Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Second Sealed Gate Challenge
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At those words, Kim Su-ae was startled.
"Oh, today?"
"Yes. As they say, strike while the iron is hot. I plan to challenge it today."
Kim Su-ae was so shocked that she couldn't say anything for a moment.
A sealed gate wasn't child's play. Was this even feasible?
But Su-ho was dead serious.
"I'll fill you in on the details once everything's sorted. For now, I need to call Reporter Jo Jin-hwi, so I'll hang up."
Su-ho ended the call and immediately dialed Jo Jin-hwi.
"Yes~ Mr. Pro."
The voice coming through the phone was sly and smug.
It brimmed with leisure.
Su-ho chuckled and asked,
"What's with the sudden 'Pro'?"
"Between us, doesn't 'Pro' feel warmer than 'Hunter'? Anyway, what's up?"
"You ran the article about me joining Nexus, right?"
"Yeah, yeah. But isn't your reaction a bit late? The article's been out for ages."
"I couldn't check my phone due to personal matters. I just heard about it from Director Kim Su-ae and called right away."
"I see. Anyway, the response is scorching hot, just as expected. So, advice: don't check your phone for the next few days."
"Because of the hate comments?"
"You got it. You said your dream was to be a civil servant hunter, then joined Nexus Guild right away, so there's some backlash. But not too much. Maybe 40% at most?"
40%.
A smaller number than he'd anticipated.
Su-ho had figured it'd be around 70%.
"That's less than I thought."
"Yeah, but I don't think it'll last. Check the comments if you want, but the vibe is all acceptance. Su-ho, you're talented, right? The National Hunter Association doesn't have the best image anyway, and if your goal is gate conquest, private guilds can do that too. That's the general consensus."
"If people think that way, I'm grateful. But to fully win over public opinion in this atmosphere, don't we need to drive the nail in deep?"
"True that. So, got something prepared...?"
"Get ready for the follow-up report. Headline: 'Second Sealed Gate Challenge.'"
"Whoa...!"
At those words, Jo Jin-hwi clenched his fist in excitement.
"As expected of Mr. Pro... you never fail to exceed—no, meet my expectations perfectly. Respect, Mr. Pro!"
"Haha, no need. To keep the momentum, you should drop the follow-up ASAP. And now that I've joined Nexus, we should boost their name value too, right?"
"Absolutely, a hundred—no, a thousand times right. So, which gate are you challenging this time?"
"I'm thinking Despair's Swamp."
"Despair's Swamp? You mean the one I know?"
"Yes, that's the one."
Despair's Swamp.
It was one of the sealed gates managed by the government, rated S-rank difficulty as expected for a sealed gate.
And its casualties numbered in the hundreds. Its difficulty rating was even higher than Unknown Sword.
For one simple reason.
'The Unknown Sword allowed mid-challenge withdrawal, but no one had ever returned alive from Despair's Swamp.'
Timeline-wise, Despair's Swamp would be cleared about ten years from now.
And Su-ho knew exactly who cleared it and how.
That's why he chose Despair's Swamp.
Right now, even searching the entire world, he was the only one who could clear it.
Su-ho continued.
"Anyway, run the follow-up like that. For details, could you explain to Nexus's PR team? I haven't told them yet that I tipped you off first. Alright, I need to make some calls about entry permits for Despair's Swamp, so I'll hang up."
"Oh, of course. You do that. But you're going with me again this time? Call me when you're ready!"
"Yes, got it."
Su-ho ended the call.
Then he immediately phoned Jeong Cheol-min.
"Team Leader, you got a minute?"
***
Securing entry to the second sealed gate, Despair's Swamp, didn't take much effort.
"Hunter An Su-ho? Oh, give it to him, of course!"
"Does Team Leader Jeong lack any sense? When Hunter An requests, shouldn't you handle it on your own?"
"Next time he asks, prioritize it!"
He'd gone through approval just in case, but ended up eating crow unnecessarily.
It stung.
But those were the proper procedures.
Snapping out of the flashback, Jeong Cheol-min said in a deflated tone,
"...So, if you clear this gate too, you should have smooth entry to any sealed gate from now on."
"Haha, all thanks to you, Team Leader."
Incheon, Yeongjong Island.
Despair's Swamp was there.
Su-ho rode with Jo Jin-hwi again and met up with Jeong Cheol-min, who'd arrived early, along with the Square manager and Nexus's dispatched PR team.
The follow-up article was already out.
Headline: 'Nexus's An Su-ho Challenges Second Sealed Gate Solo—Non-Stop!'
At the news, people went wild... no, they were losing their minds, flipping somersaults.
- Holy shit, is An Su-ho insane?
