The Crimson Pillar and Irresistible Curiosity
I finally understood why we shouldn't close the reverse flow gates. Most people probably saw gates as a money-making tool, but there had to be hunters like Baek Hye-seo with far more important reasons. Preparing for disasters—what a cool, noble cause. That's why Haneul decided against sealing the gate and instead needed to find a way out of the forest to the outside world.
'Tomorrow's me will take care of that.' Of course, it wasn't something for today's Haneul to worry about. With a much lighter heart, she chatted away with Baek Hye-seo. They started with ages, living situations, past jobs, the perks of reaching S-rank... What tempted Haneul most was the Association-provided housing. Country homes or apartments in Gangnam or Seocho, even rooftop rooms—you got to pick. Sure, there were downsides. Gates clustered there, so incidents and accidents were rampant. She explained it felt like they were concentrating high-rank hunters in Gangnam and Seocho to keep things in check. Another plus was tax breaks, but Haneul—who'd never made big money—couldn't fathom how great that was. Taxes ramped up past 500 million won, then spiked again over 2 billion... Baek Hye-seo explained it all diligently, but Haneul's mind was stuffed with visions of country houses, yards, puppies, and kittens.
"...So, Haneul, what kind of Constellation do you like?"
"Doggy?"
"Huh?"
"Slipped out."
Yawning hugely, Haneul pondered what Constellation she'd liked before.
"Nyx is the best, right?"
"...Nyx...? Is, is there a Constellation like that?"
"No?"
"She's definitely in the myths..."
Baek Hye-seo stared into space for a moment, then shook her head.
"Hmm, even my Constellation says he doesn't know."
"Different neighborhoods, I guess."
Judging by the 72 demons, it was Solomon, but he was far from Greek myths. Plus, being human-born, he'd have even less insight into other worlds. Haneul didn't bother mentioning it.
"Different neighborhoods... Haneul, that's such a cute way to put it."
"I am pretty cute."
"Ehehehe..."
Baek Hye-seo let out a weird giggle while hugging Lemegaton. Haneul ignored her, flopping straight onto the bed. Then, as usual, she began sorting through the day's events—her pre-sleep routine. With so many memories and the power of perfect recall, she had to organize them or they'd tangle up.
And so... beyond Haneul's closed eyes, a pond unfurled.
The power of Mnemosyne's 'Memory Pond.' Calling it a pond was generous; what stretched before Haneul was a ceaselessly churning ocean. That showed just how vast her accumulated memories were. So vast that faint traces of her Earth life remained. But viewing them meant crossing this ocean to the farthest, deepest depths. Too bothersome, and she'd seen it once or twice already, so Haneul had no urge to dive in.
Standing leisurely at the water's edge, she skimmed her most recent memories. Then it hit her—the reason she'd met Baek Hye-seo.
"Oh yeah, you wanted me to teach you how to talk to monsters, right? Not beasts, monsters."
"Ah, uh, y-yeah!"
"I'll teach you in ten days."
"Wha—really?!"
"Yeah. In ten days, let's go to the gate where we met. I'll show you there."
"Yes!! Thank you! Really, thank you!!"
Constellation King of Wisdom Who Commands 72 Demons beams broadly, saying it's great.
Constellation King of Wisdom Who Commands 72 Demons vigorously ruffles his apostle's hair.
"Ehehehehe..."
Baek Hye-seo beamed innocently and flopped right onto the floor. No blanket, no pillow—but right now, none of that mattered. Just thinking about learning monster language in ten days made everything feel fluffy, warm, soft, and just plain good. To Haneul, though, she looked pathetic. Thanks to shopping for clothes earlier, Baek Hye-seo wasn't indecently dressed, but sprawling on the floor like that was still pitiful.
In the end, Haneul slyly lifted the blanket and said,
"Hye-seo."
"Y-yeah...?"
"Come in here."
"Ah..."
Hye-seo's golden eyes sparkled.
"I-is that okay...?"
"Totally."
"The bed's not too small...?"
"We're both tiny, so it'll be fine."
"O-okay, then, um... got it..."
After agonizing hesitation, Baek Hye-seo awkwardly crawled onto the bed. For a 29-year-old, it was adorably childish.
"Perfect. Now sleep."
Haneul bundled her up tight in the blanket and patted her back—tap tap.
"Wh-why are you patting me...?"
"To help you sleep fast. Kids fall asleep like this."
Tap tap.
"I'm 29...?"
"Still a kid, then."
Wasn't Haneul 20? Baek Hye-seo wondered if she should pat Haneul back. But that might keep them both awake, so she just closed her eyes.
