Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Land of Distrust (8)
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"You did it perfectly. No need for improvements."
"...Why are you suddenly acting like this?"
"Like what?"
"Why are you suddenly touching me and gazing so warmly? It's making me uncomfortable."
It was laughable coming from none other than Geon-ju. Just a moment ago, he'd been trying to fluster me with that strangely sweet tone, and now that I was treating him well, he was on guard like crazy. Was there ever such a selectively cat-like guy?
No, this was more like a fox.
But what did it matter? If he had the skills, that was all that counted. Sa-yoon, steeped in ability-supremacist thinking, just chuckled lightly.
"Does treating you well need a reason?"
"Don't say it so romantically. The mood isn't right for that."
"Fine, fine."
Whether he pulled a reluctant face, felt burdened, stared at me like I was crazy, or looked at me with those odd eyes—it was none of my concern.
Sa-yoon's mind was solely focused on getting this cutie out of the gate quickly and dragging him to the next one.
"You've taken down three, so take a short break. I'll handle half of them and come back."
"Huh?"
"After you rest, we can move right away and clear it fast. Looking at your speed, with a bit more adaptation, we could clear in under 20 hours."
"Pardon?"
"Go up there and rest. You'll get caught in it and die needlessly."
Sa-yoon pointed to the tree where he'd been sitting earlier, smiling as he said something brutal. Geon-ju blinked vacantly, unable to follow the conversation. Sa-yoon, hating every second wasted, scooped him up without hesitation.
"Ah!"
"Don't fall."
"Are you seriously insane?"
"Yeah, yeah, go sit over there."
"You're really something..."
The same words from that morning whispered out. Taking it as praise, Sa-yoon thanked him and leaped up to the tree, setting him down. Compared to the rough toss earlier, this was courteous and affectionate treatment.
"Call for hyung if it gets dangerous."
"...You know you're unpredictable, right?"
"Who, me?"
"Yes."
"Perfect. I feel the same about you."
"That's not what I meant."
"What else could it mean? Might as well stick close and get to know each other properly. Then we'll both understand one another—one stone, two birds."
And if I make you S-rank, activate The Resistor, and appoint you as a Night Rat executive, it'd be one stone, four birds.
Sa-yoon swallowed the latter part, where his desires shone nakedly. Even in his excitement, he knew saying it now would make Geon-ju wary.
As Sa-yoon packed his words with sincerity, Geon-ju, facing him, twitched his lips and pinched his brow. He sighed and waved him off—a signal to go finish the job and come back. Satisfied, Sa-yoon jumped down from the tree.
Then, he unleashed the suppressed frost energy without restraint.
Shhh...
A chilling aura spread rapidly from Sa-yoon's feet across the gate. The expansion was fierce. By the time the ground was not just frozen but blanketed in white snow, Sa-yoon's eyes turned blue.
Kwajik!
A hundred spears erupted from the frozen earth, impaling plants, flowers, and animals alike. In an instant, the beautiful garden turned into a wailing garden of screams.
-Kieeeek!
-Kiaaaah!
-Kroaaar!
Palshilokus cries echoed from everywhere. He'd aimed for half of the hundred hits, but apparently more were correct—around sixty burst out.
"That's a bit much."
He'd meant to leave some for Geon-ju, but he'd called too many. Recognizing the excess, Sa-yoon decided to hold back next time and flicked his fingers.
Pook!
-Kiiiii...
Spears rose from the ground, piercing the hearts of all sixty Palshilokus. No need to demonstrate tactics this time—quick and decisive was efficient.
Kugung, thung, thung.
The Palshilokus collapsed everywhere, shaking the earth. Falling simultaneously, it felt like an earthquake.
With the ground rumbling this much, there would be reactions.
Judging the time right and sensing massive vibrations from deep below—over thirty Crezia Worms incoming—Sa-yoon amplified the frost energy further.
Jjeojjeok.
The whole world froze. Everywhere except where Sa-yoon and Geon-ju stood was mercilessly encased in ice. Snow finally fell from the sky. As the world turned entirely white, massive maggots surged from the ground.
—Grroooar!
The momentum was good, but their lives wouldn't last.
Kaduk, kadduduk—
The Crezia Worms froze solid the moment they emerged.
One, two, three, four.
Each one that surfaced stiffened mid-air like ancient beasts preserved in a museum.
A little over forty, huh.
