The SSS-Class Hunter’s Garden Log - Chapter 43
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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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Chapter 43
“C-could I go in with you too?”
It was Lee Haechan.
However, Haechan’s opinion was soon dismissed by Choi Kwon.
“What’s an S-rank doing entering a D-rank Gate? Let’s just quietly guard the garden.”
“B-but…”
Leaving behind Haechan who was murmuring something softly, Hana stared intently at the system window that appeared before her eyes.
【SYSTEM】
【Please acquire a new item to mix with ‘Melancholy-Infused Oyster Mushroom🍄’.】
【Hint: Contaminated Rock-type Gate (D-rank)】
【Reward: 3,500pt Experience】
Should I call this good luck?
A high-reward mission that hadn’t appeared all this time was given to me right now of all times.
Moreover, the fact that it was a rock-type Gate matched perfectly with the prepared Gate.
However, the expression ‘contaminated’ was somewhat unsettling.
The Gate’s blue vortex appeared to have stable waves that looked no different from usual.
It was far too exquisite to be a coincidence.
Hana adjusted the bag she always carried to secure it more tightly.
Inside were various crops she had brought just in case.
Of course, oyster mushrooms were included too.
Before entering the Gate, Hana quickly reviewed this week’s tasks in her mind.
She had already delivered all the crops to Haechi Guild, and the date to help Ganghyeon sleep was still far off.
The rice seeds were growing smoothly, and Lee Haechan had now largely escaped from his depression and was recovering his self-esteem.
In many ways, there were no problems at all.
She just needed to do well herself.
“Well then, I’ll be going?”
Hana, who was about to enter the Gate with a cheerful heart, was caught by Ganghyeon.
When the caught Hana tilted her head back, Ganghyeon was looking down at her.
“Why?”
“I thought you just lacked wariness, but it seems you also lack caution.”
Ganghyeon began personally fitting protective equipment for novice Hunters onto Hana.
Since the protective equipment had basic defensive skills layered on it, even if she got hit by a monster, it would reduce the damage somewhat.
Of course, she shouldn’t get hit in the first place.
“No matter how much it’s a D-rank Gate, the monsters are difficult for Yun Hana to handle, so don’t stray from hyung’s side. And don’t go wandering off to strange places.”
“Are you worried about me?”
When Hana asked that, Ganghyeon made an expression as if he had heard something absurd.
“Well. I am worried.”
Ganghyeon raised an eyebrow.
“I’m worried that if you get hurt, I won’t receive crops on time, and I won’t be able to properly use the insomnia remedy I finally found.”
Really, would it kill him to say something nicely?
Hana shook the protective gear that fit snugly on her wrist and replied.
“If you’re that worried about it, would you like to go in together, Seo Ganghyeon?”
“Do I look that free to you?”
Ganghyeon fitted protective gear on Hana’s other wrist as well, then gave her back a light push.
“Anyway, thank you. I’ll go in and come back safely.”
Hana waved at Ganghyeon who stood with his arms crossed, then ran pattering toward Taekyeom.
“Shall we go in then?”
Taekyeom, who had also finished putting on protective gear like Hana, nodded with a strangely resolute attitude.
“Yes. Shall we?”
As Hana and Taekyeom entered the Gate, the blue vortex rippled gently and closed.
Ganghyeon stood in place without moving a single step until Hana and Taekyeom’s figures completely disappeared from view.
Only after a sign appeared showing the Gate’s waves had stabilized did Ganghyeon turn around.
In his hand was the artificial Gate core recovered from the previous Gate.
An artificially processed crystal.
Ganghyeon slowly rolled it with his thumb.
Choi Kwon approached Ganghyeon’s side, dragging Haechan along with shameless familiarity.
“Where is our Seo Ganghyeon Guild Master planning to go now? If you don’t have any separate schedule, would you like to go to the garden with us?”
“Anyone watching would think it’s your garden. Not Yun Hana’s.”
Ganghyeon looked at Haechan hiding behind Choi Kwon.
An abnormal Gate core.
And the Strategic Planning Department that had approached Lee Haechan.
Both incidents led to the same person.
To the Vice-Chairman.
Ganghyeon turned his steps toward the Association Headquarters.
