Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Splendid Debut (1)
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West Sea, Yeongjongdo's coastline.
The area around the bluish gate was under strict military control.
On one side, four Hero Guild hunters were checking their gear.
With sour looks on their faces.
"Fuck."
Unable to hold it in any longer, a burly middle-aged man spat out a curse.
"Even if it's just a newbie who got their license the other day, isn't it too much to throw them into a C-grade undersea gate hunt?"
B-grade hunter Jang Mangil, in the defender position, grumbled, and the others nodded in agreement.
Undersea gate.
One of the gates that mainly appeared along coastlines. Compared to other gates of the same rank, it yielded more byproducts, making it quite profitable.
On top of that, there was a slim chance of rare artifacts with special properties dropping—making it a potential jackpot gate.
That made it hugely popular and fiercely competitive.
Far too much so for a total rookie with zero guild contributions or track record to squeeze in.
But for some reason, the newbie's name was right there on the roster, so the complaints were inevitable.
B-grade hunter Choi Jiyeon, in the ranged shooter position, chimed in.
"What can we do about it? If the higher-ups say jump, we jump."
"Goddamn it! Some of us busted our asses for months building up results just to snag this gig, while this punk gets slotted in day one. No wonder we're pissed!"
"If they were actually skilled, fine—but that's the problem. The rumors call him a 'disposable hunter.' Hope he doesn't just turn into dead weight."
Striker Bae Yongdu, in the striker position, spoke up while re-taping the worn handle of his hammer.
At Bae Yongdu's words, Jang Mangil's face twisted in fury.
"What?! That guy's the disposable?!"
"You didn't know? It was pretty big news."
"Fuck me! I knew there was some disposable guy, but who remembers names? Shit, we're in for a rough one today."
As Jang Mangil sighed in lament, supporter Yu Ga-hye cautiously offered her take.
"But... didn't he reawaken recently? His base stats are B-grade now, right? With reawakening and two unique traits, he should pull his weight, no?"
Choi Jiyeon checked the barrel of her mana gun, replying skeptically.
"If he does, great. But will he? This hunt's basically his debut."
At the word "debut," everyone's faces soured.
Unless you were one of those freak geniuses, rookies rarely showed even a fraction of their potential on their first gate.
They knew it from experience.
And that was for E- or D-grade gates—this was C-grade.
Undersea gates were tougher than average, too.
So the sighs were unavoidable.
Whoosh—whoosh—
Bae Yongdu swung his hammer to test the grip and spoke up.
"Well, we'll just have to trust Team Leader Jang Mangil. Our comp's solid on paper, right?"
One defender, two strikers (including the disposable), one shooter, one supporter.
The golden ratio for a five-man gate.
As long as one striker did their job.
"Don't count on me."
"Who else but our most veteran ace? And that sturdy defender build."
"You haven't heard?"
"...?"
"Ten aces can't cover for one troll."
Ugh. Bae Yongdu couldn't even deny it.
Choi Jiyeon finished maintenance, holstered her twin mana guns at her waist, and stood.
"Parachute or not, they'll at least follow Team Leader Jang's orders. That's basic protocol. Should be fine."
Hunters in a guild had internal hierarchies based on rank and record, which dictated influence inside gates.
Why guilds got compared to the military.
Just like soldiers needed commanders and military law for war, hunters needed leaders and structure for efficient teamwork.
"If they don't... leave it to me. I'll handle it on the spot."
With that, Choi Jiyeon mimed drawing and rapid-firing her mana gun.
"Even with connections, I doubt they'll go rogue. Could be surprisingly diligent, you know."
Yu Ga-hye had just finished speaking when
a luxury sedan passed the military checkpoint.
Seeing the two who stepped out after parking neatly, the team knew she was wrong.
'Luxury sedan with a personal driver?'
'Gear's just... a single sword?'
'This his debut? Looks way too chill.'
They all reached the same conclusion:
Some rich kid treating the hunt like a picnic.
Stoic-faced Jang Mangil approached Kim Gunja and extended a hand.
From experience, you had to break these types early.
"Jang Mangil. Defender and hunt leader."
"Kim Gunja. Nice to meet you, seniors. Looking forward to working with you."
Jang Mangil squeezed, but Kim Gunja's polite greeting threw off his timing.
This... wasn't the script?
"Ahem. Yeah. First gate?"
"Yes. I won't hold you back. Please guide me."
"Uh, sure."
He'd seen polite newbies, but not this level.
Embarassed after coming on strong, Jang Mangil glanced back.
His team looked just as thrown by Kim Gunja's demeanor.
After the handshake, Kim Gunja nodded to his companion.
The man, Choi Jinseung, stepped forward.
"Choi Jinseung, Kim Gunja's dedicated manager. Handle all byproducts, mana stones, and artifacts through me."
Dedicated manager—even A-grades rarely got them. Envious glares turned to Kim Gunja.
No one here had ever had one.
"Got it. Quick briefing, then we dive."
After Jang Mangil's briefing, they geared up before the gate.
The bluish portal rippled like gentle waves.
