My Catastrophic‑Level Summon Devours Gates - Chapter 19

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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 19

The next day.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I searched for information about the Domain of Challenge.

“There’s nothing.”

【What do you mean there’s nothing?】

“You startled me.”

Hey there.

Sir?

Let’s turn on the blinkers before entering.

I have no privacy.

【Being in Death Space makes one’s sense of time grow dim.】

“Ah.”

I should take it out before sleeping.

You said consciousness On/Off was possible after all.

A few more times like that and my heart won’t be able to handle it.

【So what is it that’s missing?】

“I looked up stuff related to SSS-rank clears.”

I asked the Hunters who accompanied me to keep it secret.

But I considered the possibility of them not keeping quiet to be higher.

But seeing no articles came out, it was quieter than I thought.

【Your self-consciousness is quite inflated.】

“You wouldn’t know, but when SSS-rank clears come out, it causes an uproar.”

【Is it similar in weight to S-rank promotion?】

“It’s a bit weaker than that.”

D-rank Gates can somehow achieve high-grade clears if you slather on expensive items.

Since evaluating ‘talent’ isn’t the priority like in promotion tests.

That said, it didn’t mean SSS-rank clears lacked gossip value.

The emergence of outstanding Hunters always brings waves of excitement.

If I had been identified, some related articles would have been released.

Or Guild Officials would be waiting at my door requesting countless handshakes.

Hmm.

Thinking about it that way makes me nervous.

When I slightly opened the window, I couldn’t find a single person, let alone an ant.

【You weren’t looking to see if anyone came to find you, were you?】

“Please be quiet.”

【Hahahaha! It does seem like an inflated ego.】

“Shh.”

I commanded with strong will.

Sir Isra’s jaw clamped shut.

No more sound came out.

Phew.

Finally quiet.

After searching a few more times, I opened the Hunter 24 App.

“How long are you going to keep staring?”

【…】

“Fine. You can talk now.”

【….】

Excuse me.

Why aren’t you saying anything?

“Sir Isra?”

【….】

He’s sulking. Definitely sulking.

“Can’t be helped. I’ll have to tackle a Gate with a new undead today.”

I pressed the Hunter 24 App button.

And searched for D-rank Gates near my studio apartment.

I can feel glances being thrown my way.

Sir Isra.

Stop making your eyes flash like that.

It’s hard work pretending not to be interested, isn’t it?

I pretended not to notice and held my phone at an angle where Sir Isra could see it well.

Let’s see.

Where’s the closest Gate to home located?

“Here it is.”

[Deep Swamp]

Location: Misa Lake Park, Hanam City

Difficulty: D

Entry Limit: D-rank (10 people)

Monster Spawns: Elicro

【A swamp. I don’t much care for it.】

Sir Isra naturally let slip a comment.

I had said I’d tackle it with the Armed Zombie Warrior, but he spoke as if he was going along too.

I suppressed my desire to tease him more and continued the conversation.

“The swamp terrain debuff is a bit tricky.”

【I just dislike the sticky feeling.】

“You’re undead, Sir.”

【As you know, my senses remain intact.】

“You can turn them on and off at will. Why pretend to be weak?”

【Anyway, what I dislike, I dislike!】

Our knight is truly finicky.

“Then should I go with the Armed Zombie Warrior instead?”

【I have no choice. I cannot entrust you to an unreliable subordinate, so I shall accompany you.】

The purpose of entering the Gate is to test the Armed Zombie Warrior’s performance, but.

“Heh. As expected of Sir Isra, the Continental Greatest Sword.”

【Hahahaha! I’m deeply moved that you recognize my loyalty!】

I decided to cover up the uncomfortable truth.

Sigh.

It feels like I’m serving a master rather than having a subordinate.

* * *

A 30-minute distance by public transportation.

I arrived at Hanam Lake Park.

In front of the Gate was a temporarily installed booth.

“Yaaaaaawn.”

A man in a suit letting out a long, drawn-out yawn.

Must be someone from the Rift Management Bureau.

