Chapter 26

All the gates were closed, and the monsters that had rained down on Seoul from the sky and ground had been cleared.

The constant screams, gunshots, and explosions had stopped. Things had finally calmed down.

“Is… is it over?”

Someone’s voice came through the murmuring crowd.

Only then did people start to realize the situation and begin to move.

There were people crying for their lost family members, others who dropped to the ground in relief at surviving…

Very few had the energy to thank the Hunters who had saved them.

Most just stood there, blank-faced, struggling to accept reality.

[Should’ve jumped down faster.]
[You were fast enough. Don’t feel guilty for doing a good thing.]

I used to be someone who only cared about myself.
No matter how hard others had it, I didn’t care.

And honestly, that hasn’t changed. I still think living well is what matters most.

But this situation is different.

Seeing people suffering like this in front of my eyes—it’s too painful for someone like me to ignore.

“We’ll guide you to the shelter! Everyone, please follow us!”

“The situation is over! You’re safe now!”

“Please come with us, it’s okay now!”

The Hunters who helped stop the gate break, including Kim Yuyeon, began guiding and calming people.

Even though the loss was heavy, we had saved many. That had to be enough.

But we didn’t have time to rest.

Gates were still open in other parts of the country. People there were still suffering.

The Hunters left in Seoul were exhausted. Not many could go help right away.

[We need to head to the provinces. Can you use teleportation?]
[Of course.]
[Then let’s get Kim Yuyeon and Guildmaster Hoyun first…]

Just then, a few people ran toward me through the crowd. They held phones, and the badges around their necks showed they were reporters.

Even now, they were doing their jobs. I felt a little bad for them.

Still, if an interview from me could reassure the citizens, I should at least say something.

I turned toward the reporters.

[Tsk… maybe it’s better if we just leave.]
[Huh? Why?]

I didn’t need to hear Lee Woojae’s answer. The reporters were already saying it.

“Are you Hunter V? There’s a rumor you’re a secret Hunter from the Association. Is that true?”

“Why did you arrive later than the other Hunters? Were you busy with something personal?”

“People are calling you a hero. It’s rare for anyone to clear a high-rank tower like you did. When did you become a Hunter? What have you been doing since you awakened?”

“How did you get such power? Are you going to start a guild or work for the government?”

What the hell…?

[Probably government influence. They’re nervous because you, the CEO of Midas, and V all seem connected.]
[Still, this is totally different from last time. Back then, they treated me like a hero.]

I never asked to be treated like a hero, but now they were making me out to be some self-centered psycho who saved people just for show.

Of course, not all the interviews were negative. Some reporters asked what I was feeling, if I was scared when helping.

But I only heard the bad ones.

[That’s how people are. When times are hard, they want a hero. But once that hero gets too popular, they get jealous and want to bring them down.]
[…]
[And with government help, it’s easy to push that narrative. The government doesn’t want the Hunter Association to gain more power.]

My head was spinning.

I didn’t save people to get involved in politics.

“Excuse me, Hunter?”

“Won’t you answer? Was there a reason you arrived late—huh?”

I ignored them and used Horte’s magic to pass through the crowd.

Then I grabbed Guildmaster Hoyun, who was slipping past the reporters, and Kim Yuyeon, who was guiding people and yelling not to block the way.

[Woojae. Teleport.]
[Got it.]

Fwoosh—

But I didn’t realize something.

People had only felt safe because Hoyun, Kim Yuyeon, and I were still there.

“You damn scumbag reporters!”

“Sir, please calm down!”

Thud—

As the reporters stared at the spot where we disappeared, a rock hit one of them in the back.

“Ow! What the hell?!”

“What the hell? That’s all you can say? You should be thanking the Hunters who saved your lives instead of harassing them! Ptooey!”

A rough-looking man cursed at the reporters, and others started joining in.

“You’re worse than animals!”

“Because of you, the Hunters left! What if there were still monsters?”

“This is why all our Hunters move overseas!”

I only heard about this later from the news.

Ju Hoyun and Kim Yuyeon stared at me in shock.

Of course they were confused. A stranger had suddenly teleported them away.

“You… who are you?”

“Why did you bring us here?”

They looked at me, half confused, half cautious.

They could’ve shaken me off if they tried. Even if I’m a little stronger and faster than an S-rank, they could’ve handled it.

They just never expected someone who cleared three gates to grab them and teleport away.

