Tearing the Gate Apart - Chapter 7

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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 7
The interviewer’s eyes widened in surprise.
Murmurs rippled through the waiting room.
“Wait, he got seven Artifacts?”
“Why on earth would someone like that apply through an open recruitment?”
“Any guild would be desperate to recruit him.”
The people waiting in line each offered their own commentary.
Ha Gyeong felt somewhat embarrassed.
‘I wasn’t trying to show off or anything.’
Besides, he hadn’t disclosed all of his skills.
The sensory amplification and tracking ability of Soul Stigma—
He’d simply omitted those since there was no need to mention them.
Yet still, this was the reaction he got.
Ha Gyeong turned back to the interviewer and spoke.
“My application went through, correct?”
“Ah, yes. It has.”
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Yes.”
The interviewer had worn a completely different demeanor just moments before Ha Gyeong opened his mouth.
Evidently, they were quite flustered.
Ha Gyeong moved to stand.
But a shadow suddenly fell across him, halting his steps.
Someone had come up behind him, very close.
Glancing up slightly, Ha Gyeong saw an enormous man standing there.
Ha Gyeong wasn’t short himself, but this person seemed to exceed two meters in height.
Soon, whispers began circulating among the gathered people.
“Isn’t that the Beast of the Abyss?”
“That’s Ma Do Hyuk, all right. I heard he cuts down anyone—human or monster—if they irritate him. Why did he show up for an open recruitment?”
“Right? He’s not exactly the type to fit with a Conquer team.”
Thanks to the murmurs spreading throughout the room, Ha Gyeong was able to identify his counterpart.
Ma Do Hyuk.
An Awakener known as the Beast of the Abyss.
He was famous for always exploring alone.
Ha Gyeong had taken considerable interest in him as well.
‘He explores the Abyss solo, just like I do.’
But the atmosphere around him was entirely different.
The complete opposite of Ha Gyeong—he radiated a raw, violent intensity.
It seemed like making eye contact with him would result in an instant punch.
Yet, surprisingly, what came from Ma Do Hyuk’s mouth was perfectly normal.
“I’d like to apply.”
“Ah, yes.”
The interviewer hastily arranged the paperwork.
Ha Gyeong watched Ma Do Hyuk’s interview with curiosity.
But there weren’t really any questions asked.
Basic personal information was jotted down, and then he was simply passed through.
Ha Gyeong didn’t bother wondering why the process was different.
‘He’s a well-known figure, so that makes sense.’
Ma Do Hyuk’s abilities were already renowned.
As he turned to leave, someone caught his arm.
“Just a moment.”
“Yes?”
“Those who passed the interview should proceed to the Conference Room on the 10th floor of the Headquarters.”
“Right now?”
“Yes, there’s a briefing scheduled.”
“Understood.”
Ha Gyeong hung the Access Card around his neck that the staff member had given him.
Then he made his way to the Association Headquarters.
It was a sight somewhat unfamiliar to Ha Gyeong.
He rarely visited the Association.
After waiting in a quiet corner, people began filing in and taking their seats.
Sixty people filled the room in an instant.
Ha Gyeong quickly identified who they were.
‘They’re Awakeners from various guilds.’
Right up front was Yun Chang Ho, the Master of Blackwater.
The overall picture became clear to him.
About half the personnel were dispatched from guilds.
It seemed they were making up for the shortage by adding Guest Members.
Ha Gyeong rested his chin in his hand, lost in thought.
‘The guild contingent seems a bit short.’
Normally, they wouldn’t bring along half their force as Guest Members.
Coordination suffered when mixing members from different groups.
And if something went wrong, it would be harder to contain the situation.
But this time, it was unavoidable.
The schedules of the skilled guild members were likely already booked.
Ha Gyeong waited, observing the various Awakeners.
Some time passed.
Someone approached the podium and spoke into a microphone.
―Welcome, everyone. I’m Kim Tae Geun, Director of the Safety Management Bureau. We’ll now begin the briefing for the Incomprehensible Grade dungeon Conquer.
With so many applicants, it seemed the roster was already filled.
Ha Gyeong gazed at the screen with interest.
Three large characters displayed there.
Incomprehensible.
It meant something beyond understanding.
He intuitively grasped that its difficulty surpassed Mystery Grade.
Then the chances of finding the Ultimate Abyss Fragment here were quite high.
Director Kim Tae Geun continued speaking.
―The Conquer team will be divided into four squads, each entering through separate entry points. Once you clear the Guardians within the time limit, you’ll encounter the final boss.
