Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Reversing the Bridge Gate
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“Lee Jiseok, Hunter….”
“Yes.”
“You said you happened to discover Paul Alexis committing an act of terrorism inside the Gate. Why didn’t you report it sooner?”
In the interrogation room, Bureau Chief Baek Youngshin sat across from me and asked.
“If I had told you, would you have arrested the Otherworlders based solely on my word without evidence?”
“Even if we believed you, there wouldn’t have been much we could do. I understand. Sigh….”
Bureau Chief Baek Youngshin looked several years older from the recent stress.
“But the situation isn’t good.”
It was understandable—one lone Hunter had killed a state guest who’d been the focus of the world’s attention.
“I know. But isn’t the evidence sufficient? Proof that they intentionally caused the Gate Break incident. Proof that it would endanger not just Korea, but the entire world.”
Paul’s testimony and the items already provided more than enough information.
“Foreign governments think we’re fabricating the information to monopolize the Otherworlders.”
“Then just release the information we obtained?”
“We did. The problem is they don’t believe it. Or maybe they’re pretending not to. They’re demanding we hand over the items and Paul.”
“That’s for the government to handle. But you’re not closing the Gate?”
“The Gate…. We have to….”
“Then I can go, right?”
Even the Awakening Bureau couldn’t hold me for long. The reason was that Jaein, who understood the item capable of closing Bridge Gates better than anyone, and Nayoung, who could operate the item with her fine mana control, had declared they wouldn’t work while I was detained.
That said, entrusting Paul with operating the Bridge Gate generator would make the government extremely uneasy. If he decided to pull something malicious, it would all be over.
“Yes, you may go. But first, there are a few things I need to tell you. The Awakening Bureau has decided to commend Hunter Lee Jiseok for preventing the disaster. We’ll contact you later with the details.”
Bureau Chief Baek Youngshin closed the file folder in front of him and looked at me.
“Given my position, I’m sorry for saying things you didn’t want to hear. But please know that I, along with many Awakening Bureau officials, are deeply grateful to you, Hunter Lee Jiseok.”
“I know.”
“In recognition of your contributions, we’ll raise your Hunter rank to A-Rank. And finally, Hunter Lee Jiseok. Please… next time, tell us first. We’ll believe you.”
The Director said it almost like he was on the verge of tears. He must really be having a tough time.
“Yes. See you later, Director.”
I stood up from my seat.
* * *
“Oppa!”
Nayoung, who’d been waiting outside, ran over and hugged me as soon as I came out.
“Thanks. For worrying about me.”
“No way! How could I not when you risked your life to protect us!”
Relieved now that I was out, she turned her anger toward the Awakening Bureau.
“It’s fine. The Director was just doing his job.”
“Hyung, if they’d held you a little longer, Noona might’ve stormed in.”
“Hahaha.”
“Hyung, I’m not kidding. She was making plans.”
Sangheon looked serious as I laughed.
“Ahem… Nayoung, you can’t do that.”
Nayoung nodded.
They say good people are scary when angry, and it seems brakes don’t work then either. With my memories of my past life, I could believe she might’ve actually charged in if I’d been held longer.
If that happened, we’d be villains on the run without a doubt. I pictured it in my head—me and Nayoung as this world’s villains, my outfit all dark and villainous.
“Let’s go close the Gate now.”
“Oppa, why are you so gung-ho about it?”
“Hm? About what?”
“You seem overflowing with a sense of mission to save the world.”
“I just want me and the people around me to live happily.”
“You could already live happily with your abilities, even without trying so hard.”
To Nayoung, who didn’t know the future, it might seem that way. I was already an A-Rank Hunter, and Regen, the company I founded, was growing by the day.
But I couldn’t be satisfied here. I mustn’t be. Everything I’d achieved so far was just a sandcastle that could crumble easily before what was to come.
If I hadn’t stopped Helen this time, Earth would have had no future. A single event could lead to that outcome, so I had no choice but to keep moving forward.
“I’ll take it easy from now on.”
I had no intention of talking about the future anyway, so I just brushed it off.
“Jaein-ssi, let’s go close the Gate now.”
“Yes. But let’s not close it.”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
What was this about? I thought I’d explained fully what would happen if we left it open.
“Don’t close it—reverse it.”
“Reverse it?”
“Thanks to Paul explaining how it works, I finished analyzing the item quickly. In theory, we can reverse the one-way Gate from Earth to Tellus into a one-way from Tellus to Earth.”
“Not Tellus monsters coming to us, but Earth monsters going to Tellus? That’s possible?”
“I double- and triple-checked with the Awakening Bureau researchers. It is.”
“That would… greatly reduce the burden on our side’s Gates.”
“Exactly. And Tellus will be busy too, so it’ll reduce any potential additional threats from them.”
“But if we reverse it, won’t they just reverse it back?”
