The Sudden Gate (2)

The massive corpses of the trolls all melted away, dissolving into the black rain. It annihilated everything it was designated to destroy. Not even a trace remained. Then, suddenly, a thought struck him.

"Wait, hold on. Didn't they say troll corpses were worth money?"

Damn it all. Only the orange magic stones, glowing brightly on the ground, remained; the troll corpses had vanished completely. 'Will I even be able to get properly compensated for this?' It felt strangely unsettling. It felt like he’d gone through all that trouble just to give the rewards to a dog. After all, there would be no way to prove how many he’d actually caught. Still, for now, he had to pick those up.

Cheon Yooshin dismissed his Imp and resummoned him. A crack appeared in the air, and the Imp, having polymorphed into a human form, popped out. At the same time, the Imp bowed deeply, pressing his forehead against the ground.

"Oh, oh, oh! My omnipotent and great Master! To think that this lowly worm, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠unworthy of even glancing at your dignified face, would get to witness your great power! It is an honor far too undeserved for this insignificant, lowly servant!"

His voice was thick with servility. The Imp had seen it, too. He had seen the rain from the sky dissolve the trolls. People who couldn't read the flow of Magi would just think the rain had melted them, but the Imp himself handled Magi. Because of that, he could feel that the rain falling from the sky was, in fact, a mass of Magi. Cold sweat ran down the Imp's spine.

'I have to do a better job of showing my worth from now on. If I don't want to be annihilated like those ignorant trolls.'

In the Imp's eyes, Cheon Yooshin was an absolute being. An absolute being silently staring at the street that had been cleanly and coldly cleared. And that absolute being opened his mouth.

"What are you staring blankly for! Hurry up and pick up the magic stones scattered on the ground. Before other people come and snatch them up! Hurry! If you miss even one, you're dead!"

"······"

Uh, maybe he isn't an absolute being after all...

#

"Thank you for your hard work!" Park Haesu, his face drenched in sweat, spoke to Yooshin.

"Where were you hiding?"

"Hiding? I was out there doing my best to ask for help!"

"So, where is that help you asked for?"

At those words, Park Haesu's shoulders slumped.

"Everyone ran away the moment I said it was a Sudden Gate. Especially when I told them trolls were coming out."

Yooshin chuckled.

'What a bunch of idiots. They'll never get stronger if they only hunt the easy ones.'

In a way, their reasoning was rational. Monsters appearing was no longer a matter of games or movies; it was reality. It meant that unlike in a game, you couldn't just retry if you lost your life. Therefore, it was only natural for hunters to carefully judge whether a gate was clearable or not. Of course, Yooshin didn't think that way.

Park Haesu continued.

"Anyway, the gate will close soon. It's a huge relief. Usually, when a Sudden Gate occurs, it takes at least a week to clean up the scattered monsters, but this is all thanks to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you, Hunter."

"The gate is closing?"

"Yes! A Sudden Gate usually disappears about three hours after it occurs."

Yooshin's expression twisted.

"W-why, why are you making that face?"

Park Haesu suddenly felt anxious for no reason. Yooshin's gaze turned toward the gate. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ominously rippling gate.

"That's an uncleared gate, right? Doesn't that mean I can go inside?"

"···?"

W-what? Park Haesu doubted his ears. Did he just say he was going to enter the gate that had just vomited out countless trolls? Sure, he could enter it. But he didn't know if there were trolls left inside, if there was a boss monster, or what kind of environment it was, yet he wanted to go in? No, what kind of brain did he have to be that crazy... no, wait, it actually kind of made sense?

Park Haesu fell into a brief contemplation. Come to think of it, as Hunter Cheon Yooshin said, that gate fell into the category of an uncleared gate. However, until now, hunters hadn't dared to think about entering a gate. That was because a Sudden Gate vomited out several times more monsters than a regular uncleared dungeon. Entering it without knowing how many monsters were still hiding inside? That was insane. That was why the hunter industry never thought about entering a Sudden Gate. No, they couldn't. It was the golden rule to just hold out with the goal of minimizing casualties.

"So, I can go in, right?"

"W-wait a minute."

"Hey, what's with the 'wait'? I'll just pop in and come right back out."

Seriously, who treats a gate like they're just popping out to the neighborhood store! But before Park Haesu could stop him, Yooshin's body slipped right into the gate. And not far from where he stood, a cell phone lens was shining as it reflected the sunlight.

#

Inside the news studio.

"Breaking news. A Sudden Gate appeared at Hankook High School, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and countless monsters poured out. The monsters have been identified as trolls, and this horrific incident has claimed the lives of numerous citizens, and not only has the origin point, Hankook High School, been devastated, but surrounding buildings have also collapsed, leaving the Jongno-gu area literally scorched earth. However, in this moment of life-or-death, one brave hunter stepped forward. He single-handedly defeated the giant-species trolls and jumped into the gate alone to stop the endless stream of trolls. His identity is not yet known, but many who were saved are waiting for his safe return. Finally, let's check the footage from a YouTuber who was on the scene."

