Chapter 28

The recording of Part 2 began.

Unlike Part 1, which mainly introduced ten hunters and explained the special program, Part 2 featured a talk show including a Q&A session.

"Among the gates you've cleared so far, is there one that stands out in your memory? Could you share the story?"

"Hmm... I think the A-class gate that appeared on Nami Island five years ago is the one that stands out the most."

Oh... The audience murmured. The 'Nami Island A-class gate' mentioned by Windmaker appeared on August 7, 2026.

At that time, the association had classified the gate as A-class, and the boss monster, 'Eye of the Demon,' was a staggering Level 76.

The average level of monsters in an A-class gate is between 41 and 60. In other words, a common 'gate error phenomenon' occurred even then.

Monsters of Level 70 or higher required at least five A-class hunters to strategically fight and defeat them. Otherwise, the participation of an S-class hunter was absolutely necessary.

Unfortunately, among the hunters deployed as the first wave, there were no S-class hunters, and only three A-class hunters were present.

Amid the significant difficulties in the boss battle, 'Doctor Plant' appeared like a comet. The owner of the Rose Guild, the most famous healer in Korea, and one of the six S-class hunters in Korea.

"Goodness, Doctor Plant?"

The recording site began to buzz. The MC, unable to hide his excitement, asked a question not in the script.

"What kind of person was Doctor Plant?"

"Exactly as you saw in the video, a very beautiful and dignified person. His abilities were beyond imagination. The petals he produced wrapped around our wounds, and the vines he created safely moved the injured outside the gate. It was an incredible sight."

"Indeed, S-class hunters are in a different league."

"Yes. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here. After the gate was cleared, I went to see him, and—."

Windmaker recounted the events of that day in detail. The experience of clearing a gate with Doctor Plant seemed to be a significant one. Despite the potential for boredom, everyone listened intently to Windmaker's words.

Among the hunters gathered here, he was the only one who had worked with an S-class hunter on a mission, and this fact made him even more special.

"What about Princess of the Black Flame?"

Paf.

The lights above the galaxy turned on. On the large LED screen behind, Galaxy's face appeared.

"Which gate stands out in your memory?"

At the MC's question, Galaxy closed her mouth. A light silence filled the studio.

'A gate that stands out in my memory.'

For a brief moment, Galaxy recalled the gates she had cleared. There were literally countless of them.

If she had to pick the one that stood out the most, it would be the Unknown Gate where she was trapped for a long time.

'But I can't answer that here.'

Holding the microphone, Galaxy pondered for a moment before slowly opening her mouth.

"Too many to remember clearly."

Tsk. A sneer, whose source was unknown, echoed.

"You've only cleared two gates so far. Are you saying even those two were too much for you?"

A hunter sitting in the general hunter section openly mocked her. This triggered another hunter to speak up.

"Don't be so blunt. Concept hunters can be like that. Their main activity isn't clearing gates."

From a distance, a writer was seen checking the PD's reaction. However, the PD did not stop them or halt the recording; he just watched the recording site with his arms crossed.

Given the nature of the recording, any problematic parts could be edited out.

"I heard you even defeated high-level monsters. What's the point of sticking to your concept? You don't even make money from it."

Another general hunter asked. The audience seats fell silent. In the cold recording site, a hunter abruptly stood up.

"Stop it."

The hunter sitting at the far left in the concept hunter section was a hooded hunter. He slammed his fist, which he had been gripping tightly, onto the table. He seemed to have no intention of hiding his fiery temper.

"Those words aren't in the script."

"Is there a rule that we can only say what's in the script? Otherwise, the show wouldn't be interesting."

"Everyone is curious, right? Why does the new wolf mercenary insist on wearing a dress and playing a concept role? Isn't that right?"

General hunters, concept hunters, audience, and staff—all eyes were on Galaxy.

"That's right. I've only cleared two gates."

Galaxy slowly spoke.

"But it's not because I'm a concept hunter."

Galaxy turned her head towards the hooded hunter standing at the far left.

"This hunter has cleared six gates this year alone."

"..."

The hooded hunter slowly unclenched his fist. Did she remember the casual comment he made in the waiting room?

Galaxy then turned her gaze to the general hunter. She slightly curled her red lips and spoke.

"How many gates have you cleared this year?"

"..."

"..."

The general hunter section and the concept hunter section fell silent as if doused with cold water. Windmaker, who had been silent until then, opened his fan and covered his mouth.

"The important thing is the money. To be careful, I'll let you know that not all hunters receive the same pay."

"Then I'll change the question."

Galaxy turned her head towards Windmaker. The face of the Princess of the Black Flame, devoid of even a hint of a smile, filled the LED screen behind.

"How many people have you saved this year?"

Silence once again enveloped the entire studio.

***

It probably started from then.

The tension between general hunters and concept hunters began.

Coincidentally, the theme of Part 3 was 'competition.' Naturally, the teams were divided into two: the general hunter team and the concept hunter team.

The first competition was arm wrestling. It was a tournament-style match, and the general hunter team and the concept hunter team faced off in the order scripted.

The first player for the general hunter team was Windmaker. Proving that his popularity wasn't just due to his handsome appearance, he defeated the concept hunter team one after another. The second general hunter didn't even get a chance to play.

