Chapter 55
Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: A Crooked First Button
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Gates connect to some place beyond Earth.
A place where humans can survive, no less.
That was the info Jang Ho-seop had pieced together after days of asking about gates.
But it didn't guarantee safety.
Just like how there are parts of Earth where humans can't set foot.
So the moment we stepped through the gate, I quickly scanned our surroundings.
Even though Jang Ho-seop had used Gate Scout, things could have changed in the meantime.
A forest, and the temperature's mild.
Fresh air filled my nostrils.
It was a lush forest teeming with massive trees.
I extended Target Detection as far as it would go. No immediate threats seemed to be around, so I turned my head.
"Ah..."
And that's when I realized it.
We'd overlooked a variable.
"Kyaa... Mmph."
I shot my hand out fast.
Seeing Yu-na's eyes widen, I clamped my hand over her mouth.
"Shh."
We were both buck naked.
Our clothes, weapons, and all the gear we'd packed so carefully—gone.
A quick look around turned up nothing.
"Quiet."
Yu-na's eyes darted up and down in panic.
I released my hand once she nodded.
"S-sorry."
She realized her mistake and apologized right away.
She covered her key areas with both hands.
Like that'll do much.
I stood tall, unashamed.
Showing off our bare bodies wasn't the issue right now.
I needed to check the system message and figure out our next move.
"Incoming."
"Huh?"
But there was no time for that.
Two presences pinged at the edge of my Target Detection.
They were approaching slowly, hesitantly, like they were on guard.
Guess they heard Yu-na scream.
Low chance it was monsters.
The two presences varied greatly in strength.
"Up there."
I pointed to a nearby tree.
A massive, straight trunk of one.
Thick branches stretched out high above human reach.
"O-okay."
She pressed her back against the tree.
I laced my fingers and lowered my hands for her to step into.
"Ugh..."
She knew what to do but was embarrassed.
I got it, but no choice.
Yu-na steeled herself and charged at me.
Dynamic as hell.
I didn't take my eyes off her movements.
Thud.
Heavier than expected.
But she leaped off perfectly and grabbed the branch.
I looked up to confirm she was climbing safely.
"I'll... ah."
Yu-na sprawled on the branch and reached down for me.
Thud thud thud.
I backed up for a running start and vaulted up onto the branch solo.
I settled ahead of her.
"Feels like people."
"Yeah."
We whispered and watched the direction of the presences.
We were far from the ground.
Unless they looked up, low odds of spotting us.
Rustle.
Moments later.
As expected, two humans emerged.
Both guys...
One in his twenties, the other forties, by the look.
Didn't look all that different from us.
And they were naked too.
They crouched behind bushes, peering at the clearing where we'd been.
"Nobody there."
"Nah, I heard something..."
Their voices carried.
"Must've been nothing. Gate sent two people."
"Maybe locals..."
They dropped their guard quick and stepped out.
Didn't spot us holding our breath.
"Anyway, where to now..."
That's when they came right under us.
Whoosh.
I dropped.
Landed on the stronger one's head—the younger guy.
Crunch.
The instant my knee smashed his skull.
"Gaaah!"
Yu-na's water arrow nailed the middle-aged guy's shoulder.
I rushed in and punched his jaw.
Thud.
Both down.
Didn't even get a skill off.
The young one was stronger than Yu-na.
Middle-aged around late level 10.
Nice chunk of EXP.
"Come on down."
I said while extracting mana stones.
No other presences on Target Detection.
"Okay... um, mister."
"Yeah."
"How do I..."
She looked down.
Face red, hesitating.
"Might hurt if I jump..."
Human bodies are fragile.
Yu-na's stats had improved with levels, but not to my level.
Branch was damn high.
Climbing down a straight trunk bare would risk injury too.
"Hold on."
Finished extracting from the young guy and stood.
Arms out.
"I'll catch you. Jump."
Can't risk even minor injuries.
"Huh? No, that's..."
"It's fine. I gauged it earlier."
"Gauged what?"
"Your weight's catchable. Jump."
My guess was spot on.
"You're like 60 kilos or..."
"Waaah!"
Was trying to reassure her with the estimate.
She just leaped.
"Wait..."
Hanging first then dropping would've been safer.
Anyway, arms up high, caught her.
Fell back, cushioned the impact best I could.
Crash.
We tumbled safely, me breaking her fall.
She ended up straddling me.
"You hurt?"
"I-I'm fine. You?"
Ground was soft-ish dirt.
But felt a small rock or something in my back.
"I'm good. Stop yelling, and quit apologizing."
"Ah... sorry."
She couldn't meet my eyes.
Face redder than before.
Skin-to-skin contact was extensive.
