Tearing the Gate Apart - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 40.
The announcer’s brief introduction concluded.
Lee Ha-gyeong walked toward the metal pillar.
Then murmurs drifted from the waiting area.
“Getting a little fame and now he’s full of himself.”
“The Immortal Tyrant? He got some grandiose nickname just for doing a bit of healing with an Artifact.”
“Five years with no achievements, then suddenly he stands out—doesn’t that strike you as odd?”
“Whatever he’s done behind the scenes, he’s no match for our Su-ho.”
Sudden jeers from the onlookers.
They bore no guild mark, but their origin was unmistakable.
Where could one find so many spewing such drivel?
Moreover, they were openly lauding Choi Su-ho, the Executioner.
They had to be members of the Raiders guild.
A massive stage like this, surrounded by veteran Awakeners intent on throwing him off.
An ordinary person might have stumbled under the pressure.
But Lee Ha-gyeong’s expression remained composed.
‘Say whatever you like.’
He wasn’t weak enough to be rattled by such crude tactics.
Lee Ha-gyeong swung his arms in circles as he advanced.
Then the announcer suddenly posed a question.
―Say, Lee Ha-gyeong, aren’t you bringing a weapon?
“Doesn’t seem necessary.”
―Oh my! Here he comes, unarmed, facing off against Executioner Choi Su-ho’s score of 17,800 points! How will this matchup between the Executioner and the Immortal Tyrant unfold!
The crowd’s cheers intensified at the announcer’s commentary.
The Raiders guild members’ voices were drowned out in an instant.
Lee Ha-gyeong gave a light wave toward the spectators.
A gesture implying that someone like Choi Su-ho was hardly worth his effort.
An even louder roar erupted.
“Awesomeeee!”
“So cool!”
“Wipe out those scumbags for us!”
“Lee Ha-gyeong! Lee Ha-gyeong! Lee Ha-gyeong!”
The crowd chanting his name.
He smiled at ease, eyes fixed on the metal pillar.
‘Truth be told, the Collapsing Sky Fist packs more raw power—that’s the real reason I’m using it.’
No need to let them in on those details.
Lee Ha-gyeong immediately took his stance.
Channeling Abyss Energy and magical power in abundance.
He intended to use his Compression Authority to heighten the concentration of force.
But then something peculiar caught his senses.
‘Hm? What’s this…?’
Through his Soul Stigma, a viscous energy was emanating.
Without question, it was Abyss Energy.
This wasn’t beyond a Gate.
Why would such a thing exist here?
As he scrutinized it more carefully, Lee Ha-gyeong pinpointed its source.
‘Abyss Energy is leaking from the punching machine?’
Sharpening his senses, the sensation became clearer.
Compressed within the metal pillar was something dense.
From that point, Abyss Energy wafted faintly.
The punching machine itself seemed to be an Artifact.
A structure that had long sat dormant in the Abyss.
Lee Ha-gyeong’s smile widened with realization.
‘Since I’m going all out anyway, I might as well demolish it completely.’
Flatten the nose of whoever this Executioner or condemned man was.
[Skill Kinfolk Predation — Target Set]
[Target: Resonance Pillar]
Ping—!
With a pleasing tone, Abyss Energy flowed into him.
To be honest, he was slightly disappointed at first.
Given how densely compressed it was, he’d expected a greater yield.
But Lee Ha-gyeong quickly had to reconsider.
Tzzzt, tzzzt, tzzzt, tzzzt, tzzzt!
‘What? This is way more than I thought?’
What exactly was this metal pillar?
It contained a staggering amount of Abyss Energy.
For a moment, Lee Ha-gyeong’s breath caught.
Yet somehow he managed to hold steady.
Because he’d experienced far more monstrous things.
He’d absorbed vastly greater quantities of Abyss Energy before.
Lee Ha-gyeong sharpened his focus.
‘It’s not real combat anyway. So I just need to take it step by step.’
The pale-white light gathered in his left hand grew ever larger.
The rippling ceased.
The trembling subsided.
The taut string of tension snapped.
Boom—!
A pale-white flash struck the dingy metal pillar.
