Chapter 79: Time for My Life to Skyrocket!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 79: Time for My Life to Skyrocket!
"Miss... are you sure we shouldn't call for backup?"
"..."
"I know I’m overstepping, and I know you’re far more educated and wiser than I am, but I think this response is far too weak for an S-Class Gate. Honestly... this isn't just any gate. If a Gate Wave happens, there’s no telling what kind of monsters will come pouring out. The idea of you holding them off alone... I mean, I know how powerful you are, but if a Defense-type Gate raid fails, they say hundreds, even hundreds of millions of monsters could swarm out..."
Kang Tae-min was desperate.
Trusting someone was one thing, but preventing a gate failure was an entirely different matter.
But right now, this lady named Melanie was trying to protect her company under the guise of 'trust.'
I get where she's coming from, but still...
Even if Cadet Baek Tae-yang’s combat power transcended the level of a student, an S-Class Gate was a different story.
He could say it a thousand times and it still wouldn't be enough: they had to request support from a Hunter team immediately.
If only this weren't a world-class conglomerate...
If it weren't the Kaivan Group, the very people who supplied weapons to Hunters, he would have raised his voice.
In fact, even if it were the Kaivan Group, if Kang Tae-min still had his former reputation, he could have bossed them around as much as he wanted.
Ugh, goddammit...
Since Melanie and Baek Tae-yang were the only witnesses to him opening the gate, his words carried no weight yet.
But what if the reporters swarmed in and the world found out he had opened an S-Class Gate?
That would be the true resurrection of Kang Tae-min.
However, for now, only Melanie was by his side.
The security personnel keeping people away from the gate wouldn't have seen the moment it opened.
That was why Kang Tae-min had no choice but to mutter cautiously, biting his lip in frustration.
"Miss, you really need to make a decision..."
"I know. I know what you’re thinking, Kang Tae-min, and I understand exactly what kind of situation this is. You might think I’m being childish, playing house by trusting a fellow cadet and gambling with lives at an S-Class Gate. But I have a plan of my own."
"Pardon?"
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud.
The area around the gate was rugged mountain terrain.
Because of that, there was only one way to deliver goods easily.
By air.
"As I understand it, your Open skill can't reopen a gate once it's been opened, right?"
"Yes... that's correct..."
"But I heard that only applies if a living being passes through. Is that right?"
"...That's true. You're quite well-informed. Usually, that's how support is sent in when clearing a Defense or Offense-type Gate takes too long, but..."
"Then open it one more time."
"What?"
The forest swayed violently, unable to withstand the wind from the helicopter's propellers.
The helicopter was slowly approaching, a massive case dangling from a cable.
What is that?
In all his life, Kang Tae-min had never seen a weapon case that large.
How could a single Hunter's weapon case be the size of a queen-sized bed?
"It’s still a prototype since I only recently received Baek Tae-yang’s weapon compatibility test files... but it should be enough for him."
"What on earth are you talking about? Preparing for a Gate Wave by requesting backup and sending supplies into the gate are two completely different things! There’s no harm in being prepared, Miss..."
He had started out bold, but the overwhelming difference in economic power caused Kang Tae-min’s voice to grow smaller and smaller.
Still, he felt a strange thrill at having said his piece.
It felt like he had given a rich young lady a much-needed reality check.
Since everything he said was logically sound, the atmosphere didn't turn too sour.
"You're right, I know. I understand your concern about a Gate Wave... and I even understand your desire to announce your grand return as an Opener with reporters everywhere."
"..."
Melanie’s words hit the nail on the head, and Kang Tae-min clamped his mouth shut.
With his eloquent speech gone and the cat seemingly having caught his tongue, Melanie gave a refreshing smile.
"But my judgment is a bit different. First of all, the gate closed as soon as Kim Min-su entered. That means it’s a gate that must be cleared by a very small number of people. Even if it’s not a Concept-type. That implies either specific conditions must be met or the boss monster is incredibly powerful... which leads me to guess it is a Concept-type. Therefore, we can't just blindly call for backup when we don't even know what kind of monsters will appear."
