Chapter 8
“So this is a Gate….”
The very first thought that crossed my mind the moment I stepped inside was simple:
Hot.
True to its name, the Red Plain stretched out in a crimson hue. The ground, parched as if it had endured a severe drought, was cracked open in jagged patterns everywhere. From those fissures, waves of steam-like heat surged upward.
“Ugh… Good thing I wore short sleeves underneath.”
From what I had researched beforehand, each Gate had wildly different climates and conditions. Even experienced Hunters couldn’t accurately predict what a Gate would be like the first time they entered one.
I stored all the outer clothing I was wearing into my inventory.
“Ugh… it’s as scorching as the fires of hell, nya.”
“…Fires of hell?”
“There’s such a thing, nya.”
Seemingly sensitive to heat, Hanyang stuck out her tongue and panted.
Fortunately, no other living creatures had appeared inside the Gate so far.
‘It’s not as terrifying as I expected.’
The vague fear I had associated with Gates had somewhat subsided now that I was actually inside one.
I cautiously stepped forward, scanning my surroundings. In the ashen sky, both the sun and the moon hung side by side.
‘Seeing something like that, it’s definitely not Earth….’
Gently placing Hanyang on the ground, I began searching for materials in earnest.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long before I spotted the Solsol Grass I had seen in the reference images.
“Wow! This is it, right? It’s so unique-looking, it stands out immediately.”
Its slender stem shimmered silver as if bathed in moonlight, while its leaves were round and fluffy, resembling clusters of clouds. Carefully snapping the plant so as not to damage the leaves, a notification window appeared.
Material Collection Status
- Solsol Grass (1/20)
“Oh! There’s more over there. This might be quicker than I thought.”
Luckily, there weren’t many other plants in the Gate, so the silver-glowing Solsol Grass stood out clearly.
Three already. At this pace, I might be able to leave in under an hour.
“Hanyang, come over here too—”
—KUEEEEEEK!
At that moment, a monstrous shriek echoed from behind. The sound was rapidly approaching—something was charging straight toward us.
I grabbed Hanyang and dove behind a nearby rock.
—Kuek, kweek!
‘A… a centipede!’
Peeking out from behind the rock, I turned my head slightly to look.
It had a massive body over two meters long, with dozens of legs writhing beneath it. And its countless eyes—just looking at them made my skin crawl.
‘Ugh, disgusting.’
The centipede lingered near the rock, as if searching for something, before slowly creeping closer to where I was hiding.
‘Wait! Why is it coming this way?!’
Holding my breath, I pressed myself as flat as possible against the ground.
‘I-it’s going to find me!’
The creature’s massive face drew closer and closer. I squeezed my eyes shut, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst.
—Kiiiiiik….
Thankfully, the centipede slid past me, its many legs rustling softly. As its massive body wriggled away into the distance, I finally exhaled.
“Whew… I thought my heart was going to give out.”
“You really are quite the coward, nya.”
Unbothered, Hanyang calmly groomed her paws.
Still, considering it came that close without noticing me, it seemed the blessing was working properly.
“Alright. Let’s hurry up and finish collecting and get out of here.”
Carrying the heat-weakened Hanyang, I quickened my pace.
The monsters were a problem—but so was the oppressive heat. As I wiped away the sweat pouring down my face, I spotted a cluster of silver-glowing plants in the distance.
‘Lucky! They’re all gathered there.’
Where the Solsol Grass had previously been scattered sparsely, here it grew in abundance. I dashed over and began harvesting enthusiastically.
8, 10, 13… The count climbed rapidly.
“Wow! I might actually finish everything right here—”
Just as I smiled brightly and reached for another plant, a massive shadow fell over me.
“…What is this?”
At the sudden, low voice from above, my shoulders stiffened.
Slowly turning my head, I found Hunter Lee Hyun-woo standing there, his blade pointed directly at me, his expression cold.
‘Th-that’s a real sword!?’
The sharp edge gleamed as if it would slice through my neck without hesitation if I moved even slightly.
I slowly raised my hands in surrender.
“P-please spare me! I’m a harmless person!”
“…You can speak?”
