Rewinding time a bit, when Yu-jin was having a fan meeting inside the dungeon.

 

Outside the Gate was a state of pandemonium.

 

“Breaking news! A Gate has appeared in the Han River Park area, entrapping Awakened Seo Yu-jin and several hundred ordinary citizens….”

 

“The Association has revealed that this is an unprecedented Gate, and they seem to be experiencing difficulties in their strategy….”

 

“My wife! She said she was just going for a walk, she’s heavily pregnant!!”

 

Reporters swarmed the site of the disaster, and families cried out in anguish.

 

It was a natural reaction.

 

Hundreds of people were caught inside. Moreover, even Yu-jin, who was rumored to be the next S-rank, was involved.

 

The scale of the damage was almost unheard of in Korea.

 

The estimated danger level of the Gate was at least A-rank.

 

Some even speculated it might be S-rank.

 

In such a Gate… with only two Awakened.

 

And both of them were students who had been in the academy for less than two weeks.

 

“The status of those caught inside….”

 

“It’s been an hour already. Aren’t they all dead by now?”

 

The situation was desperate.

 

Most Gates involved battles within 10 minutes of transition.

 

In severe cases, people were immediately thrown into a horde of monsters.

 

It was not for nothing that people spoke of total annihilation within an hour.
In reality, those trapped were peacefully having a fan meeting at the entrance with Yu-jin. Anyway.

 

Therefore, many people thought like this.

 

———Why aren’t they attacking the Gate right now?

 

What are the Korean Clans and the Awakened Association doing in this serious situation?

 

“If only Seol Ha-yeon could come… Oh? There, there.”

 

-Step, step.

 

“Please step aside.”

 

“Yes, yes!!”

 

Answering those questions, the 4th-ranked S-rank Awakened, Seol Ha-yeon, appeared.

 

As soon as people recognized her face, they stepped far back.

 

Like a miracle of Moses, a path was made through the chaotic scene just for her.

 

It was a testament to how legendary her presence was in Korea.

 

Seol Ha-yeon herself showed no interest.

 

“Senior Ha-yeon, the site report….”

 

“I heard on the way. The Gate is fortified, making entry impossible?”

 

“Yes. It’s a type we’ve never seen before.”

 

Seol Ha-yeon’s eyes examined the red barrier of the Gate.

 

Normally, simply touching it would transport a person through the Gate.

 

But,

 

-Tap.

 

“…This is the first time in 40 years.”

 

This Gate was a mutation.

 

Instead of ravenously devouring people, it blocked external entry with a solid shell.

 

“Step back.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Huuu…!!!”

 

-Boom!!!!!

 

As a preliminary investigation, she attacked.

 

Even a degraded blow from the 4th-ranked S-rank caused a shockwave and a gust of wind.

 

Yet, the barrier did not even crack.

 

“This is nonsense, even the senior….”

 

Despairing sighs erupted from the surroundings.

 

They sighed, thinking that even the 4th-ranked S-rank, Seol Ha-yeon, couldn’t break it.

 

“We’re still investigating, so don’t start crying yet.”

 

“……Yes!!”

 

However, Seol Ha-yeon showed not a hint of disturbance.

 

If someone of her stature panicked, it would naturally cause anxiety among the citizens…

 

More importantly, she knew from the start that it wouldn’t work.

 

Thanks to her S-rank unique ability. Through her intuition.

 

‘Tsk. I figured it wouldn’t be enough just by looking, but I didn’t expect not even a crack. I must be getting old.’

 

-Tch.

 

“Excuse me while I make a call.”

 

She took out her phone.

 

Leisurely, as if for others to see. Even leaning against the barrier.

 

‘Is that kid Yu-jin handling things somehow? It doesn’t feel that dangerous. Should I call Kkong first?’

 

The first person she contacted was the 7th-ranked S-rank, Kkong.

 

Not only to clear the debt from the last visit, but also because Kkong claimed to be Yu-jin’s friend.