‘Still, Kim Yuyeon didn’t notice anything.’
‘Well, the energy is different. And she hasn’t seen Horte’s magic.’
‘So she’ll figure it out later.’
‘There are ways to hide magic too.’

They’re allies, so I’ll tell them someday.

But not now. It wasn’t the right time.

[This isn’t the time to worry about that.]
“…”

They looked down at the scene below—and went silent.

Even now, people were running from monsters.

We were floating above Daejeon, where a gate break had just happened.

Unlike Seoul, where we had many strong Hunters, the provinces didn’t have enough manpower.

[Guildmaster Hoyun, take care of this place.]

Hoyun gave me a wary look but nodded.

“I usually don’t take orders… but this situation’s different.”

She pulled her hand free and jumped down into the city.

Kim Yuyeon spoke.

“Wait, then what about me?”

[You…]

Fwoosh—

I teleported her to Sejong.

[Take care of this area.]
“Huh? Teleporting is really this—aaah!”

Unlike Hoyun, Kim Yuyeon pulled her hand away herself.

She wouldn’t be hurt from that height.

She could handle herself.

[Now, let’s go to Busan.]
[Got it.]

The remaining gates were in Busan and Daegu.

I was going to take care of both.

Busan was in a similar situation.

But now, I couldn’t use magic as freely.

My and Woojae’s mana wasn’t unlimited. After clearing three gates and defeating stragglers, we were already tired.

We’d also used teleportation multiple times.

[I’m kinda tired.]
[Me too. Let’s save our magic now. Woojae, it’s on you.]
[Understood.]

If we used too much magic when we were low on mana, we could collapse.

So we switched from magic to close combat and sword fighting.

Basically, we’d fight like we did during the first B-rank gate break.

Boom!

I landed fast in the middle of a monster crowd, and a massive shockwave blew dozens of them to pieces.

The Hunters who were desperately fighting froze and stared at me.

“W-Who are you?”

[Just protect the civilians.]

Normally I’d use polite speech, but in this form, it didn’t feel right.

It just didn’t fit.

I gave them that one line and turned toward the monsters charging at me.

Screech!

Even though I was overwhelmingly stronger, the monsters didn’t hesitate.

It was like they were brainwashed.

I didn’t need to pull out my magic sword, Tyrfing.

These were just small fry.

An S-rank Hunter should be able to handle a gate. No need to worry too much.

Slash! Thud! Crack! Splat!

Every time I swung my sword, dozens of monsters exploded.

I’d wipe out one group, move to another area, and repeat.

I’d improved, so even though it was rough, I didn’t feel sick like I used to.

“What… what the heck was that?”

“Were they always that easy to kill?”

“Did you forget what you just saw? Use your brain!”

It wasn’t as fast as Seoul, but Busan was quickly cleared.

Same for Daegu.

They were close enough that I could teleport there and finish the monsters with my remaining mana.

[Phew… That was tough.]

After I finished off the last monster, Daegu’s citizens slowly came toward me.

“Thank you, Hunter.”

“Here, try this herbal medicine.”

“I don’t have much, but want me to rub on some pain relief cream?”

The reaction here was completely different from Seoul.

Was this what people meant by country warmth?

“Wow, Hunter, you’re really cool. I wanted to be a Hunter once…”

“You? Become a Hunter? No way! Hunters are brave, like this guy! You could never be like him!”

“I never said I could! Why are you picking a fight?”

I was a little overwhelmed, but Woojae helped calm me down.

‘That’s not it. In Seoul, everything ended so fast, and you looked too overwhelming. But now you look more like a normal Hunter.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Back then, you had too much mana and were casting huge spells nonstop. You looked untouchable. And your appearance isn’t exactly warm either.’
‘I see. Maybe I should’ve used a sword in Seoul too?’

Now that it was over, we could joke.

I liked their kindness, but if I had to do it again, I’d still use magic in Seoul.

It was the most efficient way to save people.

Even if I didn’t gain fame, I only started all this because I didn’t want to see people die.

Still, it would’ve been nice if people in Seoul thought of me as impressive instead of scary.

“Hey, Hunter. Are you the guy from the news? What was his name…”

“Why are you asking if you don’t even remember the name? It’s V, right? It’s gotta be him!”

People kept chatting nonstop.

I wanted to keep listening, but I was getting motion sickness and my body was exhausted.

I nodded silently and asked Woojae to teleport us one last time with the remaining mana.

Fwoosh—

“Whoa! Where’d he go?!”