"Ah... As expected, the concept hunter team is collapsing here! Will the 5 million won department store gift card go to the general hunter team?!"

The MC flipped the score board in the center of the studio. 3:0. The current score. Of course, 3 for the general hunters, 0 for the concept hunters.

"It's my turn."

Clown Guy stood up. The concept hunters watched his back with worried eyes.

"Those guys are so cheap, putting Windmaker as the first player."

"They must be really hurt. Show them what you're made of, Clown Guy!"

"Well, I didn't think I'd win, but a 5:0 score would be embarrassing to show my daughter."

Clown Guy walked steadily to the center.

"Are you okay, sir?"

Windmaker, who had shaken hands with Clown Guy, whispered quietly enough for only him to hear. His confidence was so strong that it reached even Galaxy, who was sitting far away.

"Alright, let's start. 3! 2! 1!"

As the MC's countdown ended, the veins on both of their forearms bulged. Had Windmaker, who had already faced three hunters, run out of strength? He seemed to be struggling.

"Ugh!"

Clown Guy's right hand trembled, and his left hand gripped the table as if to break it. His face turned bright red, and his teeth ground out harsh sounds. In short, he was using all his strength.

However.

"Looks like you need the money."

The moment Windmaker's lips curved into a smile.

"You should play according to your age."

Boom!

A crack appeared on the table.

The studio instantly turned cold. The MC, who had been blinking stupidly, regained his composure and adjusted the microphone.

"Ah, ah... Windmaker's victory—!"

Beep!

The whistle signaling the end of the match echoed through the frozen studio.

"This broadcast follows safety guidelines, including the deployment of ambulances and emergency personnel! Children should not attempt to imitate this!"

The MC, as if coming back to his senses, smoothly continued the show. Behind him, Clown Guy trudged back to his seat.

"A tough match..."

He hid his reddened right hand from the camera.

However, the concept hunters sitting in the seats, including Galaxy, all saw it. Blood droplets were rising from the back of his hand, which had been cut by the edge of the table.

"That's too much. Even if it's a competition, this is a broadcast... Was this in the script?"

"If you had the strength to break the table, why did you waste time? You were just playing with him?"

The concept hunters began to murmur. At that moment, a hunter who had been silent raised his hand.

"Wait a moment. The injury looks more serious than expected."

The hooded hunter spoke in a seemingly angry voice. The MC glanced nervously at the PD. The PD crossed his arms and made a large X.

A junior writer, who had been sitting in the staff section, noticed and hurried over.

"Sorry, but we can't delay the recording. I'll bring the first aid kit later, so let's resume the recording—."

"What? Later? Can't you see he's bleeding?"

The hunter in a nameless hanbok shouted, and the junior writer hesitated. Finally, the PD, who had been sitting, spoke in a flat voice.

"Do concept hunters not have self-healing abilities?"

Sigh.

The atmosphere in the studio became heavy. The silence was broken by Clown Guy's cheerful laugh.

"Hahaha. This level of injury is like a scratch compared to what we get in the gates. I'm fine, so let's continue the recording!"

"But—."

Clown Guy firmly grabbed the wrist of the nameless hunter, who was still unconvinced. The face that had been silly like a clown suddenly turned serious.

"I'm fine."

He whispered quietly enough for only Clown Guy to hear.

In the end, the recording continued without interruption. The staff brought a new table to the center of the studio, and Windmaker, with a carefree expression, sat down again.

"Let's finish this quickly. I need to treat my injuries."

Windmaker's words elicited chuckles from the audience. Some audience members murmured in disapproval of such a Windmaker, but most of the audience were his fans. The minority's voices were quickly drowned out by the majority's laughter.

The MC checked the cue card and brought the microphone to his mouth.

"Yes, viewers! The current score is 4 to 0. The last remaining Princess of the Black Flame, can she stop Windmaker's winning streak?"

The camera rose into the air, and Windmaker's face appeared on the LED screen at the back of the studio.

Creak.

Galaxy stood up from her seat.

"Don't overdo it. That guy seems to be ruthless."

"This is the right approach. You didn't come to win anyway."

"Just act appropriately without getting hurt and come back."

The concept hunters whispered encouragement to Galaxy from behind. Taking a step forward, Galaxy turned her head slightly.

"Don't worry."

Her red lips formed a faint curve. The eyes of those who had been looking at her with concern widened.

Walking steadily to stand in front of Windmaker, Galaxy silently rolled up her right sleeve.

"Wow, intense."

Windmaker shrugged. Galaxy, without responding, sat opposite him and placed her elbow on the table.

"Do I look like a concept hunter to you?"

In a low voice that only he could hear, Galaxy asked. Windmaker's eyebrows twitched, and at that moment, the excited voice of the MC, broadcast through the speakers, echoed.

"Oh, a confident look! Indeed, the Princess of the Black Flame, can she bring down Windmaker...?"

Bang!

A loud noise echoed through the studio. The table, split in two, fell to the floor with a thud.

The reaction was so strong that the lighting equipment hanging from the ceiling swayed.

The studio was instantly enveloped in silence. As before, the match seemed to have ended in an instant.

"Next."

However, the result was different.