The Gates Converge
The Kirin Guild’s executive representative office.
Han Jeong-do, tie loosened, was tapping the information team leader on the head with a stack of documents.
“Hey, Team Leader. Is this how you handle intel? Did I really have to fly all the way back to Korea for this nonsense?”
The season was nearly over. Kirin Guild had set up a spring camp in Hawaii alongside the top guilds from America and Europe. In the middle of all that, Han Jeong-do was shuttling between Korea and Hawaii while juggling both raid leadership and representative duties.
On the surface it looked professional. In reality, it was anything but.
‘Spring camp, my ass. They’re just lounging on luxury yachts, popping champagne with celebrities and patting each other on the back about how they own the league.’
He could picture it perfectly. Meanwhile the front office was pulling all-nighters during stove league, and this guy was throwing a fit because they couldn’t source one single skincare ingredient that didn’t even exist on the market.
‘How the hell am I supposed to find something that isn’t there? Am I supposed to go hunting for it myself?’
The information team leader bit her lip hard, the bitter words rising in her throat.
“Team Leader, got a problem? You look like you’re chewing on something nasty.”
“……No, sir.”
Objectively, Han Jeong-do wasn’t a particularly good or bad representative. He looked down on the front office a little, but that was a common side effect when a raid leader also held the top position. The industry-top salary made it tolerable.
The real problem surfaced whenever anything touched his personal “maintenance.” The moment that button was pressed, Han Jeong-do transformed into something unrecognizable. Like today—throwing tantrums over nothing.
Even more disgusting was what came after he finished venting. He would put on a gentle expression and say:
“I trust you more than anyone. Why do you keep disappointing me? The Mir Guild incident, and now this. You never used to be like this. Please go back to the team leader I used to know. I’m begging you.”
“Get out.”
As if the failure was entirely on her side. As if she had changed.
Classic gaslighting.
She had fallen for it three or four times herself—“Our representative really believes in me,” “I need to do better!”—before realizing after ten years that the man was a nice piece of shit.
After leaving the office, the information team leader headed for the emergency stairs instead of the elevator. She descended a few floors and immediately reached for a cigarette.
“Cigarette.”
“You said you were quitting……”
“Cigarette!”
“Left them here, seriously.”
“Two.”
“Good grief, you’re not the only one who got screwed over.”
A colleague who had already cracked earlier placed two cigarettes between her lips and lit them for her.
Through the pale smoke came the real feelings.
“That son of a bitch is really losing it.”
“Kekeke.”
“Does that even make sense? Asking us to find something that doesn’t exist?”
“Cut him some slack. Age, aging, maintenance—that’s his trigger.”
“Who doesn’t know that? I know it too! I’ve worked here fifteen years. I know exactly why he’s obsessed with upkeep.”
The media claimed Han Jeong-do’s obsession came from the fall of the once-unbeatable King of Fighters. The information team leader knew that wasn’t the whole story.
“Honestly, it’s because of Sanwang. He got overshadowed during his prime and—”
“Stop. You just pressed the trigger and the explosion button at the same time.”
“Let go. Tell me, is there anyone here who doesn’t know Han Jeong-do is jealous of Sanwang? Ah, right—one person. Sanwang himself never noticed because he was strict with himself and ridiculously generous to his friends!”
Generous in the best sense.
A pushover in the worst.
“Look at what happened with Mir Guild. Because of that bastard I spent years digging up intel on them. Sometimes I’d laugh while doing it—why the hell was I investigating 4th and 3rd division guilds?”
“……Well, there’s a lot of history tangled up. Still, the obsession is real.”
“You call that obsession? That’s just insanity. How did he even find out Mir Guild’s spring camp route? Do you have any idea how much money we burned trying to track them in North Korea? You wouldn’t believe it. That money could’ve covered all our bonuses and then some.”
“……”
“Thank god it was North Korea. If it had been anywhere else, that old man would’ve sent people to sabotage them.”
“……With his personality, I can see it.”
“Speaking of which, does the guild feel normal now that Sanwang is gone?”
Ever since Sanwang left, the rankers had been strutting around like they owned the place. They formed cliques, ranked people, and openly looked down on other hunters. The worst part was that the hunters who got ignored took their frustration out on the front office instead.
“We’re just emotional trash cans now?”
“That’s actually a real problem.”
“Have you seen the eyes of the kids on our team? They all look like dead fish. No motivation, no sense of duty. They’re just waiting for payday.”
It all traced back to Sanwang’s absence. Dig deeper and it led straight to Han Jeong-do’s pathological self-obsession.
“I’ve been here fifteen years now. I’ve seen everything worth seeing and not worth seeing in the information team. I’ve dug through trash cans for enemy guild strategies and stayed up three nights straight hunting for hunter weaknesses.”
“……I know. You’ve worked hard.”
“Those days feel better in hindsight. At least back then we weren’t cleaning up after our own hunters’ drunk driving incidents.”
