#117
It was exactly 6 PM when they arrived at the convention room guarded by armed bodyguards.
As they entered, those already inside turned their gazes towards them.
Ignoring the stares, Eunseok surveyed the space. The interior was set up like a conference room. Two men and two women were seated around a large table. Standing in front of a large monitor on the wall of the conference room was Mason Turner, the secretary of the J&D Guild leader.
Whistle-.
A man with an enormous muscular build whistled. The man, who looked like he belonged in a bodybuilding competition magazine, looked Eunseok up and down. He was clearly interested.
“To think you’ve brought a real S-rank guide here, that’s impressive.”
The man addressed Choi Hanseo.
“Let’s sit.”
Choi Hanseo completely ignored the man’s words and pulled out a chair for Eunseok to sit.
As the two sat down, Mason Turner finally spoke.
“Now that everyone is here, I’ll start with brief introductions. Starting from this side, we have S-rank James Hammer, who will be the team’s tank. S-rank Damon Melton and S-rank Choi Hanseo will handle close-range damage. A-rank Anna Lawson will be in charge of long-range damage. A-rank Natasha Novikov is our healing hunter. And finally, S-rank guide Lee Eunseok.”
One tank, two close-range damage dealers, one long-range damage dealer, one healer, and one guide. Including Eunseok, the team consisted of 6 members. It was the same configuration as the Baekho Guild’s First Attack Team. Considering that this special team was also assembled for S-rank gate attacks, this seemed to be the most efficient composition for gate attacks.
As Eunseok was carefully observing his temporary teammates, suddenly the healing hunter Natasha Novikov winked at him. Eunseok pretended not to see it and finished evaluating the team members’ ranks.
Three S-rank hunters and two A-rank hunters.
It seemed they had appropriately mixed in A-ranks probably due to the other two S-rank gate attacks. Fortunately, all team members’ ranks and expected stamina looked excellent. Their faces all exuded experience. If their teamwork was good, it looked like it could be a great team.
The J&D Guild secretary began the briefing. However, there wasn’t much new information. The most important points were memorizing each person’s position and a few formations that could be changed depending on the situation. Even those were mostly formations used by the Baekho Guild’s First Attack Team. Perhaps because of this, everyone wore bored expressions.
“That concludes the briefing I’ve prepared. You can discuss the rest over dinner.”
After finishing his words, Mason Turner put his hand to his in-ear device and mumbled something. It seemed he was telling them to bring in the meal.
“Hello? I’m Natasha Novikov. You can call me Natasha. Nice to meet you, Lee Eunseok.”
The red-haired woman who had winked earlier approached and extended her hand as if asking for a handshake.
“Nice to meet you.”
Eunseok completely ignored the outstretched hand and only gave a brief greeting. Natasha visibly showed her disappointment. However, she didn’t seem embarrassed at all, as if she had already expected the handshake to be rejected.
“Lee Eunseok, guide. I’m James Hammer. As you just heard, I’m an S-rank hunter. Feel free to call me James.”
James Hammer approached and greeted Eunseok. Seen up close, he was the owner of incredible muscles that looked like he could win a bodybuilding competition right away. Given his position as a tank, his build alone gave a very reliable impression.
“I’m Lee Eunseok. Pleased to meet you.”
Eunseok responded with a simple greeting. James Hammer glanced at Choi Hanseo, then grinned, showing his teeth.
“Full of killing intent, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I’m not after your guide. I just want to make a good impression on the guide I’m entering the gate with.”
Hearing this, Eunseok looked at Choi Hanseo sitting next to him. Choi Hanseo wore his usual expressionless, emotionless mask-like face he always had when he was in a bad mood.
“It would be best if you maintain that stance. Otherwise, I’ll rip off your head and kick it away.”
Choi Hanseo warned James Hammer in a monotone voice.
“Whoa, whoa. Let’s keep it friendly. I also have a guide I brought with me. Though not S-rank.”
James Hammer raised both hands to show he had no intention of fighting and moved on to another hunter.
“I’ll stay here, so go and chat with them a bit.”
Eunseok encouraged Choi Hanseo. Although it was just a temporary team for this one time, they were still comrades who would attack an S-rank gate together. It wouldn’t hurt to build some rapport.