Visuals too.
"Ready to get up?"
"Y-yeah! Sorry. Huh?"
Same for me.
Her scent and soft skin triggered the natural response.
"What the... uh... I mean."
She tried shifting off and brushed it accidentally.
I glanced down instinctively and saw.
"No way, that's too big... I mean! I didn't see anything!"
She covered her face with both hands.
"Physiology. And keep your voice down."
I answered flatly.
Saw a tiny gap between her fingers but said nothing.
Checked the system message and started moving.
【Outskirts of Ratsilva】
📍 Mission:
[1. Find the Prophet and fulfill her request.]
[2. Secure the Energy Stone.]
🎁 Reward: Given upon completion.
⏰ Time Limit: Ten days.
Gates can be cleared and closed.
Success brings appropriate rewards.
One reason I entered this gate.
Not just fear of collapse.
"Mister, it won't be that hard, right?"
I led the way.
Yu-na stuck close.
I tried not to look at her.
Made walking awkward.
"Not sure, but probably."
Our gate knowledge was equal.
'Yellow's the lowest difficulty. Green next.'
Jang Ho-seop's words via his Fundamental Skill.
Gate color determines difficulty.
Issue: no precise criteria.
Guess based on environment, monsters, mission combined.
"Yeah. Senior said we'd be overkill..."
One more thing.
Yellow easier than green, sure—but between gates.
This one's specifics unknown.
System vague, apparently.
"Don't get cocky. Stay alert."
"Got it."
Soon out of the forest.
Starting point showed a break ahead, so headed there.
"Over there..."
"Yeah. Let's check that house."
Vast fields.
Uniform crops, unknown type.
One isolated house.
Stone wall, wooden build.
"Looks lived-in."
"Yeah."
Peeked over the wall.
Well inside, lots of flowers.
No clothes, sadly.
"I'll go in alone."
"Okay."
Left Yu-na, opened the flimsy gate.
Stepped into the yard.
Creeeak.
Front door swung open. Plump middle-aged woman emerged.
"......"
I stood there exposed like a flasher.
Her hair was light brown.
Features Western.
Similar humans, at least.
Gestured briefly.
Sorry, can I have clothes?
She watched my flailing, then spoke.
"You mute or something?"
Fluent Korean, shockingly natural.
The woman who'd asked if I was mute introduced herself as the Prophet.
Without prompting.
She'd expected us.
"Come to think, those guys earlier."
"Yeah."
Inside the Prophet's house now.
Yu-na too.
Gotten used to it?
She whispered in my ear, pressed close—chest touching.
"Didn't look Korean."
"Nope."
Hadn't dwelled then.
Open gate trait.
Not one Earth gate linked here.
Open gates connect full worlds; multiple gates can link one spot.
Possible to meet someone from the other side of Earth here.
Figured those two came via different Korean gates.
"Chinese maybe? Language barrier solved, anyway."
Miraculous.
Set aside how; accept it.
Focus on the Prophet staring us down.
"Mandy! Why're you always so slow?"
She yelled without looking away.
Another person here.
Pale, skinny woman climbed from basement.
Mandy handed us clothes with a grim face.
"Thanks."
"No need. She's a slave. Clothes are from me."
Prophet unnamed.
Fussy personality.
"Ah, yes. Thank you. I'll wear 'em."
Slipped on the sack-like garb.
Over head, tie at waist.
Rough fabric.
But better than nothing.
"Tch, rookies of all things..."
Sat across small table from Prophet.
Yu-na fiddled with her hem—chest uncomfortable.
Prophet muttered nonstop.
Rookies meant us.
Eyed us like primitives.
Stopped when Mandy brought teapot and cups.
Crabby or kind...?
Gauged local civ from house and women.
Ambiguous.
Medieval Europe vibe, but hygiene top-notch.
Soap scent on clothes; slave Mandy clean.
Carpeted floor.
Ceiling bulb-like, unknown light source.
"What's with the staring?"
"Just curious."
"Ugh... the rest?"
Served tea.
Aromatic.
"Supposed to be six. Why just two?"
Her question confirmed.
Those two I killed also gate-sent here.
They'd mentioned it.
"Ah..."
Yu-na murmured softly.
Had to answer.
"Two dead. Two unknown."
"You've got killer vibe. Why kill 'em?"
"They came at us first."
True.
Self-defense.
Proper clothes, they might've been allies.
"Should've been six. What went wrong..."
This gate meant for six.
Prophet pondered alone.
"Got the revelation, can't be helped. I'll explain, but..."
Done thinking, spoke.
"You got revelation too. Give up."
Straight to conclusion.
"Two's impossible. Sit tight and go home."
Made my blood boil.