Chapter 6
Chapter 6
After summarizing the fact that they had both returned to the past, the two of them began making plans.
“So, what do we do now? Even if we save the team, there are way too many disasters coming.”
Lan’s words were correct.
Just preventing the deaths of their teammates wouldn’t be enough for long. So, for a more long-term goal:
“We need to find the humanoid Gate.”
The humanoid Gate that could release all the other Gates sealed in the future. A being indistinguishable from a human.
In their previous life, not even the three major companies could capture one. But to prevent destruction, they had to somehow contain the humanoid Gate.
“As expected… we don’t even know exactly when it first appeared. Sigh, looks like we’re going to have to work hard.”
Lan got up from the bed and waved her hand.
“So, the big goal is to find the humanoid Gate. I’ll watch my dad so he doesn’t suddenly disappear. If he’s around, finding the humanoid Gate should be easier, right?”
“Probably.”
Having one more S-rank Hunter was an incredibly powerful asset.
Conversely, it explained why Zenis had collapsed so suddenly in their previous life—the sudden disappearance of one S-rank Hunter.
“Then I’ll go keep an eye on my dad. Your teammates seem to be in the room next door.”
Lan waved gently and left the hospital room.
Soon after, Aren got up as well.
There was no need to lie in bed just for some IV nutrients. He walked to the adjacent room to see the future he had directly changed.
In Aren’s memory, Gate Management Team 3 had not left much of an impression.
He had only been part of the team for about ten months during its weakest period. Naturally, their tasks had been simple, so his memories were fuzzy except for the final moments.
“Hahaha! That’s why I flipped the wild boar over in one move and knocked it out!”
“Eek… Are you talking about the wild boar or the monster?”
“Of course it was the monster, the monster! Lua, you could knock out a real boar with just a flick!”
This scene felt strange.
Arthur lay in bed with his arm in a cast, recounting his tales of glory, while trainee Lua listened with sparkling eyes.
Eric, the senior who had heard these stories many times, frowned.
“Team leader, Aren’s here.”
Seeing Aren at the door, they all let out a sigh of relief.
“Oh! Aren’s here? Are you okay?”
Arthur waved his casted arm.
“Ah, Aren agent!”
Lua rushed over as if tending to a patient, adjusting his IV.
“You’re okay? I heard your mana level dropped below ten percent.”
Even Eric’s expressionless face showed concern.
It all felt awkward.
These were people who could have died at any moment. Emotional exchanges weren’t expected; focus was always on completing missions. Yet, the atmosphere in Gate Management Team 3 felt like family.
“Yes, I’m fine. A low mana level doesn’t necessarily mean danger.”
Aren nodded to Eric and Lua’s concern before approaching the team leader.
“Are you okay, sir?”
Though he asked, the team leader didn’t look okay at all.
The cast covering his entire arm wasn’t ordinary. It was specially made by the Equipment Supply Team to prevent mana from leaking.
Once bitten by a mana-eating monster, he’d have to wear that cast until he died, replacing it periodically.
“Of course I’m okay! Aren saved me, so there’s no reason not to be.”
But Arthur’s smile was refreshing.
The team leader remembered in Aren’s memory had been a stubborn man who trusted only his own experience. But this middle-aged man in front of him seemed completely at ease.
“Well, they say Hunter activities will be difficult from now on. Still, it’s fortunate you survived, isn’t it?”
Though predictable, hearing it from the person themselves felt bitter.
“Hehe, I’m fine, why the long face? I couldn’t say it back then because I was too distracted, but really, thank you, Aren! I didn’t know you were that strong!”
The team leader cheerfully expressed his gratitude. Lua and Eric followed suit.
“Yes, thank you so much, Aren agent! I was relieved thinking it was a safe mission, but a D-rank monster just popped out!”
Lua repeatedly bowed, showing intense gratitude.
“I still have four younger siblings to support at home. If it weren’t for Aren agent, I would’ve definitely died inside the Gate…!”
Before returning to the past, Lua had been torn apart by mana-eating monsters. What happened to her siblings then?
‘Better not think about it.’
He closed and opened his eyes to avoid dwelling on the lost past.
“Thanks to you, I survived.”
Eric expressed his gratitude simply.
“Your mana condensation wasn’t at the E-rank Hunter level. Where did you learn that?”
He had always been strict, but now his eyes showed mild curiosity and caution.
“I never really learned it formally.”
If you survive life-threatening situations repeatedly for ten years, you naturally become stronger. Aren couldn’t exactly say that, so he gave a roundabout answer.
“I see. I didn’t expect you to teach it easily.”
Eric seemed to suspect Aren was hiding something, but he didn’t press further.
Being thanked by those he had personally saved felt strange.
‘I’ve always been the only one who survived.’
Aren had always survived alone in the field, even apologizing at funerals. When the world collapsed, he couldn’t even hold proper funerals.
Hearing thanks directly from those he saved in the past was special.
‘Is this why I returned?’
Aren felt a sense of fulfillment from this new experience.
