Tuk! 

 

“Are you okay? W, what should I do? T, there is no recovery medicine!” 

 

Seonwoo Yeon, who safely received Kiryeo, slowly laid him down on the floor. 

 

At that moment, the man covered in blood opened his eyes and spoke. 

 

“…You used your skills.”

 

To bring up such words in a life-threatening situation like this…

 

“I told you that you could do it. Why didn’t you believe me?” 

 

Seonwoo Yeon quietly burst into tears. 

 

The reality was different from the recurring nightmares that haunted her every day.

 

She was able to save someone with this power.

 

Even in the midst of confusion, that fact somehow remained in her heart. 

 

“Sir, do you have any tools for first aid?

 

After a while, Seonwoo Yeon wiped her eye corners and took a deep breath.

 

She thought that all of this happened because she was panicking and that she should take responsibility. 

 

“I, I don’t have…” 

 

Kim Kiryeo quietly looked at the situation and slowly stood up.

 

“You can’t move carelessly!” 

 

“I’m fine.” 

 

With his characteristic cold stare, he glanced at Seonwoo Yeon once, then adjusted his collar and shook his head 

 

“Could everyone please move aside for a moment?” 

 

“Yes?” 

 

“I’m going to take off my shirt and look at the wound. And I will also use recovery medicine.”

 

Isn’t he excessively calm, even though he has a hole in his body?

 

He was so indifferent that one might think that the pain had weakened his senses.

 

“Aren’t you going to leave?”

 

Seonwoo Yeon looked at him worriedly and had no choice but to leave. 

 

‘Phew~ I almost started my third life.’

 

Of course, he checked his wound, but everything else was a lie.

 

He immediately drank a potion of magic booster and used a recovery spell to heal Kim Kiryeo’s body. 

 

“I’m fine. Everyone, please come back. Now let’s proceed to attack the gate.”

 

“Yes? What did you say?” 

 

She can’t believe such a big wound disappears all at once. Usually, a medicine with that level of efficacy costs at least several million dollars…

 

No, it would be in the tens of millions of won.

 

‘Does F-Class always carry recovery medicine?’ 

 

When the adrenaline from the battle subsided, Seonwoo Yeon regained her composure 

 

At that moment, the doubts that had been forgotten started to slowly come back to mind. 

 

“The basic principle of the gate is, ‘Once you defeat the boss, the exit appears.’ I think we need to catch the boss here first.” 

 

But Kim Kiryeo didn’t give her time to think. 

 

After the opponent used their skill once, they had to push through to the boss’s room before that sensation disappeared.  

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you as much as I can.” 

 

For reference, this wasn’t a bluff. 

 

After a while, following the appraiser Kiryeo’s instructions, they headed towards the southern path of the dungeon

 

Kiryeo comforted the tense Seonwoo Yeon and slowly practiced the skill with her.

 

“You’re doing great.”

 

She originally despised her own abilities.  

 

The image of the moment she lost her family was so intensely stuck in her mind, and of all things, she awakened with the same attributes as her enemy, the monster. 

 

Even these days, when the wind blows strongly, her breath stops, and her hands and feet tremble. 

 

“Seonwoo Yeon-ssi. This is your weapon. Instead of being swung, swing it.”

 

Strangely enough, her skills came out well today while she quietly listened to his advice from her side. 

 

“Look! What did I say? I told you that you could do it.” 

 

As Kiryeo expected, Seonwoo Yeon’s innate power was powerful.

 

It wasn’t long before she was able to defeat all of the small monsters at this gate.

 

Before they knew it, they were left with only one boss monster.

 

“We can leave now…?” 

 

From the back, the student who was missing expresses a hopeful gaze filled with anticipation.

 

Although Seonwoo Yeon tried to say something positive, acknowledging it as obvious, she felt choked up and unable to speak.

 

‘I’m scared.’

 

Despite being a precious B-class awakened person, she was kept in the office and in charge of paperwork. 

 

Of course, she doesn’t have any experience attacking the gate. 

 

However, suddenly, she can’t believe she has to defeat a boss monster of the same level…

 

“Seonwoo Yeon-ssi, let’s take a break.” 

 

Kim Kiryeo, who was watching this, suddenly suggests taking a break. 

 

“Yes? No, Hunters. The boss monster is right in front of us…” 

 

“It would be good to take a brief break here for maintenance.” 

 

Even if it’s maintenance time, there’s nothing to do anyway. 

 

Seonwoo Yeon was a salaried employee belonging to the association. 

