Chapter 34
Yoon Sungjin was honestly pretty shocked at first when he heard the news from Japan. But it was just a simple plan: during the Black Gate episode, he'd score some national pride against China; for the breather episode, against Japan; and later, he'd ramp it up against America or Europe. That's why he made Japan the stage for the protagonist's big moment. Then, bam—just like in that episode, a real gate break exploded in Japan.
What the hell? He panicked for a split second. But once he learned the truth—"Oh, a new gate overlapped with an existing one and caused the break?"—he calmed down. It just reminded him of the drama with Hayunha and Seo Dami before, making him flinch involuntarily.
In Lebalheonda, he'd written it as Japan—arrogant with their "break-free clean record" and all—finally getting their comeuppance from safety complacency. Reality was different, so he figured it wasn't worth worrying about.
"At least no one can accuse me of profiting off real tragedies." He'd written the Japan break before it happened in reality, and the cause was totally different. Plus, the aftermath played out nothing like the novel— the only overlap was the break itself. So against Japan, a nation no Korean could feel good about, he didn't expect the backlash like with the Association scandal or Hayunha episode. Sure enough, reactions were more like "This is wild" or "Just like Mudo-sik Record." Yoon Sungjin took that as a positive sign.
My writing's turning into a meme. What greater honor for an author? Grinning ear to ear, he scrolled through comments and gallery reactions, savoring his happy time.
Amid the comments he was browsing, some had amusing misconceptions. "Not an insider?" Readers mistook him for Association or gate agency staff leaking intel via webnovel. Yoon Sungjin chuckled at their cute worries about him getting reported and arrested. As if writing a novel could land you in jail. Especially since it was pure hunter genre clichés, no leaks. Sure, in a world where hunters were real, it hit different—but a novel was still just a novel. What trouble could come from that? Shrugging it off, he finally stopped lounging in bed and got ready to write.
"What? Spam again...? Nah."
A message popped up. He first thought it was one of those phone sales spams rampant lately with contracts expiring, but no. Glancing over, it was from his publishing management.
Expecting promo stuff, Yoon checked the content—and froze. "Crimson Guild Master is my fan? Wants to meet me? ...For real?" It was genuinely shocking.
Asakura Eri, barely a month into college freshman life, plunged into despair without a chance to enjoy campus. The break in Minagi Prefecture had stripped her of everything: home, school, friends, and her only family.
Of course, she couldn't say for sure her grandmother was gone. But at this rate... After her parents died, Grandma had raised Eri alone. Now, frail and unable to evacuate in time, she was trapped in a city half-swallowed by desert. No word if she lived or died—it drove Eri mad.
"Please, someone... save my grandma!"
She begged nearby hunters, but none stepped up. Not from heartlessness or greed—they just couldn't. With Japan gov scrambling from a once-in-10-years break, Gate Management Agency stuck to outdated manuals: seal the city, process at a snail's pace. Rescue ops stalled; frontline hunters dodged responsibility with platitudes, fearing blame.
Families like Eri fumed. People still survived in that sand-buried city, fighting monsters. She screamed, pleaded, raged—but nothing changed.
"Who asked for cardboard donations? Save my grandma! I'll pay!"
Hiring freelance hunters? Tough. Agency could penalize them later for ignoring orders. Plus, a sick elder surviving a break? Futile effort, they shrugged. As gov hesitated, families burned inside.
Where are all the S-ranks?! The braggarts vanished when needed. Why no S-rank deployment to save people and crush monsters? Korea handled their recent break like a textbook case...
Gate Safety Agency my ass. Grandma...
Tears welling, Eri stared blankly toward the desert-merged city, where her sole family waited.
Deep down, she'd charge in alone if she could. But Eri wasn't that foolish— it'd just add a corpse. Helplessness gnawed deeper.
To this lost girl: "Let me help."
An unexpected savior appeared. Slightly awkward Japanese, but clear. Eri whipped around.
There stood Lee Seoryul, poised to act, awaiting her word.
"You...?"
Hope flickered in Eri's despairing eyes.
"Lee Seoryul. From Korea."
"Lee Seo...yul?"
A Korean here? No news of Japan requesting foreign aid. Perplexed, but Lee cut to the chase.
"One condition."
"Condition? M-money, I—!"
Who cared Korean, Japanese? Anyone stepping up was a godsend. She'd pay any price, even borrow.
"No. I expect compensation, but not cash."
She'd get it once things resolved anyway.
"Asakura Eri, right?"
"Y-yes? How do you know my name...?"
"Minagi native, Hanao University freshman."
"Wh-what? Stalker?"
Personal details spilling from a stranger chilled her. Lee smiled, satisfied—she'd found her target.
You might think face alone, but Lee remembered Eri near death, exploited by Japan gov, post-"raid." Not this fresh-faced version. Needed cross-checks—nailed it.
"I'll rescue your grandma on one condition: immigrate to Korea. Work under me."
"Huh?"
Out-of-left-field demand stunned her.
"It's a scout. I'll cover immigration costs, settlement support. Oh, Grandma too."
"Wh-what...?"
Eri couldn't grasp it. What do I have? Gate studies, sure—but average co-ed. Why recruit with immigration?
Guild? Gov? Motive unclear.
"Details later. Time's critical—yes or no."
Golden hour passed. Every second spiked death odds—no time for chit-chat.
"Yes! Immigration, whatever—save my grandma!"
Eri yelled, resolute. Lee nodded, relief evident.
"Contract sealed. No backing out later."
"I won't."
Truth: Japan repulsed her now. Friends, home—buried in sand. Grandma's fate uncertain. Why honor a promise? But this hunter saw value unknown to Eri. If I save Grandma... even just confirm if she's alive. Anywhere—Korea, China—I'll go a hundred times.
Mistake or hidden worth, Eri seized the chance.