Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Open Sesame!
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"Open Sesame!"
"You all know that a hunter's body constantly absorbs and stores mana from nature to be ready to use skills at any time, right? That's why the harmful mana coming from gates puts a strain on the body."
Before entering the gate, the instructor's explanation continued.
Honestly, I still don't really get mana.
I heard yesterday it's like MP in games.
"The way to deal with it is mana circulation. It's like creating a filter in your body, like a water purifier, so the harmful mana doesn't get absorbed directly into you."
He mentioned a water purifier, so kinda makes sense?
Bad-bad mana hurts your body if you absorb it straight, so you filter it with the clean-clean mana already in you.
"It's simple. Image training is key. Visualize it in your head. Pull the mana filling your chest and wrap it around your whole body like a protective barrier. Let's try it right now."
Okay, let's give it a shot.
Everyone around me is placing their hands on their chests and focusing.
A blank canvas in my mind.
Flat, empty chest... pulling out blue-blue energy, surging with power!
"Oh... it's warm."
A cozy, warm feeling all over my body.
Not hot, just right—feels great. If I lay down like this, I could take a nap.
"Everyone feeling that warmth? It's a bit shaky, right?"
"Ugh... it's intense."
"It flickers out if I lose focus even a little..."
"I can do it, but barely if I concentrate hard..."
Murmurs all around.
The instructor and everyone else saying it's tough. Really?
I'm still all cozy and warm... Is something wrong with me...?
"It's your first time, so it's unfamiliar. To get used to maintaining it, we'll enter the dungeon-type gate. Those with military experience will know—think of it like CBRN training."
At that, a few people sitting looked grim.
CBRN? I know that one.
Like in the army, gas-gas-gas stuff, right?
I remember on that army variety TV show, people coughing and hacking.
"Don't worry about Samhwa Mine Gate 1. Low risk level, no regenerating monsters, spacious area—perfect for body strain training. Medical staff on standby just in case."
So, the rainbow-spewing ones are the most dangerous?
I don't like those... Gross...
"...Worried?"
Suddenly, someone sat in the empty seat next to me.
It was Officer Bong Seonhwa.
"Oh? Officer Bong. Work all done?"
"Yes."
"You asked if I'm worried? Seeing those bags shoot rainbows... I don't wanna do it, sounds scary."
"Rainbows... Fun way to put it. Hehe... So, Miss Chorok, did the mana circulation image come clearly in your head?"
I nodded.
Toasty and cozy, not hard at all.
"Yup! Warm feeling, like sunlight, still going strong."
"Then you're fine. Nothing will happen."
Officer Bong smiled faintly.
Like I had nothing to worry about.
Huh? So I'm good?
No rainbow spew from my mouth? Yay!
"...Before we go live, any questions? Speak up if you have any."
The instructor's mic came back on after a pause.
Explanation was easy, maybe? No hands up.
Hunters must pick this stuff up quick.
"None? Then if anyone feels unsure, you're free to leave. We respect participants' wishes."
No one budged.
Everyone's here to learn properly.
"No one leaving. Good. Now, follow me into the real thing."
Gate time.
I glanced at Officer Bong.
"You staying here, Officer Bong?"
"No. Special supervision authority—I'll go in with you. To prevent anything happening to you. Bureau Chief's orders."
"Ah, got it."
(No clue why, but okay.)
She's guarding me? Feels secure!
.
.
.
"...Get ready from here on out."
Up to the early cave part of the gate, everyone was fine.
All using the mana circulation they'd learned.
"Even if it's tough, keep repeating the image training!"
Now we stopped at what looked like a stone entrance.
Entrance feels like trippy Egyptian stuff—dri-li-hi-ra...
Like something from a comic where I dual another me—carvings and writings.
"Urk... Stomach's churning."
"Dizzy..."
"Ugh... Keeps flickering out..."
Problem: Everyone else looks like pale, exhausted kimchi roots—not me.
They look wrecked—rainbows incoming?
"Miss Yeon Chorok, you okay? You look totally chill."
"Yup! Fine. Chomper too, right?"
Nod nod.
Chomper in my arms: perky. Me: perky.
Didn't even train, but Chomper's fine?
Chomper's just that smart?
"Hahaha..."
Instructor staring in wonder. I'm fine.
Like Officer Bong said—no issue. Strut anywhere!
"What...? Better than me...?"
"Urp... How's she so fine...?"
"Guardian nearby—some genius girl...?"
"Can't even beat a kid..."
Murmurs from behind.
Ugh, I'm not a kid! Meanies! I'm an adult!
