The student noticed Jin-Woo and tilted her head.
- Korea is a small country. Just as I thought, it's you.
Jin-Woo scratched the side of his head.
- What are you doing here?
As expected, the girl recognized him. A high school student who wanted to become a Hunter. She was the only female member of Yoo Jin-Ho's raids.
When Jin-Woo heard her name from the teacher Jin-Ah, he was sure it was her. Just to be sure, he asked for her records.
The day she stopped coming to school was the day Jin-Woo and his raids began.
When he realized this, Jin-Woo understood that the whole situation might somehow be his fault, so he decided to take responsibility.
The circumstances of their raids were exceptional, and he didn't want to mislead the girl into thinking that what they did together would be the norm.
After all, she earned 30 million won last week, an incredibly large amount for a high school student.
If he heard in the future that she died dungeon, he knew he would blame himself because he unintentionally pushed her onto that path. So he decided to take the time today to convince her.
It wouldn't be that difficult. He just needed to know how to approach it and how to talk to a stubborn high school girl.
Han Song-I stared at Jin-Woo with wide-open eyes. She seemed a bit undecided.
- Are you the Hunter I was supposed to talk to? I don't know what the teacher told you, but I won't go back to school.
She tried to discourage him with her determination about what Jin-Woo wanted to do.
- I got interested in all this just because you're friends with Jin-Ah. - He explained calmly.
- Oh, are you her brother? Now I understand why the teacher dragged you out.
- You're a rank E, right? Regular attacks won't work on monsters. You'll need some magical weapon. Weapons have the downside of wearing out, and you'll need to buy a new one from time to time. Honestly, it's a mediocre business. Are you planning to fight with your bare fists? Not very convenient, I know all about it. I guess you didn't get into this job after earning some money on our raids?
- Finish the sermon. You're a rank E yourself.
Jin-Woo smiled slightly at her words. She was a rebellious one. Once upon a time, Jin-Woo was the same. Only he had reasons not to listen to reason and stay in that mess.
Jin-Woo knew that telling kids like her not to do something was the best way to make them do it. From the beginning, he didn't intend to convince her with words. He would just show her a glimpse of reality.
- Don't worry, I don't plan to persuade you to change your mind.
It's hard for everyone to accept the information about their helplessness until they experience it themselves.
- So, what are you doing here?
Smiling sharply, Jin-Woo explained.
- They plan to make you a good hunter.
***
Woo Jin-Chul was aware that on his desk, as usual, awaited a stack of papers that he had to review, sign, correct, or adjust. But unfortunately, today he was not destined to sit at his desk in the office and read those stupid papers.
Today, an unpleasant field mission awaited him, acting as a caregiver for a vengeful, arrogant idiot who betrayed his country for money from the United States.
Today, Hwang Dong-Su, a rank S Hunter working for the American Scavenger Guild, was supposed to arrive in Seoul.
So he waited near one of the main departure hall entrances, looking for that specific Hunter. It wasn't particularly difficult. He quickly spotted a tall, muscular man in sunglasses, a polo shirt probably worth only three of his paychecks, and a belt with an extravagantly gold-plated buckle.
- Finally, you arrived. - Jin-Chul greeted the Hunter as he approached.
- Who's this? Ages have passed. What's a big shot like you doing here, Woo Jin-Chul?
- As a representative of the highest control chamber of Hunters, I have to monitor the arrivals of rank S Hunters to Korea. Someone as unstable and brutal as Hwang Dong-Su requires supervision when he's in their country. It's no longer his home since Hwang sold his loyalty for dollars.
It was not Jin-Chul's eyes that caught the cold. This country ceased to be his home when Hwang sold his loyalty for dollars.
He could have sent one of his agents, but Hwang loved to provoke his interlocutors and then break their bones with sadistic amusement in his eyes.
That's why Jin-Chul didn't want to take the risk and send some unfortunate person who would be easily provoked. Together with the chairman, they decided it was the best way, even if both of them didn't like it.
- The Highest Chamber of Hunters? Are you still working as the right hand of that old grump Gun-Hee? If I were you, I'd get rid of his left hand, make sure he can't do anything without his right, and take over everything.
This was the kind of provocation Hwang liked to play with. He pressed where it hurt the most and enjoyed watching the effects. Although The Hunter's words hit where they should, and the blood in Jin-Chul's veins began to boil, he didn't let it show. Jin-Chul's face remained calm and expressionless as he responded to the taunt.