 

What could she do with her hands empty and not a single expensive piece of equipment?

 

“Hunter Seonwoo Yeon, as expected, you can’t do it too?” 

 

After some time, he approached Seonwoo Yeon, who was squatting in the corner.

 

Then he spoke in a low voice that couldn’t be heard by the police and the missing people. 

 

“You’re not the one at fault.” 

 

“Yes?” 

 

“It’s a trauma that’s completely understandable. Honestly, the one who is trying to force you to stand up is the bad one.” 

 

“Yeah…” 

 

“I’m sorry about earlier. Because it was a matter of life and death, the words were a bit harsh. Yeah. It’s not Seonwoo Yeon’s fault.” 

 

The problem is the terrorist punk who dropped us here.

 

His tone was so smooth that she almost didn’t even notice he was swearing.

 

“However, considering the situations, please stay strong once more.” 

 

He didn’t want to make it obvious. Is this anxiety visible in Kiryeo’s eyes?

 

“Once you survive this, you will be able to survive any gate.”

 

After hearing his encouragement, Seonwoo Yeon pondered for a moment and then stood up.

 

She was determined.

 

“I’ve finished resting. Let’s enter the boss room.”

 

After hearing those words, Kiryeo took a step ahead and headed towards the iron gate. 

 

-Grrrrr…

 

The low growl of a beast could be heard from outside the slightly open iron door. 

 

“It’s pretty big. It’s about 3m tall.”

 

“3m?”

 

“I don’t really see any weaknesses. There is no choice but to suppress it with firepower…”

 

Seonwoo Yeon swallowed her dry saliva as she entered the boss’s territory. 

 

Following the faint light of a magical stone with her eyes, she saw the leader in the distance.

 

The form that roams the cave on all fours resembles a lion.

 

Its face looked hideous, resembling the twisted form of a half-melted black candle.

 

“Whoo.” 

 

Seonwoo Yeon took a deep breath and began the battle. 

 

Like the cautious hunter, the monster from another realm turned around and struck its head. 

 

Whoosh. The sound of strong wind blowing echoes.

 

-Growl!

 

However, it was shallow.

 

The skill Seonwoo Yeon activated only managed to slice off a bit of the monster’s flesh, failing to deliver a fatal blow.

 

“Dodge to the right!”

 

The boss opened its mouth wide and exhaled a rough breath.

 

Kiryeo, who knew the scope of the magic in advance, gave instructions.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Soon, the entire cave was covered in cold ice, and Seonwoo Yeon, who barely avoided it, regained her balance and aimed her skill again. 

 

‘Please die!’

 

There are strong waves of wind.

 

Even so, she could hardly take her opponent’s life.

 

Even with the support of an outstanding appraiser,  B-Class gate was still too much for a single attacker.

 

“Heuk, heuk!”

 

Before she knew it, she was out of breath.

 

The dropping mana inside the body was evidence.

 

‘Just a little more…!’

 

Of course, there were outcomes on this side as well.

 

After a fierce battle that continued, the boss also received a heavy blow and was on the verge of collapse.

 

‘I can kill it!’

 

But then.

 

The monster, being on the verge of death, showed a new pattern.

 

-Kyaaaak!

 

“Huh?”

 

Now that things are like this, is he thinking of taking her companion with him?

 

Because he suddenly turned his head and rushed towards the appraiser who was hiding in the corner of the boss room.

 

“No! Come back!”

 

Seonwoo Yeon, who was surprised, attacked without thinking about how much energy she still had. 

 

However, the black creature targeted Kiryeo, not caring even if its flesh was torn off.

 

“Look at me!”

 

It is impossible to avoid the rushing B-Class monsters with the physical abilities of an F-Class hunter. 

 

Seonwoo Yeon, who had extraordinary vision, was able to sense it instinctively.

 

She’s late.

 

“Ack!”

 

Did Kiryeo also realize this? He stopped the meaningless running and stood upright in his place.

 

Soon, sharp fangs were revealed.

 

Kim Kiryeo stood motionless in the shadow made by the beast’s palate, watching Seonwoo Yeon quietly.

 

“Kiryeo-ssi!”

 

If she loses someone like this again in front of her eyes, she will completely break down.

 

Is that why this scene happened?

 

At that moment.

 

Seonwoo Yeon couldn’t believe the scene that unfolded.

 

-Srankk!

 

This is because the moment the attack touched Kiryeo’s body, the monster’s teeth were shattered into pieces.

 

“….!”

 

Like an eggshell hitting a rock.

