The Boss Who Served Us Instant Coffee and a Dire Warning
I thought a phone call would be too long, so Baek the Chairman stopped by my studio apartment.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Thank you.”
The overseas craze for this drink! I mixed up some instant coffee—the product that represents civilization’s triumph—and handed it over.
“Mmm. Delicious.”
“I’ve recently acquired a new ability.”
The Golden Ratio talent lets me perceive the optimal ratio.
I had adjusted the coffee stick to water ratio using the golden proportion.
It had to taste amazing.
Hehe!
The supreme flavor crafted by brains from the top corporations.
Slurp—
After finishing the coffee, I moved on to the main topic.
The whereabouts of Yong Cheonwoo.
“China, right?”
“Yes, that’s likely.”
Since he’s been banned from leaving the country, he’ll have to sneak in.
With flights impossible, he had only three options.
Escape to the old North Korean lands that had become massive infiltration zones.
Or cross the Korea Strait to Japan.
Or cross the Yellow Sea…
“No matter how I think about it, the third one seems most probable.”
The second option isn’t zero possibility either.
But an unmanned island raid with Chinese cooperation crossing the Korea Strait? Unlikely.
“The news is quiet.”
“That matter is classified as top secret.”
“The government must be in a tough spot.”
Across the entire world, fewer than a hundred S-class hunters exist.
After discarding his guild foundations and planning to defect to another country.
“Everything should be fine for now. That’s a relief.”
“Eh. S-class hunter defection is no small deal, right?”
“To the government, it’s a serious issue. But we’re not part of a government agency, are we?”
Ah.
I see.
Chairman, you’re truly terrifying.
“Still, it would be good if we can offer some assistance.”
He said he wouldn’t take responsibility for anything.
But I couldn’t relax, wondering if he’d be satisfied just watching me suck my fingers.
I should at least take on a moral responsibility, right?
“The Rift Bureau has passed on a request regarding this issue.”
Baek the Chairman raised his index finger sharply.
“To promote you as quickly as possible, if feasible.”
Promotion.
This was already after I had mentioned something similar to Isra.
I’d likely max it out before the next review.
The real problem was whether I’d pass the review.
“I can’t guarantee you’ll pass even as an A-class.”
“Don’t worry. Just follow your own hunter pace, Hunter-nim.”
“I’ve been doing the same thing all along.”
“You’re clearly aiming for S-rank. Impressive.”
What?
Why did the conclusion come out like that?
“S-rank is Hunter Park’s identity, isn’t it?”
There was a hint of suspicion in Chairman Baek’s expression—why ask if it was obvious.
If someone saw it, they’d think he was leaving an S-rank at Seungcheon Tower.
“Until just last year, I was a perennial E-class.”
“It’s said that a true dragon needs a long time to stretch its limbs.”
“The Deputy Head of the Household certainly knows his stuff.”
“Patience is a virtue. A Chinese character prepared for my lord?”
Ugh.
This is getting me upset.
If he was trying to assassinate me by making me look bad, half of it had already succeeded.
“So, by passing at this rank, you plan to aim for the next opportunity?”
“That’s correct.”
Don’t gulp down the kimchi soup in one go.
Just interpret it as: don’t worry about the Rift Bureau’s review and handle it at your own pace.
Whether it’ll work or not, I’ll have to humble myself somehow.
“By the way, there’s one more matter to pass on.”
“Is it about the Mir Guild?”
“No, that’s not it. It’s related to the support team.”
“You’ve been through so much helping me out. Sorry about that.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve decided to join you on this Cross Gate expedition.”
Eh.
Really?
“I knew Chairman was amazing, but I never imagined you’d include the support team.”
“I didn’t do it. It was someone else.”
“Then who?”
“The proposal came from the Rift Bureau first.”
Amazing.
I’d heard the Cross Gate’s existence was known to only a tiny fraction of the Rift Bureau’s upper echelons and the top five domestic guilds.
The support team friends have grown enough to be part of that lineup… impossible.
“You’re giving us a lot of consideration.”
“It’s proof of your determination to properly support Hunter Park.”
“Well, it’s comfortable to team up with people who’ve worked with me before.”
The unexpected companion made me feel good.
The support team would handle the parts my familiars couldn’t.
“You’ve been away from home for a long time. Rest well today.”
“Yes.”
I really should rest today.
From tomorrow on, it would be nonstop chaos.
* * *
The next day.
I headed to the Rift Bureau headquarters, the gathering point.
As always, the support team arrived ahead of schedule.
“To go to a place that hasn’t been made public.”
“It’s all thanks to you, big brother.”
“So that’s why it feels like a school trip?”
I thought it would be tense, but it wasn’t at all.
Why so calm when it’s supposedly more dangerous than a gate.
“Because we trust our lord.”
Saying that makes me feel burdened.
“Don’t worry. We’ve trained enough that one person can handle it.”
Isra’s eyes swept over the support team.
Frrr—
The three combat hunters all shuddered at once.
“If even one of you causes trouble, I’ll train you until you scream for mercy.”
“Hiiik!”
“No, I’ll turn you over until you beg to be killed.”
“Kiiiiek!”
“Isra-nim, please show some leniency!”
The support team members’ faces turned deathly pale.
Watching from the side, it was a bit too intense.
Creak!
The large bus that had stopped in front of us as we talked.
A Rift Bureau staff member came out to greet us.
“We’ll move to the destination in this vehicle.”
“Yes.”
