Tearing the Gate Apart - Chapter 79

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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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Chapter 79.
In that instant, Ha Gyeong’s mind flashed to Jeon Geon Woo.
The truth was, what that bastard did resembled Park Jeong Jin’s methods.
Inflating threadbare connections into something grand.
But there was a crucial difference.
A smile curved at the corner of Ha Gyeong’s mouth.
‘It’s the attitude. The attitude is different.’
To ask so earnestly like this.
Who could turn him away coldly?
Besides, Park Jeong Jin was a man of integrity.
The Extreme Rank Dungeon key to the Bottomless Abyss was precious.
And the conquest had become difficult.
Yet wasn’t it admirable, the way he was struggling to overcome it regardless?
Ha Gyeong nodded readily.
“Connections are meant to be used like this. I’m in.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but I’ll need something in return.”
“I’ll ask my team members for their understanding, and I can offer you first right of purchase.”
“No, skip that. Come with me somewhere first.”
“Where?”
“The funeral home.”
“Ah…….”
Park Jeong Jin looked up at Ha Gyeong with a pained expression.
Perhaps because he was a man of considerably higher standing.
His eyes held an unmistakable weight of obligation.
So Ha Gyeong quickly helped him to his feet.
“If you jump straight into raiding, there’ll be too much resistance. Right now, paying respects is the right thing to do.”
“Ah! I was planning to visit you this evening anyway. This works out well. Let’s go together.”
“Just give me the funeral home’s address. I’ll change clothes and head over.”
“Of course. Thank you so much.”
Park Jeong Jin turned slowly to leave.
All the while, he kept glancing back at Ha Gyeong.
As if seeing him anew.
With many eyes watching, Ha Gyeong headed down to the parking garage.
Jon, who’d been trailing behind, spoke up.
“Bro, I thought you didn’t care about image and stuff?”
“I don’t mind for myself, but as the Raid Party leader, I can’t afford to. Besides, they weren’t some mixed rabble we fought alongside—they were comrades in arms.”
“Fair point.”
Ha Gyeong and Jon each went home to change into formal wear.
Then headed to the joint funeral home.
For an Awakened One, death was like a predator lurking in nearby brush.
An occupation where dying at any moment wouldn’t be strange.
Yet that didn’t mean their lives should be treated lightly.
Awakened Ones were hidden heroes guarding the world from its darkest corners.
On the way back from paying respects.
A desolate feeling brushed across the back of Ha Gyeong’s neck.
‘Is it from the brutal fighting? Though it was brief, the aftertaste lingers.’
He hadn’t been particularly close with the team members who fell.
Yet the memory was intense.
Everyone joining forces, overcoming a difficult battle—hadn’t they done that?
Ha Gyeong left the bittersweet emotion behind and walked quietly home.
* * *
After a few days’ rest, Ha Gyeong didn’t simply stay idle.
He posted a notice at the Association to form a support team.
And reformed the Raid Party.
Sure enough, Ha Gyeong’s name carried tremendous weight.
“The moment we posted the notice, the number of applicants…….”
“Exceeded two thousand in a single day. And that’s after automatically filtering out Awakened Ones with limited Bottomless Abyss experience.”
At Deputy Manager Jeong Tae Won’s report, Ha Gyeong let out a dry laugh.
Normally in such cases, people with existing connections were selected first.
That way the chance of betrayal was lower.
And coordination could be smooth without awkwardness.
But Ha Gyeong thought differently.
“I don’t know that many people anyway, so let’s go by ability.”
“Then I’ll filter through them.”
“Please do.”
Deputy Manager Jeong Tae Won was an outstanding administrator.
Working at Association Headquarters, he was also skilled in Raid Party tactics.
What skills held high value.
Which combinations created good synergy.
He understood these better than most Awakened Ones.
Thanks to this, Ha Gyeong received three drafts of the final roster.
“This looks good. Let’s go with this.”
“I’ll contact them right away.”
“Thanks.”
While Jeong Tae Won confirmed the applicants’ schedules.
Ha Gyeong was about to call Park Jeong Jin.
