Chapter 35
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: The Red Gate on Jeju
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The Hunter Association operated under the command of its ten department heads.
And among those ten department heads, the one most favored to become the next association president was an A-rank hunter known as the "Supreme Commander."
That was Lee Hyun-wook.
"It's been a while, everyone. Has it really been almost six months since we all gathered like this? We're all so busy we hardly see each other, and instead of meeting for good news, here we are again because of something like this."
Lee Hyun-wook's casual banter flowed naturally.
At the same time, his secretary stepped forward and activated the screen door.
"Alright... no need to drag this out. Let me get straight to why I've called you all here—busy team leaders that you are."
Kang Hyuk's eyes gleamed within that space.
After thirty years, he was thrilled to see his benefactor once more.
'Director Lee Hyun-wook. Alongside Association President Kang Cheol-woo, he was the one who helped me the most in the future.'
If Association President Kang Cheol-woo had upheld the association through sheer force, Director Lee Hyun-wook had sustained it with his leadership.
His ability was "Grace of Light."
He was an A-rank hunter with one of the top healer-class abilities, and with the包容力 and leadership befitting that power, he had guided the association's hunters.
'Then he succumbed to some unknown chronic illness... I never imagined I'd meet him again like this.'
As Kang Hyuk murmured to himself and lifted the corner of his mouth, Lee Hyun-wook's secretary flipped to the next screen.
"This is a D-rank gate that appeared in Seogwipo City on Jeju Island. But as you can see on the screen..."
A gruesome scene came into view.
"The red energy surrounding it and the spreading 'mana field' indicate this isn't an ordinary D-rank gate—it's been classified as a Red Gate."
The Geumoreum area, turned into a wasteland by the monsters that had spilled out of the gate, was unrecognizable.
Sighs erupted from the team leaders.
"A D-rank Red Gate? Doesn't that make it practically a C-rank?"
"And looking at it... it seems like it's already evolved into a full C-rank gate?"
The secretary nodded at the question.
"Yes. Based on the mana waves currently emanating from it, it's been judged as a C-rank Red Gate. However... a few days ago, the Harbang Guild, which handles Seogwipo City, attempted an expedition and failed."
"What? Then the Harbang Guild..."
"They're currently out of contact. We're investigating the full details, but... it seems they pushed an expedition recklessly due to their mounting debts and liabilities."
Silence fell with the explanation.
The disappearance of an entire guild responsible for a city was that shocking.
'Even so, total annihilation...?'
'Isn't that one of the top C-rank gates?'
'Looks like the association's taking it on since they're meeting... This could end up being a dogfight.'
As a strange tension filled the conference room, Supreme Commander Lee Hyun-wook clapped his hands.
"Come on, now. Don't frown like that. So, how are we going to resolve this?"
Everyone turned to look at him at the sound of the claps.
"We grow by facing tough, treacherous challenges. So let's turn this crisis into an opportunity."
His words washed away their earlier gloom, igniting a spark in their eyes.
"With that in mind, if we form an official association expedition force, I'll join you. How could I send only you team leaders into such a dangerous place?"
Another round of sighs escaped at Lee Hyun-wook's declaration.
And they thought to themselves.
'If the Supreme Commander is coming...'
'Even an expedition beyond the gate might have zero casualties.'
'With his abilities, it's entirely possible.'
Lee Hyun-wook spoke up again amid the murmurs.
"And there's more good news. This expedition might end up as a joint operation."
"...You mean?"
"Other guilds will join as well. Number one, Tusinjeon, and number two, Arena."
"Ah, you mean Arena and Tusinjeon?"
"Of course, their main forces are deployed overseas, so they can't come. But given it's a Red Gate—one that's evolved to C-rank—they've recognized the severity and expressed willingness to participate."
With that, Lee Hyun-wook smiled.
"In other words, Korea's top elite hunters will gather for this gate expedition."
Eternal Frost, Yoon Han.
He stared at the face of one man broadcasting on TV and muttered.
"Quite the commotion."
He tapped his fingers and turned his gaze to the newly emerged S-rank talent hunter.
Kang Hyuk.
"Quite the commotion indeed."
With that, he recalled.
The mass media in an uproar for days over the same hunter's name.
Internet TV, news, NutTube.
Everywhere he looked, Kang Hyuk's name was inescapable.