“……”
“I’ve never doubted my job this much before.”
“……Hey, why are you like this? You’re too emotional.”
“No. Right now I’m the most rational person in the world.”
Even after fifteen years together, this was what she got. Even though the information team leader knew every dirty secret in the guild, this was how it ended.
How much worse would it get? She didn’t even feel angry anymore.
She felt sad that the guild she had given her youth to had rotted this badly.
So she spat out the cigarette and made her decision.
“I’m done.”
“……Hey, Choi Ji-min!”
“Thanks for everything. Take care of the butts.”
“You’re really quitting? What are you going to do?”
“Go back to my hometown and rest for a while.”
Her colleague waved her off. He had just lost another teammate.
Suddenly, he found himself missing that person again.
“Haa…… I miss Sanwang.”
* * *
A village woven from trees and leaves.
Kim Jong-phil scratched his ear and muttered.
“Haha, someone must be talking about me. My ears are itching.”
He turned around.
“Not you, right?”
Before him knelt an Elder Elf in full armor—the first mid-boss, the Elder Elf Great Warrior—bound by vines and screaming curses at Kim Jong-phil.
“You fought well.”
Kim Jong-phil smiled and declared the Great Warrior’s death. The vines tightened around the elf’s body. Without a scream, its life ended.
He quietly placed the dropped bracelet into the shared inventory and turned back to the raid party.
“Tired?”
“No, sir!!”
“Good. Let’s move.”
“Yes!”
The raid party disappeared into the distance.
Day 10 of the raid.
·
·
And.
Day 10 since entry.
The expanding gates completed their first fusion.
Number of gates: 8.
* * *
The second mid-boss was the Elder Elf Chieftain. The fight was nearly over. Under Sanwang’s command, Baek Yeon-woo and Park Su-bin coordinated to take the chieftain down.
“……”
“Dodge. Dodge. Attack here.”
“……”
“You need to dodge here. That’s right—blocking isn’t good. Good, just like that!”
“……Please.”
“I’ll handle defense. Be more aggressive.”
“Shut up!!”
“Ah, I was focused. I didn’t know.”
“Let’s stop talking.”
“You have to say it properly.”
“Haa……”
“Hehehe.”
The two same-age teammates stuck together. Park Su-bin had unilaterally decided they were friends and followed Baek Yeon-woo around, and though Baek Yeon-woo had initially frowned at the attention, he was now quite comfortable with it.
Naturally, the entire raid party couldn’t help but notice the genius duo.
“Looking at them makes me wonder if geniuses really exist.”
“Su-bin’s always had a reputation, so that’s one thing, but Yeon-woo…… wow. He’s something else.”
“That thrust just now looked a bit like yours?”
“It’s not just mine. Yours is in there too, and his. Oh, that one was similar to Hwarang’s.”
“He said he only touched a sword for the first time after arriving at spring camp. That can’t be…… right? If it is, I’m going to get depressed.”
“The representative really has an eye for talent. Ri-ra too—every pick he makes turns into a massive hit.”
“Yeah, the foundation is already monstrous. If he just puts on a bit more muscle, he’d have a really nice physique.”
“……?”
“??”
While the raid party rested and chatted, the chieftain fell to Baek Yeon-woo’s sword. Among the scattering mana lay a necklace. Baek Yeon-woo picked it up and handed it to Sanwang.
“Captain.”
“Good work.”
Day 12 of the raid.
·
·
Day 12 since entry.
The second fusion occurred.
Number of gates: 4.
* * *
After the battle, Kim Yu-shin and Yu Ri-ra squatted on the ground, drawing something over and over—the previous fight’s situation.
“Sanwang is a utility supporter. But I’m a tank supporter. That means we’ll never be at a disadvantage in the early lane phase.”
“So what you’re saying, sunbae, is that I need to push forward more?”
“No. How do I put this…… Let’s try this, Ri-ra. Instead of just advancing, let’s go overboard.”
“Like what?”
“Once you go in, go in with the mindset that you’re going to kill everything. Don’t look back.”
“……That’s intense!”
The new bottom duo for this season. They had started coordinating during raids, and perhaps because both were Lee Shin-certified world-class talents, results came quickly.
“We’re getting more in sync. How about you, Ri-ra?”
“Me too, sunbae.”
“But it’s weird, Ri-ra. When we first met, you definitely called me ‘oppa.’ Handsome oppa……”
“That’s because I didn’t know we’d end up on the same teeeam!!”
“Hahaha!!”
Yu Ri-ra turned into lightning and fled while Kim Yu-shin laughed heartily, clearly enjoying his new partner.
Another day passed like that.
Day 14 of the raid.
·
·
Day 14 since entry.
The third fusion occurred.
Number of gates: 2.
* * *
A temple filled with vines.
The raid party arrived and collapsed like fallen logs.
“We’re here.”
“We made it.”
“Aaaagh, it’s over.”
