<Episode 8>
‘So this is a gate….’
The first thought that came to mind the moment I stepped inside the gate was: it’s hot.
True to its name, the “Red Plain,” the ground, tinged with a reddish hue, was cracked all over as if it had suffered from an extreme drought.
From the cracks, waves of hot, steam-like air surged upward.
“Ugh, good thing I wore a short-sleeve shirt underneath.”
From what I had researched beforehand, each gate had completely different climates and conditions. Even experienced hunters couldn’t predict the environment of a gate they were entering for the first time.
I stored all the outer clothes I was wearing in my inventory.
“Ugh, it’s as scorching as hellfire, meow.”
“…Hellfire?”
“That kind of thing exists, meow.”
Seemingly weak against the heat, Hanyang stuck out her tongue and panted.
Fortunately, no other lifeforms were visible inside the gate so far.
‘It’s not as scary as I thought.’
The vague fear I had associated with gates began to settle down after actually entering one.
I cautiously moved forward, scanning my surroundings. In the gray sky, both the sun and the moon floated together.
‘Seeing that, it’s definitely not Earth….’
I carefully set Hanyang down on the ground and began searching for materials in earnest.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long to find the “Solsol Grass” I had seen in the picture.
“Wow! This is it, right? It stands out so clearly because it looks so unique.”
Its thin stem shimmered with a bluish-silver glow, as if it were bathed in moonlight, and its leaves were round and fluffy like clouds. Carefully snapping the plant so as not to damage the leaves, a notification window appeared.
—
Material Collection Status
Solsol Grass (1/20)
—
“Oh! There’s another one over there. This might be quicker than I thought?”
Thankfully, there weren’t many plants in the gate, so the silver-glowing Solsol Grass stood out easily.
Already 3 collected. At this rate, I might be done in under an hour.
“Hanyang, come over here too–”
KUEEEEEEK!
At that moment, a monster’s screech echoed from behind. The sound was getting closer; it seemed to be heading this way.
I quickly grabbed Hanyang and threw myself behind a nearby rock.
KUEK, KIIIK!
‘A c-centipede!’
Peeking out from behind the rock, I turned my head to look.
It had a massive body over two meters long, with dozens of legs. And its eyes, there were so many that just looking at it made my skin crawl.
‘Ugh, disgusting.’
The centipede, as if searching for something, lingered near the rock before slowly approaching in my direction.
‘Wait! Why is it coming this way?!’
Holding my breath, I pressed myself tightly against the rock.
‘It’s going to find me!’
The creature’s face drew closer and closer. I squeezed my eyes shut. My heart pounded as if it would burst.
Kiiiiiik….
Fortunately, the centipede slid past me, its legs writhing as it moved on. As its massive body slowly disappeared, I let out the breath I had been holding.
“Phew… my heart almost stopped.”
“You really are quite timid, meow.”
Hanyang, unfazed, casually groomed her paw and spoke indifferently.
Still, the fact that it came that close without noticing me meant her “blessing” was definitely working.
“Alright. Let’s finish collecting quickly and get out.”
Carrying the heat-weakened Hanyang, I quickened my pace.
Monsters were a problem, but so was the oppressive heat. As I wiped away my sweat repeatedly, I spotted a cluster of silver-glowing plants in the distance.
‘Lucky! They’re all gathered there.’
The scattered Solsol Grass was growing in a dense patch. I rushed over and started harvesting enthusiastically.
8, 10, 13… the count rose rapidly.
“Wow! I might finish everything right here!”
I was smiling brightly as I pulled out the grass…
Then suddenly, a large shadow fell over me.
“…What is this?”
At the low voice, my shoulders stiffened.
Slowly turning my head, I saw a cold-faced man pointing a sword at me… Lee Hyunwoo.
‘Th-that’s a real sword!’
The blade looked sharp enough to slice my neck without hesitation if I moved even slightly.
I slowly raised my hands in surrender.
“P-please spare me! I’m a good person!”
