CH 57

Some people like to party, while others don’t.

“Why, why did I lose at rock-paper-scissors!”

Even while the party was in progress, portals could open, and monsters could pour out. That was why there was someone who had to remain in the guild just in case, and it was decided to arrange the 2nd and 6th teams.

The first team was selected from the top teams and one team was selected from the middle teams.

“Don’t cry, team leader.”

“But why! I’m good at rock-paper-scissors! To lose at a time like this!”

“It’s fate.”

The deputy team leader looked out the window with a dejected expression. The party must be in full swing by now.

“Seon-woo niiim!”

The deputy leader’s actions made the team leader cry again.

Basically, those who entered the Seon-Hyeon Guild were similar. They admired Ji Seon-woo, who was stronger than anyone else. Of course, it wasn’t that there were no people who came in with the idea of wanting to join a large company, but eventually, as time passed, they changed their minds.

She couldn’t help but be fascinated when she saw Ji Seon-woo fight even once. That was why the deputy team leader fully understood Lena, the team leader of Team 2 who was crying.

“I didn’t think a portal would open today. Ehyo. I just wanted to go to the party.”

Lena was muttering with her cheek against the desk when suddenly a sharp notification sounded. Upon hearing the sound, Lena jumped to her feet, and her deputy team leader quickly pressed a button located nearby.

A huge portal is about to open in Myeong-dong! Measurements suggest that it is most likely an emitter gate. Asking for help from the Seon-Hyeon Guild.

Lena quickly stood up and said,

“Let’s go!”

She packed her weapons and inspected the armor she was wearing. And just as she was about to leave, she heard another notification.

A gate has opened! Monsters are pouring out. The location is Gangnam! Quick help is requested!

Despite the sudden request, Lena was not taken aback. Because she had more teams waiting. But the notifications didn’t stop there.

A gate appears to be opening in Eunpyeong! No, not just Eunpyeong! Gates are now appearing simultaneously all over the place.

There were ten places in Seoul alone, but the numbers were staggering if the other provinces were included. Moreover, all of them were release-type gates. The faces of Lena and her deputy team leader went pale.

“Contact the Guild Leader! I’ll go somewhere nearby first!”

It wasn’t just to the Seon-Hyeon Guild that the request came in. Other guilds were also moving quickly at the frantic requests. Normally, this would have been enough, but with the sudden opening of the gates and the people who had not been able to evacuate, the conditions were becoming the worst in many ways.

***

“What’s that?”

People stopped at the bizarre circular entrance that suddenly appeared in the middle of Gangnam.

“Isn’t it a portal?”

“Why is it open here? But there was no warning today.”

It was rare for a portal to open without warning.

“Yeah?”

If the portal was open, they would have been notified in advance to evacuate. The Awakened guarding the portal were also nowhere to be seen. A few immature people had already started to stand around it and take pictures or videos. And five minutes later, hell opened in the middle of the city.

Krrrrk.

The first thing that jumped out of the entrance was a dark red wolf. When a wolf the size of a cow jumped out, a person recording nearby froze. The wolf did not hesitate to take advantage of such a good opportunity and immediately charged at the person, baring its sharp teeth.

“Aaaaargh!”

Someone pulled the screaming man by the scruff of his neck. It was an Awakened who happened to be nearby. Lucky for the men, bad for the Awakened — his level was not high.

“Run away quickly!”

Still, he did not run away. If he ran, most people would die. Humans cannot overcome the speed of wolves.

‘I don’t even have a weapon.’

He sighed and stepped in front of the wolf.

“Quick, call 511!”

It was a number to urgently report when a portal or monster appeared. It was only then that people hurriedly picked up their phones.

“Just a little, let’s hold on a little bit longer.”

The closest guild was the Seon-Hyeon Guild. If they moved fast, help could get there in no time. The Awakened looked at the portal with a pale face.

***

The cake was chosen and prepared by Hyeon-woo. He chose the large, white cake because he wanted to give his brother a memorable birthday and this cake shone under the lights.

“I’ll light a candle.”

With those words, Hyeon-woo lit each candle and went out. He was only 22 years old. Hyeon-woo wanted his younger brother, who had more years left than years lived, to continue to be happy in the future.

‘One more to light ...’

