eyes at the rising sun me hitting me in the face. "What time is it?"

I thought there was still going to be plenty of time in the previous day, clearing Jeju island and the newly spawned red gate quickly. I forgot to factor in the time disparity in the red gate. I was only in the mutated gate for less than an hour, so almost one whole day on earth. The busy ass road where the gate formed was now deserted, the Association has completely shut it down, until I clear the dungeon.

"5 am, Mars. You want a coffee?" Woo Jinchul is there to welcome me first, sipping on a hot cup of coffee.

Well there goes my evening off.

"Iced, please." I sigh, not feeling that much fatigue still. "Inspector, are there any high ranked gates in the country right now?"

- Park Jongsoo (Knights Guild) -

Jongsoo sat at his desk, trying to nurse his strange migraine the day before. How could he and the whole party completely forget what happened inside the empty boss room on Jeju. Whatever it was, it was magical in nature.

He already had his hands full with that mystery, but now all of a sudden an abnormally strong gate spawned in their territory.

"Hyung-nim, are you listening?" His vice guildmaster Jung Yoontae was talking to him before he got distracted. "I said their measurements of the gate came back pretty high."

"Sorry, you're saying the Association isn't giving us permission? Is it S-rank?" Jongsoo quietly hoped it was measured as a S-rank, nobody would blame him for requesting help. His reputation was on the line, how could one of the top 5 guilds in the country survive if they cannot even clear an A-rank gate?

"No, but they said it's one of the highest A-rank gates they've ever recorded..."

"Well that's a pain in the ass. We could all die in there if we're not careful." The A-rank guildmaster cursed to himself. "If only they said it was an S-rank gate..."

"The problem is that ordinary people think gates with the same rank are all identical... If we give up on it now, the guys from the Fame guild will claim it." Yoontae worriedly reminded him.

"Are you saying that we'll surrender the gate that spawned in our own front yard to Ma Dongwook?!" Jongsoo snapped, he was famous for losing his temper if another guild was going to steal his thunder.

"Jeez... I'm just saying, Hyung-nim." Yoontae shivered slightly when he snapped at his vice guildmaster.

"Grrrr. In terms of quality and quantity, our guild's A-rankers are world class. The problem is we're missing a single S-ranker. That one hunter we're missing makes a huge difference..." Jongsoo said to himself, trying to calm down. "I need a miracle right now..."

"Guildmaster! You're getting a call from the hunter's Association. It's hunter Valentino Mars!" One of his guildmembers interrupted the two, handing him one of their guild phones.

- Mars -

I'm riding Kaisel who's flying as fast as it can, we're hovering over Gwangnali, Busan, looking for the high ranked gate Woo Jinchul told me about that spawned while I was in the red gate. I told Jinchul to send me the Knight's guildmaster info right away, since it's quite rude to steal other guild's gates.

"H-Hello? Hunter Valentino..?" Park Jongsoo's voice finally spoke out through my phone, where I was put on hold waiting for him.

"Guildmaster Park. I'm glad you're okay from that mysterious incident from yesterday." I greet the nervous A-ranker, I can hear his anxious breathing. "Let me speak plainly, I know about the gate situation you're dealing with. I also know the Association won't approve any raid unless you have an S-rank accompanying you."

"How do you know about that?" Jongsoo worriedly asked me.

"Who do you think? The chairman, of course." I lie, using the old man is always helpful at a time like this. "Listen, I have an offer for you. I'll clear the gate for you, right now, free of charge. You can even announce to the public we made a deal for this gate or whatever, I imagine this kind of rub will only benefit your guild when it comes to recruiting all of the new awakeners..."

"Hmm. We should discuss this in person, at least." Jongsoo countered, wanting even more from me in a situation like this.

"Well, I only have free time right this moment. If you want to go another direction, be my guest. But if you come back, asking for my help... It'll cost you." I threaten him, if the carrot doesn't work then it's time to use the stick. "Final offer."

"Ugh... Fine. Please, I could use your help."

"Perfect." I smile, tracking down the gate by the unusual mass of mana. "I'm at the gate. It was a pleasure doing business."