 

The sturdy weapon that the boss was boasting about crumbled into nothing. 

 

Kim Kiryeo didn’t even get a scratch from the boss monster’s attacks. 

 

Rather, as if this situation were expected, he calmly watched the scattering pieces. 

 

The man’s scream then came back.

 

“Don’t sit still and use your skills!”

 

“Ah, yes? Y, yeah.” 

 

When the boss, who had lost his teeth, was writhing in pain.

 

Seonwoo Yeon gathered her remaining magic power and summoned a sharp, piercing wind

 

Slash.

 

Eventually, the boss monster’s head falls off.

 

The blue light they had been waiting for appears in front of them.

 

-Wuuung…

 

As the usual rules. 

 

“T, the gate is open.”

 

“There is an exit!”

 

The police officer, who was watching the situation behind the iron gate, shouted loudly.

 

The missing people who were hiding were also running to the gate one by one, but only Seonwoo Yeon was staring blankly in a certain direction. 

 

“Why do you look at me like that? The passage was open. Let’s get out quickly.”

 

Hunter Kim Kiryeo. 

 

He walks this way with a shameless look on his face. 

 

‘I’m so glad I kept my bracelet in my pocket.’

 

The reason he’s fine is naturally thanks to the EX-Class gate reward, the Twin Guardian Angels. 

 

‘I can only use it twice, so I wanted to save it as much as possible.’

 

In fact, if the earlier blow had been a direct hit, it would have resulted in 100% instant death.

 

Kiryeo also used the magic tool he had saved because he knew this. 

 

‘If it is known that I have the bracelet, it could lure more robbers. I have to hide it well this time.’

 

Phew! 

 

Kiryeo hid the item deep in his pocket and headed towards the gate.

 

“You…” 

 

However, for Seonwoo Yeon, who doesn’t know the full story of the incident…

 

There’s nothing more absurd than that. 

 

“Officer Cha! Our first team has just returned from the gate. Uh, t, this location is Jingwan-dong…” 

 

“Hng, mom.”

 

“Ah, we’re protecting the missing students as well!”

 

While the police called for support from their colleagues. 

 

Seonwoo Yeon looked at Kiryeo, who was fixing up his messy clothes, with angry eyes.

 

 ‘This punk!’

 

She wanted to grab him by the collar if she could 

 

No, doesn’t this point make her feel like she’s been wronged?

 

Seonwoo Yeon thought that the boss’s broken tooth was an accident due to the difference in magical density

 

Because Kim Kiryeo didn’t look like he was wearing any equipment from the outside. 

 

In that case, the conclusion is that the opponent has been hiding a power that wouldn’t even be scratched by B-Class. 

 

‘And that’s just to make me use my skills!’

 

That man not only deliberately got injured but also led the B-Class hunter to use her skill throughout the dungeon 

 

That means his intentions are gradually becoming clear.

 

He did such crazy things to bring out his opponent’s strength.

 

But how can one be so happy about this?

 

“Hey!” 

 

“Yes?” 

 

In the end, Seonwoo Yeon couldn’t bear it anymore and argued. 

 

“I get what you mean, but I will never thank you for something like this. No, are you crazy? Why on earth is this…!” 

 

Then Kim Kiryeo tilted his head. 

 

“What do you mean? I’m the one who’s thankful, but why are you thankful?”

 

Kiryeo said it as if it were natural.

 

“Seonwoo Yeon-ssi, you saved us.” 

 

Seonwoo Yeon tried to retort but couldn’t open her mouth due to his continued actions. 

 

A man named Kim Kiryeo.

 

Gradually, he furrowed his forehead or made a slight expression around his eyes, expressing a hint of emotion. 

 

“I survived thanks to you.”

 

Was he… a person who could express his emotions?

 

He spoke with a faint smile.

 

“Thank you so much.”

 

As he began, the missing people and police officers around her also expressed their gratitude one by one.

 

“That’s right! If it weren’t for Seonwoo Yeon-ssi, we would have been…!” 

 

“Thank you, Hunter-nim!” 

 

Closing the gate for the first time in her life. 

 

And for the first time, thanks for saving lives.

 

Seonwoo Yeon’s heart was pounding.

 

“….” 

 

Why did Kim Kiryeo do such a thing to make her use her skills? 

 

Why do you say thank you to me?

 

What does he gain from doing that? 

 

‘I really, really don’t know what you’re thinking…’

 

She can’t figure out the true intentions of that awakened person.

 

Soon, she closed her mouth with a strange expression.

 

It was five minutes later that her fellow police officers arrived.