Before entering the Earthkeepers' mine, Suho had planned to visit another location.

In order to obtain everything he wanted from the mine, a few preparations were necessary.

So, he called a taxi and headed to Paju.

More specifically, the outskirts of Paju.

Though Nexus Academy was also located in Paju, this area was on the edge of the city, often referred to as the most valuable land in the region, the "Safe Zone." The place Suho had just arrived at was once a hub for various businesses but now lay in the outer line of Paju.

‘Currently, it’s practically wasteland.’

Why had it become a wasteland?

It was obvious.

With frequent gate appearances, there was no longer any Hunter workforce to manage such an isolated area.

Of course, it wasn’t truly a wasteland in the literal sense.

Though it had been abandoned by most, ironically, it had become a haven for a particular group of people—illegal traders.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been here.’

As Suho gazed at the cityscape, reminiscent of a slum, he fell into reflection.

This place was called “Paju Village.” While Dongdaemun Market was the largest open market where Yang and Yin merged, this was one of the largest black markets in the country.

After paying the fare, Suho got out of the taxi.

The taxi driver, visibly tense, fled as soon as Suho stepped out of the vehicle.

This was a natural reaction.

Crimes were rampant here, and taxis from outside the area were prime targets for thieves.

So, Suho had deliberately not brought a car.

Though he had borrowed a car with Seo Giwon from Jo Jin-hwi to reach the Academy, Paju Village didn’t offer safe parking like the Academy did.

Suho triggered the “Monochrome Solitude” from his **Mumu Mumu** item and leisurely began to walk through the village.

The atmosphere was eerie.

Unlike the usual bustling market energy, there were homeless people or drug addicts sprawled out across the streets, discarded like forgotten objects.

‘If it weren’t for the gates, Paju wouldn’t have ended up like this.’

The current South Korea—or rather, the current world—was experiencing a surge in drugs, crime, hunger, and poverty, all of which had escalated dramatically.

And it was all because of the gates.

The sudden surge of gates had caused devastation in many parts of the world, increasing the wealth disparity and darkening the world’s shadows.

That’s why Suho thought he needed to put an end to the gates as soon as possible.

Among the homeless in Paju Village, there were even teenagers.

Suho continued walking and eventually stopped in front of a shop.

It was an odd store with a thick shutter down, and it had a door attached to the shutter itself, a fairly common sight in Paju Village.

This setup offered a degree of security and safety.

When Suho knocked on the door, a small window in the shutter opened, revealing only a pair of wrinkled eyes from an old man.

“Who’s there?”

Without caring much, Suho responded to the question.

“I’m here to buy a mine.”

“Identification?”

At his question, Suho momentarily deactivated the **Monochrome Solitude**. Immediately...

“Ah, Hunter Ahn Suho?”

The shopkeeper’s eyes widened in surprise, clearly startled.

Suho nodded.

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“W-Wait a moment.”

The window was closed, and Suho heard multiple clinks from inside as locks were undone.

Finally, the door opened, and a small, wiry man greeted Suho.

“Ah, welcome. It’s an honor to meet you, Hunter Ahn Suho.”

Suho nodded and entered the shop.

The man quickly shut the door behind him and re-locked it.

After the last lock clicked shut, the man hurried over to the counter and stood there like the owner.

Suho asked with a smile, noticing the man’s odd demeanor.

“Doesn’t the mask make you uncomfortable?”

“…Huh? Oh, no, what do you mean?”

“The imitation mask you're wearing,” Suho pointed out. “If I’m the only guest, you can relax.”

“….”

The shopkeeper paused for a moment, then chuckled.

“How did you know?”

“Just could tell.”

“The imitation mask is visible?” the man asked with a laugh, then grabbed his chin and pulled, causing skin to tear away as a mask was revealed in his hand.

Suddenly, the old man with wrinkles became a youthful woman.

“Impressive. Only someone who has conquered two sealed gates would be able to see through that,” she said with a smile.

“Yes, well. But more importantly, are you in business?” Suho asked.

“Of course. If I wasn’t, would I have let you in?”

Suho knew who she was.

Her name was **Choi Yun**, and she was the most famous gate broker in Paju Village.

No, she was one of the most prominent gate brokers in the entire country.

It was true.

Suho had bought several gates from her in his past life.

She asked, “How did you find out about this place?”

“I could figure it out if I wanted to.”

“Hmmm…”

Suho’s vague answer made her smile faintly.

She was curious.

After all, **Choi Yun** had only just started her gate business.

‘She’ll become famous once she joins the Union, the country’s largest underground guild.’

Given the timeline, she was most likely already a member of the Union.

However, she was still preparing her business quietly.

