Chapter 35

The next morning dawned.

While packing for Paju with help from Hemo's delicate frond-like hands, my gaze drifted to the phone propped up on GripTok.

Ha, haha.

"Looks like things are falling into place."

Hemo wagged its fins in eager agreement before stashing three sheets of Eternal Pact Contract inside its body.

"Ah, don't store the potion ring—hand it over."

I slipped it onto my ring finger like it was made for it.

"All set. Let's go, Hemo."

I boarded an intercity bus to Paju. Originally planned to go with my brother, but he had to drop his niece off at daycare first. Instant understanding.

Naeuni is absolute dignity.

I was lost in a daze, arm propped on the bus window, when a text came in.

A smile tugged at my lips.

I tapped out a reply.

After that, it was all empty flattery about auras and such. Seemed like the uncle was more anxious than I was.

The media had hyped up the Greenbelt Gate warnings so much.

No wonder he's worried.

Even in my past life, the Greenbelt Gate had turned the Paju area into a wasteland. The exact cause? Failure to clear it within the time limit, triggering a Gate Break.

From memory, the golden window was about three days.

72 hours.

Paju stays safe only if the Greenbelt Gate closes within that.

The uncertainty inside the gate is the real worry.

Because there were only two survivors.

And one of them...

I'd seen a brief article: that hunter had taken their own life. The Greenbelt Gate's aftermath was brutal, but the trauma from inside was worse.

Oddly, despite all that, the gate's rank wasn't sky-high.

Association's initial measurement: C- grade.

Even after the Gate Break, precise scans pegged it at C+.

Not just about raw combat power, then.

Abyss Gates usually close after defeating the boss monster inside.

But exceptions exist. Not ∅∅-grade, but some demand unique gimmicks.

Greenbelt Gate's probably one of those.

"Whew."

Tension's building.

Keep that healthy edge—better than getting cocky.

Complacency kills faster than arrhythmia, even if it squeezes your veins tight.

Ding!

Hm? Who now?

"Always with the..."

My college buddy acts cold, but the heart's warm.

Yesterday, ahead of the big event, I fueled up at his shop—and man, the worry in his eyes.

I'd run up a tab on purpose, as a promise to return.

Pfft.

I'd previewed it already, so I powered off the phone. The screen went dark, immediately spitting out more texts.

"First time out of town in ages, and I'm just staring at my phone."

Right, Hemo?

〔……. …….〕

I ignored the slime's scornful gaze.

Propping my chin, I stared at the sky beyond the window.

Cirrus clouds drifted lazily.

So peaceful.

Somehow, a good feeling about this.

Whoosh!

"..."

Stepping off the bus at the site, a downpour hit. The sky had been clear just moments ago—like a lie.

Don't even think about good luck, idiot.

With my minus-44 Luck, wishes are wasted.

Wait, no rain in the Paju forecast?

That's why it's pouring?

Just deepens my distrust of broadcasters. Half-resigned, I pulled a folding umbrella from my inner pocket and popped it open.

Too bulky? I'm the owner of a Red Slime.

Hemo's been fed steady blood, turning it into a backpack-sized storage space!

Thanks to you, prep's perfect.

Gathering spot's...

Ah, there.

Crowd's buzzing.

I pushed through the rain toward them.

Paju locals hurled anxious glances from beyond the police line.

A jade-green oval rippled on the other side.

Greenbelt Gate.

About thirty hunters already there, most sporting badges embossed with the character for 'North'.

Looked like no more incoming. Aside from me and my brother, nearly all North Ocean Guild.

I flashed my hunter card to the Association staff at the police line.

Quick check, and I was in. That's when my brother—shin guards on—spotted me from the side.

"Star's here?"

"..."

"Sorry."

"You're the star—why you soloing it?"

"Solo hunters are natural loners."

Better alone than with those guys. He mouthed it silently.

North ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ocean hunters tried not to show it, but they were hyper-aware of my brother.

That awkward vibe looks way too guilty.

North Ocean Guild was one of the key players in assassinating Seo Boseok. Circumstantial, but fact.

Now the target joins their gate. Must be uncomfortable.

Look forward to it, friends.

I don't know the exact crisis in Greenbelt Gate. But I can always think of ways to screw you over.

I've run the scenarios endlessly.

I knelt before my brother, tightening the strap on his opposite shin guard.

"Pretty handy."

"Shin guards are basic. I hustled construction sites for living expenses too, same as you."

Lie.

Combat ones differ from daily wear. This skill's from my past life's grind.

