“This is the Special Tactical Training Institute.”

Kim Myeongju pointed out the window from the passenger seat. The sedan was driving along a mountain road. Below, the entire view of the Training Institute was visible at a glance.

“It’s incredibly spacious.”

“Wow…”

The man and woman in the back seat looked down at the Training Institute, their eyes sparkling.

They were 19 and 21 years old.

These were the newly discovered Hunters.

“It will be a bit different from what you saw in the videos. Many parts haven’t been revealed yet.”

Kim Myeongju kindly added an explanation. Helping Hunters could even be called his calling.

It wasn’t difficult to treat the young Hunters warmly so they could adapt well.

The car drove along the winding road and entered the Main Gate of the Training Institute.

Swordsmen were already out on the training ground, practicing, and their shouts of exertion penetrated the car windows.

“Ah, they’re already here. That person will guide you.”

After handing over the New Recruit Hunters to the employee, Kim Myeongju returned to his office.

The Education Director’s schedule was always tight. As soon as he sat down, he turned on his computer to look at his work, when Instructor Seo Yi-tae came to see him.

She greeted him lightly and stood in front of his desk.

“Here’s the education status. As you asked last time.”

“Ah.”

Kim Myeongju took the document file and checked it. Inside, the education status of the trainees under Seo Yi-tae was detailed.

“As expected. This batch is doing well.”

The results were quite good. A smile spread across Kim Myeongju’s face.

“Right? Though not as good as Hunter Kim Songcheol.”

Seo Yi-tae smiled and joked.

“Haha, Hunter Kim Songcheol…”

Kim Myeongju also laughed and shook his head.

At the Training Institute, Kim Songcheol was practically a legend. He was only compared in jest; seriously, there was no one who could stand beside him.

“It’s strange how quiet it is. There’s no other Hunter like him.”

“Surprisingly, it faded. Perhaps because he never shows his face.”

There was a time when interest in Kim Songcheol was at its peak. The Internet communities were abuzz, and Kim Songcheol’s existence spread everywhere.

But after a certain point, interest cooled rapidly. Even the media, which used to request the government to lift the embargo, was quiet these days.

It was a perplexing matter.

“I often wonder these days if it would have been better if Sehyeon had just gone like this too…”

Kim Myeongju couldn’t hide his regret. The government’s firm blocking of information played a large role in the decline of interest in Kim Songcheol.

But with Cha Sehyeon, it was different.

At that time, the threat of the gates was felt much more acutely than now, and the government put ‘Republic of Korea’s Responsibility Hunter’ Cha Sehyeon in the forefront to stabilize the citizens.

Even so, she was only 21 years old.

Cha Sehyeon at that time, that is.

She stood in front, believing it was what the government wanted, and became the Cha Sehyeon she is today.

He knew it was unavoidable, but looking back, it was a great regret. At least for Kim Myeongju.

Ding!

Just then, Kim Myeongju’s mobile phone rang. It was Kim Songcheol.

“Oh, just a moment. It’s Kim Songcheol.”

He excused himself to Seo Yi-tae and answered the phone.

“Yes, this is Kim Myeongju.”

[Hello. This is Kim Songcheol.]

“Yes, yes. Ah, you sent a lot of points again this time. The amount was considerable… Thank you, haha.”

Since he had graduated, he wasn’t directly sending points to Kim Myeongju, but he was checking the point status.

The points Kim Songcheol sent this time were 2 million points. He had transferred all the points he received from Baron Magenta to the Republic of Korea, and the 400,000 points he got from killing the Black Mage were kept for now.

[No, of course I should send them. That’s why I’m a Hunter. Oh, but Cha Sehyeon isn’t answering her phone. I have something to give her, what should I do in a situation like this?]

“Ah, I’m an expert on that problem. If you go to her house and knock until she comes out, she will.”

[Will she be home?]

“Is her Dungeon schedule free?”

[I checked that.]

“It’s daytime, so she’ll be home.”

[I’ll try it first.]

“It’s also good to announce your identity in a loud voice.”

[That’s a great tip. I’ll contact you again then.]

“Yes, then.”

Kim Myeongju ended the call like that.

“Is Hunter Cha Sehyeon out of reach?”

Seo Yi-tae asked, as if accustomed to it.

“Since not answering is her default, I actually feel relieved. Her answering immediately would make me more uneasy.”

“That… speaking of Hunter Cha Sehyeon. If Hunter Kim Songcheol rises to B-rank, will a B-rank gate… appear?”

Seo Yi-tae fidgeted with her hands as she asked. It was a heavy topic to mention so casually.

The reason C-class gates were called C-class gates was because they appeared after the Hunters of the Republic of Korea began actively operating in C-rank Dungeons.

Currently, Cha Sehyeon was the only one active in B-rank Dungeons, so there was no concern about that, but it was impossible to know what would happen if even one more Hunter like Kim Songcheol advanced.

