My Catastrophic‑Level Summon Devours Gates - Chapter 188

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 188

President Baek came to my studio apartment, saying the conversation would be too long for a phone call.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Thank you.”

That beverage that’s all the rage overseas!

I served him instant coffee, which could be called a marvel of civilization.

“Mm. It’s delicious.”

“I’ve recently gained another ability.”

[Golden Ratio] has an option to find the optimal proportion.

I served it by matching the ratio of coffee in the stick to water with the golden ratio.

There’s no way it couldn’t taste good.

Ehehe!

How’s the supreme taste created by brilliant minds at major corporations putting their heads together?

Slurp—

After drinking a cup of coffee, we got to the main topic.

The missing Yong Cheon-woo.

“China, right?”

“Yes. That’s likely.”

Since departure is prohibited, he’d have to illegally cross the border.

Since he can’t use airplanes, there are three options.

Either escape to the former North Korean territory that became a massive erosion zone.

Or cross over to Japan beyond the Korea Strait.

Or cross the West Sea…

“No matter how I think about it, it seems like option 3.”

Option 2 isn’t completely impossible either.

But the guy who conspired with China for the uninhabited island attack probably didn’t cross the Korea Strait, right?

“The news is quiet.”

“That matter is classified.”

“The government must be in a difficult position.”

There are fewer than 100 S-rank Hunters in the entire world.

Who would have thought he’d abandon all his support base and defect to another country just because of some pressure(?)

“There won’t be problems for a while. That’s fortunate.”

“Eh. Isn’t an S-rank Hunter’s defection a huge deal?”

“It’s a big problem from the government’s perspective, but we’re not affiliated with a government agency, are we?”

Ah.

I see.

Boss, you’re truly a frightening person.

“Still, I’d like to help if I can.”

Though you said I have no responsibility to bear.

I didn’t feel comfortable just sitting back and watching.

Shouldn’t I at least take some moral responsibility?

“The Fissure Bureau conveyed this issue and made a request.”

President Baek raised his index finger straight up.

“They asked if you could advance in rank as quickly as possible.”

Advancement.

I had just been having a similar conversation with Sir Isra.

I’ll probably reach max level before the next examination.

The question is whether I can pass the examination.

“I can’t guarantee I’ll pass A-rank in one try either.”

“Don’t feel pressured and go at your own pace, Hunter.”

“I’m doing things the way I always have.”

“As expected, you’re aiming for S-rank. That’s impressive.”

Huh?

Why did you reach that conclusion?

“Isn’t S-rank Hunter Park’s identity?”

President Baek’s expression showed doubt, as if asking why I was questioning something obvious.

Anyone watching would think I had S-rank reserved at the Tower of Ascension.

“Just a year ago, I was a perpetual E-rank, you know?”

“They say it originally takes a long time for a hidden dragon to stretch its limbs.”

“What does the court minister know so well?”

“Late bloomer. Isn’t that a Chinese idiom prepared for my lord?”

Ugh.

My stomach hurts.

If you were trying to assassinate me through embarrassment, you’re halfway successful.

“So if I pass at a lower rank, I should aim for the next opportunity?”

“That’s right.”

Aren’t you drinking the kimchi soup all at once?

Let’s interpret it as meaning I should take the examination at my own pace without being conscious of the Fissure Bureau.

If I say whether it works or not, you’ll just say I’m being modest again.

“Oh. There’s one more thing to convey.”

“Is it about Mir Guild?”

“No. It’s not about them, but about the Support Team.”

“They worked incredibly hard supporting me. I feel sorry about it.”

“Don’t worry. They’ve decided to participate in this Cross Gate expedition together.”

Eh.

Really?

“I knew you were amazing, Boss, but I didn’t know it was possible to include the Support Team too.”

“It wasn’t my doing.”

“Then?”

“The Fissure Bureau made the proposal first.”

How surprising.

Didn’t they say that Cross Gate is only known to high-ranking officials at the Fissure Bureau and a select few from the Domestic Big Five?

The Support Team friends couldn’t have grown enough to fit into that lineup… right?

“They’re being quite considerate of us.”

“It’s proof of their determination to properly support Hunter Park.”

“I’m certainly more comfortable working with people I’ve coordinated with before.”

I felt good about the unexpected companions.

The Support Team takes care of parts that my familiars can’t handle.

“I’ve taken up a lot of your time. Rest well today.”

“Yes.”

I really should rest well today.

From tomorrow on.

I’ll be incredibly busy without a moment to breathe.

* * *

The next day.

I headed to the Fissure Bureau headquarters, the gathering point.

As always, the Support Team, who arrived earlier than the appointed time, greeted me.

“To think we’re going to a place not revealed to the world.”

“It’s all thanks to hyung.”

“Doesn’t this feel just like a school trip?”

I thought I’d be nervous.

But I wasn’t at all.

They say this place is more dangerous than Gates, so why am I so carefree?

“Isn’t it all because they trust their Lord?”

“When you put it like that, it’s burdensome.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve trained them enough to pull their own weight.”

Sir Isra’s eyes swept over the support team.

Shiver.

The three warrior-class Hunters trembled in unison.

“If even one of them causes trouble, I’ll train them until they scream for mercy.”

“Eek!”

“No, that’s not right. I’ll work them until they beg to be killed.”

“Kyaaah!”

“Sir Isra. Please go easy on them!”

The support team friends’ faces turned pale as sheets.

Watching from the side, he does seem to be pushing them pretty hard.

Screech!

While we were chatting, a large bus stopped in front of our group.

A Rift Bureau employee came out to greet us.

“Please board this vehicle to travel to the destination.”

“Yes.”

“The people from Hanil Forge aren’t here ye— Ah, there they come.”

