Chương 17: red hoodie
few days later.
As if to prove the power of the Wolf Guild, Jehwi found work for Eunha, who was measured as an F-Class.
"…How?"
Eunha blinked slowly as she checked the gate entry schedule. The total number of people registered was twenty.
Fifteen members from the 'Roar' Guild,
Two gatherers,
Two porters, and…
Support: Princess of Dark Flare – Wolf
At the very end, Eunha's nickname hung like a tail.
In the case of an F-Class, the lowest among the hunter ranks, it was said that it would be difficult to find a job not only in Korea, but also anywhere else in the world. If people received an F-Class measurement, it was the reason to tell them to quit being a hunter and to return to their main job.
"Didn't I tell you? Rank doesn't matter in front of Wolf's name."
Jehwi shrugged his shoulders triumphantly.
He had done it. Even when the only cases of F-Class hunters being recruited for gate attacks were for 'gatherers'.
Gatherers were mainly responsible for collecting and moving the resources in gates such as ores, plants, monster corpses, and other loot needed for research. A similar role was the porter. They were people who would carry the goods.
In the case of combatants, in addition to the basic mission allowance provided according to the difficulty of the gate, a portion of the money made from loot could also be given. However, gatherers and porters were the so-called daily workers or part-timers.
There weren't many guilds with people kind enough to willingly pay an expensive allowance for an F-Class hunter, who wouldn't be of much help in battle.
"Guilds are usually greedy. Even C-Class gates are quite expensive, so they won't want to give up even a single seat to an external hunter. But it can't be helped since the hunters are all gathered for profit anyway."
They were in an underground parking lot. Jehwi got into a car and shrugged his shoulders.
"Does Wolf have the right to attack a C-Class gate?"
Eunha took her eyes off the schedule and looked at Jehwi who was holding the steering wheel.
"Wolf didn't even participate in the C-Class gate auction in the first place. We don't need it."
There were few guild members with a rank low enough to be put into a C-Class gate, and Wolf guild members fought similarly to actual combat at the 'mock gate' in the guild training center.
The 'mock gate' was created by gathering phantom-related hunters. It was their training system that Wolf members would boast about, as it differentiated them from other guilds.
"But the CEO said that if he had known that something like this would happen, he would have bid for at least one C-Class gate in advance."
'Perhaps sooner or later you'll sweep the lower gates.' Jehwi smiled and turned his steering wheel.
In addition, how many bottles of soju he emptied to win this gate, how important this debut stage would be on future hunter activities, what would be good for dinner tonight, if she liked the smell of the air freshener… His chatter continued until they reached their destination.
Jehwi and Eunha, who parked their car in a suitable place, walked towards the gate entrance. Many hunters had already arrived there and were waiting.
Somehow, it seemed that their gazes were all directed towards Eunha.
Maybe it was because she'd been a hot topic on the internet lately? Was it because of her annoyingly flashy outfit? Perhaps it was for a simpler reason than that.
Since the hunter society had a subtle hierarchical order, there was a high possibility that it was because the F-Class Princess of Dark Flare, who was the most inexperienced, had arrived the latest.
"Hunter, here."
Jehwi held out a small backpack to Eunha.
"What is this?"
"I brought it with me because I thought you'd need it. It has a first aid kit, bottled water, towels, and a wireless charger."
Eunha stared at it intently.
"Do you need anything else?"
Jehwi tilted his head. Eunha shook her head and took the backpack.
"I'm okay. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Oh man, one of the hunters participating in the gate today is a BJ. It's a chance to get some screen time, so it's best to stand next to that BJ whenever possible. He's the man in the red hoodie over there."
tl/n: BJ is an acronym for broadcast(ing) jockey, they're basically streamers
"Okay."
"Oh, and again…"
"The entrance is open. I'll be on my way."
"Oh, then see you later! Go for it!"
Jehwi clasped his hands tightly. Eunha smiled lightly and turned away.
"I will open the gate! Hunters will stand in three rows, and gatherers will enter after that!"
Hunters scattered all over the place and formed lines one after another.
"Wait, you there."
"…"
"You, in the black dress."
Someone put a hand on Eunha's shoulder. When she turned her head, she saw a tall man looking down at her.
"F-Classes should stand in the back row. What are you proudly standing in the first row for?"
The sound of laughter was heard from all around her.
"…I didn't know."
Flick.
Eunha, who carelessly slapped the hand on her shoulder, retreated to the back row. The man frowned as if he didn't like something.
"Hunters, please take a step back! The entrance is opening. Five, four, three…"
Whoooom—
The air vibrated and the gate entrance began to flash. The surrounding trees trembled as their leaves fell.
"—Two, one!"
The birds sitting on the branches hurriedly flew into the sky. The air surrounding the area became heavy, and Eunha's heart thumped at the familiar but unfamiliar pressure.
'This feeling.'
Eunha clenched her fist.
This sensation, as the hair on her skin stood upright and a feeling of excitement resembling fear wrapped around her body.
It had been a few years, no, thirty years.
'I hope this goes well…'
Jehwi bit his nails with a worried look.
Eunha's back gradually faded through the rippling cracks.
***
"Gatherers, please refrain from working until I give you instructions, and keep an eye on the lights so you don't get lost."
It was the man in the red hoodie who led the hunters and gatherers at the front.
"Wow. Isn't that the BJ King God?"
tl/n: to clarify, his job is being a BJ, and his alias is King God
"The Roar Guild hired him this time. That's great."