Amid the warm conversations, the team leader finally brought up work.
“The seeds Aren mentioned that we need to find inside GT-078? They’ve already found several. The research team is like a festival, a real festival.”
He sounded disappointed that he had only just learned about it.
“We have treasures like this on our team, and we’re only finding out now? Aren, how did you know how to handle mana-eating monsters, and how do you even know which trees grow monsters?”
Just as Aren was about to answer:
“You probably read the manual diligently.”
Eric took the line.
“…Yes, I referred to the manual.”
“Hmm.”
His gaze showed suspicion, but he seemed willing not to pry if Aren didn’t explain first.
“When will the Gate rankings be adjusted?”
“Already upgraded to E-rank, I heard. The plan to release them to the general population was canceled.”
“Do things usually move this fast?”
This wasn’t when Lan was at the president’s seat. There should have been procedures, yet within half a day, the ranks were adjusted?
“This time, the president’s daughter strongly suggested it.”
“Ah.”
Now Aren understood. Lan was also a time-returner. Starting with her position as the president’s daughter, she had every reason to intervene in the slow system.
“But Aren, I saw you seemed close with Lan earlier. What’s your relationship?”
Arthur asked slyly, and suddenly the other two team members turned to look at Aren as well.
They had been peeling fruit and looking out the window just moments ago, but now curiosity about Aren and Lan’s relationship was clear.
It made sense—they were just an agent and the president’s daughter; such interactions were rare.
“Cl…close? Not really. Just acquaintances.”
He had almost said ‘friend’ but quickly corrected himself. They were secret friends when alone, but calling her that in front of the team wasn’t appropriate.
Aren didn’t want too much attention, as it could interfere with work or draw the current president’s scrutiny.
“Ah, just acquaintances? You even ran all the way from the containment facility?”
“She seems motivated after entering Zenis today.”
“Hmm… I thought she was worried about Aren.”
The team leader tilted his head, trying to read the situation. Perhaps a hint of romance across social boundaries? Aren’s expression hadn’t changed, and Lan’s strong will in requesting the Gate ranking adjustment seemed genuine.
“Looks like the mana IVs are done. I’ll go first.”
“Yeah, you worked the hardest today. Go rest.”
Pretending to finish the IVs, Aren slipped out of the room. Watching him leave, Lua muttered quietly:
“What exactly is your relationship…?”
After visiting the team leader and finishing all the mana IVs, Aren’s first day of returning to the past was a success. Lan’s involvement had also ensured the Gate ranking adjustment went quickly.
Aren went to the dorm provided by the company and flopped onto the bed.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve been here.’
When with Lan, he had mostly slept on the sofa in the president’s office. Looking back, he had slept in a bed sometimes.
Feeling the comfort after so long, he was still a little awkward when suddenly a message popped up:
-01X-XXXX-XXXX: What are you doing?
It was an unknown number. Aren had no one else to contact, so he almost ignored it.
-01X-XXXX-XXXX: I found your number from your agent profile.
-01X-XXXX-XXXX: We already knew each other before returning to the past, so this should be fine, right?
He couldn’t ignore it.
Aren: Lan?
01X-XXXX-XXXX: Yep, it’s me!
Aren was dumbfounded at her audacity. He immediately saved her number and replied:
Aren: What do you mean “fine”? Can the president’s daughter just dig up agent info?
Lan: It’s not like I found something you didn’t know. Lan: Besides, what secrets do we even have? We returned together.
Aren: Don’t mention returning in messages, who knows who might see.
Lan: Eek, so strict. Fine then. (OK emoji reluctantly)
During the messages, Aren grew curious.
Aren: So why are you suddenly contacting me? Emergency?
Naturally, his mind assumed something urgent.
Lan: Emergency? What emergency?
Lan: I just wanted to have dinner together.
She contacted him for something incredibly ordinary.
Lan: Can you talk now?
Aren: …Yes.
As soon as he said yes, she called.
“Hello?”
[Aren, where are you? I checked the infirmary and you were already gone.]
“Company dorm.”
[You haven’t had dinner yet, right? Come to the lobby. Let’s eat something delicious before the world ends. You’ll regret it later if you don’t.]
“You talk as if the world’s ending…”
Aren laughed awkwardly and got ready to go. Eating only canned food after the world’s collapse would be miserable.
As he opened the door:
[Also, earlier you told your teammates we’re just acquaintances? Not friends?]
He shivered, momentarily freezing.
“You said you don’t bug the agents with listening devices. How did you find out so fast?”
[Why would I need one? Word spread fast anyway. Let’s meet and talk! I’m waiting in the lobby.]
Click.
The call ended.
Before opening the door, Aren’s mind raced:
His teammates talk too much. The rumor already spread. And Lan is waiting in the lobby.
She’ll probably wave happily as soon as she sees him. Then the rumors will spread even more.
He hadn’t wanted to stand out.
“Too late, I guess.”
Ever since Lan had sprinted from the containment facility, it seemed quietly blending into company life was impossible.