Chapter 42

The biggest trace left by the cataclysm.

The place that was used as an invasion route by the demon king Asmodeus 30 years ago has long since become a means of livelihood for hunters and an excavation site for high-dimensional energy resources called magic stones.

"Are you members of the Peace Guild?"

A middle-aged man in overalls who had been out at the entrance approached.

A public official belonging to the gate management agency assigned to each gate.

"yes."

The official nodded at Team Manager Choi's blunt reply.

"You came just in time. When are you going to enter?"

"I'll get my equipment ready and go right in."

"There is a waiting room on the second floor, so you can come down after getting ready. then."

We moved along with Team Leader Choi.

The two-story building where officials from the management agency reside was decrepit, and the waiting room was in a similar situation.

'Wow Mr. Look at the smell.'

As soon as you open the door, the smell of sweat hits your nose. Rusty cabinets and full trash cans were also visible.

"It's a bit harsh here. Don't you even ventilate?"

"The officials in charge of the gate are like that.

I put the grumbling behind me and started to change into raid equipment. Light material combat boots with leather armor. Finally, I took out the spear from the elongated case and held it.

'long time no see.'

This feeling that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand.

Familiar yet unfamiliar.

It's definitely different from the weapons I've been using for the past month… … Oh no. Let's think no more.

'I have to forget everything now.'

Lim Kkeok-jeong approached me as I tightened the laces of my combat boots.

He had the appearance of a main tank with full body armor and a huge tower shield.

"Are you ready?"

"yes. what."

Lim Kkeok-jeong, who swung me up and down, stuck out her tongue.

"Look at this guy. When the hell is the enemy equipment?"

"well. I bought it when I first started, so at least 7 years?"

When I was a rookie, I was so excited at the underground store in Dongdaemun. I remember the price exactly. 1.98 million won.

'I couldn't sleep properly for several days after I shouted.'

Hunter is a job that costs as much as income. Most of that expense is related to equipment. This is all because of the specificity of the gate.

'Because equipment not imbued with mana or magical power will soon break.'

So, the most common method is to make equipment using magic stones obtained from gate monsters.

The higher the grade of the magic stone used, the higher the price will skyrocket.

"Seven years? oh my god. No matter how good the money is, spend it when you need it. Would you like to save money on your life?"

"hmm. There was a situation."

It's something I don't want to talk about.

Lim Kkeok-jeong said in a worried voice.

"I'm in a non-combat position today, so it's okay, but… … be careful."

you]."

I feel strange even while answering. It reminded me of someone who lived with the words to be careful not too long ago.

But it's a while to get wet with sentiment.

"Is everyone ready?"

When Team Leader Choi appeared, I opened my mouth.

I hope that

"A set of red drake hides?"

"hmm."

Choi's face hardened. I only saw him in the catalogs of luxury goods stores, so I made a mistake without realizing it.

"Oh, sorry… …

"It's nothing special. I just made it with five types of magic and B-class magic stones."

"…?"

"I'm not emphasizing it, but the materials are five types of magic and B-class magic stones."

"Ah yes."

"The reason why red drake leather is so popular is because of its unique luster, but it looks good and is not very useful."

Team leader Choi moved his body with a stiff face. A soft red light flashed.

"But it is very beautiful."

"Let's go down."

Team leader Choi left the waiting room first, and Lim Kkeok-jeong approached and said,

"I really like checking out that friend's equipment."

"No, I understand… … Why are you like that?"

"I don't know. I am a fan of equipment. There are even rumors that she bought it with all her money and wore it to sleep every night."

That child is also another.

I lamented in my heart and prayed that today's raid would end safely.

"It's different from the number of people you requested."

The official looked uncomfortable. Not even that. I have to go in now, but not everyone has gathered.

——————

'How long do I have to wait?'

Currently, there are six people gathered in front of the gate. Except for me, who came as a porter, there were only five combatants.

Since it's an E-level gate, I need at least five more hunters of the same grade… … Since the peace guild guys can't even see their noses, it's inevitable that the government officials will be annoyed.

"If there are additional people, you have to tell us in advance."

huh? what did you just say

Are you an added person?

"sorry."

In response to Team Leader Choi's blunt apology, an official raised a pen and drew a line on the document.

"I don't have a big problem because I can fix something… … Please be careful next time."

Damn there is no big problem. There are no people, no people!

I stabbed Lim Kkeok-jeong in the side.

"older brother. When are the others coming?"

"What people?"

14 Peace Guild."

"Chief Choi is there."

"yes?"

"Oh, didn't you tell me? Peace Guild is new, so there are no members. All three, including the guild leader. hahaha."

… … Smile?

"No, brother."

"I know, man. But you don't have to worry."

Lim Kkeok-jeong, who tapped me on the shoulder, pointed to Choi, who was signing the documents.

"That man, he's a c-class hunter."

"ah. Class C… … I closed my mouth. If Team Leader Choi is a C-class Hunter, there is no problem. No, much better than ten E-class hunters. Because he's an 'intermediate hunter' who's on a different level from a low-level hunter like me.

'I should have noticed from the moment I put on the luxury equipment.'

He is a person who wears a luxurious apartment. A price that quite a few low-level hunters can't buy even if they rob all their property ten times.

A soft halo shone from Team Leader Choi's back.

"Please check your signature."

How can you be so graceful when you hand over a pen to a government official?

Even the slightest movement seems to make the booty flow.

Is that the dignity of a C-class hunter?

