You Know (2)

-Member, from now on, we will support the battle through messages. First, buy seventeen A-rank magic bombs provided by the Hero Universe, and throw them all at 730 meters away at 11 o’clock through the broken window.

“That’s the direction Na-hee just left. What sort of battle are they supporting…?” Even though a SSS and SS-class gate had opened in the middle of Paris, the administrator’s attitude was surprisingly calm. Of course, it was true he was used to taking a relatively cool attitude towards other humans aside from Shin-hyuk, but such comments relieved him in this moment of crisis.

“By the way, sir.”

“Pretend you don’t know, pretend you don’t know.” Kang Shin-hyuk grunted and exerted his trait to boost himself and Baek’s boots. Baek could feel his speed pick up as he glanced over at Shin-hyuk.

“Wouldn’t that have been great in the last battle?”

“Pretend you don’t know. Now, let’s start.” Why did Kang Shin-hyuk wear a mask and act as Shin Eun-hyuk in this situation? The reason was simple; that his traits were fairly obvious when used. If he activated them here without the disguise, it would be easy to tell whom he resembled.

-I guessed it the last time the gates opened…member, this is erosion. Be careful.

Kang Shin-hyuk finished reinforcing Baek and was using his sickles to remove the obstacles before him.

“Erosion?”

-There are basically two types of gates: emission and absorption. Emission types pour out monsters from inside of it, and absorption brings in humans.

That was the information he already knew. Wait, did that mean there were more than just two types?

-Do you know what would happen if the emission gate was completely neglected?

“After the monsters occupy the area around the gate, the magic power inside of it moves into its surroundings, changing it. That’s why we need to block emissive gates.” That was exactly what the African continent was currently facing due to the environment inside the gate, bleeding out to Earth, warping it. The monsters fighting there were gaining power as the number of humans able to fight against it decreased. If there was hell on Earth, it was there.

“No way, erosion…?”

-It is to pollute the environment by force. The area becomes a subspace that cannot be escaped without destroying the gate.

Kang Shin-hyuk raised his head at that moment, but it was already too late. The ceiling that was there just before was replaced by the ceiling of a huge cavern.

-The window has disappeared.

Perhaps the administrator had wanted to explode Lee Na-hee, who had kissed Kang Shin-hyuk and ran away. It seemed feasible as the administrator’s regret-filled message came in. The window that had just been there as well was now a cave wall.

“No way, this gate…”

“I’ve heard of it…this is erosion!”

“It’s my first time actually experiencing it. Damn it, those Jormungand guys.” The term eroded gate was one that few superhumans knew of, and those who did were high-rankers. However, even those who didn’t know of it were able to grasp the situation instantly. The number of people remaining on the thirteenth floor was about forty. Half of them were superhumans, and half of what remained of the other group were mercenaries. The rest were incompetents, being escorted by them.

“It’s an SS-class gate. Those who don’t have combat skills, gather in one place!”

“It’s an erosion. We can’t escape without breaking the gate. Remain quiet! Damn it, an SS-class gate…”

“This is Ellen Michelle, Vanguard’s third team leader. First, we will divide and get into formation! Don’t move there, the gate will open soon!” It would’ve been nice if everyone had escaped before the gate opened, but there had been too many people contending with the poison. The situation would have been even worse if no one took the lead, as Douglas Payne had.

‘Is he here?’

-Even if he were, it wouldn’t matter.

Agreeing with the administrator’s unkind words, Kang Shin-hyuk glanced over at the leader of Vanguard’s third team, who was trying to lead the superhumans. However, at first glance, it seemed that no one would follow him.

“Who are you? Do you have experience commanding high-rankers?”

“Each of our personalities and weapons are different, it’s impossible to get into formation with people we just met. Hey, everyone for themselves!”

“The gates opening!”

“The mercenaries and incompetents can’t make a wall to protect it!”

“It’s an SS-class gate, even us superhumans will have a tough time with it.”

“What will you do, run away? Take a tour of the gate?” It was no wonder they were falling apart; they were standing in front of a terrible catastrophe that threatened the world. Kang Shin-hyuk, however, was calmly doing what he could.

“Intermediate potion set, please.”

-I bought them.

He drank all three status potions right away, pushing all of his stats to the SS-rank with the aid of his Venom Princess Soul. With his trait, he had the minimum conditions needed to challenge an SS-class gate.

‘The time for the potions is one hour. Will that be enough time?’ No, he didn’t even need to think. Kang Shin-hyuk clenched his teeth and activated his trait once more. The power of the golden dragons buffed everyone who remained in the thirteenth-floor hall, raising their power.

“What is this?!”

“All stats have been strengthened…was there such a high-ranking enchanter…?!”

“Figure it out later, the gate’s opening!”

-The SS-class gate, 41st Barracks, will appear.

The timing in his buff was very appropriate. No one had time to think about finding the source of the ‘enhancement’ as the gate opened right in front of them.

-The realm of humans.

-It is our Earth.

-Our land!

It was the same as the countercurrent, but it was still unpleasant to see a monster who knew how to speak come out from the gate. The superhumans charged recklessly at the dark-skinned dwarves pouring out from the gate.

-Kaaahak!

-Keehee!

-Kukuku!

Shouts mixed with laughter and groaning. Kang Shin-hyuk swung his two scythes as he observed the enemy’s movements over the cloud of dust forming on the battlefield.

“These guys’ skin is terribly hard.”

“I think so too.” Kang Shin-hyuk and Baek stuck close together, throwing bits of conversation at each other in the middle of the battle.

“…Can you do it?”

“I should be able too.” Baek In-ha grinned.

“I’m a superhuman too.”

“Strictly speaking, you’re still in the reserve.”

“Right. I’ll be off first.” Baek disappeared from the spot. A second later, one of the dwarves was sent flying into the cavern wall from his kick, letting out a pained scream. That wasn’t all. The other superhumans, enhanced by Shin-hyuk, were somehow dealing with all of the dwarves who were rushing madly out.

-Hiii!

“Huh, damn…but it’s not like we can’t deal with it!”

“Look out for the big ones…!”

-Kiiihii!

The dwarves were being taken care of without Kang Shin-hyuk’s help. He wondered if he should intervene but decided to wait for his turn as he placed one of the sickles on the ground.

‘If it were a little wider, I could bring out the blue cow…’ The image of him on the back of that bike swinging his scythes flashed through his mind. It was then that vibrations began to rock the space, matching the death throes of the dwarves. No, it felt like his very heart was beating.

-Member, it’s coming out!

Only

“What?” Kang Shin-hyuk could sense the energy emanating from the gate was increasing, but he couldn’t tell what was coming out.

-These are the real enemies.

“..>What are they?

-Well, it’s like them, but think bigger.

“Ah.” It was then that the great king of the monsters, a black-skinned giant, appeared.

-Our Earth. This is the beginning.

The giant’s huge mouth opened into a terrifying smile.

Kang Shin-hyuk swung his scythe at it.