We Came to Clear the Gate (2)
I felt the shuttle grind to a halt. The knight up front announced,
"The shuttle has sustained damage severe enough to halt operations. But don't worry. The shuttle's armor is still holding strong."
Everyone inside erupted in curses at that.
"What the hell? That's not the point!"
"Yeah! What monster attacked us? You gotta tell us that first!"
The crowd surged toward the driver, threats flying. The knight stammered back,
"It came from a blind spot—I couldn't see it clearly. P-please, everyone, just sit down!"
Han Seohyun shot me a startled look amid the tense mood.
"Support teams have been called. Please remain calm and wait. I repeat, remain calm..."
"They called for backup, so we're supposed to sit tight."
I explained to Han Seohyun, but the shuttle rocked hard again. This time, the impact nearly pitched us forward.
"I don't wanna die here! Fuck this—sit around and get eaten by some unknown monster?"
"Yeah! You want us canned like sardines to rot?"
Another jolt. People standing tumbled across the floor. Something massive was pinning the shuttle down.
Screeech. Grind. Riiip.
The hideous sound of tearing, splitting metal assaulted our ears.
"Fuck!"
"Aaaagh!"
Sand-laden wind poured through the breaches. Kim Jaeho, now at my side, swatted away something hurtling toward us.
"Damn."
It was a dagger from the guy next to me—bounced off from the shock, flying my way.
"Thanks."
Kim Jaeho just wrinkled his nose in response. He stuck close, scanning every direction warily.
As the shaking eased, passengers exchanged terrified glances. Some frozen in fear, others shocked, a few stoic. Reactions varied, but one thought united them all.
We're screwed.
"I can't take this anymore."
A few hunters up front grabbed weapons from their backs.
"What the hell are you doing? They said stay put!"
"That announcement guy's probably dead—who knows? You hear him now?"
Sure enough, the man's voice relaying updates had gone silent. Probably taken out in the last hit.
And the monster noises swarming closer gnawed at everyone's nerves.
I placed a hand on Han Seohyun's. Nodded to Kim Jaeho.
Trouble was brewing up front before we could act.
"I'm getting out."
"You're insane."
"If something can smash this shuttle, what then? You wanna get crushed inside? Better to get out and assess."
"They said support's coming. Staying put is safer!"
"When? After we're all dead?"
Boom! The shuttle shuddered again. Whatever damaged it was still ramming relentlessly.
Yeah, sitting tight wasn't cutting it anymore.
Tension peaked. One hunter stepped up.
"Everyone else, fuck off. I'm going."
He slashed at a broken section. Vanished through in a flash.
"What if you just doomed us all?"
"Screw it, me too."
"It'll work out."
Hunters poured out before anyone could stop them.
Those insisting on staying eyed them, started to protest, then slumped back defeated.
"What do we do?"
"Wanna head out?"
"Monsters are still pounding outside. Won't we just die here?"
"Wait a sec."
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Something huge was lumbering our way. Swish. Crunch. Sand scattering underfoot. This was bigger than before.
Remaining passengers hushed.
Then it happened—they literally tore the shuttle apart. As the roof ripped off like paper, I saw it.
What had us.
"Holy shit."
A colossal beast. And the things crawling beside it. The instant I locked eyes with the claw-wielding monster shredding the shuttle, chills raced down my spine.
"Jaeho, Seohyun—stick to me."
I summoned mana, erecting a barrier around us. The beast hurled shuttle debris behind me, then slammed its claw down.
It crumpled the shuttle like tin foil. A few lingering hunters turned to pulp right before our eyes. Han Seohyun groaned at the spreading bloodstains.
"Nngh."
The claw couldn't pierce my mana shield. Once. That one time drained mana like crazy. I gritted my teeth. The moment it pulled back—that was key.
"Kim Jaeho."
On cue, he scooped Han Seohyun and leaped out.
No worries for me. I dropped the shield, channeled mana into my legs, and launched skyward.
Its claw pulverized where I'd been. The shuttle floor beneath shattered to dust.
It felt long, but the chaos lasted maybe five seconds. Including us, fewer than ten hunters escaped outside.
Thick sandstorm greeted us—visibility near zero beyond ten steps.
Weather was clear before departure. Forecast fine. This storm signaled monsters nearby.
Powerful ones able to summon it.
"The sand crabs might've fled here to escape whatever whipped up that storm."
Explains the horde overwhelming even shuttles.
I turned to Han Seohyun.
"Seohyun, keep something summoned. We're basically inside a gate now. Worse, even."
Gates had themed monsters—clear the boss, done. Here? Tens, hundreds, thousands spilling from gates.
Survival first.
She nodded, summoning a hound. Smart. Hounds maneuvered better than skeletons in sand.
Sand crabs first priority.
The 15-meter behemoth had swallowed the shuttle, now prowling nearby.
Each step vibrated the ground, twisting my face.
No way we three took that down.
"Find survivors first, link up..."
Other escapees were fighting—mana pulses far off.
We weren't the only ones sensing it. The crab lurched that way.
Join them? As I pondered, a man approached. Blond, black-coated goggles like shades.
"You guys okay?"
"Yeah, we're good. You?"
"Oh, made it out fine."
He added,
"Situation's gone to hell, so figured we should stick together."
Hm. Han Seohyun piped up, staring openly.
"He wants to team up?"
Her face soured. But he had a point.
"Better with backup in a pinch."
I told him,
"I'm Lee Seung-jun, captain of Ark Mercenaries. These two are my team."
"Ah, mercenaries! Name's Joseph Ramirez. First time here—total mess, huh."
"First time for me too."
Awkward silence hung between us. Ramirez looked troubled.
Perfect—an inexperienced ally in crisis. Dream team.
Decision: Avoid the crab at all costs. That way led to hell. Escape first.
"First, get outta here to safety. Back to base if possible."
Ramirez nodded.
"Yeah, good call. But GPS crapped out earlier. This storm ain't normal."
"Probably a massive monster stirring it up. Mana-infused storm jams GPS, makes sense."
Without clearing the storm, all electronics dead.
Mana weather fried tech.
"Gotta find shelter till the storm dies down."
I relayed to the two.
"Gonna travel with him?"
"Yeah. Strength in numbers for now."
This was disaster. No full trust, but no reason to suspect hostility. Not the argumentative type.
We set off seeking storm shelter.
"Scout terrain with the hound first."
"Got it. But aren't you supposed to stay put if lost?"
"When no monsters around. Bodies here'll draw more. Better move."
"Ugh."
Storm blinded everything. Then Ramirez spoke.
"Since we're sticking together, share talents? That little guy's a summoner, right?"
I nodded easily.
"Yep. I handle wind. He's physical enhancer. You?"
"Throwing daggers. Aiming correction's my talent."
He demoed, nailing a passing insect with a hip dagger. Goggles hid pupil shifts, but pinpoint accuracy—impressive.
Aiming correction, huh.
I let the lie slide. No point pressing—we weren't squeaky clean either.
Quick thinker, solid hunter overall. If needed, I could snap his neck in a blink.
Han Seohyun's words halted me.
"Monsters ahead."
She swallowed hard.
"Big ones."