Jin-Woo, to put it mildly, was quite surprised by the place he found himself in.
In the past he had read online about Red Gates, but he had never entered one before.
He was currently standing in a forest covered with a thick layer of snow. A place that looked nothing like the ordinary underground.
- Where the hell are we?!
- This doesn't look like the underground!
- The gate disappeared!
The other Hunters looked around and couldn't hide their panic. While they were immersed in chaos, Jin-Woo calmly looked around with narrowed eyes.
He didn't sense anything disturbing around him. It was like standing in an ordinary forest.
Thanks to the System, even in such a situation he could remain calm. The first thing he analyzed were the trees. Huge, evergreen, sprawling, reaching high into the sky. The treetops were covered with snow.
He lowered his eyes and met someone's gaze. It was hunter Kim Chul, who was also observing the surroundings.
They both looked at each other, then turned away. Han Song-I approached Jin-Woo and lightly tugged on his sleeve.
- Something's wrong, right?
Her eyes were full of fear. The confidence she displayed on the outside completely vanished. Suddenly, Jin-Woo's hand shot towards her face.
The girl's eyes widened.
The arrow caught by Jin-Woo quivered slightly, as if angry it didn't hit its target. The target was Han Song-I's forehead.
Jin-Woo broke the icy arrow that lightly frosted his hand, it must have been soaked with some freezing magic.
Realizing what had just happened, Han Song-I's face paled. However, the scream that rang out didn't come from her.
Blood seeps from the Hunter's mouth as he falls to the ground, an arrow sticking out of his temple that frosted his hair and temple. A bloodstain appeared on the snow. The Hunters began screaming in fear.
Two arrows flew in their direction at the same time. Thanks to this, most of them didn't see Jin-Woo catch the second arrow, break it, and toss it away, not at all impressed by the attack.
- Ambush!
- In the tree!
One of the rank B Hunters pointed to a spot at the top of a distant tree. Long before he pointed, Jin-Woo and Kim Chul's eyes were already looking in that direction. At the treetops stood two people.
Although you couldn't call them human.
White hair. Skin as pale as snow. Silver eyes. And of course, the hallmark of their race, pointed ears.
Due to their beautiful looks and the fact you could only see them in high-rank dungeons, they were quite famous.
Ice Elves.
Those who didn't get to face them called them elves. However, the few who managed to survive an encounter with them gave them another, more fitting name for these terrible soulless beings ruthlessly hunting hunters. White Demons.
Jin-Woo's eyes sharpened. Their targets weren't random. The hunter killed by the arrow was a freshly awakened C-rank hunter in his thirties. Aside from Han Song-I, he was the weakest of the group. They had a keen eye and they managed to locate the two weakest hunters so quickly and from such a distance.
If this event took place two months ago, he would be one of the targets.
Seeing they were noticed and their task was halfway done, the Elves disappeared. They jumped off the tree and vanished into the thick frosty forest.
Kim Chul finally opened his mouth. Since he was the only A-rank in the raid, everyone turned their eyes to him. After all, he was technically the leader of this raid.
- I don't know how many of you realize this, but we enter a Red Gate.
Kim Chul's tone was full of condescension and arrogance, but no one dared complain.
- We won't get out of here until we kill the boss.
Many of the Hunters groaned in despair. Some of the unaware ones counted on being rescued, and the realization that such help would not come crushed their spirit. Kim Chul continued:
- Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Kim Chul, I'm a rank A hunter. We've established this is a Red Gate. From now on, I'm in charge here, I'll take care of our survival. But I won't feed you bullshit that everyone here will survive. We may have to wait countless months before the gate opens. There is no guarantee we'll make it that long. This dungeon has to be at least B-rank. In such a place, it's hard to manage a large group. That's why I'll form a special squad that will take care of clearing the dungeon with me. If we stay here, we'll either die of frostbite or get ambushed. If there are no volunteers to join me, I'll go alone. Any takers?!
With broad shoulders and a firm gaze, Kim Chul looked quite reliable. After a short break, the Hunters unanimously approached the man,
- I'll go.
- Me too.
- And me.
Jin-Woo understood why practically everyone started approaching Kim Chul. With a rank A hunter at their side, they had a greater chance of survival.
However, Kim Chul pushed away one of the men who approached him.
He was holding back, but it was the strength of a rank A hunter. The man recoiled, holding his chest in pain.
- Not you.
- Huh?
- You neither. You, you, and you too.