- How long do you plan to stay in Korea?
- I'm just passing through. I'll be back as soon as I settle a few things here.
When Hwang walked past him, Jin-Chul, with bad feelings, continued the conversation.
- What kind of business can someone who abandoned his homeland and moved to the USA have here? Is it about a certain rank E Hunter, a certain Sung Jin-Woo, and a rank D Hunter Yoo Jin-Ho?
Hwang stopped, and Jin-Chul felt magic leaking out of him.
- What else can you expect from the Department of Hunter Monitoring? You're asking about something you already know the answer to. Do you want... to stop me?
Without being intimidated, Jin-Chul looked calmly into Hwang Dong-Su's cold eyes.
- I'm just doing my duty.
Seeing that the agent didn't flinch when Hwang attacked him with an intimidating soul-crushing power, Hwang smiled sharply.
- I like you. Join my guild, and you'll live better without that old nag being your albatross.
Breathing evenly and calmly, Jin-Chul looked into Hwang's cold eyes. He hoped Sung was lurking somewhere and wouldn't do anything stupid.
Otherwise, if the boy survived, Jin-Chul would first tear off his head with his bare hands and then get down to filling out tons of documents related to the Sung-Hwang commotion.
***
She didn't need convincing to enter the dungeon. Lured by the prospect of personally watching the White Tiger Guild's training of new recruits, excited and without a shadow of suspicion, she joined Jin-Woo.
Jin-Woo took Han Song-I to the place where the White Tiger would conduct training for new recruits in the form of a raid on a gate. He was told that the training would start at 9:00 PM, so he had plenty of time.
It was a district where, for some unknown reason, many gates appeared. Because of this, most people moved out, and finding parking was easy. Ahn Sang-Min was already waiting for them with his deputy Hyun Gee-Chul.
Both men introduced themselves politely with a smile to the surprised Han Song-I.
- I'm the head of the second management department, Ahn Sang-Min.
- Hyun Gee-Chul, an assistant from the same department.
Ahn Sang-Min was quite surprised when he received a call from Sung Jin-Woo, who wanted to check the new recruit training system. Maybe he finally became interested in the White Tiger Guild.
They knew that such an opportunity might not happen again, so he agreed immediately. If he sees their training system with his own eyes, maybe he'll change his mind.
- We didn't come here for a chat. It's almost nine; we should get going.
Without waiting for their response, Ahn Sang-Min returned closer to the gate. Jin-Woo could tell that he wasn't an ordinary person; he was quite strong. Probably a rank A. Although if you compare the strength of this muscle guy to the only other rank A Hunter Jin-Woo encountered, Inspector Woo, this guy didn't seem to have much to boast about because he was visibly weaker.
- Who was that? - Jin-Woo asked.
- That's our new recruit. He's rank A, a bit arrogant since he heard I agreed to your request. He said that the dungeon is not a place for fun... - Ahn Sang-Min admitted embarrassed.
So he was right; the guy really was a rank A.
However, Jin-Woo was afraid of something different than an arrogant Hunter with a quarter of a brain.
- What ranks do the Hunters in the unit have?
- One rank A, seven rank B, and four rank C, making a total of twelve members.
- So many rank B Hunters and one rank A for such a gate? - Jin-Woo asked, surprised.
- Maybe it's a slight exaggeration for a C-Rank dungeon, but the new recruits need to gain experience first.
There was a clear pride in Ahn Sang-Min's voice. However, Jin-Woo still had the feeling that having so many rank B Hunters and one rank A for such a gate was an exaggeration.
Suddenly something clicked in Jin-Woo's mind. In fact, this was the real reason why Ahn Sang-Min allowed him to join so easily. He wanted to show Jin-Woo the elite new recruits of the White Tiger to demonstrate the guild's value. However, contrary to the expectations of Ahn Sang-Min and Hyun Gee-Chul, Jin-Woo looked disappointed at the raid.
The assault group was too strong for a gate of this category.
If the raid was too easy, his plan would fail. Maybe it could even cause a lot of trouble, as the girl might solidify her mistaken belief that raids are easily enjoyable affairs when, in reality, they were not. Although maybe then...
Maybe seeing the gap between her and the other Hunters going on this raid would make her understand how difficult it is to be a Hunter with rank E.
- When do we start?
