LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 75: Red Gate
After a while…
The two hunters finished their conversation and returned to their respective homes.
As soon as Kim Gi-ryeo arrived at his studio, he reactivated the barrier he had turned off, but…
He no longer felt the same unease as before.
“Was there just one sent by the cult…?”
The identity of the visitor tormenting him had already been revealed long ago. They had used an S-Class to capture and threaten him, and soon the opposing party spilled their secrets effortlessly.
Could those who had dived into the industry solely relying on their Awakening Ability possess the stoicism of an independent fighter?
This was, in some ways, a predetermined outcome.
“They must be pretty shaken up. I guess they won’t use the same methods for a while now?”
Well, with that settled…
Gi-ryeo lay down on his bed and tried to catch up on his sleep.
At that moment, he still didn’t know.
How great of a deal he was about to make.
*
A few days later…
“What? Say that again!”
Soo Ye-hwi finally learned about the status of the assassin she had sent.
“Failed?”
A top-tier hitman from the underworld couldn’t take down just one F-Class hunter?
According to the broker, there was a barrier surrounding that tiny studio that surpassed the security level of the Korean Magic Tower’s headquarters.
The shocking news didn’t end there.
“It can’t be!”
The assassin Soo Ye-hwi had hired tried to invade the target’s home despite seeing the perfect barrier, but…
That effort returned with a horrifying result.
And it was all thanks to the person Kim Gi-ryeo had summoned.
“How could that… Why would that hunter help Kim Gi-ryeo?”
Kang Chang-ho, Korea’s S-Class Awakened.
Not only did he show interest in an F-Class, but he even handled the assassin directly?
“Why?”
The call ended with the terrible report that the hired assassin was critically injured by Kang Chang-ho and turned over to the police.
Since the mission failed, she didn’t have to pay the promised success fee, but…
At this point, it wasn’t just about the money.
“It’s nonsense.”
She suspected Gi-ryeo was disguising his rank.
So, she had considered the possibility of a fierce battle ending with the assassin’s defeat, but…
She never expected an S-Class heavyweight would get involved in this fight.
“He’s connected to Kang Chang-ho?”
What kind of person is Kang Chang-ho?
He was a quintessential outsider in the hunter community.
Unlike other hunters who regularly managed their rankings through periodic gate raids, his official activity records could be counted on one hand.
An S-Class is an attention-grabbing spot, whether one likes it or not.
So it was clear.
Kang Chang-ho had never maintained a friendly relationship with any hunter up to this point.
But why in the world…
Would such a self-centered Awakened accept a summons from an F-Class living in a room no bigger than 5 pyeong?
‘Why did this happen…’
This surely meant the F-Class was anything but ordinary.
Soo Ye-hwi felt a strong sense of unease.
Kim Gi-ryeo. What on earth is that man’s true identity?
*
The day after the pact was completed.
“Oh dear~ Gi-ryeo, how is it that you don’t have a single asset in your name?”
I complained as soon as I opened my eyes.
“How am I supposed to gather 2.6 billion won?”
260,000,000 won.
I needed to prepare such an enormous amount of money from now on.
‘And within a limit of ten years.’
Even without mentioning the promise with Kang Chang-ho…
I felt a pressing need to get out of this pathetic awakened body quickly.
And the surest way to solve this situation was to get a new lung.
Once the lung was replaced, I would be able to use a technique to switch bodies even in an F-Class state.
Compared to Earthlings, I could yield several times the efficiency with the same mana.
– Yoon Seung-ah, do you happen to have a ‘Dragon’s Lung’?
– I do.
– Can you let me know what the market price is?
– 2.6 billion.
However, this time, a somewhat special lung would be needed.
No matter how I put it, it felt a bit off to undergo major surgery to remove my own lung under such poor conditions.
‘There’s a chance of failure.’
While simple lung exchanges could use an ordinary person’s lung and thus lower the preparation cost, there was also a risk of dying during surgery…
So I changed my line of thought.