Aside from the man, Kim Chul pointed at several others, including Jin-Woo and Han Song-I. Jin-Woo's eyes twitched, realizing Kim Chul's intentions. He figured it out the moment the man talked about forming a special squad. The musclehead pointed at a total of 5 people. Hunters of rank C and below.
- Unfortunately, I can't take anyone below B-rank. One day here is equal to one hour on the surface. In the worst case, months may pass before we defeat the boss. I can't afford anything slowing me down.
- Slowing down?!
The excluded Hunters tried to protest, but they were silenced when Kim Chul glared at them furiously. After calming down for a moment, he continued with false kindness in his voice.
- All you need to do is survive until we kill the boss. It will be safer for you than fighting high-level monsters anyway.
The excluded Hunters looked pleadingly at the other Hunters in Kim Chul's group, but none of them stepped forward. They all avoided eye contact. Except one.
- Sorry. Can I change my decision?
- If you want.
Kim Chul shrugged looking at the woman as if she was insane, but didn't object.
Without hesitation, the woman approached Jin-Woo. Kim Chul looked back and forth between the woman and Jin-Woo. The tank snorted, then spoke in a loud voice:
- A spot opened up. I can take one of you.
The man who was pushed earlier quickly ran up to Kim Chul with hope in his eyes.
- I'll go!
Jin-Woo stared suspiciously at the woman by his side. Looking him in the eye, the woman whispered quietly so no one else could hear,
- That guy didn't see the incoming arrow.
Just because you were high rank didn't mean all your stats were evenly distributed. A tank didn't need senses as developed as an assassin's for example. Stats didn't depend only on rank but on class too.
"You don't have an E-rank, right?
***
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Red Gate.
Baek Yoon-Ho's expression was grim again. Ahn Sang-Min briefly explained who Sung Jin-Woo was, but the Guild Master wasn't convinced.
- But you have no proof of that?
- No...
- In that case, I can only place my hopes in Kim Chul.
Suddenly, one of the agents who arrived with the master spoke up.
It was the head of the first management department, Joo Sung-Chan.
- Kim Chul shouldn't have any problems. His training results are very impressive. He can match up to the White Tiger's current main force members.
Hearing Joo Sung-Chan say this with such confidence, Baek Yoon-Ho relaxed a little.
- According to what you said, this E-rank hunter is one of the re-awakened? Did I hear right?
Joo Sung-Chan snorted derisively.
- Compared to such a baseless theory, hunter Kim Chul will be infinitely more reliable.
Ahn Sang-Min's expression hardened. The man was blatantly condescending. However, Ahn didn't intend to argue with anyone. He knew he was right.
All four men simultaneously turned towards the Red Gate.
Suddenly, however, they noticed a black unfamiliar car stop not far from them.
- Huh? What's going on here? This was supposed to be a C-rank gate... Could it have turned out to be A? Why is the esteemed White Tiger guild master himself here?
Woo Jin-Chul got out of the car and quietly followed behind Hwang Dong-Su who had clearly already tried getting on the nerves of another rank S hunter.
That pathetic fool couldn't go an hour without antagonizing someone.
Woo Jin-Chul didn't consider himself an envious or vengeful person, but he awaited the moment Hwang Dong-Su would join his brother in a place where they could no longer spoil anyone's mood.
Seeing the Korean hunter he disliked the most, at least formerly rank S, Baek Yoon-Ho gritted his teeth feeling his blood starting to boil.
- Hwang Dong-Su.
Baek Yoon-Ho couldn't know this, but his eyes turned yellow with anger.
- What are you doing in Korea? - Asked Baek Yoon-Ho a bit too aggressively, glancing quickly at Inspector Woo. He wasn't surprised that specifically the stoic Woo Jin-Chul was sent to supervise that traitorous cretin. Who else would Go Gun-Hee trust so much to entrust such a delicate task?
- I came to take care of some business. Didn't expect to meet you here.
- What business in our territory can someone like you have?! - The White Tiger chief asked sharply, feeling magic boil under his skin.
Woo Jin-Chul felt like going to the car he arrived in and banging his head on the hood, seeing how easily Baek Yoon-Ho was losing his temper, just as Hwang wanted, who smiled at him with mocking satisfaction.
Of all days to supervise Hwang Dong-Su, he had to run into a hot-headed Korean rank S hunter.
After just a few more minutes of conversation, Woo Jin-Chul saw that a fight was inevitable when the furious Hwang attacked one of the White Tiger personnel and Yoon-Ho immediately reacted, ready to attack.
Aware that a fight between two rank S hunters could destroy a sizable portion of the city, not just this one deserted district, Woo Jin-Chul had no choice but to react and try to separate them.
