Simultaneously, a flood of system notifications lit up Suho’s vision like a shower of stars.

> [The Gate has been cleared.]

> [The MVP of the Gate clearance is ‘Ahn Suho.’]

> [Additional experience points are awarded for being the MVP.]

> [A bonus stat point has been awarded for being selected as the MVP.]

> [You have successfully cleared a Gate that no one else could tackle alone.]

> [A remarkable achievement! The system grants you 5 additional stat points.]

> [Your level has increased.]

> [All stats increased by 1.]

> [You have acquired an additional bonus stat point.]

With bonus stats piling up, it was clear the system acknowledged his feat—this was no ordinary Gate, one that had claimed countless lives. The system recognized his accomplishment as a notable feat, awarding him richly. Given that the only true monster in the entire Gate was the one he defeated, the experience points were substantial, enough to push Suho from level 51 to 52 in a single leap.

Looking at the defeated creature—a wraith that had once been a Sword Emperor—Suho muttered to himself.

“In hindsight, this guy was actually easy. So why was it such a struggle back then?”

Still, he felt a measure of gratitude. The creature was like a mentor who occasionally resurfaced in his thoughts on Teachers’ Day.

It made sense. That was the only time in his life he’d been utterly consumed by the art of swordsmanship.

On a whim, Suho summoned his *Guiyoung Spear* and attempted to pierce the creature's body, but no shadow emerged. He tried his *Blood Weapon* skill, but the attempt was similarly futile.

The creature was a wraith—a phantom swordsman with neither blood nor shadow.

The creature’s body crumbled into dust, vanishing entirely, leaving behind only a single item: an old sword it had wielded. Suho picked it up to inspect it.

> [Nameless Sword of the Nameless Swordsman]

- **Grade**: F

- An old sword once wielded by the Nameless Swordsman.

An F-grade sword, without embellishment, true to its name. Initially, Suho tucked it away in his inventory as a simple memento of the Sword Emperor. It was only years later, when clearing out his overstocked inventory, that a friend pointed out its true value.

Suho examined the Nameless Sword closely, gripping its blade and hilt, and applied pressure. The sword broke with a sharp snap, revealing its hidden power that had remained dormant for years.

> [You have used the Nameless Sword.]

> [Sword Understanding activated.]

> [The soul of the Nameless Sword infuses your swordsmanship.]

> [Suho Sword has been upgraded.]

The information changed. The S-rank Suho Sword had gained an added effect and was now upgraded to S+.

Suho checked the updated information.

> [Suho Sword]

- **Grade**: S+

- A unique swordsmanship style created by Ahn Suho.

- Balanced in offense, defense, and evasion, remaining true to the fundamentals.

- Infused with the spirit of the Nameless Sword, now graded S+.

- The Suho Sword now carries the Nameless Sword’s spirit, allowing for limitless growth.

Satisfied with the new information, Suho nodded. Among the many Sealed Gates, he had deliberately chosen the Nameless Sword as his first target. It wasn’t just because he could clear it with existing skills and without special items—the main reason had been for this Nameless Sword.

‘My swordsmanship journey starts now.’

Suho had wielded the Suho Sword like second nature for a long time, but now, as an S+ rank with growth potential, its true power could emerge. This level would allow him to master his ultimate sword techniques, the ones that earned him his reputation.

Having absorbed the skill, Suho walked toward the exit portal that appeared before him.

---

**Control Room**

Around half an hour after Suho had entered the Gate, Kim Jong-woo, who was watching the screen, spoke up.

“It seems like it’s going to take a while. I’ll go on a quick patrol.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Just as Kim Jong-woo was about to leave, Jo Jin-hwi, who was watching the screen, suddenly stood up.

“Wait, what?”

Jung Chul-min also jumped to his feet.

“The Gate! The Gate is...”

“What?!”

Kim Jong-woo rushed back, looking at the screen in disbelief.

“The Gate has... been cleared?”

“Quick, let’s go! Now!”

When a Gate is cleared, an external indicator line begins to disintegrate, signaling to outsiders whether the Gate has been conquered. Now, this line around the Gate began to collapse. In disbelief, Kim Jong-woo ordered the entrance to the square opened, while Jo Jin-hwi recorded the event on camera.

The three stood at the square’s entrance, hearts pounding, waiting for Suho to emerge. Soon, a smiling Suho appeared from the shadows of the square.

