Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: S-Rank Gates Have No Romance (2)
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The setting sun vanishes as swiftly as the seasons pass. The sky, once dyed orange, has already donned a new garb, scattering purple twilight. Summer delays the onset of darkness, yet time always races by in the blink of an eye.
The squabble at the Gate entrance—endlessly persisting between pleas and refusals—was ultimately meaningless.
In the end, it all boiled down to the greater good. That single phrase swept away every process. Their words and actions, cloaked in human decency, had forcibly compelled my participation.
Not because it was truly my fault, but the emotional appeal—that someone might die because of me—made it impossible to refuse. That's what being a hero entails. My unshakeable sense of duty still binds me tight.
And so, in this late hour, my destination wasn't home, but the guild.
Luna Guild.
The unparalleled guild that has never lost its top spot in the nation, one of the few capable of handling S-Rank Gates domestically, constantly evolving under the backing of a massive corporation—all those grand titles trace back to one hunter: Yuna.
Yuna, the S-Rank hunter, fosters an unbreakable bond within the guild, holding everyone together. Even without much activity, her mere affiliation draws top prospects to Luna Guild. Raids she joins see zero casualties.
That's why her word carries absurd weight in Luna Guild. And when that word was directed at me, it explains why I'm here.
"Hey."
I speak in a tone laced with thorns.
"…."
No reply comes. Only her profile, as she turns her head, fills my view up close.
"Wanna get hit?"
"…No."
"You want to get hit, right? That's why you dragged me along, yeah?"
"No..., can't you just come with me? You don't have to do anything, just ease up on that expression…."
No, if I don't have to do anything, why drag me along in the first place?
I sigh at the thought. Maybe because I'm exuding gloom unlike my usual self, Yuna timidly clutches my sleeve.
"Sorry…. I just feel more at ease with you around."
She bows her head, mumbling softly as if to keep it from me, but it rings clear in my ears. I let out another sigh and pat her head.
"…, You'll come with me?"
"Yeah…. But I'm seriously not doing anything. This is just me tagging along for fun, got it?"
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll handle everything."
Yuna nods with a faint smile. It felt familiar to me, but apparently shocking to Luna Guild's members.
Team Leader, is this reality?
I feel like I'm still dreaming. Punch my gut?
First time seeing Hunter Yuna smile….
The crowd gathered in the conference room murmurs, eyes fixed solely on us.
"Damn it. Hey, you're causing all sorts of misunderstandings."
Teasing people is one thing, but why go that far?
"What's wrong with it? If you really hate it, just date me…. It wouldn't change much from now anyway."
Whoa..., straight-up confession…?
Says it won't differ from now. Guess they're basically dating already.
Her nonchalant response to my irritation only piles on the misunderstandings, as the surrounding buzz grows, fanning the flames.
I'm seriously gonna get cancer from this.
Staring them down silently to drop the topic only deepens another misunderstanding, so I open my mouth again. Awkward as it is to address strangers, I have no choice.
"Wouldn't it be better to start the meeting? You said the S-Rank Gate was urgent—why get excited over pointless chatter?"
Those who had been whispering right in front of me snap to attention at my low, even voice, clearing throats as they resume the meeting.
The content is utterly clichéd. For an expedition to conquer it, the only real factor is who participates. The rest is inconsequential no matter how it's decided.
Yuna and I, who were joining anyway, were just there to fill seats. The rest deliberate: No one below A-Rank, total expedition of 40 members, leader is the most experienced A-Ranker…?
"Yuna, why not take command yourself? Isn't it usually the highest rank who leads?"
"I hate giving orders. They'll handle it themselves. You just stick with me."
"Wow…. Your guild members must have it rough."
An uncontrollable ultimate weapon wandering freely.
"Like having your little sister around…."
"What, you punk."
As we bicker, the meeting wraps up unnoticed. Everyone rises, dispersing to their tasks. Amid it, someone approaches Yuna to relay decisions, while I just stand there blankly beside her.
It's been decided this way. Please prepare accordingly, Hunter Yuna.
"Yeah."
The guild staff bows and leaves after her curt reply. The vast conference room empties, echoing hollowly with only Yuna's voice.
"Let's go. I'll drop you home. Gate entry's tomorrow, so prep as needed. The guild covers most essentials anyway."
"Sure."
Guilds really are convenient. If you've got the skills, they roll out the red carpet.
"Jealous? Join us. One word from me, and you're in."
"Nah. I like going solo."
Adding more burdens would break me. Belonging somewhere? Pass.
Thus, I rode home in the car Yuna drove.
Evening turns to night atop the towering skyscraper, gleaming like a lighthouse, illuminating the surroundings. Even in encroaching darkness, modern wonders push it aside. Not just buildings—every structure glows, lighting the streets.
I cross the park beside home. Green trees and soft grass flank me, streetlamps guide my path, and occasional passersby fill the space around.
This peaceful world, this tranquility—half a year later, it still feels surreal.
Not like Pretoria, rotten with decay everywhere. Modern society blocks such pits.
No Demon God swelling forces like in Pretoria. Just Gates opening to other dimensions, monsters occasionally spilling through.
Yet places where people live can't brim solely with peace. Earth—my home—my life flows flat and uneventful. Utterly peaceful.
Night wrapped in darkness shines bright instead. No sense of danger. In Pretoria, darkness symbolized terror.
News laments drought, poor harvests—yet the restaurant by home still serves food. Pretoria's droughts starved imperial citizens.
"Hope it stays this way forever."
I wished these calm days would endure. For Earth, and the Pretoria I saved.
"Wouldn't things hold together if you just came home, oppa?"
The voice beside me at home's doorstep chills to the bone. Still humid summer night, yet a chill clings to my side.
"Ah…. Sihyun, why'd you come out…?"
I'd told her over the phone I'd be late.
"Oppa. Where to tomorrow."
Why those dead eyes staring at me? Thought I'd hidden it well from her.
"Uh, just out for a drink...? Been grinding Gates hard, so a short trip…?"
"Really? Then what's this."
Sihyun holds out her phone. A massive headline plastered on the screen.
Korea's S-Rank Gate: Luna Guild to Handle Solo Again
Hunter Yuna and Hunter Ansiu Confirmed to Join
Ah, fuck. Who leaked this?
"Wanna die?"
"My bad."
"Left A-Ranks alone, now S-Rank? Decided without a word?! Oppa, you're insane?!"
"No, there was a reason! Wait, ouch! Sorry…! Aaaah! Sihyun, we're outside!"
"You rotten jerk!!"
"Sihyun, I'm heading out…?"
— ….
No response from behind the firmly shut door. She's awake, no doubt, but after last night's rage, Sihyun stayed sulky in her room despite my explanations.
"Uh…, I'm really leaving?"
No reply seems forthcoming, so I grab light gear and head to the entrance. As I slip on shoes and fix my appearance, a sound comes from behind.
The door flies open with a bang. Turning, I see Sihyun peeking out, head only.
"Oppa…. Can't you not go?"
Her expression, pained by my S-Rank Gate trip, tugs at the heart. Hesitant words born of worry—unlike her usual self.
"Sihyun."
"Yeah…."
"No need to worry~ I'll just spectate from the back."
"…."
I reassure her. An S-Rank Gate won't endanger me.
"Survived ten years unscathed— what could go wrong in a few days?"
"Ah, look at this jerk jinxing it…. Ugh, stressing me out."
Guess that wasn't reassuring.
Straight from oppa to jerk.