When the dust settled, several White Tiger employees, including Ahn Sung-Min, Joo Sung-Chan, and Hyun Hee-Chul stared with eyes wide open full of shock and disbelief as Woo Jin-Chul appeared between their boss and Hwang Dong-Su and stood unharmed, holding the fists of both rank S hunters in his hands, while the sleeves of his shirt and jacket were completely shredded up to the shoulders.
- Not bad. You were able to stop us. - Hwang admitted amused, seeing Jin-Chul holding his fist and still standing on his own. - If you hadn't reduced your strength in time, I would have no hands, - Jin-Chul stated calmly.
Baek Yoon-Ho stared wide-eyed at Jin-Chul who released them both and started massaging his hands.
- Had you not reduced your strength, I would have no hands. - Jin-Chul stated calmly.
Baek Yoon-Ho was well aware that if because of him Inspector Woo Jin-Chul got injured, Chairman Go Gun-Hee would have his head and neither his guild's strength nor his rank would save him then. Nothing would save him then.
- I first suspected Sung Jin-Woo of reawakening. However, when I checked him two months ago, he still had an E-rank. I don't know if blaming this whole affair on Hunter Sung Jin-Woo is an accurate shot.
Shrugging, Hwang Dong-Su smiled predatorily.
- I know. If they set a trap, it must have been orchestrated by that brat Yoo. It's just an excuse. To kill another human being. That trash won't come out of the red gate alive anyway.
The man shoved his hands in his pockets, turned around and started heading back to the car.
- And I don't give a shit. I'm out of here.
As Woo Jin-Chul already followed after Hwang, Baek Yoon-Ho realized there might actually be something to it. It wasn't even about the opinion of his subordinate Ahn Sang-Min or Hwang's sick disgusting bloodlust anymore. It was about what Inspector Woo said.
The White Tiger Master knew the inspector was speaking half-truths or playing with his words so that the listener would get the impression they heard what they wanted while the inspector didn't mean that at all.
Woo Jin-Chul almost never lied.
That man was very crafty and brilliant, some time ago Baek Yoon-Ho learned to analyze everything the man says, because he rarely spoke openly about everything, and more often hid meanings between the lines.
He first suspected hunter Sung of re-awakening and on behalf of the Association checked him, and it turned out two months ago he had rank E.
According to the measurement, but Woo Jin-Chul didn't outright say he's still as weak as a rank E hunter, nor did he say hunter Sung didn't undergo reawakening, he only stated he first suspected him of it.
Growing increasingly unsure just how strong Sung Jin-Woo actually was, Baek Yoon-Ho decided he would simply see if that kid comes out of this goddamn mess alive.
He doubted a rank E hunter would just survive such unfavorable circumstances.
***
- You don't have an E-rank, right? - the woman asked cheekily.
Jin-Woo nodded weakly, aware that here, now, the lie didn't matter.
- Can I ask you something? - Jin-Woo asked.
- Sure.
Jin-Woo looked at Kim Chul's group standing not far from them, talking and making plans.
- Why are you all so calm? After all, you're recruits.
- The first lesson of training was: "Anything can happen in the underground." Kim Chul even had special individual training. He's supposed to join the guild's main force.
Anything could happen in the underground. Jin-Woo knew that better than anyone here.
They weren't unafraid just because they received some education. On one hand it was good they weren't panicking and running around terrified, but that was poor consolation really. He realized the difference between them and Han Song-I was small. They sat in a classroom and learned a few things, but how useful would that be in a real situation? They arrogantly puffed out their chests, unaware of the underground's horror.
That was probably why they were so eager to join Kim Chul, deluding themselves that going after the boss with one rank A hunter they had any chance.
They didn't.
In fact, walking through the underground as if they knew every nook and cranny could breed arrogance in them.
The group preparing alongside Kim Chul looked self-assured and surprisingly relaxed. They were unaware of the real danger. Even Kim Chul himself radiated arrogance, probably the most out of all of them.
Kim Chul walked towards them, and when he got close to them his gaze met Jin-Woo's eyes.
- We'll take the path.
Due to his brusque, low voice, regardless of his intentions, the man's voice was threatening.
He wasn't here just to notify them of his group's plans. Jin-Woo could see in Kim Chul's eyes a question - what would Jin-Woo's team do? Beneath his words lurked a serious warning.
"Don't follow us."
Jin-Woo looked around and replied.
- We'll go into the forest.
The hunter nodded.
- Good luck.
