RCMT-Chapter 5

Ch.5 The Regression Of Calamity-Level Monster Tamer

“A signal is coming from the Gate!”

“…Already?”

“Already, what do you mean already? If a freshly awakened rookie lasted about 15 minutes, he lasted well.”

The Jotunn Guild, which had been camped out waiting outside the Gate, became busy.

Among them, the robust team leader Jang Seong-han raised his massive body and shouted.

“Is the coffin ready? Alright! When he appears, prepare to place him in the coffin and hold a proper funeral procession. After all, isn’t he a young hero who risked his life to block the Wave!”

At his command, Guild members began moving in unison. However, smiles rather than sadness graced their faces.

Conversely, the Gate Management Agency, composed of a small number of personnel, was taking a neutral stance.

They were people who ate the government’s rice to begin with.

Though they received allowances for clearing Gates, it wasn’t big money. That’s why they didn’t have an intense reaction like the Jotunn Guild.

Anyway, the most excited person here was Jang Seong-han.

He approached the middle-aged woman with a resolute expression and ran his mouth.

“Ma’am! Don’t worry! Our Jotunn Guild will send your son off on his journey very grandly.”

Jang Seong-han’s inner thoughts were sinister, unlike his appearance as he pounded his large fist against his chest boasting.

‘I should restore my reputation that’s been cut down with this opportunity. This would be a good headline for the news. [Jang Seong-han who grandly sent off a young hero, everyone sends praise for his benevolence] Keu! This is killer.’

“……”

Seo Gyeoul looked at Jang Seong-han’s back and frowned in disgust. Just from his back, she seemed to know what he was thinking.

However, even though she noticed such intentions, she didn’t bother stopping him.

Whatever the intention, if he held a grand funeral, it was a good thing, and it was much better than not paying respects.

Seo Gyeoul approached the young man’s mother and offered the maximum comfort she could.

“We will do our best to ensure he can be laid to rest in the national cemetery.”

“…You don’t have to.”

“Pardon?”

The middle-aged woman looked directly at Seo Gyeoul and answered once more.

“I said you don’t have to. Because my son will definitely come back.”

“……”

Seo Gyeoul felt her stubbornness and gave up on persuading her.

How many mothers could believe in their child’s death?

“Whatever the situation, our Gate Management Agency will do our best.”

Saying that, Seo Gyeoul left her spot.

She also needed to prepare to enter the Gate.

It was an unfortunate reality, but regarding the young man’s life or death, Seo Gyeoul was on the same side as Jang Seong-han.

‘The Gate has almost become navy blue now. A rookie no different from a civilian conquering not a Purple but an Indigo Gate? Infinitely close to impossible.’

Though she understood the mother’s heart thinking of her son, reality was cruel.

Preventing citizens from freezing to death from such reality was her job as a public servant.

So she always had to maintain blade-like coldness.

‘Right. But… that’s precisely why I need to reconsider my thinking.’

She too naturally thought the young man would be dead.

But precisely because of such moments, she had to be more suspicious.

If everyone only thinks ‘A’, they can’t cope and fall over when they meet variable ‘B’.

So at least one person had to consider and prepare for ‘B’ even if it was a slim probability.

And the Gate Management Agency had a manual for preparing for such situations.

And Seo Gyeoul didn’t ignore it because of her intuition.

“Clerk Park.”

“Yes, Officer Seo.”

“Contact the Player Management Department right now and prepare a special Player test.”

“…Right now?”

At Clerk Park’s question, Seo Gyeoul stared at him intently.

“Must I say it twice? Hasn’t 15 minutes passed?”

“I apologize, I’ll prepare it.”

Seo Gyeoul confirmed Clerk Park quickly disappearing simultaneously with his answer and turned her head back to the Gate.

‘Because it’s not like there are absolutely no such cases.’

Occasionally, geniuses who turned the world upside down mercilessly tore apart public common sense and appeared in unexpected situations.

