episode_0659

60, 59, 58… .

As the numbers on the scoreboard decrease, people’s hearts swell.

Their lives do not change just because the New Year comes.

On the contrary, as we age, our bodies get closer to death.

And yet they wait for the new year.

Why is that?

‘It must be because of hope.’

January 1st.

The very first page, first line, first column of the calendar.

The old, tightly packed calendars are discarded, and a crisp new calendar is hung on the wall.

That’s why they are full of dreams.

This year, no matter what, it’s going to be different.

That things will get better, that only good things will happen, and that you will grow more.

A strange sense of anticipation that cannot be explained is probably the biggest reason why they look forward to the new year.

45, 44, 43… .

It’s a good feeling.

Because humans are meant to live by hope, not despair.

The anticipation and hope that comes with the new year will surely give them strength again.

33, 32, 31… .

So Chris Emir picked the moment between December 31st and January 1st.

The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment that follows.

If what appears when the countdown ends is not the hope they so desperately desire, but despair.

If it is not the will to live vigorously again, but a death filled with the thick smell of blood.

Because that moment will remain as a special memory for them that they will never forget, whether they live or die.

19, 18, 17… .

The numbers that have been dropping little by little have now reached the last two digits.

Everyone gathered in Times Square shouts with one heart and one mind.

“10!”

“9!”

“8!”

“7!”

Everyone was nervous.

Citizens are excited about the upcoming New Year.

Police and firefighters are on standby to protect them in case of an emergency.

“6!”

“5!”

“4!”

The countdown has already reached its final stage.

The people’s voices are getting louder.

“3!”

“2!”

“1!”

Finally, the numbers run out and their imaginations run wild.

All kinds of lasers shine around and fireworks explode.

At the same time, people shout to everyone.

“Happy New Year-!”

After that, the music that flows every time the New Year is welcomed is played.

That would have been the case if the event had gone off without a hitch, but that wasn’t the case this year.

“… … ?”

“What, what is it.”

“Why aren’t the firecrackers exploding?”

“Did something happen?”

Everyone started to stir.

That’s understandable, as neither the fireworks that should have exploded nor the lasers that should have rained down appeared.

That wasn’t all.

Bam!

It was as if a power outage had occurred in the area, and darkness engulfed all around.

Those among them who were quick-witted began to realize it.

Something unusual has happened.

There is radio communication between police, firefighters, and other personnel.

“What the hell is going on?!”

“Is there a power outage?”

“No, it wasn’t a blackout, it was a sudden power outage…!”

A conversation that is becoming increasingly urgent.

Meanwhile, the large electronic scoreboard in front of them lights up again.

What appeared on the large screen was none other than a young man.

The appearance of a handsome man with blond hair as warm as sunlight and blue eyes that seem to be taken straight from a clear blue lake causes some people to relax.

“What, what is it? Was it a surprise event?”

“Ah… , surprise.”

“But who is that guy? Is this my first time seeing him?”

Amidst sighs of relief and speculations running wild.

-“Hello, everyone.”

Chris opens his mouth with a bright smile.

-“There are so many people gathered even in this cold weather. This is truly the biggest event of the year-end.”

The atmosphere becomes even more relaxed with the light greeting from the handsome man.

But behind the scenes, chaos broke out.

“What the heck is that?”

“Find out now!”

“Can you confirm where it is being sent from?!”

“Above, the location cannot be specified!”

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

Conflicting atmosphere.

Those who were near the police realized the seriousness of the situation and tried to leave.

But it was impossible.

“Get out of the way, quick!”

“You can’t get out now!”

“Get out of here, you little shits!”

“Calm down!”

The expected commotion begins.

Chris saw this and burst into laughter.

-“Ah… , you don’t have to struggle so much. It’s already too late to run away.”

A strange tension arises again.

A situation where some people are terrified, while others are still half in doubt.

He bows politely to the bewildered audience.

-“My name is Chris Emir. I am the leader of Hexagram.”

Hexagram.

As the color drained from the faces of those who knew his name, his words continued.

-“You are the master of the new world you will live in from now on.”

A crack suddenly opens on the empty stage, and people pour out through it.

Thud thud!

Thud!

They all lost consciousness and collapsed.

“Gyaaaah!”

“Hey, what’s that!”

“ City, corpse?!”

Those who saw this were surprised and screamed.

The chaos is accelerating.

Those who finally realize that this moment is not an event but a real situation take a step back.

But that was only for a moment.

They ran ahead, but were blocked by a human wall that they could not escape through.

“Please get out of my way!”

“Get out now, you little shits!”

“Get out of the way!”

A torrent of criticism was directed at the police who blocked the road.

But they never backed down.

