#Episode 7
Nam Gyuil was once again at the training ground, swinging a wooden sword with ardent focus, honing the swordsmanship of the Arnia Empire’s Knight Order.
Swoosh.
Each time the wooden sword cut through the air, a crisp whistling of wind rang out.
‘Should I take a short break?’
Nam Gyuil quickly wiped away the sweat trickling down his forehead with his sleeve.
He tucked the wooden sword under his arm and leaned against the wall.
Rattle.
He opened the thermos he had prepared in advance and gulped down barley tea in big draughts.
‘Has it already been a week since I started training?’
He had devoted himself entirely to sword training during that time.
He had repeated the exact same movements to the point of severity, tempering and polishing them.
Only now did he feel they were becoming ingrained in his body.
For a week, Team 01 had recorded seven accident-free days.
Thanks to that, their evaluation had risen as well.
It was an atmosphere where they were recognized anywhere in the Hunter Bureau.
Of course, everyone had a look that said they couldn’t figure out how they had managed seven accident-free days.
—They’re good, sure. But why are they good?
He had overheard such talk faintly from other teams.
Nam Gyuil smirked.
‘The constant renewal of our accident-free record is all thanks to me.’
It was possible because Nam Gyuil, growing stronger by the day, had been going in every direction and taking down monsters.
He looked around his surroundings.
He wasn’t the only one in the training ground.
His comrades were there too.
“Tahaap!!”
Everyone was shouting kiai and training hard, but Nam Gyuil wore a lukewarm expression.
The reason was abundantly clear.
‘Those guys are copying my training.’
As Nam Gyuil’s exploits grew, the members of Team 01 had begun copying his sword training out of the corner of their eyes.
They seemed to have roughly caught on that it was different from the Hunter Bureau’s training method.
But it was all for naught.
None of them had grasped the essential part.
‘No matter how long you swing a wooden sword, it’s all useless if you don’t grow the mana inside your body.’
Nam Gyuil shook his head.
His comrades were passionately striving to grow stronger, but they were missing the crucial part and thus couldn’t achieve growth.
It was a pitiful situation where they were only wasting their strength for nothing.
Moreover, they couldn’t even copy it properly, so their sword movements were strangely clumsy.
Everyone’s combat prowess was far too low.
If he were discharged, his comrades would quickly die at the hands of monsters.
He had built up camaraderie with them over time, so he hated the thought of that.
‘I want to teach them the proper training method since we’ve spent so much time together… but if I teach them, will the team members keep the secret?’
He couldn’t guarantee it.
Thus, it was something he couldn’t teach them.
Nam Gyuil let out a sigh.
Honestly, he wanted to take his team members and form a guild to operate.
‘Well, that’s practically impossible, though.’
With each person’s discharge date being different, how could that be possible?
Just as he was thinking that, his smartphone vibrated.
Bzzzt.
Nam Gyuil pulled his smartphone from his pocket.
A notification had arrived saying a new video from a subscribed channel had been uploaded on the video site, Nutube.
He didn’t think much of it and was about to put the smartphone back in his pocket, but the video title he had glimpsed in passing caught his eye instantly.
[Is the Hunter Bureau Disappearing?]
Nam Gyuil slightly furrowed his brow.
The Hunter Bureau disappearing? That was something that absolutely couldn’t happen.
He pressed the video and checked its contents.
— An opinion has emerged in the National Assembly to recognize guild activity periods as Hunter Bureau service periods.
— The ruling party opposed, claiming “Guilds are profit-oriented groups, so they won’t move for the public good,” while the opposition party refuted that if mandatory quotas were assigned to guilds, they could be held responsible.
— There are tremendous obstacles such as legislative processing and negotiations with the government, but if this is legalized, the Hunter Bureau might disappear.
It was quite interesting content.
There had been criticism that the Hunter Bureau was driving youths to their deaths without any alternatives, so it appeared the opposition party—which had wanted to change the regime—was clashing with the ruling party.
Nam Gyuil curled the corners of his lips slightly.
‘They’ll recognize guild activity periods as Hunter Bureau service periods?’
If that were true, he could take his comrades and establish a guild.
Of course, only if a proper agreement was reached in the political sphere.
It was then.
Beep beep beep.
A dispatch siren rang out from the speakers.
Team 01, including Nam Gyuil, gathered their weapons and headed to the field where the military bus was waiting.