Even for an S-rank talent hunter, his D-rank status made the attention astonishing.
But Yoon Han saw it as entirely justified.
The man he'd met in person exuded a magnetic aura that drew eyes even in a report, befitting his S-rank title.
'Even I was captivated by him.'
Yet fate had played a trick—they'd crossed paths as enemies.
For some reason, this S-rank talent hunter, Kang Hyuk, had turned hostile toward him.
So, though he was a rookie he desperately wanted to recruit, now that it was impossible, Yoon Han planned to crush him thoroughly.
'If he grows like this, he'll challenge me before long. Time to curb his momentum now.'
And conveniently.
An opportunity arose.
Recalling the D-rank Red Gate on Jeju Island, Yoon Han summoned Team Leader Yoon Hee-na.
"...Master?"
"Team Leader 1. You'll take command of this D-rank Red Gate."
"Wasn't Team Leader 2 supposed to go?"
"That was the plan. But I've changed my mind."
Yoon Hee-na's eyes widened at his words.
At the same time, Yoon Han's gaze sharpened.
"Go and claim the greatest achievements. Surpassing Tusinjeon and the association."
As the meeting ended and they dispersed,
Lee Hyun-wook called Kang Hyuk aside.
"Hmm... Team Leader 1. This is our first time alone like this, right?"
"Yes, Director."
"About that... how about you and your team sit this expedition out?"
Kang Hyuk's expression hardened at the suggestion.
"We can't leave the entire Gangnam Station unguarded."
But he soon realized the director's intent and murmured to himself.
'He's showing consideration. Or maybe it's an order from the president.'
A D-rank Red Gate was dangerous.
Red Gates could evolve to higher ranks at any moment—even a D-rank could become a B-rank, or worse, an A-rank catastrophe.
'Proof? It's already a C-rank. That's why he's trying to bench me.'
There were only 36 S-rank talents in the world.
And this gate carried the risk of casualties.
If one of those precious 36 died on this mission, the backlash worldwide would be fierce.
'Even without that, he's considering my relative inexperience. But...'
Kang Hyuk had no intention of sitting it out.
The reason was simple.
'Higher-rank gates offer growth proportional to the risk, far faster than lower ones. This could break through my stagnant progress here.'
His growth in the other world was smooth sailing.
But here, it was painfully slow.
Because he couldn't tackle high-rank gates.
This expedition was a chance to accelerate that once more.
Kang Hyuk, unwilling to miss it, slowly spoke up.
"Thank you for the consideration, Director."
"Good, good. We'll aim for the next one. You've got a bright future ahead..."
"But I'll respectfully decline and take only the sentiment."
An unexpected response.
Lee Hyun-wook's eyebrow arched.
"You'll take only the sentiment?"
"This is an all-hands association expedition under your command. Opting out feels like a privilege, and I don't seek privileges."
"...Hmm. If it felt that way, my apologies. No, Team Leader 1, this isn't a privilege—it's a rational, cold assessment."
"If that's your judgment, I have no choice. But personally, I want to join this expedition."
Lee Hyun-wook tilted his head.
"Why?"
"It's a chance to grow stronger."
"A chance to grow... You mean treating this gate expedition as that opportunity?"
"Yes."
"Even if it might kill you?"
Kang Hyuk answered the sharp question without hesitation.
"Precisely because it might kill me, it's the perfect stepping stone for steep growth. And I have the confidence to handle the risks."
"...Haha. What's your basis?"
"My track record so far."
Lee Hyun-wook recalled.
The recent gates resolved under Team Leader 1—Kang Hyuk's command.
'...Not only zero casualties, but he prevented all secondary damage.'
Considering he'd been a hunter for just over three months, it was absurd.
'Even for an S-rank talent.'
And now.
Kang Hyuk cited those absurd feats as his "track record" to justify joining.
"If your decision is truly rational and cold, there's no reason to exclude me. My recent resolutions stand equal to any other team leader's."
Lee Hyun-wook let out a hollow chuckle, pondering.
'The president warned me he had guts...'
Then his eyes gleamed.
'No, this guy's got real grit.'
He tapped his fingers.
'So, what now?'
Normally, Kang Hyuk should sit this out.
S-rank talents were a national asset, not just association.
But hearing the man himself, his resolve wavered.
'Looking at his recent performance, Kang Hyuk—Team Leader 1—feels inadequate. That's why he wants in, like he said.'
