END AND BEGINNING (18)
We made it out of the Gate safely.
We’d achieved our objective, so it was a pretty successful clear.
“I didn’t know you could use a Gate core like that.”
“It’s probably a special case.”
Since he’d seen me absorb it with his own eyes, I gave Ha-Jun a quick explanation on the way back. He seemed genuinely intrigued.
“Well, if it were that easy to use, people would’ve already started harvesting it as a resource. In terms of efficiency, it’s an irreplaceable power source.”
Yeah. If a hunter could gain power beyond their own mana reserves, plenty of them would throw caution to the wind and go after it.
I spoke to Ha-Jun, who looked lost in thought.
“I’d really prefer to keep a low profile.”
It was my polite way of saying I didn’t want any attention. Luckily, whatever he was thinking, he nodded immediately.
“Of course.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
The conversation ended on a warm note. I sighed in relief and looked out past the alley — at the peaceful scenery so different from the chaos inside the Gate. Just seeing something ordinary made fatigue wash over me.
“But if you need Gate cores like that from now on, what’s your plan?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll have to find another way or…”
I glanced at Yi-Yul, who was leaning silently against the wall with his arms crossed. He just shrugged.
Well, we’d both been blanking out earlier this morning because we had no ideas — it wasn’t like inspiration would suddenly strike now. Maybe we could talk more later…
“If you don’t mind, I actually have a proposal,” Ha-Jun said suddenly.
“Given what happened in this Gate and the one before… I’d like to work with you, Yoo-Ha.”
“…Sorry?”
“I mean that as a guild master.”
“Yeah, right.”
That last comment wasn’t from me — Yi-Yul had said it.
Ha-Jun ignored him without missing a beat.
“Your combat sense, your skill control, your adaptability — none of that comes easily.”
“Uh… thank you?”
The sudden string of compliments left me speechless. I mean, flattery’s nice and all, but out of nowhere?
“So I’d help you enter Gates under Transcendence’s name, and you’d help clear them.”
“…Do we have to?”
There were two other top-class S-rank hunters standing right here. And Transcendence already had plenty of talented members.
“One capable person can save countless lives,” he said simply.
Coming from someone who actually lived that way, I couldn’t argue. That was the reason Ha-Jun never stopped working.
“You’re not wrong, but I don’t plan on joining a guild…”
“Oh, I’m not asking you to join. You said you wanted to stay independent — just think of it as cooperation, an alliance.”
Hearing him say that made me pause.
“I wouldn’t force you into dangerous Gates or anything like that, so don’t worry about that part.”
“No, it’s not that I was worried.”
If anything, I’d probably end up being the one trying to stop him from diving into deathtraps alone.
I thought it over.
Would it really be a bad idea to accept?
I was already planning to keep clearing Gates anyway, and it’s not like I had any strict conditions. I just wanted to stay off the radar.
If what Ha-Jun said was true, I’d be able to move more freely behind the scenes. It might tilt things a bit in Transcendence’s favor, but… that wasn’t a big deal.
I looked up at Ha-Jun. His expression was serious — pale skin, firmly set lips, and calm blue eyes slightly darkened with thought.
Hmm…
After a moment’s weighing, I smiled and held out my hand.
“Sure. Let’s work together.”
Honestly, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to help him out a little — and maybe keep an eye on him too, make sure he didn’t rush into danger again.
He smiled as he took my hand.
“The pleasure’s mine.”
We gave a light shake.
Ha-Jun left first, saying he’d be in touch soon. I stretched my neck, feeling the ache set in. What a day. I just wanted to go home and collapse.
“Hey, you be careful. I think that guy’s got ulterior motives.”
“What are you talking about? He’s just nice.”
Yi-Yul snorted.
“What? You really don’t get it. Think about the way he looked at you.”
“That’s because of what you did. Would you like someone who forced you into a solo Gate run?”
He has no shame.
“Oh, sure, bite my head off for giving advice! Fine, do what you want!”
I guess my glare got too cold, because he snapped and stormed off.
What was he even on about? I shook my head.
Ulterior motives? Ha-Jun and I had barely even exchanged names. He’d just been unusually kind — and now we had an alliance.
