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Chapter 10
Chaos Gate
A thick tension filled the air inside the headquarters of the Korean Hunter Administration. Official
Kim Min-jae nervously handed a set of documents to Team Leader Oh Seung-woo.
“Team Leader Oh. Word is that a Chaos Gate will open within the next 24 hours. Informants say the
Mukryong Guild is making suspicious moves.”
“The last Chaos Gate was four months ago. It’s about time for one to appear. Gate spawn rates have been sparse lately.”
A drop in Gate frequency was a textbook precursor to the emergence of a Chaos Gate. A statistician
in the United States had even managed to predict Chaos Gates solely by analyzing the frequency of Gate spawns.
“Issue an official notice to all high-rank Hunters and guilds letting them know a Chaos Gate will open soon. Though I doubt anyone will actually go.”
“Don’t we have the EX-Rank Hunter in Korea?”
“The boss on the 10th floor of the Tower of Trials is a Doppelgänger. Considering what happened to
Ronald, the EX-Rank might already be dead.”
Team Leader Oh Seung-woo looked up at the large screen inside the Administration building.
＜Tower of Trials Clear Records＞
64th Floor: 14h 21m 37s — Ronald (USA)
63rd Floor: 09h 13m 16s — Li Wei (China)
62nd Floor: 11h 46m 03s — Ronald (USA)
61st Floor: 07h 01m 52s — Martin (France)
60th Floor: 23h 58m 51s — Oscar (UK) ……
10th Floor: 00h 00m 10s — ??? (Korea)
“The record still remains, at least. Looks like he’s still alive. Official Kim, did you inquire with all the hospitals nationwide?”
“We’re still waiting on replies from a few places, but there are no reports of any suspicious critically
ill Hunters. Team Leader, the EX-Rank is alive and well! He’ll definitely clear the Chaos Gate for us!”
Official Kim Min-jae clenched his fist tightly, his eyes blazing with enthusiasm.
“I wish that were true. But we haven’t even found the entrance to the Chaos Gate.”
“That… is true. Is Korea just going to suck its thumbs and watch again?”
“Even if we find it, Li Wei will beat us to it. He’s the world’s strongest Detection-type Hunter. Even if we enter late, we’ll lose on contribution points. It would be the same for the US.”
Oh Seung-woo felt a burning frustration inside. The EX-Rank taking the blessing of the Tower of Trials had become a ray of hope for the disheartened Korean people.
In the end, what truly mattered were Gate rewards—especially from Chaos Gates. What if Li Wei scored a Legendary item from this Chaos Gate?
It would be over. China’s No. 1 becoming the world’s No. 1 would only be a matter of time. Even Ronald, the current world No. 1, didn’t possess a Legendary item.
Li Wei of the Mukryong Guild was already tyrannical enough; if he became the world’s No. 1, there
was no telling what atrocities he might commit.
“There’s nothing we can do. Official Kim, open all communication channels for now and give full support to the Hunters. That’s the best the Administration can do.”
Oh Seung-woo gave the orders in a businesslike manner.
Yet deep down, a strange thrill lingered. What if the EX-Rank clears the Chaos Gate? If he actually manages to do that…
‘The whole world would be grateful.’
Jeong-ho stared intently at an old diary.
Diary of a Hero (???)
Allows you to experience the memories of ???. Your stats will grow depending on the content of the experience. Growth is only possible once per chapter.
It was his first time seeing a question-mark rank in his entire life. Is it worse than Common? Or
higher than Legendary? Should I ask the Big Shadow, Dae-young?
‘Dae-young is great and all, but he severely lowballs item prices.’
Jeong-ho was afraid of getting ripped off. Leaving an item in a merchant’s hands without knowing
its market value—or even its effect—was a bad idea, regardless of how much he trusted Dae-young.
‘In the end, I won’t know what this is until I try it out.’
Jeong-ho opened the worn diary. The script was unfamiliar and the writing style was strange, but the information automatically translated in his mind as it flooded his thoughts.