On the way, he suddenly noticed something odd.
In addition to Team 01, Team 05 was also assembled.
Nam Gyuil glanced at Team 05 out of the corner of his eye. The fact that two teams had been summoned like this meant one thing.
Major Park Heeryung stood on the podium.
“A new species of monster has been discovered in a Gate that appeared at the Mannil Building in Yongsan District.”
Only when a new monster was discovered in a Gate were two teams deployed.
Major Park Heeryung continued speaking.
From what he heard, Team 03 had fought a new species of monster in the Gate and had been annihilated except for one person.
The sole survivor had also fallen into a coma after uttering that a new species of monster had appeared and was in critical condition.
Therefore, the Hunter Bureau’s upper echelons had decided to deploy outstanding teams.
Team 01 had been selected because their recent performance was so good that they had recorded accident-free days for a week.
“Team 05 was selected because the new recruit who enlisted this time is so famous.”
Park Heeryung explained as such and called the newly selected recruit to the podium.
“Private Han Gangsu, to the podium!”
Soon after, a boy who looked about seventeen climbed onto the podium.
A kind-looking expression.
A disciplined gait.
His physique was so well-trained that solid muscles peeked through here and there despite his clothes.
“Hello. I am Han Gangsu, son of the Hunter Han Ducheol.”
At those words, everyone opened their eyes wide.
Nam Gyuil was no exception.
Han Ducheol was a Hunter who ranked within the top five in Korea.
He was a figure who closed three Gates per day.
Born with tremendous talent, he had grown a small-to-medium guild he established around his thirties into a large guild.
It was interesting that such a figure’s son had enlisted in the Hunter Bureau.
‘So he enlisted because the law changed.’
It seemed he had come this time because a law allowing even minors to enlist in the Hunter Bureau had passed.
This wasn’t a common sight.
Even though the law had changed, other powerful figures struggled to avoid enlisting their children.
They delayed enlistment or avoided it altogether.
But Han Gangsu had enlisted fair and square without using any expedients, fulfilling his duty.
He was different from the typical children of the powerful.
Moreover, rumors abounded that he possessed outstanding talent, taking after his father.
He was a genius who had even appeared on the news for interviews.
Han Ducheol had said that his son possessed talent comparable to his own.
‘So that incredible guy came to Team 05.’
Nam Gyuil wore an impressed expression.
Han Gangsu saluted toward the senior National Hunters.
“I intend to contribute to monster extermination from now on. I humbly ask for your guidance.”
Well, the ambition itself was ordinary.
Seeing how mature his tone was for a seventeen-year-old, he looked like someone who had received interview training somewhere.
Park Taesu, the team leader of Team 05, was the first to clap enthusiastically.
He gave sharp glances to his comrades who were standing still, telling them to clap quickly.
Clap clap clap.
The members of Team 05 clapped as well.
Han Gangsu slowly came down from the podium. In that instant, unknown to anyone, the boy’s smile subtly twisted into a sneer.
Han Gangsu surreptitiously glanced at the National Hunters out of the corner of his eye.
‘Everyone’s so weak.’
Their skill was plainly visible even at a rough glance.
If comparing combat power alone, they couldn’t even reach his toes.
‘They’re just people I wouldn’t have even met if I were out in society. Heh, consider it an honor to see me in the flesh.’
On the outside, Han Gangsu looked like a refined young noble.
But inside, arrogance and an inflated ego had taken root.
‘I enlisted because I hated using cowardly expediencies, but since I’m here anyway, I’ll show outstanding activity. I’ll make them feel what the difference in rank is.’
Han Gangsu looked down on the National Hunters.
Finally, Major Park Heeryung shouted to everyone.
“Then, we are dispatching to the scene. Everyone, board the vehicles!!”
All the National Hunters boarded the vehicles.
Vroom.
The military bus spewed exhaust and departed for the scene.
***
Mannil Building, Yongsan.
Soldiers and police were deployed all around the area.
Yellow barricades were stretched out to prevent people from approaching.
Armed soldiers surrounded the building.
Helicopters mounted with machine guns circled around the building, ready to open fire at any moment.
Team 01 and Team 05 disembarked from the military bus.
They each checked their weapons.
Nam Gyuil drew a dagger from his waist and readjusted his grip on his shield.
Then, Han Gangsu’s weapon happened to enter his field of vision.
It wasn’t a dagger like his own.
