The heat inside the African S-rank dungeon was stifling, a stark contrast to the festive season outside.
In the center of the molten chamber, the Phoenix let out a screech that vibrated with the authority of a Death Consul. Its feathers weren't just fire; they were wreathed in the pale, chilling mist of the Death pathway, inflicting a [Withering] debuff that bypassed standard magical resistance.
Kim Suho, his brown hair matted with sweat but his expression as upright as ever, swung the Misteltein.
The branch hummed, his Sword Saint gift allowing him to slice through the very "Concept of Immortality" that the Phoenix clung to.
"Joonghyuk-ssi!" Suho shouted, his voice gentle even in the heat of battle. "Why don't you join Creator's Sacred Grace after this? Honestly, that company you're in... the name is a bit silly, and I heard the pay isn't even competitive compared to the top ten guilds."
Yoo Joonghyuk's eyebrow twitched.
He opened his mouth to retort that the name wasn't that bad, but then he remembered the sight of Kim Dokja grinning.(;3)
He fell silent, his silence a grim admission.
"We are sponsored by Essence of the Strait," Joonghyuk muttered finally. "Yoo Yeonha is an efficient businesswoman. That is enough."
[The Constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire' is screaming at the lack of holiday spirit!]
[The Constellation 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon' is wondering if the Phoenix tastes like spicy chicken.]
Joonghyuk's smartwatch buzzed. A message from the Chameleon Troupe group chat appeared—Droon was asking if he'd be back at the base for Christmas. He swiped it away, only for a [Midday Tryst] to flicker in his vision.
Han Sooyoung: How much longer are you going to play? The party is starting.
Yoo Joonghyuk: Soon.
Joonghyuk tapped into his Sequence 7: Briber powers. He didn't offer gold; he threw a symbolic 'bribe' of pure spiritual energy toward the Phoenix.
The Phoenix, overwhelmed by a sudden surge of false pride, lowered its wings to let out a boastful roar, leaving its core exposed.
"Now!" Joonghyuk roared.
[The Giant Story 'Demon World's Spring' has begun its storytelling!]
[The Giant Story 'Torch That Swallowed the Myth' is howling!]
[The Giant Story 'Season of Light and Darkness' is illuminating the battlefield!]
Joonghyuk reached the Fourth Level of Transcendence, his Heaven Shaking Sword becoming a blur of paradoxes. Beside him, Suho reached his Second Level of Transcendence, his [Wish Sword] resonating with a holy light that echoed his victory over Orden.
The Phoenix exploded into a shower of white-hot embers and blue soul-shards.
[Dungeon Cleared!]
[Rewards: Heart of the Eternal Rebirth, 100,000 Coins.]
"You can take the reward, I'll have the Beyonder Characteristics," Yoo Joonghyuk said.
A moment later, they were spat out of the portal onto the dusty plains of Africa. Leaning against a sleek, roaring [X-class Ferrarghini] was Han Sooyoung, her signature lollipop tucked into her cheek.
"Wanna ride, boys?" she grinned.
Three minutes. That was all it took for the car to screech into the heart of Seoul.
Seoul was a wonderland now. Neon lights intertwined with magical mana-crystals, casting a multicolored glow over the snow-covered streets. Christmas carols played, but they were often interrupted by the sound of heroes patrolling and the soft hum of floating platforms.
Sooyoung dropped Suho off in front of the Creator's Sacred Grace headquarters. The guild leader, Yun Seung-Ah, stood at the entrance. Her small, 153cm build was wrapped in a chic winter coat, her brown eyes warming as she saw Suho. Beside her, little Evandel stood holding a cat on a leash, waving frantically.
"See you later at the party, Sooyoung-ssi, Joonghyuk-ssi!" Suho called out.
Sooyoung rolled the window down, watching them.
"Looks like the rumors about those two being... about their relationship," she smirked, before flooring it toward the Essence of the Strait skyscraper.
As they entered the lobby, every employee—from the receptionists to the high-ranking hero guards—bowed in unison. Sooyoung walked with a nostalgic gait.
"Reminds me of being Yuri di Aristel back in the Kaizenix Archipelago," she sighed. "A long time ago... but not really."
They reached the top-floor veranda.
The moment the elevator doors opened, Joonghyuk was hit by two small projectiles. Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung hugged his waist tightly.
"You're late, Ahjussi!" Gilyoung complained. "Yeonha-unnie gave us her black card!"
Yoosung cheered, waving a shimmering piece of plastic.
"She said we can buy anything we want!"
Sooyoung looked toward the bar, where Yoo Yeonha was already nursing a glass of expensive wine, her face slightly flushed.
"Looks like the Guildmaster is already tipsy," Sooyoung noted, "I'll go meet my fellow author."
The veranda was a sea of familiar faces.
Gong Pildu was arguing with Shin Jonhak about defensive perimeters; Kyrgios Rodgraim was standing on a railing looking moody; and Fors Wall was cornered by Han Sooyoung, who was already babbling about a new plot idea. There were also a few of ally constellations.
Suddenly, a heavy, solid hand landed on Yoo Joonghyuk's shoulder. Joonghyuk's mana flared, ready to strike, but he froze when he felt the cold, metallic texture of the grip.
He turned to see Heynckes, the legendary German member of the Nine Stars.
Despite being in his 80s, he was well-built and ruggedly handsome, though his forearm was noticeably shimmering with a steel-like finish—a side effect of his Authority of Steel.
"Hallo," Heynckes said with a jovial, light-hearted smile. He extended his hand for an awkward European-style handshake. "Merry Christmas, young warrior. I heard you and Suho cleared that mess in Africa? Good, good. The Association can sleep easy tonight."
Joonghyuk shook the hand stiffly. "It was... manageable."
As the evening went on, the bells of Seoul began to toll. The crowd gathered as Aileen, acting as the Heroes Executive, raised her glass.
"A few months ago, we were strangers from different universes," Aileen said, her voice clear and carrying. "We lost many people in the Convergence. We don't know where some of our friends are tonight. But we found each other. We found new families. Tonight, we celebrate the fact that we are still standing."
She smiled, raising her glass higher. "I wish for everyone to stay alright, for the barrier to hold, and for—"
RUMBLE.
An earthquake shook the skyscraper. The wine in the glasses rippled violently. The sky over Seoul, once a peaceful black and gold, suddenly began to crack like glass, revealing the churning purple void of the Star Stream.
[System Alert!]
[Emergency Maintenance Concluded.]
[Borders between Realms are destabilizing.]
[Arc ??? – 'The Forced Collaboration' has been forcefully concluded.]
[A new Epoch is being recorded...]
[New Arc: 'The War of Convergence' will begin in: 72:00:00]
The festive lights flickered and died.
Yoo Joonghyk sighed, complaining that this thing always happens when someone says that everything's good.
"Looks like I'm gonna see that stupid face soon," he raised his glass, "Merry Christmas, Kim Dokja."