Furthermore, as Kim Songcheol grew, the frequency of C-class gate appearances had already increased, and the frequency of other gates was also on the rise.

Of course, there were no major problems right now.

This was because the supply of various magic books had greatly increased the survival rate and point acquisition rate of Hunters.

And there were also the points Kim Songcheol was earning.

However, the appearance of a B-rank gate was another matter entirely.

“No one can know whether it will appear or not. If it were just a skilled Hunter, the probability of it not appearing would be high, but with Mr. Kim Songcheol…”

“Then wouldn’t it be good to discuss that part?”

“Mr. Kim Songcheol is also aware of the official position on B-rank gates. There’s no need to mention the gates below that and put pressure on him… One mention is enough. For now, let’s just cheer him on. He’s doing incredibly well, haha.”

Kim Myeongju concluded the conversation like that.

Meanwhile, Kim Songcheol arrived in front of Cha Sehyeon’s house.

Expanding his senses, he detected Cha Sehyeon’s presence. As Kim Myeongju had said, she was home.

‘She really is home.’

The reason he called Kim Myeongju instead of going straight to her house was because he didn’t want to make a wasted trip.

“As expected, you’re the expert, Cha Sehyeon.”

If he’s home, everything’s fine.

Kim Songcheol raised his hand to knock on the door, then realized a beat too late that he was a Mage.

When he was in front of a familiar background, like a modern entrance gate, he’d momentarily forget that fact.

Kim Songcheol focused intensely and cast a spell.

It was a simple magic message, but since the target wasn’t visible, it required precise magic formula control.

[I’ve come to deliver good news. Please open the door. I’ve come to deliver good news. Please open the door.]

It was after he had it loop a few times.

“Damn it!”

A curse word came from inside, then loud footsteps, and soon the door flew open.

“Why are you preaching into other people’s ears?!”

Cha Sehyeon, with her newly dyed hair, glared and shouted.

Now, in many ways, she wasn’t threatening at all.

“When did you dye your hair again? Here, take this.”

Kim Songcheol took a book out of his bag and handed it to her.

“What is it? If it’s a Castle Lord, I swear I’ll kill you.”

“I’m not actually here to preach, am I? It’s a second-tier Electric Shock Magic spell book.”

“Where on earth do you keep finding these things?”

“I’m busy. I’m just going to get a glass of water and leave. Can I come in?”

“Come in or don’t, I don’t care.”

Kim Songcheol entered Cha Sehyeon’s house.

It was a considerably spacious officetel. Just the living room alone looked almost like a sports field.

The house was surprisingly clean, thanks to the cleaning staff.

“Are you studying what I gave you last time?”

“Oh, that?”

Cha Sehyeon pointed to a corner of the living room with her chin and walked into the kitchen.

“My head hurts like hell, seriously. My head feels like it’s going to split just from going up one tier, is this right? The third tier was really easy!”

“Yeah, it is. Mine almost split too.”

Kim Songcheol replied softly and looked back at where she had pointed.

A book lay open and upside down on the table. It was the third volume of the basic theory of second-tier magic systems.

Considering her complaints, she was making quite fast progress.

It seemed she hadn’t earned the title of Republic of Korea’s best Mage through insult battles.

“Here. Drink it and leave, or get lost.”

Cha Sehyeon offered him a cup of cold water.

“You know ‘leaving’ and ‘getting lost’ are the same thing, right?”

“…You’re annoying me. Should I smash your head with this cup?”

Cha Sehyeon still spouted harsh words, but Kim Songcheol just chuckled once and drank the water.

“Oh, by the way, do you know about the Magic Alliance?”

What’s that? I only hunt, so I don’t know about such things.

Really? Then I’ll join and leave a review.

You’re going to join there?

Yeah.

If you join, won’t they make you do all sorts of things? I heard it’s a hassle to get involved.

They said they wouldn’t make me do all sorts of things, so I’m going to try it. If it’s a hassle, I’ll just leave, you know. I’m busy collecting points.

Kim Songcheol put down the empty glass of water and stood up.

Alright, I’m going. I’ll let you know the review via KakaoTalk.

Please do it over the phone. I’m begging you.

Cha Sehyeon clasped her hands together and waved them with a rather annoying expression.

Kim Songcheol watched her silently.

That rupture color doesn’t suit you well.

He left a critique of her new hair color and turned away.

As he walked to his official position, he noticed it was quiet behind him, so he looked back and saw Cha Sehyeon, with a serious face, raising both of her middle fingers.

Oh, I’ll go carefully.

Kim Songcheol smiled and left the officetel.

***

The Celestial Spirit Maiden stood on a hill, looking in one direction. The new item she had brought was pointing to the item Setsu possessed.

She’s coming along nicely.

The Celestial Spirit Maiden nodded.

Setsu was getting closer. She was steadily flying.

The reason for her late arrival seemed to be simply the distance.

It seemed she had been teleported quite far from Bluebell.

The child is struggling alone.