- Cleared a sealed gate solo and now another one?
- Hey, all you bastards who trashed him for joining Nexus for money, show yourselves! Money or whatever, where's another hunter clearing sealed gates in Korea, damn it!
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- I didn't trash him. Believed from the start.
- GNJang, Sword God! You magnificent bastard...!
- From now on, I am one with the Sword God. Insult the Sword God, and you're insulting me.
- An Su-ho, is he a god? An Su-ho, is he a god? An Su-ho, is he a god? An Su-ho, is he a god? An Su-ho, is he a god? An Su-ho, is he a god?
- Mom! I wanna be An Su-ho when I grow up! Mom! I wanna be An Su-ho when I grow up! Mom! I wanna be An Su-ho when I grow up! Mom! I wanna be An Su-ho when I grow up! Mom! I wanna be An Su-ho when I grow up!
- An Su-ho is freaking nuts... Ah, of course, amazing!
- Su-ho! Even if you sell enzymes, I'll buy 'em all, damn it!
The outpouring of fervent cheers.
Yeah.
So what if a few words changed? No big deal.
This phenomenon stood out especially among hunters. People who held celebrities to the strictest standards were lenient with hunters.
For one simple reason.
Hunters risked their lives for humanity, no matter their motives.
Seeing the Nexus PR team, Jeong Cheol-min said to Su-ho,
"Seeing this really makes your Nexus enlistment sink in."
"Haha, yeah."
Then, gauging Su-ho's mood, Jeong Cheol-min lowered his voice and quietly asked,
"So... did you negotiate those conditions you mentioned to the Association President last time with Nexus?"
Jeong Cheol-min's anxious tone.
The reason he sought confirmation was simple.
None of the reported articles mentioned Su-ho challenging the year-end Grade 5 Public Recruitment or any contract adjustments related to it.
So, at least for him, Su-ho decided to ease his worries.
Smiling, Su-ho said,
"Yes. We kept the contract details private on purpose, but just between you and me, Team Leader, you can assume it includes almost everything we discussed in the Association President's office."
"Really...!"
"Yes. I'll definitely take the year-end Grade 5 Public Recruitment. Oh, this is a secret, okay? Just telling you. If it leaks..."
"Oh, of course! My lips are sealed! See, zipped shut like this?"
At Su-ho's warning, Jeong Cheol-min quickly mimed zipping his lips with his index finger and thumb.
Just a casual remark, but it was cute.
"Of course. I always trust you, Team Leader. Alright, shall we give it a try?"
No need to delay further.
Su-ho stood before the Square, ready to dive in.
The Square door opened promptly. As Su-ho entered, Jo Jin-hwi and the PR team snapped photos, lowering their cameras only after the door closed.
The PR team leader, standing beside Jo Jin-hwi, said,
"So... he'll clear it this time too, right?"
"Of course. I believe in him. It's An Su-ho, after all."
"I know Hunter An Su-ho is amazing, but still... every time, it's hard to believe, and my heart's in my throat."
Jo Jin-hwi pondered briefly, then slowly raised the corner of his mouth.
"How about a little bet to ease your mind, PR Team Leader?"
"A bet?"
"Yeah. On whether Hunter An succeeds or not. I'll put a million won on success."
The PR team leader's eyes widened in surprise, then he replied in a sly tone.
"Hmm... I can't refuse a bet... Oh, just so you know, this isn't my real belief, but for the bet, I'll go opposite. A million won on failure."
"Heh, got it. Now, let's head to the control room and take a break. Can't wait forever, right?"
"Sure."
As the two headed to the control room, it happened.
"...Huh?"
Jeong Cheol-min, watching the surveillance feed, furrowed his brow.
He shot up from his seat, shoved his face to the screen, and muttered in utter disbelief.
"The gate line... it's gone?"
"...What?"
"What's that mean?"
At his words, the PR team leader and Jo Jin-hwi pushed Jeong Cheol-min aside and crowded the screen.
It was true.
The gate line—the proof of conquest—was vanishing.
Soon after, the gate portal disappeared.
Whoosh!
A burst of bright light.
An exit portal opened where the gate portal had been, and Su-ho emerged from within.
No mistake.
The screen wasn't glitching.
No synthesis either.
What played vividly on the camera feed was none other than 'An Su-ho' exiting the gate.
"Crazy, cra, cra—insane?"
"How long since he entered? Ten minutes? Twenty?"
"Ten? Not even five minutes!"
"And he cleared it?!"
Su-ho waved at the camera screen.
The Square manager hurriedly opened the entrance, and the control room folks rushed to the Square entry.
And there he was.
Su-ho, having conquered the gate, looking as casual as if he'd just stepped out for a drink.