Chapter 40
At first, it was reported as a mistake by the Association.
But three years later, the World Hunter Union (WHU) determined that it was the work of villains.
“As you can see from the surrounding CCTV at the time, the gate exploded less than a minute after it appeared,”
Bae Yeon-su explained while replaying CCTV footage of the moment the Yangyang Gate was created.
“Globally, such cases are extremely rare.”
Once eight years ago in the Netherlands, once five years ago in Korea, and once two years ago in India.
Normally, at least a month or two is given before the “break.”
But those three gates exploded the moment they appeared.
Finding this suspicious, the WHU investigated all three incidents together and discovered that it had been done deliberately.
It was all the work of the same individual.
They had determined that it wasn’t the act of a lone person but a coordinated group, though the purpose and identity of that group were still a mystery.
They continued tracking it under the name “Gate Terrorist Group.”
“WHU concluded that this person has the ability to create gates or influence their break, and based on the intervals, it’s assumed they can use this ability once every three years.”
Bae Yeon-su stopped the video and zoomed in on a few people standing directly in front of the gate.
Among them were several suspected members of the villain group, including the long-haired villain who ‘blew up’ the gate.
“But this is something both the Association Chairman and Captain Park are already aware of. The reason I’m bringing this up now is…”
Bae Yeon-su ran an image enhancement program and produced a clearer profile of a man among them from the side.
“It’s because of this.”
“…It’s Kang Moon-gang.”
The sharp-eyed Association Chairman recognized him immediately.
“What did you say?”
Park Woo-jun’s gaze shook violently.
“It’s not just Yangyang. It happened in Kolkata two years ago as well.”
Then, the photo taken in India two years ago underwent the same enhancement process.
The clothes had changed, but the hairstyle was identical—Kang Moon-gang appeared in the image.
“Looking at it now, I remember. When WHU listed the ‘Gate Terrorist Group’ villains, there was one Korean on the list, which was awkward. I never thought I’d see that face here.”
At that time, 18 villains had been listed, and one of them was Kang Moon-gang.
The Association Chairman leaned back in his chair, tapping the armrest with his fingers.
“So that means a certain hunter deliberately approached Kang Su-ho knowing he was Kang Moon-gang’s son?”
“That part isn’t certain yet. But judging from the circumstances, it seems that way.”
“So when they say they want to jointly run a guild with him…”
“I think that’s just a condition they had to propose to keep that man close to them.”
At that moment, Park Woo-jun interjected.
“But how did Saebyeok find out about Kang Su-ho?”
Only Kang Moon-gang’s name and face were known; his full profile wasn’t.
Two years ago, the Korean Association that received the list investigated Kang Moon-gang as well.
They confirmed he had a common-law wife and a son but couldn’t locate the child.
At the time, Kang Su-ho was avoiding both his father and the law, moving between cheap boarding rooms and construction sites.
He had done this to hide from Kang Moon-gang, but unintentionally evaded the Association’s scrutiny as well.
“So you’re saying Saebyeok found someone even the Association couldn’t?”
Park Woo-jun couldn’t comprehend how she had managed what the Association struggled with for so long.
“Sometimes the obsession of a single individual with nothing to lose can be scarier than an organization bound by rules and procedures.”
Bae Yeon-su’s cold analysis made Park Woo-jun bite his lip.
It likely meant that, knowing his parents’ deaths were the villains’ doing, Saebyeok had relentlessly tracked down the truth.
The thought of her silently nursing that solitary anger while persistently investigating weighed heavily on him.
“Why didn’t she tell me…”
In the past, she would have told him everything: that she was investigating, that she had discovered it, that they should go after the culprit.
But…
‘Is it because I couldn’t make time due to raid duties?’
When was the last time he had a serious conversation with her?
Sometimes they exchanged light jokes, and their familiarity remained, but compared to when they were children, things had clearly changed.
He had practically been attached to her 24/7 back then, and now it felt like he knew less and less about her.