A long longsword.
Not a single chip was missing from the blade.
Compared to the other National Hunters’ weapons, it was in incredibly good condition.
“Wow, that guy’s using something nice?!”
Lee Chanwoo stared blankly, looking envious.
Awakened ones used weapons acquired from killing monsters. No other metal could be brought into the Gate.
Thus, the quality of weapons obtained from monsters varied wildly.
Some were daggers with chipped blades, while others were straight longswords.
Naturally, those with money wielded better weapons.
Han Gangsu was the same.
Thanks to his father, he wielded far better weapons than other Awakened ones.
Lee Chanwoo muttered enviously.
“Wow, some people are born with good parents, so they have talent and get to use nice weapons too.”
At the childish remark that seemed to blame his parents, Nam Gyuil flicked him on the forehead.
“Ow!”
“Stop talking nonsense and hurry up and prepare. We’re entering the Gate.”
“Yes sir.”
Lee Chanwoo rubbed his flicked forehead and made a final check of his weapon’s condition.
The National Hunters entered the building.
When they arrived on the 7th floor via elevator, a clothing store came into view.
Clomp, clomp.
They hastened their steps toward the location where the Gate had appeared.
When they headed toward the men’s restroom, the Gate came into view.
At the very moment they were about to enter, Han Gangsu gave an order to Team 05.
“Everyone must follow closely behind me. Only by following my orders can everyone make it out safely.”
At that sight, Nam Gyuil opened his eyes wide.
Lee Chanwoo was likewise surprised.
“Well, well? Did a Private just give orders to a superior? It even sounds like he’s saying he’ll take operational command, doesn’t it?”
Since the Hunter Bureau was under the Ministry of National Defense, no matter how incredible a new recruit was, he couldn’t give orders to superiors in that manner.
There was a line to be observed.
It was problematic to act that way when ranks clearly existed.
Team 05’s reaction wasn’t good either.
However, no one argued. Even though their expressions were clearly distorted.
The reason was the team leader.
Park Taesu, the team leader of Team 05, stood beside Han Gangsu.
“You all heard what Gangsu said, right? Do as Gangsu says. Got it?”
“…….”
The members of Team 05 kept their mouths shut tight.
Park Taesu pointed his chin at one of the comrades he usually didn’t like.
“Minhyeon. You got a problem?”
“No sir.”
“Good. Manage your expression well.”
“…….”
The members of Team 05, who had been wearing sour expressions, shifted their gazes to the floor.
The reason Han Gangsu could act that way was none other than Team Leader Park Taesu.
Nam Gyuil instantly understood the situation unfolding before him.
‘The team leader is shielding him like that, so no one can point it out to Han Gangsu.’
The status of a team leader in the Hunter Bureau was unique.
The very fact that they had survived entering and exiting dangerous Gates for a long time was proof of their skill.
‘That’s why their voice carries weight.’
Given the nature of the Hunter Bureau, where it was difficult to remain in one piece in the first place, the standing of a senior with an intact body was immense.
‘But I hate him because his character is rotten.’
It was true the guy had some skill, but there was a serious problem with his personality.
‘He’s a cowardly and despicable bastard.’
Park Taesu hadn’t risen to senior status through skill alone.
He put on a convincing act of fighting with all his might in words, but the reality was different.
‘He assigns dangerous missions to others, and if it’s for his own safety and welfare, he won’t hesitate to deceive others.’
As a result, the other veteran members of Team 05 who had fought bravely died, and that guy seized the team leader position.
‘But why is Park Taesu taking Han Gangsu’s side?’
He couldn’t understand that point.
‘He’d use someone, not help them.’
After thinking quietly, Nam Gyuil soon figured out Park Taesu’s intentions.
‘Getting a guild job?’
That explained everything.
If one was discharged from the Hunter Bureau in one piece, guilds would come scouting.
However, few people wanted to re-enter the hell called Gates, so guilds were always suffering from manpower shortages.
Therefore, guild scouts conducted background checks on National Hunters approaching discharge.
‘They’ve probably already collected all the rumors and information about Park Taesu’s personality.’
They probably disliked Park Taesu.
‘Because keeping a guy like that would only make life hard for the existing hunters.’
Thus, there was only one way for Park Taesu to get employed by a large guild.
Connections.
‘Is he trying to get on Han Gangsu’s good side to get into a large guild, then take a cushy position and only close safe Gates?’