A true guild leader, I thought.
Active recruitment was the mark of a good one. When everything was over and I finally registered as a hunter, I’d definitely join Transcendence.
The benefits were probably top-tier.
I smiled at my silly thought as I merged into the crowd beyond the alley. Being surrounded by people felt oddly comforting. On the way home, I decided I’d grab dinner to go.
It had been a productive day — progress made, problems solved — so I deserved something good to eat.
These days, my only hobby was trying new human-world food, but lately I’d been stuck near Gates, living off convenience-store lunch boxes.
No matter how tired I was, tonight I’d eat properly. Around me, office workers trudged home, faces weary. I probably looked the same.
Finally, the day’s over.
Before heading to the subway, I looked up. The sky was painted in brilliant sunset colors, like someone had spilled dye across it.
“God, that feels good.”
The first thing I did when I got home was shower. No way was I sitting down to eat covered in Gate grime.
If I picked up takeout, the food would get cold while I washed up, so I decided to order delivery instead.
Might as well enjoy modern civilization while I can.
Towel-drying my hair, I turned on my phone. A few new messages — of course, they always came when I couldn’t check them.
Yi-Yul:
Hey, you left this. (photo)
The picture showed my coat sitting lonely on his living room floor. I must’ve forgotten it there after dropping by recently.
I’ll grab it later.
The mornings were cold but the afternoons were hot lately, so I kept forgetting my jacket.
Yi-Yul:
k
Short and to the point. I left the chat and checked the rest.
Mom:
Yoo-Ha, did you eat dinner?
Not yet. I’m about to order. What about you?
Her profile photo had changed — now it was cosmos flowers. She must’ve taken it when she went hiking with her friends the other day.
I replied a little late, so she probably hadn’t seen it yet.
Min Ha-Jun:
Are you free tomorrow? I was thinking we could visit the guild to talk equipment.
That was the last message. Same question as before — but this time with an actual reason.
Equipment, huh… I only had a dagger, and I couldn’t keep running around in workout clothes forever.
A proper set of gear would be smart in the long run.
What time should I come by?
Since normal people couldn’t buy hunter-grade equipment, it’d be a huge help if the guild provided some.
Min Ha-Jun:
Around noon would be good. Let’s meet at 12 and go together. (link)
The link led to a restaurant. Looked like he was determined to treat me to a meal.
Min Ha-Jun:
If 12’s too early, I can adjust.
I replied that the time was fine.
Min Ha-Jun:
Great, see you tomorrow. 🙂
Fast responder, that one. Even his emoji somehow felt like him.
Once I’d finished replying to everyone, I finally opened the delivery app. I’d been so eager on the way home, but now exhaustion dulled my appetite.
But no — I wasn’t giving in that easily.
“I refuse to skip dinner.”
After all, I’d once been hungry enough to eat paper.
Pizza, fried chicken, hangover soup…
The menu was endless. But it was a happy kind of dilemma. Once upon a time, I’d only been able to imagine these tastes — now I could have them with a tap.
Crispy batter, juicy meat, sweet and spicy glaze — the perfection of yangnyeom chicken.
Stretchy cheese and loaded toppings on a hot pizza.
Rich, spicy hangover soup that warmed you from the inside out.
And beyond that — Chinese, Western, fusion…
“There was a time when eating was just survival,” I murmured.
In the end, I ordered chicken and flopped onto my bed. I didn’t even have the strength to dry my hair completely.
The soft blanket enveloped me, and I groaned.
“Yeah, I earned it today.”
But it had been worth it — I’d gained way more mana than I’d spent. I also had a rough idea now of how to use my absorption skill efficiently.
From here on, I’d keep clearing Gates, gathering mana, and searching for other hunters with purification skills.
I didn’t know where to start, but I’d just begin with what I could. Sitting still never achieved anything.
Maybe I should look for people with poison skills too.
If that disaster really had been man-made, stopping the poison’s spread might be possible.
I pictured the best-case scenario — staying alive, and a world where Mom never even had to know what hell looked like.
Ding-dong.
“Leave it at the door!”
At the sound of the doorbell, my heavy thoughts vanished, and I jumped up.
To save the world, first you had to eat.