But right then.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone knocked and entered the office.
A young man in formal wear.
If he were an Association employee, Ha Gyeong would’ve crossed paths with him a few times.
But Ha Gyeong had no memory of this person at all.
His plain appearance probably made recognition even less likely.
Ha Gyeong asked directly.
“Who are you?”
“I’m from Security. There’s someone insisting they must see the Chairman.”
“I have no scheduled appointment.”
“However, the person who came is a top-tier Awakened One…….”
Security had its limits in stopping Awakened Ones.
Of course, they could pump hundreds of bullets into them.
But one couldn’t wage a gunfight in the middle of Seoul.
Not just because someone important wanted a meeting.
Ha Gyeong shrugged.
“Who is it?”
“A Healer named Jeon Geon Woo.”
“Hah!”
A laugh escaped Ha Gyeong’s lips involuntarily.
If he’d sold out because of the statement, he’d stay quietly crushed.
So what face did he have to show up here?
And he didn’t seem the type to leave gracefully either.
Ha Gyeong nodded to the security officer.
“Send him up.”
“Yes, right away.”
Jon, who’d been listening to the exchange, smiled meaningfully.
Then he and Rokan started muttering to each other.
“Hey, remember that guy Jeon Geon Woo?”
―The one who bragged about connections and then ran a whole networking scam? I think he also said he sold Bottomless Abyss merchandise or something.
“Oh! You know about that?”
―My abilities might be lacking, but my intuition is pretty sharp? I can figure out how this whole human world works in a day or two.
“Wow! That’s impressive?”
―But why’s he showing up? Usually in cases like that, it’s more of a ‘you die and I die’ trash mentality, right?
Hearing Rokan’s sharp criticism.
Ha Gyeong’s mind grew even colder.
It seemed Jeon Geon Woo might genuinely harbor such intentions.
He hung the Crimson Edge at his waist.
And kept it ready to draw at any moment.
Soon, after a knock, the security officer’s voice came through.
Knock. Knock.
“Chairman, may I bring in Jeon Geon Woo?”
“Yes.”
A lanky young man appeared.
The bright smile he wore was utterly repugnant.
Acting friendly as always.
But underneath lay a subtle malice.
Jeon Geon Woo bowed respectfully and began with honeyed words.
“Good to see you. I heard you visited the fallen team members’ funeral home. Truly impressive character.”
“It’s only natural.”
“But why doesn’t that character extend to me?”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw your statement. There was no need to go that far. I found it rather unfortunate.”
“That was merely a precaution to prevent people from falling victim to networking fraud.”
Ha Gyeong recited the prepared response.
That was all he had to say to this con artist.
But Jeon Geon Woo showed no sign of backing down.
He stepped closer, his eyes gleaming eerily, and whispered.
“If you retract the statement and give me one little authentication as a genuine friend, I’ll give you half the investment funds we’ve collected. You could probably buy another artifact or two.”
“…….”
Ha Gyeong stared at Jeon Geon Woo with an expression of sheer incredulity.
Of course, artifacts ranged from hundreds of millions to billions.
Some even went into the trillions.
But who was he?
The son of the Pioneer Lee Tae Heon.
Someone who’d inherited Axis Prime’s entire legacy intact.
Plus, the money he’d earned through his activities to date was considerable.
To make a deal with someone like that for just one or two artifacts?
How stupid would one have to be?
Ha Gyeong chuckled and replied.
“Actually, there were artifacts I needed. White Out or Dead Weight would be nice.”
White Out was a Void Rank artifact shaped like a small fountain pen.
It had the ability to dissolve the bonds of matter.
Drawing it on a target could split them in two.
Without any particular effort required.
The cooldown was fairly long, but it was famous for overwhelming performance.
Dead Weight was also Void Rank.
It resembled a door handle bent in the shape of a ㄱ character.
When activated, all energy reactions within range ceased.
Those trapped inside—Awakened Ones became ordinary humans.
Monsters became mere beasts.
Either way, both were famous artifacts priced in the trillions when sold.
At Ha Gyeong’s answer, Jeon Geon Woo’s eyebrows twitched.
