NoveLight ™
The meeting with the Head of the Management Department was brief.
The head showed little interest in Su-ho.
After all, no matter how much of a “royal” Su-ho was, he was just a rookie destined to move up to the Special Division soon. As far as they were concerned, it was enough if they kept things civil.
Finally, after the obligatory formalities ended, Jeong Cheol-min spoke as they moved toward the management team.
“So, what do you think the Management Department evaluation will cover?”
“Well, since it’s the Gate Management Department, it’ll probably focus on field management assessments.”
“That’s correct. But do you know which teams exist in the Management Department?”
“As far as I know, there’s the Management Team, which handles regular gates, the Trading Team, which leases and sells gates to private entities, and the Sealing Team, which is responsible for managing sealed gates.”
“Right. As you said, the Trading Team doesn’t really conduct field evaluations. So if there is an evaluation, it’ll likely involve the Management Team or the Sealing Team. But since the Sealing Team is too dangerous, the evaluation will be focused on the Management Team’s tasks.”
As expected.
Su-ho had already anticipated this and prepared a plan accordingly.
Jeong Cheol-min continued, “With that in mind, this time’s evaluation will be about the general gate management protocol… By the way, is there any specific gate you’d like to visit?”
Hearing this, Su-ho chuckled internally.
‘So they’re sticking to tradition, huh.’
The Gate Management Department had a longstanding tradition passed down through generations.
Instead of pre-selecting evaluation locations, unlike other departments, they gave candidates the option to choose a gate themselves.
Why this tradition?
The Gate Management Department had a reputation as one of the most grueling divisions both inside and outside the APA. Offering candidates such “kindness” was a way to entice them into joining.
‘Like the surgery department in a university hospital.’
Of course, how many people would actually choose to join because of this little gesture? Still, it was a tradition started in an attempt to leave a good impression.
In response to Jeong Cheol-min’s question, Su-ho replied, “Can I choose any gate?”
“Oh, hearing you say that makes me think you already have one in mind. But what kind of place would make you drop such a hint this early?”
“Haha…”
Su-ho laughed awkwardly.
At that, Jeong Cheol-min gave him a suspicious look.
“…You’re not seriously thinking about a sealed gate, are you?”
Su-ho just smiled silently in response.
That smile made Jeong Cheol-min close his eyes briefly and shake his head.
“…I can’t believe it. I had my doubts, but you really are something, Su-ho.”
“Haha… Is it impossible?”
Su-ho’s awkward laugh prompted Jeong Cheol-min to stare at him for a moment before smirking.
“Well, you’ve already said it out loud, so why not? Besides, if it’s you, I think it’ll be fine.”
“Thank you.”
“So, which gate are you interested in?”
“I’d like to visit Iron Valley.”
“Iron Valley… You mean the one that was recently designated as a sealed gate?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“Hmm…”
Iron Valley.
As Jeong Cheol-min had just mentioned, Iron Valley was only recently designated as a sealed gate.
That was precisely why Su-ho needed to go there now.
‘The sooner, the better when it comes to Iron Valley.’
No, this might be his only chance. If he missed this opportunity, he might never find the right timing again.
After a moment of deliberation, Jeong Cheol-min nodded.
“Alright. Since Iron Valley was only recently designated as a sealed gate, it might actually fit well with the evaluation guidelines. After all, it’s still one of the gates with unrestricted access.”
“Thank you for allowing it.”
“No problem. I already gave my word, didn’t I? Then shall we head out right away? You know Iron Valley is in Gangwon Province, right?”
“Yes, I know. I can drive; we can take my car.”
“Oh, come on, we can’t tire out the candidate before the evaluation. I’ll drive; let’s use my car.”
“Thank you for the consideration.”
Though it was a bit of a long trip, Gangwon Province wasn’t too far from Seoul.
With that, the two got into Jeong Cheol-min’s car and set off for Gangwon Province.
***
After Entering Gangwon Province
As they neared the Iron Valley Gate, signs of the controlled area and stationed soldiers began to appear. By the time they fully entered the restricted zone, they could see the external surroundings of the gate, with the completed construction of the square around it.
When the two stepped out of the car, Major Kang Hyuk, the person in charge of the area, came out to greet them.
“Welcome.”
“Hello, I’m Jeong Cheol-min. I spoke with you on the phone earlier.”
The two exchanged pleasantries, and Jeong naturally introduced Su-ho and explained the purpose of their visit again.
“Please take care of us.”
“No, the pleasure is ours. If you need anything while using the facilities, just let us know.”
“Thank you.”
After receiving permission to use the facilities, Jeong Cheol-min began explaining the details of the field evaluation.
The evaluation itself was straightforward.
The task was to demonstrate the order and method for inspecting managed gates and to check each element according to protocol. Unsurprisingly, Su-ho passed every part with ease.
“As expected from you, Su-ho. This is your first time on-site, isn’t it? How are you so good at this?”
“I just followed what was in the manuals.”
“Well, you’ve passed the external management procedures… and the square inspection method… Now, shall we take a quick look inside the gate and head back?”
This was the final step.
Gate management was divided into two main categories: checking external factors and conducting internal inspections by entering the gate itself.
In the case of Iron Valley, the internal inspection had already been completed. However, since Su-ho was here as an examinee, he had to enter for evaluation purposes.
After Jeong explained the internal evaluation process and requested gate access from the person in charge, the square opened up.
