Chapter 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: The Hero Says, Baby, I Don't Wanna Fight (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Oh..., this gate thing is huge and majestic."
"Oppa, is now really the time to be admiring it? This is dangerous, you know?! Wait, hold on. Why are you even here, Oppa?"
"You dragged me here. Good little sis."
I lifted my wrist, still trapped in my sister's grip, and shook it.
"Ah."
What do you mean, 'ah'.
"Ahem, anyway. Oppa, be honest—can you fight? You've fought before, right? It's been ten years, but you must've done some battling."
"Your big bro's frail."
"No, I mean, do you know how to fight?"
"Your big bro's heart is tender too."
"That's not what I'm asking!"
"Your big bro doesn't wanna fight."
"He's totally nuts. Sigh... Fine, can you at least keep civilians from approaching outside the gate?"
"Ah, that's my specialty. Don't worry, go on ahead~"
How long has it even been since I got back? Do I really have to start hunting monsters and seeing blood already? I'm just a baby. I don't know about that stuff.
"Oppa..., you're really pissing me off. Ugh... Team 1, Team 2, all units assemble at the front of the gate."
Sihyun let out a sigh toward me and muttered into her radio. I could see the others who'd already gathered nearby heading our way.
"Sihyun, so how do you handle the gate?"
"Oh, right. I should've figured you wouldn't know, but why do I keep assuming you do?"
"I do seem pretty reliable."
"Whatever. Basically, gates appear irregularly and suddenly. That's why different zones and areas have different people in charge. Guilds might handle it, or the Hunter Association. Right now, since it's an Association event, they're taking care of it."
I clapped, staring at her to keep going.
"...So, once a gate spawns, you get about a week. From the moment you enter, B-rank or lower gates must be cleared in 6 hours, A-rank in 1 day, S-rank in 7 days. If not, it breaks. So if it's too tough, they issue an evacuation for the whole area."
"Oh..., and?"
"The rank hasn't been measured yet. We'll check quick—if it's B or lower, we'll clear it with who we've got. Higher, and we call for backup."
The grown-up side of my little sister, whom I was seeing after ten years, was pretty cool. The way she explained clearly to me while simultaneously radioing her team to assemble. It was a different side from when she whined or teased me.
"You're cool. Feels solid—no need to worry."
"What're you saying... Anyway, your job is to stay outside the gate and keep civilians away. That's it. You can handle that, right?"
"Got more confidence than anyone."
"Haha, what're you on about~"
Probably true, though.
Sihyun chuckled and turned to her assembled team, already waiting.
"Gate rank measured?"
- Yes, looks like B-rank.
"Ah.... Wish it'd been lower. Or higher so we could've called backup. No luck... Everyone, full gear up and prep to enter."
- Yes, sir! Arming up and standing by!
Watching her team move with crisp precision at her words, Sihyun turned back to me.
"Oppa, one more thing. It's a B-rank, so we're aiming to clear in under 5 hours, but if we're not out by then, call for backup? Planning to wrap quick, so taking the whole team. I'll leave my phone—call Team 1 Leader. You know the guy who nabbed you, right?"
"Whoa.... Look at you planting flags. People always say stuff like that before—"
"Hey, cut it out. Don't jinx me, to your own sister."
"Yep. Go careful."
I flashed a quick grin and waved. Felt like I'd get smacked otherwise.
"Sigh... Oppa, I'm heading in. See you soon. Team 1, Team 2—all units entering the gate."
Sihyun waved lightly and stepped into the gate. About thirty people followed behind their pointwoman.
- Whoa~ Honey, first time seeing a gate this close!
- Looks like other Association folks already went in. Let's get a bit closer~
People just don't listen.
"Folks~ It's dangerous, so please don't come closer."
I was just doing my duty. I'd commanded Pretoria's entire army before—controlling some festival-goers was nothing.
- Who's that guy? Doesn't look like Association staff.
- Yeah. Why's he bossing us around?
- Wait, but he's seriously hot...
Ah, already hate this. In Pretoria, they all listened 'cause I was the Hero.
Guess those flag vibes were spot on. Four-plus hours since my sister and the thirty-odd folks entered, nearing five, and no sign of them.
Sihyun must've asked just in case, but why's it turning out like this? Even I don't get it. After all my past hardships, things just won't go smooth.
I sighed and scrolled her contacts to "Team 1 Leader," hitting call.
A few rings later—trrring—someone picked up.
- That 2nd Team Leader's oppa?
"Yeah, how'd you know? Anyway, yeah. It's been almost five hours since they went in—no sign."
- She called ahead. Said if you rang from her phone, drop everything and roll out.
"Then why're you dawdling?"
- Ugh, sister or brother, you're both jerks. Hang tight—we're coming.
"Sure. Oh, but..."
Click. Dead line.
I stared blankly at the hung-up phone.
"No, I was gonna ask if I could go in first 'cause I'm worried.... Didn't even get to say."
Gate break in about an hour—can't help fretting. My sister said they'd sweep in five and be back, but radio silence. What to do?
One hour 'til boom—why wait here? Better just go in.
Mind tipping that way. Not planning a solo rampage, but if Sihyun's in trouble, gotta save her, right?
Family, and I'm big bro. Cheering from outside feels lame. Not a one-trick cheerleader Hero.
"Excuse me, folks? Gate break in about an hour."
- What? It's dangerous now?
- We gotta run...? Let's back off.
"Yes, exactly. Looks like a serious emergency—everyone evacuate far away?"
No eyes on me would be nicer.
Luckily, safety trumped curiosity. The gawkers scattered.
Satisfied with the quick clearing—good enough not to get chewed out.
Should be fine to pop in quick. I reached into empty air. Light gathered along my fingers, shaping into a long form.
A sword. Blade pure white, elegant yet understated famed blade. In Pretoria, they called it the holy sword. Holy Sword, Beatrice.
Somehow ended up keeping it—no biggie, only Heroes can wield it.
"Long time, Beatrice."
The blade hummed and quivered, same as ever. Bonded over generations of Heroes, gained ego. First call since Demon God war—she seemed a bit sulky, but she always listened anyway.
"Wanna take a quick stroll~?"
The blade shivered at my casual tone. Come to think, most my mutterings were to her. She reacts to anything—how not to talk to myself?
"Yeah, not my fault. I'm innocent."
Muttering that, I headed for the gate. The closer, the more space warped—grimaced, but stepped in without hesitation.
Flash—whoosh—vision flickered, revealing a deep, vast cave.
And monster corpses piled from the start, blood thick in the air—another sigh.
"Ah, really don't wanna fight."
My mutter? The corpses twitched. Sigh again.
Ah.