 

She thought he might have some plausible strategy.

 

[The customer is not answering the phone….]

 

‘That phone addict isn’t answering? Is he in a fight?’

 

The international call did not connect.

 

A deep wrinkle formed on Seol Ha-yeon’s forehead.

 

A guy who even sleeps with his phone doesn’t answer the call?

 

Tsk. He must be fighting a Necromancer. Of all times.

 

With a frustrated sigh, her reluctant finger moved to the second call.

 

This time, the call connected.

 

[Chairman. Shall we proceed?]

 

“Please do, Cadet Yu Shia.”

 

Since it was prearranged, the call ended quickly.

 

The Chairman’s second contact. Shia took a deep breath.

 

And then, she…

 

———Pressed the strategic nuclear button.

 

-Ding dong.

 

“Ninomiya Aika-sama.”

 

[Hmm? Oh, you’re a friend of my disciple. I’m in the bath right now, so if you have something to say….]

 

“Yu-jin has been caught in a Gate.”

 

[……!!!!!!?]

 

-Crash. Thud!

 

“I’ll be there right away!!! Where is it!!?”

 

“Oh, please put on some clothes!!!!”

 

The Japanese strategic weapon mobilized.

 

* * *

 

About 20 minutes later.

 

A woman wearing a deeply pulled-down robe appeared at the chaotic Han River Park.

 

The 1st-ranked S-rank and Yu-jin’s master. It was Aika.

 

“I was wondering why the Wi-Fi was down, was it you, Seol Ha-yeon?”

 

“I couldn’t have you acting rashly in excitement.”

 

Both Aika and Seol Ha-yeon didn’t look pleased.

 

Aika was worried about her disciple.

 

Seol Ha-yeon was worried about what would happen if Aika was exposed to the media.

 

Therefore, their conversation was extremely brief.

 

“You weren’t noticed on the way here, right?”

 

“Thanks to a friend of my disciple arranging a security vehicle, probably not.”

 

“Good. Then… here’s the weak point of the barrier. Let’s attack simultaneously.”

 

“Confirmed.”

 

The conversation ended in about 10 seconds.

 

It felt almost like a rapid-fire Q&A.

 

The surroundings buzzed.

 

-Murmur.

 

“Who is that, standing equally with Seol Ha-yeon? An Awakened who retired?”

 

“If so, there’s no need to hide their identity. Are they a villain?”

 

“A villain wouldn’t… wait.”

 

But that was only for a moment.

 

The murmuring soon subsided.

 

Seol Ha-yeon and Aika both took their stances simultaneously.

 

“Three. Two.”

 

-Clench.

 

Seol Ha-yeon twisted her waist and clenched her fist tightly.

 

Forty years ago, when Awakened were treated as monsters,

 

she had chosen to fight barehanded instead of using weapons.

 

On the other hand, Aika lazily made a fist.

 

She didn’t even touch the katana at her waist. Her movements were slow.

 

To anyone watching, Seol Ha-yeon seemed stronger.

 

“One.”

 

-Wooooo….

 

However, the story changed as mana began to bloom in her hand.

 

The red energy flowing down Seol Ha-yeon’s arm and pooling in her fist.

 

The sense of intimidation emanating from it was enough to prove her S-rank status…

 

But Aika’s mana, with its sheer strength, made the surrounding air ripple.

 

Like a mirage caused by intense heat in midsummer.

 

Even with her power partially withheld, it was that intense.

 

There was that much of a gap between 4th and 1st rank S-ranks.

 

However, their purpose was the same.

 

There was no hesitation as they extended their arms.

 

“———Zero.”

 

“Haaaaa!!!!!”

 

Seol Ha-yeon’s punch, filled with a loud shout, was a telephone punch.

 

Aika’s casually extended punch was a hopan punch.

 

It was Seol Ha-yeon’s first time ever performing a dual attack with another S-rank.

 

The effect was unquestionable.

 

-Thunk.

 

The barrier was pierced almost effortlessly.