An animation played showing thirty people deploying toward each of the four cardinal blue points.
The scale was larger than he’d expected.
Since Guardians were boss-level entities in Mystery Grade dungeons.
Then that red point in the center—
Just how powerful was this final boss?
Ha Gyeong narrowed his eyes.
‘Will there even be time to search for the Ultimate Abyss Fragment?’
It seemed unlikely during the Conquer itself.
Then he’d have to do it the way he had at the Abyss of Collapse.
After everything was finished.
Stay behind alone and search.
Even after being cleared, dungeons wouldn’t disappear for some time anyway.
Director Kim Tae Geun’s explanation continued.
―We’ll now proceed with the team draw. The core guilds are already designated, and Guest Members will be randomly assigned.
Numerous names appeared on the screen.
Ha Gyeong was last.
He was assigned to Squad 4, taking the southern route.
But of all things, the core guild was Raiders.
Not just Ha Gyeong—anyone would have frowned at this situation.
‘For one of the Four Great Guilds, their reputation is pretty terrible.’
Still, it wasn’t exactly a cause for worry.
Bad reputation or not, this was an Association-led Conquer.
He figured they wouldn’t dare cause chaos here.
Once the briefing ended, Ha Gyeong stood immediately.
But an unexpected name caught his eye.
‘Ma Do Hyuk? He’s on our team too?’
Though unintentional, Squad 4 had a kind of—
Feeling like a bunch of troublemakers thrown together.
* * *
The day of the dungeon Conquer.
Ha Gyeong reported to the Association Headquarters.
Personnel would be verified here before entering the Abyss dungeon.
Fortunately, everyone was present with no absences.
The Conquer team then entered the Abyss.
Watching the path being rapidly developed before his eyes, Ha Gyeong felt a special sense of appreciation.
‘Things move fast when a lot of people work together.’
It mirrored the advantages of guild organization.
Extra members were fighting in their stead.
This allowed the Conquer team to maintain full strength as they entered the dungeon.
Yun Chang Ho, the Master of Blackwater, was leading the Conquer team.
When they approached a specific location with a key, a stone door suddenly appeared.
Clank! Click-click-click-click!
[You have entered the dungeon “Fusion Abyss”]
[Defeat the Guardians and activate the Fusion Device]
[Destroy the Crimson Core that has gone berserk from improper Fusion]
[Grade: Incomprehensible]
[Capacity: 120 people]
[Reward: Unknown Artifact]
The Conquer team moved into their designated directions.
Squad 4, Ha Gyeong’s group, entered from the far right.
‘The interior structure is really unique.’
Thick pipes extended complexly along the walls.
Occasionally, steam vented out.
Each time, a characteristic smell pricked his nostrils.
Strange mechanical devices and valves.
It felt like stepping into a steampunk world.
Ha Gyeong quietly focused his mind.
[‘Soul Stigma’ detects traces of a fragment]
‘That’s it!’
He exulted silently.
Honestly, he’d suspected the probability was high.
This was a colossal Mystery Grade dungeon, after all.
If the Ultimate Abyss Fragment wasn’t here, where on earth would it be?
He’d thought as much, but actually detecting it was a joy in itself.
Ha Gyeong turned his gaze toward where Soul Stigma was leading him.
‘The signal is faint. Incredibly far away.’
Still, he could roughly sense the direction.
He’d surely be able to find it later.
Ha Gyeong calmed his excitement.
His heart raced at the thought of opening the Ultimate Abyss Fragment.
Of course, he first had to succeed in the Conquer.
Ha Gyeong fixed his gaze on the Raiders guild, the core of the team.
‘Surprisingly, they seem pretty normal?’
If things went south, they were the type to abandon Guest Members without hesitation.
Guilds shameless enough to feel no pangs of conscience.
But he detected nothing obviously amiss.
The one called the Beast of the Abyss—he who cuts down anything irritating.
Ma Do Hyuk was cooperating well with the team.
Rumors, it seemed, were just rumors.
Ha Gyeong focused purely on the Conquer.
“I’ll handle the one on the right.”
“Acknowledged.”
He communicated his intention to Ma Do Hyuk, who held the same close-range dealer position.
Then a monster suddenly lunged forth, and Ha Gyeong cleaved it in two.
Slash! Crunch!
“Keek! Kee-kee-kee……”
The creature, covered entirely in mechanical devices, collapsed instantly.
It was bisected cleanly when the Abyss Resonance struck home.
The display apparently made an impression, as Ma Do Hyuk glanced at Ha Gyeong for a moment.