With Suho mentioning the term "mine"—a code for gates—and detecting the **Imitation Mask**, which altered her appearance, it was no surprise that her curiosity was piqued.

But Suho had no intention of satisfying her curiosity.

She asked, “Alright. Then, what kind of gate are you looking for?”

“I’m interested in the entrance to the Twisted Forest.”

“You know about the Twisted Forest?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

Suho’s request made her narrow her eyes.

It made sense. The Twisted Forest had only been available as a product for three days—it was still a fresh addition to the market.

Her narrowed eyes asked, “How did you know?”

“What about it?”

“How did you know I had the Twisted Forest?”

“Should I not say it at the black market?”

“Well, yes, but… it’s still a bit surprising.”

“I can see why. But, I’d rather you not ask too many questions. I don’t ask the owner where they got the Twisted Forest, do I?”

She paused, then let out a soft laugh.

“You’re right. I got a bit too curious.”

“It’s fine. Just don’t let it happen again.”

“I understand. Have you used Paju Village before?”

“Yes, I’ve brought cash. I’m fine with it now; I want to enter the Twisted Forest as soon as possible.”

“Thorough as always. But do you know the price of the Twisted Forest entrance?”

“Shouldn’t I be able to prepare that much for a single entry?”

In gate transactions, there were usually two types of products.

The ownership of the gate itself and an entry ticket that allowed one-time access.

Naturally, the ownership was more expensive.

However, entry tickets could vary in price depending on how one entered; the more people entering, the higher the price since the likelihood of the gate being conquered increased with each additional person.

**Choi Yun** asked, “You’re thorough. How many people will be entering with you?”

“I’ll be going alone.”

“Alone?”

“Yes.”

“……”

At Suho’s words, **Choi Yun** didn’t speak immediately. She hadn’t expected him to go alone. 

Swallowing her surprise, she said, “I understand. Let’s first settle the payment. The entry fee for the Twisted Forest is 100 million for one person.”

Suho showed her the 100 million won in cash he had prepared earlier.

Then, he handed her a bundle of 100,000-won bills.

“I’ll pay the rest in front of the gate.”

A standard transaction.

She nodded, then led him to the garage at the back of the shop.

There, a sturdy-looking off-road vehicle was parked, and Suho noticed the Union mark engraved on the side, nodding inwardly.

‘So, she’s part of the Union now.’

**Choi Yun** gestured toward the vehicle.

“I’ll take you to the gate.”

They both got into the vehicle, and she opened the garage door with a remote.

As soon as the car appeared, people’s eyes were drawn to it, but those who recognized the car quickly turned away.

It wasn’t just because of **Choi Yun**'s influence; it was also because of the Union mark on her vehicle.

‘As expected.’

In a place like this, backing is everything.

It keeps unnecessary fights at bay.

The vehicle started moving.

***

The vehicle passed Paju and crossed the Imjin River toward Gaeseong.

However, neither Suho nor **Choi Yun** was surprised, even though they were heading toward Gaeseong.

After the world-changing event, North Korea had been nearly destroyed.

‘The current North Korea is almost like a lawless zone.’

At first, China had eyed the deteriorating North Korea.

But now, the area bordering China was filled with 'them,' and no ordinary hunters—no, even China’s elite forces—could easily approach.

**Choi Yun** glanced at Suho and asked, “Aren’t you surprised we crossed into the North?”

“Not really.”

“Wow, you’re quite the stoic. You didn’t seem that way when I read about you in the news.”

“I guess my impression

 was good?”

“Haha, you have an interesting personality.”

The vehicle eventually stopped.

They arrived at a place where several tents could be seen. As soon as **Choi Yun**'s car appeared, people flooded out of the tents.

They all wore a mix of casual clothes and equipment—typical street hunters.

**Choi Yun** and Suho stepped out of the car and approached them.

The man standing at the front greeted them.

“It’s **Choi Yun**. As I mentioned earlier, this is the person who will be entering the Twisted Forest.”

At the mention of Suho, the man briefly glanced at him and grinned.

“Is that really Ahn Suho?”

“Yes, be respectful. He’s a guest.”

“Of course. But what about the payment?”

“It’s all settled, including the deposit. What about you?”

“The boss is here.”

At that moment, a voice came from inside the tent.

Soon, a man walked out from the tent.

When Suho saw him, his eyes widened.

‘That guy…’

It wasn’t a mistake.

The man walking out from the tent was large and bald, making it even more unmistakable.

He was the leader of one of the most notorious human trafficking rings in Korea during Suho’s past life—**Bang Dook**.

 

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - I'd really like to see how far Leon goes and how far we can increase the number of chapters. Thanks~!

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