Chapter 81

Step, step.

“By the way… who’s this kid? Things were too chaotic earlier, I didn’t get the chance to ask.”

As they slowly advanced while keeping their guard up, Ha-jung cast a glance toward the child barely reaching Si-hyeon’s waist and casually brought it up. At that cautious tone, Si-hyeon paused, then explained the situation exactly as he’d seen it.

“Oh—she was making drugs in there. Limbs bound and cursed.”

“What?? Are you kidding me? These absolute rat bastard motherfuckers—this is the Villain Union, right? These goddamn pieces of—crossing the line doesn’t even begin to describe it!”

Si-hyeon’s blunt explanation must have hit too hard, because Ha-jung completely lost her temper.

“Hey, hey—”

Not that Si-hyeon was known for delicate speech himself, but Ha-jung was someone who would hurl profanity regardless of whether a kid was present. Her face was already flushed red with fury as she practically vibrated with rage, prompting Si-hyeon to hastily cut her off.

“Ah—sorry. I’m just pissed. I mean, how can anyone do this to a kid? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“There’s no way you’re fine. Next time you see those bastards, tell big sis. I’ll take care of every single one of them.”

“…You insane little—”

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

Honestly? She hadn’t said anything wrong. But “I’ll take care of them”??? Watch your wording, please…

“…Forget it.”

“Ugh, boring.”

Si-hyeon waved her off and picked up the pace, while Ha-jung continued to fume beside him.

“Master. The area ahead is wide open.”

Just then, Tae-woon’s voice cut in, shifting the atmosphere. Si-hyeon immediately heightened his guard and looked toward the thin concrete wall blocking their path.

Sssk—

Blade aura pierced straight through the wall. Crumbling chunks of concrete spilled to the floor.

Beyond the hole lay utter silence. But the scene before them was overwhelming enough on its own.

“What the hell…?”

He had expected a slum-like area from the dilapidated interior and makeshift planking earlier. But he had not expected this gigantic lawless zone.

Buildings of wildly different styles were stacked precariously skyward, forming an enormous tangled mass. Pipes, electrical wiring, and staircases were wrapped around its exterior like vines, while rusted rebar and wooden beams protruded at odd angles, creating a chaotic skyline.

And all of it illuminated by sluggishly flickering mana-stone bulbs.

“I’ve been inside a lot of Gates, but… never anywhere like this…”

Ha-jung’s whisper was barely audible, and Si-hyeon bit his lip. The spot where they’d emerged seemed to be the outskirts—still low-rise enough to see the sky from here.

He carefully traced the endless sprawl with his gaze, estimating where the others would likely be.

If Sima Yoon was right, Yoo-jun and Gyu-min should be somewhere near the center of those buildings. The hotel had been central in Las Vegas, after all.

Meaning that even if they tunneled straight through, it would take considerable time. And he knew perfectly well there would be obstacles along the way.

“Damn it… how are we supposed to deal with this…”

Even the rest of the group, normally unfazed, hesitated at the monstrous sight.

“…Let’s just move. Tae-woon at the front, I’ll take the rear. Ha-jung, you’re in front of me. Sima Yoon, you stay behind Tae-woon and keep scattering your eyes and ears.”

They had no choice but to push forward. Naturally, Tae-woon’s face twisted with dissatisfaction when Si-hyeon designated positions, but even he seemed to recognize that this formation was optimal—and didn’t throw a fit. Thank god.

“Ah, and I didn’t bring any weapons… unbelievable timing…”

After finally grasping the situation, Ha-jung began outlining her own combat limitations. Even if they were a suddenly assembled team, understanding each other’s combat abilities was essential. She instinctively looked to Si-hyeon as she spoke.

He froze for a split second. He and Tae-woon fought freely without relying on weapons, so he hadn’t thought much about this until now.

“…Do what you can.”

No miraculous advice to give. But Ha-jung didn’t seem to expect any.

Si-hyeon mentally reviewed the team’s capabilities, then grabbed a loose metal rod sticking out nearby and snapped it into a sword-like length, sharpening the tip. Once it resembled a blade, he tore down a laundry cord dangling overhead and wrapped it around the rod before slinging it over his shoulder.

Then he tore off a piece of ragged cloth and collected small metal scraps into it—primitive shrapnel. Not ideal, but with no idea when or what they’d face, anything was better than nothing.

“Let’s go.”

Watching the group fall naturally into their assigned formation, Si-hyeon hardened his expression and stepped once more into the sprawling labyrinth.