‘She even hid the fact that she awakened.’
It wasn’t a matter of lacking the opportunity or time—she had deliberately kept it from him.
Saebyeok was keeping her distance from him.
Park Woo-jun realized this at that moment.
‘Or rather, it’s not that she’s keeping her distance from me… maybe the distance exists because of me.’
Perhaps it was a natural consequence of him prioritizing his work.
It’s not easy to share serious thoughts with someone who might suddenly dash out mid-conversation for an emergency.
“Then, Manager Bae, do you think this hunter’s focus is on Kang Moon-gang?”
“Yes. If Kang Su-ho didn’t know that Kang Moon-gang had mistreated him while growing up, he would likely assume that Kang Moon-gang would eventually try to find his blood relatives, Kang Su-ho and Kang Si-hoo. He might even suspect that contact has already been made.”
“We’ll need to keep a close watch. A hunter capable of acting independently could cause numerous problems.”
“Yes. I’ll monitor closely.”
The Association Chairman nodded, repeatedly drawing and sheathing his sword with his fingertips.
The sensation from clashing swords with her still lingered, running through his body.
‘She’s only recently awakened, yet she handled the weapon so skillfully… perhaps because she had long intended to hunt them.’
It explained why her spear technique was so flawless.
But beyond rational explanations, the Chairman’s hands itched.
It had been a long time since he’d faced such a perfect adversary.
If this had been a proper training room instead of a measurement room, he probably wouldn’t have stopped halfway.
“Ha.”
After all, he was still an aggressive and competitive S-rank hunter.
“Oh, and Chairman, WHU contacted us this morning regarding a more detailed discussion about that hunter’s assessment…”
“Chairman!!”
Bae Yeon-su’s words were abruptly cut off by the loud opening of the door.
“Kim Min-jung? What’s wrong?”
“Captain, it’s a disaster!”
One of Park Woo-jun’s raiders had barged in without knocking.
She grabbed the remote on the table, her face pale with urgency.
“In the Pacific…! The news! It’s insane…!”
She fumbled so much she nearly dropped the remote.
With a beep, the TV turned on and immediately broadcasted the news.
[Reporter: As you can see, it’s enormous—big enough to be captured on satellite images!]
The anchor reporting from the helicopter wasn’t Won Bo-ram from JMTC. He wasn’t even Korean.
[Reporter: Compared to other monsters, the five creatures are immediately noticeable!]
Amid the rotor noise, the camera transmitted footage outside the helicopter, following his gaze.
Park Woo-jun’s eyes nearly popped out, and even the usually stoic Bae Yeon-su couldn’t hide his shock.
The camera focused on the sea.
From the height, other helicopters could also be seen in the shot.
All were maintaining a safe distance, nearly reaching cloud level.
Yet, five monsters circling the sea filled the entire screen.
[Reporter: It’s suspected the gates opened under the sea… they’re moving!! The five monsters have started moving!!]
The reporter shouted urgently.
[Reporter: One is a kraken, and that appears to be a giant whale! Ah! A man-eating whale from Icelandic legend!]
The newsroom fed information directly through the earpiece.
[Reporter: And that one—snake? No, dinosaur? Ah! Jörmungandr from Norse mythology…! Gasp!!]
One helicopter bravely descended closer to get a better shot of the monsters.
But after descending about 10 meters, a massive tentacle from beneath the sea grabbed the helicopter.
Crack.
The helicopter shattered like an eggshell and plummeted into the sea.
The remaining helicopters immediately gained altitude as the tentacle rose threateningly.
Suddenly, the man-eating whale leapt, timing perfectly.
Its gaping mouth aimed directly at the helicopter carrying the reporter.
Inside the open jaws were hundreds of layered teeth, large enough to easily crush a warship.
[Reporter: Damn it…! Higher! Higher!!]
His curse was broadcast live without filter.
No one could say anything. No one could hear it.
[Reporter: Aaaah!!]
Crackle.
The broadcast cut off.
