Chapter 237: Final Clear (1)

Once Yuashiel Dimension began to recover from the devastation of the war—with support from their dimensional ally, Earth—its leaders dispatched wizards from the Tower of Wizards and knights from various countries through the Gate to Earth. Thanks to the DG Guild's assistance, these wizards were assigned to other nations, establishing new branches of the Tower in places like the United States and the United Kingdom.

The DG Guild also helped relocate the knights, sending them to countries far from Korea, where Hunters couldn't use the Permanent Gate due to distance or national security concerns. These knights taught local Hunters martial arts and mana manipulation.

"As a result, the number of Hunters grew and the abilities of those already Awakened improved," Kim Ki-Rok said.

At his words, his assistants Nam Dong-Wook and Kang Seh-Hyuk turned their attention to the group emerging from the Gate.

"But the most important thing is that the number of wizards has increased!" Kim Ki-Rok added, barely hiding his excitement.

The wizards introduced magic and mana to ordinary people. Once someone mastered even the basic 1-Circle magic, the Earth System would awaken them, granting them the powers of an Awakened.

"If Earth's wizards were only ordinary mages, they wouldn't be able to operate in the Gate, Hell," Kim Ki-Rok continued.

"Why is that?" Nam Dong-Wook asked.

"Because, in Hell, the ones who matter most are Hunters whose mana has been refined by the Earth System. The monsters down there are especially weak to it."

Kang Seh-Hyuk stroked his chin. "So, even if a non-Awakened wizard knows how to gather mana and cast spells, they're still almost useless inside Hell unless they've been Awakened by the Earth System?"

Kim Ki-Rok nodded. "Exactly. Anyone who isn't Awakened would be tasked with protecting Earth, clearing regular Gates instead of Hell."

"But since that's not the case, you gathered every wizard you could," Kang Seh-Hyuk said.

"That's right," Kim Ki-Rok confirmed.

"Even though they're terribly low-level compared to the others."

"True. But we can protect them. They won't be able to gain the extra stats they might have gotten from forced training, but under the circumstances, we don't have much choice," he said.

"If the Gate, Hell, ever goes out of control, Earth is finished," Kim Ki-Rok muttered under his breath.

Both Kang Seh-Hyuk and Nam Dong-Wook were already Hunters who had surpassed Level 180.

"Ugh. Could you stop talking about the end of the world?" Nam Dong-Wook complained.

Kim Ki-Rok laughed. "I can't help it... It just keeps slipping out."

Still watching the wizards being escorted by Hunters, Kim Ki-Rok turned and headed with the others to their next stop. As they walked, he addressed his assistants. "How do they look?"

"They seem fine. Better than I expected," Nam Dong-Wook replied.

Kim Ki-Rok nodded in satisfaction. "As expected."

Kang Seh-Hyuk and Nam Dong-Wook exchanged puzzled looks.

"But Guildmaster..."

"Yes, Mr. Dong-Wook?"

"Isn't this a bit dangerous?"

Kim Ki-Rok tilted his head in thought and glanced back at Nam Dong-Wook. "Are you worried about Awakened criminals?"

"No, not them. I mean Ji-Hee."

"Dangerous for Ji-Hee?"

"Yes."

Each guild had chosen and assigned capable Hunters willing to work alongside Awakened criminals. Among them was DG Guild's Hunter, Kim Ji-Hee.

Kim Ki-Rok took a moment before answering, "Do you really think there's ever a moment when our Ji-Hee would be in danger?"

Nam Dong-Wook hesitated, then chuckled softly. "I suppose not."

After hearing his reply, Kim Ki-Rok turned his gaze forward. "No, there isn't."

They arrived at their destination and saw a young girl, surrounded by translucent spirits shielding her as she sat in a camping chair, reading over documents. As Kim Ji-Hee grew stronger, not only did her contracted spirits grow with her, but so did those lingering near her without formal contracts.

"With a tanker or shield backing her, very few could beat Ji-Hee," Kim Ki-Rok remarked.

She could draw upon the power of the Archmage Kan Cho-Woo, the vampire Maria, Mandong the Pegasus, and Ainess, the first female royal commander.

Because her powers consumed vast amounts of mana, she rarely used her full strength. Still, in any real battle where she could freely equip all her artifacts, there were few Hunters who could stand against her. In fact, most of the time, she didn't even need a tanker by her side.

"As you know, Ji-Hee was once a victim of an Awakening crime," Kim Ki-Rok reminded them.

Her cute appearance and unique skills often made people forget she had suffered at the hands of Awakened criminals.

"I wouldn't have assigned Ji-Hee if there were any Awakened criminals in Team Eight who don't see others as human," Kim Ki-Rok continued. "At the very least, none here have that kind of beastly nature. The ones we're working with can be rehabilitated, so they wouldn't dare touch Ji-Hee."

"Hmm..."

Despite Kim Ki-Rok's confidence, both Nam Dong-Wook and Kang Seh-Hyuk couldn't help but frown in concern for her.

"Don't worry. I've checked and double-checked," he reassured them.

In truth, he had recorded the names of every Awakened criminal with potential for repentance during his countless regressions, using both Time Rabbit's Luggage and Record.