Of course I can! I’m human!
Unable to move, I rolled my eyes desperately, silently begging for mercy.
At that moment, Hanyang leapt forward.
“What are you saying, nya! How dare you threaten our Haneul!”
Startled, Lee Hyun-woo shifted his blade toward her.
Wait! Not Hanyang!
“Aaah! Hunter Lee Hyun-woo! Don’t you remember me!? The bungeoppang!”
I quickly grabbed onto his pant leg, clinging to him desperately. He narrowed his eyes, staring down at me.
“…That lobby?”
“Yes! You remember!”
I nodded vigorously.
Afraid he might still doubt me, I rapidly explained when we met, what I was doing at the time, and exactly what he had said to me. Finally, clicking his tongue, he sheathed his sword with a soft metallic sound.
“How exactly did you get in here?”
“Well… um, about that…”
For a moment, I considered lying to get out of the situation, but decided it would be better to tell the truth.
I explained about the sudden mission that appeared after my awakening, and how entering a Gate was necessary to complete it.
“…A mission given by the system.”
Crossing his arms, Lee Hyun-woo studied me silently. After a moment, he spoke.
“Judging by your physical responses, you don’t appear to be lying. I’ll trust you—for now.”
“Th-thank you!”
“However, there are still suspicious elements. Including that cat.”
Hanyang stuck her tongue out at him.
Hey! Don’t provoke him!
I quickly picked her up and forced a smile.
“My cat is very gentle, really! Haha….”
Holding her paw, I waved it as if she were saying hello. His expression subtly tightened, clearly unimpressed.
“…Then I’ll be going.”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Pardon? Like I said, I need to gather materials…”
As I tried to move, Lee Hyun-woo blocked my path.
“Let’s go together.”
“…Excuse me? Why?”
He frowned slightly.
I’d already explained I wasn’t suspicious and told him why I was here—what more did he want?
“You don’t know what dangers might exist in a Gate. And your rank is low…”
“I just need to quietly gather materials and leave.”
“Then it won’t take long.”
No matter what I said, it was clear he intended to keep an eye on me.
Monsters don’t even notice me anyway…
Grumbling inwardly, I nodded. Honestly, having an S-rank with me wasn’t a bad thing. If something happened, he’d probably protect me.
“By the way, why are you here alone, Hunter Lee Hyun-woo?”
“For low-rank Gates like this, I often clear them solo.”
“I see… That’s impressive.”
And then—silence. Awkward silence.
Unable to bear it, I tried making small talk.
“What do you usually do on weekends?”
“I enter Gates.”
“Oh… isn’t that exhausting?”
“I suppose.”
…Right.
Does he just not want to talk to me, or is this his personality?
With an awkward smile, I checked the system window.
17 collected. Just three more to go.
‘Man, it’s really hot….’
With no shade in sight and heat radiating from the ground, I couldn’t take it anymore. I pulled out water from my inventory and drank deeply.
Come to think of it, he’s wearing full combat gear. Isn’t he hot?
“Aren’t you hot? Want some water?”
“I’m fine. I’m wearing a temperature-regulation item.”
“Ah….”
His gaze briefly swept over my outfit, as if to say, You don’t have one, do you? I felt oddly stung.
I’ll buy one someday when I have money….
“It’s surprising to see someone enter a Gate in casual clothes.”
“…I just got dragged in suddenly, that’s all.”
He let out a small sigh.
Feeling self-conscious, I fidgeted with my fingers when suddenly a shadow passed over me again.
“Put this on.”
He removed his outer garment and draped it over my shoulders.
Wait, isn’t this an item? Is it okay to just give it to me?
As if reading my thoughts, he gave a slight nod.
“I’m S-rank. I can regulate my body temperature even without it.”
“Then… I’ll gratefully accept. Thank you.”
I could return it once I finished collecting anyway.
The moment I put it on, the heat that had been building in my body instantly subsided. Hanyang, who had been wilting from the heat, purred contentedly in my arms.
‘This feels strangely peaceful….’
Despite being inside a Gate, there was an unexpected sense of calm.
And so, I began a brief journey together with Hunter Lee Hyun-woo.
