[NORTH KOREA – REFUGEE CAMP]
Thalia woke up feeling extremely tired…she struggled to sleep the night before because she was just too excited to sleep.
Her application for "leave of absence" was accepted by the International Hunters Association. In addition, South Korea approved her tourist visa…she was finally going to see South Korea!
As she got out of bed and took a shower, she reviewed her "mental list" of all the places she wanted to see, food she wanted to try, and people to meet! Miho, Hae-in, and even Jinwoo offered suggestions of things to do while in South Korea.
Two days prior, Jinchul Woo, Vice-President of the International Hunters Association, came to the camp to meet with Miho and Thalia…to discuss their upcoming trip.
"The trip to South Korea is not, and I repeat, not a "vacation". This is a mission…a humanitarian mission." Jinchul said with the upmost seriousness.
He added, "we have meticulously scheduled key events, TV appearances, interviews with the press, and other important functions. How well you do will have a big impact on all the pending asylum applications."
He continued, "here is a detailed schedule of all the events, security detail, travel arrangements, reservations, lodging, and support staff. In addition, we scheduled the nation's top fashion designer to personally help you both look your best."
Both girls jumped out of their seats in excitement… "shopping!"
[SOUTH KOREA]
Words fail to describe Thalia's entrance into South Korea. The airport was swarming with people…thousands of people including media crews, journalists, photographers, social media influencers, and normal people all gathered waiting to see Thalia the Maiden of Light.
The moment the plane landed…and she step out of the plane…it was a complete media frenzy. Cameras flashed filling the air with dazzling lights, hoards and hoards of people cheered and shouted.
People held signs saying,
'Welcome'
'We love you'
'Maiden of Light (with hearts all around)'
A few single men held signs that said,
'Marry me'
Thalia gulped and her heart raced…she didn't expect so many people…and they were all here waiting for her? That thought alone made her panic a bit…but then she remembered what Jinchul Woo said, this is a mission…a "humanitarian mission.".
Thalia repeated to herself…this is a mission…this is a mission.
She stepped forward, like a professional actress getting into character, smiled brightly and waved her hand to the roaring crowd….and the crowd went wild!
"We need more guards!" Yelled one desperate security guard.
"She is an S-rank hunter! She doesn't need protection!" Another guard yelled back.
The next three days were a media-bonanza. Jinchul Woo had meticulously thought ahead and created an impressive schedule…he had planned a slew of public appearance for Thalia including late night TV shows, press interviews, important public functions…even professional sporting event appearances.
Thalia was polished and charismatic…she smiled at the cameras…. assumed poses for the photographers…signed autographs…and waved at the cheering crowds.
For those 3 days, the world focused all their attention on Thalia. The United States reported record high viewership, China experienced server crashes due to high volume of viewers…stock prices for airlines jumped as flights to South Korea sold out in minutes…hotels and AirBnBs were completely booked (thanks to Jinchul leaking the schedule in advance).
On the fourth day, Thalia woke up eager and excited…today they would visit Gyeongbokgung Palace…it was the site she most wanted to see. As they approached the location, Thalia noticed it was quitter and emptier than usual.
"The streets seem emptier than usual…is there something going on?" Thalia asked.
"It's because the area was closed off," answered the driver, "a dungeon gate appeared here a few days ago…and there is a strike-team getting ready to clear it."
"Let me check something," Miho said as she scrolled through her phone. She added, "it's a C-rank gate…low level…should be cleared without a problem."
Thalia activated PERCEPTION skill, the portion that allows her to see through dimensional walls…
She gasped and shouted, "WAIT!"
The driver instantly stomped on the brakes…causing the caravan of security teams following behind in armored trucks to chaotically halt.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Miho yelled as she powered up for a fight.
"That gate…the gate near the palace is a red-gate!" Thalia said astonished…in truth she had never seen a red-gate before…yet this one felt dangerous.
"A red-gate? Are you sure?" Miho asked.
"No doubt about it…the gate will turn into a massive red-gate as soon as the strike-team enters." Thalia replied with confidence.
"Let me call it in." Miho replied.