Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Grind Haunt.

It was a portmanteau of "grind"—slang for making a living by selling game items—and Salmokji, a famous haunted spot from the old days.

But it wasn't something to simply laugh off.

The Fixed Gates known as Grind Haunts had an especially high mortality rate among Hunters.

Given that the original Salmokji was said to harbor terrifying ghosts that harmed people, Eunseong thought it was a rather fitting expression.

"It might sound like a joke, but you do know that Grind Haunts are dangerous, right?"

"Yes."

Ra Sihyeon nodded.

"I've heard that Hunter mortality rates are high in Gates like these."

"That's right, they are."

"Why? It's not like there are actual ghosts in there."

"Who knows. In a world like this, what's so special about ghosts."

"Fair point."

"It's just high risk, high return. Gates where you can earn a lot of money are that much more dangerous. That's all."

"Oh?"

"Still, it's nice to hear it again after so long. Grind Haunt. Pfft."

Eunseong snickered.

"Wasn't the Nine-Tail Crew controlling this place until recently? That's what the news said."

"That's right."

"Now that the lockdown's lifted, there are a lot of people."

"This is on the low end."

"This is the low end?"

"The comparison is a bit off, but it's still early since it just opened up."

"......?"

"Everyone knows the Nine-Tail Crew was a subsidiary of the Incheon Union, so they're keeping a low profile out of caution. Give it a few days and there won't be room to set foot."

Gates called Grind Haunts were always swarming with people.

And that was normal.

The goods that came from Gates—monster carcasses, Runes, items, Etherium—were vital resources and currency for humanity, and a new industry.

It had gotten so extreme that some Hunters had even given up on personal growth altogether, wandering only to Gates famous as Grind Haunts to mine Etherium.

In the world of Hunters, they were known as "miners"—industrial workers who mined Etherium.

"So you're here to mine today?"

"Partly."

Eunseong answered.

"Mining is the outskirts around Bucheon Station. The main objective is inside the station itself. Most people won't go anywhere near the station interior, though."

"Why not?"

"You'll see when we get there."

Just then.

"Boss!"

From the distance, Oh Taegwon came barreling over in a Bridal Mask.

"Sorry I'm late, boss."

Oh Taegwon said as he took off his Bridal Mask.

He was drenched in sweat, so it seemed he'd been out on the streets beating up some tattooed pig to his heart's content.

"Duhyeon is here too. And Sihyeon."

"Hey, Taegwon."

"Yeah."

Kim Duhyeon and Ra Sihyeon responded.

Oh Taegwon seemed slightly stung by Ra Sihyeon's terse response, but since they were in front of Eunseong, he appeared to decide to let it slide.

He was well aware that Ra Sihyeon was far from a warm personality with anyone other than Eunseong.

"So, are we heading out now?"

"No."

Eunseong shook his head at Kim Duhyeon's question.

"One more person hasn't arrived yet."

"Who else is coming?"

"Over there."

Eunseong jerked his chin toward the checkpoint.

"S-sorry! I'm late, aren't I?!"

The last to arrive was none other than Kim Seunghye.

"Why did you call Unnie?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Not really."

Ra Sihyeon said in a voice that trailed off.

"Did you call Seokho and Jeong Hobin too?"

Oh Taegwon asked.

"No. Seokho isn't picking up, and Jeong Hobin said he can't come because he's on an overseas tour. He's also apparently undecided about whether to continue his Hunter activities."

"What about Yura?"

"She asked me not to look for her for a while. Said she needs time to sort out her thoughts."

"Ah, I see."

"Everyone go take care of whatever you need to...... meet back here in thirty minutes."

Eunseong said, checking the time.

"Duhyeon, I need to talk to you."

"Please don't tell me I'm going in too? Haha, hahaha."

"Why, scared?"

"I'm not a Hunter."

"A dungeon like this will be fine."

"But......"

"You never know. You might Awaken."

"A-Awaken? Me? But isn't it predetermined from birth who becomes an Awakened and who stays a Non-Awakened?"

"It is, but...... in my experience, there are exceptions. Trust me and follow along. You've got nothing to lose."

"O-okay."

Kim Duhyeon was visibly anxious, but because it was Eunseong, he seemed to be gritting his teeth and pushing through.

'This guy.'

Eunseong smiled faintly, recalling a past case.

Before he had traveled back in time.

There had been a man who'd been caught in the Transference Crisis nine times, and his late Awakening at the age of forty had made headlines.

In reality, among those who had survived the Transference Crisis, there were occasional cases of delayed Awakening.

Of course, the precise algorithm behind it had never been uncovered.

But the one undeniable fact was that the more one was exposed to powerful Ether and threats, the higher the probability of Awakening.

'Maybe the Ether will bless you.'

There was nothing to lose from Awakening.

Even if one chose not to live as a Hunter.

***

While the fledglings prepared, Eunseong sat in front of a coffee truck and sank into thought for a moment.

'Dragging fledglings along—what am I even doing? Pfft.'

He suddenly laughed.

But tackling a Gate alone was simply impossible.

No matter how powerful a Hunter was, unless they had two or three bodies, group hunts were a necessity, not a choice.

Besides, in Eunseong's eyes, Oh Taegwon's and Kim Seunghye's talents were also worth watching.

So he had called them along on this occasion, both to train them and to test their potential.

They were all promising prospects who had been placed in Alpha Team at the Special Force Training Center, highly evaluated by the Defense Strategy Department.

"Whoa!"

"What? What is it?"

Suddenly the Hunters stirred.

Eunseong turned his head as well, curious about what was happening.

"Isn't that Abyss Clan?"

"It's Ambition!"

Abyss Clan members and Wi Taewoong were passing through the checkpoint, heading toward the Gate entrance.

"Everyone, stay calm."

