Chapter 21
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Moving Institutions (2)
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Kang Sa-hu's party followed the guidance of the NIS agents.
As they headed to a vast plot of land on the outskirts of Seoul, a large building standing alone beyond the highway came into view.
"This is one of the buildings used by the NIS. Of course, we don't use the entire thing—just a portion of it."
Im Chang-ju, who had introduced himself as an NIS team leader via his business card, explained with a smile.
Bae Deok-ho had been unusually quiet since Im Chang-ju arrived, but the others, tense at the mention of the NIS, didn't notice his odd behavior.
Only Kang Sa-hu found Bae Deok-ho's uncharacteristic demeanor puzzling, but he decided it was better for him to stay silent in this situation and didn't point it out.
Once they were led to a room with a large table and tea was served, Team Leader Im Chang-ju began the conversation in earnest.
"First off, the reason we brought you here is as I mentioned."
Kang Sa-hu nodded.
"I want to hear right away about the information on the prophesied C-rank Gate and what exactly you're proposing to us."
Team Leader Im Chang-ju nodded.
"In that case, let's get straight to the point. What we want is for you to participate in the C-rank Gate hunt. And then compile a report on everything you encounter there."
"...A report?"
Kang Sa-hu had expected a request to join a Gate hunt given that he was a Hunter, but the demand for a report caught him off guard.
"Yes. For now, the highest Gate rank existing worldwide is this upcoming C-rank Gate."
He continued his explanation as he picked up a remote control.
With a few button presses, the framed LED TV on the wall turned on, displaying various materials.
"One in China, one in Russia, and one in the United States were generated. And then..."
With a beep, the remote clicked again, and the screen changed.
Kang Ji-ye, who had been staring blankly at the screen, jolted in surprise at the new image and clung tightly to Lee Yu-rim.
What appeared was a mosaic-free view of countless corpses, with bizarre monsters devouring the bodies greedily while staring right at the camera.
"Excluding the United States, the other two countries failed their Gate hunts, leading to C-rank Gate Breaks."
"W-Wait a minute. I've never heard anything like this. Is that footage real? Or is it a simulation or something?"
Kim Ho-myeong asked in bewilderment, and Team Leader Im Chang-ju gave a wry smile.
"Unfortunately, it's all real footage. And it's no surprise you don't know about it. It's been thoroughly suppressed from leaking to the outside world globally."
"N-No way... What the hell..."
Kim Ho-myeong was flustered at the idea of information being perfectly controlled in the 21st century, with satellites monitoring everywhere and real-time sharing on platforms like NewTube.
But Team Leader Im Chang-ju shrugged.
"It's only natural. Imagine the chaos if that situation got out to the world. In our country alone, people would flock to emigrate to the United States, which has more Hunters and stronger weapons."
Kim Ho-myeong grimaced as he grasped the situation from the explanation.
"On top of that, the Gate Breaks happened in proud nations like China and Russia. Do you think they'd admit to failing a Gate hunt?"
"...They'd chop off the heads of anyone involved to keep it quiet."
Lee Yu-rim responded with sunken eyes.
Team Leader Im Chang-ju gave her a slight bow of thanks before continuing.
"The aftermath of the C-rank Gate Breaks was immense. Confirmed casualties in China alone exceeded 3,500 unofficially, and two major facilities like power plants were destroyed."
Everyone gasped at the unimaginable death toll, and Team Leader Im Chang-ju inwardly smiled with satisfaction, thinking the Hunters now truly grasped the crisis.
However, his relief soon turned to bewilderment at Kang Sa-hu's unchanged, impassive expression despite hearing everything.
'What the hell is he thinking?'
He had shown them this classified material to convey the gravity of the situation, but there was no sign of panic or fear from him—contrary to his plan.
'That poker face is no joke... Or does he not fully understand how serious this is?'
As Team Leader Im Chang-ju stared silently, Kang Sa-hu tilted his head in curiosity.
"Please continue."
"Pardon?"
At his urging to go on, Im Chang-ju and Kang Sa-hu's team members all looked at him in confusion.
"O-Oppa, it seems like you've heard everything already?"
"Yeah. I have."
"Then why do you want to hear more?"
His sister voiced the bewilderment on everyone's behalf, and they were inwardly grateful to her.
Kang Sa-hu answered her flatly.
"I've heard how dangerous the C-rank Gate is, and what the team leader wants from us is to join that dangerous hunt."
"Y-Yeah... that's right?"
"So there should be support and compensation for that."
Everyone's eyes widened in shock at his words.
Kim Ho-myeong with a surprised, unexpected look.
Lee Yu-rim with admiration and respect.
And Bae Deok-ho gazed at Kang Sa-hu with joy and satisfaction before bursting into loud laughter.
"Hahaha! That's our leader!"
Kang Sa-hu stared straight at the flustered Team Leader Im Chang-ju.
"I made two requests: information on the prophesied C-rank Gate and your proposal to us. You haven't mentioned the proposal yet."
"...Understood. Then allow me to explain what we can offer."
