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Chapter 8
“So this is a Gate…”
The very first thought that came to mind the moment I stepped inside was:
It’s hot.
True to its name, the Red Plain was covered in crimson earth. The ground was cracked everywhere, as though it had suffered through a severe drought.
Hot air rose from the fissures in waves.
“Ugh, good thing I wore a short-sleeved shirt underneath.”
From what I had researched beforehand, every Gate had vastly different climates and conditions. Even veteran Hunters couldn’t accurately predict a Gate’s environment the first time they entered one.
I stored all my outer clothing in my inventory.
“Ugh, it’s as scorching as the fires of hell, nya.”
“…The fires of hell?”
“It’s a thing, nya.”
Apparently weak against heat, Hanyang stuck out his tongue and panted heavily.
Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any other living creatures nearby.
This isn’t as scary as I expected.
The vague fear I had felt when thinking about Gates had largely faded after actually entering one.
Carefully, I began walking and observing my surroundings.
In the ash-gray sky, both the sun and the moon hung side by side.
Looking at that, this definitely isn’t Earth…
I gently set Hanyang down on the ground and started searching for ingredients in earnest.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long before I spotted the herb I’d seen in the photographs: Solsol Grass.
“Wow! This is it, right? It looks so distinctive that it’s easy to recognize.”
Its thin stem gleamed silver as though bathed in moonlight, while its leaves were round and fluffy like clouds.
I carefully plucked the herb without damaging the leaves.
A notification window appeared.
Ingredient Collection Progress
- Solsol Grass (1/20)
“Oh! There’s more over there. This might be quicker than I thought.”
Since there wasn’t much vegetation inside the Gate, the silver-glowing Solsol Grass stood out noticeably.
Three already.
At this pace, I’d probably finish and leave in less than an hour.
“Hanyang, come over here and—”
SKREEEEEEECH!
A monster’s shriek suddenly echoed from behind us.
The sound grew louder and louder, as if it were charging straight toward us.
I immediately scooped Hanyang up and dove behind a nearby boulder.
SKREE! KIIEEK!
I-it’s a centipede!
Peeking around the rock, I glanced behind me.
The creature was over two meters long, with dozens of legs writhing beneath its body.
And its eyes—there were so many of them that simply looking at it made my skin crawl.
Ugh, disgusting.
The giant centipede seemed to be searching for something.
Rather than leaving, it lingered near the rock and slowly began approaching my hiding place.
Wait! Why are you coming this way!?
I held my breath and pressed myself tightly against the stone.
I-it’s going to find me!
The creature’s massive face drew closer and closer.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
My heart felt ready to burst from my chest.
Kiiiiiik…
Fortunately, the centipede simply slithered past me.
Its countless legs moved with a rustling sound as its enormous body slowly disappeared into the distance.
Only then did I finally exhale.
“Whew… I thought my heart was going to stop.”
“You’re really scared of everything, nya.”
Unbothered by the danger, Hanyang calmly groomed his paws.
Still, the fact that the monster had come that close without noticing me proved that my blessing was working properly.
“Good. Let’s finish gathering the ingredients and get out of here.”
Carrying the heat-weakened Hanyang in my arms, I hurried onward.
The monsters were one problem.
The unbearable heat was another.
As I repeatedly wiped sweat from my face, I spotted a cluster of silver plants in the distance.
Lucky! They’re all gathered together over there.
The Solsol Grass, which had previously been scattered around, was growing in abundance.
I rushed over and began harvesting enthusiastically.
Eight.
Ten.
Thirteen.
The collection count climbed rapidly.
“Wow! I might finish everything right here!”
I was smiling as I pulled another herb from the ground when a huge shadow suddenly fell over me.
“…What’s this now?”
At the unexpected low voice above me, my shoulders instantly stiffened.
Slowly, I turned around.
Standing there with a cold expression was Hunter Lee Hyun-woo, his sword pointed directly at me.
I-it’s a real sword!?
The gleaming blade looked capable of slicing my throat open the moment I moved.
Slowly, I raised both hands in surrender.
“P-please spare me! I’m a good person!”
“You can talk?”
Of course I can!
I’m human!
Unable to move, I rolled my eyes desperately and silently pleaded for mercy.
At that moment, Hanyang suddenly leapt forward.
“What are you saying, nya!? How dare you threaten our Haneul!”
Startled, Lee Hyun-woo immediately redirected his sword toward the cat.
