Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Eye of the Storm (3)
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Mountain King Hong Gyuhyeon.
Even setting aside his world ranking of 19th, there were plenty of words that defined him.
First-generation Hunter.
Hunter with the most gate clears.
Hunter with the most monster kills.
Hunter with the longest active career.
Just as every title included the word "Hunter," he had lived as one from the very moment the profession was born until now.
Longer than anyone.
And with unyielding passion.
Hong Gyuhyeon was a living legend of the Hunter industry.
Kim Gunja was meeting with this very man.
Through his connection, Hong Sua.
As soon as Kim Gunja took his seat, Hong Gyuhyeon didn't waste time.
"I heard you're going after White Flame. Is that true?"
It seemed like a simple question at first glance, but it carried layers of meaning.
He had specified White Flame, not Hero Guild.
In other words...
Hong Gyuhyeon wasn't particularly concerned with the shell that was Hero Guild.
Hero Guild existed because of White Flame, and even if the current Hero Guild crumbled, as long as Baek Jincheon stood strong, there was no guarantee second or third iterations wouldn't rise.
Through this one straightforward question, Hong Gyuhyeon made his stance crystal clear.
If the plan didn't account for White Flame himself, there was nothing more to discuss.
Kim Gunja met Hong Gyuhyeon's piercing gaze—reminiscent of a white tiger's—without flinching.
"Weeds always grow back if you don't uproot them completely."
This meant he had Baek Jincheon in his sights as well.
But Hong Gyuhyeon figured anyone could say words like that.
"A weed...? Calling him that might be a bit of an understatement. No one's been able to pull it out easily, you know."
Baek Jincheon and Hero Guild.
In Korea, they were already as unassailable as a fortress.
There was no way to deal with them through ordinary means, so he was asking if Kim Gunja had some special plan in mind.
Kim Gunja smiled faintly.
"If it's too tough to pull out, just plow the whole field under."
"The field...?"
Hong Gyuhyeon paused at the unexpected response.
He couldn't quite grasp what it implied.
Seeing this, Kim Gunja steadied his breath.
This was where it got important.
Kim Gunja spoke calmly.
He laid out the cards he had prepared against Hero Guild and the grand scheme he planned for the stage ahead.
"My God...!"
"Whoa...!"
Hong Sua and Hong Gyuhyeon let out exclamations of awe as they listened.
Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, Hong Gyuhyeon's eyes gleamed as he locked eyes with Kim Gunja.
"So, the 'big stage' you mentioned to Sua... that was with Kang Inhyeok...?"
Kim Gunja's smile deepened a shade.
Confirming that Hong Gyuhyeon's guess was spot on.
"Ha, hahaha! Hahahaha!"
Hong Gyuhyeon burst into incredulous laughter.
Now the full picture of Kim Gunja's intentions snapped into place.
No one had ever thought of something like this.
Who would even conceive of turning an entire country into a stage?
'Haha... what incredible scale.'
Plowing the field under meant flipping public perception entirely.
To the point where Hero Guild and Baek Jincheon could never take root here again.
For that one grand stage, Kim Gunja had been gathering cards and key allies.
So that, when all eyes were on them, he could topple them completely without giving them time to react.
Once his laughter subsided, Hong Gyuhyeon gave a refreshing reply.
"Very well. I'll help you. But just to be clear, this decision is for the sake of Korea's Hunter industry, not for you personally. Don't misunderstand."
"That's more than enough, Senior."
Looking at Kim Gunja's smiling face, Hong Gyuhyeon suddenly grew curious.
What kind of history could drive this seemingly straightforward man to sharpen his blade so meticulously?
After a brief moment of thought, Hong Gyuhyeon spoke up.
"If it's not too personal... could you tell me about your grudge with Hero Guild? Of course, if it's uncomfortable, feel free to pass."
Kim Gunja pondered for a moment.
There was no need to bare his soul, but sitting across from Hong Gyuhyeon stirred old memories.
Back in high school, the moments he shared tea with his grandfather before he passed.
—Remember, trust isn't received—it's given. That's how solid bonds are forged.
Recalling his grandfather's kind words, a natural smile bloomed on Kim Gunja's face.
And slowly, he parted his lips.
Explaining how the grudge with Hero Guild began.
Hong Sua covered her gaping mouth in shock as she listened to Kim Gunja's calm recounting, while Hong Gyuhyeon's grip crushed the restaurant table.
"To go that far... They've crossed every line..."
Hong Gyuhyeon sighed with sorrowful eyes.
Kim Gunja gave a wry smile, briefly discussed future plans with the two, and rose from his seat.
"I'll contact you again next time."
"Sounds good."
Kim Gunja finished his farewells and headed out for his scheduled hunt.
Hong Gyuhyeon watched his retreating figure in silence before speaking.
"...I have no face left. The monster I created is harming so many people..."
This was a far cry from the bold demeanor he'd shown Kim Gunja.
It didn't suit his usual image—a voice thick with regret and a pained expression.
Hong Sua grabbed his hand with a worried look.
"...It's not Grandfather's fault. The Second Bloody Day would have happened no matter who..."
"No. Failing to keep my promise to White Flame—that's squarely on me. But..."
That was why Infinite Guild hadn't retaliated against Hero Guild despite their defeats.
Hong Gyuhyeon harbored guilt toward White Flame for personal reasons.
Thus, he had turned a blind eye to anything involving Hero Guild.
But hearing Kim Gunja's story made him realize it was time to make a choice.
"...They've gone far beyond the pale. I should step in to set things right. I should have done it sooner..."
"Grandfather..."
Hong Gyuhyeon, his face complex, patted Hong Sua's hand reassuringly.
"To think a junior is plotting something this massive on his own. I can only feel sorry for not stepping up first."
Hong Gyuhyeon's gaze toward the entrance where Kim Gunja had vanished held both apology and gratitude.
And with that, his mind began racing.
To properly weather the approaching storm.
Kim Gunja navigated the market's narrow alleys toward the gate outbreak zone.
As he walked, he checked his status window.
The most striking changes were his Magic Power level, the Stein-related Sync Rate, and his skills.
'The Shadow Orb had a huge impact.'
Fully absorbing the Shadow Orb's vast dark mana had greatly advanced his Shadow Arts.
Yet even with that growth, his Magic Power level hadn't budged—until after sparring with Yeji yesterday and training Heaven-Shattering Divine Art, when it finally rose.
S-rank.
Officially, Awakeners whose average Physique and Magic Power levels exceeded 7.
The S-rank he'd promised Baek Jincheon was now within reach.
One regrettable point: the slow progress on Heaven-Shattering Sword and Heaven-Shattering Divine Art.
'No, it's not slow by normal standards. ...I've gotten spoiled.'
Kim Gunja had exploded in growth over mere months thanks to Ma Ilcheon's trial and descent.
That must be why.
As his level rose, the slowing pace of Heaven-Shattering Sword and Divine Art felt frustrating.
Compounded by his desire to quickly reinstate Ma Ilcheon as an investor, it only felt slower.
Kim Gunja paused, steadied his breath, and circulated Heaven-Shattering Divine Art.
Completing a full circuit via Dual Stream, crimson haze faintly rose from his body and dissipated.
His mind cleared, stray thoughts vanished.
Ma Ilcheon's words resurfaced in his mind.
—I'll be watching. The path your sword treads.
A smile tugged at Kim Gunja's lips.
'Right. No need to rush.'
The one watching him wouldn't want impatience.
He gave his all every day.
Steadily, one step at a time.
The speed or stride didn't matter.
Not stopping—that was key.
Everything was achieved that way; no results existed without the process.
Kim Gunja's halted steps resumed.
Toward the gate awaiting his next hunt.
The gate vicinity was cordoned off by soldiers.
Inside were Hero Guild's Team 6 and Team 8.
Team 6 leader Kim Jiyong greeted Kim Gunja warmly.
"Hey! A bit late today, huh?"
He wasn't late yet.
Just later than his usual early arrivals.
"Sorry. Had something to take care of on the way."
To the ever-polite Kim Gunja, Team 8 leader Gil Jiho joked.
"Was gonna bail if you didn't show. Hunting without you is exhausting these days."
"Nah, he'd never skip without a word. Guy's too reliable."
"True that. Alright, looks like everyone's here—let's head in? Or coffee first?"
"I'm good."
"Roger! Let's wrap this up quick today!"
At Gil Jiho's words, everyone psyched up and approached the gate.
Kim Gunja thought how much Hero Guild Hunters had warmed to him.
The fruit of his efforts in building relationships.
He placed his hand on the gate following his Hero Guild comrades.
[Riven Earth]Difficulty: A Field: Rocky Zone Personnel Limit: 15 / 15 Time Remaining: 197:39:18
[Enter?]
Exchanging glances, they accepted, and the gate swallowed the 15, including Kim Gunja.
Entering, they felt a chilling freefall sensation.
Whoooosh— flap!
Fierce updrafts sent their hair whipping upward.
No one had anticipated this.
Plummeting into an invisible abyss right from the start.
The Hunters tumbled down a massive chasm between sheer cliffs.
"Waaah!"
"What the hell!"
"Cliff! Stick to the cliff!"
Urgent shouts erupted everywhere.
Cliffs stretching endlessly up and down.
The Hunters had spawned midway.
No Awakener could survive a fall from this height, so they desperately tried clinging with weapons and traits.
But.
Clanggg—!
Scraaape!
Weapons from all but the two A-rank leaders bounced off harmlessly.
"Wh-what?!"
"The cliff's like solid metal!"
"Arghhh!"
The cliff was impossibly hard—even mana-infused strikes barely scratched it.
It gleamed faintly black—not ordinary rock.
Then, Kim Gunja kicked off the wall, accelerating downward.
His black coat billowing, Crimson Moon gripped in hand.
Rrrriiiiip—!
Crimson Moon, infused with Heaven-Shattering Divine Art, carved a long gash into the cliff.
Seeing this, Kim Jiyong and Gil Jiho shouted.
"Grab that!"
"Stick to it!"
Hunters jammed weapons into Kim Gunja's groove to brake or cling.
"Whew..."
"Thought we were goners."
"Gunja! Thanks!"
"You saved us!"
At the bottom, Kim Gunja ignored the grateful voices from above—his expression grim.
He was used to it.
This felt familiar.
Like the underwater start in the seafloor gate.
'No way...'
And he wasn't alone in that thought.
Team leaders Kim Jiyong and Gil Jiho frowned, clinging to the wall.
"This feels like..."
"An Elite Gate..."
Their words were cut short.
Rumble rumble rumble!
With a deafening roar, the cliff shattered, raining boulders on the Hunters' heads.
"What the—?!"
As they dodged or smashed the rocks, a massive figure descended amid the debris—glowing yellow eyes and a red tongue flicking.
"My God...!"
A building-sized serpent slithered down the cliff, prompting a scream-like gasp.
Then it hit them.
The entire cliff was the boss room.
"Son of a...!"
Swearing was inevitable.
As the stunned leaders tried issuing orders, a black shadow weaved through falling rocks, racing up the cliff.
Toward the giant serpent.
Vmmm—
Kim Gunja, Crimson Moon trailing crimson haze.
Passing the leaders' position, he said quietly.
"I'll buy us time."
With that, he unleashed a shadow dart.
Using Shadow Arts, Kim Gunja drew the serpent's gaze as it plummeted.
The two leaders swiftly commanded.
"Everyone, down the cliff!"
"Hurry!"
Fighting while clinging offered no chance.
Hunters scrambled downward per orders.
Shaaa—!
BOOM! Bang!
Above, massive explosions and roars echoed ceaselessly.
The sound of Kim Gunja soloing the boss for them.
Descending the cliff, the Hunters shared a thought about him.
He was no rookie anymore.
Far from it—the most reliable Hunter in Hero Guild, worthy of utmost trust.