Chapter 59

"Have you arrived, Master?"

Jae-min, the second-in-command of the Immortal Guild, who had already arrived in Busan, was the first to greet Yu-hwan. Yu-hwan briefly replied, "Hmm," and casually scanned the surroundings. Even at a glance, he could tell that the number of people was small.

"As you can see, not all guild members, including Do-sung-yun, have returned yet."

At Jae-min's report, Yu-hwan stroked his chin.

Do-sung-yun, the third-in-command of the Immortal Guild. No further explanation was needed. He trusted and entrusted the task to him. He was confident that even if all other guild members were wiped out, Do-sung-yun would survive and return.

But he didn't return.

'You should discard your common sense. At least for this mission.'

Indeed. Yu-hwan, who seemed to find it amusing, curled his lips. Jae-min glanced at him nervously.

"Um... Master, there's actually another thing I need to report."

"Hmm?"

"The Black Flame Princess, a contract hunter hired by the Wolf Guild, has reportedly intruded into the gate without authorization."

"What?"

Yu-hwan's expression hardened. The point that caught his attention was not 'intruded without authorization' but 'Wolf.' As Yu-hwan's face grew increasingly menacing, Jae-min hastily added:

"H, however... the hunter is rated F. So there shouldn't be any problem—"

"Nonsense."

Yu-hwan cut him off sharply.

"Do you really think the Wolf Guild would send an F-rated hunter here?"

Yu-hwan's deep, resonant voice echoed around like a whisper in a cave. His face, devoid of his usual hearty smile, looked as fierce as a predator's.

The air instantly froze.

But then, as if nothing had happened, Yu-hwan burst into a hearty laugh.

"Whatever. It's just one more trophy."

However, no one could laugh along with him. The cold, murderous aura still lingered on their skin.

Yu-hwan walked past his subordinates and stared intently at the black rift that shimmered like a black hole.

The gate entrance was still open. This meant that while it was impossible to come out from inside, it was possible to go in from outside. That was enough.

"Clean up everything outside within 20 minutes."

The black vortex, which even veteran hunters couldn't help but fear, was where Yu-hwan began to stretch casually.

"I'm going with you, Master."

With a series of cracks from his joints, Yu-hwan turned his head slightly and said in a short, deep voice:

"I can handle it alone."

Just as he took a step towards the vortex without hesitation:

Rumble—

"Master! Master!"

The black vortex, which had been quietly shimmering, began to scatter like broken pixels. The surrounding branches and pebbles were swept away by a hurricane.

"What... is this?"

"It's a success."

Yu-hwan easily dodged the pebbles flying towards him with a mere turn of his head. Look at this. What's so special about an unknown gate?

"Sure enough, Do-sung-yun has never disappointed me."

At his muttering, Jae-min turned his head anxiously.

"Is Do-sung-yun back?"

"Yes. He's completed the gate strategy. What can you do without the right tools? We need to gather useful items before it's completely closed."

Yu-hwan, revealing his bright teeth, looked at the gate entrance with a confident gaze.

And not long after, just as he said, someone emerged from there.

"Wow! That woman... is..."

One of the Immortal Guild members suddenly clamped their mouth shut. It was unmistakable. The strange woman in a black dress, the Black Flame Princess.

Clack, clack—

On the pebbled street, the clear sound of heels rang out over the cries of seagulls in the morning breeze.

"Um, Hunter. That person over there..."

Jehui, who was following Yinhé, cautiously moved his lips. When he whispered something into Yinhé's ear, her pitch-black pupils turned towards them.

"..."

"..."

Yu-hwan's and Yinhé's gazes collided head-on. Yu-hwan, with his arms crossed, looked at her lazily, while Yinhé, who had stopped, resumed her steps.

Clack, clack—

"Hold it."

The one who stopped her was not Yu-hwan but a man with sunglasses, who had missed Yinhé jumping into the gate the night before.

"How did you get out?"

"How did I get out?"

Yinhé replied indifferently, as if he was asking something obvious. To exit the gate, one had to defeat the boss, and she had done just that.

"..."

The man scanned Yinhé from head to toe. Her appearance was much more disheveled compared to when she entered the gate. It was clear that she had engaged in a significant battle inside.

"I didn't touch any resources inside, as promised. You can check if you want."

Yinhé pointed at the gate entrance with a tired look.

"Let's go."

She then spoke to the Park siblings following her. They walked closely behind her, glancing nervously around.

"Ah."

When Yinhé suddenly stopped, Jelim, who was following her at a 1 cm distance, bumped his forehead into her back.

"Here."

Whirr—

Yinhé threw something. It was aimed at Yu-hwan, who was watching from a distance.

"It's a trophy. There was no gate core."

Thud!

Yu-hwan caught the object Yinhé threw and examined it. A blue system window popped up in front of him.

'Sea's Tear' Accessory (Pendant) / Rarity: Relic / A pendant that hung around the neck of the 'Benevolent Enchanter.' Looking at the blue gemstone makes one feel as if they are dreaming.

Passive Effect: Increases the wearer's water resistance by 50% / Increases luck by 20% / Grants 100% immunity to mental domination skills of level 99 and below.