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Chapter 119 – Christmas (2)

Seconds later, Yoo-Bin and Gi-Gyu’s eyes left the gate and searched for the screamer. Gangnam was a busy central city where gates frequently appeared, so it made no sense for a non-player to scream after spotting a gate.

The scream they heard was piercing and urgent. Yoo-Bin figured out the reason first and yelled, “That\'s an exceptional gate!”

.

Gi-Gyu nodded since it explained their situation perfectly. Only players could feel the magic from normal gates, but the gate before them also affected the non-players here. This gate’s energy was so forceful that non-players were dropping like flies.

In a blink of an eye, all non-players around the gate fainted, resulting in numerous car crashes and much more. The only ones still standing were the players.

One stray car was about to collide with Gi-Gyu and Yoo-Bin, but she quickly stepped forward and stopped it with her scabbard. The car was severely damaged, but thankfully, the driver’s injuries weren’t severe. It was a very close call.

Gi-Gyu muttered, “I think this is a dire situation.”

Even as he spoke, he could see numerous cars running amok. The area was filled with loud crashes and cars on their way to crush collapsed people. The players tried to help as much as possible, but there weren’t enough of them.

‘And opening my gate here to help wouldn’t be a good idea,’?Gi-Gyu thought. He knew that his monsters from Brunheart’s gate could provide valuable help. But it could also lead to more widespread panic. Many, if not most, would assume the monsters appeared from the new exceptional gate. It was very likely that the other players would end up attacking Gi-Gyu’s monsters.

“We better contact the association first… Oh, I guess it’s already done. That was fast.” Gi-Gyu was about to suggest to Yoo-Bin when he saw hundreds of players approaching them while helping the non-players. Her face tense, Yoo-Bin replied, “The association building is nearby, so I think they are already on it.”

Gi-Gyu also saw players coming from several other directions; they were probably from the nearby guilds.

“I guess this is why people love Gangnam,” Gi-Gyu commented. His tone was light, but his eyes remained serious as he stared at the gate.

A player in the association uniform approached Gi-Gyu and Yoo-Bin, bowed, and greeted, “I’m from the association, and I need your cooperation.”

After introducing himself as Kang Ho-Yoon, he explained, “It’s an honor to meet you, Ranker Shin Yoo-Bin and Ranker Kim Gi-Gyu. I am Kang Ho-Yoon from the gate maintenance department.”

Gi-Gyu was at first surprised that Kang Ho-Yoon recognized him. But he soon realized that he was probably a well-known figure by now inside the association. And since the agent belonged to the gate maintenance department, it made even more sense that he knew Gi-Gyu.

Kang Ho-Yoon requested, “Could you help us understand the current situation?”

Before Gi-Gyu could answer, Yoo-Bin replied quickly, “Of course.”

Gi-Gyu also nodded since the association agents and the volunteer guild members were already taking care of the situation. Gi-Gyu and Yoo-Bin had to just tell the agent what they witnessed, which wouldn’t take much time. Since the other players on the scene were also being questioned, he decided to cooperate.

***

The investigation didn’t take long. All injured were already in the hospital by the time Gi-Gyu and Yoo-Bin finished talking with the agent. In less than 30 minutes since the gate appeared, the association had already set a large parameter around it. It was impressive how quickly the association took care of the situation. No wonder there was a huge advantage to living in Gangnam.

“Will you be staying to watch the gate raffle?” When Kang Ho-Yoon asked respectfully, Gi-Gyu replied, “It’s an automatic raffle, right?”

Kang Ho-Yoon nodded and explained, “Of course. All rankers present on the site of a new gate are automatically entered in this raffle.”

If a single player discovered a new gate, they were given a priority pass; a raffle took place if many players witnessed a new gate’s emergence. Whoever got a priority pass could sell it, gift it to someone, or use it themselves within the given few days.

‘I don’t have the time to argue and fight for the pass. But I don’t want to give up either, so I better just enter the raffle.’?Gi-Gyu felt confident he could obtain the priority pass if he fought hard enough, but the timing wasn’t right. His hands were full of shopping bags with his mother and Yoo-Jung’s Christmas gifts. He had promised to spend time with his family, and he meant to keep his word. He really didn’t want to spend his first real Christmas inside a gate.