Kim Songcheol said with a sympathetic expression. By Earth’s standards, Setsu was a minor. A middle school student at that.

Just imagining Setsu traveling a long distance alone made him feel uneasy.

This much can’t be called suffering.

The Celestial Spirit Maiden replied curtly and ran off again.

Not only her, but all the martial artists she knew had undergone rigorous training at Setsu’s age.

Kim Songcheol, who had grown up receiving public education, naturally had a different perspective.

The two diligently moved towards their destination.

That destination was the Magic Alliance’s Branch Office.

Since even the Celestial Spirit Maiden didn’t know the exact location of the Branch Office, she had to stop by several bases and inquire before she could find it.

Fortunately, the distance wasn’t too far. Having traveled for about two days, it could be considered quite close within the dungeon.

Ah, is that it?

While moving for a long time, a blue pillar of light appeared in the distance. The pillar of light stretched high, as if to pierce the sky.

It was just as the Mage they met at a base called ‘Tisha’ had said.

‘It won’t be hard to find because of the pillar of light,’ and it was true.

That light pillar is a tradition of the Magic Alliance. In its early days, the Magic Alliance had very few mages, and they erected that light pillar to promote themselves in the special illusionary realm of the Dungeon.

Now, it’s merely used as a symbol of the Magic Alliance Branch Office, but that was its origin.

“Do you see anything?”

The Celestial Spirit Maiden asked.

Surprisingly, that light pillar is only visible to mages. Though I don’t know the principle behind it.

“It’s far away over there. Let’s go.”

This time, Kim Songcheol took the lead.

After traveling for a long time even after spotting the light pillar, they finally arrived at the Magic Alliance’s Branch Office.

There was no stone slab or base nearby. Just a solitary three-story building in a wide field.

The building looked like an ordinary commercial building from Earth. It was a very modern building.

That much was somewhat expected, but the long line of mages in front of the Magic Alliance Branch Office was not.

Hundreds of mages were lined up in front of the magic branch office.

It seemed to be a line for membership applications.

It was as if every mage in the world had gathered there. Their attire was all different, and their appearances were all different.

If you were to pick the most unique hunter, there were so many that you couldn’t choose just one.

“Why are there so many…?”

Kim Songcheol blinked at the sight of the line. It was a length that couldn’t be compared to a restaurant’s grand opening.

“I have no official position. I just need to continue my training. You’re the one with the problem.”

“Hmm.”

After a moment’s thought, Kim Songcheol walked towards the Branch Office.

Because there was an employee sitting near the entrance.

He was a male staff member with neatly combed hair, wearing a three-piece suit. He looked to be in his thirties.

Sitting at a table outdoors, he had a very bored expression.

Kim Songcheol decided to at least inquire and spoke to him.

“Excuse me, I’d like to join the Magic Alliance. Do I have to wait a long time?”

The male staff member just moved his eyes to look up at Kim Songcheol, then picked up something that looked like a barcode scanner device.

“Your hand, please.”

“My hand?”

“Yes.”

Kim Songcheol extended his hand.

The male staff member held the device to Kim Songcheol’s wrist. Then, a new burst of light emerged and scanned his wrist.

The male staff member looked at the small monitor on the table.

About three seconds passed.

He raised his head again.

“You’re from a technological civilization, aren’t you? Cars, airplanes… right?”

“Ah, yes.”

“If you go through the side door, there’ll be someone dozing off. Show this to that person.”

The male staff member handed him a silver tag. Kim Songcheol took it and asked,

“I don’t have to wait?”

“Those from magic-barren lands have a separate enrollment trial. Go on.”

Since the Magic Alliance initially started as a gathering of people from magic-barren lands, it seemed they still received preferential treatment.

Kim Songcheol, feeling bewildered, walked towards the side door.

To think there would be an advantage to being from a magic-barren land.

Upon opening the door and entering, he saw a counter. Behind it was a plump, curly-haired female staff member, dressed in a plain shirt and jeans.

It was fortunate that she wasn’t dozing off, as the male staff member had implied.

As soon as the female staff member saw Kim Songcheol, she stood up from her seat and came out from behind the counter.

“Your card, please.”

“Oh, here it is.”

She took the card, held it in her hand, and then opened the door directly in front of them.

“Come in.”

“Yes.”

Kim Songcheol entered the room. Inside, there was a book stand and a chair.

“Please take a seat first.”

“Alright.”

Her tone was much friendlier compared to the male staff member’s.

Kim Songcheol obediently sat down in the chair.

The female staff member took out a cube made of nothingness from a drawer behind her and placed it on the book stand.

A subtle mana fluctuation was felt from the cube. In addition, complexly intertwined magic formulas also stimulated Kim Songcheol’s senses.

It was definitely not an ordinary cube of nothingness.

The female staff member walked to close the door she had entered through, and with her back to Kim Songcheol, she began to speak.

“Try to open it. The time limit is…”

Before she could finish her sentence.

Click!

Something opened with a sound.