“Our investment funds don’t reach that level.”
“You’re not following. That was a polite way of saying no.”
“So you’re refusing. Why? Because the amount is too small?”
“I don’t associate with con artists. So. Leave.”
“…….”
Finally, Jeon Geon Woo’s face twisted into an expression of disgust.
He clenched his teeth and turned to go.
But Ha Gyeong’s voice flew at him like a dagger and struck home.
“I notice you’re recording. Make sure to upload the full, unedited version. Deepfakes don’t work these days.”
“I’ll do as I see fit, so don’t tell me what to do.”
“True—we’re not close enough to offer each other advice anyway. Get out.”
Jeon Geon Woo glared at Ha Gyeong for a while.
Then he shut the office door roughly and left.
Bang!
Jon, who’d been watching, growled.
“Bro. Wanna go wrestling with that bastard? I think I’d feel better throwing in a German suplex or two.”
“Leave it. That guy probably wants a violent reaction anyway. He could use it as leverage.”
“Ugh! I wish we’d run into him in the Abyss. I’d crack his skull so hard his eyes’d pop out.”
Inside the Abyss, that would’ve been acceptable.
There’d be no evidence to collect.
Anyway, trash disposed of.
Now it was time to resume the raid they’d postponed.
Ha Gyeong issued the assembly order immediately.
“Let’s move. Before the Gate closes.”
The two drove toward the destination.
The Raid Party was the same as before, so no briefing was needed.
That’s why they’d agreed to meet near the Gate.
Park Jeong Jin’s face, reuniting after several days, was free of worry.
“Haha! Thanks to you, we can resume the raid. I really appreciate it.”
“Think nothing of it. Let’s head in right away.”
“Yes.”
Park Jeong Jin understood well enough that time was pressing.
But some things had to be observed.
The Abyss was a place where accidents could happen anytime, anywhere.
Passing through the Gate and near the collapsed Gateway.
Everyone wore strange expressions.
Ha Gyeong smiled wryly too.
‘Can’t be helped. Only a week passed.’
Online, it went by the name Gateway Bloodbath, or so it went.
The Raid Party pushed steadily toward the Bottomless Abyss entrance.
Fortunately, no sign of DRC’s villains appeared.
Both the dispatch commander and vice-commander had been captured.
They’d have no choice but to act cautiously for a while.
Upon reaching the Bottomless Abyss, Park Jeong Jin took over navigation.
The Dungeon’s location was quite deep.
Still, the Raid Party managed to arrive relatively smoothly.
Now they just had to raid.
But right then.
Rumble-rumble-rumble!
An unexpected tremor sent everyone reeling.
Meanwhile, only Ha Gyeong, who’d deployed the Wall String Shield, remained steady.
‘What’s happening? There shouldn’t be an earthquake suddenly like this.’
He’d already swept this entire area with his Soul Stigma senses.
Granted, it was to find the Ultimate Abyss Fragment, but there’d been no anomalies.
So why was this phenomenon occurring?
Then a word flickered through Ha Gyeong’s mind.
‘Reset?’
The Abyss often underwent sudden terrain shifts.
The Dungeon naturally had to be completely reinitialized.
Ha Gyeong immediately grabbed Park Jeong Jin’s collar.
Grab!
“Whoa! Thank you.”
Thinking Ha Gyeong was helping him.
Park Jeong Jin expressed gratitude.
But Ha Gyeong had no intention of simply steadying him.
“You won’t be thanking me after this.”
“Huh?”
The moment Park Jeong Jin voiced his confusion.
Ha Gyeong was already moving explosively.
Like performing professional wrestling, he threw with all his might.
And shouted.
“Stop gawking and open the exit!”
“Ahhhhh!”
Tearing open the Gate.
Author |
Morae Top
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
Chief Editor |
Editorial Department
Published by |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books
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7th Floor, Kwangseong Building, 28 Bongeunsa-ro 114-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
UCI |
G720:N+A063-20260306112
Blog |
blog.naver.com/dreambookss
Twitter(X) |
@dreambookss
Submissions |
[email protected]
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from 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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