“No need. They’re all just living off their own conceited egos. Once we enter, formations and positions won’t matter at all.”
Choi Hanseo said cynically. He seemed confident in his words.
“Then why are you trying to take me along?”
Eunseok voiced the question he had been holding since before they left.
Of course, the condition for contracting with the Baekho Guild was to let him enter gates and fight. But an S-rank gate would be on a completely different level from an A-rank gate. Taking Eunseok along to such a place could be a considerable burden. If Choi Hanseo had told him to sit this one out, Eunseok would have complied, albeit with some disappointment. If it was just for guiding, he could receive the guidance and enter the gate alone. Yet, Choi Hanseo was insisting on taking Eunseok along.
“We made a promise, didn’t we? To enter gates together.”
“S-rank is different, isn’t it?”
“Why? Are you scared?”
Choi Hanseo asked challengingly. Eunseok wasn’t unaware that he was deliberately provoking his pride. But he couldn’t help but respond.
“Of course not.”
As Eunseok answered firmly, Choi Hanseo smiled slightly. Then he said,
“I told you, didn’t I? I have no intention of keeping you caged. So go wild. I’ll protect you.”
“……”
Eunseok couldn’t find words to say. He just tightly grasped Choi Hanseo’s hand.
#13
Eunseok wore a bulletproof vest made from S-rank gate byproducts, along with wrist and shin guards under his clothes. He wore gun holsters on his side and ankle, and straps on both thighs to hold a dagger and a short sword, each weapon in its place. He slung an automatic rifle over his shoulder and a backpack on his back. Finally, he completed his preparations by slinging a sniper rifle case over his shoulder.
While Eunseok was preparing, Choi Hanseo had also finished his preparations. He was wearing a form-fitting black shirt and pants. On his hands, he wore leather gloves with exposed fingers, which also seemed to be specially made items from gate byproducts.
“Are you going without weapons this time too?”
Eunseok asked, looking Choi Hanseo up and down.
“I am the weapon.”
Choi Hanseo answered nonchalantly.
If anyone else had said such a thing, Eunseok would have laughed first, wondering what kind of confidence that was. But having seen his battle scenes several times, Eunseok immediately understood Choi Hanseo’s words. He was simply a man who was a powerful weapon in himself.
“Shall we go?”
Choi Hanseo asked. Eunseok nodded.
As soon as they stepped outside the hotel, they saw the gate opened vertically. An eerie color that seemed ominous just by looking at it was rippling.
“Good morning.”
The red-haired healing hunter, Natasha, greeted them cheerfully.
“Good morning.”
Eunseok briefly returned her greeting.
Soon after, the team members came out of the hotel one after another. Some came out alone, while others came out with what appeared to be their guides.
“Be careful. Don’t go wild on your own.”
A young man with light brown hair held onto Damon Melton and cautioned him. He seemed to be Damon’s partner, the S-rank guide.
“Don’t worry. Just be ready to guide me when I come back.”
Damon said affectionately, giving his guide a kiss on the cheek. It quickly turned into a short kiss on the lips.
Damon’s guide, who separated with a regretful face, suddenly approached Eunseok.
“You’re Guide Lee Eunseok, right? I’m Noah Baker, Damon’s partner.”
Noah Baker extended his hand without hesitation. It was the first time meeting another S-rank guide. Eunseok shook his hand without hesitation.
“Please take care of Damon. He has a personality that can’t be stopped once he gets excited… I wish I could go in with you like Lee Eunseok, but that would only burden Damon. So, please look after him.”
Noah Baker asked worriedly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to take care of the team members.”
Eunseok reassured him with brief words.
“If you’re all ready, we’ll begin the S-rank gate attack.”
Mason Turner, the J&D Guild secretary, announced in front of the gate.
“Alright! Let’s go!”
The tank, James, shouted in an excited voice and plunged into the gate first, holding a huge shield and hammer. The others, as if not wanting to be outdone, immediately entered the gate as well. It was a free-spirited movement that didn’t care about formation at all.
“See? I told you it would be useless.”
Choi Hanseo whispered in Eunseok’s ear with a hint of amusement in his voice. Then, as if escorting him, he placed his hand on Eunseok’s shoulder and entered the gate with leisurely steps.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