“Suho!”

“Hunter!”

Jung Chul-min and Jo Jin-hwi rushed over to Suho, calling his name in excitement. Kim Jong-woo, who wasn’t as close, let out a laugh, expressing his amazement.

Suho calmed the two men, who looked like they were about to throw him into the air in celebration.

“Please, calm down.”

“How can we calm down? This was a Sealed Gate! Suho, you cleared the Nameless Sword, which took more than 200 lives!”

“And it hasn’t even been 30 minutes! How did you manage that?!”

Their excitement was palpable. Finally, Kim Jong-woo spoke up, albeit somewhat shyly.

“Well done, Hunter.”

“It was nothing. It was an easy place for me.”

“Easy...?”

“Yes, very easy for me.”

Kim Jong-woo, hearing Suho’s calm response, couldn’t help but be awestruck. There was no arrogance in his tone, only a sense of having accomplished something routine, like a man on a leisurely walk.

Suho then suggested, “Now that the Gate is cleared, let’s take a photo to commemorate.”

“A photo?”

“Yes, for verification. It’s not for a keepsake but purely as proof.”

It was purely practical—a verified photo could be used for press releases. That was why Jo Jin-hwi had come along. Photos taken by a PBS reporter would carry unquestionable credibility.

Kim Jong-woo hesitated. “Since I’m military, maybe I shouldn’t be in the photo...”

Noticing his discomfort, Jung Chul-min stepped in with a playful yet convincing tone.

“Oh, Major, this isn’t some commemorative picture. It’s for future reference and official records! The Nameless Sword isn’t just any Gate—it’s a classified site! Ahn Suho Hunter just saved us from sinking taxpayer money into an unresolved Gate.”

“No, no, you’re right. My apologies! Let’s get it done.”

Kim Jong-woo quickly acknowledged his misstep and agreed to the photo, causing Suho to chuckle.

‘Classic Chul-min hyung.’

And so, the three of them completed a photo session that would soon make headlines across Korea.

---

**On the Way Back to Seoul**

Suho requested a half-day embargo from Jung Chul-min and Kim Jong-woo on the Nameless Sword Gate clearance before heading to Nexus Guild.

‘Technically, the government isn’t obliged to listen to me,’ he thought. Especially since Kim Jong-woo, being military, would have to report any incident directly up the chain.

Upon arriving at Nexus, he met with executives who had been urgently called in. He showed them a picture on his tablet.

“As I mentioned in my earlier call, I’ve successfully cleared the Sealed Gate ‘Nameless Sword’—one of Korea’s highest classified sites. Here’s the proof, with officials from the Association and the square manager, Major Kim Jong-woo.”

Everyone’s jaw dropped, with Bae Dong-hyuk looking particularly stunned. Though he had been briefed over the phone, seeing the actual photo was a different experience. After all, he had only been informed about the Gate’s clearance contract this afternoon, and it had already been cleared within hours.

Introducing Jo Jin-hwi, Suho said, “This is Jo Jin-hwi from PBS, my official reporter, who documented the event. You can trust that these images are legitimate.”

Jo Jin-hwi presented his credentials, and Bae Dong-hyuk, waving a hand dismissively, said, “No one here doubts the legitimacy. But... how?”

“What do you mean?”

“All of it. How did you get the contract for the Sealed Gate, and how did you clear it in a few hours? You’re aware that over 200 Hunters have died there.”

Without a hint of hesitation, Suho replied, “I met with the Association president to obtain permission, and as for the Gate, I simply entered and killed what was inside.”

“...What?”

“That’s the truth. No embellishment. I told you exactly what happened.”

“Unbelievable...”

It was indeed true, and Suho wasn’t one to exaggerate.

Getting straight to business, Suho continued, “Now that my abilities have been proven, shall we proceed with the contract? Set the pay however you wish. My conditions are simple: full support during my time at Nexus, and the ability to terminate my contract should I pass the public exam.”

He paused, adding, “I’ve already informed the Association president. Many large guilds have shown interest, but if any guild is willing to meet these terms, I’ll gain some practical experience with them.”

Bae Dong-hyuk, though trustworthy, took a moment to process this before quietly

 instructing, “Secretary, bring the paperwork.”

“Yes, Director.”

Thus began Suho’s official entry into Nexus Guild.