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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Reunion
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The Hunters of the retrieval squad, after many twists and turns, finally arrived in New Delhi, India, and were at last able to set foot inside the ‘Annihilation-grade Gate’…
But what greeted them was not a monster of unimaginable power, but a fully armed unit of ‘cavalry.’
“We have been waiting for you.”
They showed no hostility toward the retrieval squad.
No.
Far from it, they were exceedingly polite.
“We are soldiers of the ‘Niflheim Guard,’ sent to escort you to safety.”
They knew of the ‘Colossal Soldiers’ the retrieval squad had encountered time and again on their way into this Annihilation-grade Gate.
“This place is perilous, swarming with the ‘Colossal Soldiers’ that guard the entrance to the underworld.”
Then, gazing into the distance, he added,
“We will escort you to our safe ‘homestead’ before those things catch your scent and swarm us.”
At his words, the members of the retrieval squad began to exchange glances.
Though no one dared to speak rashly…
The meaning in their eyes was the same.
‘Can we really trust them?’
But the squad's deliberation did not last long.
The cavalry leader began staring into the distance…
And in an instant, all their faces contorted.
“Damn…”
Dozens of Colossal Soldiers, having sensed the intruders, were striding toward them, rapidly closing the distance.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
As the ground began to thunder from all directions, the cavalry leader shouted at the top of his lungs in a tone of utmost urgency.
“We must move now!”
All the Hunters’ eyes turned to Kang Seong-hyeon for a moment.
Kang Seong-hyeon, who had been chewing nervously on his lower lip, replied quietly.
“Right now, it seems we have no alternative but to trust them and follow.”
Even by a rough estimate, there were at least several dozen Colossal Soldiers approaching them.
Weren’t these the same formidable monsters that had given them a hard fight and caused numerous injuries with just three or four of their kind?
For the retrieval squad, exhausted from their forced march, fighting and winning against such a large number of Colossal Soldiers was physically impossible.
“This way—!”
The cavalrymen took the lead, charging across the snowfield, and the Hunters of the retrieval squad followed at full speed.
How much time passed like that?
Before long, they reached a colossal ‘wall,’ so high its top was impossible to see and stretching endlessly to either side.
And in one part of this wall was a large, gaping hole, through which the shimmering landscape of another world was visible.
“A Hidden Gate…?”
At someone’s murmur, the faces of the retrieval squad Hunters instantly grew grim.
A Hidden Gate.
In simple terms, this was a word that encompassed ‘another Gate’ existing within a Gate.
If a Gate was the *outer skin* (*外皮*), then a Hidden Gate nestled within was like the *core* (*核*).
In other words…
A danger several times greater than the Colossal Soldiers currently threatening them might be lurking just beyond it.
‘But…’
Weren't they practically surrounded by Colossal Soldiers?
They had Hearthstones, but if they used them now…
They would have to return with nothing to show for it.
“Let’s trust them.”
As murmurs began to spread through the squad, Kang Seong-hyeon spoke carefully.
“I don’t want to enter a ‘Hidden Gate’ either, but as we are now, we have no way of dealing with that many Colossal Soldiers.”
At his words, most of the Hunters nodded.
“I believe this is a ‘golden opportunity’ to thoroughly investigate the truth of the New Delhi Annihilation-grade Gate.”
He said again.
“It’s a mountain we have to climb eventually.”
His voice was low and smooth, yet filled with firm resolve and conviction.
“From this point on, the retrieval squad will enter the Hidden Gate and thoroughly investigate the situation. In an emergency, we will use our Hearthstones to escape.”
He then added.
“Even if we have to return empty-handed this time, it’s a mountain we must eventually conquer, so if we can at least gather some information about it…”
It was then.
“That’s right, it’s a mountain we have to climb.”
Yun Hui-su, stepping forward and interjecting, scanned the faces of the other Hunters before asking in a sharp voice.
“Besides, considering our original objective, I believe it’s necessary to enter the Hidden Gate and conduct an internal investigation, don’t you?”
Soon, she sheathed the sword in her hand and added.
“Our original goal was to rescue Hunter Jeong Yun-chan, who was stranded here about half a year ago, wasn't it?”
She said, taking in the vast snowfield with her eyes.
“If we assume he’s truly still alive, rather than being isolated in a snowfield where not a single blade of grass grows…”
Her gaze shifted to the cavalrymen as she trailed off.
“...the possibility of him surviving beyond the Hidden Gate, in the place they claim is safe, seems much higher.”
Having said her piece, Yun Hui-su, the Swift Sword, took the lead and threw herself into the Hidden Gate set in the massive wall…
Swoooosh!
Her body was instantly sucked into the Gate, spinning like water swirling down a drain.
“You’re not supposed to be pushing yourself yet!”
The Guide, Jo Min-jin, followed right behind her, entering the Hidden Gate second and leaving with a final word.
“I’m not sure what the right decision is, but I have to follow my patient whose treatment isn’t finished, so I’ll go first…”
With two people already inside the Hidden Gate, the remaining members were left with no other choice.
