Chapter 52
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Strategy Guide a Massive Hit!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next day.
Led by Jeong Inhyuk, the four who had received orders from Choi Geonwoo gathered in front of the guild headquarters, dark circles drooping all the way down to their cheekbones.
Jeong Inhyuk, who was essentially the leader, glanced around at his party members.
Seeing they were all in the same boat, he let out a hollow smile and asked,
"...Did you all memorize it?"
"Yeah, somehow."
"Honestly, I couldn't memorize it all. There's just too much."
"Tell me about it. Who the hell gave that crap to the Master...?"
It was the kind of line that would earn you a beatdown if said in front of Choi Geonwoo.
But for Lee Yejeong, whose hot date with her boyfriend had been ruined by that damn stack of papers, it was laced with pure venom.
"Well, at least he promised generous vacation time and bonuses once it's done. And the work itself isn't that hard."
"True."
It wasn't like they were being dragged into high-level gate raids.
What Choi Geonwoo had requested was simple.
Read this strategy guide and explore as many gates as possible based on its contents.
In other words, the gate's rank didn't matter much.
But for this party, all four B-Rank Hunters and fairly strong ones at that,
too low-rank gates wouldn't even need the guide.
So he'd added that they should aim for at least Contamination Gates.
Though even Contamination Gates were a cakewalk for these four.
"Let's just get going. Where to first?"
"Shouldn't we start with Erosion Gates at least?"
"Not a bad idea. Anything lower is basically a playground."
"Master said no need for Collapse Gates or higher, so yeah..."
Having made up their minds, the four checked the status board right away.
And headed to the nearest Erosion Gate.
"Going in?"
"Okay."
As they stepped through the rippling gate,
their vision flipped in an instant, revealing a new landscape.
Like an apocalypse backdrop.
Ashen modern buildings towered around them.
Dead earth and eerie silence were all that remained.
"First time seeing a place like this."
"Yeah."
Even for these seasoned veterans, it was a new gate type.
So despite knowing it wasn't high-rank, they couldn't help feeling a bit tense.
"Huh? Wait, isn't this one of the places from the strategy guide?"
"Oh, right. Feels familiar."
While scouting the area, Lee Yejeong recalled what she'd crammed last night.
The other three nodded in unison.
No photos or images, so they had to infer from the descriptions.
But ruined cityscapes, towering giant trees, etc.
There were plenty of details pointing to this spot.
"'Ashen City'? Monsters: zombies, animals and humans turned monstrous, and caution with mana use. Possible mana backlash?"
"Mana backlash? Isn't that a gimmick from top-tier gates?"
Mana backlash.
A rare gate phenomenon barely even discovered yet.
Exactly as it sounds: using mana causes it to backflow and wreck your body.
So rare even these vets had never experienced it.
"Who knows. Could be a mistake. For now, minimize mana use. Scout first."
At the leader Jeong Inhyuk's words, they all reined in their mana.
And slowly stepped into the dark alleys.
"Wait. Didn't it say to be careful in alleys?"
"In alleys?"
"Yeah. Ambush monsters might appear, so watch surroundings..."
"I'll activate detection skill. Hold on."
Kang Seoyeon, the mage and party supporter, raised her staff.
The moment she drew up mana to expand her detection range—
"Kek!"
"W-What?! Hey, Kang Seoyeon! What's wrong all of a sudden?!"
Kang Seoyeon spewed blood and collapsed mid-cast.
Lee Yejeong rushed over, checking her condition frantically.
Then.
- Keeeeek!
"Argh!"
A grotesque four-legged monster lurking in the alley shadows launched itself at the frontliner, Jeong Inhyuk.
"You fucking bastard!"
Crunch!
Thankfully, leaving Kang Seoyeon to Lee Yejeong,
Yoo Taehyun kept his cool and charged, slicing clean through the monster's body with his greatsword.
A split second later, and those saw-like front claws would've peeled Jeong Inhyuk's face off.
"Crazy... Thanks."
"No problem."
This was the terror of gates.
No matter how strong the hunter,
one single moment of carelessness could kill you without warning.
Jeong Inhyuk felt the hairs on his body stand on end, the fear hitting him fresh.
"Hah, huff...!"
"Seoyeon, you okay? Coming to?"
"Y-Yeah. Good thing I didn't use much mana. That's why it was just this bad."
Kang Seoyeon regained consciousness late,
and the four halted for a moment.
One figure flashed through all their minds.
"...That strategy guide was legit, huh?"
Amid the silent party,
Yoo Taehyun muttered softly, and Jeong Inhyuk spat back bluntly.
"Think it'd be fake?"
"Hey, be real—you guys didn't fully buy it either. Even if it was from the Master..."
"...Fair."
But he had no comeback to that.
