Is This Gate-Produced?
“Yes? A business trip?”
“Uh, Si-woo, I think you need to go.”
The sudden phone call was about heading to the factory for a business trip. The problem was this.
“That’s not part of my job, is it?”
“I know. It’s not our department’s work.”
“Then why me?”
“You’re the only one without tasks right now.”
“Even so, having me handle something I don’t know well...”
“It’s not difficult. And once you finish, I’ll approve a day off tomorrow, so just come in the day after.”
Taking a paid day off was tempting. The issue was whether I had to do this specific task, but wasn’t that just how company work went?
“Sigh, alright. So what do I need to do at the Cheongju Factory?”
“Just take what they give you to the National Institute of Scientific Research for analysis.”
“That’s all?”
“Yeah, I’m counting on you. They said it’s something new for our feed, and they need to check if it’s safe for dogs and cats.”
Adding something new wasn’t unusual. But the unclear composition made one thing come to mind.
Is it something from inside a gate?
That’s what I thought.
“It’s not dangerous or anything, right?”
“They’ll seal it safely, so no worries. Still, don’t open it on your own.”
“Got it.”
Suspecting it was a gate-sourced material piqued my curiosity too. So I took the job. Refusing an order from above would hurt my performance review anyway.
“Alright, just handle that, and the results will come back to the company. Take the day off.”
“Yes, sir.”
Was “take the day off” sounding like self-quarantine just my imagination? Anyway, I got ready to head out.
Nyaang.
The problem was this guy. Hoya was safe going out with me—of course, safe for me and Hoya. Anyone or anything picking a fight with Hoya could be in serious danger. One nyang-punch sent that huge wolf flying; a fragile human body would go straight to the afterlife in one hit.
So I debated taking him. Then I decided.
“Hoya, stay home. Dad’s gotta go to work, earn money, and buy you something tasty.”
Nyaang.
I’d put real thought into it, but Hoya didn’t care one bit. I’d worried for nothing. Watching him climb the cat tower with an utterly bored look, I refilled his food and water before heading out.
The drive to Cheongju wasn’t long. No traffic, so I arrived right around lunchtime.
“Ah, you’re from headquarters, right?”
“Yes, Choi Si-woo.”
“Cheongju Factory Manager Kim Taek-su.”
We exchanged greetings and business cards. Purely professional, as expected.
“Haven’t eaten yet? Our cafeteria food is great.”
“Really? Mind if I join?”
“Of course.”
The factory manager was a cheerful guy. Over lunch, I learned he genuinely loved dogs and cats, pouring his heart into their food. Something I could learn from.
“Enjoy the meal?”
“Yes, delicious.”
“Haha, good. Shall we head to the samples?”
“Yeah, I’ve been curious.”
“You won’t be disappointed.”
Following his lead, I reached the samples. And the “sample” was a massive chicken—twice the size of a normal one.
“This is...”
“Yes, the sample in question.”
I stared at the chicken. Its feathers were pure white, like the breed called White Leghorn.
Observation skill used.
Chicken from the Brann region, and it greatly aids stamina recovery. Explained why the company wanted it in feed—probably for therapeutic pet food.
“Hmm, doesn’t look too special, aside from the size.”
“Right. And it tastes amazing.”
“You ate it without testing the components?”
He laughed. “My friend’s a gate owner. Raised on his gate’s farm. Hunters love it as an ingredient.”
“Gate-produced, huh?”
“Yep.”
That explained how it ended up here as a sample. His friend ran a poultry farm inside a gate—stable supply.
“Are there non-Earthlings living in that gate too?”
I asked out of curiosity. He smiled. “Gates are other worlds—air, water, food. Why not people? Though my friend hasn’t met any yet.”
No official records of contact with otherworlders. Officially. But did they really not exist? Otherworlds might have non-human natives. Still, I figured they did. Though not in my gate—that tiny island wasn’t ideal.
Anyway, fascinating. Trying gate-produced chicken in feed.
“But the cost? Gate stuff’s pricey.”
“More than regular chicken, sure. But for therapeutic feed, if effective, people will pay.”
True. What’s hardest about pets? Shedding? Cleanup? Tough, but health is killer. Vet bills are brutal—no insurance like ours. One illness could cost hundreds of thousands of won. Many pet owners have separate “pet medical” savings.
I remembered the huge vet bills when my parents’ dog passed. Pets can’t say they’re sick, and most hide it. By the time owners notice, it’s often serious.
So if feed aided recovery—even if pricier—owners would buy. I would.
“Got it. Alive, right?”
“Yes, special cage. Basic checks like radiation done—no danger.”
I knew that—already used Observation. No issue transporting. My SUV fit a pair easily.
“I’ll head up then.”
“Hope the tests go well.”
“Me too. I have a cat.”
“Haha, me too—fellow guardian.”
“See you next time.”
“Drive safe.”
After goodbyes, I drove to the National Institute of Scientific Research.
The institute handled tons of gate-sourced plants, animals, minerals from everywhere. Most passed fine—gate products were popular, per the researcher.
I knew that. Island boar, wolves, rainbow fish—delicious.
Dropped off the Brann Chickens, updated the company, then swung by Seon-woo’s before home. For bow mods.
“Don’t shoot people with this, okay?”
“Crazy bastard, you think I would?”
“True, you’re not that crazy.”
“So I’m crazy, just not that much?”
“Didn’t you know? You’re a bit nuts.”
“First time hearing it so straight—flustering.”
“Kekeke. Like you ever cared.”
He really thought I was mildly insane. Probably my Calmness skill. No panic in situations that’d freak others out.
“Anyway, found Hoya.”
“What? For real? Where?”
“Came back on his own.”
“Whoa, nuts. Owner and cat both... Glad, though. First and last time I saw you freak was when Hoya vanished after we met.”
Yeah. Even Calmness couldn’t handle losing family. If it leveled up, would I stay calm then? Random thought.
“So you’re half-human now.”
“Half’s still admitting the other half’s not?”
“Nitpicking, sheesh. What about this?”
“This?”
Seon-woo showed a smallish bow. Nothing special—why ask?
“Looks plain, but it’s a gakgung. Made from gate materials. Custom order.”
“Gakgung? Joseon’s secret weapon? Wasn’t it discontinued?”
“Restored, apparently. Custom. Want one? 300.”
Sparta-worthy price.
“Let’s smoke outside.”
I nodded, followed him out. He lit up.
“Gate?”
After a moment, “Yeah.”
“What’s it like?”
“Small island. Nothing epic. Some animals, fishing.”
“Nice. Keep it secret. No more store visits—order by phone.”
I stared at him. Then it happened.
Observation skill used.