In the same instant, Lee Ha-gyeong’s body was driven backward.
Overwhelmed by the tremendous recoil.
Yet the metal pillar remained unmarred.
Diiing!
Only a vibrant, ringing hum emanated through the space.
Presently, the numbers on the scoreboard began to flicker wildly.
At a speed incomparable to before.
―Wow! An incredible display! Now, let’s see the score… 159,600 points! A new record! An absolutely phenomenal score unlike anything we’ll see again!
The announcer’s ecstatic cry rang out.
A massive roar erupted from the stands.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
“Insane! Fifteen times the Executioner’s score?”
“Holy crap! I need to go change my pants.”
Unlike the cheering crowd, the waiting area fell into stunned silence.
Every Awakener who’d been mocking Lee Ha-gyeong had their mouths sealed shut.
It couldn’t have been otherwise.
Not just the Raiders guild members, but everyone was shaken.
Soon someone spoke, their expression vacant.
“How… how does anyone break that?”
“Wasn’t the average score around 10,000?”
“The real masters are said to have no interest in these special matches, but… even if they competed, could they exceed 150,000?”
“Who was it that said he was riding on Artifact power? He just scored that with his bare hands.”
The participants’ gazes turned toward the Raiders guild members.
Choi Su-ho was grinding his teeth.
Apparently he hadn’t expected Lee Ha-gyeong to overwhelm him so decisively.
He clenched his jaw and bolted to his feet.
“No matter how strong the power, if it doesn’t connect, it means nothing. I’ll settle this for real in the main rounds.”
Muttering mental self-assurance, Choi Su-ho abruptly left his seat.
Staying here would only compound his humiliation.
Just then, Lee Ha-gyeong was making his way back to the waiting area.
Their paths crossed briefly.
Anyone in such a position would have worn a smirk.
After all, he’d crushed his would-be antagonist by an overwhelming margin.
But Lee Ha-gyeong didn’t spare Choi Su-ho a single glance.
‘Perfect indifference stings far more.’
Besides, it helped his public image as well.
Under Lee Ha-gyeong’s cold dismissal, Choi Su-ho’s face contorted.
“We’re not done, you bastard.”
Curses drifted from behind, but Lee Ha-gyeong’s expression never wavered.
Threats from someone like that were hardly fearsome.
* * *
Afterward, numerous participants took their turns, but Lee Ha-gyeong remained unquestionably first.
He briefly took to the stage to receive his trophy and prize.
Naturally, Lee Ha-gyeong chose the dingy crystal.
The Ultimate Abyss Fragment.
The announcer’s expression was enigmatic.
As if wondering why he’d select such an expensive piece of junk.
Of course, Lee Ha-gyeong descended from the stage without any reaction.
‘As naturally as possible.’
He glanced briefly at the black crystal as if pleased with it.
Then casually shoved it into his pocket.
With countless spectators watching, none would sense anything amiss.
“Wow! That’s on another level entirely.”
“Fair point, but why bring it up after everything’s over?”
“He picked that weird crystal even though better prizes were available.”
“Why would he?”
“The rest weren’t as good as what he already has, so he wasn’t interested. That’s it.”
“But doesn’t that crystal have a high rank? Wouldn’t it be pricey?”
“Not compared to other Artifacts. Besides, would someone like that sweat over chump change?”
“Right—someone who donated 50 billion for the bereaved families of fallen teammates wouldn’t care…”
It was a calculated impression, but it landed far better than expected.
Moon Jeong-hoon’s earlier article seemed to have helped considerably.
Lee Ha-gyeong passed through the contestant corridor and made his way to the Ranking Battle arena.
His first match was scheduled for the afternoon.
With time to spare, he felt in his pocket.
He wanted to open the Ultimate Abyss Fragment he’d just received.
Crack!
Applying pressure with his grip, it shattered, and a system message appeared.
[Ultimate Abyss Fragment opened.]
[You have obtained an Artifact lost in this Dungeon.]
[A vast amount of Abyss Energy is being transferred.]
A pair of boots wrapped in pale-white radiance.
Lee Ha-gyeong immediately recognized the Artifact.