"Just by getting on his show, you can expect a huge rise in popularity. How much was the recruitment fee?"
"At least in the billions."
Gatherers were heard whispering. It seemed that he was the famous BJ hunter that Jehwi was talking about.
King God fixed his phone on a long selfie stick and turned on the flash. It served as a light to brighten his face and a signal to those who followed him.
"Come on, don't be afraid. It's just a C-Class gate."
The BJ reassured the people with a smile on his face. C-Class gates usually employed E and F-Class hunters, and even D-Classes. It was said that he came to take on the role of the leader and to shoot a broadcast.
Yes. It was said that the difficulty level was easy enough to be filmed on TV. It was no different from Eunha's time.
The only difference was that the demand for hunters had surged compared to that time, and the hunters who entered the gate seemed quite relaxed.
It was said that the system of conscripting the Awakened regardless of age or gender had long since disappeared. In other words, those who were currently active as hunters had all wanted to become one.
Moreover, the welfare and position of hunters had greatly improved in modern times.
However.
'Even if it's a C-Class gate, you shouldn't let your guard down.'
Eunha thought.
Thirty years ago, the place she was confined to was also a C-Class gate. In hindsight, it was an Unknown Gate, but it was still a disaster that had occurred in a C-Class gate.
Even after thirty years had passed, humans had not been able to solve the mysteries surrounding gates, monsters, and the twelve divine beasts. In other words, it wouldn't be strange if something unexplained happened.
[Lv.9 'Cunning Salamander' reveals itself!]
A message window appeared in front of the hunters all at once. The terminal Eunha put in her pocket vibrated.
"It'll be a pretty exciting broadcast to see Lv.9 monsters appear at the beginning. What do you think, everyone? Ten moon balloons for an electric shock, a hundred for a one-on-one battle, and a thousand for a special move."
tl/n: I'm guessing that moon balloons are some sort of currency (like bits in Twitch)
The BJ, a C-Class hunter, leisurely held a selfie stick and induced the audience to respond.
[Lv.9 'Cunning Salamander' makes an ominous cry.]
[Warning! It summons a comrade!]
The numbers of monsters grew. There were seven in total. But there were nineteen hunters here, so it wasn't a very intimidating number.
"Everyone, take care of my share."
Someone leapt towards the monsters at high speed.
Crunch!
As the blade on his black axe swung in the air, a blue electric current arose. After that, all the hunters who were waiting entered an attack stance.
[Lv.9 'Cunning Salamander' spits poison.]
[Status Abnormality: Poison ᐅ Antidote or Removal Skill is required.]
Bang!
Clash!
Psh!
Various battles took place in accordance to each person's unique abilities.
Among them, Eunha stood tall and watched the battle closely.
'The tails are being cut off.'
Some of the salamanders who had their tails cut off ran away. The tails, which had lost their bodies, jumped up and down like fish on land.
"Gatherers, get all of the tails before moving on to the next area. They're pretty expensive. Be careful not to damage the leather as much as possible."
At the BJ's instructions, the gatherers rushed to open their bags.
Someone approached Eunha, who was staring at them.
"I understand that you're scared, but you have to hit at least one. I don't know how you got here, but shouldn't you at least get some experience?"
It was a hunter wearing a 'Roar' guild uniform. At her words, another hunter next to her nodded their head.
"Yeah. It's worthwhile to do even a little. Don't you know? Maybe you'll even rank up here."
Ah.
Come to think of it, there was a system called experience points. Eunha checked her terminal.
[Displaying the experience points obtained from the current gate. ᐅ EXP – 0. Do you want to reset?]
"…"
From the words of the hunters, it seemed that if she hit even one, the number of experience points would rise. Eunha put her terminal back into her pocket and started walking.
She didn't like their words or actions, but she didn't feel particularly upset either.
They were right. She had to take care of herself. It was the same before and now.
Eunha held her black parasol in her hand.
Monsters constantly attacked the hunters. She couldn't continue to not do anything.
[Lv.9 'Cunning Salamander' attacks you!]
Just then, a suitable monster appeared in front of Eunha. She reflexively summoned her black flames.
'…That one.'
Flap.
The tail of a salamander, which seemed to have been cut from the previous battle, came into Eunha's field of vision. It fell to the floor and was moving like a living creature. The moment Eunha was distracted by the moving tail,
Psh—!
A fast arrow flew in from behind.
"What's the matter? Are you afraid of Lv.9 monsters?"
Eunha looked back. It was the big hunter who had put his hand on her shoulder earlier.
Ignoring his words, Eunha turned her head again. The tail that had thrashed like a raw fish up until recently had suddenly disappeared.
'…It seemed to be moving as if being led somewhere.'
Eunha narrowed her eyes and looked around. Most of the cut tails went into the gatherers' bags.
After a couple more battles, a short rest period was given before the next move under the direction of the commander.
Eunha, who sat in front of the bonfire, checked her terminal.
[Displaying the experience points obtained from the current gate. ᐅ EXP – 0. Do you want to reset?]
Eunha glanced at the zero that appeared on the screen of her terminal. She hadn't been able to get rid of even a single monster properly yet.
They had only just passed the halfway point of the gate. There was still a chance. Eunha tucked her terminal back into her sleeve.
"Don't be too discouraged. It's always like that at first."
Someone tapped Eunha's shoulder.
"Are you the Princess of Dark Flare from the Wolf Guild?"
It was the BJ hunter in the red hoodie.
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