🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 40
At first, it was announced as the Association’s mistake.
But three years later, the World Hunter Union (WHU) concluded it was the work of villains.
“As you can see from the surrounding CCTV footage at the time, the gate exploded less than a minute after appearing.”
Bae Yeonsu replayed the CCTV footage showing the Yangyang Gate as it was forming.
“Globally, such cases are extremely rare.”
Eight years ago in the Netherlands, five years ago in Korea, and two years ago in India.
Normally, a gate took at least one or two months before a break occurred. But those three gates burst immediately after forming.
The WHU investigated these three cases together and determined it had been done deliberately.
It wasn’t the act of a single person—they discovered it was a group. Yet the purpose or identity of that group remained a mystery.
They simply called them the “Gate Terrorists” and continued their pursuit.
“The WHU ruled that this individual has an ability related to gate creation or breaking, and based on the cycle, they suspect it can only be used once every three years.”
Bae Yeonsu paused the video and zoomed in on several figures standing right in front of the gate.
Among them was a long-haired villain suspected of “breaking” the gate, along with a few other members of the villain organization.
“But this is all something you already know, Chairman, Commander Park. The reason I’m bringing it up is…”
She used an image enhancement program to sharpen one man’s profile.
“This.”
“…Kang Moon-gang.”
The sharp-eyed Association Chairman recognized him immediately.
“What did you say?”
Park Woo-jun’s eyes trembled violently.
“Yangyang wasn’t the only time. He was there in Kolkata, two years ago, too.”
Bae Yeonsu showed them photos from India. The clothing was different, but the hairstyle was identical—it was Kang Moon-gang.
The Association Chairman recalled:
“Now I remember. When the WHU listed the Gate Terrorists, there was one Korean, and it was quite a headache. To think I’d see that face here.”
Eighteen villains had been listed. One of them was Kang Moon-gang.
The Chairman leaned back in his chair, tapping the armrest with his fingers.
“So then, do you mean that Hunter Han approached Kang Su-ho intentionally, knowing he was Kang Moon-gang’s son?”
“Not certain yet. But the circumstances suggest it.”
“And proposing to co-manage a guild with him…?”
“Probably a way to keep him tied closely by her side.”
Park Woo-jun cut in.
“But how did Sae-byeok even find out about Kang Su-ho?”
The Association had only Kang Moon-gang’s name and face, not his full profile.
When the WHU provided the list two years ago, the Korean Association had investigated Kang Moon-gang. They confirmed he had a common-law wife and a son but couldn’t locate them.
At the time, Kang Su-ho had been moving between goshiwons and construction sites to avoid his father. In doing so, he’d also evaded the Association.
“So you’re saying Sae-byeok found a man the Association itself couldn’t track down?”
“Sometimes, the obsession of an individual with nothing to lose is more frightening than a group bound by procedures and rules.”
Park Woo-jun bit his lip.
If Sae-byeok had learned her parents’ deaths were the villains’ doing, then she must have hunted them down relentlessly out of solitary fury.
He thought grimly:
“Why didn’t she tell me…?”
In the past, she would have. She would have told him she was investigating, even dragged him along to catch them.
But now…
‘Was it because I was too busy with assault team duties to make time for her?’
When was the last time they had a serious talk? These days, they exchanged light jokes when they met, still comfortable with each other, but compared to childhood… it was different.
He felt like he knew less and less about her.
‘She even hid her awakening from me.’
It wasn’t because she lacked time or opportunity—she had deliberately concealed it.
Han Sae-byeok was keeping her distance from him.
And Park Woo-jun, in this very moment, realized it.
Or perhaps…
‘No, maybe it’s not her keeping the distance. Maybe it’s me who created it.’
Always prioritizing work, always rushing off mid-conversation—who could share their deepest worries with someone like that?
The Chairman’s voice pulled him back.
“So, Director Bae, you believe Hunter Han’s real target is Kang Moon-gang?”
“Yes. Unless she knows nothing of the abuse, she’d assume Kang Moon-gang would someday come looking for his blood relatives, Kang Su-ho and Kang Si-hoo. She might even suspect he’s already in contact.”
“We’ll need to keep an eye on her. If someone of her caliber acts impulsively, it could be a major problem.”
“Yes, I’ll monitor her closely.”
The Chairman nodded, flipping his sword open and shut with a click.
He could still feel the sensation from when their blades clashed, flowing through his body.
‘She must have been preparing to hunt villains for years—that’s why her spear technique was already so polished.’
Even with logic to explain it, another feeling itched at him.
It had been a long time since he’d met such a perfect rival.
Had they been in a real training ground, not a measuring room, he wouldn’t have stopped midway.
He exhaled slowly.
At the end of the day, he was still like any other S-rank—combative and fiercely competitive.
Bae Yeonsu resumed her report.
“Also, Chairman, the WHU contacted us this morning. They want further discussion about Hunter Han’s measurements—”
“Chairman!!”
Her words were cut off by a loud bang—the door flying open.
“Kim Min-jung? What’s wrong?”
“Captain, it’s bad!”
It was one of Park Woo-jun’s assault team members, bursting in without knocking, face pale. She snatched the remote control from the table with trembling hands.
“In the Pacific…! The news! It’s insane…!”
She almost dropped the remote in panic.
The TV flicked on with a beep, streaming live news.
【Reporter: As you can see, it’s so massive it’s visible even in satellite imagery!】
The anchor, inside a helicopter, wasn’t JMTC’s Won Bo-ram. He wasn’t even Korean.
【Reporter: Compared to other monsters, these five beasts stand out the most!】
The camera followed his gaze out of the helicopter door.
Both Park Woo-jun and Bae Yeonsu’s faces froze as the view broadcasted.
The sea.
Other helicopters could be seen in the shot, hovering dangerously high, nearly brushing the clouds just to stay safe.
Yet even from that height, five gigantic monsters filled the screen, circling in the ocean.
【Reporter: It’s assumed a gate burst underwater… they’re moving!! The five beasts are moving!!】
【Reporter: One’s a Kraken! And that one—looks like a gigantic whale! According to legend, an Icelandic man-eating whale!】
He wore an earpiece, fed live intel from the newsroom.
【Reporter: And that—snake? Dinosaur? Ah! Norse mythology’s Jörmungandr—! Hrk!!】
One helicopter dared to descend for a closer shot.
But after barely 10 meters—
A massive octopus tentacle surged from below and snatched it.
Crack.
Like breaking an egg, the helicopter crumpled and plunged into the sea.
The tentacle rose again, lashing the air menacingly, forcing the remaining helicopters to scramble upward.
But then, as if waiting for this moment, the man-eating whale erupted skyward.
Its jaws, filled with rows upon rows of teeth, gaped wide toward the reporter’s helicopter.
The maw was vast enough to snap a warship in half.
【Reporter: Son of a—! Higher! Higher!!】
His curses went unfiltered, broadcast live to the world.
Not that anyone could scold him.
Not that anyone was left to.
【Reporter: Uwaaahhh!!】
Static.
The screen went dark.