Also, this was an exception gate, so the possibility of some guild clearing it in the next day or two wasn’t high.

Kang Ho-Yoon turned toward Yoo-Bin and asked, “You too, Ranker Shin Yoo-Bin?”

“No, I’ll stay behind and watch the raffle. I’ll also help out with the cleanup,” Yoo-Bin replied in a firm voice. Since Yoo-Bin even helped with the parade for the dead Iron Guild players, he already knew Yoo-Bin was an ethical player who strongly believed in helping others.

Gi-Gyu didn’t dislike this side of her since her father was also like that. Even though he wasn’t close to Gi-Gyu, Yoo-Bin’s father chose to help him out often. Watching Yoo-Bin reminded him of the fond memories he had with her father.

Gi-Gyu told her, “You’ve grown up to be an upstanding young woman. I am sure your father would be very proud of you.”

“Of course! Anyway, you go ahead home, Oppa!” Yoo-Bin urged him.

“Okay. I’m sorry I’m leaving you here like this, but I’m sure you’ll be a great help to everyone here.” When Gi-Gyu commented, Yoo-Bin pouted. “Gosh! This isn’t exactly what I want to hear from a guy on Christmas! But I know it can’t be helped. Just go! I understand. You came here for your mother and sister after all.”

“Thanks! I owe you one. I’ll buy you lunch sometime.”

“You promise?! I’ll hold you to that!” Yoo-Bin replied playfully. With a nod, Gi-Gyu walked away. The situation was under control, but it was still very hectic. Gi-Gyu was about to leave when he suddenly heard a familiar voice.

“Ranker Kim Gi-Gyu!”

***

“It went exactly like you said,” the man said coldly.

“Are you surprised? You should know that I never lie,” his companion replied sarcastically.

Two men were sitting in a New York office looking down at the city. The first man was Ironshield, a high ranker and the guild master of a world-class guild.

Ironshield sounded suspicious as he asked, “Just who are you? To be able to open the exceptional gates wherever you want… I’ve never heard of such an ability.”

Ironshield’s companion was powerful enough to accelerate the fruition of Ironshield’s goal. However, since his identity remained a mystery, Ironshield remained wary of this stranger despite valuing his power.

Ironshield asked in a knowing tone, “Are you a demon?”

“Ha.” The stranger neither agreed nor disagreed. All he did was chuckle. The stranger’s attitude was beginning to annoy Ironshield. After losing a leg to Lucifer, Ironshield became even more vicious. He had always been a ruthless man, but he at least maintained a kind image in the past. Now, he didn’t even try to hide his dark side.

Ironshield was a predator, and his true nature was being revealed. He smiled and replied, “Well, I guess it doesn’t matter.”

Calleon, hanging on the wall, vibrated slightly, but Ironshield ignored it. “Thanks to you, it will be easier for me to make my way into Korea.”

Sending Rogers to Korea was a part of his ultimate plan to infiltrate Korea. His goal was to eliminate Lucifer. Unfortunately, Ironshield feared Lucifer since he couldn’t take her down alone. So, he needed something to trap her and protect him from her.

He needed a legitimate reason to enter Korea fully armed. Given what happened to his Korean branch, he already had that; considering what was about to happen, his next move would get even more legitimacy.

“Haha…” Ironshield chuckled and continued, “Iron Guild. A world-class group and a hero to Korea. With so many new exceptional gates and gate breaks, it will make perfect sense for the Iron Guild to return to help.”

Media already loved stories like these, and now, even the public would. With that much public favor, the KPA wouldn’t dare to refuse the Iron Guild’s help. As the leader of this guild, Ironshield believed he would be supported and beloved by the government and the people, which meant…

“Lucifer wouldn’t be able to touch me,” Ironshield declared with a grin. He was ready for his revenge. The stranger replied, watching him with interest, “You look very pleased.”

Ironshield looked up at his companion and asked, “Shouldn’t I at least know your name? We’ll be seeing each other often if we’re working together.”

The stranger slowly opened his lips and answered, “Ras.”

“Ras?”

Ironshield knew much about the demons, but he had never heard of the name Ras. He also had never seen or heard of a player who looked like this man and had the name Ras.

“I guess you’re trying to hide your name?” When Ironshield asked, Ras replied, “Just think of me as the guild master of the Caravan Guild.”