“…It can talk?”
Of course I can! I’m human!
Unable to move, I rolled my eyes desperately, silently pleading for my life.
At that moment, Hanyang suddenly leapt forward.
“What are you saying, meow! How dare you threaten our Haneul!”
Startled, Lee Hyunwoo shifted his sword toward Hanyang.
Wait! Not my Hanyang!
“Waaah! Hunter Lee Hyunwoo! Don’t you remember me!? The fish-shaped bread!”
I urgently grabbed onto his pants and clung to him. He narrowed his eyes at me.
“…That lobby?”
“Yes! You remember!”
I nodded vigorously.
To convince him, I rambled on about when we met, what I was doing, and what he had said to me. Finally, he clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword with a cold metallic sound.
“How did you even get in here?”
“Well… um, about that…”
I considered lying to get out of the situation, but decided honesty might work better.
I explained about the mission that appeared after my awakening and how entering the gate was necessary to complete it.
“…A system-issued mission.”
He crossed his arms and stared at me silently. After some time, he finally spoke.
“Judging by your physical reactions, you don’t seem to be lying. I’ll believe you for now.”
“Wow! Th-thank you!”
“However, there are still suspicious points. Including that cat.”
Hanyang stuck out her tongue at him.
Don’t provoke him!
I quickly picked her up and forced a smile.
“My cat is very gentle, you know? Haha….”
I grabbed her paw and waved it like “hello~,” but his expression slightly cracked, clearly saying don’t do useless things.
“Th-then… I’ll be going now.”
“Where are you going?”
“Huh? As I said, I need to gather materials….”
As I tried to move, he blocked my path.
“Let’s go together.”
“…What? Why?”
He frowned at my question.
I already explained everything… why was he still suspicious?
“You never know what dangers are in a gate. Especially since your rank is low….”
“I really just need to quietly collect materials and leave.”
“Then it won’t take long.”
No matter what I said, it was clear he intended to stay by my side.
Monsters don’t even notice me… I grumbled inwardly but nodded.
Well, having an S-rank follow me wasn’t a bad thing. If something happened, he’d protect me.
“By the way, why are you here alone, Hunter?”
“For low-rank gates like this, I often clear them solo.”
“Ah… I see. That’s impressive.”
And then… silence. So awkward.
Unable to bear it, I tried making conversation, but nothing continued.
“What do you do on weekends?”
“I go to gates.”
“Oh… doesn’t that get tiring?”
“I suppose.”
…Right.
Do you just not want to talk to me, or are you always like this?
I awkwardly smiled and checked the system window. 17 collected. Just 3 more to go.
‘Ugh, it’s really hot….’
With no shade and heat rising from the ground, it was unbearable.
I took out some water from my inventory and gulped it down.
Come to think of it, he’s in full combat gear. Isn’t he hot?
“Aren’t you hot? Want some water?”
“I’m fine. I’m wearing a temperature-regulation item.”
“Ah….”
He glanced over my outfit.
That look… it felt like he was saying, ” You don’t have something like that, do you? It annoyed me a bit.
I’ll buy one someday when I have money…
“It’s surprising to see someone enter a gate in casual clothes.”
“…I just came in suddenly, that’s all.”
He let out a small sigh.
Feeling awkward, I fidgeted with my fingers…
Then suddenly, a shadow fell over me again.
“Put this on.”
He took off his outer garment and draped it over me.
Isn’t that an item? Is it okay to give it to me?
As if reading my thoughts, he nodded.
“I’m S-rank. Even without items, I can regulate my body temperature.”
“Then… I’ll gratefully accept it. Thank you.”
Since I’d finish collecting soon, I could return it then.
The moment I put it on, my overheated body cooled instantly. Hanyang, who had been wilting in the heat, purred contentedly when I held her.
‘…This feels strangely peaceful.’
Even though I was inside a gate, it felt calm.
And just like that, I began a short journey alongside Lee Hyunwoo.
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