- You too.
Jin-Woo's team headed into the forest. After seeing them disappear in the distance, Kim Chul burst into laughter he had been holding back.
- Idiots?
- What do you mean?
- Look.
Kim Chul pointed with his hand at one of the nearby trees, then moved his hand to another and another. On the bark of each indicated tree, deep claw marks could be seen. As if some huge beast marked its territory this way.
- That's...?!
- Ice bears!
- Yes. They should have just waited here. That forest is ice bear territory.
Kim Chul looked derisively into the forest. Because of one rank E hunter, everyone would die. What a fool.
Wait a moment...
Kim Chul frowned. In that group, there was a B-rank hunter and several C-rank.
The smile vanished from his face.
Why did he immediately assume the weak E-rank hunter was leading them?
On the other hand, did it matter who was leading them?
They would all die soon anyway.
He had no intention of worrying about corpses.
***
Jin-Woo walked to the front of the group. However, he only took a few steps when Park Hee-Jin overtook him and blocked his path.
- We can't go any further!
- Why?
Jin-Woo asked with slight irritation and crossed his arms over his chest.
She pointed at the surrounding trees,
- Do you see that?!
Large claw marks on a tree.
- And there too.
In reality, it was harder to find an unmarked tree than a marked one.
- This is ice bear territory.
Normal polar bears were very dangerous animals. So how horribly dangerous would their monstrous magical counterparts be?
The answer: Exceedingly.
And now Jin-Woo had led his team into the territory of these terrifying magical beasts. It was understandable Park Hee-Jin was angry and scared.
Jin-Woo understood this too. He probably should explain what he meant to them.
- In this forest, we only have to worry about ice bears. But those bears aren't the only inhabitants of this place.
Park Hee-Jin finally understood the meaning behind Jin-Woo's actions. If this forest was home to many ice bears, as the numerous marks on the trees indicated, it meant there was nothing here that posed a threat to the bears. It meant they didn't have to worry about any magical beasts stronger than ice bears.
The woman felt embarrassed she had consciously yelled at the man before her, while he was actually thinking logically.
One of the most terrifying things in dungeons was not knowing what enemy lurked around the corner. After all, knowing your enemy is half the battle. And in this forest, information about the enemy was scratched into every tree.
No matter how strong these ice bears were, Jin-Woo was certain they were weaker than the elves from before. That was because the elves' clothes were made of bear hides. That's why he chose the forest. His plan was to advance here while watching out for Kim Chul's team and those damned elves. This was the safest path he could chart.
He wasn't arrogant enough to assume he could immediately handle the boss of this place.
After the encounter with the elves, he was certain he wouldn't win against the boss of this place.
At least not yet.
Jin-Woo looked at Park Hee-Jin half worried and half suspicious,
- Why is your whole face red?
The truth was the woman was embarrassed by her angry outburst and lack of real thinking and assessment of the environment and situation they found themselves in.
But she couldn't just tell him that outright.
Jin-Woo leaned down towards her a little.
- Are you cold?
Seeing how close he was, Park Hee-Jin jumped back a bit.
Confused by her behavior, Jin-Woo looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
Not wanting to delve into her strange behavior however, Jin-Woo realized that if he had the ability to take care of them, he should do it.
Just because during raids no one ever cared for him because he was weaker didn't mean Jin-Woo now that he was strong intended to treat everyone like trash or weights around his legs.
With a deep sigh, scolding himself quietly that he should have done this as soon as they moved away from Kim Chul's group, Jin-Woo opened the store and bought several fur clothing items and some winter boots.
[ NAME: WARM FUR COAT ]
[ DIFFICULTY LEVEL: NONE ]
[ TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS ]
[ WEARING THIS ITEM WILL MAKE YOU VERY WARM ]
[ PRICE: 10 GOLD COINS ]
[ NAME: WARM BOOTS ]
[ DIFFICULTY LEVEL: NONE ]
[ TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS ]
[ WEARING THIS ITEM WILL MAKE YOUR LEGS VERY WARM ]
[ PRICE: 10 GOLD COINS ]
Boots and coats for ten gold coins each?
Compared to items with special effects, everyday items like these weren't expensive.
Good make and material, thick warm fur lining the coats and boot interiors... Despite all these advantages which in real life would make such a real fur coat incredibly expensive despite its ordinary modest looks, the System treated it as "miscellaneous".
Five sets of furs and boots appeared out of thin air before his feet. Aside from Jin-Woo, each member of his group opened their eyes wide in shock and disbelief.
- Spatial magic?!