Kim Gunwoo and Baekdusan Guild (2)
The old man waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need for that. I came myself."
Everyone in Baekdusan Guild was stunned by the sudden appearance of the old man and backed away from him.
Some ignored his wrinkled, aged face and turned back to Kim Gunwoo and Guild Master Kang Taehyuk.
Others were overwhelmed by the faint aura radiating from him and took a step back, their hands twitching as if ready to draw weapons at any moment.
Only Kim Gunwoo, who knew the old man's true identity, was horrified and slowly opened his mouth.
"M... Mordane-nim? What are you doing here...?"
「There was a command from the master. Bringing you here against your will would be too much of a burden, so he told me to handle the gate quickly and bring you back.」
"Ha Yuna-nim really said that? Oh my, I can't believe it..."
Kim Gunwoo scratched his ear, trying to confirm if he had heard correctly, and asked Mordane again.
The guild members were once again shocked by Kim Gunwoo's reaction.
"What? Our Baekdusan Guild's top guy, Kim Gunwoo, is completely cowering before this old man?"
"The guy who has something to say to the guild master is now terrified?"
"Wait, he said 'Ha Yuna-nim' just now? Who is Ha Yuna?"
The guild members' murmurs grew louder.
"Is it that NecroEmpress or something using some online handle?"
"Who's the NecroEmpress?"
"I don't know, but there's a newbie awakened recently, and Kim Gunwoo got scolded by that guy and got his ass kicked."
The light-hearted atmosphere that had been flowing like a joke started to turn strangely.
Some guild members laughed mockingly, while others looked at Mordane with uneasy eyes and took a step back.
At that moment,
"Guild Master, should we just leave him here?"
One of the expedition members quietly asked Guild Master Kang Taehyuk, who was observing the situation from the side.
Taehyuk didn't give a direct answer to the guild member's question, crossed his arms, and stared straight at Mordane.
The old man's appearance was that of a decrepit magician.
A robe dragging to his waist, thin hands, wrinkled face.
But the aura emanating from the staff he lightly held was an indescribable kind of danger.
It was similar to the feeling he had when he met the owner of the British Magic Tower, Clea Raine, the strongest S-rank hunter in the UK, during the SS-rank gate disaster two years ago.
More precisely, it was a hundred times more dangerous aura.
After much thought, Taehyuk stepped forward.
"Excuse me, but I have one question."
「Speak, young human.」
"......"
His action was quite rude, but Taehyuk's expression didn't waver.
As an experienced hunter, he was neither arrogant nor subservient.
"I don't know who you are, but if you intend to interfere with our Baekdusan Guild's expedition operation, you should explain yourself."
"......"
The moment the words ended, the air around them felt as if it had turned cold.
Mordane slowly raised his head.
His light brown eyes burned with black flames.
He spoke one word at a time, like needles.
「I am Mordane. The faithful grand mage and left arm of the Elder Lich who reigns over Barzena. One who gazed upon the 9th circle beyond the 8th circle of glory's era. The black flame sage who turned Barzena into a desert and a graveyard.」
The guild members' expressions froze.
Not a single breath was heard.
「The master said that since Kim Gunwoo is performing the gate expedition, if I bring him here without reason, it would cause trouble for the guild. So, I am to handle the gate and bring Kim Gunwoo back.」
And as if adding, he finished.
「So... keep your mouth shut and follow me. If you talk too much, my patience will run out.」
The moment his words ended.
Puaaahaaaa—!!
Unrestrained immense magic power burst from his body.
The pressure felt like being crushed in a sea thousands of meters deep.
It suffocated, squeezed the lungs, and flipped the heart upside down.
Some guild members sat down on their knees.
Only Kim Gunwoo, who was not affected by his magic power, shouted.
"It's okay!! Don't resist at all!! Just follow. If you listen well, these people won't harm anyone!!"
"Guh..."
Taehyuk also gritted his teeth and nodded.
"Very well. I'll leave the expedition to your method. But guarantee the survival of all our members. Only that condition."
Mordane didn't nod or answer.
He just moved.
To the desert terrain where the gate was open.
Upon entering, vast sand seas and split red cliffs unfolded before their eyes.
