Chapter 50

Kim Hansol showed a slightly disappointed reaction to those who didn't drink the coffee I had made. Instead, she cut the cookie that Chahaya had brought in half.

"Give me 20 ounces."

"… Lady Chahaya, this is still our DK territory. So, this is ours too."

She deliberately put half of the cookie in her mouth.

"It's my effort for bringing it."

Damn, Kim Hansol couldn't hide her frustration.

"Do you know how much you guys have eaten here? It's as much as twenty of our guild members."

"I'll talk about the inside of the tunnel first."

It would be a waste of time to argue, so Seo Un pulled her share of the coffee.

"I'll also talk about why the DK people who went into the tunnel didn't come back."

Not only Kim Hansol but also the 1st team members standing behind her gradually closed the distance.

"There was a gate inside the tunnel leading to another space. It was a completely different world, like this Narakga. It seemed no one lived there, as it was all mountains, and only mutants overflowed."

"There was a gate… inside the tunnel?"

"Probably."

"How did you get out?"

She asked if there were any survivors among the DK guild members since they had escaped.

"After the vanguard went in, I entered about 5 minutes later, but there was a 3-hour time difference with those who went in first. So, I arrived 3 hours later. It sounds unbelievable, but I don't know if the time difference was due to using the gate or if time moves faster there."

"… Deputy Guild Master."

"I can't help it if you don't believe me. But it's something we five experienced firsthand."

Other Tachun guild members who had changed their clothes joined the cafe. They naturally took drinks from the cafe's refrigerator to quench their thirst.

When Seo Un stood up, the 1st team members became alert. However, Chahaya blocked the way. Seo Un approached Handoonhee and said something to him, and he took something out of his backpack, which still had a tag on it.

One of them was a mineral that seemed to have magma flowing inside. Seo Un placed the mineral, which gave off a subtle heat, on the table where Kim Hansol was.

"Could it be… stage 5?"

A red aura of magma rose in Kim Hansol's eyes. The mineral came in various colors, but the appearance of energy flowing like blood vessels was only found in stage 5 and above.

"I estimate it to be stage 6."

Next, she placed a red bead that seemed to contain flames beside it.

"This is stage 5. The exact stage can only be confirmed at the mutant disaster control center. However, I'm not sure if we can cross the gate with this. By any chance, do you know a way to use the gate without consuming the mineral?"

This was the question Seo Un had most wanted to ask the large guilds.

If you want to stay on Earth for 3 days, you pay for 3 days' worth of minerals. But if you enter the gate with more than 3 days' worth of minerals?

According to the information, the stay period would be extended accordingly. This was the same answer she got from other guild members.

"I'm sorry, but we are still investigating that part. We are trying to find a way."

It means there is no way currently.

"Was there only one stage 6 mutant?"

"Yes."

"That's strange. If mutants escaped through the gate inside the tunnel, shouldn't there be more stage 6 mutants? Statistically, the higher the danger level, the more mutants of the same stage appear."

"Based on my guess… it might be due to the time difference."

"Time difference?"

"Assuming mutants evolve."

"Oh…"

Kim Hansol let out a sigh of understanding.

"You said time moves faster there, right?"

She didn't hear the first part due to the noise, but the messenger had mentioned that it was some planet. If so, the salamander that Chahaya caught must have come out of the tunnel and moved south. That's why the salamander, which had lost its children, appeared.

<'Cha Seo Un, the mole rat that doesn't run away,' Oh, she's smart.>

"When we dealt with all the mutants in that dimension, a gate to return to Narakga appeared. This is just my guess, but the things we call mutants… are they really just mutants? Like how caterpillars become moths, some special moths might evolve to a different stage. Ultimately, the mutants we encounter are each species that continue to evolve…"

Seo Un thought she might have gone too far and reined in her words.

The bird alone on that huge mountain, and the countless millipedes and caterpillars. They were all just food for the bird. It was somewhat clear.

Kim Hansol didn't push, but she clearly wanted to hear more.

"Are you saying that the creatures we commonly see didn't mutate into monsters but evolved?"

