Chapter 58 (2/2)
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Jinwoo smiled widely . Having attempted to come off as stern, Han Songyi was flustered by Jinwoo’s unexpected response . Jinwoo calmly spoke,.
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“Yeah, I don’t plan on telling you to give it up either . ”.
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The girl’s eyes widened in surprise,.
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“Really?”.
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Jinwoo knew, telling kids like her to not do something was the best way to get them to do that thing . From the start, he had no intention of convincing her through words . He would just show her a glimpse of reality . .
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‘I was the same . ’.
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He realized that truth on his first Raid . That reality was much more cruel than he thought . Han Songyi tried to keep up a stern demeanor and asked,.
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“Th-then why are you here?”.
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Jinwoo stepped forward . The girl almost took a step back in surprise but kept her composure as to not appear weak . In front of Han Songyi, Jinwoo put on a smile . He did not mean to do so, but it was a rather evil looking smile, filled with ulterior motives . .
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“I want to make you into an amazing Hunter . ”.
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She did not need any convincing to go into the Dungeon . Enticed by the prospect of watching Baekho’s new recruit training in person, she excitedly tagged along without a shred of suspicion at Jinwoo . When she asked how he knew her homeroom teacher, Jinwoo showed her a picture of him and his sister . .
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“Ahjussi, you’re Jinah’s oppa?”.
“ . ”.
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A certain word kept hitting a nerve on his mind, but Jinwoo overlooked it since things were going according to plan . .
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“Get in . ”.
“Thank you!”.
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Jinwoo drove Han Songyi to the place where Baekho would be holding their new recruit training in the form of a Raid . He was told that they would begin their training at 9 PM, so he had plenty of time . .
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zoom-.
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The van that was too large for just two people traveled to their destination like it was flying . Was it because of the agility and sense stats? Jinwoo, who had never driven a car after obtaining his driver’s license, was skillfully navigating the road . Even focusing just a little bit slowed down the other cars . .
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‘Man, these attribute stats sure are useful . ’.
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From his side, Han Songyi struck up a conversation,.
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“So does Jinah really spend all day studying at home? I heard she even uses an encyclopedia as wallpaper so she can constantly look at something to memorize . ”.
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Did his little sister really have such a reputation? At home, she was just a chicken-loving girl who loved to sleep . .
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“She’s the same as everyone else . When she comes home, she plays around, eats and sleeps . ”.
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Well, mostly sleep . .
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“Eh… No way . How could her grades be so good if that was the case?”.
“I couldn’t believe it either . Back in junior high, she was just a girl who went to arcades with me . ”.
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While the pair shared a conversation, they had arrived at the Gate . Jinwoo stopped the car . .
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screech-.
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It was a neighborhood that produced a lot of Gates for some reason . Because of that, most of the people had moved away, and it was easy to find parking . Jinwoo heard that there were at least 8 residential buildings in the area that were abandoned . Once the remaining people moved away, the government planned to just flatten the entire area . .
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Jinwoo and Han Songyi got out from the car . There was a strange foreboding feeling in the air . .
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Waaaah-.
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Jinwoo swore he could hear a cheering coming from his shadow . He chalked it up to the atmosphere . Han Songyi was slightly scared because of that atmosphere but quickly cheered up when she saw other Hunters in the distance . Her sparkling eyes were like someone looking at a celebrity . .
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‘Well, they are THE Baekho’s Hunters . ’.
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He supposed to a student who wanted to be a Hunter, they were no different than celebrities . When he remembered the image of Hunters in the media, it was not a strange thing . .
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“Oh, you really came . ”.
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Hyun Gicheol noticed Jinwoo and came over . .
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“Do you remember me?”.
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Jinwoo lightly nodded . When Hyun Gicheol greeted him with a genuine and not a business-use smile, Jinwoo smiled back despite of himself . He had only met the man few times, but it seemed like he had a likeable personality . .
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“I heard from the chief . So this is the student?”.
“Hello . ”.
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Hang Songyi bowed her head . They were lightly exchanging greetings when a large musclehead split off from the Hunters and came over,.
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“Can we get going already? We’re not here for a picnic . It’s almost nine . ”.
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Without waiting for their response, the man returned to the Gate . Jinwoo could tell he was not an ordinary man; he turned to Hyun Gicheol,.
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“Who was that?”. “Ah, he’s an A-rank new recruit that just entered the Guild . When we informed him about you and the student, he was annoyed . Said something about a Dungeon not being a playground…”.
“A-rank?”.
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Hyun Gicheol nodded . The man being an A-rank would explain the presence Jinwoo felt . Jinwoo asked another question,.
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“What’s the level of the raiding party?”.
“One A-rank, seven B-ranks, four C-ranks for a total of twelve members . ”.
“You’re taking an A-rank and B-ranks for just a C-rank Gate?”.