To be honest, this was close to sophistry on Melanie's part.
They could easily prepare both internal support and external precautions.
Even if Melanie was right, they could have simply had Hunters keep their distance and monitor the situation.
However.
Melanie firmly believed in Baek Tae-yang’s confident words—to wait for him while dressed beautifully.
She did not doubt for a second that the man would clear the gate and pave a path of flowers for the Kaivan Group’s future.
...I believe in you, Baek Tae-yang.
The global giant Kaivan still lacked recognition in Korea, home to the world's best academy.
No matter how many weapons they made, the label "But is it better than Victory's?" always followed them like a shadow.
That was why Melanie decided to take a bold gamble.
A single moment to leap high while perfectly cleaning up the mess Kim Min-su had left behind.
That moment was now.
Backup will come anyway. It’s only a matter of time.
No matter how deep in the mountains the gate was, it was only a matter of time before the pulse of an S-Class Gate was detected.
Even if Melanie didn't actively request support, the Hunter teams would come on their own.
Kang Tae-min was simply arguing that they should move that timeline up.
If I just explain the situation right—that a mere cadet called an Opener when faced with an S-Class Gate but didn't request backup yet—I can control everything.
It was a forced logic and a gamble with lives.
"Open the gate now. We’re dropping the weapon case."
"But... just because I open it doesn't mean it'll land right in front of him. As you know... if there's no designated safe zone in the gate, it'll drop in a random location, and he might not be able to get it..."
"Don't worry about that. I've already accounted for that much."
"Yes, ma'am..."
Sizzle, crackle.
The gate, which had already been opened once, pushed back against Kang Tae-min’s hands as if refusing to grant permission a second time.
"Guaaaaaah!"
Kang Tae-min desperately poured strength into his hands, toes, glutes, and waist.
If things go south, I’m out of here!
Before massive power, an individual is weaker than a fallen leaf blowing in the wind.
Even as he opened the gate, Kang Tae-min considered and discarded countless variables.
If there’s any sign of a Gate Wave, I’ll bolt. As long as I’m not at the scene... But if he actually succeeds in clearing the gate...
He believed that even if backup didn't arrive, Melanie would actively push for his success.
Even if she didn't, he had already secured an incredible connection in Baek Tae-yang.
Baek Tae-yang has a very close relationship with Chairman Choi Young-nam... No, it’s more like Choi Young-nam is the president of Baek Tae-yang’s fan club... That could be my bridge... And Team Leader Lee Min-jun is like the MC of the Hunter world... The connections are insane... This is it... This is my chance to hit the jackpot.
Even as the skin on his palms peeled and blood gushed from the repulsion of the S-Class Gate, Kang Tae-min calculated his gains and losses.
This is an opportunity money can't buy. Besides, Baek Tae-yang has great public standing, so helping him will naturally rehabilitate my image... Once my reputation is laundered, I’ll make massive donations to orphanages and support senior welfare centers to trigger an explosion of public favor... Then I’ll take a photo with Baek Tae-yang while wearing a white T-shirt he signed, post it on social media...
Knowing he couldn't break Melanie’s stubbornness, he let his imagination run wild with happy thoughts.
As long as Baek Tae-yang cleared the gate and emerged as Melanie intended, there would be no problem.
Furthermore, what if Baek Tae-yang was supported by weapons from Kaivan, the pinnacle of weapon manufacturing?
"It's open! Aaaaagh! Hurry up!!!"
With a scream that could tear ears, the interior of the gate revealed itself.
A white space with nothing in it.
Before he could even think What is this?, Melanie hurriedly shoved the weapon case delivered by the helicopter inside.
"Done! It's in!"
"Woooooah!"
The moment he realized the weapon was inside, Kang Tae-min, unable to withstand the repulsion any longer, was sent flying.
Thud!
Melanie caught him just before he hit a rock, and amidst the pain of his flesh tearing, he smiled faintly.
My life... is taking flight again...
Thinking of the high-maintenance sports car he’d soon be driving to his heart's content, he slowly closed his eyes.
He had done enough; it was time for a short rest.