I'll Give You a Chance to Make Up for Your Mistake

Kang Moo-hyuk set aside Kim Man-gi, who had been struck dumb by his own intimidating presence, and pulled out his smartphone.

He launched the guild integration information application—commonly known as the Guild App.

After authenticating as a guild official, he logged into the gate raid ranking tab.

A location search confirmed that the Seogang University Gate had just been newly updated.

As soon as the number one spot was registered, several other guilds had already followed suit.

Kang Moo-hyuk frowned at the guilds' reckless actions.

"What are they thinking, throwing their names up there without any plan? Tsk! What if the top guild forfeits?"

"Shouldn't we put our name up too?"

"It's too late even if we did now. We'd only get a shot if all the frontrunners fail or bail. And if the chance trickles down that far, it just means the gatekeeper is that tough—not exactly cause for celebration."

"Won't the guild master chew you out over this, team leader?"

"Well, there are ways if we really want to go first."

"What ways?"

"That's what I'm about to check out."

Kang Moo-hyuk shifted his focus from the already lagging rankings to the top spot.

"Immortal Guild, huh? Never heard of them."

"Fancy name, though."

Park Min-soo, glancing over at the smartphone screen, let out a hollow chuckle at the overly grandiose guild name.

If it was a guild unknown to either Kang Moo-hyuk or himself, it was either insignificant or a newbie outfit.

"Just in case, have Manager Kim dig into Immortal Guild with the intel team. Call me if anything turns up."

"Got it."

"Party Leader Park, let's head to where the gatekeeper is."

"Gonna check it out yourself?"

"What do you think I'd figure out just by looking? I'm planning to meet the guild that registered on the rankings. They must have set up camp nearby to prep for the raid."

With Park Min-soo's guidance, Kang Moo-hyuk made his way to the site.

The gate stood with its back to the library, in a gothic style reminiscent of an ancient triumphal arch, with an unidentified iridescent light shimmering at its center.

The gate's color was still undetermined—colorless.

It would reveal its hue once the gatekeeper was defeated. Typically, the stronger the gatekeeper, the higher the gate's rank.

"Anything red or above is a headache to swallow…"

"Team leader, if it turns out to be a red gate, you thinking of reaching out to a tier-one guild?"

"Why? Jealous?"

"Just feels like we're about due to aim for red gates ourselves."

"You've got ambition, but even just upgrading our forces is stretching our funds thin. We're maxed on loans and investments—no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠breathing room. A decent blue gate would be easier for securing cash."

"What about a joint raid?"

"Even if we tag along inside, we'd get squeezed on shares relative to the investment. We wouldn't even glimpse the gate boss. Hell, no A-rank eyeing tier-one status would share raid know-how with us beforehand. It'd just be raising a rival. They'd keep us at arm's length even if we begged and offered billions for a peek."

"Fair point. I'd hesitate to show off our party's hunting style too."

"We don't even know the gate color yet. No point counting chickens when our turn might never come. Oh? Is that the unknown?"

Kang Moo-hyuk spotted the creature sitting blatantly in front of the gate.

Compared to the roughly ten-meter-tall gate, the monster's build was pathetically small. From this distance, its features weren't clear.

"Should've brought binoculars."

"We secured photos of the gatekeeper right away. Here."

Park Min-soo pulled out his smartphone and showed pictures he'd snapped earlier with a telephoto lens.

"A person? Looks like an old man, blue skin aside."

"See here—horn on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the forehead. Tiny, so it's hard to spot."

"Is that a staff?"

"Outfit screams magic-type mob. The small frame points that way too."

"This thing's bounty just skyrocketed."

Magic-type monsters had a high chance of dropping magic stones.

Over thirty years into the gate era, most magic learned by caster-type hunters dubbed mages came from these monsters.

Value varied by spell, but magic stones themselves commanded higher prices than skill books.

Even without selling, equipping a guild's strategic mage with new magic was a win. Magic was a hunter's strategic weapon. Tier-one guilds didn't boast named mages for nothing.

Park Min-soo nodded in agreement.

"High value means high chance of nasty surprises during the hunt."

"That's magic mobs for you. At least as gatekeeper, it's bound to the gate and can't rampage freely—small mercies."

That was why guilds could leisurely observe from a safe distance.

Gatekeepers rarely strayed far unless the gate was touched. They broke free only upon defeat or gate countdown completion.

"We'll get the rest from the analysis team. First, let's meet the Immortal Guild reps."

* * *

Finding Immortal Guild was easy. Just locate the camp drawing all the stares.

As expected, guild reps swarmed nearby.