 

It looked as if the fists simply went through the barrier, rather than breaking it.

 

At first, the sound was weak and listless.

 

The aftermath struck only after the forms of the two who made contact with the Gate began to disappear.

 

‘Huh? Senior Ha-yeon, nothing seems….’

 

-BOOM!!!!!!

 

“Goodness!!?”

 

Instead of breaking, the barrier shattered like a claymore explosion.

 

The residual shock became a shockwave, causing natural disasters in the surrounding area.

 

A strong wind blew in the area, almost like a typhoon.

 

The wind was strong enough to lift the feet of light people momentarily.

 

There was the sound of an explosion.

 

Those nearby, who were Awakened, endured it, but if a civilian had been there, they might have suffered hearing loss.

 

There were countless other consequences, but one thing was certain.

 

‘Even for Seol Ha-yeon, this is too much. Who on earth is that person!?’

 

Curiosity about the robed woman exploded in everyone’s minds.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, the two who had transitioned through the Gate.

 

Seol Ha-yeon looked around and sighed.

 

“Seol Ha-yeon is here!!”

 

“The attack team has arrived!?”

 

“……Hoo.”

 

She sighed in relief, thinking Yu-jin had done something, as her intuition was calm. It turned out the entrance was just a safe type. Lucky guy.

 

It was a sigh of relief born from that comfort.

 

However,

 

“Why did it take so long!?”

 

“Sorry. The barrier prevented entry….”

 

“Seo Yu-jin already went into the dungeon!!!”

 

“……What?”

 

The civilians, who had been secretly worried about Yu-jin, couldn’t stop him in the end.

 

They spoke in unison.

 

The situation was urgent, and rescue seemed unlikely to come.

 

So Cadet Seo Yu-jin had gone to clear the dungeon himself – they said.

 

‘Yu-jin. Why such recklessness… Is that a pregnant woman?’

 

She immediately understood the reason.

 

A pregnant woman lay on one side, looking this way.

 

Her lower body was soaked in amniotic fluid, making it easy to understand the urgency of the situation.

 

Seol Ha-yeon’s forehead creased deeply.

 

‘That unnecessarily righteous fool! No matter how capable you are, an A-rank Gate is still way too much for you!!’

 

He must have known it was dangerous.

 

She understood the reason and wanted to commend his spirit.

 

But it was an A-rank Gate.

 

A perilous deathtrap with unknown obstacles.

 

The only companion was Cadet Alice.

 

In essence, Yu-jin had to clear it alone.

 

No matter how capable he was, it was a daunting task…

 

-Step.

 

“……Hm?”

 

The sound of footsteps interrupted her long thoughts.

 

When she looked, Aika was heading somewhere alone.

 

Clearly towards what looked like the entrance.

 

And then…

 

“My disciple!!!! Are you alive!!!!”

 

“……!!!!!!?”

 

———She caused a major incident.

 

-Murmur. Murmur.

 

“Wait, disciple?! Is that woman Seo Yu-jin’s master!?”

 

“Is there such an instructor….”

 

“That voice, doesn’t it sound familiar?”

 

The surroundings immediately buzzed.

 

Seol Ha-yeon’s vision spun.

 

-Hurriedly. Whispering.

 

“Are you insane?! I told you to keep your identity a secret.”

 

“Just in case, I’ll be right there!!!!”

 

But Aika didn’t care at all.

 

Her disciple was the most important to her.

 

-Flash!

 

“Wait for me!!!!”

 

“Wait a moment, please!!!”

 

Thus, the two S-ranks rushed into the dungeon.

 

“Yu-jin, did you hear!? We don’t need to fight anymore, we just have to hold on…!”

 

“Alice, use all your magic! Quickly!!”

 

“What?”

 

“Just hurry!! Please!!!”

 

The usually upright young man was engaged in a boss battle time attack.

 

‘If my master sees this scene, I won’t be able to handle it!!’

 

It was a boss raid for survival in another sense.

 

It had begun.