[Dragon’s Lung]!
If it’s that item dropped by dragon-type monsters, it would simplify the resolution to all problems.
“I need to gather money.”
The discussion returned to its starting point.
But within me, the method to solve the issue was already solidified.
“Ahh, I swore I wouldn’t use this forbidden method again…”
I pressed Kim Gi-ryeo’s fingerprint to unlock the phone and reached out to someone.
[Ahn Yoon-seung ☎]
Sorry. My kind Earthling…
*
3rd Floor of the Korean Hunter Association Headquarters.
Monitoring Room.
“Wheeeeee—”
What a surprise.
A single filthy fly appeared in the impeccably cleaned Association, almost reflecting its face.
“Wiiing.”
The fly nestled in the shadows of a bookshelf and focused intently on a computer operated by an association employee.
– Thud thud, thud thud!
The compound eyes of the fly, shining like rubies, soon displayed several lines of text in disarray.
【 Red Gate Forecast 】
[▼ Chronological Order]
(08:17) [Suspicious Zone 1][Density C] Songpa-gu, Jamsil-dong, Seoul…
.
.
.
At this point, let’s take another look at the contract between Kang Chang-ho and me.
[2. In case of entering the gate voluntarily, Kim Gi-ryeo must first report this to Kang Chang-ho.]
Kang Chang-ho had warned me to pay attention to the word ‘voluntarily,’ but I focused on the latter part.
‘Entry.’
The only dungeon accessible on this planet was the Blue Gate.
F-Class hunters had limited choices for hunting grounds by regulation. Thus, after much consideration, I decided to accumulate wealth through a different method.
That was, targeting the Red Gate, which didn’t require a specific entry.
‘Monsters appearing in the Red Gate belong to the one who kills them!’
Of course, the real assailant would ultimately be this guy.
“Hyung-nim~!”
I watched an Earthling running cheerfully from a distance with sentimental eyes.
How many times have I used him to make money?
What’s more, what pricked my conscience is that Ahn Yoon-seung never got angry in situations like this.
“Thank you for calling me! I happened to have nothing to do today! I’ll learn a thing or two, Hyung-nim!”
Looking at his bright eyes, I reluctantly nodded.
“By the way, I was startled. You suddenly said you wanted to see me work.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Moreover, the reason isn’t for any other purpose, but to correct my shortcomings…!”
The growing weight in my heart with each exchange.
Yeah.
That was the excuse I pulled this time.
– Ahn Yoon-seung, I’ve been thinking carefully, but it seems your skills are still a bit early to be showcased in the hunter world.
– …!
– So, how about taking down a few Red Gates in front of me this time? I’ll observe how you work and find points to improve.
For a bottom-tier Awakened, I sure am pretty smooth with my words.
But I wasn’t entirely lying either. He does have excellent magical knowledge.
‘This time, correcting just a skill or two should be enough.’
Knowledge.
Yeah. Actually, at first, I considered using that knowledge to make money.
Buying up rare substances with undetermined value, like the magic-absorbing agents I sold to the Magic Tower in bulk.
Or becoming an instructor who teaches magic to many.
If I looked around, there were countless paths to take.
But after deep contemplation, I decided to avoid profiting from my knowledge.
There was only one concerning issue.
‘Earth’s progress cannot be accelerated because of me.’
The knowledge in my head holds enough value to potentially change the course of humanity’s history.
However, everything has its timing.
If the technology of magic studies suddenly improved due to alien intervention, wouldn’t this planet eventually end up in the same state as the Alphauri?
‘Scary.’
Having lived through cutting-edge magical civilizations, I can say this.
Hitting a technological singularity wouldn’t bode well for living beings.
Some aspects may get more convenient, yet unimaginably brutal events would unfold in society as a whole.
‘For instance, since my hometown ceased needing sleep due to physical modification, the number of people working overtime skyrocketed.’