Two hours of sleep a day. Aside from the breakfast and dinner Lee Shin prepared, they had raided nonstop. After seventeen days, they stood before the boss room.
Normally, clearing an unauthorized Level 7 gate took about a month. They had cut that time by more than half. Even superhuman hunters couldn’t endure that kind of forced march forever.
Then Sanwang clapped his hands and stepped forward.
“Everyone worked hard. I’d like to say something, but……”
The raid party stared at him with desperate, dark-circle-laden eyes.
Sanwang smiled gently and gave them exactly what they wanted to hear.
“Let’s sleep first.”
“Uwaaah.”
They threw off their gear and dropped their heads without hesitation. Within moments, the entire party was asleep as if under a spell.
Kim Jong-phil chuckled at the sight and looked for a place to lie down.
While he was wondering where to rest, the trees wove together into a bed.
“Hehe. As expected, only Vita understands me. Thanks. I’ll catch some sleep.”
Kim Jong-phil lay down. His exhausted eyes closed and he fell into a deep sleep.
Some time later, the smell of cooking meat woke him. What he saw left him speechless.
“……What are you doing?”
“Grilling meat.”
Exactly as stated. Lee Shin was grilling meat right next to Kim Jong-phil’s wooden bed.
“Next to someone who’s sleeping?”
“You’d be lonely if you were alone.”
Lee Shin jerked his chin. The raid party had already woken up and was sitting around the grill, pouring soju.
“If I don’t take care of you, who will, old man?”
“Haha, look at this cheeky brat. What about the kids?”
“Who?”
“Your brats.”
“Even when you talk, why are they my brats? They’re our brats. They’re over there.”
Lee Shin pointed. Mixed among the raid party were Yu Ri-ra laughing, Park Su-bin looking embarrassed after receiving praise, and Baek Yeon-woo nodding along beside Kim Yu-shin.
“If the representative shows favoritism, the raid party atmosphere will suffer.”
“Good thing you know that.”
“If you’re awake, sit down. I brought your favorite samgyeopsal. And this.”
Lee Shin shook a green bottle—the brand of soju Kim Jong-phil usually drank.
‘This kid never changes.’ Kim Jong-phil chuckled and got off the bed.
The gas burner, the sizzling samgyeopsal—not regular samgyeopsal. Cold samgyeopsal.
“You know your stuff. Cold samgyeopsal and soju inside a gate is a delicacy.”
“Is there anything I don’t know? Cheers.”
“Kek. Cheeky brat.”
After downing the soju, Kim Jong-phil looked at Lee Shin curiously.
“In all my years, this is the first time I’ve seen a representative feed elixirs like vitamins while running raids.”
“Are you sulking because I didn’t give you any?”
“This punk?”
“Just kidding. Hehe, don’t be embarrassed. It’s not even that expensive.”
“Kid, I know the basic market price. At least a hundred million won each, right?”
Indeed. The “medicine” Lee Shin had been injecting into the thirty-two raid members every morning after breakfast was actually an elixir.
Combined with the now-vanished title “Honorable: Representative Who Serves Meals Well,” it was practically a growth stimpack.
Their clearly elevated potential pleased Lee Shin’s eyes.
“I think it’s about time I told you.”
“Told me what?”
“The schedule.”
Two hours of sleep and nonstop raiding was a murderous pace even Sanwang had never experienced. Thanks to Sanwang’s charisma and Lee Shin’s “training,” no complaints had erupted yet—but at this point, discontent should have already exploded.
“We rushed here like we were being chased. All the way to the boss room door. Not even clearing it—just standing in front of that door.”
“Hehehe. Did I say that?”
Lee Shin clinked his soju glass and looked toward the boss room. Just as he was organizing how to explain, Kim Jong-phil’s next words made him widen his eyes.
“Don’t tell me those gates we saw before entering are the cause?”
“Oho……?!”
“……So it’s true.”
“Hah, this is why I like smart people.”
“You mean fusion?”
Clap clap clap.
“Sanwang gets 100 points.”
Exactly.
This gate was originally meant to become a Level 8 gate. All the gates they had seen upon entry would fuse together, creating the largest event in North Korea.
So then.
“What happens if gates being raided fuse together?”
“……?!”
“Will we go back to the beginning? Or the middle? Or drop somewhere random?”
Lee Shin poured more soju into Kim Jong-phil’s glass while the latter stared in rare bewilderment, then laughed heartily.
“You’ll find out the answer very soon.”
·
·
·
…
……
Day 17 since entry.
The two gates that had been facing each other finally began to react. Mana flowed between them, resonating. Sparks flashed. Mana light rippled.
Light gathered around the two gates like a vortex, sucking in the surrounding air like black holes devouring everything nearby. Then a single thread of mana connected them.
Thread-like mana linked the gates’ power. Soon another thread appeared. Then another.
Eventually, the mana threads that had risen like static electricity beckoned to each other.
Gradually.
They became one……
Day 18 since entry.
The gates finally became one.
Fusion