As soon as the announcer finished speaking, a new video was broadcast. In it, a male student in a high school uniform stood with a tense expression. After receiving the cue sign from the cameraman, he bowed at a right angle.

"Big greetings to you all! Hey, brothers and sisters! Are you ready for another like and subscribe bombing today?"

BOOM!

Not far from Cha Minsu, who was bowing, a sound of something colliding echoed out. Cha Minsu hurriedly turned the camera and whispered.

"Oh, that scared me! Did you guys hear that? Do you see that over there? That's the Sudden Gate that just appeared! Wow, amazing! It's my first time seeing a Sudden Gate in my life. It looks 1.5 times bigger than a regular gate, right?"

Cha Minsu's voice was full of excitement.

"Guys, does this make sense? The things coming out of there are trolls! Trolls! I mean, the kind of trolls you only see in games! But here's the even crazier part! Some badass hunter appeared and is smashing those monsters!"

"How did he do it, you ask?! Curious, right? Okay, I'll show you the footage."

"Hey, brothers and sisters. There were already more trolls out there than those ones. There's a hunter who took care of all those trolls with a single skill. It's not a normal skill. Have you ever seen a hunter who controls the weather? That's the person you see right there. The black rain falling from the sky melted all the trolls."

The cell phone camera turned. There was a man. He was hunting the trolls that had come out of the gate all by himself. A black spear of light shot out from his hand incessantly. Every time the spear touched a troll's body, the troll's body exploded.

"Does this make sense? I'm talking about trolls. Trolls! Those trolls are being wiped out in one shot of a skill. Isn't that hunter seriously amazing? What kind of ability could it be? Doesn't it feel like watching a hero movie? And who exactly is the identity of that hunter?"

Even while Cha Minsu was talking, he had already taken down over ten trolls. Thanks to that, the area around the gate was in a lull. At that moment, a man who looked to be in his mid-30s was caught on camera running toward the hunter.

"Ah! Is that person a colleague? A new hunter joining in?"

The man who had appeared and the hunter seemed to talk for a moment, and then the hunter jumped into the gate.

"Gasp! He went into the gate! He went in! He went into the Sudden Gate. A Sudden Gate!"

The man who had been talking didn't seem to expect that either, as he stared at the gate the hunter had entered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with a hollow look.

"We are currently watching a hunter who has entered a Sudden Gate, not an uncleared gate!"

Cha Minsu turned the camera to his own face and spoke with a serious expression.

"Brothers and sisters! I'll upload a video as soon as I get more news. Lastly, the three-piece set: subscribe, like, and notification settings! Please make sure to press them once!! This has been Cha Minsu, who is growing day by day thanks to your love. Bye-bye!"

With Cha Minsu's signature teenage-like playful expression, the screen went black.

#

BOOM!

With a tremendous roar, a massive body with green skin collapsed helplessly to the floor. And a system sound rang in his ears.

' '

The Troll King, a monster renowned as something that could only be attempted by an attack team including an A-class hunter, had been defeated. Cheon Yooshin, who watched that sight with indifferent eyes, muttered.

"Kid, you're pretty good."

Unlike other times, Cheon Yooshin's entire body was covered in dirt and dust. There were truly ant-like swarms of trolls hiding in here. Enough to raise his level by 7 at once. It was no exaggeration to say that if it hadn't been for him, Seoul would have been reduced to a scorched wasteland. Well, anyway. Now, it was time for the harvest.

He saw something sparkling near the Troll King's corpse. It wasn't one, but two. And they were accessories!

As he picked up the items, an item window floated before his eyes.

'Ha! So that was why.'

No wonder a grayish film had absorbed Yooshin's attacks on the Troll King's entire body at every critical moment. That hadn't been the Troll King's own ability, but the power of an item.

'Still, this is pretty good.'

The moment he read the item description, the owner of this ring was decided. It was his younger sister, Cheon Jin-ah.

'With just this, well, she won't have any dangerous things happen to her in the future.'

Yooshin immediately checked the next item.

Cheon Yooshin's eyes widened.

"Oh! This is for Mom."

Even for Cheon Yooshin, the regenerative power of a Troll King, not just a regular troll, was something to be amazed by. If it was a necklace containing that regenerative power, it would truly make one not tire easily, just like the item option said. The Guardian's Ring was excellent, but this was just as good an item. In fact, there weren't that many cases where one faced a crisis in life. For ordinary people, excluding hunters. However, stamina recovery items were needed by everyone, regardless of age or gender. Especially for older people who had grasped wealth and power.