This expedition could indeed be a massive growth catalyst, as he claimed.
The otherworld beyond gates held value equal to its dangers.
'Greenhouse flower or field weed...'
After mulling it over, Lee Hyun-wook smiled brightly.
And nodded.
"Fine."
His style leaned toward the latter.
"You'll come on this expedition—but with one condition."
That said, he wouldn't skip insurance.
"You'll stick right by my side the whole time. Understand?"
Kang Hyuk lifted the corner of his mouth.
"Of course, Director."
Afterward, under Supreme Commander Director Lee Hyun-wook's lead, ten teams boarded flights to Jeju Island.
The D-rank Red Gate that appeared in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island.
Now to be called a C-rank Red Gate, this mutant anomaly had drawn Korea's three major forces.
"Whoa."
"Isn't that Team Leader Yoon Hee-na?"
"No way... Seeing Eternal Frost's daughter, the Ice Princess, in person?"
The first to arrive at the airport was Korea's number-two guild, Arena's master Yoon Han's daughter—Yoon Hee-na.
"Whoa... What's with her in real life?"
"She's insanely pretty."
Gates were rare on Jeju, making celebrity hunter sightings uncommon.
Thus, the crowds swarming the airport gasped at Yoon Hee-na.
Following her out was Tusinjeon's 4th Team Leader.
A man rated B-rank talent, hailed as Korea's future.
Jeong Jae-hong pushed up his sunglasses and strode out.
"Whoa!"
"Isn't that Tusinjeon's Blazing Inferno?!"
"Korea's rookie ranking number two!"
If Yoon Hee-na was known for skill, background, and looks, Jeong Jae-hong was a viral superstar.
SNS, personal NutTube, even broadcast TV—he dominated, outshining most idols.
"Oppa--!!"
"One autograph, please!"
His fan club was even in the crowd.
"Ah, man... I don't usually do this."
"P-Please, oppa!! Just once!"
"Tch. Fine. On your clothes it is."
Jeong Jae-hong flashed a sly grin and signed with a flourish.
"Kyaaah!"
The fan shrieked in ecstasy.
Jeong Jae-hong snorted softly.
'Ahh~ Popularity is the best.'
He recalled the recent C-rank Red Gate on Jeju.
It drew the most attention of any incident in Korea.
The Harbang Guild's full disappearance prompted a national advisory for a massive expedition.
'All eyes on Korea.'
This expedition held multiple meanings.
Tusinjeon and Arena.
Tusinjeon ranked higher now, but Arena held first just a year ago.
A gap that could flip anytime.
Contributions here would sway next year's rankings heavily.
'And I can boost my own rank. Perfect timing—no big gates lately, and I was getting antsy.'
Hunter rank signified strength.
Hunter ranking signified value.
Higher rank meant better treatment.
To climb, clear high-difficulty gates like this.
Jeong Jae-hong eyed Yoon Hee-na exiting ahead, glancing sidelong.
'She's a concern, but... whatever. She's no match for me.'
Yoon Hee-na was skilled, but expeditions favored mages with mass AoE spells.
And he was that mage.
'The perfect foil to make me shine.'
He thought of the association joining, then dismissed it.
Their lead was Supreme Commander Lee Hyun-wook.
'Established hunters are boring!'
People craved new heroes.
Fresh thrills.
So, the one to watch was Yoon Hee-na, not Lee Hyun-wook.
'But even she won't shine much here. Heh... Everything's set. I'm the star of this expedition!'
With that conclusion, Jeong Jae-hong adjusted his sunglasses again.
As he waved expertly to the cheering crowd and moved to leave.
"...?"
Sudden silence blanketed the entire airport.
Startled, Jeong Jae-hong slowed, turning his head.
'What the hell?'
The cheers that should have followed him out cut off abruptly.
And the orderly crowd surged toward one spot.
Frowning and crossing his arms, at that moment.
"WAAAAAAAAAAH--!!!!!"
A massive roar shattered the silence, overwhelming his ears.
"Crazy!!!"
"This isn't a dream, right!?"
"He's appearing here?"
Even his fan club was in the frenzy.
Stunned, Jeong Jae-hong focused his gaze.
That instant.
"...!"
He spotted a man walking out of the tollgate.
And Jeong Jae-hong muttered.
"Fucking hell?"