"...I'd love to ask Miss Chorok her secret. I struggled here first time too—could help others."
Cheeks puffed, about to sulk, but instructor asks, so I hold it.
Wants my secret?
Uh... Dunno. How to explain?
"Just did it and it worked...? Like you taught."
"Th-that's talent..."
Officer Bong beside me smiles brightly at my answer.
That smile means I nailed it, right?
"Excellent answer, Miss Chorok."
Yay! Praise from Officer Bong!
Did good.
"Some people just get it..."
"Urp... Jealous of that talent..."
"Amazing. Total genius girl."
"She's on another level. Not me being weird."
Murmurs again.
This time, a bit embarrassing. But no "brat" stuff—lucky!
"Alright, deeper in we go."
—Kiiieeeek.
Instructor touches the door—it grinds open sideways with a loud noise.
I strut in first, bold as brass.
No problems—smooth entry.
"Urgh... Way different from outside."
"Dizzy! Gonna puke!"
"Aaaah! Can't do it, Instructor! Can't hold on!"
"Urp...!"
Look back—most participants dirt-pale, about to bolt.
Huh? Tough from here?
Dunno, I'm good.
"Everyone, hang in there! You can do it like me!"
Training together—hope they get it.
Cheering them on...
"I'm out! Going!"
"Uuuuuurp... Exit! Exit!"
"Can't. I'm dropping out."
"Urk... Can't last longer...!"
"I'll guide you—slowly, everyone! Don't run, you'll trip!"
Eek. Couldn't hold out. Heading back.
They tried hard, though.
"Miss Yeon Chorok, heading back too? You're doing so well, no need for more training..."
Huh? That's it?
Kinda boring. Wanna do more.
"Can I go deeper?"
"Gotta handle the ones bolting out..."
"Then I'll accompany under special supervision."
Instructor looks troubled, but Officer Bong steps in.
"Oh? You sure that's okay?"
"Yes. Guiding others is priority—go ahead."
"Thanks a lot!"
Instructor rushes to herd the near-panickers.
Left: me, Chomper, Officer Bong.
"This place is cool. Like a museum exhibit."
"I get what you mean. Unlike other gates, it looks man-made—research site when found. No profitability, so research ended."
Dunno details, but documentary ruins vibe.
"Oh, and the others okay? Looked rough..."
"They'll be fine. D-rank risk— no more strain than instructor mentioned."
Phew.
No rainbows, no other issues.
"You're so kind, Miss Chorok. Caring about others."
"Huh...? Me? Well, training together—can't just blue-blue for myself."
"That's what makes you kind. Keep that heart."
"Yup."
This is fine, right?
Praise? Praise is nice.
"Truth is, first-timers all bail like that. Even I did."
"Huh? You too, Officer Bong?"
"That's why you're amazing, Miss Chorok. Mastering mana circulation like this right away."
"Hehe! No rainbow for me—yay!"
"Still, always stay conscious of it. More you use, stronger it gets—for high-risk gates too."
"Yup!"
Okay dokey.
Memorize it—become cool hunter later.
With Chomper, even tough gates will be breezy.
"Huh...? What's up, Chomper?"
Thinking of Chomper—and it hops from my arms to the floor.
Landed Chomper stares at one wall spot.
"What's there?"
Nod nod.
Something? Okay to check?
"Officer Bong, can I explore deeper?"
"Sure."
Chomper thump-thump. Me thump-thump.
Head to the wall together.
"Something drawn here?"
Close up: wall painting.
More trippy Egyptian stuff.
"Huh...? Feels familiar."
Saw it today, where...?
Skinny sun. Eyes everywhere.
And super skinny worm below.
"Ah, right...! In my dream. How's it identical? Weird!"
But a bit different from dream.
Lots of people below, gathered drawing magic circle-ish thing.
"Huh...? Why's it glowing a little...?"
I could see it.
Faint light around the magic circle.
Chomper staring too, for some reason?
"What is this? Chomper, you know?"
Plant Empathy Lv.02
"...Touch it there?"
Like the emergency gate, Chomper's thought popped into my head.
"Like this?"
Moment I touch the magic circle.
—Ku-gu-gu-gu!
Huge rumble—wall crumbles, revealing long passage.
"Woooow! Officer Bong! Open Sesame here!"
"What is this...? No reports of a passage like this... You found it, Miss Chorok?"
"Yup!"
"Th-this is a new discovery... Must report to HQ...!"
To me, more striking than Open Sesame: Officer Bong losing her cool.
Huh? This a big deal?