Queenstown's Dire Gates

Queenstown

The next day.

After having breakfast at the hotel, I visited the New Zealand Hunter Association with Yoo Eunha and sold the mana stones.

I had to have lunch with Lucy Bennett, but there was something I wanted to take care of first.

The Daemyeong Group Chairman… you say?

Yes. I got a call from him last night. He said he wanted to support you and your partner.

That sounds like you didn't hear any specifics.

No. I know the essentials, but…

Lucy Bennett said that as she pulled a thick stack of documents from her drawer.

I've also figured out the background on why you two were suddenly dispatched here.

That's…

I know what you're after. You want us to block or distort the information going to the Korean Hunter Association, right?

She spoke as if she understood completely, then opened her mouth with a serious expression.

If that's what you want, you know you have to hand over the real information to us, of course?

…If you can assure us you'll keep it hidden until the time we want, we can disclose it.

Unlike Korea, the New Zealand Hunter Association is under control.

Even with that response, I said nothing and just stared at Lucy Bennett.

After a long silence, our eyes locked, she finally sighed as if she had no choice and spoke.

It's a fact that won't be announced for a few months, but I'm the next New Zealand Hunter Association Chairman.

…?!

And this is the proof.

As she said that, the tablet she handed over showed a logged-in ID with Association Chairman Proxy privileges.

So, do you believe me now?

…To some extent.

Huh? I feel like I'm still being eyed warily… Am I imagining it?

Lucy Bennett grinned, looking back and forth between me and Yoo Eunha, then spoke with a look of realization.

Relax. Honestly, I do covet you two, but I'm not planning to suggest naturalization or recruitment.

…Then what do you want?

Simple. At least within the limits you can handle, please clear the gates generated in Queenstown.

…Including the S-rank gates?

No. Just up to A-rank. The S-ranks are being handled by other hunters.

I picked up on the political undertones in her mention of other S-rank hunters handling them.

But I didn't need to know the details, so I decided to nail down just one thing.

Understood. Then… can you tell us until when and to what extent you'll hide our information?

However long you want… shall we say?

…

Since you've agreed to our conditions, shouldn't we accommodate yours in return?

I thought for a moment, recalling the lie I'd told Jo Taehun, and spoke.

Jo Taehun believes Yoo Eunha Hunter could tank C-rank monsters even back when she was D-rank.

And?

For now, make her C-rank. And when I return to Korea in a bit, make it B-rank.

…What about you?

I want to stay A-rank until I fully return to Korea.

She smiled softly, said okay, and we moved to the measurement room to gauge our exact ranks.

Hah!

Kuh!

It was proven that Yoo Eunha could easily defend up to A-rank shocks.

I proved I was S-rank by renting an S-rank telekinesis skill.

Wow… You were hiding that you're S-rank?

Yes.

Why? Even the association has to provide conveniences for S-ranks.

Just S-rank isn't enough to push out Jo Taehun.

As I said that and looked at Lucy Bennett, her face stiffened for a brief moment.

She quickly schooled her expression, but it was noticeable enough.

Ah~ So that's the reason?

What other reason did you think?

Hmm…

Lucy Bennett smiled awkwardly, glancing between me and Yoo Eunha, then slightly turned her head as she answered.

I thought you were waiting until Yoo Eunha Hunter became S-rank.

Pardon? No, why would I…

That's why I thought booking two rooms was unnecessary.

…?

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

At first, I didn't understand what Lucy Bennett meant, but seeing Yoo Eunha's flushed face made it click.

…Yoo Eunha Hunter and I are not lovers.

Aha~ Not yet, right? Got it. When you only need one room, just tell the hotel front desk separately.

No, that's not…

Oh right! I booked a hotel in Queenstown too. The Felton Hotel near the airport. I've also reserved a flight so you can head out right away.

Lucy Bennett looked back and forth between us with an expression like she was seeing something adorable, then left after saying, Lunch next time.

…She's a whirlwind.

Is that okay? Now there's a misunderstanding.

