Chapter 1; the crimson portal

...The dawn of the Devouring Shadows marked the beginning of humanity's darkest age....

Without warning, colossal crimson portals tore open the heavens.

The skies bled red.

From those endless rifts emerged grotesque creatures that defied every law of nature. They descended upon the world like an unstoppable plague, reducing thriving cities to ruins within days. Nations collapsed one after another, and countless lives vanished beneath claws, fangs, and horrors no human mind had ever imagined.

Humanity stood on the brink of extinction.

Then...

Hope awakened.

Across the globe, ordinary men and women began manifesting extraordinary abilities—powers that surpassed human understanding. Armed with divine gifts, they rose against the invaders and became mankind's final shield.

History would remember them by a single name.

Saints.

[Breaking News]

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is Mark Collins reporting live from Sacramento, California."

The camera swept across the city before tilting toward the heavens.

Suspended above Sacramento was a colossal crimson portal so immense that it eclipsed the morning sun. Five years had passed since its appearance, yet its terrifying presence remained unchanged, hanging above the city like an executioner's blade waiting to fall.

Military helicopters circled beneath the portal while fighter jets maintained a strict aerial blockade. Far below, traffic flowed through the streets as civilians continued their daily routines beneath the blood-red sky. They had learned to live with fear...

But never to forget it.

"As you can see behind me," Mark continued, adjusting his microphone, "the mysterious portal remains active despite five years of investigation by both the United States Government and the Saint Hunter Society."

"Authorities have confirmed another surge of monster activity across several districts this week, resulting in multiple civilian casualties."

"Citizens are strongly advised to avoid all restricted zones unless accompanied by licensed Saint Hunters."

The broadcast shifted to a digital map of the world.

Another crimson portal illuminated above China.

Then another...

Above South Korea.

"Our international correspondents have confirmed the appearance of similar portals in both countries."

"Following the recent increase in monster attacks, the governments of China and South Korea have officially declared nationwide states of emergency."

The screen changed once more.

A press conference in Seoul.

Standing before dozens of reporters, a senior Korean official spoke with unwavering resolve.

"The outsiders have declared war upon humanity."

A brief silence followed.

His eyes hardened.

"And though victory may not come easily..."

"...we will fight."

Camera flashes illuminated the room.

Moments later, the broadcast returned to Sacramento.

"Here in the United States, federal authorities continue working alongside the Saint Hunter Society to strengthen national defenses and emergency response systems."

"Scientists remain unable to explain the true origin of the crimson portals."

"Even after five years..."

"No one knows what lies beyond them."

Mark looked directly into the camera.

"Are they gateways to another world..."

"...or the beginning of humanity's end?"

A heavy silence settled over the broadcast.

Then he spoke one final sentence.

"And now..."

"Please welcome the Supreme Leader of the Saint Hunter Society..."

"...Father Rubenstein."

The hall erupted into thunderous applause.

Reporters rose from their seats as camera flashes illuminated the stage like bolts of lightning. Around the world, millions watched the broadcast in silence, clinging to every word spoken by the man who had become humanity's unwavering pillar of hope.

Father Rubenstein simply smiled.

It was a gentle smile.

A weary smile.

The smile of a man who had witnessed countless funerals, yet still found the strength to tell others that tomorrow was worth believing in.

He raised one hand, and the applause gradually subsided.

"My friends..."

His calm voice echoed throughout the hall.

"I cannot promise you that this war will end tomorrow."

"I cannot promise that there will be no more tears..."

"...or that no more lives will be lost."

A heavy silence settled over the audience.

The old saint lowered his gaze for a brief moment.

"There are nights..."

"...when I ask myself whether humanity can truly survive."

His confession caught everyone by surprise.

Even the reporters lowered their cameras.

Father Rubenstein slowly looked up once more.

"But every time doubt finds its way into my heart..."

"...I remember something."

His blue eyes seemed to shine with quiet conviction.

"I remember that light is born only because darkness exists."

"I remember that courage has meaning only because fear exists."

"And I remember that hope is most beautiful..."

"...when it shines in a world drowning in despair."

No one spoke.

The entire hall listened.

"Five years ago..."

"Our enemy sought to take away our future."

"They sought to steal our faith."

"They sought to convince us that humanity was destined to perish."

A faint smile crossed his face.

"They failed."

Applause broke out once again, louder than before.

Father Rubenstein allowed it to continue for a few seconds before gently raising his hand.

"As long as even one Saint continues to stand..."

"There shall always be hope."

"And as long as humanity continues to hope..."

"We will never surrender."

The conference hall shook beneath another wave of applause.

Some reporters wiped tears from their eyes.

Others stood in respectful silence.

To millions around the world...

Father Rubenstein was more than the Supreme Leader of the Saint Hunter Society.

He was the symbol of humanity's refusal to kneel before despair.

As he stepped away from the podium, his smile slowly disappeared.

For the first time since the broadcast began...

His eyes drifted toward the enormous crimson portal hanging above Sacramento.

The cameras continued flashing.

The audience continued applauding.

No one noticed the quiet prayer that escaped his lips.

"Yichirik..."

"Grant this world a little more time."

For reasons even he could not explain...

His heart had felt unusually restless since dawn.

As though somewhere beyond the crimson heavens...

Something had begun to awaken.

Something ancient.

Something that would change the fate of humanity forever.

Far above the clouds...

The colossal crimson portal pulsed once.

Then fell silent.

The television broadcast ended.

Click.

Mrs. Helen reached for the remote control and switched off the television.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***