The wind wasn't blowing, but sand dust was swirling.
Mordane stopped for a moment.
"......Looking at the scenery here, it reminds me of the desert kingdom of Kalita in the Barzena continent. There, instead of the sun, there were blades. There was a blue sky, but no one looked up. There was water, but a river flowed mixed with blood and turned black-red."
Kim Gunwoo cautiously asked, glancing at the situation.
"Is this a story from the war with the master?"
「Yes. All humans in Kalita knelt before the master. With joy. With fear. Or... with overwhelming reverence.」
"......"
The air became quiet for a moment.
But the sentiment was short-lived.
Mordane lightly raised his staff.
「I'll end it right away. Since it's an A+ rank gate, I expected it to be somewhat manageable... but I'm quite disappointed. Come out, fragments of the stars. Sky's punishment. Meteor shower.」
The sky tore open.
Huge fireballs of dozens of meters in diameter rained down like a storm.
Boom—!
Kwaaahaaaaang—!!!
The desert ground shook, sandstorms swirled, and the terrain was completely overturned.
The medium boss that was supposed to appear, the giant sand scorpion cluster in the desert, and the core boss of the gate, the giant worm.
All those monsters failed to even appear and were wiped out.
After confirming that all living beings in the area had died, Mordane slowly lowered his staff.
As if just dusting off a speck of dust.
「The cleanup seems neat. Now, let's go back. The master is sleeping, but it would be better to hurry.」
"Understood. Let's go right away!"
Kim Gunwoo watched the back of Mordane leaving through the exit gate that had appeared first, then turned his head.
The Baekdusan guild members watching the situation from behind didn't say a word.
They couldn't even open their mouths.
It was an incredibly shocking and unbelievable scene.
An S-rank hunter had to risk his life for an A+ rank gate, and it was ended in just one minute with a few magic spells?
Was this even possible?
Everyone thought the same.
And only Kim Gunwoo shouted with a voice full of resentment, as if his grievance had finally been resolved.
"Now you believe me, right? I said once that I got caught by a group of monsters, not just one, but more than five of them!"
"......"
"Now you get it? If I hadn't interfered, the first to fourth expedition teams of Baekdusan, over 200 people, and even our proud S-rank hunter Guild Master Kang Taehyuk would have been killed in an instant!!"
Taehyuk looked at him with a wry smile.
"Hah... I don't understand what situation this is, but one thing is for sure, thanks to you, Kim Gunwoo, I survived."
"I'm glad you understood now. Then, I'll be going.
Please gather the magic stones and loot before the gate completely closes.
Mordane-nim's share probably won't be needed. Since they have such outstanding abilities... Please deposit exactly my share."
Kim Gunwoo turned around without looking back and went out through the gate first.
And the entire Baekdusan guild members, watching his back with vacant eyes, soon silently began gathering the loot.
***
"Already out? Why did it take so long to talk?"
"Haha, sorry. I had to calm my nerves and also gather the loot from the gate."
Kim Gunwoo, who was preparing the teleportation magic, glanced at Mordane and asked cautiously.
"By any chance, does Ha Yuna-nim need compensation for this gate expedition? Since Mordane-nim handled everything, even if not all, at least half should be taken."
"Half? Why half?"
"Well... since the gate ownership was bought by Baekdusan Guild, you know... haha.
Of course, it's meaningless talk to Ha Yuna-nim and Mordane-nim, but according to hunter law, all loot from the gate except 10% belongs to the guild."
"Hmm... I see?"
After hearing Kim Gunwoo's explanation, Mordane sent a telepathy magic to his master Ha Yuna, who was probably sleeping soundly by now.
And after receiving the answer from her explaining the current situation and what to do, he looked back at Kim Gunwoo and answered.
「No need for gate compensation. He said to consider the 2 million won I borrowed as paid. Is that okay?」
"Wow, that's enough. 2 million? With the minimum 1 billion from this expedition reward, I can even give you my full share!"
"Hah, your flattery skills are quite impressive. Keep it up like this in the future. Although the master's personality seems harsh, if you listen well, she'll take care of everything."
"I'll do my best!!"
「Good. Then, let's head back to the officetel.」