I endured hell as a porter.

Hunters have high mortality—barely 40% survival average.

Porters serving them? Unknown.

Hunter society doesn't even track porter deaths. Surviving's a miracle.

I lasted a decade in that harsh world.

Fuel? One thing: scheming payback against those who wrecked my life and loved ones, refining it in my head to endure.

By the end, I was a named porter.

That's probably why that guy noticed me.

Huh?

Speak of the tiger.

As I secured my brother's shin guard, Han Biyeol entered. Our eyes met—his pupils quaked.

I summoned him, but that reaction's gold...

But he wasn't alone.

"Seo Hunter!"

Jeong Hamin, you're eager. Too eager.

"...!!"

Jeong Hamin waved cheerfully, approaching. North Ocean guildies eyed us oddly. R&Y folks looked flustered seeing us close to Seo Boseok's party.

Han Biyeol, though, kept his distance. Inevitable awkwardness with me or my brother.

What even is our deal?

Transcending space-time enmity?

Dizzying.

"Attention!"

Association staff finished grading the Greenbelt Gate. After a brief meeting, they announced before us and the press.

"This gate, dubbed Greenbelt Gate, measures at C-grade."

As expected.

"Huh? Way lower than the news said."

"Yeah..."

Press looked disappointed; locals relieved.

"Not done yet! Pay attention!"

Staff calmed the stir.

"Variables may arise inside! Like the COEX Gate."

"Right, COEX started low too..."

"Thus! After brief consultation, we strongly recommend splitting into two teams for entry!"

Vanguard and rearguard, basically. COEX rank shifted by hunter levels.

Abyss Gates are enigmas. Too many variables. Association must prioritize safety—conservative approach inevitable.

Problem is.

A North Ocean hunter asked a staffer.

"Criteria for vanguard and rearguard?"

"That's... up to the hunters' preference..."

Aha.

Our call.

No one wants vanguard.

Even low rank— who'd volunteer as lab rats?

"We'll take vanguard."

Someone did.

North Ocean's top brass, no less.

"G-Guild master, but—"

Subordinate tried to stop him.

"Snap out of it? Why'd we come guild-wide?"

Namgung Hyunil scowled, right eye covered by an eyepatch.

Younger than expected. First time seeing him in person; mesh eyepatch stood out.

"Th-That's..."

"For Paju citizens' safety. Gate Break fallout could spread north."

Loud and clear, empty words.

"Heard those fake-ass words."

Jeong Hamin sneered, spilling the truth. Gotta envy that R&Y-backed guts right now.

"Thank you, Guild ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠master!"

"We don't care what the media says about North Ocean!"

Locals cheered. Desperate folks—they had to back him, intentions be damned.

My setup, but it still twists my gut.

I looked away.

Association head and Namgung Hyunil exchanged words. Soon, the head approached us.

"North Ocean volunteered for vanguard. Your thoughts?"

"Sounds perfect~!"

Jeong Hamin chimed.

"Too good to be true~ What do you think, Seo Hunter?"

My brother and I exchanged glances.

Two Seo Hunters.

He smiled, nodding to me. I spoke for the brothers.

"We're good."

"Great!"

Relief washed over the head's face.

As rearguard prepped final checks, vanguard filed into the jade gate one by one.

Paju cheers pushed their backs.

"Strangers yapping like they care."

Tch.

Han Biyeol with the needless grumble.

Jeong Hamin grinned slyly.

"Aw, c'mon, Senior."

"You... ugh, forget it. Why tag along and annoy me."

"Wondered what wind blew you to this hellhole! Had to see."

"As if you get it."

...That smug face—what's it hiding?

Keep that mindset and feed me EXP.

Soon, our turn.

Brother and me, R&Y crew.

North Ocean stragglers from vanguard overflow faced the jade gate.

Brother, up front as leader, turned back.

"Shall we?"

I nodded.

Rearguard followed suit, no doubt.

Stepping in behind brother.

Splash.

Soft wrap around my foot.

Mud squelch from rain-soaked earth turned vibrant meadow. Nighttime. I scanned instinctively.

Bushes sprawled ahead. Branches whipped by wind, skeletal rustles. Eerie forest beyond, dominated by a massive tree looming.

Spirit Tree!

The sole Greenbelt survivor ranted till death.

Those frantic words burned in my mind.

Greenbelt survivor didn't fear monsters.

True dread: that colossal tree.

A withered giant that shouldn't stand.

"...Ha."

So it wasn't just 'Spirit Tree'—'Grandmother Tree'.