【Hmm. His work attitude is poor.】

“He might act like that when it’s quiet.”

【If one of my knights acted like that, I would have disciplined him!】

Sir Isra.

So you were a stickler for rules.

I’m getting curious about how old you were before you died.

【You weren’t thinking something rude, were you?】

“Not at all.”

【Hmm.】

Sir.

You don’t even have Mind Reading.

It’s useless to pretend you can see through me and make guesses.

Since we’re in front of the Gate.

I brought out Sir Isra who was staying in Death Space.

When an undead suddenly appeared from thin air, the Rift Bureau Employee showed a surprised expression.

“Ah. You’re a Hunter.”

“Can I enter the Gate?”

“Yes. I’ll check your Hunter Registration Card first.”

[Hunter Registration Card]

Name: Park Min-ho

Grade: E

Ah.

I got promoted, so I should go update it.

“I recently advanced to D-rank.”

“Yes. The entry requirement is D-rank, so if you hadn’t been promoted, you wouldn’t be able to enter.”

The Rift Bureau employee placed a laptop-sized device against the Gate.

“Please wait a moment.”

Beep beep beep—

[Mana Distribution – 78%]

“That’s a shame. If it were 2% higher, you’d receive a reward.”

“Can’t be helped.”

【Reward?】

“If the mana distribution exceeds 80%, the Rift Bureau gives out rewards.”

When mana distribution reaches 100%, a Break occurs.

A phenomenon where the Gate overwrites reality.

The monsters inside burst out into the outside world.

If the Gate core isn’t removed in the early stages of a Break, the surrounding environment changes semi-permanently.

【So they consider it dangerous when it exceeds 80%.】

“Yeah. They classify it as a Break risk group.”

The reason Gate mana distribution rises was simple.

Because the monsters continuously generated inside were left unchecked.

In other words, the distribution value could be viewed as the number of monsters.

【A Gate that others avoid. Won’t it be dangerous?】

At Sir Isra’s words, the Rift Bureau employee let out a gasp of dismay.

It seemed like they were worried I might not enter the Gate.

Oh my.

You can’t use facts to hit people like that.

“It’s fine. Let’s go in.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Hunter.”

Switching to a different D-rank Gate at this point would be more troublesome.

I have the Continental Greatest Sword, so it should be fine.

“I’ll brief you on precautions for the raid.”

Elicro is a close-combat type monster with strong power and durability.

Its magic resistance is low, so killing it before it gets close is the best strategy.

“…That’s true, but it hides in the swamp, so it’s not easy.”

Approaching while hiding in the swamp area.

When the distance closes, they approach with a charge skill, making them very dangerous.

“They’re more troublesome enemies than Living Armor, so be careful.”

Ah.

Then I don’t need to worry.

“Let’s take it easy and have a look around.”

“You’re not giving up on conquering the Gate?”

“It wouldn’t look good to leave right after arriving.”

Leaving behind the relieved look in the staff member’s eyes.

I stepped into the blue wormhole.

* * *

The light that filled my retina disappeared.

My first thought was.

Squelch!

“This sucks.”

That was it.

Mud reaching up to my ankles.

The viscous swamp pulled at my body like quicksand.

The pulling force wasn’t strong.

With a little effort, I could lift my feet.

But still.

It wasn’t a pleasant sensation.

[Slow Lv 3]

The awful feeling wasn’t the only problem.

My body became sluggish due to the swamp’s effect.

【You already expected this before coming, did you not.】

“Well, that’s true.”

【Endure it.】

Oh my.

Who was it that complained about disliking the sticky sensation?

Bubble bubble—

Just then, bubbles rose up nearby.

Almost simultaneously, unwelcome guests suddenly poked their faces out.

They were Elicros that looked similar to crocodiles.

【Lowly creatures. Who are you showing your ugly faces to!】

Slash—

The monster over 2 meters tall fell with a single strike from Sir Isra’s sword.

Keh.

It’s a work of art no matter when I see it.

It looked as if the Elicro was voluntarily offering up its own neck.

The problem was that there wasn’t just one enemy.