“I was just starting to wish I could lie down on a soft bed, wrap myself in a warm blanket, and binge-watch some cheesy romance dramas…”
Next, the Ice Witch Seol Eun-bin cheerfully entered the Hidden Gate, followed by the huffing Iron Man, Go Du-yeol.
“If a little kid like that can show courage, there’s no way a true man like myself can back down!”
The remaining Hunters were watching the situation unfold, unsure of what to do.
“The Colossal Soldiers can’t pass through the rift, so everyone, please hurry and take shelter inside!”
The cavalry leader, who could not yet be classified as friend or foe, shouted at the top of his lungs once more.
“Hurry—!”
And so, as if pushed, the Hunters of the retrieval squad had no choice but to enter the ‘Hidden Gate’ nestled within this Gate.
“So it was true…”
Yun Hui-su, the Swift Sword, murmured in a dazed tone as she glanced around.
The landscape that unfolded beyond the Hidden Gate was completely different from what the retrieval squad had expected.
A peaceful city.
Judging by the architectural style and the attire of the passersby, they didn’t seem to have achieved scientific advancement, but…
“They don’t seem to be wanting for anything.”
A humanity not so different from their own had settled here and was living in peace.
Hearing her mutter, the cavalry captain guiding them to the castle replied in a boastful tone.
“I can assure you, nowhere in the vast Abyss is more prosperous or peaceful than here.”
He spoke again with a gentle smile.
“Not only do we have a bountiful harvest every year, but our nets are always filled with delicious fish each time they are pulled from the water.”
“I see…”
“The mountains and fields are lined with fruit-bearing trees, and the plains have their own ecosystem of nutritious wild animals…”
He then added.
“As you can see, not a single person goes hungry. Everyone lives comfortably, without a care in the world.”
He continued speaking as he gazed at the great castle looming on the hill they were approaching.
“After our Master appeared, this place became a paradise. Famine and poor harvests ended, and all *industry* (*業*) has flourished greatly…”
At that, Kang Seong-hyeon questioned, “Master?” and the cavalry leader nodded in response.
“The one who ordered us to bring you to the castle is indeed the master of this place, the ‘Two-Sided Guardian of the Underworld.’”
How much time passed like that?
“We’ve arrived.”
As they quickened their pace while conversing, they soon found themselves right before the gates of the great castle that had seemed so distant.
“Please, enter.”
The castle gates swung open.
“Waaaaah!”
Young flower children with bright smiles welcomed them warmly, scattering petals from their baskets into the air…
From within the castle wafted the appetizing aroma of food that stirred one’s hunger, as well as the elegant and refined melody of a skilled orchestra.
“My heart is pounding for some reason…”
Seol Eun-bin remarked to the other Hunters, gently rubbing the bridge of her nose.
Soon, she leaped down from her horse's saddle and looked at the other Hunters, asking again.
“Don’t you feel like heroes returning to their homeland after a grand adventure, receiving a hero’s welcome?”
Though they didn't show it, the others seemed just as excited as she was.
Just then, the cavalry captain who had guided them to the castle interjected with a gentle smile.
“Should you require anything, please call any of the handmaidens and let them know.”
“Anything we require?”
“For example, food and drink, a warm bath, or clean new clothes.”
Having spoken, he glanced at the handmaidens dressed in fine, colorful silks and said.
“We will provide it immediately upon your request.”
At his words, Seol Eun-bin gasped, “Wow…,” her eyes sparkling.
“A bath, a bath, I want a bath first!”
The long journey from Sonauli to New Delhi and the repeated battles along the way had left them all exhausted.
“I want some proper food, not those dry biscuits…”
“I don’t need food, just a glass of strong liquor…”
“I don’t need any of that, I just want to take a nap…”
As they all walked on, voicing their desires, they soon arrived at the central courtyard of the castle.
“From now on, please feel free to spend your time in your assigned rooms, and then gather in the banquet hall for the evening feast.”
At this, Go Du-yeol tilted his head and asked,
“An evening feast?”
The cavalry captain promptly replied as if he had been waiting for the question.
“Our Master is likely in the midst of preparing the evening banquet for you all. Delicious food, fine wine, and even an orchestra and dancers to liven things up…”
A look of anticipation crossed some of the Hunters’ faces for a moment.
“We hope you will enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”
With that, the cavalry captain gave a bow and was about to exit the courtyard when he suddenly stopped.
“I was in such a rush that I failed to mention it, but your colleagues who arrived earlier are likely waiting for you.”
At his words, everyone looked puzzled…
“All I know is that they were invited by our Master a little before you and arrived just a short while ago…”
The cavalry captain trailed off and looked toward the head handmaiden, who stepped forward with a smile and said.
“I believe your colleagues are currently engaged in a private conversation in the banquet hall.”
Kang Seong-hyeon replied.
“Could you guide us to the banquet hall?”
Hearing that, Seol Eun-bin’s eyes widened, and she asked in a panicked tone.
“Th-then what about my bath?”
“Forbidden.”
“What’s wrong with a bath!”
Kang Seong-hyeon’s brow furrowed for a moment.