This attack would fill half the quota. Sa-yoon tapped the frozen ground with his shoe heel. Everything iced over shattered with explosive cracks.
With the sharp sound of shattering, monster corpses scattered everywhere.
Ding-ding-ding-ding!
Compared to before, the numbers had shot up. This was Sa-yoon's record in under three minutes. He waited for a few more flying monsters to drop from the sky, hitting 200 flying monster defeats before finally withdrawing the frost energy.
For a moment, reminiscent of the first unraided S-rank gate, 'Frozen Traces of the Ancients and Blazing Flames,' the chill descended—then the area slowly regained its original warmth.
As if time had rewound, flowers bloomed anew on the ground, flying monsters soared in the sky, the snow stopped, and the sun rose.
Geon-ju, witnessing the magical scene firsthand yet unable to believe it, stared at Sa-yoon standing at the center where remnants of frost energy glittered like ice shards, as if entranced.
Sa-yoon, having cleanly wiped out the monsters, wore a satisfied expression. Now he felt relieved.
"......"
"Why the dazed look?"
Returning to Geon-ju's side casually, basking in the thrill, Sa-yoon asked puzzled by his face. Geon-ju shot him a 'you know why' glance before sharply inhaling.
"...You're even stronger than I thought."
"Than you thought? It's just a C-rank gate—if I couldn't handle this much, I couldn't call myself S-rank anywhere."
A space he could clear in five minutes if he wanted. But with Geon-ju there, adjusting to him, Sa-yoon had planned for 20 hours. At his incredulous look, Geon-ju gripped his sword.
"...Just?"
"......?"
"...Will I become as strong as you if I reach S-rank, Guild Leader?"
"You'll be similar. Same rank, after all."
Same rank, different caliber. Swallowing that, Sa-yoon saw Geon-ju's eyes widen at the remaining monster corpses and jump down from the tree.
"Shall we go right away, Guild Leader?"
"Suddenly all sweet now."
"Just... thought I'd show some awe."
The guy who'd been suspicious, guarded, and burdened moments ago was now smiling and calling him warmly.
Sa-yoon was certain: the truly unpredictable one was Geon-ju.
He always called Sa-yoon crazy, but in Sa-yoon's eyes, he was the prime candidate to succeed him as the next madman.
"Your personality has like six sides."
"Pardon?"
"Monologue."
Sa-yoon glanced around the gate after the curt reply and stepped back a couple paces.
"Think of the remaining quota as yours to fill."
"Yes."
"You came here to gain experience, so I'll hang back as much as possible. Call if it's dangerous or tough."
"Yes."
"Speak up if you need anything."
"Yes."
Satisfying.
Pleased with the obedient responses—likely from showing the power gap—Sa-yoon nodded and pushed Geon-ju's back. "Go ahead then."
After a deep breath, he charged at a Palshilokus and began combat.
"Gonna watch till nightfall."
Estimating clear time from remaining quota and Geon-ju's speed, Sa-yoon gazed at the clear sky. Still, under 12 hours seemed feasible.
So he thought.
"It's done."
"...What do I do with you."
"What now?"
This madman Geon-ju had finished in five hours. He started fumbling against one at a time, but after a few, he was pulling four or five at once.
Sa-yoon covered his mouth at the one who'd cleared the gate in a flash.
Impressively done.
Definitely worth keeping forever, turning into a Night Rat executive, and working like a slave. At this level, even if the system activated The Resistor and ordered his death, he'd hesitate a bit.
Overwhelmed by talent lust, Sa-yoon patted the shoulder of Geon-ju, who eyed him suspiciously again.
"Good work."
"...You too, Guild Leader."
He replied awkwardly and hesitantly. Ruffling his hair in praise, Sa-yoon prepared to return— that's when he sensed something off.
Drdrdrdr—
The ground shook. Not like the minor tremors before—this was a roar like a 100-story building stomping around.
At the ominous sound, Sa-yoon whipped his head around.
"What... is that?"
Geon-ju, turning with him, fell silent briefly before murmuring softly. Confirming the sight filling his view, Sa-yoon grimaced fiercely.
"Fuck..."
Why the hell is that here?
He'd completely forgotten amid the pretty boy's good behavior.
That his life was utterly fucked.
"Run."
"Pardon?"
"Run till the gate closes!"
They had to escape that.
Grabbing Geon-ju's arm and yanking him forward, Sa-yoon shoved his back and yelled urgently.