Tap tap. She'd expected nerves and tension to keep her up, but sleep crept in surprisingly fast.
Tap tap. Because Haneul smelled nice. They used the same shampoo and body wash, so why did it smell so good on her?
'Like laundry dried in the sun...'
Just as Baek Hye-seo's consciousness fully drifted off, a vibration buzzed from the floor—Lemegaton, abandoned when she climbed into bed. Then their phones on the desk blared harsh alarms. Not enough; now sirens wailed wildly outside.
"Eek, what a scare."
Haneul's patting stopped, snapping Baek Hye-seo's eyes open. Haneul might not know, but she did—this racket.
"Haneul!"
Light enveloped Baek Hye-seo. When it faded, she was back in her usual tracksuit.
"Whoa, Hye-seo, total magical girl."
"M-magical girl...? I'm 29!"
"That's why it's perfect."
"Wha—ah, no, that's not the point! Haneul!"
"Yeah?"
"Gate break!"
She'd seen it on the written exam: monsters bursting out from a gate. One of the few Haneul got right, so she remembered. Gate break. Sounded like monsters spilling from an existing gate, but a one-use exit gate spawned anew. So monsters could pop out anywhere, causing massive damage...
"Gasp!"
"We gotta dodge!"
"Why dodge?"
"This neighborhood!"
To think it happened in this quiet area. Definitely dangerous. And super intriguing.
Haneul dashed to the window, raising the blinds. Cramped, buggy, noisy neighbors, poor insulation—but the view was prime.
"Ooh."
Not far off, a vivid oval crimson pillar of light. So bright, dawn sky turned red. Massive too—piercing clouds, straight to the heavens.
Haneul blinked at the intensifying glow.
'Isn't this a safe zone?'
True, even an invincible guy's body got wrecked here. No guarantees.
"They just popping out now?"
"This is the precursor."
Checking her phone, Baek Hye-seo continued.
"Estimated B-rank break... starts in about 19 minutes."
"That's why it's still quiet."
Gate breaks unleash hordes. Her senses should've pinged something, but nothing yet.
"I-it's fine! Don't worry!"
One hand on Lemegaton, the other gripping a dagger, Baek Hye-seo tried for badass.
"I'll protect you, Haneul—just stay by my side."
"Hye-seo, so cool."
"Ehehe... H-hey! I don't need to go out. We can just stay inside."
"Can send summons far?"
"Yeah, even to China or Japan."
"Amazing. Incredible. Awesome."
"Ehehe... thanks."
Grinning goofily, Baek Hye-seo shook her head vigorously.
"B-rank break lasts at least 5 hours, but really, no worries. I'm here."
"But hey."
"Yeah?"
Baek Hye-seo tilted her head, about to nick her hand with the dagger.
"You said gates are trials to raise humans."
"Right?"
"So why does this happen?"
"...Probably 'cause they're unstable—made from shattered world fragments."
Made sense.
"What happens if you enter a gate break spot?"
"...Enter?"
"Can't you go in if it's the same gate?"
"Too many monsters swarming out, and they close on their own if you block 'em. Never thought to enter—might get trapped."
Unlike always-open gates, break gates auto-seal after time. But timing's unpredictable—even A-rank closing in 10 minutes.
Yeah, trapping risk.
"Anyone gotten trapped?"
"...Heard of some. But it's like cruel experiments—records are spotty."
No returnees meant no one knew the internals. That's what she meant.
"Intriguing."
"Don't get curious!"
"Never sent a summon?"
"...One hunter did once. Couldn't summon again after. So I never tried."
Summons come from Constellation powers—immortal like them. Proof: resummon dead ones in battle. Losing one forever? Only same Constellation could do that.
"Gotcha."
Haneul turned back to the crimson pillar. Amid pitch-black night, the soaring oval light resembled a massive pupil. Humans had round ones, but some races had vertical slits. Blood-red, too. Rare and vicious. Evil dragons, demons, evil gods... stuff with "evil" prefixed.
'Super intriguing.'
Haneul did what she wanted, bought what she craved—and satisfied curiosities.
"Whoa... Haneul, whoa..."
Casually, Haneul approached the frame, flung open the window, and leaned out to gaze at the night sky.
"Moon's pretty tonight, clouds all fluffy, great weather... Spring, huh. Cherry blossoms blooming?"
Haneul's so sentimental. But "mungae"? Weird word. Baek Hye-seo looked up.
"...Huh? H-huh?! Haneul!!"
There, far off—Haneul soaring through the night sky.