Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Open Sesame
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Among the Awakeners working as Hunters, what rank do you think has the highest numbers?
The most common F-rank?
Or maybe E-rank, a step above with a bit more prominence?
Surprisingly, it's C-rank.
Starting from C-rank, they're classified as high-rank Awakeners.
It's the minimum requirement to become a 'Guard' defending the cities, and the rank where enrollment in the so-called national insurance—Awakener safety coverage—is mandatory.
In many ways, C-rank Awakeners serve as the benchmark.
This means the higher-ups decided that C-rankers could handle their own weight.
Of course, standards have shifted with the times.
Unlike the romantic era when people charged headlong into Gates, humanity has now adapted to them. With thorough scouting and systematic tactics as the foundation, casualties are being minimized as much as possible.
That's why, among C-ranks, there were often those who were arrogant and looked down on lower ranks.
Ha Chang-hoon, the master of Pitbull Guild, and Kim Hyeon-seok were prime examples.
"Here, Hyeon-seok. Take this."
"Huh? What's this?"
Chang-hoon handed something to the mantis-like man he'd once thrown coffee at for Chan-seong.
"What is it? A tree branch?"
It resembled a beast's bone and hide, or a withered branch—something unnerving that defied easy categorization.
"Toss it somewhere crowded."
"Ugh, what a hassle... Can't you make Iron Lad do it?"
"It's from the higher-ups."
"......"
Chang-hoon showed displeasure at the pushback. Though the only other C-rank in the guild, their hierarchy was clear.
"......Got it."
"Good. Throw it where there are lots of people, and if you get the chance, drag some trash along too."
Chang-hoon always called E- and F-rank lowlifes "trash."
'Human trafficking? Well, it's not the first time they've asked.'
"What's this thing anyway?"
"A Gate."
"......What?"
"They said if you scratch it and wait, a Gate will open."
An artificial Gate...?
Just who was Chang-hoon connected to?
Hyeon-seok felt fear.
And at the same time, a thrill from knowing the rope he'd grabbed was thick and sturdy, making his hands tremble.
"You know that? No mistakes allowed."
"What kind of disaster is this..."
Ga-eun had rescued Su-hyeon from the flock of birds and brought her to the bathroom, helping her tidy up her feather-covered clothes.
"It was like this before too."
"Before?"
"When we first met, with the geese. Not that aggressive, but..."
"Some animal affinity ability?"
"Who knows. Seems like it works on people too, maybe."
"Hmm......"
'Doesn't feel like an ability.'
"You really should get retested."
Ga-eun wondered if it had truly been a machine error.
'Should've gone up myself to check if it was working.'
No use regretting it now.
She'd have to make time tomorrow to go back or find another place.
"It's getting tight today. Wanna try again tomorrow?"
"Nah. Don't you have class tomorrow?"
"It's orientation. One day won't hurt..."
"I've got a free schedule."
Hee hee.
Su-hyeon grinned mischievously, like she was bragging. Ga-eun almost smiled but held back.
She knew Su-hyeon hated looking childish.
"Ahem. Freshmen have one required major class on Friday, so no choice."
"Was that a thing? Don't remember."
After fixing their clothes in the mirror, the two stepped out of the bathroom.
That instant.
-!?
A chill raced across her skin, like goosebumps everywhere.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"What is it? Something feels off......"
"You okay? Hurt somewhere?"
"N-no. It's not me that's weird..."
It felt like the air itself was tearing open......
As Ga-eun knelt to check the tense, frozen Su-hyeon.
WAAAAAAN-
A high-pitched siren wailed through the department store.
"What?"
It was the first time a Gate had manifested without any warning signs.
"...What."
Her mind went fuzzy, she blinked, and suddenly she stood in a pitch-black department store.
But the shattered, cracked surroundings suggested long abandonment—nothing like the place they'd wandered today.
Her position had shifted too, from the bathroom entrance to near the men's clothing on the fifth floor.
"Ugh.... How?"
"You okay?"
She supported Ga-eun, who clutched her head and struggled up.
"We're inside a Gate...?"
Gates had fixed entrances, befitting their name—portals linking other dimensions to Earth.
Monsters could burst out, but a Gate swallowing people? Unheard of.
No visible exit anywhere.
Instead, others caught in the same mess.
As people came to, chaos erupted.
"Aaaah! I don't wanna die!"
"G-Guard... Guards'll come soon, right? Heh heh."
"Anyone? A Hunter? Please......"
"Gotta get out, quick!"
In the panic, someone approached her.
"Little one."