Without realizing Jin-Woo's true intentions, Han Song-I impatiently looked at the gate. Turning to him, Jin-Woo saw that her face was full of excitement and anticipation.
He wondered how long she could keep that excitement when she saw what awaits in the gate.
Before Jin-Woo could approach the gate, Gee-Chul addressed him with a whisper, looking around to make sure no one was listening.
- Your active participation would make the raid too easy; could you stay behind?
- I won't interfere. - Jin-Woo promised calmly. After all, that was his plan from the beginning.
Tomorrow, he would resume raids with Yoo Jin-Ho; he didn't need to interfere with the White Tiger's new recruits' training. Tomorrow would be the inaugural battle of his shadow army, and honestly, he couldn't wait.
He didn't want to show off in front of her with White Tiger soldiers.
If she saw that he easily defeated magical beasts with his shadows, her delusions could deepen. Jin-Woo and Han Song-I headed toward the gate.
Unlike a rank A, some of the other Hunters welcomed them with a smile.
- Hello.
- Nice to meet you.
Since the goal of the raid wasn't money, having more people was a good thing. All except the rank A Hunter introduced themselves. The strongest of the Hunters simply snorted, looking at them with disdain.
In the eyes of someone with his rank, they were nothing but pathetic, useless margins of Hunters.
The new recruits entered the gate one by one. Han Song-I stopped in front of the gate and turned to Jin-Woo.
- Aren't you coming? - She asked, confused, looking at Jin-Woo.
- I'll follow right behind you, don't worry.
With a face full of nervousness, the girl nodded her head and entered.
Jin-Woo sighed slightly and stood in front of the gate.
Something was wrong.
The gate was constantly undulating and trembling.
Unless someone was entering or leaving, it should remain still like a calm lake. But at the moment, even though no one was entering or leaving, the gate was undulating, as if someone disturbed the surface of a lake. Something changed.
Jin-Woo placed his hand on the gate. The gate's surface stuck to his hand like a sticky substance and started crawling on his skin.
Jin-Woo quickly turned his head and looked into the eyes of Ahn Sang-Min and his assistant. The workers quickly realized that something was wrong. Jin-Woo could only shout to them:
- Call for reinforcement... immediately!
Before Jin-Woo could finish, he was pulled into the gate.
Both men stared at the gate with dropped jaws as it began to change its color from light blue to red, still restlessly undulating. As if a drop of blood fell on the water's surface, the gate quickly turned red. Both men unfortunately knew what that meant. And it didn't mean anything good, especially for the Hunters who just crossed the gate.
Definitely, it shouldn't be a red gate.
And those untrained and unprepared miserable people shouldn't cross it.
They had to notify the guild.
More precisely, their guild master, immediately.
***
- Nice car. - Stated lazily Hwang Dong-Suk sitting on the cream leather seat of the elegant black Mercedes.
- It's not worthy of transporting an S-rank hunter. - Jin-Chul stated honestly.
Saying this, however, he had in mind that this car, despite its good condition, was not good enough for Chairman Go Gun-Hee, who was also a rank S hunter.
This car was... a small malice on the part of the Association. It was used to transport important people, but only those whom the Chairman did not like.
It was an internal petty joke of the Association and information at the same time.
This Mercedes was the only one of its kind in the Association, so hunters who saw it knew that someone problematic was being transported, someone to watch out for.
Of course, Hwang could not know the hidden meaning behind Jin-Chul's words.
- Well, at this speed, I'd be faster if I just ran. - Stated Hwang after a while.
Jin-Chul looked at the speedometer showing 95 kilometers per hour. The speed was not small, he did not intend to break traffic laws for the whim of some snotty traitor.
- How did my brother's funeral go? - Asked after a moment of silence Hwang Dong-Su casually.
- We couldn't recover his body. The family handled the funeral. Would you like to visit him?
- No. The dead don't interest me. I only care about my brother's remains.
- So where do you want to go?
- To the dungeon, of course. Where can vermin be if not dungeon?
Woo Jin-Chul pressed his lips together, guessing that Hwang was referring to Sung Jin-Woo.
So he was still pursuing his vendetta after all. Wonderful.
Jin-Chul had no idea if Sung would even be strong enough to try fighting Hwang Dong-Su.
He defeated a rank B assassin and cleared C-rank dungeons himself.
