Chapter 187: Reinforcements (1)

The Last City of the Patera Dimension was a Gate inhabited by monsters ranging from Level 101 to Level 135. Calling for Hunters ranked B-Class or higher was already ambitious, but Kim Ki-Rok wanted to go even further.

Finding his suggestion outrageous, Ji Seok-Hyun repeated questioningly, "C-Class?"

Kim Ki-Rok clarified, "C-Class or higher Hunters, and soldiers with real combat experience."

"Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok, this is an S-Class Gate we're dealing with," Lieutenant General Akabe objected.

"I'm aware."

Despite his confident answer, Akabe pressed on. "You're suggesting recruiting Level 40 Hunters for the Gate clear? Not only that, but also non-Awakened individuals with combat experience?"

"That's right."

Lieutenant General Akabe furrowed his brow. "Are you planning to create a suicide squad?"

It was a harsh comment, but it mirrored his genuine concern. Bringing in low-level Hunters and non-Awakened fighters sounded reckless at best.

"Let me explain. All the monsters that appear in The Last City of the Patera Dimension are mechanical," Kim Ki-Rok began. "They're tough and highly resistant to mana, making them almost immune to magic and abilities. That's why we started looking for their weaknesses before clearing the Gate, and we discovered that Pastera weapons can inflict significant damage. We've been fighting these monsters not with high-powered abilities or magic, but with our physical strength and Pastera-made weapons."

Even when using abilities, the Hunters focused on those that reinforced their physical power or used auxiliary magic that helped indirectly. The damage they dealt came from their equipment.

"The key point here is Pastera weapons."

Kim Ki-Rok raised his hand over his laptop, opened a file named "Pastera," and brought up a document titled "What is Pastera" on the screen.

"Even if you're a C-Class Hunter or a non-Awakened, there's no difference in the damage you can deal as long as you use these weapons," he explained. "Of course, they'd have to use long-range weapons like bows and crossbows, not swords, knives, or spears, since close combat is a different story."

Only then did the Hunters begin to seriously consider Kim Ki-Rok's words. They hadn't looked at it that way before, but he was right. They had been relying on Pastera weapons to deal real damage.

Kim Ki-Rok continued, "Therefore, there's no problem if we lower the participation limit for this clear to C-Class or higher. Why? Because all they have to do is pull a bowstring or a trigger from a distance. They can also help by operating the siege weapons. This way, we can move Hunters from the rear and those operating siege weapons to the front lines."

The long-range weapons were enchanted with automatic firing and aiming magic. However, loading stones into catapults and arrows into ballistae still had to be done by hand. By lowering the participation limit to C-Class, Kim Ki-Rok aimed to increase the number of Hunters, even ones who had yet to awaken.

"You want us to entrust bows, crossbows, and siege weapons to non-Awakened and C-Class Hunters?" Akabe asked.

"To be precise, I propose C-Class Hunters handle the siege weapons, while non-Awakened handle bows, crossbows, and other ranged weapons," Kim Ki-Rok added.

The lieutenant general tapped the table with his finger, staring at the screen with a serious expression. After some time, he asked, "I understand. But will C-Class Hunters and non-Awakened volunteers join us?"

This was an extremely dangerous S-Class Gate, where even the weakest monster was over Level 100. Of course, there might be some who would rush in, blinded by the rewards, but it was hard to guarantee they'd have enough volunteers.

"Even if we lower the participation limit, I see little chance of B-Class Hunters joining. Why would C-Class Hunters and non-Awakened want to participate?" Akabe pressed.

Kim Ki-Rok nodded confidently. "They will definitely participate."

"You're certain?"

"Yes."

"May I ask why?"

"I'll be honest. I can't guarantee the participation of C-Class Hunters."

"C-Class Hunters? Not the non-Awakened?" Akabe asked, confused.

"Yes. As I said before, we should only invite experienced soldiers," Kim Ki-Rok said.

The lieutenant general let out a sigh, beginning to understand. It seemed only a few, including Akabe, understood why he was so certain.

"I can't speak for all countries. But in Korea, we recruit soldiers willing to fight monsters," Kim Ki-Rok explained.