“They can’t without the item. According to Paul, there are no more space teleportation mages left—especially no master-level ones who can create items or spells like this. He said even Helen just got lucky.”
Jaein’s idea spread, leading to heated debates between the Awakening Bureau and representatives from various countries. Some argued to seal it completely since it was dangerous, while others said we should return the favor since we’d been hit.
Then someone pointed out that closing the door might completely block the path to Tellus. From Earth’s perspective, Tellus was a land of gold. They coveted the advanced magic technology there.
In the end, the decision was to reverse it—ostensibly to protect Earth, but really for profit.
And the day to reverse the Bridge Gate finally arrived.
Among the Bridge Gates scattered across the country, they selected one nearing reset.
Everyone was shocked to learn Helen’s group had tampered with far more Gates than expected. They’d already done much of the work before contacting the Korean government and only approached us themselves to avoid suspicion once they were noticed.
In preparation for Tellus soldiers or monsters possibly emerging from the Gate, Korea’s main forces and two S-Rank Hunters from the World Hunter Alliance participated.
“Excuse me.”
The interpreter approached Bureau Chief Baek Youngshin.
“Our Hunter is asking when we’re starting.”
The interpreter pointed behind him, where Japanese S-Rank Hunter Takahashi stood with his legs crossed.
Covering one eye with his bangs in a look that screamed middle-school syndrome, he had his favorite dual pistols holstered at his waist.
“We’ll start soon.”
The Chief sent the annoying interpreter away and looked at Nayoung.
Nayoung nodded and reached out toward the item placed on the ground.
“I’m starting.”
Mana spun out like thread and connected to the item.
Now I could see it. Before, it was invisible, but after Paul’s explanation and days of training, I could see the flow of mana.
We’d figured out mana operation methods from Paul and taught them to dozens of Hunters, but only Nayoung, Jaein, and Hunter Jeong Minki could control mana precisely enough to adjust the Bridge Gate generator.
Including me, a few other Hunters could crudely emit mana or energy, but not as finely as a thread.
Earth and Tellus had different mana densities. Paul said people raised in high-mana environments had different internal structures and aptitudes. More research was needed.
In the end, of the three with mana control, Hunter Jeong Minki was needed for escort, and Jaein was excluded due to low mana quantity. Nayoung, who fit the mission best, ended up operating the item.
Light shot from the activated item and was sucked into the Gate.
Dozens of elite Hunters quietly placed hands on their weapons and watched the Gate.
The Gate rippled greatly once, and the light stopped.
“Did… it work?”
“Nothing seems to have changed?”
The Hunters murmured. The light from the item had stopped, but the Gate’s shape was unchanged.
“It worked. In theory.”
Jaein said confidently.
“One hour until Gate reset, right? If no monsters come out after reset, it’s a success.”
Those who’d been tense waiting for something to happen relaxed at Jaein’s words.
Now they just had to wait an hour.
Then Hunter Jeong Minki approached.
“You fought that elf named Helen?”
“Yes.”
“I heard she’s about S-Rank Hunter level? Impressive to beat an opponent like that.”
“She underestimated me and let her guard down.”
“Drawing out that carelessness is skill too. Very impressive. Want to spar sometime?”
“I’ll pass—I don’t have confidence dodging the sword that cut off a troll’s head.”
“Hmm… Seems like you’ve got more than meets the eye.”
Hunter Jeong Minki stared at my face in a burdensome way.
“Don’t you have a guild? Want to join ours?”
“Rose Guild?”
Some people questioned the name Rose Guild, but it was named after Jeong Minki Hunter’s daughter, Jeong Jangmi. The story of the famous daughter-obsessed Jeong Minki Hunter threatening his comrades that he wouldn’t form the guild without that name was well-known among Hunters.
“Yeah.”
“Hmm… Sorry, but I’ll decline.”
“Why?”
“I already have friends I’m working with.”
I pointed to Nayoung, Sangheon, and Jaein.
“I’ll let all of them join too.”
Hunter Jeong Minki glanced at the three and spoke lightly, like buying something at a convenience store.
“That’s generous.”
“In this day and age, finding work for Hunters isn’t hard. Especially talented ones.”
He must’ve looked into us by now. As Korea’s strongest guild, we’d get top treatment if we joined Rose Guild.
“Still, I’ll pass. I want to move freely.”
Guilds helped with growth in many ways, but I already knew my growth path. With Jaein making items, a guild wasn’t that meaningful.
“If you change your mind, tell me anytime.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Whatever the reason, it wasn’t bad for an S-Rank Hunter to like me.
Suddenly, a memory from my past life surfaced. I hadn’t seen it myself, but I’d heard he fought on the front lines until the end and died a hero’s death. This time, we’d fight together, watch each other’s backs, and both survive.
An hour passed while chatting with everyone.
“Reset countdown. 10… 9… 3… 2… 1!”
The Awakening Bureau official’s countdown ended, but nothing happened. Everyone looked around.
“Did… it succeed?”