Seo Un scratched behind her ear.

"I'm not sure. I just thought it might be that way."

<For a while, no mutants appeared in the northwest!>

"Cha Seo Un, let's make you the creativity captain."

Almost simultaneously, Chahaya put her hand on Seo Un's shoulder. The heavy arm reminded her of something heavy, and she pressed her palm with her nails. Forget it, forget it, she muttered to herself almost like a spell.

"I understand what you mean. A promise is a promise, so I'll keep it. Let's exchange the northwest and southeast. But I have a condition."

"Why do you have a condition?"

Just fulfill the promise cleanly.

"It will benefit Deputy Guild Master as well. Our northwest landmark is serving the function of a department store in Narakga. It seems you've done some shopping here."

Kim Hansol scanned the Tachun guild members who had changed into new clothes.

"In the future, we will provide the items and handle the sales. In return, how about giving us 10% of the pure profit?"

"Hmm… That's not something I can decide alone. Please wait a moment."

Seo Un stood up and walked to a corner of the cafe. She gestured to the guild members to gather around. When they formed a circle, Seo Un couldn't be seen from outside. She nodded for them to get closer, and the four of them huddled together.

'Hey, what if we just exchange the northwest and our southeast?'

'Is Kim Hansol poisoned by coffee? What nonsense? Of course, a department store is better than a convenience store.'

'Listen up, kid. Almost all the mutants in Narakga probably came from the tunnel.'

'Huh? What are you talking about? Kim Hansol's team caught all the mutants that came out of the tunnel.'

'What if the mutants that came out of the tunnel looked like ordinary salamanders? They wouldn't have been amphibian killers, so they might have been left alone. They could have grown over a few months. If we take over the northwest, what will happen? If no mutants appear here, will we break the rules and invade other areas? In the end, it's a bright peach. And can our small guild handle such a large area?'

'Deputy Guild Master, then increase the number of members!'

'Yuchan, if you become the deputy guild master in my place, I'll agree.'

'Then don't exchange!'

After listening to the whispers, Chahaya spoke.

"Free access to the northwest landmark."

Since it was quiet, Chahaya's voice spread clearly.

"Wow… Chahaya, you're amazing."

"Hey? Then I'm in."

"Every time it resets, I'll come and destroy the sushi."

When Handoonhee, Kangsan, and Yuchan spoke almost simultaneously, it was overwhelming.

"Then everyone agrees?"

Yes, Chahaya tore her lips as a representative.

Seo Un turned and walked towards Kim Hansol. She had heard about the free access but still had a puzzled look on her face.

Seo Un looked at her with a serious expression.

"Team Leader Kim Hansol, this time we will make the sacrifice."

"Sacrifice?"

"We won't exchange for the peace of Narakga."

As expected, applause broke out. Of course, only the Tachun guild members clapped enthusiastically.

"… Why are you changing your mind now?"

Her tone suggested she was suspicious.

"The northwest is quite large for us to manage. I don't plan to grow the guild here either."

Each word was pleasant to Kim Hansol, but she couldn't hide her unease.

"So, you're willing to give up this landmark?"

"Yes. But please allow our Tachun guild members free access."

"…"

Tap, tap, she tapped the table with her neatly trimmed nails.

When Kim Hansol nodded, the largest guild member came and leaned in to listen. She whispered openly, but Seo Un waited for the next words without concern.

"Are you planning to bring items here and sell them in the southeast? I believe you will know the limits even if you have free access."

"You label all the items, so let's be clear. A total of 6 Tachun guild members, and even if the number of guild members increases, only 6 will have free access. Also, let's set a limit of 1 million won per person per week."

If she reduced the amount, Seo Un planned to threaten to just exchange.

"Let's make it 1.5 million won per person. That's a reasonable compromise."

You're generous. Seo Un smiled and extended her hand. Kim Hansol shook it lightly. Suddenly, she leaned in close and whispered in Seo Un's ear.

"Actually, there is a way."

Seo Un's eyes widened.

"If Tachun joins the alliance, I'll tell you the method."