Hanging up the call before the flustered guildmaster could respond, I land on the beautiful beach, slightly ruined thanks to the huge ass gate causing an eyesore. As expected, there are already camera crews posted at the scene, ready to capture more of my adventures.

They are sectioned off by a small group of Association members, who must have been expecting me, as they flag me down.

"Hunter Valentino. Inspector Woo informed us of the situation, this gate measured to be one of the strongest A-rank gates we've seen on record." The diligent inspector warned me.

"Is that so?" I try to hide my eagerness, I've been waiting a long time for this gate.

This particular gate should be the easiest one I ever enter, this should be the one gate filled with the Shadow Monarch's subjects.

My subjects.

"I'll go ahead, then." I nod to the friendly agent, they seem to be used to my antics at this point.

"Good luck, hunter!"

- BONUS -

- Sung Jinah -

Jinah woke up with a smile on her face, she still couldn't believe her mother woke up from the Eternal Slumber.

It was just a month ago, where she felt lonely, her big bro was doing his best to keep the bills paid, allowing her to focus her full concentration in school. She missed her parents so much, her father was considered deceased after he went missing during a dungeon break. His body was never found.

Soon after, her mother fell into a deep magic induced slumber, further fracturing their happy family. Despite the facts that no missing hunters are ever found, she held onto a bit of hope that her father was out there somewhere, ready to reunite with them.

Jinah felt especially hopeful about the future, ever since she got close with Mars, not only did he cure her mom, but he also helped Jinwoo finally find someone special. Their mom already loves Lee Joohee, who she might need to call big sister Joohee soon.

Checking her phone, she's surprised as there's a text from Mars, sent early in the morning

Morning sleepyhead, sorry the red gate ruined my plans of visiting you last night. I'll make it up to you today, I'll visit you at the school when I'm finished with this new gate I'm about to enter. See you soon.

That text eliminated all the tiredness from her system, now she didn't have enough time to get ready to see Mars today. How the hell is she supposed to look pretty in her lame school uniform?

- BONUS -

- Mars -

Entering the gate, I find myself alone in what looks like an abandoned cathedral. It's in complete ruin, decades of dilapidation mean this place is literally falling apart. The cruel chill in the air only makes me feel more at home, the creepy sounds from further inside the building confirm it is haunted.

I bring out Igris and Beru to accompany me, as well as Metus, it feels appropriate to walk these halls with another necromancer at my side.

The rough footsteps of a large magic beast begin to shake the dusty floor. Turning to the source of the rumbling, a S-ranked twin-headed ogre appears from around the corner, finding the intruders.

It looks down at us with confused eyes, two different heads checking the four of us out.

Twin-headed Ogre

Level: 55

Race: Undead

I study the grotesque beast, it was crudely stitched together by some mad man.

These monsters are known as Gravekeepers, usually as dungeon bosses for undead dungeons. To see one at the beginning of a raid is the one of the worst omens a hunter could witness. It means the gate will be full of the undead, and strong ones at that.

"GUAHHHH?!" One of the heads roared out at us, before the other head began to argue with itself.

If a monster doesn't speak out in the language of the Chaos World, it's usually a sign that it is an unintelligent beast. This thing certainly didn't have much brain power when it was a living one-headed creature, adding a second head clearly still didn't help the brute in the intelligence department.

I wonder if the Knights guild could even make it a quarter of the way through the dungeon, if this is the first thing that greets us.

"KNEEL." Beru screeched out to the dumb ogre, where the brute completely ignored Beru's bloodlust.

The heads were stuck in an argument, it seems one head wants to fight, while the other wants to run away to the boss. Since both heads only control one arm and leg each, they are literally not going anywhere, I might be here all day if I wait for it to make a decision.

I clear my throat, enveloping myself in Ashborn's armor.

The ogre immediately recognized the Shadow Monarch, dropping its axe to the ground, forcefully dropping down to one knee, neither head would look up at me.

I point the direction it came from, thankfully it seems to understand that order.

"Follow." Igris commanded the ogre, where the Gravekeeper began to lead us to its creator.

AN: Here's 23. Speedrunning a few dungeons before the showdown with the Architect.

Thanks for reading, y'all.