He had been momentarily thrown off by Kang Sa-hu's calm reaction, but he quickly composed himself and outlined the benefits the NIS could provide.
There were three benefits in total.
First: free provision of a weapon and armor set crafted by a master artisan.
Second: priority hunting rights for Gates managed by the NIS after clearing this one.
Third: the opportunity to become a secret agent of the national NIS, ensuring stable income and full support.
After hearing all the conditions, Kang Sa-hu pondered deeply, tapping the table with his fingers.
Then, as if finished thinking, he looked up at Team Leader Im Chang-ju.
"If you revise the conditions, we'll participate in the hunt."
"Revise the conditions?"
"Yes. First, provide the weapon and armor, and let us meet the craftsman to choose them ourselves."
Team Leader Im Chang-ju looked flustered, but Kang Sa-hu pressed on.
"For the second condition, specify the ranks, numbers, and party sizes for the priority NIS Gates. And change the third from a job offer to cash or Hunter supplies."
"N-No, you can't just change the conditions like..."
As Team Leader Im Chang-ju started to protest, Kang Sa-hu cut him off gently but firmly.
"The NIS operates in the shadows to protect the light. Correct?"
His mouth shut at the sudden mention of his agency's motto.
"That's why you're here—because even those shadows and lights are at risk of collapse. So give them what they want and need. And above all..."
A faint green and blue glow emanated from Kang Sa-hu's eyes.
"I have no intention of leading my people into a potentially deadly hunt without conditions like these."
"...Hmm."
He couldn't find words to respond to the resolute statement.
The others didn't show it, but they all looked at Kang Sa-hu anew upon hearing him call them 'my people'.
Watching his hesitant reaction, Kang Sa-hu noted his phone vibrating throughout the conversation.
When he checked the screen, there were 27 missed calls and 30 messages.
Narrowing his eyes at the sender's name, Kang Sa-hu spoke.
"You've heard all the conditions. Please think it over and get back to us."
As Kang Sa-hu stood, the others rose with him.
"A-Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I have somewhere to be. We'll be waiting for your response."
With that, he walked out, followed by the rest of the group.
As he passed Team Leader Im Chang-ju, Bae Deok-ho smirked.
"Not so easy, huh? Pretty impressive, right?"
"...So that's why even you, senior, were dragging your feet on this."
"Kekekeke."
Bae Deok-ho slapped Im Chang-ju's shoulder and hurried after the others.
Im Chang-ju watched their retreating figures with a complicated expression.
"Leader, are you really planning to join the hunt?"
Once outside, Kim Ho-myeong asked in confusion.
"You saw it. It's not your average Gate—it's C-rank, the strongest in the world right now. One mistake and we're dead."
"We'll see about the conditions first."
Kang Sa-hu replied flatly.
"And even if we do the hunt, I won't force anyone who objects. This is a life-or-death matter, after all."
"No, I mean... Argh..."
As Kim Ho-myeong scratched his head roughly, Lee Yu-rim jumped in as if waiting.
"I'll follow you, Leader."
"Me too, Leader!"
With Bae Deok-ho chiming in, Kim Ho-myeong grew even more distressed.
"This is life-or-death! How can you decide so easily?!"
"It's not easy, Oppa."
Kang Ji-ye responded to the agonized Kim Ho-myeong.
"The NIS is gathering Hunters like this, so they know how serious it is. Plus, Oppa doesn't make reckless decisions."
"That's...! But still."
Kim Ho-myeong's voice trailed off as he recalled how Kang Sa-hu had meticulously demanded what he wanted even from the NIS representative Im Chang-ju.
Kang Sa-hu, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
"More importantly, from what they showed on TV, a Gate Break would cause massive casualties. I'd guess China and Russia underestimated the C-rank hunt and failed."
"Huh? Why do you think that?"
Kang Ji-ye asked curiously about his speculation, and Kang Sa-hu answered simply.
"If they'd gone all out and still failed, the countries would have collapsed or entered wartime by now."
"...Yeah, that makes sense."
Excluding a handful of weapons like nukes, Hunters were a nation's top forces. If they failed, options were limited.
Abandon the country and flee, or barely hold with war-level combat power.
If they could muster all Hunters, they might block it—but if possible, they would have before the Break.
"And let's head here first."
Kang Sa-hu said, looking at his phone, prompting Lee Yu-rim's curious question.
"Where to, Leader?"
"The military."
"...Pardon?"
At Kang Sa-hu's words, Kang Ji-ye peeked at his phone curiously.
"...Wow, it really must be a big deal."
His screen was filled with 30 messages, all from the same person. The intervals grew shorter over time, and the increasingly urgent, lengthy texts conveyed desperation.
All messages detailed the dangers of the C-rank Gate, participation requests, and the benefits and rewards offered.
"Come to think of it, it's been a while since I last saw that soldier lady."
The military woman they first met during awakening measurements and again at their debut Gate hunt. Kang Ji-ye murmured nostalgically at the name Han Si-yeon, First Lieutenant, on the sender.