'Of course, it's essential for my aging Mom, too!'

Having confirmed that there were no more monsters roaming around, Yooshin exited the gate.

"W-what is this?"

People were filling the area around the gate. And as Yooshin revealed himself, the flashing lights, accompanied by the loud sound of camera shutters, dazzled his eyes. In an instant, dozens of cameras and microphones surrounded him.

"H-he's out!"

"What's it like inside the gate where the break occurred! What was in there? Please explain in detail!"

"How do you feel! How does it feel to be the first to clear a Sudden Gate!"

"Were there trolls? What kind of boss monster was it? What items did you get inside?"

"What does it look like inside! Please tell us the differences from a regular gate!"

Reporters were pushing each other to get the scoop.

'What's with these guys?'

Should he just shove them away? He hadn't yet cooled down from the excitement of the battle. However, the reporters were so obsessed with the scoop that they didn't even think to consider the feelings of Cheon Yooshin, who had just come out of the gate. That was when it happened.

People appeared, blocking the reporters from Cheon Yooshin. They were all wearing the black uniforms that symbolized the Hunter Management Department.

"Alright, alright! Back off. The Hunter can no longer respond to interviews."

The reporters raised their voices as their interviews were blocked halfway.

"Who are you! Which department are you from!"

"This is media suppression! Huh?!"

"Move aside right now!"

Park Haesu, the man receiving the intense, murderous glares of the reporters, took out his official government ID so it was clearly visible.

"I am Park Haesu, Team Leader of the Hunter Management Department's Raid Team. Can't you see that our Hunter is exhausted right now! This isn't even an uncleared gate, but a Sudden Gate he cleared. What kind of rudeness is this to such a person."

Park Haesu turned his gaze to the hunters belonging to the Hunter Management Department who had arrived at some point.

"Clear the way! Now!"

Then, the affiliated hunters began to push the reporters away with force.

"Whoa, whoa! Are you hunters hitting ordinary citizens now?!"

"Hey! Film this! These bastards need to see their faces plastered on the front page of the newspaper to come to their senses."

"If you want to pass, you'll have to step over my belly first!"

The reporters didn't give in easily either. One even lay down on the floor with his belly exposed. Park Haesu frowned at the sight. These crazy bastards! And he realized it once again. The status of the Hunter Management Department that had fallen to the floor.

'It would have been different in the past.'

The hunters belonging to the Hunter Management Department couldn't use any more force either. The world was still a place where the pen was mightier than the sword. No, it would be more accurate to say that the Hunter Management Department had become that weak...

Cheon Yooshin stood next to Park Haesu, whose shoulders were slumped.

"It's not going the way you thought, is it?"

"I have no face to show you."

"Why do you think they're acting like that?"

"It's because we're weak."

"You know it well. And it's because you people are too soft. When you need to be strong, you have to be strong. That's the only way they won't ignore you."

Strangely, an unknown weight could be felt in Cheon Yooshin's words.

"What do you mean by that?"

With great power comes great responsibility? That's bullshit. Great power only comes with the right to enjoy it. And to enjoy that right, you must show overwhelming strength. So that no one dares to defy you.

BOOM!

As soon as Yooshin stepped hard on the ground, a roar erupted, and cracks appeared in the earth for 10 meters around him. At the same time, all the camera lenses that had been filming Yooshin shattered.

"Gasp!"

"M-my lens! Do you know how much that cost!"

"W-what are you doing right now!"

"Are you trying to start a fight with the press!"

"Shall we write an article about media suppression?! Huh?!"

The reporters who had been protesting, and the reporters who had been lying on the floor with their bellies exposed, all stared at Yooshin in shock. One would think he'd be nervous with dozens of gazes focused on him, but Yooshin's expression was nothing but relaxed.

"What do you mean, what am I doing? I'm just trying to go my way. Hey! You over there, the one lying down with your belly out! Stand right there. I'm going to step on you as I pass."

As soon as Yooshin's words finished, the reporters who had been lying down with their bellies exposed stood up quickly. The place that had been noisy like a marketplace became quiet in an instant. Yooshin's expression turned cold.

"Do whatever you want. Any reporter who wants to fight me, come anytime. I'll take you on anytime. And media suppression? Should I smash your media buildings once? I'm not joking. If you don't disappear from my sight within 5 seconds, this time, it won't be the ground that splits. I'm counting from now. One, two..."

A gloomy voice counting the numbers flowed from Yooshin's throat. Then, the reporters began to scatter in all directions. Along with the cliché line that they wouldn't let this slide.

Park Haesu looked at Cheon Yooshin with a dazed expression before quickly coming to his senses.

"L-let's go! I'll take you."

"Yeah. To the hospital... no. Just take me home. I need to wash up."

Yooshin got into Park Haesu's car.