Blocking the road.

Because that was the mission given to them.

This was an order given by Chris through the New York State Police Commissioner.

Wouldn’t the effect be greater the fewer people running away?

Han Ju-hee, who is waiting, moves the giant magic stone and places it on the spot where several lines intersect.

The lines that have absorbed the magical power contained in the magic stone emit a blue light.

People were shocked.

That would be the case, because the magic circle she drew was evenly spread across the entire ground where people stood.

“What, what is it!”

“Underfoot… !”

“Ma, magic circle?!”

As so many people gathered, there were also a few magicians there.

But no one could see through the effects of this magic circle.

“New, this is the first magic circle I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“Fuck… what the hell is the effect?!”

Anxiety is increasing.

Those who began to feel their lives were in danger resorted to violence as a last resort.

The direction in which violence is directed is none other than the police.

“I told you to be Vicky! ”

“Let’s break through even by force!”

“Oh my gosh!”

The hunters who were forcibly taken captive take the lead and charge at the police officers blocking the road.

Among them, there were some fairly excellent hunters.

But it didn’t work.

Those blocking the road are some of the highest-ranking hunters within the police force.

Because they weren’t the type of people who could break through even if those who were hesitating rushed in.

“Fuck!”

“Please save me!”

“Vicky, please!”

The screams swirl.

The screams were clearly audible to Chris’s ears, who was sitting not far away.

The cries of those who took peace for granted were sweeter than any music.

Meanwhile, the preparations were complete as the vast magic circle that had absorbed all the magical power contained in the thousands of magic stones placed throughout the building began to emit a fierce blue light even under the hundreds of sacrifices spread out on the empty stage.

Now, if you activate the magic circle, the door will open with the great magical power and life of the sacrifice that has been dissolved into the magic circle.

Chris added one more object to the glowing magic circle beneath his feet.

It is none other than the Black Stone.

This stone, filled with the lingering scent of desire, a power different from magic, will guide magic and life to the gate of the abyss among the countless dimensions.

He placed the black stone on the magic circle, stretched out both arms with an ecstatic smile I had never seen before, and chanted.

“Come on, come out. Clear skies and fresh air are waiting for you.”

The magic circle that was emitting blue light turns black under the influence of the Black Stone.

I can hear it.

The sound that connects this place with a dimension far away.

The heavy sound of a door opening, not between spaces, but between dimensions.

“… … ?”

I need to hear it.

“… … .”

I can’t hear it.

What’s wrong?

The answer was found quickly.

The black magic circle is supposed to suck the life out of the sacrifices, but it is unable to do so.

‘Why?’

It was something incomprehensible.

Are the added lines to suck out life wrong?

‘No, no.’

I checked it several times just in case.

There is nothing wrong with the magic circle.

But why?

Something was captured in the gaze that quickly moved around here and there in a phenomenon that was difficult to understand.

“That’s….”

A faint light is emanating from between the scattered offerings.

A pure white light, the complete opposite of the black light emanating from the magic circle.

The pure white light reminded me of only one energy.

“Divine power…?!”

It was also clear that this was the divine power of a very high-ranking priest.

And that divine power will be hindering the power of the magic circle that seeks life.

His head began to spin violently.

‘Betrayal.’

I don’t know yet.

Whether he deliberately included the high-ranking priest, or whether he got mixed in by chance.

What is certain is that the divine power is interfering with the plan.

‘I just remove anything that gets in the way.’

As I extend my index finger towards the scattered offerings, a thin beam of light bursts out from my fingertips.

A strike to intercept the priest hiding among the offerings.

The offerings are plentiful.

Aren’t there so many people crowded in the square?

However, asking him to prepare a sacrifice was only to test his mind.

And finally concluded.

“You really are someone I can’t hold onto.”

The figure who had concluded the betrayal that I had not been sure of until just a moment ago easily blocked the beam of light I had shot out and emerged from among the sacrifices, revealing his form.

A pure white veil covering the face and a pure white dress.

“… Saintess.”

Sophia Saintes.

She opened her mouth.

“Everyone, stand up.”

The light emanating from her body embraces the scattered offerings.

Those who start to stir.

Eventually, the 99 guardians regain their senses and stand up one by one.

Chris knows their identities.

“Guardians… .”

An organization secretly formed by a saint to fight against the Seven Deadly Sins.

That they came here disguised as sacrifices.

“How about the offerings I prepared?”

“… … .”

Kim Do-jin appears in front of him as if he had been waiting, and the corners of his mouth curl up.

Obvious ridicule.

He opened his mouth again.

“Is the sacrifice too big for the magic circle to handle?”

Hehehehehe!

A mischievous laugh rang like thunder in Chris’s ears.