“Hanil Blacksmith people, please come in. Ah, there you are.”
Thud-thud—
Two people walked toward us from afar.
As the distance narrowed,
Seongsu took a sharp breath.
“T-t-that, who is that person?”
“Master Han Yohan.”
“You came to bury someone, right?”
Hmm.
The phrase “bury someone” was fresh.
He’d cleanly phrased the story of bringing back one corpse.
“You’re late. The work was delayed.”
Chief Apprentice Nam Jinwoo bowed deeply.
“Ah, it’s fine. We only just got here ourselves.”
“Big brother, who is this person?”
“Master Han Yohan and Chief Apprentice Nam Jinwoo. The Hanil Blacksmith crew.”
“Ah!”
Seongsu’s mouth fell open wide.
The nation’s top blacksmith. No wonder he was surprised.
“Any luggage?”
“We stored it in the inventory.”
Chief Apprentice Nam Jinwoo tapped the document bag in his hand.
It was much smaller than my carry-on.
Of course.
You couldn’t carry heavy stuff like the Gigant Armor every day.
Once worn and moving, the weight and size would prevent boarding the car.
“Let’s go.”
Master Han Yohan squeezed into the large bus.
“Father-in-law is doing that again. Since you’re late, you should apologize.”
Chief Apprentice Nam Jinwoo followed hurriedly.
“So, shall we go too?”
“Yes.”
“It’s scary. That guy.”
“The murderous intent in his eyes. Ugh.”
Even I, who had watched him for months, couldn’t get used to it, and the reaction made sense.
Besides,
Master Han Yohan had no interest in anything outside blacksmithing, making him even easier to misjudge.
The bus that gathered all the passengers then headed straight to the destination.
Whoosh—
The bus was heading to a small mountain at the northern tip of Paju.
It had been an old military facility, its iron plate still marked with the symbol for [Base 62].
“Is that magic?”
The mana wave surrounding the mountain was unusual.
Traces of artificial manipulation.
Thanks to the Origin of Magic and Spirit Eye, I could sense it.
“It doesn’t seem to be for defense.”
“Combining illusion, concealment, and evasion. A complex weave.”
Ingrid had analyzed the entire magic circle just from glancing at it.
“H-how did you do that.”
The Rift Bureau staff member’s eyes trembled.
Our Ingrid is pretty amazing.
“Don’t worry. Nothing to discuss out loud.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Hunter Park.”
Consideration.
The existence of the Cross Gate itself wasn’t public knowledge.
As we entered the magic area, the desolate old military base gave way to its true form.
New buildings that only kept the bones of the old barracks.
Where the howitzers were placed, various stockpiled supplies and magic circles were installed.
[This is rather ugly.]
A discontented thought surfaced.
“Master, why the frown?”
[Precision is lacking. Mana loss is 54%.]
Yes, yes.
Even the Eyes of a Grand Alchemist wouldn’t find it satisfactory.
The problem was that, even with my Golden Ratio ability, there were still gaps I noticed.
When I didn’t have it, it didn’t matter.
But after getting the Golden Ratio, the number of things that caught my eye increased, making it quite uncomfortable.
What could I do?
I had to make do with what I had.
In the center of the old training ground, a blue rift had formed.
“Oh. Hunter Park is here?”
A lively tone.
Familiarity that felt like I’d heard it somewhere.
Turning my head, there was indeed an old acquaintance.
“Chief Jeon Hyeyeon. Long time no see.”
“Wow. You even remember my name?”
“Of course I would.”
The 1st Division Chief of the Counter-Abnormal Bureau, Jeon Hyeyeon.
The highest administrator in charge of clearing up the trap that the Black Sky Society had set for me.
One of the strongest candidates to become Korea’s next S-class hunter.
[Is it correct that the next S-class is you?]
Isra asked via telepathy.
Why?
Unable to speak in front of the person involved, I conveyed my intent with my eyes.
[It seems you’ve already surpassed that realm.]
Surpassed the realm?
Does that mean he’s awakened the Aura Blade usage?
I almost exclaimed at Isra’s words, but swallowed it.
Passing the review meant S-rank was within reach anytime.
“After completing the mission and returning, I’m glad to see you here.”
“We owe you a great debt.”
“There’s no debt. What we do is because Hunter Park has helped us.”
Chief Jeon Hyeyeon smiled brightly, about to continue, but another staff member approached and quietly interjected.
“Division Chief, the Cross Gate entry for Hunter Park and his group is their first time. I need to explain the precautions.”
“I’ll do it. What.”
“Shouldn’t you return to the headquarters?”
“How long does explaining take. Just wait a little longer.”
“Got it.”
Even though I thought it was strange, it was easier for me to listen quietly since I knew the staff.
To summarize the precautions after entering the Cross Gate:
1. Monster respawn is possible in all locations except safe zones.
2. Do not let your guard down if you encounter hunters from other countries.
3. When meeting other races, try to flee if possible.
2 was debatable, but
“Other races?”
The third item surprised me.
“Occasionally, you meet elves or orcs.”
“Weren’t orcs monsters?”
“Besides those that come out of gates, there are also beings with intelligence like us.”
Foreign hunters often clash or cause disputes, but encounters with other races are rare.
It’s said it’s best to avoid them since you’ll never have a good time facing them.
“Good luck.”
“Thank you.”
Beyond the blue rift, what kind of place would it be?
Because of the tension and excitement, strength gathered in my right hand.