＜Year XXX, Month XX, Day XX. We were ambushed by a pack of goblins in the forest.＞
A scene unfolded before Jeong-ho’s eyes. A group walking through the bushes in a loose formation encountered a swarm of goblins.
“Kee-hyahaha! Kee-hyaha!”
“Kee-shit-kee-shit! Kee-shit!”
Goblins burst out holding blowdarts, axes, and clubs. It was quite realistic. Wait, isn’t this a little too realistic?
“Kee-hyaaaak!”
“Water Shield!”
Splash! A barrier of water wrapped around Jeong-ho, stopping the goblin’s axe dead in its tracks with a splash.
‘W-What is this?! Did I enter the memory?!’
Jeong-ho panicked. The people in the memory were equally panicked. The civilians paced frantically, not knowing what to do, while the escorts were slaughtered helplessly.
‘Are these really goblins? Why are they so strong?’
At that moment, the text from the diary flashed across Jeong-ho’s mind.
＜The goblins were abnormally strong. Someone was clearly controlling them. The party members were slaughtered helplessly.＞
Splat! Splat! Splat!
Blood splattered as the diary’s events progressed. The goblins laughed, soaked in blood. Jeong-ho couldn’t just stand by and watch. He clenched his fists.
‘I don’t know whose diary this is, but I can use my skills, right? Fire Bolt.’
A sun-like flame rose near the ground.
The screaming people, the goblins slaughtering civilians, and the dying warriors inside the memory all looked toward the sun.
The sun was small, yet beautiful.
BOOM!!
And it was scalding hot. A single Fire Bolt wiped out all the goblins. The diary unfolded in Jeong-ho’s head once more.
＜We were wiped out, and I fled alone. I hated the injustice of the world. I swore to right all wrongs.＞
However, the reality contradicted the contents of the diary. Nearly half of the people were still alive.
Flash!
Suddenly, the text inside the diary altered.
＜Nearly half of the party survived. Someone appeared out of nowhere and saved us. I hated the injustice of the world, but that very injustice saved me.＞
‘The content of the diary changes based on my actions? Wait, who is the owner of this diary?’
If the text was changing in real-time, it had to be someone among them. Jeong-ho surveyed the survivors.
Among the people expressing their gratitude with wide eyes, there was one person whose gaze was entirely different.
‘Ah. It’s that person. But why does their look feel so…?’
Flash!
＜Diary of a Hero – Chapter 1 has ended.＞
＜You swiftly rescued the people.＞
＜Agility stat increases: F → E＞
＜You have identified the owner of the diary.＞
＜Sensory stat increases: F → E＞
Jeong-ho returned to reality. When he came to his senses, there was only him and the diary opened on the floor.
“…? My stats increased?”
Agility and Sensory—both went up by one rank. This is better than an elixir! Doesn’t this mean infinite growth if I just keep reading the diary?
＜Chapter 1 of the Hero’s Diary has already been read.＞
‘Guess not. What a waste.’
He couldn’t re-read chapters he had already completed. Suddenly, a chilling realization struck him.
‘Wait. What if I made a mistake back there? Would I have lost the stat growth entirely?’
His stats increased because he successfully altered the diary’s contents. In other words, failing to alter the story meant losing the chance for growth.
Furthermore, how the story changed was crucial. What if Jeong-ho had accidentally wiped out the civilians instead?
‘There might have been some bizarre penalty. This isn’t just a treasure—it’s practically a cursed item.’
Cursed items were stronger than regular items of the same rank, but each came with a terrifying penalty—most commonly causing Mana Pollution to spike uncontrollably.
‘Blindly opening pages just to boost stats could lead to disaster. I should take a quick peek at Chapter 2 and prepare thoroughly before diving in.’
Entering the diary’s world required reading a certain amount. A quick glance would be safe. Jeong-ho carefully turned just the corner of the next page.
＜Chapter 2: Negotiating with the Nobility.＞
Yeah, let’s keep Chapter 2 closed for now. Not that he suffered from stage fright or social anxiety or anything. Jeong-ho closed the diary and safely stored it in his inventory.
