Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: The Chaotic E-Rank Gate Subjugation Operation (1)
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Gate training continued today as well. Ichie, still unable to forget the passion from last weekend, gazed at me with eyes brimming with fervor. Yu-jeong sunbae glanced at her, narrowing her eyes slightly, then turned to me with a smile.
Today was the day we'd accepted a gate subjugation mission. According to the academy's own difficulty rating, it showed a mana index that two Apprentice Hunters and one D-Rank Hunter could handle without issue. Humming a tune, Yu-jeong sunbae said,
"Looks like it's just the three of us today. Subjugation missions can take a while, so go ahead and report to the office that you might not make it to the academy tomorrow, just in case. Even for an E-Rank Gate, clearing it could take the whole day."
"Subjugation, huh. Kinda nerve-wracking."
I'd never done a subjugation mission before. All the academy's previous training tasks had been things like gathering specific minerals or collecting monster hides. Getting a gate subjugation mission out of nowhere was bound to make anyone tense.
Gate subjugation meant taking out the boss maintaining the gate inside and closing it shut.
The safety video we'd seen—where Yu-jeong sunbae and two other D-Rank Hunters got wiped out—had been a subjugation mission too. I shuddered, recalling the hunters getting helplessly torn apart by Jungle Cats. Yu-jeong sunbae said,
"That's how much the academy recognizes your skills, Su-hyeon and Ichie. Truth is, an E-Rank Gate subjugation is basically the final exam for Apprentice Hunters."
"Is it that dangerous?"
Ichie asked. Yu-jeong sunbae shook her head.
"Not really. The safety video was a bit exaggerated. As long as you gear up properly and stay alert, a disaster like that is pretty unlikely. Still, subjugation means dealing with monsters a notch stronger—somewhere between E-Rank and D-Rank—so no room for complacency."
We exchanged glances. Ichie nodded, and Yu-jeong sunbae continued,
"Ichie, since you're a bit fragile, stick behind me. I'll protect you as your senior."
"I'm fine."
Ichie shook her head. Yu-jeong sunbae smiled softly and asked in a low voice,
"Ichie, you can't let pride get in the way like that. Do you have at least basic defensive skills like Su-hyeon? Or are you packing some heavy shield for protection? I'm not teasing or looking down on you. I can tank for you with my auto-regen."
Ichie blinked in surprise at her words. Then she bowed her head slightly and said,
"Sorry."
"No helping it. You're just not as tough."
Ichie looked up again, frowning a little. Yu-jeong sunbae stuck out her tongue playfully and grinned. Ichie tilted her head at the sight, then relaxed her expression and nodded. The two locked eyes and burst into laughter—haha and hoho. They seemed to get along great.
Yu-jeong sunbae grabbed her bag and said,
"Head to the office and get the procedure done for possibly missing tomorrow. The staff there will walk you through it."
Ichie and I nodded and turned away. Yu-jeong sunbae got into the driver's seat with her car keys, leaned back against the headrest, and closed her eyes.
Ding.
We hadn't walked more than a few steps when a text came in. I turned to check it.
[What happened with Ichie?]
Ding.
[Player.]
I pocketed my phone and opened the office door. A weary staffer was tapping away at the computer with bony fingers. I leaned on the desk and said,
"Um, for the academy subjugation mission, we might not make it in tomorrow. They said we need to file the procedure here."
"Go to the kiosk over there, enter your student ID and nickname, and handle it."
The staffer gave curt instructions in a businesslike tone. I nodded and headed to the kiosk. Ichie stood behind me, on tiptoes. I stepped aside so she could see better. The registration was as simple as ordering a burger at a fast-food joint.
Ichie followed my lead, tapping the buttons. A clear chime rang from the staffer's computer. Paper printed out, and the staffer handed us two sheets.
"Here are your confirmation slips. These are just for your records—no need to submit anywhere. Starting this year, you can pull attendance excuses via the app on the pad. Use that next time."
"Got it. Thanks."
The staffer gave a lifeless nod and dove back into work. Ichie examined her paper before pocketing it. I did the same, then told her,
"Gonna hit the bathroom quick."