Ugh.
Just thinking about my hometown makes me feel ill.
Alphauri was a chaotic world.
In contrast, how good is Earth? This wonderful society should be designated as a cultural heritage and protected.
‘It’d be better if magic developed slowly here.’
As for the magic-absorbing agent, I felt it would be discovered soon enough regardless of my actions.
Once again, I emphasize that I had no intention of interfering with Earth’s magic studies.
‘Spreading knowledge must be done with caution.’
Therefore, the only safely manageable area is to slightly tutor primitive sorcerers on basic magic.
‘Moreover, it must be taught to an extremely limited few to maintain secrecy.’
While I was lost in thought.
Ahn Yoon-seung chattered away with excitement.
“Hyung-nim! But how did you know a Red Gate would appear here? As expected, if it’s you, do you have a clear vision of when gates will form and such…?”
But a few seconds later, Ahn Yoon-seung abruptly stopped speaking upon seeing someone approaching.
“Eh?”
Then, he pointed at the back with a surprised expression.
But I didn’t bother turning to look in that direction. I already knew who it was.
“Why is Kang Chang-ho here…?”
“Hey, Kim Gi-ryeo!”
“Ugh!”
The S-Class appeared in the quiet park.
I recognized Kang Chang-ho’s voice and pinched my temples.
‘Since the contract, Kang Chang-ho told me to contact him if any dangerous situations arose. I reported that the target was a C-Class, and I never expected he would come personally.’
Of course, there was a pact in place where he’d protect me until I turned 34 in exchange for my life.
‘Is he really going to uphold that deal?’
Honestly, I didn’t expect the promise to be kept.
After all, the knight’s pact didn’t explicitly state Kang Chang-ho’s obligations.
‘I thought he would change his attitude after getting my signature, so I was prepared.’
Then, there was only one remaining possibility.
‘He must have come to keep an eye on me to ensure I don’t do anything strange.’
I made sure not to show any unnecessary hostility and began greeting him with a neutral expression.
“Chang-ho, welcome.”
“Huh!”
But what the heck was that sound?
“Hmm?”
The source of the noise was none other than an A-Class hunter.
Ahn Yoon-seung looked between us with a startled expression and asked in astonishment.
“Gi-ryeo hyung… Do you, know… Hunter Kang Chang-ho?”
Well, it was understandable for Ahn Yoon-seung to be surprised.
After warning him that Kang Chang-ho was dangerous, now he saw the two of us shaking hands.
‘Hmph.’
But due to circumstances, I could not provide an in-depth explanation.
Kang Chang-ho had cautioned me not to spread information about the Enhancement Heart.
“It’s nothing to worry about.”
“No?”
“More than that, you need to focus on your work right now. A gate has opened behind us.”
The timing was perfect.
– Whooooom…
In the meantime, a new Red Gate appeared behind us while we were talking.
According to the information on the Association’s computer, the probability of the forecast being right was approximately 58%, but…
It seems this time, I must have won the coin toss.
‘With my advanced magic, this level of infiltration should be trivial.’
Hehe.
I felt satisfied that the information I had stolen was functioning as intended while I leisurely watched Ahn Yoon-seung’s hunt.
“Whoa~ Great job~”
Though Ahn Yoon-seung always referred to himself as a chick hunter, he was handling the Red Gate quite well.
He quickly smashed, hit, and trampled the monsters.
‘How much would this all be? If I take half as a tuition fee from Yoon-seung…!’
But in the process, a small problem arose.
– Swoosh!
The creatures emerging from this C-Class Red Gate were all small and nimble, causing Ahn Yoon-seung to soon lose track of a monster.
The claws were now spilling out toward me from behind.
‘No, this little chick!’
Having mingled with S-Class big shots, did he lose his sense of crisis?
In fact, for someone like me, a low-tier Awakened, even a C-Class monster was a considerable threat.
And those beings were now…
Rushing this way.