Sitting around just thinking wasn’t Ganghyeon’s style.
If he had suspicions, he just needed to check them directly.
“Hmm, it seems the Guild Master has no interest in the garden? Let’s just go by ourselves.”
“Y-yeah.”
Haechan bowed toward Ganghyeon’s back.
Just as the three were about to part ways, Ganghyeon’s steps suddenly stopped.
Choi Kwon and Haechan, sensing the subtly changed atmosphere, also turned their heads toward Ganghyeon again.
“…!”
And they saw him.
A man standing firmly planted in the middle of the road.
Short, neat silver hair and a dull body.
It was the Jeokwol Guild Master.
“Hieek…!”
Haechan instinctively stepped back, and Choi Kwon also closed his mouth.
The Jeokwol Guild Master slowly moved his gaze.
His eyes scanning Haechan and Choi Kwon in turn were blatantly sharp.
As if inspecting the condition of goods, Ganghyeon looked at him expressionlessly and tried to step aside to pass by.
“…”
But the Jeokwol Guild Master took a step to block the path again.
Ganghyeon’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
“What is it.”
“Why are you being so sharp? I just came to have a chat after a long time.”
The Jeokwol Guild Master bared his teeth in a grin, stretching the corners of his mouth.
Then he jerked his chin to point at Haechan and Choi Kwon.
“You took away two of my guild members and now you’re going to keep your mouth shut?”
Ganghyeon clearly saw the Jeokwol Guild Master’s gaze turn toward the Gate, though it was only for an instant.
* * *
Meanwhile, as they entered the Gate, a system message appeared in one corner of Hana’s vision.
【SYSTEM】
【You have entered ‘Contaminated Rock-type Gate, Rock Tomb (D-rank)’.】
Sigh.
Hana inhaled, unable to shake off the unsettling feeling.
The air itself was ordinary.
The scents of rock and earth, the damp humidity – nothing seemed strange about any of it at first glance.
Still, the word ‘contaminated’ written in the system message bothered her strangely.
Hana looked at Taekyeom walking ahead of her.
Taegyeom was carrying a backpack just as large as Hana’s.
It looked excessively heavy for just briefly entering and exiting a D-rank Gate.
‘What on earth is inside that thing?’
Hana, who had been staring at Taegyeom’s back as if he were ready to march off to war, called out to him.
“Excuse me, Hunter Yun Taegyeom.”
Taegyeom approached with a playful expression on his face.
“Come on, what’s with the formal ‘Hunter Yun Taegyeom’? Just call me by my name too.”
“…Mm, alright. Yun Taegyeom.”
“Yes, Hana. Why did you call me?”
Hana hesitated for a moment before asking.
“About this Gate. There’s really nothing wrong with it, right?”
Taegyeom furrowed his brow. It was his reaction to receiving such an unexpected question.
“Of course. Why are you suddenly asking that?”
“My system window shows this as a contaminated Gate.”
“Contaminated?”
Taegyeom waved his hand in the air to summon his system window.
Soon after, he touched the guild watch on his wrist to check the official Gate information as well.
“That’s strange. There’s no mention of anything like that in my system window or the guild records.”
“Really?”
Hana scratched the side of her head.
Was there an error in the system window?
“Don’t worry too much. As you heard, it’s D-rank. It’s a place used for training new guild members, so the monsters aren’t even threatening.”
And with perfect timing, just as Taegyeom finished speaking, a rattling sound of small stones bumping against each other echoed from between the rocks.
【SYSTEM】
【Monster: Dwarf Golem (D-rank)】
【Trait: Expands body size using surrounding rocks】
Small stone chunks, barely reaching half the height of a calf, were crawling out from between the rock crevices, pushing gravel aside.
They looked like roughly sculpted stone dolls moving on their own.
“Oh, they came out just in time.”
Taegyeom spoke in a relaxed voice.
“These are the main monsters here. Dwarf Golems.”
The golems were picking up scattered pebbles and rocks around them, struggling to attach them to their bodies.
With sounds like stone swallowing stone—thunk, clatter—their bulk gradually increased.
Hana watched the scene as if she were sightseeing.
“They look cute.”
“Everyone says that at first.”
Taegyeom grinned and lightly flicked his finger. Snap.
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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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