Step— Step.

Two people walked over from a distance.

As the distance closed.

Seong-su took a deep breath.

“Wh-wh-wh-who is that person?”

“That’s Master Han Yo-han.”

“He looks like he just finished burying someone.”

Hmm.

That’s a fresh way to put it.

He really softened the expression that he looks like he just killed someone.

“We’re late. Work was backed up.”

Jin-woo bowed his waist deeply.

“Ah. It’s fine. We just got here ourselves.”

“Hyung. Who might this be?”

“Master Han Yo-han and Senior Apprentice Nam Jin-woo. They’re from Hanil Forge.”

“Ah!”

Seong-su opened his mouth wide.

It was understandable to be surprised since it’s the nation’s top forge.

“Do you have any luggage?”

“I’ve stored it in subspace.”

Jin-woo tapped the briefcase in his hand.

It’s much smaller than my carrier.

Well.

You can’t carry around heavy things like Giant Armor everywhere.

And if you wore it to move around, you couldn’t even board a vehicle due to the weight and bulk.

“Let’s go.”

Master Han Yo-han slipped right into the large bus.

“Master’s doing that again. Since we’re late, he should at least apologize.”

Jin-woo hurriedly followed behind him.

“Shall we get going too?”

“Yes.”

“He’s scary. That person.”

“The way his eyes gleam with killing intent. Ugh.”

I’ve been seeing him for months and still can’t get used to it, so I understand their reaction.

Moreover.

Master Han Yo-han had no interest in anything other than forge work, making him even easier to misunderstand.

The bus, having gathered all passengers, proceeded straight to the destination.

Vrooom!

The bus headed to a small mountain located in northern Paju.

It was an old military facility with an iron plate reading [■62■ Unit] still remaining.

“Is it magic?”

The mana waves surrounding the mountain were unusual.

Traces of artificial manipulation.

I could notice it thanks to [Origin of Magic] and [Spiritual Sight].

“It doesn’t seem to be for defensive purposes.”

“Illusion, concealment, and aversion. Three properties complexly woven together.”

Ingrid finished analyzing the entire magic circle just from a passing glance.

“H-how did you…”

The Rift Bureau employee’s eyes trembled.

Our Ingrid is quite remarkable.

“Don’t worry. It’s not something worth gossiping about elsewhere.”

“Thank you for Hunter Park’s consideration.”

It’s hardly consideration.

Isn’t the very existence of Cross Gate classified information anyway?

Entering the magic, instead of the desolate old military base scenery, the real appearance came into view.

New buildings that maintained only the framework of old barracks.

Where howitzers used to be positioned, various stockpiled supplies and magic circles were installed.

【Not beautiful at all.】

A telepathic message clearly showing displeasure.

“Why are you complaining again, old man?”

【Isn’t the precision lacking? The mana loss alone is 54%.】

Yes. Yes.

What wouldn’t seem inadequate to a Grand Alchemist’s eyes?

The problem was that my eyes, sharing the ability of [Golden Ratio], also began to notice deficient parts one by one.

It didn’t matter when I was ignorant.

But after gaining the golden ratio, many things became bothersome as they caught my eye.

What can you do.

I should think of it as having pros and cons.

In the center of what used to be the parade ground, a blue rift had taken position.

“Oh. Hunter Park Min-ho is here?”

A lively tone.

There’s a familiarity as if I’ve heard it somewhere before.

When I turned my head, sure enough, an acquainted Hunter was standing there.

“Department Head Jeon Hye-yeon. It’s been a long time.”

“Wow. You even remember my name?”

“How could I not know someone like you.”

Response Department First Division Head Jeon Hye-yeon.

She was the top administrator who handled the cleanup of the trap site that the Black Heaven Society had dug targeting me.

He was also the most likely candidate to become the next S-rank in our country.

【Is he truly the next S-rank?】

Sir Isra asked through telepathy.

Why is that.

Since I couldn’t say it in front of the person himself, I expressed my question through my eyes.

【It seems he has already surpassed the boundary.】

Surpassed the boundary?

Does that mean he’s mastered the use of Aura Blade?

I almost let out an exclamation at Sir Isra’s words but swallowed it back.

Having crossed the wall.

That means he could become S-rank anytime just by taking the examination.

“I’m on my way back from completing a mission. It’s even more pleasant seeing you here.”

“I owe you a great debt from last time.”

“What debt? Hunter Park did what we should have done.”

Department Head Jeon Hye-yeon smiled and was about to say more when another staff member approached and subtly interrupted.

“Department Head. Since Hunter Park Min-ho’s party is entering Cross Gate for the first time, we need to give them the briefing.”

“I’ll do it myself.”

“Don’t you need to return to headquarters?”

“How long does an explanation take? Tell them to wait a little.”

“Yes.”

I wondered if that was okay.

But I also found it more comfortable to hear the explanation from someone I was familiar with, so I stayed quiet.

To summarize the precautions after entering Cross Gate:

① There’s a risk of monster respawning in all areas except safe zones.

② Don’t let your guard down when encountering hunters from other countries.

③ If you encounter other races, run away if possible.

Number 2 made sense, but.

“Other races?”

The third item was quite surprising.

“Sometimes you encounter other races like elves or orcs.”

“Aren’t orcs monsters?”

“Not the species that come out of gates, but beings with intelligence like us.”

Foreign hunters are often encountered and conflicts sometimes arise.

But encountering other races is extremely rare, they said.

Even if you do encounter them, it’s hard to see anything good come of it, so avoiding them is the best policy.

“I wish you good fortune.”

“Thank you.”

What kind of place lies beyond the Blue Rift?

Perhaps due to the emotions of tension and excitement, strength gathered tightly in my right hand.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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