Three such geniuses currently existed on Earth.

First, the Guardian ‘Joo Geon-ryul’, a tremendous powerhouse who doesn’t climb the Tower.

Second, ‘Miyamoto Daichi’, Earth’s Greatest Swordsman, who among Earthlings is conquering the Tower’s highest floors.

Third, ‘Julie Pearson’, owner of Bluestone Megacorp, who sparked the 5th Industrial Revolution with Magic Stones from the Tower and Gates.

The world called them the Three Venerables.

‘What if that young man is also ‘Situation B’ like those three?’

That wouldn’t be likely, but anyway, just following the manual and preparing for contingencies meant she had done her job.

“…!?”

“Huh?”

Giiiiing―

At that moment, the Gate began shining brightly while simultaneously making noisy sounds.

It was a signal that occurred when the Gate was about to expel something.

“He’s coming out!”

Someone among the Players shouted.

Simultaneously, the Gate shot light toward the ground, and that light began changing into a human shape like clay.

“……”

“……”

Gulp―

People held their breath watching that form.

Because the shape the light was transforming into was different from their expectations.

If he came out as a corpse, whether shattered to pieces or cut in two, he should have been sprawled on the ground.

But the lump of light wasn’t like that.

‘…He’s standing?’

The shining clay human was standing upright with feet planted on the ground.

“……”

“……”

People fell silent at facts different from their expectations.

Someone sent gazes filled with disappointment, someone with confusion, someone with relief.

As the white light gradually became tinted with various colors, a man revealed his form.

A man with features more refined than expected.

He had returned alive without dying.

There was no Player here who didn’t know what that meant.

“That means…”

Kadeudeudeuk―

A voice was heard from the government side, but it was soon buried by the Gate’s noise that followed.

Kadeuk― Kadeudeudeuk―

The Gate distorted as if crumpling like a can, then converged into a black dot.

The Indigo Gate had been conquered.

By one person…

“……”

“……”

As that fact hit home, the atmosphere stirred.

“He, he really conquered it?!”

“This isn’t a dream, right? Hey, pinch my cheek.”

“Ssseup… Don’t cause trouble and stay still, can’t you see the team leader’s mood is ruined right now?”

Everyone just made excited noises but didn’t readily step forward to approach him.

For some reason, an atmosphere difficult to approach flowed from the young man.

But there was exactly one person who didn’t care about such energy.

“Son!”

It was the young man’s mother.

She ran over in one breath and embraced her son.

Then the atmosphere that seemed unapproachable vanished in an instant like melting snow. The young man smiled brightly and embraced his approaching mother in return.

“Mother, I said I’d come back safely. Didn’t you trust my words?”

“I trusted you. I just missed you because I didn’t see you for a moment.”

“Eheh, why are you acting unlike our Ms. Park? I’ll tell you the story when we get home. It seems there are people anxiously waiting for me.”

Saying that, the young man raised his head.

Dozens of pairs of eyes were staring at the young man, but he appeared calm.

Rather, such numerous gazes seemed all too familiar to him.

Toward the government and Guild Players waiting for the young man’s first words, he opened his mouth.

“What are you all staring at like that? As if you’ve seen a ghost.”

***

‘Phew, thank goodness. Because [Two Are One (S―)] has such an effect.’

Kang Si-woo, who returned outside the Gate, let out a sigh of relief.

Currently, Kang Si-woo’s ‘Nest (F)’ Skill could only store one Magic Beast.

But Geri and Freki’s ‘Two Are One (S―)’ had various effects befitting an S-Rank Skill, and one of them was being able to enter a single Nest slot together.

‘Actually, it wouldn’t matter if they knew, but there’s no need to show my hand, right?’

A trump card is most threatening when hidden.

‘Anyway, it’s been a while since I’ve received these kinds of looks.’

Hatred, envy and jealousy, and curiosity and greed.

Gazes filled with various emotions.