"Relax. Abyss Clan has agreed to manage the Bucheon Station Gate for the time being."

It seemed the Defense Strategy Department had contracted with the Abyss Clan to guard against attacks from the remnants of the Incheon Union or the Nine-Tail Crew.

'The Defense Strategy Department and Abyss Clan. Now that's sleeping with the enemy.'

Eunseong thought, subtly turning his head away.

The relationship between the Defense Strategy Department and Abyss Clan was not a friendly one.

However, unlike the Incheon Union, they were not overtly hostile, so it was a relationship of cooperation born from necessity.

'Just pass by.'

Eunseong kept his head down, worried that running into Wi Taewoong would only lead to unnecessary trouble.

But his wish was not to be granted.

THUD, THUD, THUD—!

Wi Taewoong walked over to the coffee truck and took a seat right next to Eunseong.

"Well, well. Is our dear junior short on cash? What brings you all the way to a Grind Haunt?"

"It's good to see you."

Eunseong dropped the act as if he'd never been hiding and responded nonchalantly.

"I've been doing great. Thanks to Gu Taeil kicking the bucket, I'm sitting on a goldmine now. What a pathetic bastard. Sitting on a honeypot like this and still had the bright idea to pull that idiotic stunt."

"Business seems to be going well. Good to see."

"What good does that do? My favorite junior hasn't called."

"Ahahaha......"

"Of course you must've been busy. I understand. A rising Rookie Hunter with a promising future like you must be run off your feet."

Wi Taewoong said, seizing the initiative.

"Though I can't help feeling a little hurt despite knowing that. Heh."

"Still, it seems like people meant to cross paths will cross paths. Here we all are."

"Fate, huh...... Heh."

Wi Taewoong chuckled.

He had tried to subtly plant a sense of guilt in Eunseong, but the kid had slithered out of it like an eel.

"So what brings our brilliant junior here? It's not like the Defense Strategy Department isn't treating you well."

"Nothing in this world is free."

"Oh?"

"That's all debt, and there's no reason to go into debt on purpose."

"Kahahaha! You really are something! I like you! Just like Colonel Cha's son—sharp as a tack! Hahaha!"

"Haha......"

"Seeing such a fine junior, I just can't help myself. I should at least give you a carry."

"I'll have to decline."

"Decline...... you say?"

"I make it a principle not to live in debt."

"Even a genuine act of goodwill?"

"I don't believe such a thing exists."

"Oho, saying that just makes me want to carry you even more."

A certain hunger flickered across Wi Taewoong's face.

'Oh, come on.'

Eunseong wanted to shake Wi Taewoong off right then and there.

If this were someone he could take in a fight, he'd have beaten him off even by force. But Wi Taewoong was anything but easy.

He might fall short of Minister Ahn or Baek Dohyeok in Hunter grade, but when it came to combat skill or tactics, he was second to none.

Frankly, in Eunseong's assessment, Wi Taewoong was the more threatening opponent compared to Baek Dohyeok.

"I'll be in touch soon, so let's each take care of our own business today and meet separately."

"Can I trust that?"

"Of course."

"I know this sushi place I love. I'll have to take you there."

"The honor's all mine. Haha......"

Why did he have a nagging feeling that this sushi place was probably the same one he'd visited just a few days ago......

"Well, our fine junior has his own life and pride, so this clingy senior will excuse himself."

Wi Taewoong rose from his seat.

"Oh, by the way. It'd be a shame if my beloved junior died inside the Gate, so I'll tell my people to actively cooperate if they happen to run into you. That should be fine, right?"

"I'd appreciate that."

"Well then, happy mining. And don't even think about going inside the station."

"Take care."

The moment Wi Taewoong left.

"Great, something annoying just latched on. Maybe I should get an exorcism. Sigh."

Eunseong let out a heavy sigh and grumbled.

***

The Bucheon Station Gate was divided broadly into three zones.

In order: the outskirts, the station interior, and the deep zone.

The outskirts, which formed the very entrance, were blanketed by a faint Fog Labyrinth, making it easy to lose one's way.

"Fog again?"

Ra Sihyeon frowned the moment they entered the Gate.

Oh Taegwon's and Kim Seunghye's reactions were no different.

"Ugh."

"I'm sick and tired of fog."

They all seemed to have thoroughly despised the hellish Fog Labyrinth they'd endured on Jebudo.

Not that anyone would like it, of course......

THUD, THUD, THUD—!

Multiple sets of footsteps echoed from within the fog.

"......!"

Having been burned badly on Jebudo, everyone was on high alert.

But what emerged through the fog was not monsters, but people carrying selfie sticks.

"Oh! Hey, everyone! We got some good-looking guys and girls over here! Let me grab a quick interview!"

"Who are you people? I'm the Grand Overlord of Bucheon!"

"Come ooon! Just one reaction from you guys, please!"

BJs, streamers, or YouTubers.

Their platforms varied wildly, as did their genders and ages, but they could all be classified under a single label: internet broadcasters.

"Huh?"

Kim Duhyeon pointed at someone and recoiled with a jolt.

"Th-that person...... isn't that BJ Crown Prince?"

"Probably."

Eunseong answered with a peculiar smile.

He had no interest in internet broadcasting, so he wouldn't have recognized most people no matter who you put in front of him.

"AAGH! AAAGHHH!"

Kim Duhyeon, his face white as a ghost, screamed as if he had seen a specter.

"That person is dead! Has been for over ten years! AAAGH!"

At that moment.

CRACK—!

The internet broadcasters' heads twisted at grotesque angles.

"A......"

The internet broadcasters simultaneously, very slowly, opened their mouths.

"Are we dead? Are we dead? Are we dead? Are we dead? Are we dead? Are we dead? Are we dead? Are we dead? Are we dead?"