Not all soldiers fought against Gates and monsters. However, the monster extermination squads were made up entirely of volunteers, and those soldiers had one thing in common.

"Most soldiers who have experienced real combat are victims," he continued. "They've lost family, friends, or loved ones to monsters."

If someone seeking revenge Awakened, they became a Hunter. If not, they enlisted. Even without powers, they still charged into battle with weapons powered by mana stones.

"This Gate is the final link to the Patera Dimension," Kim Ki-Rok said, pulling up the next slide. "And Gates connected to that dimension have caused more Breaks than any others on Earth. Our one advantage is that Pastera weapons work even for non-Awakened individuals."

Mechanical monsters were notoriously dangerous. Yet despite the risks involved in hunting them, their corpses fetched low prices. Pastera remained unprocessable, and while the government and Association still bought the remains for research and containment, they paid roughly thirty percent less than for monsters of similar rank.

Kim Ki-Rok's point was clear. This was the most unstable type of Gate, and this was their last chance to close one with weapons that made even the weakest fighters useful.

"Many soldiers enlist after losing family, friends, or lovers to Breaks. Would they really give up the chance to participate in the clear of the last Gate connected to the Patera Dimension?"

In other words, they could use the soldiers' thirst for vengeance to get them to participate.

"That's quite cruel," a female Hunter from Canada muttered quietly.

Kim Ki-Rok turned to her. "Yes. It is. But they'll thank us for it."

"Thank us?"

"Yes. Because this time, things are different. Before, they couldn't fight the mechanical monsters despite enlisting for revenge."

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Because mechanical monsters were made of tough, mana-resistant Pastera, soldiers hadn't been able to join defense efforts when those Gates went berserk. Now, they finally had weapons that could change that.

"So, this is my proposal. We lower the restriction to C-Class Hunters and soldiers with combat experience."

"This is an S-Class Gate. We won't be able to avoid criticism."

Even if everyone understood, the public would likely criticize the decision precisely because the participants had volunteered.

Kim Ki-Rok nodded. "Yes, I understand. But we still need to increase the number of participants."

"So... criticism is a risk we'll have to take?" said the Canadian Hunter.

Reactions to Kim Ki-Rok's proposal varied. Some Hunters looked bitter, others skeptical. A few just sighed, anxious about what lay ahead.

"I plan to take measures to reduce criticism," he replied.

As all eyes turned to him, the lieutenant general leaned forward and asked, "And what would those measures be?"

"It's a method we at the DG Guild often use."

***

"They're still at it." The man muttered to himself, eyes flicking over a news headline as the subway rocked gently beneath him.

The article was about the S-Class Gate, The Last City of the Patera Dimension. Hunters from around the world had been mobilized to clear it, all converging on Japan. The weakest monster inside was Level 101. If a Break occurred, the devastation would be catastrophic.

"It's taking too long..."

How dangerous was this Gate, really? Even with S-Class and A-Class Hunters from across the globe, it still hadn't been cleared.

He sighed and looked around. Other passengers were glued to their phones too, watching reports, reading articles. The whole city was holding its breath.

Things weren't like before. A-Class Gates had become routine. Even S-Class ones showed up now and then. At the very least, Hunters were getting stronger, and at a rate fast enough to keep up for now.

"What if..."

Are we heading for doomsday?

He didn't say it aloud, since there were many people nearby. But he couldn't help thinking it. He shook his head with a bitter smile, remembering something. "No, it's always been dangerous."

He was a longtime DG Channel subscriber, having watched everything from daily life clips to Gate footage, but it was Kim Ki-Rok's lectures he returned to most. Some were about Gate mechanics, others focused on monster behavior or survival strategies. All of them made the danger feel real.

He stared out the subway window, still thinking about Kim Ki-Rok's lecture on the rising frequency of Gate appearances, when his phone buzzed in his hand.

A notification?

There were actually two. One was a video from the DG channel and another was an update from the official Hunters Association website. He chose to open the MeTube link instead of visiting the Association site.

"Huh?"

Three new videos had appeared in succession.

Gate Clear Frontal Battle Episode 1 (Original)

Gate Clear Frontal Battle Episode 1 (Edited)

Gate Clear Frontal Battle Episode 1 Highlights