It was the attention and interest I received when I just started climbing the Tower.

‘Though even that later changed to fear and longing. Anyway…’

I looked around at the dozens of people.

The reason I threw out provocative words from the start was to clearly distinguish friend from foe.

And sure enough, an impatient fish bit the bait.

It was a big catch.

“Hey youngster. This is a bit awkward to say with your mother present, but were you by any chance raised by a single mother?”

“Who are you?”

It was Jang Seong-han of the Jotunn Guild.

But I asked back as if I didn’t know. Then he smiled ssiik as if it was ridiculous and brought his face right up close.

“See, you reek of not receiving home education. Usually, introducing yourself first to your elders is the etiquette in the land of Eastern courtesy, you know?”

This guy, if he’s picking a fight this openly, his mood must be thoroughly twisted because of me.

‘At most, it’s for a trivial reason.’

Like he suffered a loss because I cleared the Gate, or he lost the opportunity to show off his skills in front of a woman he likes, or to make up for that opportunity.

Or all three reasons.

Of course, whatever the reason, I have no intention of continuing to be disrespected like this.

“Your tongue is long unlike your appearance. If you have complaints, just come at me?”

“…What?! You bastard!”

As expected, Jang Seong-han’s body moved before his head.

An iron hammer falling from top to bottom.

If that hits, my skull will be crushed to mush.

For reference, Jang Seong-han’s current Level is about 45.

Naturally, the gap in Level is hard to overcome.

But there’s something even harder to overcome than that.

That’s experience points.

‘You and I have eaten different amounts of Player experience, man.’

Tuk.

I lightly pushed Mother toward Seo Gyeoul, who was hurriedly coming to stop us.

And I used the only combat skill I currently had.

[Blue Wolf’s Step]

―Rank: C

―Level: 2

―Information: A footwork technique that activates when the opponent attacks. You can take ‘two steps’ in a ‘fluidized’ state.

(However, the Skill only succeeds when the user is in a ‘bold’ state.)

‘For such a simple attack, I don’t even need two steps.’

Kwaaaaang―!

An explosion burst and the surroundings filled with dust.

“……”

“……”

Silence arrived.

The Jotunn Guild members watching this lamented quietly that the team leader caused another accident, and the Gate Management Agency voiced concern for Seo Gyeoul rushing to the center of the accident.

At that moment, a pine-scented breeze that rolled in from somewhere swept up the dust and soared into the sky.

Anyone could tell it was Seo Gyeoul’s magic.

“…Hup!”

“…?!”

What was important would be the current situation nakedly revealed.

Jang Seong-han’s iron hammer had smashed the innocent asphalt ground, and my karambit resembling animal claws was pressing firmly against his carotid artery.

Jang Seong-han’s face had turned red as a sun-ripened apple, as if this situation was too humiliating.

“This fucking bastard, I was going to let it slide since you just awakened…”

One by one, blood vessels in Jang Seong-han’s eyeballs burst and the whites began reddening.

Skill, Berserker.

His trademark—a technique that only ends when someone dies.

‘You want to go all the way, is that it?’

Just as I was about to resolutely make up my mind, I heard a voice chilling enough to give even me goosebumps.

“Team Leader Jang, what are you doing?”

It was Seo Gyeoul, protecting Mother with one arm while holding a long staff in her other hand.

“Officer Seo! Are you taking this bastard’s side right now?! This rude bastard needs education! Besides, this bastard unlawfully entered the Gate—”

Jang Seong-han stopped activating his skill mid-way and rattled off excuses.

But defeating Seo Gyeoul with logic was harder than plucking stars from the sky.

“Being swept up in a Gate due to ‘unavoidable circumstances’ such as energy storms or Magic Beast attacks is a matter permitted by law.”

“N-no. Even so—”

“Moreover, this person is legally quasi-civilian. Do you know very well how heavy the sentence is if you use abilities against such a civilian, having been punished several times?”

