Just as the meteorological agency anticipated the next day’s downpour, the Association generally forecasted and warned of the appearance of gates.

However, in the case of Burst Gates, as the name suggests, they were sudden gates that even the Association could not predict.

When a Burst Gate appeared, it was customary for disaster alert warnings to ring not only on the hunters’ terminals but also on ordinary people’s mobile phones.

But times had changed.

No one cowered at disaster alert warnings anymore. To the modern people, the next episode of the webtoon they were watching through the liquid crystal display was more urgent than the annoying alert.

Look at them now. Pedestrians stopped on their way, taking videos and exclaiming in awe.

The police officer pushed them back and set up a barricade.

“This place is dangerous. Please step back.”

But the pedestrians only moved a few steps back and did not completely leave. It was the same for Eun Ha.

“Isn’t that a gate?”

While setting up the barricade, the police officer swiftly raised his head to look at Eun Ha. Blue jeans and a white tee. The young woman, who looked no older than her early twenties, with her long hair tightly tied back, was also a spectator.

“Yes, well… as you can see.”

The police officer quickly averted his gaze from Eun Ha and resumed his work. Eun Ha stared intently at the side of his face and opened her mouth again.

“But why are firefighters coming instead of hunters?”

“That’s because the hunters will only move out after the gate auction is completed and the winning bid is finalized.”

That’s right. That was the order and the procedure. Even if it was a Burst Gate, there was nothing different.

What was she asking the obvious for? The police officer did not hide his annoyance.

Within seven days, if the gate was cleared, there would be no instance of the inner monsters coming out.

The damage wouldn’t spread much, and the value of the magic stones dropped by the gate boss would mature as the days passed. So, in the modern world, it was not uncommon to deliberately wait a full seven days before starting to clear.

It was a story Eun Ha had heard from Je Hwi. So, she knew it well. But still…

“Come on, move back.”

The police officer gestured at Eun Ha, who was standing still, as if she was in his way.

The ‘Legion’ guild hunters would soon arrive. Those famous for craving highlevel gates wouldn’t even have to wait seven days, they would just fly over. Their only task was to minimize damage until they arrived.

Many were moving hurriedly: firefighters holding thick, long hoses, extinguishing fires; rescue workers moving the moderately to severely injured; police officers setting up gate entrance blockade devices.

In the midst of this, without any warning, the flames suddenly intensified.

“Is it crazy? The fire…!”

“It’ll spread to the next building!”

The spectators began to clamor. The firefighters’ movement became frantic.

“Increase the pressure to the maximum!”

“But we can’t hold it!”

“Pull the hose more! What are you doing!”

Then, one firefighter who had been holding the hose screamed.

“Aaah!”

He couldn’t bear the pressure that had been raised too quickly.

The fire hose that had lost control started to thrash like a living snake. The firefighters nearby scrambled as the hose twisted and spat water. One firefighter was struck on the back of the head by the steel front end and crumpled.

“Fi, fire! Get away!”

In Eun Ha’s dark eyes, the twisting flames were reflected entirely.

‘Cha Eun Ha. Everyone here has lost family. I’ve lost a daughter too.’

‘There will be many more people you will save than those you couldn’t.’

In front of the thick, choking smoke, Eun Ha slowly blinked her eyes.

‘I wish that could be a comfort to you.’

Crash!

She moved her body reflexively.

Eun Ha caught the flaming board with one hand, and with the other, she grabbed the fallen firefighter.

“Wh, what?!”

The police officer who had been talking to Eun Ha just moments before widened his eyes.
Eunha was holding up a sign that had fallen from the surface of the hotel. It was not a size or weight that could be held with one hand. Moreover, it was clear that it was very hot as it had been set on fire.

“Huh, Hunter?”

Was it a hunter, though they had thought it was an ordinary person? But even if it was a hunter, it was astonishing that they were holding a sign heated in the fire with bare hands.

“Hey, get back! The flames are coming!”

The police officer came to his senses and shouted loudly.

Eunha turned around. The flames, which had grown fierce, were right in front of her.

In that brief moment, Eunha calculated her situation.

One hand was holding the sign, and the other was holding the unconscious firefighter. With both hands occupied, movement was limited.

Then there was only one answer.

Whoosh!

Just before being swallowed by the flames, Eunha threw the firefighter towards the police officer.

“……!”

Without a chance to shout, the flames engulfed Eunha.

(This is a time separator.)