‘I don’t know what it is, but at least I gained something before going into the Chaos Gate.’
His Agility and Sensory stats had increased. But why didn’t his Magic Power go up? He had used magic the most, after all.
‘I don’t know. I’ll just have to figure it out as I go.’
For now, he needed to resolve the task right in front of him step by step.
[Authority Used: Gate Guide]
[Activating Dimensional Sight!]
The Chaos Gate was set to open near Incheon. There were 13 minutes left.
What if he drank a glass of water, went to the bathroom, and did some light stretching?
＜Gate Type: Chaos Gate (???)＞
＜Gate Opened!＞
＜Time Remaining Until Explosion: 05:59:59＞
The Chaos Gate opened. Jeong-ho forcefully stepped forward toward the Gate beneath his feet.
“Enter!”
[Entering the Gate remotely via Dimensional Sight!]
The Mukryong Guild locked all their doors and windows tight.
All guild members gathered around Li Wei, holding their breath. The strange glow in Li Wei’s eyes faded, returning to normal.
“I found the entrance. It’s 43 kilometers south-southwest from our current location—at a wastewater treatment facility.”
Anyone from another country would find themselves in a dire situation, but Li Wei remained composed.
“Ryu-je. Open the portal. We enter in 10 minutes.”
“Yes, Master. Spatial Link.”
[Skill Used: Spatial Link]
[Connecting two separate spaces into one.]
Flash! Ripples formed in midair as the space distorted. As Ryu-je concentrated, the entrance to the Chaos Gate became visible beyond the ripples.
“Even a slug has its talents, I see.”
“Ryu-je’s unique skill is always impressive to watch.”
“Don’t get cocky, Ryu-je! Never forget Master Li’s grace—he was the only one who recognized your true worth and raised you!”
Ryu-je struggled to force a smile while hiding his annoyance.
“O-Of course. There are about 8 minutes left until the Gate opens.”
“Understood. I will prepare in the meantime.”
Li Wei swished his robes and turned around. The wall clicked and split open to the left and right, revealing his private armory.
Cold Steel Short Sword (Epic) — Guan Dao of the Blue Dragon (Epic) — Musket of the Deep Sea (Epic)……
Black Dragon Robe (Epic) — Blood-Red Black Hat (Epic) — Windless Silk Flower (Epic)……
Blue Sea Orb (Epic) — Earth Dragon Earring (Epic) — Feather Fan of the Poison Bird (Epic)……
Weapons, armor, clothing, and accessories—it was filled to the brim with Epic-grade items. It exceeded the total inventory possessed by the Hunter Administrations of smaller nations.
“I must make preparations fitting for a Chaos Gate. I shall use this.”
Li Wei picked up the Cold Steel Short Sword. Frost wafted like smoke from its white blade.
“It’s the Master’s strongest weapon!”
“This Gate will be over in 3 hours, too.”
“Consider this a warning to the EX-Rank. This is the mountain you dare try to climb!”
The Mukryong Guild members clamored in excitement. Li Wei smiled with satisfaction this time.
“And I shall consume elixirs. Bring forth the drugs!”
Clank!
Ten-Thousand-Year Fleeceflower Root, Thousand-Year Reishi Mushroom, Hollow Rock Oil, Great Pill of Restoration—a whole table was brought out, stacked with all kinds of elixirs. Consuming elixirs repeatedly provided no permanent stat increases, but they still offered temporary buffs.
The cost of these drugs alone accounted for nearly 66% of the Mukryong Guild’s annual budget. That was how much Li Wei staked on this Chaos Gate.
“All blessings, elixirs, items, and skills must belong to me.”
Li Wei popped a Great Pill of Restoration into his mouth and crunched on it.
“This is not for my sake. It is for humanity. Foolish humans—especially those Koreans—know nothing.”
Li Wei chewed through the Ten-Thousand-Year Fleeceflower Root and the Thousand-Year Reishi Mushroom simultaneously.