"Even if they did betray us, their grudge would be against me, not Ji-Hee. They'd slip away from the battlefield and come after me instead," Kim Ki-Rok said.

"Are you sure?" Kang Seh-Hyuk asked.

"It's just my guess."

Such a situation had happened in a previous Attempt. Still, he couldn't know how things would play out this time. He'd tried to avoid becoming too close to potentially repentant Awakened criminals, but there was no way to guarantee the outcome.

Just then, Kim Ji-Hee finished reading her documents and noticed Kim Ki-Rok. She jumped up, stretching, and hurried over with Mandong and Ainess flying at her side.

"Mister," she called.

"Hey. Did you check the information?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

"Yes."

"Did the others treat you well?"

"Yes."

"Oh!" Kim Ki-Rok exclaimed.

Nam Dong-Wook and Kang Seh-Hyuk, who had been eyeing the Awakened criminals warily, turned their attention to Kim Ji-Hee.

"Really? They treated you well?"

"Yes, Uncle Seh-Hyuk."

"How so?"

"They gave me extra meat at meals and checked every thirty minutes to see if I was okay."

"And the unnies even asked if they could pat me."

"What about the other guys?" Kang Seh-Hyuk asked.

"Oh, they asked things like, 'Does Kim Ki-Rok treat you well?' and 'Do your guild members take good care of you?'"

"I see," he said, relieved.

Although there was much anger directed at the Crazy Bastard, at least one had tried to take it out on Kim Ji-Hee.

"Ji-Hee," Kim Ki-Rok called, choosing to ignore the baffled looks from his assistants.

"Yes, Mister."

"We'll start in an hour. Be careful."

She clenched her fists in determination and replied, "Yes."

"Contact me if it gets too dangerous."

"Yes."

"And if you notice anything strange."

"Yes."

With each brief answer, Kim Ji-Hee's tense expression softened a little. Kim Ki-Rok patted her head lightly, then said goodbye and turned away.

***

In the crowded meeting tent, all eyes settled on one man.

"Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Kang Man-Ki, commander-in-chief for the Hell Gate clear."

The middle-aged President of the Korea Hunters Association, Kang Man-Ki, bowed deeply to the gathered leaders. "Let's get straight to the point. Hunter Kim Ki-Rok."

"Yes."

Kang Man-Ki straightened and turned toward the man in question. As he did, everyone else followed suit, focusing on Kim Ki-Rok as he reviewed intel on his laptop.

"We've already had several meetings. I've explained the monsters, the environment, and our reasons for dividing into units. Now, I'll go over our plan for clearing this Gate," Kim Ki-Rok announced.

The attendees nodded, watching him silently. When the projector came on, they looked up at a map displayed before them.

"Using Discernment, I've identified five targets we must defeat to clear this Gate: the Hell King and the Four Dukes. The challenge is that we don't know their locations. We'll have to expand our territory inside the Gate step by step, searching for them as we go."

A white circle appeared in the center of the black screen. Kim Ki-Rok enlarged it until it dominated the display. "We don't know where the Hell King or the Dukes are hiding," he explained. "That's why we'll advance gradually, subduing Hell monsters to claim ground as we search."

"This could take longer than we hoped," someone muttered in the crowd.

Kim Ki-Rok nodded. "It likely will. Like a prolonged war, we'll expand our territory little by little, patrol the perimeter, and hunt for our targets. You all understand why."

This was Earth's first encounter with the Hell dimension. With so little information and the monsters near the Gate entrance already so powerful, a lightning-fast assault by a small elite force was out of the question. They would need time to gather intel, scout enemy positions, and slowly grow the Hunters' foothold.

"Of course, as our territory grows, so will the area we need to defend. Spreading ourselves thin is a risk, but we have skills, magic, vehicles, and advanced technology on our side," Kim Ki-Rok explained. "Even if our forces become scattered, rapid support will be possible."

A foreign Hunter raised his hand. "We don't know the Gate's full size, but considering the danger level and the 'King' clear condition, I'm guessing clearing this will take at least half a year, maybe a year. What do you estimate?"

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"If everything goes smoothly, half a year. If not, we

must

finish within a year," Kim Ki-Rok replied.

"This is a war of territorial expansion. Can we really clear a Gate like this in just a year?" the Hunter pressed.

"As I've said, we have Skills, magic, and technology. And for everything outside of combat, Yuashiel and the Elemental support troops will help us."

After a moment, the Hunter nodded. "I understand."

They would use magic and elemental power to build walls and repair roads.

"Constructing walls and buildings will take only about an hour. If the area gets too large, it might take longer, but for now, that's not an issue. Supplying our forces will also be fast, since vehicles and helicopters can move supplies in under an hour."

"What about the risk of the Gate going berserk before then?" Commander Kang Man-Ki asked, cutting to the heart of the matter.

"I've confirmed with Korean Awakened who can detect Breaks. It's estimated that the Hell Gate will Break after one year."

Kang Man-Ki paused, taking this in. "So that's why you said..."

"Exactly. If we don't clear this Gate within a year, we'll be fighting Hell right here on Earth."