Yoo Eunha nodded that it was fine, but her reddening face again suggested otherwise.

Thanks to that, I had to quietly watch her expression until we received her updated license and left.

Han Seojun and Yoo Eunha, correct?

…Yes, that's us. Who are you?

Private driver service booked under Lucy Bennett. I'll take you to the airport.

The middle-aged man said that and guided us to a luxury sedan. We boarded with awkward expressions.

This… was probably booked before she met us, right?

Probably… though it's a bit much.

Wow… I thought this was a service only rich people use…

…?

I felt Yoo Eunha's gaze suddenly and turned, and she tilted her head slightly before speaking.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Come ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to think of it, Senior, you're rich too, aren't you?

From a normal person's view, yes, but compared to hunters, no.

Ah…

High-rank hunters' gear costs billions each.

I had the Ring of Condensation and subspace wallet, but that's just standard for veteran S-rank or higher hunters—they carry three or four each.

And since Eunha Junior doesn't need gear, you'll be plenty rich in time.

By hunter standards?

Yes.

Yoo Eunha snorted with a determined look after hearing me.

I looked at her with an exasperated expression, then turned to look ahead.

First… once we arrive in Queenstown, check the city's situation.

Senior. Didn't Lucy Bennett say it was half-slummed?

…That's what I heard too.

How is this half?

From the plane, Queenstown looked bad, but the city's state on the way to the Hilton Hotel far exceeded expectations.

At least the hotel's intact.

…Looks like we should prioritize closing gates over assessing the situation.

The situation… seems obvious without checking?

You never know. Villains might have taken root.

But you still say gates first, Senior?

Yes.

Queenstown had so many gates left abandoned they were visible from the air.

A few hunters were entering some near major facilities, but that was it.

Eunha Junior.

Yes, Senior.

For now… let's focus on B-rank gates.

For the city's safety?

Yes.

I'd planned to close abandoned B-ranks while gaining exp from A-ranks.

The exp from B-ranks was decent anyway.

If gates chain-break by mistake, the city could vanish.

…Got it.

Yoo Eunha nodded grimly, then suggested closing one today while we were at it.

Good idea, but starting tomorrow, after you close a B-rank, head back to the lodging and rest.

…What about you, Senior?

I'll handle near-break A-ranks solo for a while.

Uh… You sure that's okay?

Yoo Eunha looked openly worried, so I smiled reassuringly.

I'll rent telekinesis for A-rank gates.

Oh! Really?

Yes. After this close call, I'll rent it every gate if possible.

Whoa! Smart thinking! Then I won't worry!

I planned to settle the S-rank telekinesis this time.

I'd waited for SS+ due to skill slot scarcity, but.

For safety, settling a versatile telekinesis skill offensively and defensively is best.

Senior! Where to today then?

Well… it's a bit tricky, so I was pondering.

Huh? Why?

See for yourself.

I showed her my smartphone screen. She muttered something about an app error, looking dumbfounded.

Guess they really are short on hunters.

In Korea, they list monster types and environments too, right?

Yes, all countries do, but… manpower shortage means they only checked ranks.

Aside from rank, only generation date was listed.

Senior. For now… how about the oldest generated gate?

Yes. Let's do that. This one, generated 4 weeks ago.

4 weeks?! That's on the verge of break! Hurry!

Yes. This gate's… over here.

We applied to enter immediately, moved as fast as possible, and arrived at the reserved gate.

No one guarded it, so I ran the association app and logged the entry time myself.

Oh! Senior, can I try attacking this time?

…Test the incomplete aura?

Yes!

Hm… Okay.

If the incomplete aura's power was better than expected, I could tweak plans.

If she could clear B-ranks solo, I could do near-break A-ranks.

Hah!

Yoo Eunha turned away awkwardly, and I sighed, giving her a special order.

Sorry to change my words, but… starting tomorrow, when I go for A-ranks, you go solo on C-ranks.

…Raise the aura's level?

Yes. It's unusable like this.

Okayyy…