"Huh, convenience store..."
The burly guy who'd carried her basket at the convenience store.
He recognized her.
"Who're you?"
Ga-eun tensed as the muscular, rough-looking man neared.
"Uh... Helped you out at the convenience store once?"
"Sorry if I startled you. Just checking since there's a kid—any injuries?"
The giant spoke politely.
Su-hyeon glanced at Ga-eun, about to vouch for him,
but hesitated—they'd barely spoken.
Carrying a basket once didn't fully vouch against weirdos...
Ga-eun eased her guard slightly but not completely.
Incidents like this drew criminals; caution was wise.
"...Seem uncomfortable, so I'll head back."
As the giant turned to leave, a sleazy voice cut in.
"Oh, Iron Lad? What brings you here?"
"...Big Brother."
A short, mantis-like man swaggered over.
Unlike the helpful giant, he screamed delinquent.
"Man~ Talk about a bolt from the blue, huh?"
The man leered openly at Ga-eun with a sleazy grin.
"I'm a Hunter too. Need some help?"
"...No thanks."
Icy cold.
A tone Su-hyeon had never heard from Ga-eun, even during streams.
It made Su-hyeon tense, swallowing hard.
"Heh heh, unlike other Hunters, heh, I'm C-rank. Heard of Pitbull Guild?"
He persisted, but Ga-eun's permafrost mode shut him down.
"C-rank's the most common among Hunters. What's so special? Never heard of Pitbull Guild."
"Civilians don't pay attention, but we—"
"No interest. Leave. You're not my type."
"...You bitch."
Her curt interruption twisted his ugly face further.
"Everyone! Calm down first. Making a fuss without knowing the situation is more dangerous."
A man stepped center, soothing the crowd.
"I'm a Hunter. D-rank, but... I have experience. Let me make a proposal."
Hunter.
D-rank was lacking, but far better than F or E. At least usable in combat.
"...First, Awakeners, please raise your hands."
Slowly, hands rose here and there.
"We have two options now.
Search for an unknown exit and move, or stay put for rescue. Personally, I think moving a bit is better in irregular situations like this..."
His eyes flicked to kids, women, elderly—including Ga-eun and Su-hyeon.
"What're you saying? When will rescue even come? Telling non-Awakeners to die of poison?"
"Don't even know your rank. What if we move and all die?"
"J-Just waiting..."
"Why wait when something could happen? Might not even be dangerous."
"Rescue won't know our location—we didn't enter normally."
"Rescue might drop here too!"
Opinions clashed; divisions formed.
"This is bad..."
Ga-eun frowned slightly.
The mood was turning ugly.
Splitting the group was likely now.
In such cases, it usually divided into strong and weak.
"Typical trash D-rank idea. You wanna kill us all?"
The mantis-suited man stepped up then.
Short and unassuming, but his thug vibe made everyone wary.
"...Excuse me, who are you?"
The insulted Hunter seemed annoyed but asked politely.
"Hunter. Not some scrub like you—C-rank."
"C-rank...!"
Faces brightened.
'A C-rank Hunter Awakener? We can trust that!'
Satisfied, the mantis man smirked.
Then continued.
"All together? If monsters come 'cause of those kids or geezers, you taking responsibility? Volunteer as bait, and I'll agree."
He side-eyed Su-hyeon with a slimy smile.
Ga-eun gritted her teeth, shielding her.
"......So what're you suggesting?"
"Few options."
He spread four fingers, folding them one by one.
"One: Move together and die. Two: Stay and die. Three: Use the baggage as bait and run."
He raised his voice deliberately.
Murmurs erupted.
He paused, then folded the last.
"Four: Awakeners only from the start."
"You call that reasonable?"
"Our noses are barely above water. No spare energy for others. We're no heroes, but not villains? Bluntly, people dying in Gates ain't our fault."
"Hey, being C-rank makes you all that?"
"Don't like it? Tough. Got saints here? Hunters no better than civvies."
"Uh, Mr. Hunter... Don't be like that. Save the kids at least?"
An elderly man pleaded, but he scoffed.
"Gramps, too selfish? Hell, I don't know if I'll survive. Who saves who? Entrusting my life!?"
Haa.
A sigh escaped.
Today had been the most fun in years, and now, in one day, her mood plummeted to the gutters.
Half-listening to the bickering, she scanned around and sensed something odd.
Emptiness in the air, like voids...... Scattered everywhere.
No presence at all—unnaturally so, making even the air feel thick.
Such things lurked in this Gate.
'How can I sense this...?'
Maybe one of her abilities.