“They seem to have grown arrogant just because an EX-Rank popped up, but I will teach them the difference in our weight classes. The burden we bear is fundamentally different.”
Li Wei devoured the remaining elixirs and washed them down with Hollow Rock Oil. A terrifying aura radiated from him, causing several low-rank Hunters to faint on the spot.
“Master. The Gate has opened.”
At Ryu-je’s report, Li Wei fluttered his black robe like the Grim Reaper.
“I am going in. Follow me in teams with 30-second intervals.”
Multiple people could enter a Chaos Gate. Li Wei had gathered a massive number of Hunters for this raid—essentially the entire force of the Mukryong Guild.
Flash!
＜You have entered the Chaos Gate.＞
＜A curse weighs down upon you!＞
As soon as they stepped into the Chaos Gate, a curse welcomed them.
‘Even if it’s chaos, it’s within my expectations. Additional monsters? Skill seal? Item seal? Stat reduction? Bring whatever you’ve got.’
Li Wei, who had learned various skills in preparation for seals, brought a wide variety of weapons, and swallowed elixirs to counter stat reductions, was suddenly caught off guard.
＜Curse! Constant Mana Pollution at 90%!＞
“W-What?! T-There was never a curse like this!”
Li Wei’s face instantly drained of color. An unimaginable Mana Pollution curse had struck them.
If Mana Pollution reached 100%, you died. That applied equally whether you were Li Wei or a newly awakened F-Rank Hunter.
In fact, Li Wei was in far greater danger. The items he currently wore on his body, plus the elixirs he had just consumed…
[Warning! Mana Pollution at 92%!]
[Warning! Mana Pollution at 93%!]
[Warning! Mana Pollution at 96%!]
Li Wei hurriedly threw off his clothes, tossed aside all his items, and frantically threw up the elixirs he had just ingested.
“M-Master! Are you alright… urgh.”
“Kuh-hook! Cough, cough… Th-The Mana Pollution is…”
The Hunters Li Wei had brought along were rolling on the ground in agony. Constant Mana Pollution at 90%—a single misstep would instantly push it to 100% and kill them.
“Calm down! Assessing the situation comes first! The stronger the curse, the lower the difficulty. Look!”
Li Wei pointed toward the far side of the Gate. A dozen or so goblins were roaming around in a pack.
“They are merely goblins. Easy foes if you’ve cleared the 15th floor of the Tower of Trials. There’s no need to even use the Cold Steel Short Sword. I will personally demonstrate—”
“Cough!!”
Several Mukryong Guild Hunters coughed up blood. Trying to carelessly use skills caused their Mana Pollution to surge.
“Kuh-hk! Gag, cough…”
“S-Save me… My head is spinning…”
Most of the other Hunters were on the verge of losing consciousness. If not for the curse, they were just mere goblins. Li Wei tried to use his gaze skill to look down at them, but…
[Warning! Mana Pollution at 98%!]
He couldn’t use it. He couldn’t do anything. The wall of constant 90% Mana Pollution was far too high even for Li Wei. Despair washed over him.
‘This can’t be happening. I am Li Wei. I am humanity’s hope. I was born to gather all power unto myself to prepare for the worst-case scenario…’
BOOM—!
A rain of fire poured down from the sky, instantly annihilating the goblins. Li Wei stared, dumbfounded.
‘Someone used a skill? With that much power? Even with constant Mana Pollution at 90%?’
Someone was standing on the far side. They were casually casting skills and trudging along to the next room as if it were nothing.
‘Don’t tell me…’
BOOM!!!
[Small Chaos Gate Cleared!]
[Contribution: ??? (100%)]
A system notification popped up in front of Li Wei’s eyes as well, but his gaze remained fixed on the unfamiliar silhouette.
“Master! Are you okay?”
“The EX-Rank exists…”
To Ryu-je, who came rushing over frantically with medical equipment, Li Wei muttered blankly.
“…and he is Korean.”
