Aika rushed to Yu-jin, fearing he might be in danger.

 

However, after entering the gate,

 

her anxiety vanished completely.

 

-Twitch.

 

‘This… Yeah, if he’s my disciple, he should be able to handle this much.’

 

Worried about her disciple, she deliberately made a loud noise to see his reaction.

 

From afar, she sensed three presences below.

 

One of them was Yu-jin’s.

 

Alright, not only is he alive, but he’s already conquered up to there.

 

Just as she had done over ten years ago in an S-Rank gate,

 

he was trying to conquer the gate alone!

 

Aika felt proud of her disciple for following in her footsteps.

 

-Tatat.

 

“Just in case, I’ll get there quickly!!!”

 

Still, she sprinted through the dungeon.

 

It’s not that she didn’t trust her disciple…

 

But she felt uneasy, like a mother leaving her child near the water.

 

She couldn’t let her precious disciple get hurt.

 

‘Well, this could be a good opportunity to see how well we work together. Our compatibility should be good.’

 

Additionally, there was a slightly sinister intention.

 

Yu-jin’s Zaha Swordsmanship was a martial art that required her presence to be complete.

 

Without Aika, Yu-jin’s swordsmanship was only half.

 

So, she decided to be his other half.

 

To show how well they matched.

 

This thought made Aika smile brightly.

 

“Are you hurt anywhere!!”

 

“Please, don’t shout so loudly!!”

 

To Seol Ha-yeon, who was following behind, it was a disaster situation with a live nuclear strategy going berserk. Anyway.

 

Thus, the two S-Rank individuals dashed through the dungeon.

 

To meet Yu-jin, they reached the deepest place.

 

It took less than five minutes to reach the final floor.

 

Even though they got quite lost in the complicated path, it was just that quick.

 

-Tat.

 

“Disciple!! Are you safe….”

 

Upon arrival, they saw a shining return portal.

 

The two, recognizing its meaning, opened their eyes wide.

 

‘No way, he really cleared an A-Rank gate in that short time…!? With those stats?’

 

Seol Ha-yeon was astonished.

 

Since Alice, who got caught up with him, wouldn’t have been much help, Yu-jin must have practically conquered it alone.

 

Clearing an A-Rank gate by himself and even subjugating the boss monster?
It was not just unbelievable; it was absurd.

 

Aika, who had achieved a similar feat, had already shown S-Rank physical abilities back then, so it was somewhat understandable.

 

But Yu-jin’s physical capabilities were just at the level of an average freshman cadet.

 

Of course, his mental prowess was extraordinary. He had hypnotic abilities.

 

But even so, could this be possible with at best a lower C-Rank physical strength?

 

Seol Ha-yeon was deeply confused by these thoughts.

 

Similarly, Aika was also in turmoil.

 

-Staring.

 

‘…Isn’t that, women’s underwear?’

 

It was hard to notice as it lay on the dark stone floor…

 

But that was a bra. And it was soaked through.

 

“What is this?”

 

“……!!!!?”

 

She asked, wondering what it was, and her disciple’s shoulders shot up.

 

Like a kid caught doing something bad by his mother.

 

Her admiration turned into fiery anger.

 

-Creak.

 

‘Huh? What did he do here to be so startled? And why would there be a reason to take off underwear in a gate?’

 

Considering he went with a female friend, the owner of this underwear was clearly the pink-haired British girl.

 

Why take off normal underwear? In a gate with only the two of them?

 

Even Aika, who was ignorant in such matters, understood.

 

An accidentally involved gate. A dungeon full of dangers.

 

The two of them miraculously breaking through it…

 

Alone together in a dark cave.

 

The only reason to take off a bra here would be one.

 

‘I rushed here worried, only to find him with a girl!?’

 

Betrayal made her limbs tremble.

 

While she was hurrying, thinking he was struggling, her disciple was rolling around with that British girl.

 

The thought was unbearably annoying and infuriating.

 

‘Of course, my disciple is an adult now. I have no right to interfere in his relationships….’

 

-Crack.

 

‘I don’t care!! Because he is my disciple, I will manage him!!’

 

Those inexplicable feelings eventually evolved into an obsession.

 

An obsession towards her one and only disciple.

 

“Kneel here and pull down your pants.”

 

“…What? What are you trying to do?”