“Even though this is a sealed gate, make sure to be as cautious as possible, complete your test, and come back out immediately.”
“Understood.”
After receiving the instructions, Su-ho entered the square with Jeong.
It wasn’t long before they saw the gate portal leading to Iron Valley, located inside the square.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen a gate portal.’
Having been occupied with association activities, it felt nostalgic to see one again.
“Shall we go?”
At Jeong’s prompt, the two of them stepped into the portal together.
[ You are entering the gate. ]
[ Retrieving gate information. ]
[ Iron Valley ]
The information matched exactly what Su-ho remembered from his past life.
‘To think I’d come here now.’
A small smile tugged at his lips as a sense of familiarity washed over him.
Moments later, Su-ho’s vision was enveloped in darkness.
***
After Entering the Gate
The moment they entered the gate, the surroundings changed.
The dark interior of the square transformed into a lush green meadow, with the Iron Valley, the gate’s namesake, visible in the distance.
Jeong Cheol-min, who had entered with Su-ho, spoke up.
“How is it? Satisfied now?”
“Yes, thanks to you, I finally made it here.”
Although Jeong Cheol-min was of a lower level, he was still a Hunter and an experienced player, which allowed him to enter the gate alongside Su-ho.
Afterward, Jeong once again went over the evaluation points with Su-ho before beginning the internal assessment.
The result? A perfect score.
The internal evaluation was much easier compared to the external one. It was nothing more than a formality.
Once the evaluation was complete, Jeong pulled a thermos out of his inventory.
“A thermos? What’s that for?”
“I brought it to have a cup of coffee.”
At the mention of coffee, Su-ho chuckled.
Serving coffee inside the gate was another one of the Gate Management Department’s long-standing traditions.
Thoughtfully, the coffee was iced.
After Su-ho poured coffee into a paper cup handed to him by Jeong, he returned the favor by pouring some into Jeong’s cup as well.
The two then found a comfortable spot to sit and looked out at the breezy fields.
“The view’s nice, isn’t it?”
“Yes. If this weren’t inside a gate, it’d feel like I was on an overseas vacation.”
“The interiors of gates do have that kind of charm. You see landscapes here that you’d never find in the bleakness of the city… That’s why I like the Management Department within the Gate Division.”
“Even with the heavy workload?”
“Well, isn’t it the same in every department? Everyone thinks their job is the hardest. Still, I feel this place suits me.”
Jeong’s expression grew contemplative, his eyes tinged with a hint of wistfulness.
Seeing this, Su-ho almost burst out laughing.
He knew exactly what Jeong was doing.
Even the words and that sentimental gaze were all calculated moves—part of an elaborate strategy to lure recruits into the Gate Management Department.
The so-called Romantic Strategy.
Like enjoying a cold beer after a hard day’s work, they stirred emotions, subtly enticing people into joining the department.
But it wouldn’t work on Su-ho.
He was far too seasoned—one of the most experienced veterans in the association.
Still, he didn’t dislike the Gate Division. On the contrary, he quite liked it.
It was just that the Romantic Strategy didn’t have any effect on him.
As Su-ho sipped his coffee, he casually spoke up.
“Team Leader.”
“Yes?”
“Actually… I want to join the Gate Division.”
“…What?”
Jeong’s eyes widened in shock.
What was he saying?
Out of nowhere?
But Su-ho paid no mind to Jeong’s surprise and continued speaking.
“I’m well aware of the rumors about me—that I’m some kind of prodigy being groomed by the Special Division, a ‘royal.’ Even Deputy Director Pi has been spreading that around. But honestly… I want to work in the Gate Division more than in the Special Division.”
“….”
Jeong’s jaw dropped halfway open.
Never in his wildest dreams did he think Su-ho would say something like this.
And because of that, his heart began to race.
‘If Su-ho joins the Gate Division…’
It would mean the chance to accomplish things they had never been able to do before—things they had only dreamed of.
After all, wasn’t it Jeong himself who had first discovered Su-ho in the association?
‘I’ve imagined it before… Working alongside Su-ho.’
But Su-ho was too exceptional. Naturally, others set their sights on him, and in the end, someone far more powerful than Jeong had taken Su-ho away.
Jeong had no choice but to let go of the name "An Su-ho" in his mind.
Yet here was Su-ho, saying he wanted to join the Gate Division instead of the Special Division.
Su-ho continued, “You were the first person I met from the association. Maybe that’s why I want to join the Gate Division even more.”
“….”
Su-ho offered an awkward smile.
Seeing that smile, Jeong felt his heart sink.
Here was Su-ho, genuinely expressing his desire to join the Gate Division, and yet Jeong couldn’t do anything to help him.
Was this how Romeo and Juliet felt?
His mouth tasted bitter.
After a long moment of thought, Jeong made a decision.
Fine.
If it wasn’t going to happen anyway, he could at least offer some comforting words. That way, it wouldn’t sting as much.
Just as Jeong was about to open his mouth, Su-ho spoke first.
“Team Leader.”
“Yes, Su-ho?”
“You know that once this training ends, I’ll start as a Deputy Team Leader, right?”
“Ah… Yes, I’m aware. But why do you ask?”
“What if I told you there’s a way for me to join the Gate Division instead of the Special Division? Would you be willing to help me?”
“…What?”
Jeong’s eyes widened again, even more than before.
What was Su-ho planning now?