Ras, whose real name was Andras, showed off his pearly whites as he grinned. Ironshield shrugged and murmured, “Well, I guess it doesn’t matter to me.”

Ironshield placed his hand on his amputated leg stump, and the terrible phantom pain returned, but he just silently gritted his teeth. Despite being the master of many holy swords, he was now ready to sell his soul to the devil for revenge.

Andras thought, ‘It won’t be that easy.’

Ironshield believed the gates Andras opened were simple exceptional gates, but the truth was anything but simple. Unfortunately for Ironshield, this mistake would be a death trap for him in the future.

“Kekeke.” Andras giggled. Being the master of chaos and the symbol of dissent, Andras felt much pleasure from the trap he set up for the world.

***

Gi-Gyu scratched his head as he said to Sung-Hoon, “It’s Christmas, yet you look very busy.”

It seemed that Sung-Hoon rushed here because he was wearing regular clothes, not the association uniform.

Sung-Hoon replied, “It can’t be helped. I was off duty today, but they needed me here.”

Sung-Hoon’s position was an awkward one. He used to belong to the portal maintenance department, but he became Gi-Gyu’s manager and secretary after their first meeting.

“Ah, wait. You moved to the gate maintenance department, right?” When Gi-Gyu asked, Sung-Hoon replied, “Yes.”

Gi-Gyu had forgotten that Sung-Hoon had moved to the gate maintenance department to better care for him. Since Sung-Hoon now worked directly under Tae-Shik, he was free to do whatever to assist Gi-Gyu. Of course, today’s incident was too big for him to remain uninvolved, even if it was his day off.

Gi-Gyu asked, “Were you with your mother when you were called here?”

“Yes, but I still got to have lunch with her, so it’s okay.”

“Is she getting any better?” When Gi-Gyu asked, Sung-Hoon shook his head. Gi-Gyu murmured, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Gi-Gyu meant what he said since he understood how Sung-Hoon must be feeling. The last time he went inside the exceptional gate, Sung-Hoon wasn’t there. So, it had been a long time since they met, the last time being the day El died.

The two players chatted a while longer. Sung-Hoon said to Gi-Gyu, “You look much better now. I’m glad you were able to overcome your sadness.” Sung-Hoon took care of him after he lost El and roamed the Gangnam city aimlessly.

“Indeed,” Gi-Gyu replied simply. He caressed El, who was in her ring form. El said to Gi-Gyu gently,

-I am also happy to be reunited with you, Master.

Because El couldn’t maintain her human form for extended periods, she mostly stayed in her accessory form. In time, it would be possible for her to remain in her adult woman form.

‘After her evolution, of course.’?Gi-Gyu thought expectantly. El’s evolution was still on hold, and Gi-Gyu believed it was the key to her true power.

Sung-Hoon turned toward the group of association agents and said, “Ah, Ranker Kim Gi-Gyu. Please excuse me for a moment. I think they figured out this gate’s class.”

The association agents were murmuring among themselves urgently. Gi-Gyu was also curious about the gate’s class, so he decided to wait until Sung-Hoon returned with the information.

‘I’ve never felt this kind of energy from a gate before,’?Gi-Gyu thought with curiosity. So far, he had cleared a decent number of gates, and he could tell that there was something different about this new gate. It wasn’t just because it was an exceptional gate. This new gate’s fundamental magic felt strange. Lou and El might have known something about this, but Gi-Gyu hadn’t had the time to speak with them.

After a few minutes, Sung-Hoon rushed toward Gi-Gyu with a face full of anxiety.

‘This is bad.’?Gi-Gyu could tell something was wrong. The other association agents nearby all had serious looks on their faces. Even Yoo-Bin, standing far away, was staring at the gate in awe.

Gi-Gyu asked Sung-Hoon cautiously, “What’s wrong?”

Sung-Hoon stood before Gi-Gyu, opened his lips, and whispered, “Ranker Kim Gi-Gyu.”

Sung-Hoon looked around to make sure no one was listening and began once he was ready. “They couldn’t determine a class for this gate…”

‘An unratable gate? It means it has to be higher than the S-Class.’

Sung-Hoon added, “In the history of gates, this is the first time we aren’t able to determine a gate’s class.”

It was an unprecedented exceptional gate.