A bizarre sight unfolded. Citizens trying to leave Seoul and Hunters trying to protect it poured into the streets all at once, causing traffic to descend into chaos. In particular, areas beneath the supermassive Gate were expected to suffer extreme damage, so many people left Seoul in accordance with—or of their own accord—recommendations from the Hunter's Association and the government. Watching the TV news showing the evacuation lines, Jin-Woo asked his mother.
"You and Jin-Ah should go stay somewhere outside the city too, shouldn't you?"
"This isn't even an evacuation advisory zone."
His mother had no intention of leaving Seoul. Jin-Woo's apartment was in the outskirts, far from the heart of the city. If monsters made it this far, it would mean the Hunters' defensive line had collapsed—and that would most likely mean his son, stationed at the very front of that line, had failed. His mother believed it. The flames would never reach this place. Jin-Woo simply smiled without saying anything more. Unlike his mother and brother, who were seated around the low table in front of the sofa, Jin-Ah sat on the sofa with both knees pulled up, looking down at Jin-Woo.
"Don't you have to go, Oppa?"
The Hunter Mobilization Order. But it didn't apply to Jin-Woo, whose home was in Seoul.
"That's Hunters from other regions arriving in Seoul and heading to the Association to report in."
"Oh."
Jin-Ah accepted the plate of apples her mother held out and nodded. The truth was, the person who found it most frustrating to be sitting around at home during a time like this was Jin-Woo himself. There were no monsters to kill to level up, and ever since he'd cleared the Designer, no key had appeared to enter an instance dungeon. His family was happy he was spending more time at home, but Jin-Woo wanted to train himself further, just in case.
'Should I delay my Daily Quest and head to a penalty zone instead?'
It was a good idea, and at the same time, not a good idea. He didn't know what might come spilling out of the Gate right in front of him, and who knew what kind of monsters awaited in a penalty zone.
'Even if the chances are low...'
If, in a one-in-a-million—no, a one-in-ten-million chance—something happened to him in a penalty zone, he wouldn't be able to handle whatever unfolded on this end. There was no need to shoulder two risks at once. So he ruled it out. In the end, to test 'Kamish's Wrath,' he'd have to find another way. What could he do? As Jin-Woo pondered, a scene from the TV flickered past his eyes. An aerial view of the Hunter's Association building from a helicopter. That's it.
'Shall I try using that?'
The corners of Jin-Woo's mouth curved upward, and his eyes glinted with an unusual light. He pulled out his phone and searched for a saved number. Trill—trill—like always, the recipient picked up on the first ring before even half a ringtone had played.
—"Yes. Master Sung. This is Woo Jin-Chul."
"So now I should be calling you Chairman Woo Jin-Chul?"
Woo Jin-Chul laughed, sounding a little bashful, and spoke lightly.
—"You can call me whatever you're comfortable with. I'm still getting used to this title that's a bit above my pay grade, honestly."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Woo Jin-Chul's voice turnedThe request was rejected because it was considered high risk