If that happened, he could earn money and act important to his heart’s content.
‘That’s exactly the kind of idea Park Taesu would have.’
Nam Gyuil shook his head vigorously.
‘Foolish bastard. To take Han Gangsu’s side like that for something so petty.’
Wouldn’t Team 05’s morale plummet like this?
‘Moreover, Han Gangsu doesn’t seem interested in Park Taesu at all.’
Judging by how he didn’t even give him a glance, that was likely correct.
Han Gangsu spun around and entered the Gate, and Park Taesu hurriedly followed after him.
“G-Gangsu. Let’s go together-!!”
The National Hunters of Team 05 sighed and trudged toward the Gate as if reluctant.
Nam Gyuil scratched the back of his head.
‘The atmosphere over there is a mess.’
Well, this was something Team 05 would have to figure out among themselves.
It wasn’t Team 01’s problem, so it was difficult for him to step in and meddle.
“Let’s go in too.”
Nam Gyuil took Team 01 and entered the Gate.
Upon entering the Gate, an unfamiliar landscape came into view.
Stuffy air.
A hot wind swept through his hair.
This Gate’s setting was the interior of some building.
Torches hung on the walls.
“Phew, it’s a total steam bath.”
Lee Chanwoo fanned his collar, trying to beat the heat.
The interior of the building was abnormally hot.
Nam Gyuil surveyed his surroundings.
Putting the heat aside, he could see nothing but a straight passage ahead.
‘Now then, how should we move? Should we check for monster ambushes first?’
While he was pondering this, Han Gangsu wordlessly led Team 05 and advanced recklessly.
“If you just listen to me, we can close the Gate without anyone getting hurt.”
Han Gangsu emphasized once more, and Park Taesu rubbed his hands together like a sycophant clinging to his side.
“Well, if our Gangsu says so, we have to follow unconditionally. Right, guys?”
Park Taesu turned his head and asked the members of Team 05.
“That’s right.”
“Yes sir.”
Team 05 answered with effort, their faces showing reluctance.
Nam Gyuil crossed his arms.
Somehow, this joint operation felt extremely uneasy.
Hong Sinu asked Nam Gyuil a question.
“Sergeant Nam Gyuil. What should we do?”
“We have to go forward for now. Be careful everyone, monsters might be lying in ambush nearby. Maintain thorough all-around vigilance.”
“Understood.”
Team 01 also moved forward.
After walking for about five minutes, fortunately, no monsters appeared.
Instead, something unexpected appeared.
A Sphinx-shaped statue and a forked road.
A sound came from the Sphinx statue. It was a language he had never heard before, yet strangely, he understood its meaning.
[The Gate of Choice]
There are two branching paths.
Both are paths leading to the Great One.
The right path is gentle but passes through numerous hills.
The left path is fast, but one must cross a cliff that touches the sky.
Choose a path and have an audience with the Great One.
“This statue doesn’t seem ordinary.”
Lee Chanwoo scratched the back of his head.
The National Hunters first confirmed whether what they had heard from the Sphinx statue was the same.
“It matches.”
“I heard the same thing.”
What they had heard from the Sphinx was identical.
Apparently, the two branching paths ahead seemed to be passages leading to where the boss monster was.
The problem was this.
Which to choose, left or right.
Nam Gyuil fell into thought.
He repeated in his mind what the Sphinx statue had said.
The right path was gentle but passed through numerous hills.
Nam Gyuil shared his guess with everyone.
“Right probably means we’ll have to take down many weak monsters? It’ll be slow but safe.”
“Then what about the left?”
Lee Chanwoo tilted his head.
Nam Gyuil continued where he had left off.
“Left is fast, but since there’s a cliff touching the sky, it probably means we have to defeat a powerful monster on the shortcut.”
Lee Chanwoo wore a troubled expression upon hearing that.
“Left is fast, but that means it’s dangerous.”
The National Hunters fell into thought.
They couldn’t easily decide which direction was right.
After much deliberation, Nam Gyuil made a decision.
“The safe right path even if it’s slow!”
“The fast left path even if it’s dangerous!”
Nam Gyuil turned his head.
He had definitely said to go right.
But someone had simultaneously insisted on going left.
Who on earth could it be….
His eyes met Han Gangsu’s.
“Going right is a waste of time. We must go left.”
That was what the boy was insisting.