“Krararark!”

Five more Elicros appeared following behind.

“Sir.”

【Do not worry.】

Sir Isra stepped back, creating distance.

By just an inch.

The Elicro’s claws grazed past the armor.

“Krarak!”

A third Elicro charged from the side, swinging its arm.

This one can’t be dodged.

Chaeng!

The bone knife lightly deflected the claws.

Sparks flew from where they clashed.

Could it be the influence of Heavenly Martial Body?

Sir Isra’s swordsmanship skill shown in that brief clash was remarkable.

“Wow. Is that even possible?”

If he had met it head-on, Sir Isra would have been pushed back due to the difference in strength.

With swordsmanship skill bordering on divine, he deflected the claws.

Using the enemy’s own force against them, he even broke their balance.

A second strike shot out simultaneously.

【Hmm. Too shallow.】

Sir Isra retreated once more.

A wound on the chest.

Green blood trickled out steadily.

But the Elicro didn’t die.

Chaeng! Chaeng!

The situation was somewhat different from the Living Armor fight.

An open space rather than a passage.

Their defense was lower than the Living Armor’s.

But the more agile and stronger Elicros gradually pressured Sir Isra.

Still, I didn’t think it was dangerous.

Sir Isra would be the one to win.

My enhanced perception from [Heavenly Martial Body] told me the answer.

Still, I can’t just stand here twiddling my thumbs.

There was a purpose for visiting the Gate today, wasn’t there?

“It’s your time to shine.”

[Death Space]

[1/10 → 0/10]

The white Giant Man that burst out from the shadow.

The Armed Zombie Warrior turned its head slightly to look at me.

“Guuuuuk.”

Is it asking for orders?

It was different from the zombies I made constantly during my E-rank days.

Is it because the undead grade is higher?

Or maybe it’s the influence of the Fragmented Soul Stone.

I’ll have to look into it slowly later.

“Kill the monsters.”

“Guuuuk. I. Will obey.”

Splash! Splash!

The Armed Zombie Warrior advanced through the swamp.

“Krararrak!”

“Guuuuk.”

Two giants clashing head-on.

They interlocked their fingers and tested each other’s strength.

“Krararrak?”

Fingers bending backward.

Elicro’s eyes widened.

“Strong indeed.”

Four times the strength of Sir Isra.

When I just looked at the numbers, I thought “I see.”

Seeing how it was bending that giant’s fingers and looked ready to break its arm soon.

I truly realized how incredible a strength stat in the 400s was.

“Krarrak!”

Another monster dropped its jaw wide.

Teeth as sharp as swords bit down hard on the Armed Zombie Warrior.

Clang.

They broke.

Its teeth.

“Guuuuk.”

“Rraaa?”

Oh my.

Its pronunciation changed now that it lost its teeth.

But it’s fine.

It won’t need to chew anything anymore anyway.

The Armed Zombie Warrior brought its fist down on the head with a thud.

The crown of the Elicro that had been biting the armor caved in deeply.

“Grrrgle.”

The monster collapsed.

The Elicro that had initially wrestled with me remained.

【Vermin. Die now.】

Slice—

It was there. Then it wasn’t.

The cleanly severed monster’s head fell in an arc.

【This is not a place I wish to linger.】

“I agree.”

An ambush near the entrance.

That’s not common.

With such high mana distribution, we encounter all sorts of strange things.

By the way.

“The performance is pretty good?”

Impressive.

Armed Zombie Warrior.

Its performance made the Rift Bureau Employee’s warning seem pointless.

【One flaw is that its finishing power is weak.】

Speaking of which.

“How about we give it this?”

【Hmm. I thought you were going to sell that.】

“It’s not like it’ll wear out from a little use.”

【Do as you see fit.】

I retrieved the [Grudge-Imbued Axe] from subspace.

I gave it to the Armed Zombie Warrior.

“Grrrroook. Master. Gave weapon.”

“Show me your Axe Technique.”

“Grook. Understood.”

A moment later.

【Th-this is preposterous!】

Sir Isra screamed.

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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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