The Gate at the Fountain Show
“There are so many people…”
It wasn’t quite as packed as the eight o’clock finale that closed out Toyland each night, but the fountain show in the square was famous enough that a sizable crowd had gathered in the central plaza. I craned my neck, scanning for a decent spot, when Min Soyeon—who had been trailing behind me—tugged sharply on my collar.
“…Let’s go that way.”
The place she pointed to was dead center in front of the fountain—the exact spot where the largest number of people were converging. Since visitors could take photos from the middle of the fountain area, the shots did come out prettier than anywhere else. If that was what she wanted, I had no choice but to make it happen.
“All right, let’s head over there.”
I took the lead, guiding Soyeon forward, but the closer we got to the center, the more the crowd thickened and the harder it became to push through. This wasn’t going to work. After a moment’s thought, I discreetly offered my hand to Soyeon, who was sticking close behind me.
“…We might get separated like this.”
She stared blankly at my outstretched hand for a second, then shyly took it. I gripped her hand firmly and slowly carved a path through the sea of people.
How long did we walk like that? We finally reached the center of the fountain. Behind the brightly uniformed staff members stood long lines of spectators. The area was so popular they had apparently sectioned it off and were managing it properly.
“Let’s get in line first.”
I pushed through the crowd again and joined the queue, gently releasing Soyeon’s hand as I eyed the long line ahead. It was… pretty long. Would we even get our turn in time for the show?
“…Soyeon. Our slot is pretty far back. I’m not sure we’ll match the timing.”
She answered in a casual tone, as if telling me not to worry. “They only take one photo per group, so the line moves fast.”
“…Really?”
She must have looked up the details after insisting we take the picture here. While we waited our turn with Soyeon, a public announcement suddenly echoed across the plaza.
Attention, guests. The central plaza fountain show is about to begin. Please remain in your designated areas…
The announcement signaled the start of the fountain show. Shortly after it ended, majestic music swelled through the square—♫~♪~♩~♬~—like we had stepped into a concert hall. Streams of water began shooting high into the air from the fountain.
“Whoa…”
It had been a long time since I’d seen a fountain show, but it was still breathtaking enough to make me lose myself in it. As I watched, memories of coming here with my family surfaced. I glanced sideways at Soyeon to check on her.
“…”
She seemed to like it too; her mouth was slightly open as she stared at the show in a daze. Seeing my cute daughter like that brought a satisfied smile to my face. I quietly waited for our turn.
♪~♫~♩~♬~
As the performance continued, our place in line drew closer. Soon it was the turn of the young couple standing in front of us.
“Please hand your phone to the staff member here! Stand on the white-painted section and strike your pose!”
While the staff member mechanically recited the instructions and Soyeon pulled out her phone to ready the camera, the couple ahead moved quickly, as if they had rehearsed. They lightly embraced, gazed into each other’s eyes, and the moment their lips met—click—the shutter sounded.
“Next group, please step forward immediately!”
The staff didn’t even give us time to think before calling us up. Soyeon handed over her phone, then grabbed my forearm.
“…Come on.”
She pulled me onto the white-painted tiles. Since she hadn’t said anything else, I assumed we would simply stand side by side for the photo. But… what was this?
It seemed Soyeon had a pose already planned. She positioned me to the side, then turned to face me directly, locking eyes. A strange, oddly familiar sense of déjà vu washed over me.
“Ready in three!”
Was I imagining it…? At the staff member’s shout, I brushed the feeling aside and looked at Soyeon. She stared back with a strangely determined expression, as if she were nervous.
“One!”
Her beautifully painted lips twitched as she held my gaze.
“Twooo…!”
The instant the second count was about to leave the staff member’s mouth—
“J-Jihwan!!!”
Gong Haeseon’s urgent voice called my name.
…Huh?
“Three!”
The moment the final count rang out, a deafening roar shook the air—BOOOOOOM—!!!! At the same time, Soyeon threw herself over me.
“Ugh…!”
Caught completely off guard, I tumbled to the ground. Regaining my senses, I looked at Soyeon, who had ended up in my arms. She looked utterly bewildered.
“Soyeon! Are you okay?!”
“…H-huh?”
She was completely out of it, blinking at me as if she had no idea what had just happened. And then—
KWAAAAAANG—!!!!!
Another inexplicable explosion slammed into our ears. I instinctively pulled Soyeon close, quickly deploying a barrier as I scanned our surroundings.
“Kyaaaaaaa!”
“Uwaaaaaagh!!!!”
“R-run!!”
Spectators screamed in terror and fled in every direction. I didn’t know what was happening, but escaping was clearly the right move.
“Soyeon, hurry…!”
I carefully helped the still-dazed Soyeon to her feet, preparing to run, when a splitting sound came from the sky—RUMBLE—RUMBLE-RUMBLE-RUMBLE.
