Chapter 190: Was This All Planned? (2)

With only three levels left until C-Class, the World Tree's blessing in effect, and six days remaining out of the seven-day application period, Kang Seung-Hoon had no intention of seeking help from the DG Guild.

However, after watching the Gate clear videos on repeat, he immediately packed his bags and headed to Seoul. He realized that becoming a C-Class Hunter, submitting an application, and participating in the clear wouldn't make much difference. A single C-Class Hunter in an S-Class clear could only do so much.

So he wondered: how could he get more Hunters to participate?

"It was then that I realized," Kang Seung-Hoon said.

"Long-range weapons and siege weapons?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

"That's right. The mechanical monsters are S-Class, not only with very hard bodies but also high mana resistance. Surely, C-Class and B-Class Hunters who participate will be positioned at the rear, shooting arrows and firing shells. That means the more people, the better. So..."

"You decided to ask the guild for help in public, to inform D-Class and E-Class Hunters how they could participate, and to let guilds struggling with manpower shortages know this was a chance to recruit," Kim Ki-Rok said.

"That's right," Kang Seung-Hoon replied.

"You instigated this," Kim Ki-Rok said.

"I did."

"And you didn't have to worry about being criticized."

Kang Seung-Hoon nodded.

"Eh? There's no need to worry about criticism?" Seo Lee-Ha muttered quietly.

Not everyone inside the shield understood, so Kim Ki-Rok began to explain. "Mr. Lee-Ha."

"Yes?"

"When you filled out the application—the pledge, or the oath—you wrote it yourself, didn't you?"

"Are you talking about the paper that read: I will participate in the S-Class clear of my own volition. I will not hold anyone responsible for my death. That one?"

Kim Ki-Rok nodded. "Yes."

"I did," Seo Lee-Ha replied.

"How many times did the Association staff question you when you wrote it?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

"Ah... right. Even if I was influenced..."

"Exactly. Since you wrote the oath of your own will, if you die during the clear, the only person responsible is the one who wrote the oath, meaning every Hunter who participated."

"What if the public realizes he instigated all these Hunters?" another Hunter asked.

Kim Ki-Rok shook his head. "There's no evidence."

"Excuse me?"

"There

are

witnesses, but they're Hunters who participated before they were influenced by Hunter Kang Seung-Hoon."

There was no proof. The witnesses were all Hunters affiliated with the DG Guild who had been participating long before Kang Seung-Hoon's actions.

"That will put an end to any questions. There's simply no evidence. Even if someone holds a grudge later, they'll direct their anger at the S-Class or A-Class Hunters who participated, not at Hunter Kang Seung-Hoon—the one who asked a famous guild for help with his revenge against monsters," Kim Ki-Rok explained. "If they're afraid of these Hunters, they'll resent the Association or the country instead."

Seo Lee-Ha turned and looked at Kang Seung-Hoon. "Wow..."

He had thought Kang Seung-Hoon was just a Hunter braving an S-Class Gate to avenge his family. But that wasn't it. Kang Seung-Hoon knew how to use his circumstances, combining the information he had to create the most efficient course of action.

He's just like the Guildmaster,

Seo Lee-Ha thought.

C-Class Hunter Kang Seung-Hoon was someone who used his head just like Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok.

"I–I'm sorry." Kang Seung-Hoon bowed and asked Kim Ki-Rok for forgiveness. "I'll turn myself in right after the clear. So please keep it a secret until the Gate is cleared. I beg you," he said, standing up to bow once more.

He had used people to exact his revenge. On paper, his actions bordered on the immoral. The DG Guild members instinctively looked to Kim Ki-Rok, who stood with arms crossed, lost in thought, absently flicking his fingers.

"Huh... Hunter Kang Seung-Hoon," Kim Ki-Rok said after a moment.

"Yes?"

"Just wondering. Did you also use community sites?"

Kang Seung-Hoon looked up at him, unable to answer for a few seconds. "Sorry?"

"Community sites. Anonymous posts?" Kim Ki-Rok asked again.

"Ah, yes. I used a PC room to dispel suspicions that someone was inciting D-Class Hunters."

"What else?" Kim Ki-Rok pressed.

"I asked some friends abroad," Kang Seung-Hoon continued.

"Anything more?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

"This is the last Gate to Patera. We victims have been in contact with each other. I was able to ask for their help as well."

"And?"

"One of the victims was a reporter."

"Ah, so they must have waited for you in front of the DG Guild."

"That's right."

Kim Ki-Rok nodded. This guy knew how to use the cards he was dealt. He knew how to borrow the power of allies nearby, not just solve problems on his own.

"Are you thinking of joining the DG Guild?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

Stunned, Kang Seung-Hoon didn't answer for a second. "Pardon?"

"I said, do you want to work as a Hunter in the DG Guild?"

"W-What?" Kang Seung-Hoon stammered.

Kim Ki-Rok took out a guild application form from his subspace pocket, stood up, deactivated the shield, and left humming after exchanging greetings and sharing a laugh with the curious Hunters.

Kang Seung-Hoon began filling out the form but suddenly turned to Seo Lee-Ha, who was currently watching a pre-downloaded video on a tablet he'd taken from her subspace pocket.