Jang Seong-han was mercilessly sunk by Seo Gyeoul’s rapid fire.

Then this time, that muzzle was aimed at me.

“And you should stop there too. Though you wouldn’t have known since you just awakened, it’s illegal for unselected Players to enter Gates for conquest. You’re not in an honorable position either, is what I’m saying.”

I knew there were exception clauses like what Seo Gyeoul just said to Jang Seong-han, but I didn’t bother refuting.

There was no need to snub a benefactor who protected Mother.

Hwirireuk―

The karambit rotated several times, caught on my index finger, then entered its sheath.

Hoo―

Seo Gyeoul, who let out a small sigh of relief, began directing traffic.

“As of this hour, I announce that the unpredicted Gate in Amsa 1-dong, Gangdong-gu has been cleared. Since the situation has ended, lift the Gate control, and all personnel for conquest shall return.”

Seo Gyeoul, who spoke coldly, stared intently at Jang Seong-han.

Then Jang Seong-han reacted as if having a fit.

“…Just like that? You’re telling us to leave empty-handed after coming all the way here?!”

“Then will you create a non-existent Gate and conquer it?”

“That rat bastard must have received rewards!”

“That remark sounds like confessing crimes you plan to commit, is that correct?”

“No, that’s not what I—”

“I’ll say it once more. Return.”

“……”

Jang Seong-han glared at me with killing intent.

But instead of responding, I just shrugged my shoulders once.

“Ah, fuck, ptui! Kids, my mood’s rotten so let’s go wet our whistles.”

At my appearance, perhaps his steam also ran out, as Jang Seong-han spat out bubbling phlegm and exited staggering.

As one loach disappeared like that, only then could proper conversation be had.

I approached Seo Gyeoul and conveyed my gratitude first.

“Thank you earlier. For protecting Mother.”

“Working for citizens’ well-being is merely the duty of us public servants.”

“Not many people actually do that. I haven’t met many in reality either.”

“You’ve had bad luck.”

She’s stubborn as expected, truly Seo Gyeoul.

And true to her character, she cut to the chase and brought out the main point.

“And about the Player Management Department I mentioned earlier—”

“You’re talking about allowing special tests for Irregulars, right?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“I have time right now. I don’t mind going right away as you said.”

At my words, a slight crack appeared in Seo Gyeoul’s expression that seemed like it would never break like permafrost.

“…Do you perhaps have relatives or acquaintances who are government officials?”

“Well, let’s say that.”

“Ahem, it’s good that I don’t have to explain separately.”

It was partly because I found it bothersome to hear explanations I already knew again, but it was also partly because making Seo Gyeoul flustered was quite a rare opportunity that I did it on purpose.

Right, I played a little prank.

Actually, all of this was content I heard from the past Seo Gyeoul.

“Then, we will take responsibility for safely escorting your mother home. That…”

“My name is Kang Si-woo.”

“Yes, Mr. Kang Si-woo should come with us.”

Saying that, I stopped Seo Gyeoul who was about to turn around.

“Ms. Seo Gyeoul?”

“…Yes? Did I perhaps tell you my name?”

Unnecessarily sharp.

“…I heard that pig say it earlier.”

“Hmm, was that so?”

I continued the topic before she could notice the strangeness.

“Anyway, I have one proposal to make. I think it will be a win-win proposal for both of us.”

“I’m listening.”

Though she doesn’t bother saying it out loud either, she’s probably guessing my situation.

A Player who cleared an unpredicted Gate alone at Level 1.

In other words, an ‘Irregular’.

The moment this fact spreads, my value will skyrocket.

Probably love calls will pour in from major Guilds and numerous places. With plump conditions.

But I had something more important than that.

And to do that, I needed to build a connection with Seo Gyeoul.

“I work well, so would you consider hiring me as a part-timer?”

“Ah, yes… Eh? At our Gate Management Agency?”

Once again, a crack appeared in Seo Gyeoul’s icy expression.