"Alright, let's go."
Jang Mangil touched the gate; others followed.
Kim Gunja last—a chime rang.
As briefed, gate info was sparse.
The name hinted at undead monsters.
Remaining time meant failure to down the boss triggered a break, spilling monsters out.
[Enter?]
Team members exchanged looks, nodded, and accepted.
Then,
Booom—
A deep resonance echoed; the blue gate swirled red.
A massive reptilian eye burst above it, pupil rolling over the hunters.
Crackle! Crackle!
Red sparks flew as it scanned them.
[Jang Mangil, Bae Yongdu, Choi Jiyeon, Yu Ga-hye, Kim Gunja confirmed.]
[Entry permitted.]
Creeeak—
The red space gaped like a beast's maw, swallowing the five hunters whole.
#
Hero Guild.
"Mana stones?"
"Yes."
The branch chief placed documents on Baek Jincheon's desk.
They detailed Kim Gunja trading guild gear for equivalent mana stones.
"This ever happened before?"
Baek Jincheon asked while reviewing.
"First time."
"Figured."
Hunting gear was a hunter's spare life.
Combat power included traits, levels, mana—and equipment mattered hugely.
'Chooses stones over gear?'
Why?
Illogical; hard to guess.
Unpredictable, but not like Kang Inhyeok.
And intriguing.
Baek Jincheon smirked, setting the papers down.
"Reason?"
"He says stones boost growth faster than gear."
"Inefficient, no?"
Growing via mana stones meant absorbing their mana to expand your own.
No other use for growth.
But wildly inefficient.
1000 mana in a stone? You'd absorb maybe 1.
"I said as much, but he didn't seem fazed."
"Fun. We'll see."
Bluff or real.
"Also, intel from Homunculus Jin Garyul."
More docs: lab sites, organizations tied to homunculi.
"The bastard?"
"Still breathing."
"Let's go."
"Prepping now."
Baek Jincheon stood.
To erase what shouldn't exist.
#
Inside: undersea cave.
Expected.
But no one foresaw it filled entirely with seawater.
'This shitty...!'
Holding his breath, Jang Mangil checked his team.
Sudden, but veterans: holding air, reinforcing lungs with mana.
Good for 40 minutes.
'The newbie?'
Kim Gunja looked steady.
Calm for a rookie.
Team fine, Jang Mangil signaled forward.
Luckily, straight path, no maze.
Priority: find air pocket, fast.
Jang Mangil led; team swam.
No monsters— no underwater fight. Faces relaxed.
But after 30 minutes, no end in sight. Tension rose.
Jang Mangil gritted teeth at blue lips from oxygen lack and cold.
'Like this... wipeout.'
Incomprehensible.
C-grade start underwater?
This endless tunnel?
Another 10 minutes.
Terror on faces.
Finally, end in view.
But,
'Damn it!'
Clang—
Jang Mangil shield-slammed the iron door; faint vibration in water.
End blocked by solid iron.
Signaled; striker Bae Yongdu advanced with hammer.
Breath short, full power from start.
Glowing hammer struck hard.
Dooong—
Water dulled it? Door dented, unyielding.
Bubble bubble—
Recoil expelled Bae Yongdu's air; face paler.
Jang Mangil's expression grave.
'Fuck! Everyone's spent! Water saps impact!'
Team relieved Bae Yongdu, pounded door desperately.
Searched for mechanisms—futile.
Bubble bubble—
Team hitting limits, air leaking, strength fading.
'No way! Not like this...!'
Trying to wedge shield in seams—no gap.
'Fuck!'
Dooong—
As Jang Mangil punched the door in despair,
someone tapped his shoulder.
'...?'
The rookie, Kim Gunja.
Pointed to his sword.
'He'll try?'
Ridiculous.
Hammer failed; sword?
No chance.
Kim Gunja gestured: move aside, dangerous.
'...'
No options; Jang Mangil backed off slowly.
Kim Gunja bowed politely in thanks.
'Greetings now...? Wait.'
Shock short-lived.
Seeing Kim Gunja pass,
'...!!'
Bubble bubble—
Expelled air from sheer surprise.
Behind Kim Gunja's ear: gill-like organ, inhuman, rhythmically opening and closing.
Jang Mangil screamed inwardly.
'G-gills?!'
Nothing else it could be.
Then it clicked.
Unlike the gasping team, Kim Gunja's face and lips were fine.
'What the hell?!'
Before shock faded,
Kim Gunja drew a pristine white blade from its jet-black sheath.
Then,
Bubble bubble rumble—
Massive bubbles erupted around the blade.
From Heaven-Shattering Sword, Third Form: Heaven Shaker's vibration.
Neither fast nor slow—Kim Gunja's thrust met the door.
Crack crack craaaack—
Spiderweb cracks; eternally sealed door crumbled instantly.
Effortlessly.
Leaving stunned Jang Mangil, Kim Gunja crossed.
Some force held water back.
Kim Gunja called to the still-struggling team.
"Come on in, seniors."
Snapping to, they swam desperately toward fresh air.