But despite the buzzing curiosity, no one approached. They were just dying to know which idiot was about to crack their skull.

"Hey? They're here?"

Jo Ik-jun, the team leader infamous for his nosiness, was there too, naturally.

Kang Moo-hyuk gave a curt nod in greeting, then turned to the man beside him.

A blue band embroidered on the man's jacket right sleeve caught his eye.

Taeguk Guild reserved that mark for party leaders only.

New face?

Kang Moo-hyuk knew all Taeguk party leaders by sight. As Yeouido rivals, he had dossiers on most hunters.

Catching Kang Moo-hyuk's gaze, Jo Ik-jun smacked his forehead and introduced.

"Oh right, my bad. This is our new 4th party leader, Hunter Kim Seok-hyeon. Looks rough, but he's got that international polish—from Europe."

"Watch how you say that, team leader. What about me looks off?"

"Not exactly intellectual."

As Jo Ik-jun quipped, Kim Seok-hyeon looked more bandit than hunter.

Bulging frame, square jaw, thick sideburns, and a bluish beard shadow covering half his face screamed mountain thug.

"Kang Moo-hyuk from Titan Guild."

"Heard a lot about you. Strategic team leader without being a hunter? Impressive."

Kim Seok-hyeon grinned and offered a handshake. Kang Moo-hyuk stared down at the hand without taking it. The tone grated—blatant condescension.

Doing this on purpose?

Kang Moo-hyuk glanced sidelong at Jo Ik-jun.

"Come on, let's be friends—no need to scowl."

He urged the handshake with a smile.

Jo Ik-jun knew the situation full well.

But he's not stopping it.

Jo Ik-jun had a nasty streak.

Industry legend.

Kang Moo-hyuk's take differed slightly.

Every move—hunts, meetings, even coffee—was political.

How many had bled from tangling with him?

Using the newbie to deflate me?

Then brush it off as rookie mistake. Persistent guy.

Kang Moo-hyuk extended his hand to avoid the bait.

But.

"Nice to meet you. Park Min-soo, Titan Guild 3rd party leader."

Park Min-soo, well-versed in Jo Ik-jun's twisted nature, couldn't let it slide.

He intercepted, clasping Kim Seok-hyeon's hand instead.

Veins bulged on Kim Seok-hyeon's forehead the instant they gripped. Face flushing red, teeth grinding.

Park Min-soo glared back, nostrils flaring.

Prominent veins throbbed on the straining hunters' hands.

Kim Seok-hyeon gritted through the pressure.

"You pack some punch."

"Scared now that a hunter's stepping up?"

"Mouthy one."

"That's how I roll with rude bastards."

"This 'cause of your team leader?"

"Don't strut around with your Euro cred. Disrespecting Team Leader Kang is disrespecting Titan Guild."

"Loyal dog, huh."

"Enough, both of you. Let's call it here."

Jo Ik-jun wedged between the unyielding hunters.

As Kim Seok-hyeon eased off, Park Min-soo matched by loosening his grip.

With the power struggle paused, Kang Moo-hyuk spoke.

"Like I always say, go easy, Team Leader Jo. Those field instincts don't cut it for strategic team leader anymore."

"Haha, what strength do I have? Young hunters' guts even guild masters can't rein in these days."

"Sure. Anyway, duty calls. See you."

Kang Moo-hyuk left the groaning Jo Ik-jun behind.

Park Min-soo shot Kim Seok-hyeon a warning glare before following.

Kim Seok-hyeon called after Kang Moo-hyuk's retreating back.

"Whew~ Almost ate him alive. Still, covers for his own. Guess that leader's got a knack for winning hunters over."

"More than grilling and frying."

"Huh?"

"It's respect. For their team leader."

"For real? A non-hunter?"

"You know how this industry runs on skill. They respect him 'cause he's got it."

Jo Ik-jun smirked.

Among acquaintances, only Kang Moo-hyuk brushed off his pranks nonchalantly. Most soured, raged, or cut ties in righteous fury.

Kang Moo-hyuk fired back jokes or advice. Extraordinary in itself.

"And it's not just wrangling hunters—Team Leader Kang's got more."

"Like what?"

"Great instincts. Hunter or monster, they feel stripped bare the moment they face him."

"Lost on me."

"Then study up. His career. It'll help. He's got some wild records."

Despite Jo Ik-jun's high praise, Kim Seok-hyeon still tilted his head, unconvinced about a non-hunter strategist.

* * *

The camp consisted of just two large tents: command and hunter standby.

Here, Kang Moo-hyuk felt the first twinge of suspicion.

Just two?