'It's f*cking cool.'

I want to have a brother-in-law I want to make a gay resolution under the gate, no gate resolution.

"Okay then, let's go in… … What is it?"

Chief Choi looked at me with a puzzled face.

"no. It's just cool."

"yes?"

"equipment. It's cool."

At that moment, the corners of Choi's lips twitched.

"No big deal. With five types of magic and B-class magic stones as ingredients… …

"He's an idiot I want to get close to.

I took one step towards the gate.

Shoot ah – A familiar feeling covers your whole body. A cool yet sticky aura unique to magic. and changed scenery.

"It is a cave."

As Team Leader Choi said, the raid location this time was a cave. The damp walls were damp, and all around was immersed in light darkness.

"Miss Taekyung. Get out your flashlight."

"yes."

I quickly put down my backpack. This is the porter's bag given to Team Leader Choi right before entering the gate. Expensive items that seem ordinary, but have space expansion and weight reduction magic.

"Here it is. flashlight."

I give it because it's different, but in my experience, it's not a very good way. Instead of being convenient, it is because they cannot adapt to sudden darkness when the light disappears.

It's much better to wait for a while and wait for the darkness to get used to in your eyes… … .

Click.

"Let there be light. Light."

Shuung. A ball of light the size of a soccer ball shoots out of the flashlight and slams into the ceiling of the cave.

"… … Magic?"

"It is a built-in magic that can be activated immediately by chanting a spell. The lasting power is quite long, so the next three or four hours are no problem.

I bought it as a limited edition from Company M… … Lim Kkeok-jeong, who was watching, summed it up in one word.

"Very expensive."

Team leader Choi's face darkened slightly because of his mood or because of his shadow. Anyway, thanks to that, the raid became much easier.

'As expected, money is the best.'

Capital rules the world and so does the gate. Those who have money fight comfortably with magic equipment, and those who do not have to carry torches.

"To their respective positions."

People reacted immediately to Choi's instructions. Lim Kkeok-jeong, who is in the tank position, and other E-rank hunters took the lead, followed by Team Leader Choi. Me, the porter, and the two ranged dealers stood at the very back.

"movement."

We slowly started moving forward.

Bright magic lights lit the way.

"…"

i want one

* * *

"Kiyiyi!"

The guys who were crouching in the dark appeared with screams.

Short torso with green skin. ugly-looking limbs.

Hob goblins are a higher class of normal goblins.

'The number of heads is about thirty.'

It will be a tough fight with only five people.

'But if there is a C-class hunter, the story will be different.'

The other four are E-class veterans with at least 10 years of experience.

I stood back and watched the battle.

"Distance!"

Team Leader Choi's words dropped and an arrow was shot at the same time. one guy at a time.

Hobgoblins without shields were knocked down by arrows that pierced vital points.

"Kit!"

"Oops, the shield soldier came out. What should I do?"

"atmosphere."

Director Choi continued.

"Tank advance."

Tankers carrying tower shields in thick body armor moved. Like Lim Kkeok-jeong, the other person is also a giant over 190 cm, so the feeling of intimidation is no joke.

"Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"

But a monster is not a monster for nothing. The hobgoblins, who only believed in their number, rushed like a swarm of bees.

but… …

"What?"

Beep!

The big and beautiful tower shield became bloody and flew away.

Every time Lim Kkeok-jeong, riding on momentum, swings his mace like a fly swatter, his limbs are torn apart and his head is smashed.

"You bastard! You bastard!"

… … what mole game is this?

'As expected, a deceased person.'

All four of them are steadily reducing the number of enemies while maintaining their positions in a way that is not excessive.

Knowing when to back off and when to advance is a battle intelligence born from a wealth of experience.

"Stay in the power position."

and one person.

He, who had been coordinating the flow of battle until now, moved.

"I will take care of the rest."

At the same time, a gleaming red line pierced through the twenty hobgoblins.

squeak-

Along with a neat trajectory, the neck rises. They couldn't react properly to what happened in an instant.

"Keiy?"

squeak. squeak. squeak.

The blade did not stop. He pierced and slashed his foes in the vitals with ruthless efficiency. It was no longer a battle.

massacre. It was a massacre carried out by a single human against twenty or so monsters.

'This is a C-class hunter.'

his speed and strength. All seen. And he felt

'As expected.'

As an F-ranker, I couldn't dare to step over it. Because it's a middle-class hunter who is three levels higher. It is a wide river and a high wall that can never be filled with effort.

But at the same time, a question raised its head.

'What if it was Moorim?'

Chief Choi is obviously strong. He has the ability and rich experience befitting a C-class hunter. But if this place is Moorim. And if he is a Murim… … .

'I am stronger.'

It's a quick and powerful move, but that's it. He has not mastered martial arts and cannot use mana efficiently.

First class at best. In Moorim, he is just that.

'But this is reality.'

I unknowingly bit my lip.

Intermediate Hunters and Lowest Hunters. When a middle-class hunter wears expensive equipment and slaughter monsters, the lowest-level hunter just stares blankly.

in the role of a porter.

"Hey hey hey… … The last Hobgoblin has fallen. Our eyes collided with Team Leader Choi who pulled the sword out of his chest.

"Miss Taekyung. Please dispose of by-products."

"Taekyung?"

I wanted to tell him that I am stronger than you

But what I couldn't say in the end is because this is my reality.

"… … You worked hard."

I was 'stronger' than you.