He definitely had at least rank A. However, he didn't have enough information on whether the boy was strong enough to have rank S. And even if he did have it, the gaps in strength within rank S could sometimes be really huge.
Even if the young boy qualified for that rank, it wouldn't automatically mean he could handle a hunter as strong and bloodthirsty as Hwang.
Jin-Chul knew how he should behave in such a situation and what the Chairman ordered him. But even so, he felt very conflicted.
If Hwang found hunter Sung, the only thing Jin-Chul could do was take on the role of mediator. But someone like Hwang Dong-Su did not listen to arguments and reason. Jin-Chul feared that his attempt at conversation would not work then. And he was too weak to fight Hwang.
For him it would be practically suicide. If Jin-Chul intervened, after killing Sung Jin-Woo, Hwang would probably kill him too. Or at best severely beat him up.
Nothing would be able to stop Hwang from killing hunter Sung Jin-Woo if he really wanted to.
Jin-Chul knew this as well as Hwang himself.
- How exactly do you plan on finding them? There are countless gates in Korea.
- We have the 21st century. - Hwang reminded him amused, taking out his phone. - Sung Jin-Woo... It looks like he just entered the dungeon. There are rules there that differ from the ones known here, you know that of course. Whatever I intend to do to him is none of your business anyway.
- I know.
Jin-Chul gritted his teeth, feeling powerlessness stabbing him straight in the heart.
***
The White Tiger Guild Master, Baek Yoon-Ho, immediately appeared on site after receiving the news. Hyun Hee-Chul and Ahn Sang-Min stood by the gate with grim expressions.
- Closed for repairs. - Stated the guild master hollowly, taking his hand off the impenetrable bloody magical surface.
Baek Yoon-Ho's face hardened.
They could do nothing. Unlike other crisis situations, they could not provide assistance to those inside. Baek Yoon-Ho turned to Ahn Sang-Min.
- This doesn't look good. This was supposed to be a C-rank gate?
- Yes sir.
- Did you talk to the Association?
- Yes, but they're playing dumb. They claim this gate is definitely C.
- Bastards!
Baek Yoon-Ho swore out loud. Red Gates were a phenomenon limited to high rank gates.
Gates that could take hunters to a completely different world could only be rank B, A or S. A red C-rank gate never appeared before, although a red S-rank gate also never appeared, thankfully. Places behind a Red Gate were too dangerous and saturated with magic to ever be below B-rank.
The gate before him must have been at least B-rank. If they were unlucky, it could even be A-rank. If they were really unlucky, even higher...
- Should we measure its power with our own equipment? - Asked Ahn after a moment.
Baek Yoonho shook his head,
- No need. The appearance of a red gate will distort any result. We can find out nothing now.
And that's why the Association could deny everything. Re-measuring a Red Gate was impossible, so there would be no proof they made a mistake in their initial measurements. Still, the Gate's rank wasn't important at the moment..
- How many of ours went inside?
- Twelve.
- Any higher ranks? - Asked Baek Yoon-Ho hopefully.
Their lives and whether the red gate would open or be cleared by them earlier depended on the ranks of those people.
- One rank A hunter and seven B.
The guild master pressed his lips together as the worry on his face deepened.
- Too few... For B-rank it requires at least three ranks A. However, if it's an A-rank, it would require at least one rank S hunter or a minimum of 10 A-rank. In that case, we can consider everyone who entered dead. If they're lucky, three or four of the strongest will survive... I doubt it.
Deciding it was a good moment to reveal one small detail, Ahn Sang-Min interjected.
- Well... there are two hunters inside who aren't from our guild.
- Who are they? - Asked the interested Baek.
- One of them is a hunter I've been observing for some time. His strength... greatly exceeds his rank.
Baek Yoon-Ho looked at his subordinate with a raised eyebrow, intrigued.
- What's his rank?
- E. - Admitted Ahn after a moment of hesitation. - But I've seen his strength. Someone with rank E couldn't use "Camouflage" and wouldn't emanate such power.
At first, hearing the hunter's rank, Baek looked like he swallowed a worm, but as Ahn Sang-Min explained further, his twisted expression gradually changed into confusion.
***
To put it mildly, Jin-Woo was quite surprised by the place he found himself in.
In the past, he had read online about Red Gates, but he had never entered one before.
He was currently standing in a forest covered with a thick layer of snow. A place that looked nothing like the ordinary dungeon.
- Where the hell are we?!