“Hunters, everyone, please take a step back! The entrance is opening. 5 seconds to go, 4 seconds to go, 3 seconds to go…….”

Woosh—

The atmosphere vibrated and the gate entrance started to flicker. The nearby street trees shivered, dropping their leaves.

“2 seconds to go, 1 second to go!”

Birds perched on branches took to the sky in a fluster. The density of the surrounding air tightened, and a familiar yet unfamiliar pressure made her heart pound.

‘This sensation.’

Eun Ha clenched her fist.

The hairs on her skin stood up, and a shivering sensation wrapped her body, similar to fear.

Several years, no, it had been 30 years.

‘It should go well…….’

Jehwi nibbled at her fingernails with a worried look.

Eun Ha’s figure gradually blurred through the shimmering cracks.

[This is the time separator]

“Collectors, please refrain from working until I give the signal and keep the lights on to avoid getting lost.”

At the forefront, leading the hunters and collectors, was a man in a red hooded tee.

“Wow. Isn’t that BJ Kinggatsu?”

“He was recruited by the Roar Guild this time. It’s huge.”

“Of course. Just appearing on his broadcast can expect a tremendous increase in recognition. I wonder how much the recruitment fee was?”

“At least in the billions.”

The collectors whispered. It seemed he was the famous Hunter BJ that Jehwi mentioned.

Kinggatsu fixed his mobile phone to a long selfie stick and turned on the flash. It served as a light to brighten his face and a signal for those following.

“Now, don’t be scared. This is a Crank gate, after all.”

BJ smiled brightly, reassuring everyone. Crank gates were typically for E, Frank hunters, and he was a Drank. He came as a leader and for broadcast filming.

Yes. The implication was that this was a sufficiently easy level for filming. And it was no different from Eun Ha’s time.

The only difference was the soaring demand for hunters, and the hunters entering the gate looked quite relaxed.

The policy of conscripting Awakened ones regardless of age or gender had long since disappeared. In other words, those currently active as hunters had chosen this path themselves.

Moreover, modern hunters enjoyed greatly enhanced welfare and standing.

But still.

‘I must not be complacent, even if it is a Crank gate.’

Eun Ha thought.

30 years ago, the place where she was trapped was also a Crank gate. In a way, it was an unknown gate, but it was a disaster that occurred in a Crank gate.

Even 30 years later, humanity had not solved the mysteries of the gates, monsters, and 12 mythological beasts. That is to say, it wouldn’t be strange if something inexplicable happened.

[Lv.9 ‘Quick Sand Worm’ reveals itself!] A message window appeared in front of all the hunters. The terminal in the pocket vibrated.

“Starting with a Lv.9 monster, this will make for a quite thrilling broadcast. How about it, everyone? 10 balloon support for electric shocks, 100 for oneonone fights, 1000 for a finishing move.”

The Cclass Hunter BJ casually held a selfie stick, inducing the viewers’ response.

[Lv.9 ‘Quick Basilisk’ lets out an ominous howl.] [Warning! An ally has been summoned!]

Monsters were summoned. A total of 7. There were 19 hunters present, so it wasn’t a threatening number.

“Everyone take care of your share.”

Someone leaped quickly towards them.

Sizzle!

When a dark axe was swung, a blue current arose. With that, all the waiting hunters went into attack mode.

[Lv.9 ‘Quick Basilisk’ spits poison.] [Abnormal Condition: Poison ▶ Antidote or Detox Skill Required.]

Bang!

Swoosh!

Whish!

Various battles took place according to their unique abilities.

Among them, Eunha was standing still, watching the battle carefully.

‘The tail is being cut off.’

Some of the basilisks cut their tails and fled. The tail that lost its body flopped like a fish on land.

“Collectors, gather all the tails before moving to the next place. They’re quite valuable. Be careful not to damage the skin as much as possible.”

At BJ’s command, the collectors began to open their bags.

As Eunha was watching them, someone approached.

“I understand being scared, but you have to hit at least once. You need to gain experience, don’t you?”

It was a hunter wearing the ‘Roar’ guild uniform. At her words, another hunter nearby nodded.

“That’s right. You have to contribute to feel accomplished. Who knows? You might rank up here.”

Ah.

Eunha had forgotten about the experience system. Only then did she check her terminal.

[The experience points you have gained in the current gate will be displayed. ▶ EXP – 0. Would you like to reset?]

“…….”

Judging by the hunters’ words, even one hit would increase experience. Eunha put her terminal back and shifted her steps.

She didn’t like their actions, but she didn’t particularly dislike them either.

They were right. One must take care of one’s own bowl, then and now, always the same.

Eunha held a black umbrella in her hand.

Monsters were attacking the hunters relentlessly. She couldn’t always have her bowl taken away.

[Lv.9 ‘Quick Basilisk’ is attacking you!]

Just then, a suitable monster appeared in front of Eunha. She reflexively summoned Heukyeom then.

‘……That is.’

Thump.

A basilisk’s tail, cut in the earlier battle, came into Eunha’s view. It was moving on the ground as if it were a living creature. The moment Eunha was distracted by the moving tail,

Whish─!

A quick arrow flew from behind.

“Why are you like that? You’re not scared of a Lv.9 monster, are you?”

She turned around. It was the large hunter who had put his hand on her shoulder earlier.

Ignoring his words, Eunha turned her head again. The tail, flopping like a fresh fish just a moment ago, had disappeared without a trace.

‘……It seemed to be moving as if being drawn somewhere.’

Eunha squinted and looked around. Most of the cut tails went into the collectors’ bags.

After a few more battles ended, a brief rest time was given before the next move under the commander’s instruction.

Sitting by the bonfire, Eunha checked her terminal.

[The experience points you have gained in the current gate will be displayed. ▶ EXP – 0. Would you like to reset?] Cha Eun Ha stared blankly at the number 0 that appeared on her device’s screen. She hadn’t been able to take down even a single monster yet.

They had just passed the core of the gate. There was still a chance. Cha Eun Ha tucked her device back into her sleeve.

“Don’t get too down on yourself. Everyone’s like that at first.”

Someone patted Cha Eun Ha’s shoulder.

“You’re the Princess of Heukyeom from the Wolf Guild, aren’t you?”

It was the hunter BJ, wearing a red hooded tee.