“How many teleport gates do we have left in the guild?”

“Two total. Which means don’t even think about using them.”

“…Since when does a secretary talk so bluntly?”

Inside a sunlit office, Shin Ryu-ha spun his wrist lazily as he conversed with the spectacled man standing before him.

“Our guild may be big, but Korea only has two teleport gates—and both are strictly for emergencies. You know that.”

“I know. But this is an emergency. It’s an S-class Gate. I told them to bring him back—how can I just let him die?”

“…True. But still…”

The exhausted-looking man pushed up his glasses and vigorously scrolled through his tablet.

“It still won’t work right away. Minimum two days.”

“Two days? Might as well take a private jet.”

But the secretary shook his head even as he reported the bad news, his tone flat.

“With the chaos from the Gate, if you fly there without authorization, you’ll be shot down by blind anti-Gate artillery before you even arrive.”

“…Charming attitude today.”

“Yes. That’s my specialty.”

Tch.

Shin Ryu-ha clicked his tongue and opened a drawer, pulling out a shard of glass—likely a magical communicator. He already knew the situation, but he had to formally report it nonetheless.

BEEEEP—

A piercing alarm cut through the room like a siren. Shin’s movements froze, and his gaze flicked toward the secretary’s phone, where the alert originated.

“What now?”

—Emergency! An A-class explosion-type Gate has appeared in Suwon!

“…Understood.”

The once casual atmosphere instantly shattered. A small sigh dissipated into the room.

“There’s never enough manpower… Where’s a competent hunter when you need one.”

“There is none. Now get going.”

The secretary hung up and sliced through the complaint without mercy.

Another notification rang—urgent, insistent.

Shin Ryu-ha listened, expression unchanging, and stood. He glided to the window, pushed it open, ready to leap into the sky—

“…What the hell.”

“What happened?”

His step halted.

“Two more explosion-type Gates just appeared.”

“What?”

For once, Shin Ryu-ha’s perpetually calm face twisted.

Tap. Tap.

Drops from the ceiling hit the shallow puddles on the floor with hollow, lonely echoes—but their steps quickly shattered the stillness.

They were now deep enough inside the building cluster that the sky was no longer visible. Si-hyeon frowned at the dirty gray walls, crumbling debris, and flickering mana-stone lanterns.

Feels like we’re going in circles…

It all looked the same. Not an illusion technique, though—just the monotony of the labyrinth making his instincts twitch.

He didn’t show a hint of that unease. Without solid evidence, there was no reason to spread nervousness. The others were experienced—Tae-woon always sensed him best, and Ha-jung had led countless Gate raids as a team leader. Both wore neutral expressions.

But behind them, Sima Yoon anxiously gnawed at his fingernails, unlike the others who appeared composed.

Weapons… I need weapons…

Everyone except him was competent in combat. The kid would be protected by one of the three, but his own situation was not good.

Las Vegas was infamous not just for money, but for dangerous criminals with powerful abilities. Even this small group had two dreamwalkers—meaning countless other enhanced individuals might have entered as well.

He couldn’t just rely on them to survive this S-class-looking Gate.

“Um… excuse me…”

“What? Did something concerning show up?”

“N-no, that’s not it…”

He really, desperately needed gear. Sima Yoon studied their faces and finally said:

“…Could we stop by my hideout on the way to find your people?”

“…What?”

Si-hyeon’s brow tightened immediately, making Yoon shrink back—but he continued.

“M-my hideout has items! It’s a skill-generated space, so they should still be there! No disturbances… Please, just once, could we check—?”

“No.”

“I-It’s literally on the way! Right in the middle! It won’t affect the route!”

Even with Sima Yoon begging for his life, Si-hyeon was unmoved. He understood the guy’s intentions well enough, but trusting an unverified person with weapons was idiotic.

“There are anti-curse medicines inside… and magical tools Ha-jung-nim might find useful. And swords.”

That made Si-hyeon pause. Yoon had been chatting with Ha-jung and Mitchell nonstop—collecting information, apparently.

“And… emergency food supplies.”

The moment food was mentioned, Si-hyeon’s expression shifted.

He had not considered the issue of supplies. They could be trapped in here for some time. His instincts were already warning him—his instincts never missed when it came to bad outcomes.

Everyone except Tae-woon and me would starve quickly…

Si-hyeon gave Sima Yoon a long, skeptical once-over. Then, inwardly amused and outwardly wary, he countered: