Chapter 44: The World Isn't Safe.
I stepped out of the gate for a bit. Inside, my family was hunting with the orcs and Baekya to find mounts they liked. No real danger there. Hoya, at max level, was with them.
The reason I'd come out was to learn more about log cabin construction. As soon as I did, I turned on my smartphone—the pinnacle of Earth's civilization.
Ding, ding. A few messages from work folks checking in, plus the usual spam texts even after the gates appeared. Still, better than nothing. Felt kinda proud, in a way.
I replied to the chats, then opened YouTube. Right away, a recommended video caught my eye.
"What the hell."
The video showed a monster. Not some big bad one—just goblins, the kind I'd seen a lot lately. The key was, this wasn't CG. It was real goblins. Movie goblins look different from the real deal, but after seeing so many, I knew for sure.
Checking the comments, the top one jumped out.
Tons of replies under it, all saying pretty much the same thing. Anyone who's read web novels or manhwa probably thought the same when gates first hit the news. I did too.
But over the past five years, gates had stayed quiet. They weren't like in stories—just "dimensional doors." And that's how the world treated them. Gate insides stayed hush-hush. Probably the elite or the rich keeping it under wraps.
Gates mean money. If I sold stuff from mine, I could buy up the whole neighborhood in no time. What about other gates? New materials with huge value. Upgrade the old world or invent new stuff. That's why people see gates as cash cows.
No monsters ever popped out before. Until now.
"Why?"
I checked similar videos. Monsters burst from a gate in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province. Lucky spot—tons of military bases. Soldiers handled it, no major casualties. Goblins? A grown man could take one solo. Unless they swarm.
But the army's built for group fights. They crushed it quick, and someone filmed it. Probably how the others got uploaded too.
I went to play another, but videos started vanishing.
"This is..."
We'd only been in the gate a few days. Hours, really. This happened in that window. Videos uploaded then deleted fast.
Deleting Korean uploads? Easy if it's a local service. But YouTube's not Korean. Government pulling strings takes time.
Yet they were gone. Means one thing.
"Someone can control YouTube too."
Last time, that berserk hunter caused chaos, but the hypnosis guy cleaned it up. I remember clear—didn't get hit myself.
So, some group manages gate secrets and fallout. Probably not tied to one country.
Nations transcend borders. UN, for example. Their goal—money, power, peace? Who knows. But they exist.
Suddenly, new videos flooded in. K-pop MVs from big groups, foreign stars too. Burying the issue.
Obvious play. Even I clicked my favorite girl group's new MV. Curious, yeah. And kinda autopilot.
Low-level hypnosis exposure detected.
Resist?
Hypnosis from my fave girl group's MV? Insane.
"Resist."
No-brainer. Video stopped trying after that.
That group in on it? Nah. Someone tampered with the video slyly.
Tested others—same hypnosis pop-up.
"Crazy. Using fans like this?"
Rage boiled. Exploiting my girls? Unforgivable.
But Calmness kicked in. My passive skill shines here. Let me think straight.
"So these vids have popped up before. Hypnosis every time? I'd click my faves. Low-level, so no deep commands—just avert eyes enough."
Gates turn actions into skills. Random from gifts like minotaur meat or skill stones, but usually like that. Study hypnosis outside, skill-ify inside, amp it up.
Like my English skill.
"Damn, this world's terrifying..."
How many skills from gates? Math alone—study inside, get Math skill. Supercharged version.
Smart folks abusing that? Or already have?
Gate owners hold their leashes. Maybe owners are pawns too. If they go rogue?
"Like Dad said, gates are territories. Conflicts inevitable."
Peeking at the world's secrets again. Found log cabin vids, then back to the gate.
Inside, Hoya flew at me. Hugged tight.
Nyang!
One hour for me, five for Hoya. Missed me, huh. These cute moments make her irresistible... or so I thought.
Hoya headbutts for treats. Where does she learn this?!
Means "Treats now, not wandering."
I offered tribute boldly. Not scared! Just love for my adorable Hoya. Honest.
Looking around, two more Kkamangi. Two more Baekya.
Mom and Si-yeon on the black horses, Dad and Seon-woo on tigers. All petting happily.
Baekya? Tried it— not comfy. But tastes differ. Respect.
"Everyone, huddle up."
Family and Seon-woo gathered.
"Outside..."
Told them everything. Seon-woo and Si-yeon shocked. MVs hiding secrets? Wild.
Parents calm.
"So the world's not safe. Soldiers in that op got hit by the hypnotist too?"
I nodded. Wide-area hypnosis. Not the top guy—others exist. They'll tweak memories.
"Good Si-yeon's a girl."
Mom's worry—makes sense. Parents of boys her age would freak.
"Si-woo."
"Yes, Dad."
"What level makes us safe-ish?"
Core of our five-week plan. Safe at what level?
I eyed Hoya. She paws ground.
"Level 4?"
Thwack!
"Kidding! Geez, touchy. Level 40, right?"
Nyang!
Hoya nods. Goal: 40 for us. I'll go higher—solo with Hoya maybe.
"Hoya says 40. Plus my take: max skills before leaving. Crucial. I'll teach you all Hertian Beginner Swordsmanship."
"I got sword skills?"
"Quiet. Learn anyway."
Shut down Si-yeon's protest. They started learning.
World's not collapsing tomorrow. Won't easy either. Chaos coming, though.
Not saving the world—nosy like that. Just protect my precious ones.
"Seon-woo, next time bring your family."
He smiled. He's dear; so's his fam. Plus, train his gate's hunters.
Back to training.