A Gate on the Highway

Gunhee's Office – Korean Hunter Association Headquarters

Go Gunhee sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as he stared at the paperwork cluttering his desk. His mind wasn't on administrative work, though—it was on Min Byung-Gu.

The healer had been one of the finest Hunters in Korea. His loss was a heavy blow, and yet, the world called it a "noble sacrifice."

Gunhee scoffed.

There's nothing noble about dying in battle.

Min Byung-Gu had perished because he had no other choice, because the enemy had been too powerful. Gunhee clenched his fist. If he had been just a little stronger, if Korea had more strength at its disposal—

Ring! Ring!

His phone snapped him out of his thoughts. Gunhee exhaled sharply before picking it up.

"President Go, we've got a problem," the voice on the other end said.

Gunhee's expression hardened. "What is it?"

"A B-Rank Gate just opened on the highway. The strike squads won't be able to respond in time, and even if they do, their chances aren't great."

Gunhee frowned. A B-Rank Gate was dangerous for a normal strike squad, but still manageable if they sent enough manpower. So why was this urgent?

Then it hit him.

Po and Jinwoo.

Didn't those two say they were opening a Guild office? And wasn't it near that highway?

Gunhee hung up without another word and immediately dialed a different number.

Ring… Ring… Ring…

The phone rang inside a luxury black car, where Po was currently leaning back with his legs propped up on the dashboard. Jinwoo was driving, eyes on the road, when the call came through.

Po glanced at the screen. Gunhee.

He grinned and picked up. "What's up, Prez? We in trouble already?"

Gunhee didn't bother with pleasantries. "A B-Rank Gate just opened on the highway near your Guild office. Can you two handle it?"

Jinwoo's eyes flicked towards Po, who just smirked. "Hah, you're asking us to clean up a B-Rank Gate? That's like asking a nuke to take care of a cockroach, Gunhee."

Gunhee sighed, but there was amusement in his voice. "It's faster than sending the Association's teams. Consider it a favor."

Jinwoo finally spoke. "We don't have the entry permits yet, though."

Po laughed. "Oh no! Guess we can't do it, huh? What a shame."

Gunhee's voice immediately flattened. "Jinwoo. I run this sh*t. You won't get in trouble."

Po whistled. "Damn, Prez. You got that much pull? You're sounding like a mob boss now."

Gunhee ended the call.

Po chuckled, tossing the phone onto the dashboard. "Alright, boss-man, you heard the man. Let's go raid a Gate."

Jinwoo nodded, already turning onto the highway.

Highway – B-Rank Gate Site

By the time they arrived, a small crowd had gathered. Hunters, civilians, and even some reporters were nearby, watching as the Gate pulsed ominously.

The moment Po and Jinwoo stepped out of the car, a wave of recognition swept through the crowd.

"OHHH!! IT'S SUNG JINWOO!!"

"AND PO!! NO FREAKIN' WAY!"

"CAN WE GET A SIGNATURE?!"

Po groaned, raising a hand. "Guys, guys, we're here to handle the Gate, not to sign autographs."

Jinwoo ignored the noise, walking up to the Gate's shimmering blue surface. He placed a hand on it, testing the mana flow. It felt… normal. For now.

"Let's go," he said.

Po sighed dramatically. "Fine. But if my suit gets dirty, somebody's paying for the dry-cleaning."

And with that, they stepped through.

The moment they entered, the Gate flashed red.

Po groaned loudly.

"Ugh, really now?" He rubbed his temples. "A Red Gate? My suit's definitely getting dirty."

Jinwoo remained calm, surveying the environment. They weren't inside some ruined temple or cave—they were in a massive rainforest.

The air was humid, thick with the scent of damp earth and vegetation. Towering trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their dense canopies blocking out most of the light. The ground was already soaked.

Po's eye twitched.

"Now it'll definitely get dirty," he whined. "C'moooon!"

Jinwoo ignored him, already sensing movement in the shadows. The Dungeon's monsters were waiting.

"Alright," Jinwoo said. "Let's make this quick."

Po huffed. "Fine, fine." He snapped his fingers. "Come out, boys!"

Jinwoo did the same.

In an instant, hundreds of shadow soldiers manifested, their eerie, dark forms blending seamlessly with the rainforest's natural gloom.

The monsters, whatever they were, were about to learn that they had messed with the wrong Hunters.

And so, the carnage began.

To Be Continued…