Chapter 16
In a real gate break, it's not the scale that matters most—it's the location. Take this example: a Red Gate break in the middle of a desert versus a Green Gate break right in the heart of the city during rush hour. Which one's the bigger catastrophe? Obviously the latter.
This time was no different. Green. Blue. Yellow. Red. Black. Even among these five danger levels from the lowest Green to the highest Black, it was just a Blue Gate that broke. But the moment it happens in the city, "just" doesn't cut it anymore. A Green Gate popping off in a residential street causes pandemonium—what more a Blue? And to top it off, the monsters inside were flying types.
The Hunter Association issued an emergency muster to keep the escaped monsters from scattering everywhere and dispatched hunters to handle the situation with full force.
"How's the civilian evacuation?"
"About 80 percent complete."
"Eighty? Faster than expected."
"Thanks to all the training we've done, and the hunters stepping up more proactively than anticipated. Plus, Crimson Guild's been a huge help, making everything go smoothly."
"Impressive…?"
The on-site commander widened his eyes at the report. Records and memories from the last break two years ago painted a picture of total chaos. But this time, civilians and officials were coordinating seamlessly. It was truly astonishing.
Having experienced the break two years prior firsthand, the commander couldn't hide his surprise. The break preparedness drills he'd dismissed as mere formalities were proving invaluable now, and individual hunters were moving like pros.
You study break response protocols when getting your hunter license, but real incidents show how little that book knowledge helps. So how were the hunters handling this so instinctively? It was baffling.
One of his subordinates spoke up to the bemused commander.
"The mustered hunters mentioned some trending novel lately featured a break. They said it helped, so maybe that's why?"
"A novel? No idea what that's about, but good for them. Anything that gets people aware and prepared is a win."
He found it odd, but whatever the reason, things were going well against a disaster like a gate break. No need to overthink it—the commander issued further orders based on incoming reports.
"Tell Association agents to tighten the encirclement. Leave civilian evac to the guilds, monster sweeps to freelance hunters."
Then they'd gradually close the net, wipe out the monsters including the boss, and call it done. Freelancers just needed to thin the herd without overextending.
Smooth. Incredibly smooth. Casualties are way down compared to two years ago. This could even become a global model for break response.
Watching the situation unfold, the commander pondered.
Crimson Guild's response is unreal. S-rank caliber for sure… no, it's beyond rank. They move like they knew the break was coming. Did they actually predict it?
He stroked his chin, dismissing the impossible thought. But his mind wandered elsewhere.
This break feels off from the start. We've managed gates rigorously since the one two years ago…
As far as he knew, no high-risk gates in the capital were prone to breaking—especially not in Yeonam-gu. The most dangerous there was Blue, and raids were frequent and thorough. So why did it break? And in Crimson Guild territory, no less, where management should've been top-notch.
Questions for later. Right now, prioritize containment and resolution. He was mulling expanding the hunter muster for contingencies when—
"S-Sir!"
"What is it?"
"Just got word from Yeonam High School—a monster breached the grounds…!"
"What?! The barrier?!"
"It's… broken."
"A monster strong enough to smash that…?"
In such crises, schools, government buildings, and guild HQs double as shelters, equipped accordingly—including barriers tough enough for Yellow Gate monsters. For it to shatter?
The world had no absolutes; maybe a barrier-specialized monster. Shoddy construction crossed his mind, but that wasn't the point.
"Contact nearby hunters now! Kids are in danger! Dispatch any available agents too!"
"But sir, if flying types slip through—"
"Then Crimson… damn! They're tapped out too…."
City breaks were a nightmare. Manpower got tied up minimizing spread, creating gaps. If fliers exploited one to hit an un-evacuated area? Catastrophe.
"Muster more hunters stat! Contact guilds—whatever support arrives holds the line while we rush agents!"
No choice now. Pray Yeonam High School held till reinforcements. Everyone at command hoped the shelter endured.
And one hunter answered those prayers.
"Kids!"
"S-Sis?!"
"Sis! What're you doing here…."
F-rank or not, in this moment, Cha Yaeun felt like an S-rank guardian to her siblings.
───────────────
Her little sister Cha Yeryeong. Her little brother Cha Do-eun. Excluding their comatose mother, Cha Yaeun's only family left in the world.
Appearing before the high school twin siblings like a hero in the nick of time, Cha Yaeun was a sight to behold. Not in flashy gear, but wielding a traffic sign, covered in monster fluids and wounds.
Yet to her siblings, who'd thrown herself into the fray to reach them, she was the coolest ever. Her sharp gaze as she dispatched the intruding monster screamed veteran—even if she'd only switched to combatant months ago.
Gates she'd frequented for years as a porter. As the saying goes, even a dog learns the lay of the land after three years at school—how much more a person? She'd absorbed countless hunter fights vicariously, fueling her debut performance now.
"Kids, stay back—it's dangerous."
Reunion joy cut short. Sensing the crowd's presence, more monsters converged on the shelter. Dealing with the intruders wasn't enough.
Time to hold the line solo till backup, replacing the shattered barrier. She wanted to grab her siblings and run, but this was still safest. Deep breath, traffic sign raised, she advanced—like a Jangpanpa warrior blocking the path to Yeonam High School shelter, staring down the horde.
"One way from here on out."
Fueled by resolve to protect her family, vowing never again to weep helplessly, she'd carved her way here. That experience was her growth engine; current Cha Yaeun could hold till help arrived.
Assuming…
"N-No way, the b-boss monster…?"
No curveballs. Regular mobs? No sweat. But the boss? Different story.
Spotting the Blue Gate break's boss approaching, Cha Yaeun broke a cold sweat. Silver lining: minions scattered at its arrival. She wanted to flee too, but instead steeled herself before the broken wall, gripping the sign tight.
Couldn't just say, "My bad, go ahead," right?
I bought time against monsters that pushed back even Crimson Guild. I got this.
No support or buffs like then, but the foe wasn't as fierce. She could do it. Rallying herself, she ignited her fighting spirit.
Ogre opponent… good, one from Lebalheonda. Blend Kim Min's tactics with my style.
Taking the webnovel as gospel, its characters as mentors, Cha Yaeun engaged the ogre. Stall. Swinging the sign like a halberd.
Clash of monster and hunter. The sign, battle-tested en route, smacked the ogre's knee. Boss-class indeed—not splitting its skull like lesser foes, but tough hide shrugged off direct hits like plate armor. The sign crumpled instead; no mana coating meant no real damage.
But stalling over slaying—no mana waste there.
"Tch!"
Switching to blunt impacts on the knee. The ogre swung its massive club, proving it no scarecrow. Slow and telegraphed, but devastating power.
Cha Yaeun dodged swiftly, resetting stance.
Slower than that Bronze Golem!
Compared to cannon-like strikes, this was manageable—a breeze, almost. Powerful, but sluggish.
If only I had proper weapons…
Conditions right, she might've soloed. Confidence surged, battle fervor blazed.
Watch me, author! I'll make it!
Chanting to an absent someone, she focused. And Yoon Sungjin was indeed watching.
"Whew, what a mess. World's too scary outside the blanket. Hope everyone's safe…."
From home, via TV news.