He brought the lighter towards the last candle. Suddenly, he felt a huge force pressing down on the party.

Thud.

The sound of something heavy falling. The chandelier on the ceiling swayed like crazy, then it quieted down. After that, people started to mutter. A few people took out their cell phones, and others followed suit.

When Chan-young answered the phone, his expression hardened.

“Gates are opening simultaneously across the country.”

That was enough. Seon-woo stepped forward and said.

“The party is over.”

“Oh, damn it.”

Hye-sun scratched her head and stepped forward.

“Looks like everyone got the same news.”

At that, Ga-jun shrugged.

“They said the standby team has already been dispatched.”

“Us too. What about you?”

Ja-yun answered Hye-sun’s question.

“So have ours.”

“That’s still not enough?”

He let out a sigh.

“First of all, we have to send all the escort personnel back.”

“I’ll do that too.”

Beside Hye-sun, Ga-jun nodded and reached into his jacket to take out the poisoned bottle.

“Hey, why did you bring poison to the party?”

“In case I fought Ji Seon-woo.”

“On his birthday? You’re like a poisonous snake.”

“What a surprise. Aren’t you glad though? Because I’m properly prepared.”

“I am too.”

Hye-sun took out her shield from her space bracelet. Ja-yun also spoke with his sister as he prepared for battle,

“A-yun ah, you should also go with the others. Get as far away from here as possible.”

A-yun shook her head in disagreement. Even she, a normal person who couldn’t sense what was happening, could tell something was going to happen here soon. Judging from what was occurring all around Korea right now, it was probable that a gate was about to open here too.

“Is it very dangerous?”

“A little.”

Ja-yun replied with a bitter smile. Actually not a little. It was because the energy he felt was getting stronger and stronger. How high will this power level rise to? He had an uneasy feeling. Therefore, all of the low-level Awakened at the party were sent out.

“I’ll stay!”

Several people offered to stay, but the guild leaders refused.

“Other areas are also seriously being affected right now. We need to direct others there anyways. Leave it to us here.”

After sending everyone out like that, there weren’t even ten people left in the empty party hall. The top five Guild leaders in Korea, as well as Ivan from Russia, Junichi from Japan, and Leon from America.

“I think you can go out too.”

Ga-jun said, but they did not move.

“Can’t I watch it?”

Junichi asked calmly.

“No. What do you want to watch anyways? Don’t you have any intention of helping?”

“Nah, you guys should be able to handle it.”

Even if they tried to help, there were many things that got in the way because of various problems and negotiations between countries. But even so, he didn’t want to leave this place.

“I’m not leaving either.”

When the eyes watching from the side disappeared, Ivan calmly spat out his words and agreed with Junichi.

“Hu, you unlucky bastards. Then what about you?”

Ga-jun tried to hold back the swearing and asked Leon.

“South Korea and the United States have long been allies. Wouldn’t it be right to help if I can?”

Leon was better. However, Hye-sun wrinkled her brow and grumbled because she didn’t like the other two’s answers.

“Are they trying to get attraction?”

“By the way, Nu-nim, aren’t there only five S-class awakened people here?”

With Foreigners excluded, he counted.

“Right.”

“But do we really need to be here?”

“You know why, don’t you?”

Hye-sun patted Ga-jun on the back. The amount of energy gathering was unusual. It was enough to get goosebumps even on the backs of S-class Awakened people.

“Yeah, but ...”

“Then wait patiently. Look, the gate is opening.”

Small cracks in the air began to grow. A crack, the size of a human head, quickly became large enough for a car to pass through, and because that was not enough, it grew even bigger.

“Hyung. Get out too.”

Seon-woo winked at Chan-young, who was still there. Then, without hesitation, Chan-young stood up and hugged Hyeon-woo like a bag of rice.

“What? Hey! Wait!”

Hyeon-woo tried to pull himself out, but Chan-young grabbed him and started running.

“Kirrk!”

Spotty and Kero, who had been crying their voices out the entire time the portal appeared, tried to follow, but Hyeon-woo waved his hand.

“You stay there! Seon-woo, protect Seon-woo!”

In an instant, the distance began to widen. The party hall, which seemed large, became smaller and smaller. People who had left earlier began to appear, but Chan-young did not stop.