I slipped into the restroom, sat on the toilet lid, and texted Yu-jeong sunbae.
[Circumstances beyond my control. Sorry, sunbae.]
Saying 'Ichie tied me up, drugged me, and forced herself on me' felt off. To my standard playboy reply, Yu-jeong sunbae texted back simply.
[You loved it.]
I had no comeback. She was right—I had enjoyed it. What guy turns down a beauty confessing her feelings? As I stared at my screen, another text came in.
[Su-hyeon. Free this weekend?]
I nodded instinctively, even without her there, and replied.
[Yes.]
[Then let's meet. I'll show you who's the real catch.]
A shy character emoticon was attached. I gripped my phone tight and stepped out. Ichie was leaning against the wall by the men's room door. I said,
"Let's go."
"Not washing your hands?"
"Oh, right. Sorry."
I startled, gave an awkward laugh, washed up, and came out. I told her,
"I usually do wash."
"Obviously. Su-hyeon, you're super clean and a great guy."
Ichie nodded as she said it. I smiled at her words. Yu-jeong sunbae waved from the parking lot exit, steering with one hand. Spotting her waiting, we hurried over. I took shotgun, Ichie the back. Yu-jeong sunbae suddenly glanced at Ichie.
Ichie tilted her head and asked,
"What?"
"Nothing."
Yu-jeong sunbae turned back to the wheel. I filled her in on the office visit—the kiosk, the app for next time. She looked mildly surprised.
"Really? The app does that now? Haven't touched academy stuff in ages."
"Learned today myself. World's getting convenient."
"You sound like an old man, Su-hyeon."
Technically, my age might qualify. A weird mood hit me, and I made a glum face. Ichie, seeing I'd taken the jab harder than expected, looked flustered and said,
"Just kidding."
"Ichie, don't call guys in their mid-to-late twenties 'old man.' They get super sensitive about age. Even my Black Dragon Clan seniors around your age would rage at songs like 'Around Thirty' or hate being called uncle."
"Really? Did it hurt a lot, Su-hyeon?"
"I'm fine. Drop it."
It actually stung. 'Uncle' was bad enough from other units in the army. Yu-jeong sunbae said,
"Ichie, sticking with that sword as your weapon? No collection teams left yet, so we've got time."
"Collection teams?"
"Remember our past missions? Mining ore inside or harvesting E-Rank monster hides. That's collection teams. Once they're done with the commissioned collection tasks for this E-Rank Gate, we subjugation teams go in and take the boss."
"So incidents like the safety video are super rare?"
"Yeah, slim chance. Collection teams clear it first, and terrain data's recorded too."
I nodded. Ichie eyed Yu-jeong sunbae with interest at the new info. Yu-jeong sunbae shrugged smugly and said,
"Pretty cool, right? I'm super smart."
"Sis is smart."
"Thanks. You're cute too, Ichie."
The two laughed warmly. Yu-jeong sunbae turned to me and asked,
"Gonna need sturdier gear this time. Su-hyeon, what about your spear and shield?"
Previous gate trainings had simple tasks, so we'd just worn protective gear, gone in barehanded, or used cheap wooden weapons and shields. But this subjugation had real difficulty, so we needed durable, long-lasting stuff.
"Oh, yeah. Ordered some yesterday. Should be at the gate site by now."
"Where from?"
"Heard EDF weapons are good, so I got them there. Spears and shields aren't in high demand, surprisingly."
"Nice place. You're handling things solo now, huh, Su-hyeon?"
She stopped at a light and patted my butt demonstratively for Ichie to see. Now that our relationship was out, no holding back. Ichie just nodded calmly, gazing out the window. Gate control tape came into view ahead.
At the tape's center floated the gate entrance—like a sloppy CG slapped into reality, an alien space hovering in midair. The site looked like it had been some shop; the building was half-collapsed.
A few soldiers milled about. Small devices around the flickering gate sparked like stickers glued to thin air. From theory class, those stabilized the gate's unstable coordinates.
Yu-jeong sunbae said,
"Good thing it's on the city outskirts. Downtown gates draw massive crowds."
Faint smoke rose from the ruined shop. With tense faces, we drove on.