 

“I’m going to punish my naughty disciple. Very harshly.”

 

Aika, roughly sitting on a nearby rock, tapped her thigh.

 

Yu-jin and Seol Ha-yeon were equally shocked.

 

‘Spanking!?’

 

‘This only comes out when Master is extremely furious!?’

 

Though it was a famous punishment…

 

A 32-year-old woman spanking a 20-year-old man’s buttocks.

 

Could this even make sense?

 

Seol Ha-yeon was the first to intervene.

 

“N-Now, calm down, Ninomiya. Yu-jin is an adult too, and having relations with a girl is not something to scold him for.”

 

Well, they could do it. Why scold him for it?

 

The unfiltered, direct speech of a 60-year-old who thought himself progressive.

 

Yu-jin jumped in alarm.

 

“Chairman!? I didn’t, didn’t do anything like that!!”

 

“You straighten up too. Cadets at your age can naturally fall for each other and connect. Just be sure to use contraception.”

 

“I really didn’t do it!?”

 

If I did, I wouldn’t be so frustrated.

 

We just fought. Very properly.

 

“Besides, the director was with us too, not just Alice?! She filmed it, so as soon as we get out….”

 

“Filmed your night activities too!?”

 

“This old lady’s lost her mind for real!!”

 

Having held it in, Yu-jin finally exploded at being accused of having his wife film such things.

 

The Chairman exploded back.

 

“I was trying to help, but how dare you speak to an elder like that!! Where are your manners!!”

 

“Th-That’s… No, Chairman, you’re wrong about this!! Why are you saying nonsense when I’m offering proof!!”

 

“You cheeky brat, talking back to your elders….”

 

Both awakened individuals glared at each other, but…

 

Fortunately or unfortunately, the argument didn’t last long.

 

-Clap.

 

“———Shut up.”

 

“”Eek!?””

 

With a single clap from Aika, who had been quietly observing.

 

The chilling intent in it made the two who had been bickering snap back to their senses.

 

They also looked around warily.

 

“N-Ninomiya. Thinking back, I overstepped on your disciplining methods. I’ll turn around, so beat this rascal’s buttocks until it’s red….”

 

“Y-Yes!! I’ll just take the punishment!!”

 

Seol Ha-yeon quickly withdrew. Yu-jin chose shame over physical death.

 

In front of them, Aika…

 

“Haah. Disciple, are you sure nothing happened?”

 

“Well, um.”

 

“Speak honestly.”

 

“…It was really just a battle.”

 

“Alright. I’ll believe you.”

 

– Smirk.

 

Despite the murderous aura lingering, I smiled.

 

A bright, cheerful smile.

 

“Hmm? Ninomiya, just a moment ago.”

 

“Seol Ha-yeon, you are being rude. Our disciple would never date a girl without informing his master.”

 

“But, acting like you were going to kill someone over underwear, and now suddenly.”

 

“Well, the shoulder strap snapped, and the hook was broken. I guess she took it off to throw it away later.”

 

“……”

 

Seol Ha-yeon was dumbfounded by the sudden change in attitude.

 

On the other hand, Aika was all smiles, just looking at her disciple.

 

Her eyes dripped with sweetness.

 

‘Of course. Our disciple would never do such a thing!’

 

Her doubts had long been cleared.

 

Yes, he said he was going to shoot a commercial, so the director might have accompanied him.

 

I’ve also shot with a cameraman a few times. It made perfect sense.

 

There was physical evidence, so I had no choice but to believe it.

 

‘In hindsight, it couldn’t have happened.’

 

There were two more pieces of evidence.

 

The first was sound.

 

Aika had been listening with her excellent hearing.

 

Yujin and Dueokshini. Their fierce battle.

 

However, the fighting sounds subsided just about 30 seconds before she arrived here.

 

No matter how capable Yujin was, he couldn’t have done anything in just 30 seconds.

 

Aika was relieved by this thought.

 

– Glance.

 

‘Moreover, he looks clean and neat.’

 

“A-class gate subjugation, well done, disciple.”

 

The second piece of evidence she confirmed with her sight couldn’t be spoken about even if her mouth tore open. Nevertheless.

 

Thanks to that, Yujin was declared innocent. He maintained his title as a decent young man.

 

Yujin, who had escaped death, smiled with joy.