This was…!
The ominous precursor to destruction, no matter how many times I heard it, never got easier to bear.
“A Gate…”
It was the sound of a Gate opening.
“Soyeon! We have to run! Soyeon!”
“…Hah!”
She finally snapped out of her daze, eyes wide as she looked around.
“…What—what is this…?”
“It’s a Gate. We need to get out of here, now!”
“…A G-Gate…?”
“Raise your mana as high as you can and run toward where the people are gathered!”
I was hurriedly explaining when someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
“J-Jihwan…!”
It was Haeseon. I had no idea why she was here, but evacuation came first.
“It’s a Gate, Haeseon! Run!! Raise all your mana and head where the crowd is…!”
Another splitting sound tore through the sky—RUMBLE-RUMBLE.
The roar grew shorter and sharper, accompanied by a stinging wave of mana. The Gate was almost fully open. The first priority was to put as much distance between us and it as possible. In a situation where we had no idea what might emerge, hesitation could easily get us killed.
I stopped explaining, seized both Soyeon’s and Haeseon’s wrists, and shouted.
“Let’s go—now!”
I dragged them toward the entrance. As we ran, I felt a powerful surge of mana from behind us.
SWOOOOOOSH—
Directly above the plaza fountain, a bizarre crack formed in the air. Then—SCREEECH—SCREECH—CRACK—BOOM!!! It burst open like a bomb, punching a gaping hole in the sky.
Grrrrrrrr—
The void greedily sucked in the surrounding mana and radiated a menacing glow. The Gate had opened.
“K-kyaaaah…!”
“…Ugh!”
Haeseon and Soyeon both screamed in shock. I yanked them forward and yelled.
“Dammit, don’t stop!!”
They finally came to their senses, raising their mana and gradually picking up speed. We broke free of the plaza, mixing in with the other visitors as we fled toward the exit. That was when a grotesque cry echoed from the fountain area.
KWEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!
It was a large beast.
“Kyaaaaaaaaa!”
“R-run faster!!!!”
“Help us!!!”
The monster’s roar threw the crowd into complete panic. The narrow path ahead became hopelessly jammed.
“…It’s blocked.”
“Jihwan… what do we do…?”
Soyeon and Haeseon, who had caught up, looked at me with desperate eyes. KWEEEEEEEEEEEK!!! THUD—! THUD—!! THUD!!! The cries grew closer, and the ground shook violently with each step. We were running out of time.
If only I still had my old mana…! The old Min Sungjae would have used magic to clear a path or stood against the beast. But I was Yu Jihwan now—a body so mana-starved that every spell drained me completely. If I used magic now, I might not have any left when we truly needed it.
Damn it…!
I cursed my own powerlessness and racked my brain. Just then, the visitors ahead began shouting.
“L-look over there!”
“It’s an ability user!!! Please save us!!!”
…Ability users?
When I looked closely, I saw Academy instructors—including Lee Daesan and Lim Chakyung—leaping over the crowds and racing toward the plaza. People cheered at the sight of the hunters, already convinced everything would be fine.
“T-thank goodness…”
“…Phew.”
Leaving the relieved Soyeon and Haeseon behind, I watched the instructors’ backs as they moved away. An inexplicable chill crawled across my skin. Something icy seemed to brush the back of my neck. It felt extremely ominous.
…My gut is telling me this is bad.
I swallowed hard, tension tightening my throat, and thought as the instructors disappeared from view. They’re veteran hunters. They should be fine…
I turned my back on the plaza, trying to comfort Soyeon and Haeseon. But then—
“…”
I let out a hollow laugh at the ‘message’ that suddenly floated before my eyes.
EMERGENCY!
Save Lee Daesan.
*Failure will result in Gong Haeseon’s death
The sudden order to save Lee Daesan was random enough, but the penalty for failure was even more absurd. Haeseon was right here in front of me. How could she die?
I was still trying to make sense of the cryptic message when it flashed again and new text appeared.
EMERGENCY!
Save Lee Daesan.
*Failure will result in Gong Haeseon’s death
└ Success Reward
Tears of the Mermaid — 2ml
“…Huh?”
I unconsciously let out a dumbfounded sound at the sudden reward. Both Soyeon and Haeseon turned to look at me.
“…Jihwan, what’s wrong?”
“…What is it?”
Ignoring their questions, I read the success reward again.
Tears of the Mermaid. Even in oceanic Gates, you could only encounter the creature known as a mermaid through sheer luck. Mermaids possessed the ability to communicate with humans. When one fell in love, it would shed tears for its beloved. Those tears carried incredibly beneficial effects, the most notable of which was—
Mana enhancement.
It was exactly what I needed right now.