An extraordinarily direct gaze.
An action reeking of self-confidence.
Ha Gyeong couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle internally.
‘Look all you want—what do you think you’re going to do? This feels off. He’s quite something, really.’
With that attitude, misunderstandings were inevitable.
His reputation would naturally suffer the more he clashed with others.
Now he understood why Ma Do Hyuk had earned the nickname Beast of the Abyss.
Of course, Ha Gyeong paid it no mind.
‘No point in pointless posturing.’
Finding the Ultimate Abyss Fragment was far more important to him.
Since they’d assembled capable fighters, the Conquer proceeded smoothly.
As they crushed the mechanical creatures and pressed forward, they soon reached their objective.
[You have encountered the Fusion Abyss dungeon’s Guardian, Gear Crusher]
[Time Attack has begun]
[Activate the Fusion Device within 30 minutes]
[Failure will reset all previous progress in the dungeon]
Ding―! Tick-tick-tick!
A crude-looking clock began turning with a sharp sound.
Then Gear Crusher rose up with a tremendous roar.
Creak! Ping-ping!
A mechanical creature about ten meters tall.
Armed with a hammer for a right hand and something resembling a cannon for a left.
The one saving grace was that it remained fixed in place.
However, its arms were long enough to span the entire battlefield.
Each swing of the hammer caused chaos.
Ha Gyeong instinctively hurled himself forward.
‘I have to dodge!’
But he couldn’t shout a warning aloud.
The situation was too urgent.
Crack-crack-crack-crack-crack! Whoosh!
Gear Crusher’s right arm swept across the ground.
Without timing the jump perfectly, he would have been crushed.
Ha Gyeong quickly turned his head to assess the situation.
‘How’s the back line?’
Healers typically had lower physical capacity.
They could have been wiped out if they weren’t careful.
The attack was that powerful.
But pressed flat against the walls, everyone seemed unharmed.
Ha Gyeong exhaled in relief.
‘This changes things. The Conquer will be far more stable.’
And the back line was providing support.
While the tanks drew aggro, powerful ranged attacks poured down.
Ha Gyeong focused on Choi Hyun Ki.
The Violet Magnum wielder and Master of Raiders guild.
A mage-type Awakener firing light beams from purple orbs.
True to the rumors, his ranged-dealer firepower was exceptional.
It seemed the Conquer would proceed without incident.
At least until something unexpected happened.
[Gear Crusher deploys Oil Cannon]
Boom―!
Suddenly, liquid globs erupted from the cannon on its left arm.
The entire back line fell within the attack’s radius.
They’d been clustered tightly against the walls.
Splash!
The Awakeners trapped in the liquid suddenly hung suspended in midair.
Ha Gyeong couldn’t help but gasp.
“They’re all caught?”
Incredibly, the entire back line vanished at once.
Without them, tanks and melee dealers couldn’t hold their ground.
Catastrophe erupted on the front line.
Boom!
“Argh!”
The main tank was hurled far away.
The sub-tank was pulverized in seconds.
Soon the melee dealers began taking a beating as well.
The Conquer team crumbled.
At this rate, total annihilation was inevitable.
Ha Gyeong charged forward without hesitation.
‘I have to stop this!’
His form began running across Gear Crusher’s body.
An extreme mobility skill.
Wall Current Step had been deployed.
Tap-tap-tap!
As Ha Gyeong suddenly rushed upward, Gear Crusher’s head turned rapidly toward him.
The creature seemed considerably startled.
After all, he was running effortlessly across its oiled iron surface.
Screee―!
Steam hissed as the hammer rose high.
[Gear Crusher deploys Heavy Pressure Strike]
Crack-crack-crack―!
The hammer, wreathed in crimson energy, rocketed toward Ha Gyeong.
Terrible speed and devastating power.
It was an absolute life-or-death moment.
But at the final instant.
Ha Gyeong’s form suddenly dropped downward.
He’d canceled Wall Current Step and jumped down.
The boss monster’s skill fully deployed before him.
Ha Gyeong gritted his teeth.
‘Just let it be a clean hit.’
If the attack properly landed, his gambit would pay off.
Whoosh―!
The massive hammer passed just past his waist.
A moment of breath-stopping terror.
The Heavy Pressure Strike had missed him.
And it crashed directly into Gear Crusher’s own head.
Boom-boom-boom!
[Gear Crusher has been stunned by the Heavy Pressure Strike]
Torn through the gate
Author |
Moraetop
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
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Editorial Department
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Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dreambooks
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No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dreambooks.

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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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