Wait!
Not Hanyang!
“AAAH! Hunter Lee Hyun-woo! Don’t you remember me!? The bungeoppang!”
I hurriedly grabbed his pant leg and clung to it.
He narrowed his eyes.
“…The lobby?”
“Yes! You remember!”
I nodded vigorously.
Afraid he’d still be suspicious, I quickly recounted when we’d met, what I had been doing, and even what he had said to me.
At last, he clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword with a metallic shing.
“How exactly did you get in here?”
“Well… um… about that.”
For a moment, I considered lying to get myself out of trouble.
But somehow it felt like honesty would work better with him.
So I explained everything: the mission that had suddenly appeared after my awakening and how entering a Gate was necessary to complete it.
“A mission issued by the System…”
Lee Hyun-woo crossed his arms and silently stared at me.
Several moments passed before he finally spoke.
“Judging from your physical reactions, you don’t appear to be lying. I’ll trust you for now.”
“Wow! Th-thank you!”
“However, there are still suspicious elements. Including that cat.”
Hanyang stuck his tongue out at him.
“Bleeh.”
Don’t provoke him!
I quickly picked the cat up and forced a smile.
“My cat is actually very gentle. Hahaha…”
I grabbed Hanyang’s paw and waved it.
“Say hello~”
A faint crack appeared in Lee Hyun-woo’s stoic expression.
The look clearly said:
Please stop doing pointless things.
“W-well then… I’ll be going.”
“Going where?”
“Huh? Like I said, I need to gather ingredients…”
I tried to slip away, but Lee Hyun-woo stepped in front of me.
“Let’s go together.”
“…What?”
He frowned.
No, seriously.
I’d already explained I wasn’t suspicious and told him exactly why I was here.
What was there left to doubt?
“You never know what dangers may exist inside a Gate. Especially when someone with a rank as low as yours is involved.”
“I really just need to collect some ingredients and leave quietly.”
“Then it shouldn’t take long.”
No matter what I said, it was obvious he intended to keep an eye on me.
The monsters don’t even notice I exist…
Still, I reluctantly nodded.
Having an S-Rank Hunter accompany me wasn’t exactly a bad thing.
If something happened, he’d protect me.
“By the way, Hunter Lee Hyun-woo, why are you here alone?”
“I often clear Gates of this level by myself.”
“Oh… I see. That’s impressive.”
And then—
Silence.
Painfully awkward silence.
Unable to endure it, I tried making conversation.
“What do you do on weekends?”
“I enter Gates.”
“Oh… Doesn’t that get tiring?”
“Who knows.”
I see…
Was he just uninterested in talking to me, or was this his normal personality?
I awkwardly smiled and checked the System window.
Seventeen.
Just three more herbs.
Wow, it’s really hot…
The plain stretched endlessly without a single patch of shade.
Heat shimmered up from the ground itself.
Unable to bear it any longer, I pulled out a bottle of water from my inventory and gulped it down.
Come to think of it, Lee Hyun-woo was still wearing his combat suit.
Wasn’t he hot?
“Aren’t you hot? Would you like some water?”
“I’m fine. I’m wearing a temperature-control item.”
“Oh…”
His gaze swept over my clothes.
For some reason, it felt like he was saying:
You don’t have one of those, do you?
I suddenly felt offended.
Once I make enough money, I’m definitely buying one.
“It’s surprising to see someone enter a Gate wearing ordinary clothes.”
“…I only came in like this because I entered unexpectedly.”
Lee Hyun-woo let out a small sigh.
I awkwardly fidgeted with my fingers under his gaze.
Then suddenly, a shadow fell over me.
“Put this on.”
He had taken off his outer jacket and draped it over my shoulders.
Wait.
Wasn’t this an item?
Was it okay to lend it to someone else?
Perhaps reading my expression, he nodded.
“I’m an S-Rank. Even without it, I can regulate my body temperature naturally.”
“In that case… thank you.”
I would finish gathering the herbs soon anyway.
I could simply return it then.
The effect was immediate.
The moment I put it on, the heat that had been roasting my body vanished.
Even Hanyang, who had practically been melting from the heat, began purring contentedly after I tucked him into my arms.
This feels strangely peaceful…
Despite being inside a Gate, everything felt oddly calm.
And so, I began my brief journey alongside Hunter Lee Hyun-woo.
[To be continued…]