Raid prep mobilized plenty of non-hunter support. Gear and space for them alone demanded multiple tents.

Hunter standby needed more than one too. Hunters required isolated rest and focus space pre-hunt. Tier guilds even prepped dedicated rest vehicles for conditioning.

For a no-name guild with a flashy title, two tents was absurd.

Even packed full of hunters, it was woefully short for an unknown raid.

Not like a named hunter spun off independently.

Entering the camp, Immortal Guild hunters scattered around eyed Kang Moo-hyuk warily.

He requested a meeting with the on-site lead, citing Titan Guild, from the nearest Immortal hunter.

While waiting as the hunter ducked into the command tent, Kang Moo-hyuk scanned the camp.

Spotting the second oddity.

A guild on the raid list, but zero raid prep. What's going on?

His smartphone buzzed as he pondered.

His gut screamed intel incoming.

"Talk."

-Immortal Guild info. 19 months old, office in Hapjeong. 23 hunters, nothing odd in finances or performance… except one thing.

"What?"

-Already at two outs.

"Two outs? It's still September."

-Yes. They registered for Sangam-dong World Cup Stadium Gate 3 and Eungam-dong Gate 9, then bailed.

The two outs Kim Man-gi mentioned referred to the current gate raid system's Three Strikes Rule.

The guild response process was straightforward.

«Nearby guilds deploy on gate emergence to secure the key.»

Simple.

The key was held by the gatekeeper that spawned with the gate.

Guilds aimed to hunt it and claim the key.

The key holder controlled gate access—no entry without permission.

Meaning monopoly on all resources, artifacts included.

The state took just 15% tax on loot and cared only that the gate core was destroyed on time.

Early gate days saw sloppy rushes for gatekeepers, chaos reigning.

Myriad hunters injured or killed. Even guild-on-guild attacks for last hits. Cue "guild wars"—wars disguised as competition.

These "gate wars" left deep scars.

At peak, more hunters died to hunters than monsters.

Governments worldwide introduced laws to curb the mess.

One: the Three Strikes Rule.

This Three Strikes is the issue. Every guild's nightmare.

Three-month ban? Death sentence for mid/small guilds. Even giants suffered—bigger bodies, bigger appetites. Constant raids needed to sustain.

Thus, guilds arrived early but hesitated to register.

Known gatekeepers were one thing; blind-registering ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for unknowns was suicide queuing.

Kang Moo-hyuk's on-site games were all policy-driven.

"Recent Sangam or Eungam gate ranks?"

-Cleared by local guilds without losses, so probably not too tough. Want specifics?

"Nah. Good ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠enough. Some puzzles, but picture's forming. Send docs. Talk later. Oh, and high chance magic-type gatekeeper—prep E-protocol gear."

A skinny, irritable-looking man emerged from the tent; Kang Moo-hyuk hastily ended the call.

"Guild Master Na Do-hyun."

"Ah? You're the… guild master."

Kang Moo-hyuk faltered mid-sentence. Na Do-hyun caught the fluster.

"Small guilds can't afford separate expedition or strategy teams. Gotta jump in myself."

"Sorry. Not used to seeing guild masters on-site—caught me off guard."

"No big deal. Happens."

Minimal courtesy, stiff tone. He'd clocked Kang Moo-hyuk as non-hunter. Without the Titan name, no meeting.

Kang Moo-hyuk lightened the mood with intros.

"Oh, late on intros. Kang Moo-hyuk, Titan Guild strategic team leader. This is our guild's party leader, Park Min-soo."

Na Do-hyun looked mildly surprised. Non-hunter team leader? Then feigned familiarity.

"Ah, yeah—heard Titan had a non-hunter team leader."

Park Min-soo bristled at the slight.

"One hell of a talent. Without Team Leader Kang, Titan'd be no better off than Immortal."

Subtle reminder: we're leagues above now. Know your place. Pure provocation.

Na Do-hyun bristled but held back. Titan's signboard weighed heavy, but Park Min-soo's presence loomed larger.

One party leader this intimidating?

No wonder A-rank. Tier-aspiring now. Untouchable without matching skill. Felt like a wall.

"Busy with raid prep, so straight to it."

"Shoot."

"Heard you're one strike from out. Why register? Not grilling—just worried. Unknown raid's impossible for Immortal's level, right?"

"Know your place?"

"Dodging trouble. Your success or fail doesn't thrill Titan."

"What're you…"

"No games. Two hours flies. Immortal's in a bind either way, yeah?"

"…"

"Deny all you want. But know this: I'm offering a chance to recover from your mistake. Your call whether to take this hand."