Not just him—Kang Seoyeon and Lee Yejeong too.
All four had tried memorizing the guide,
but not because they believed it.
Just because the guild master ordered it, like cramming for school homework.
Gates having strategy guides? Absurd.
But just once.
One single experience was enough to shatter their skepticism.
"For now, let's follow the guide. Slowly. These guys are mostly weak to fire, right?"
"Yeah. But zombies are weak to water."
"Then Seoyeon, you support with water magic mainly. Yejeong, you back up with fire."
"Got it."
No longer half-joking like before entry,
they completely reset their mindset, assigned roles, and only then pressed forward.
"This is insane..."
After a week of explorations like that.
They were convinced.
The guide's creator was a god.
"Nom nom nom..."
"Looks like it's to your taste, Master."
As I devoured the braised chicken deliciously, Han Yuseol smiled faintly, pleased.
Cheeks puffed full of food,
I nodded vigorously.
"Yes! It's good. Unlike last time, it's not too spicy."
"I ordered mild on purpose. Still looks a bit spicy to you?"
"J-Just a little...? But I can eat it fine like this."
Not sure if it's the chili powder or what,
but there's a slight spicy kick.
Still, a sip of water clears it right up. Pretty good.
"Next time, I'll get the kid-friendly mild version."
"Ugh, I'm not a kid..."
Feels like she's underestimating me, kinda weird mood.
But secretly, I'd prefer even less spice,
so I nodded approvingly.
"By the way, it's been a week already, and no word from Titan."
"Yeah, maybe it wasn't as effective as hoped?"
"Possible. The gates we scouted aren't the whole world."
"Right..."
True, but hearing the cold reality stings a bit.
We worked so hard on it.
Scouting nearly 20 gates a day.
Han Yuseol even cut sleep to compile it.
Is this approach just impossible?
I saw game strategy videos on places like Mitube,
so I figured it'd be similar.
"But it's too early to judge. The world will recognize your efforts weren't in vain someday."
"Yuseol..."
"Yes, Master."
I stared blankly at her,
and she met my eyes with a proud expression.
"What's 'sokdan' mean?"
"Pardon?"
"First time hearing it."
"...Simply put, it means it's too early to give up."
"Oh."
That's what it meant.
Thought we got duped or something. Phew, good.
"If you're that curious, why not call after lunch?"
"W-Wouldn't that be a bother? Maybe they're silent 'cause it's useless..."
Saying it direct would be awkward.
Could be Choi Geonwoo's consideration.
"No. Even if so, we need details. You plan to keep updating these guides, right?"
"Yeah?"
Wasn't made for validation anyway.
Just from news or rumors,
some hunter died, nearly died in a gate from this-that.
Every time, I wished people could navigate gates safer.
Even if no big impact now,
stack info steadily, it'll help eventually.
Planning to continue awhile, if not too burdensome for Han Yuseol.
"But are you okay, Yuseol? You've been swamped lately because of this..."
"Yes, I'm fine. Worry about yourself, Master. During peak scouting, you crashed without even washing."
"Ehehe..."
I let out an embarrassed chuckle.
I know I should brush teeth, wash face properly.
But flop on bed after coming home, and sleep takes over.
"Still, it's fine. The reason I wanted to be a hunter since way back was to help people, like you do, Yuseol."
"Like me... you say?"
"Yeah. Saw you on the news, thought you were so cool."
"O-Overpraise."
Whoa.
Han Yuseol embarrassed? Weak to compliments?
"So I'll make more. Someday it'll help... Huh?"
"What's wrong?"
"Got a call. Uncle?"
Mid-sentence, sudden call made me tilt my head.
What's up with Choi Geonwoo?
Oh, maybe calling out of guilt, to say something nice?
"H-Hello?"
Nervous, I answered carefully.
A heavy voice came through.
- Sorry. Late reply. Just got reports from guild members and finished sorting.
"Oh, no. Um, how'd the strategy guide...?"
Useless after all?
Sad, but I'd accept it.
Braced, waiting for Choi Geonwoo's words.
- Insane.
"Y-Yes...?!"
Sudden curse startled me.
Too rough for the Choi Geonwoo I knew.
Then a short 'pfft' chuckle,
back to the calm voice I knew.
- Their reports were long-winded, so that's their summary.
"Huh? So the guide...?"
- Massive hit. Thanks for entrusting us with such a treasure.
"Wheeeee!"
Hearing the answer I'd hoped for,
I shot both arms up without thinking.
Han Yuseol must've guessed from my reaction.
Our eyes met, and she smiled with her eyes, nodding.
"Congratulations, Master."
"Hehe...!"
Not my achievement—we did it together.
First success as Hayang Guild duo.
Boss!
Five chocolate milks here, please!
Gonna chug 'em and snore like a bear tonight!