“Well, even if their rank is high, they’re newbies . It’s to give them a taste of what the Dungeon is like . ”.
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Hyun Gicheol spoke with pride . Once they completed their Raid today, he added that they would be placed in official high-level Raids going forward . .
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‘Still, an A-rank and seven B-ranks are a bit too much…’.
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Jinwoo’s eyes changed . In fact, this was the real reason why Ahn Sangmin let him tag along so easily . The chief wanted to show off the elite new recruits of Baekho to Jinwoo, to show him the value of the Guild . However, contrary to Ahn Sangmin and Hyun Gicheol’s expectations, Jinwoo looked over at the raiding party with a disappointment in his eyes . .
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The Gate was a C-rank . Compared to that, the raiding party was too strong . .
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‘If the Raid is too easy, my plan won’t work . ’.
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This was his worry, but he shook his head . .
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‘Eh, I’m sure once she see what it’s like in there, she’ll realize the truth . ’.
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The truth of how powerless an E-ranker was in a Dungeon . That should be enough . .
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“When are we going in?”.
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Not realizing Jinwoo’s true intentions, Han Songyi impatiently asked when they would start the Raid . Turning to his side, Jinwoo saw that her face was filled with excitement and anticipation . .
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‘Let’s see how long you can keep that up . ’.
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He laughed in his head and turned to Hyun Gicheol,.
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“Then, we’ll be going as well . ”.
“Ah, yes . ”.
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Hyun Gicheol looked around then leaned in and whispered to Jinwoo,.
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“Er… If Hunter Sung Jinwoo-nim steps up, the Raid will be over in a flash . Could you please just stay in the back and watch?”.
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Well, that was his plan . .
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“Yes, I’ll do just that . ”.
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He would resume the Raids with Yoo Jinho tomorrow; he had no need to interfere with Baekho’s new recruit training . However, tomorrow would be the inaugural combat for his shadow army, so he decided to bring Han Songyi here . .
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‘I don’t want to show off the Shadow Soldiers in front of her . ’.
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If the girl saw him easily taking down magic beasts with his shadows, her delusions might worsen . Jinwoo and Han Songyi went before the Gate . Unlike the A-ranker, some of the other Hunters greeted them with a smile . .
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“Hello . ”.
“Please to meet you . ”.
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As the purpose of the Raid was not money, having more people was a good thing . They took turns introducing themselves . When it was the A-ranker’s turn,.
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“I’m good . ”.
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He turned and entered the Gate first . .
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“Let us go as well . ”.
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Baekho’s new recruits entered the Gate one by one . Han Songyi stopped before the Gate and turned to Jinwoo,.
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“What about you, ahjussi?”.
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Jinwoo crossed his arms and replied,.
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“I’ll see you go in first . ”.
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With a face filled with nervousness, the girl nodded and entered . .
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‘Hmm . ’.
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Jinwoo lightly sighed then stood before the Gate . Turning around, he saw Hyun Gicheol waving to him and cheering . .
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‘ . ’.
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Jinwoo turned back to the Gate . .
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Something was wrong . .
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‘ . ?’.
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The Gate was rippling and trembling nonstop . .
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‘Unless someone is in the process of entering or leaving, it should stay still like a black curtain . ’.
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But right now, even though no one was entering or leaving, the Gate was rippling like someone had disturbed the surface of a lake . Something was different . Jinwoo placed a hand on the Gate . The surface of the Gate clung to his hand like a sticky substance and started crawling up his hand . .
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‘Wait, this is !’.
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Jinwoo sharply turned his head and met Hyun Gicheol’s eyes . The employee also realized something was wrong . Jinwoo shouted at the man,.
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“CALL YOUR MAIN HUNTERS, RIGHT N-”.
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Before Jinwoo could finish, he was sucked into the Gate . .
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“W-what was that?”.
“D-deputy Hyun!”.
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Hyun Gicheol ran to the Gate . The three other Baekho employees also went up behind him . In front of the Gate, Hyun Gicheol was panicking in terror . .
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“No… no way!”.
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The Hunters weren’t the only new recruits here . The employees standing behind him were also new hires . Of course they would be confused at what was happening . They looked at Hyun Gicheol like deer in headlights . .
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“D-deputy! The Gate is turning red!”.
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As if a drop of blood fell on the surface of water, the Gate’s surface was quickly turning red . Hyun Gicheol ignored the employees and quickly made a call . .
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click.
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- “What is it, Gicheol?”.
“Chief! It’s a Red Gate! The new recruits just entered a Red Gate!!!”.
- “What?!”.
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Ahn Sangmin’s voice became serious . .
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- “What the hell?! How did a Red Gate come out of a C-rank Gate?!”.
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Hyun Gicheol looked up at the Gate that had turned completely red . The rippling had already stopped . The deputy gulped . .
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“I… I don’t know, but it’s definitely a Red Gate . ”.
- “What?!!!”.