 

“Yes! Thank you….”

 

“But, that’s that. This is this. Get down immediately.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

…The smile didn’t last long.

 

“How could you not notice a woman taking off her underwear? Even if she’s a Westerner, you should have stopped her.”

 

– Swoosh.

 

“You must be tired too, so I won’t hurt you. Come here.”

 

“Please, just let it slide this once.”

 

“I’ve never had a disciple who disobeyed the master’s command.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Yujin approached with a face of despair.

 

With a kind smile, Aika patted her thigh revealed through the robe.

 

Lastly,

 

“Right, disciple. In the future, if you date a girl or something, make sure to report to your master first. No, even if you just find someone you like, tell me.”

 

“Yes….”

 

“Good. Good. You’re obedient.”

 

“…….”

 

‘Ninomiya, that rascal… Haah. It would be easier if she gave up like me, but she’s still of childbearing age. Tsk.’

 

I wanted to say something, but I understood Aika’s feelings too well.

 

Unable to speak, Seol Ha-yeon turned away.

 

It was a small tragedy not recorded in history.

 

* * *

 

After a brief moment of shameful play.

 

I was relieved that she didn’t take my pants off, and then I heard footsteps in the distance.

 

It was the Cheonhwa attack team and the civilians they were escorting.

 

“Ninomiya. Hide.”

 

– Shhk.

 

The master, who shouldn’t be revealed, hid under the robe.

 

Instantly, she suppressed her presence and blended in with the surroundings, so well that an ordinary person wouldn’t notice.

 

And indeed, they didn’t.

 

“Senior Ha-yeon!!”

 

“You’re a bit late. Did the escort take that long?”

 

“Yes. But who was that robed woman? She looked just like Ninomiya Aika.”

 

“That woman in Korea? Don’t talk nonsense that could start a war.”

 

“Ah… Right. That doesn’t make sense.”

 

The people chattered without noticing the master.

 

Then, we took turns entering the return portal.

 

First, the pregnant woman on the stretcher. Next, the other civilians.

 

The awakened ones returned in order of their weakness.

 

Leaving the strongest until the end, as a precaution against ambush, was the basic rule in gates.

 

As a result, those left were…

 

“Rookie, you worked hard.”

 

“Graduate quickly and come back. We’ll raise you well.”

 

The pillars and ace of the Cheonhwa Clan, A-class awakened ones.

 

And,

 

“Then, I will close the gate.”

 

“…….”

 

The revealed strongest, S-class rank 4. Seol Ha-yeon, the Chairman.

 

Hidden in her shadow, the S-class rank 1. My master, Ninomiya Aika.

 

Lastly,

 

“Yujin. You know how to do it, right?”

 

“Yes!”

 

The only MVP here in Alice’s absence.

 

A-class awakened one, Seo Yujin.

 

I reached out and touched the core embedded around the return portal.

 

If I didn’t pull this out, the gate would remain even if we returned.

 

Further, monsters would be summoned again, proliferate.

 

Reaching a critical point and eventually spilling into reality.

 

That was why it was indispensable for awakened ones to close the gate.

 

– Swish.

 

“……? Isn’t Senior Ha-yeon doing it?”

 

“Seol Ha-yeon, we understand you cherish him, but the unspoken rule….”

 

Voices of concern erupted around us.

 

The honor of closing the gate belonged to the one who made the most contributions in the gate.

 

Generally, the one who defeated the boss monster.

 

But neither I nor the Chairman.

 

Paid it any mind.

 

“Hmm. Do they think I helped him?”

 

“……? No way….”

 

“Yes way.”

 

– Tug.

 

As soon as I pulled the core, the portal expanded, enveloping all of us.

 

After being engulfed by the dazzling light, we found ourselves back at Hangang Park.

 

Surrounded by countless media…

 

“Effective immediately, I announce that the A-class gate that occurred today has been successfully conquered.”

 

– Murmur, murmur.

 

“As expected, Seol Ha-yeon….”

 

“The contributors, only two.”

 

The Chairman patted my shoulder and smiled.

 

“A-class awakened one, Seo Yujin. Academy student, Alice Littlewood. Sincere respect and admiration to the young heroes who conquered this gate with just the two of them.”

 

“…!!!!!!?”

 

The media went wild.