The flagship close-quarters dealer of Axis Prime.
These were the boots his uncle Han Seo-jin, the Sky Assassin, once wore.
The scene from back then flashed through Lee Ha-gyeong’s mind.
‘He severed two of the Abyss Sovereign’s arms.’
Which meant he endured relentless counterattacks.
The Abyss Sovereign hadn’t responded well to the tanks’ taunts.
Lee Ha-gyeong quickly removed his Sabaton and Greave.
Then slipped his feet into the boots.
The size adjusted automatically.
Snug-click!
The firm grip around his ankles felt wonderful.
This item’s name was Crosswind.
An Artifact that enabled a double mid-air jump.
Lee Ha-gyeong ran a simulation in his mind.
‘If John launches me, I can close the distance to the boss’s weak point instantly. But I’d be defenseless in the air.’
If aggro scattered, he’d be in terrible danger.
In such a scenario, Crosswind would be the perfect solution.
When attacks came, he could shift his trajectory.
While awaiting the Ranking Battle match,
Lee Ha-gyeong conducted a self-assessment.

Name: Lee Ha-gyeong
Resonance Rank: Stage 4
Skills Possessed: Wall Stringed Defense (S), Soul Severance (S), Abyss Resonance (S), Kinfolk Predation (S), Collapsing Sky Fist (S), Soul Stigma (EX), Distortion (Authority), Compression (Authority)
Artifacts Possessed: Reactive Magic Armor, Spirit-Responsive Cloak, Tyrant’s Bracelet, Restoration Barrier, Curse Breaker, Crosswind, Ultimate Abyss Key (2/3)
Since acquiring the Collapsing Sky Fist,
Flames had sometimes erupted from his Compressed Abyss Resonance.
So Lee Ha-gyeong had thought he’d entered a new realm.
But his Resonance Rank remained at Stage 3.
It seemed to be nothing more than growth within the same stage.
Yet that single moment just now had changed everything.
Lee Ha-gyeong stared endlessly at his Resonance Rank now at Stage 4.
‘I can’t wait to test this.’
A sense of fulfillment rose in his chest.
Simultaneously, his heart pounded.
Lee Ha-gyeong had become a beast that hunted the scent of blood.
Presently, the announcer’s voice called for him.
―Next match, Round 19 of the main bracket: the Immortal Tyrant Lee Ha-gyeong versus WarPath Champion Jang Do-su. Both competitors, please take the Arena floor.
As a main bracket match, a seasoned professional fighter emerged.
WarPath Champion Jang Do-su.
In the Abyss, he’d cleared large-scale Unknown Grade Dungeons.
The tension rose as it had when facing Iron-Walled Butcher Kim Tae-gwang.
Lee Ha-gyeong hadn’t experienced many one-on-one fights.
‘This is only my second time.’
Yet he held confidence.
He’d trained consistently with John.
He’d even defeated first-generation Awakener Kim Tae-gwang before.
The only difference now was the massive crowd.
But that was no reason to lose composure.
Presently, his opponent took the stage.
A lean frame, sharp-eyed.
A man wielding two blades—one long, one short.
Soon the referee recited the match rules.
“In any circumstance, killing is forbidden. If either competitor becomes unable to fight or concedes, the match ends immediately. Be advised that the referee may halt proceedings at their discretion.”
Lee Ha-gyeong and Jang Do-su both nodded in unison.
The referee stepped back, meeting the judges’ eyes.
The signal to begin.
“Ready, fight!”
The starting signal fell, but Lee Ha-gyeong didn’t immediately move.
Neither did his opponent.
But then Jang Do-su smiled darkly and spoke.
“You think our guild master’s only backup is that guy Su-ho?”
“…!”
At the unexpected remark, Lee Ha-gyeong’s brow furrowed.
Shwoosh—!
A flash of light exploded before his eyes.
And Lee Ha-gyeong realized.
‘I can’t see… anything?’
Gate Ripped Open
Author |
Morae Tob
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
Managing Editor |
Editorial Department
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Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books
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G720:N+A063-20260306112
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Submissions |
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No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books.

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