“The bathwater could be laced with drugs or poison, and they might burn incense that could affect our minds or nervous systems…”
He then looked at the other Hunters and added.
“For the same reason, I will not permit anyone to touch the ‘food’ or ‘drink’ here. Make sure you understand.”
Grumbling broke out here and there, but Kang Seong-hyeon remained as unyielding as a rock.
Unable to watch any longer, Yun Hui-su stepped in and began to scold them.
“No matter how peaceful this place seems, you’d do well not to forget that we are inside a Gate.”
“But…”
“Besides, for all we know, the so-called master of this place could be the ‘boss monster,’ couldn't they?”
After she put an end to the situation, Kang Seong-hyeon looked at the people of this place, including the cavalry captain and the head handmaiden, and added politely.
“We are grateful for the kindness you have shown us, but please understand our position as outsiders who cannot yet let down their guard…”
He then added.
“Could you please guide us directly to where our ‘colleagues’ are?”
“Yes, of course,” the cavalry captain replied, and once again began to lead the way toward the banquet hall…
Step, step…
The retrieval squad could only follow behind him, their eyes full of curiosity as they took in the castle’s interior.
As they walked aimlessly down the long corridor of the cloister, the melody of the orchestra grew louder and louder.
Guessing that the source of the music was the banquet hall, Yun Hui-su narrowed her eyes and looked into the distance, saying,
“Looks like we’re almost at the banquet hall.”
But for some reason, ‘Guide Jo Min-jin’ was trembling as if suffering from a chill.
“What’s wrong?”
When Yun Hui-su asked, she answered with great difficulty, her teeth chattering so hard they made a “clack, clack” sound.
“I’ve felt a chill ever since we first set foot in this city, but after entering the castle, it’s become truly unbearable…”
Just then, the cavalry captain interjected.
“We’re here.”
He then gestured with his chin toward a massive door at the end of the hall and explained in a quiet voice.
“That is the banquet hall where a grand feast will soon take place. You will surely make beautiful memories to look back on for years to come.”
With that, he began to push open the heavy, closed doors with all his might, adding softly,
“For now, please enjoy your reunion with your colleagues…”
With a loud “Creeeeak!” the heavy doors swung wide open…
And they saw the figures of ‘two men’ inside the banquet hall, waiting for them.
“It’s been a while, everyone.”
A man with melancholic eyes looked at them and offered a quiet greeting.
Jeong Yun-chan.
The undisputed best Hunter in the country, who had been stranded in the Annihilation-grade Gate and declared missing.
Just as the eyes of the retrieval squad’s Hunters widened at their unexpected reunion…
“Hiii.”
The man who had joined the retrieval squad as The Filial Son Kim Bong-gu’s manager, only to go missing as soon as they arrived at their first dispatch location, ‘Sonauli’.
“Nice to see ya.”
Kang-jun, too, was sitting at a large table in the banquet hall, waving cheerfully at them.
“What in the world happened…?”
Kang Seong-hyeon asked, looking at Jeong Yun-chan, then immediately whipped his head around to Kang-jun and asked again.
“And how are you…”
At his words, Kang-jun gestured with his hands as if he owned the place and continued in a sly tone.
“You all must be pretty tired. Instead of just standing there gawking, why don’t you take a seat?”
While everyone was busy staring back and forth between the two men, their eyes filled with questions,
The music from the orchestra on the stage at the front of the banquet hall began to quicken.
Women dressed in fine silks also appeared, each carrying a platter of food.
A magnificent spread of all sorts of delicious-looking dishes was laid out on the large table…
Just as some of the Hunters, reminded of their forgotten hunger, were staring blankly at the food,
Click, clack…
A beautiful woman in a black dress appeared with the sharp sound of her heels, smiled brightly, and spoke.
“I had judged that you would need time to recover from the fatigue accumulated over your long journey, but it seems my thinking was shortsighted.”
The beautiful woman trailed off vaguely before continuing after a brief pause.
“According to the head handmaiden, you said you required neither food, nor drink, nor baths, nor rest…”
At her words, Kang Seong-hyeon nodded and replied.
“Yes, it seems…”
She gave a slight nod and replied.
“I cannot very well keep my honored guests waiting, so I was thinking of starting the banquet a little early. Would that be acceptable?”
When Kang Seong-hyeon nodded silently, she gave a polite bow and added.
“In any case, thank you for accepting my invitation.”
Her gaze then fell on Kang-jun…
And then swept over the faces of the Hunters.
“And to the companions of ■■■…”
Everyone furrowed their brows at the unfamiliar word, but Kang-jun simply glared at her without a word.
[ The effect of the title 'Godslayer' (EX-Class) is activated! ]
[ You will not be intimidated before any god! ]
The system message was informing him that she was none other than a deity of the Asgard constellation, the ‘Two-Sided Guardian of the Underworld.’
[ The deity of the Asgard constellation, the ‘Two-Sided Guardian of the Underworld,’ gives you a smile that conceals a deep-seated hostility. ]
It even revealed every detail of her sinister intentions.