"Mr. Lee-Ha."

With one earphone in, he paused the video and looked up. "Yes?"

"What does this mean?" Kang Seung-Hoon asked.

"It's a recommendation to join the guild," Seo Lee-Ha said simply.

"I..." He paused, gathering his thoughts. There were too many people around now, and without the sound shield, every word could be overheard. "I made a mistake."

"It wasn't a mistake. Whatever happens, they chose to be part of it."

He had deliberately pushed people into joining the S-Class clear, after all. Before Seo Lee-Ha could continue, however, Kang Seung-Hoon abruptly corrected himself.

"But... I made a huge mistake with my party members."

He really is like the Guildmaster,

Seo Lee-Ha thought.

"Sure, you made a mistake. But the party members—the clear participants—agreed, didn't they? That's why they're in danger."

Kang Seung-Hoon had incited them, but those he influenced had multiple chances to walk away. They could've reconsidered after his incident, sought help from nearby or well-known guilds, or changed their minds during the application process. They had support from their own guilds, opportunities through the Association as C-Class Hunters, and even one last out when handed the death contract.

Yet, despite all that, they chose to go through with it.

"Our Guildmaster told us this once..." Seo Lee-Ha began. "He said it's tough because there aren't enough people using their brains."

"What?" Kang Seung-Hoon said, not following.

"More precisely, he said we need people who can think on their feet in the field."

"But I thought DG Guild, like other famous guilds, has a strategy and tactics team."

"There are times we can't get help from them. Like when our drones are destroyed, or the radios stop working," he explained, to which Kang Seung-Hoon nodded.

Guilds set up command posts or control centers at Gate entrances to support Hunters, relaying real-time information on monsters and terrain. But if the cameras or radios used for communication were destroyed, the strategy and tactics team couldn't provide any support.

"Anyway, Guildmaster once said this clear is just the beginning. From now on, we need to operate a strategy and tactics team not just for clearing Gates, but also for hunting monsters."

"Because the danger level of the Gates keeps increasing," Kang Seung-Hoon said, trying to piece it together. "No, is the danger level rising rapidly?"

"You really are similar to the Guildmaster."

"Sorry?"

"It's nothing. Anyway, that's why Guildmaster has been recruiting Hunters with good brains since last year. To sum it up, Seung-Hoon hyung, you made a mistake. But it's not a crime that deserves punishment. You also have the ability needed to be a Hunter."

He was an innocent Hunter with incredible potential, which was why he had been recommended to join the guild.

***

Three days after the reinforcements entered the Gate, a meeting was held among the container barracks.

Lieutenant General Akabe, the commander of the clear, sat at the head of the table. "We will start the operation at nine tomorrow morning. The operation is as follows."

He paused and looked at the screen installed on the wall in front of him. They would seize the ore veins and mines, eliminate the enemy, and set up their own military camp. Then, they would defend the claimed ore veins and mines.

"Simple, isn't it? We seize and hold the enemy's base. But it will be tough. Very tough," Akabe said.

The mechanical monsters would fight to reclaim the ore veins and mines. Orders would go out to every scattered unit, and the city would churn out more monsters to take them back by force. Cutting off the Pastera supply meant cutting off their production. Once the Hunters took the source, they had to hold it.

"S-Class and A-Class Hunters will be dispatched first. Once the ore veins and mines are seized, B-Class and C-Class Hunters will move in to reinforce the military camp," Akabe continued. "The regular soldiers will stay with the main force and operate the siege weapons and artillery to attack the last city."

The operation sounded simple on paper. However, the S-Class monsters guarding the ore veins and mines were tough, highly mana-resistant, and could only be seriously damaged using Pastera weapons.

"We'll end the meeting here today. I'll see you again at six tomorrow morning." Lieutenant General Akabe got up, bowed to the participants, then turned and left.

Not long after Akabe and his close associates left, the team leaders of the clear teams from various countries also rose. Some left with a sigh to take a break, while others left with serious expressions to do final checks.

"

Ugh.

" Ji Seok-Hyun, team leader of the South Korean clear team, stretched and looked at Kim Ki-Rok sitting beside him. "Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok?"

Kim Ki-Rok's eyes lit up. "Ah, I remember now."

"What?"

"I was wondering why I couldn't remember."

"What are you talking about?" Ji Seok-Hyun asked, confused.

"He had naturalized."

"What?"

Kim Ki-Rok smiled at Ji Seok-Hyun, who tilted his head. "It's nothing. Let's rest today, it's our last break. I have something to think about, so go ahead. I'll stay here a while."

"Uhh, okay then. See you tomorrow morning."

"See you."

Kim Ki-Rok remained in his seat, watching Ji Seok-Hyun leave the barracks. He let out a quiet chuckle at the realization. "Right. That's why I couldn't remember."

He hadn't been able to remember because Kang Seung-Hoon was a Hunter who had naturalized and died preventing a Break accident at a B-Class Gate moving to the Patera Dimension, before The Last City of the Patera Dimension appeared.

"So he was

that

hero, Kay..."