chapter 211 – First Sight(7)

The monster that appeared at the SS-class gate Masked Bacchus was in charge of was named the gate jumper by the Korean Superhuman Association. It was a monster that could casually cross barriers that couldn’t be overcome. Immediately after the jumper that passed into the C-class gate caused a massive explosion of mana that killed three people, the association announced the emergency. The Superhuman Association’s irregular gate control room was at the center of thechaos.

“Please deploy all the people you can!”

“Fortunately, the large guilds at the standby are actively supporting them. Vanguard, in particular, is putting in all their spare power.”

“Vanguard is eager to recover their lost image.” All 200 gates in a radius of ten kilometers around the SS-class gate [Applause of the Weak] were classified as dangerous areas where the gate jumpers could appear. Since there was no way to get in touch with those already inside the gates, the association was dispatching superhumans primarily around the gates where people were.

“The members of Masked Bacchus are moving fast; they’ve already killed five jumpers.”

“Ha, this situation is their fault, so of course, they have to workhard.”

“What bullshit is that? If it weren’t for them, the jumpers would’ve overflowed to gates all over Korea. Don’t speak such nonsense andwork!”

“Overseas support… is it too difficult? Okay, but then…” It was difficult to accept a sudden request for support from overseas, but above all else, quick response as a top priority. If the foreign rankers could come over, the situation would be resolved.

‘Should I? No…’ Shin Eunah watched the control room monitor and anxiously tapped the wireless earphone in her left ear. It was the teleportable communication device shared among the top-rankers. However, since this situation wasn’t a crisis for the top-rankers but rather for the country, if she asked them for help, she would be in their debt. It was possible that when Korea desperately needed her strength, they would call on her for something else.

‘Also… no.’ Shin Eunah clenched her jaw, putting her hand to her chest.

“I will dispatch myself. The command of the situation will be handed over toSora.”

“Wait a minute, chief.” At this, one of the crew members collecting the reports raised hishand.

“It looks like the gate’s boss has been killed! The gate has been extinguished!”

“Already?!”

“Shin Eun-hyuk… he has taken care ofit!”

“Damn, she believed in him from the beginning!” A sigh of relief was let out inside the control room when the news arrived that Kang Shin-hyuk had solved the gate. However, it took ten seconds to realize the situation hadn’t been fully resolved.

[I found a bug deep inside a gate! I also found survivors… no casualtiesyet!]

“…Claire?” Shin Eunah frowned as Claire’s report came in through the communication device Eunahhad.

“What are you talking about, Claire?”

[Wait, I’m trying to corner it… got it! I killed it in one shot!]

“So, you got it?”

[Yes, why? I need to move to the next gate quickly…]

“I just received a report that the SS-class gate you were in charge of has been destroyed, but the monsters have remained?”

[Has Shin-hyuk already handled the gate? As expected of my man- no, wait.]

Shin Eunah was annoyed she couldn’t ask Claire what she meant as they were in an urgent situation. Claire was quick to cover her mistake up.

[Usually, when a gate is destroyed, the monsters belonging to it are as well, but that means these monsters aren’t bound by that gate. Then we have to movefaster.]

“Wait a minute…” The communication was cut off. Shin Eunah let out a sigh. Certainly, now was the time to move rather than think.

“I will go. Please give me the coordinates.”

“Yes, yes!” The officer carefully handed her the gate coordinates. But, just as she was about to teleport, her earphones vibrated again.

[Hi, this is BridgetPoulsen.]

“…” Red Shoes, Bridget Poulsen, the Danish woman recently selected to be the seventh-ranked superhuman. She had entered the high ranks faster than Shin Eunah, but she was a normally passive superhuman who was faithful to her career as a model and actress. Her potential was good, however, and she was the least likely among the candidates to betray humanity.

“I’m sorry, but I’m busy right now. If it’s trivial, I will come and assist later.”

[I heard about Korea. I’m trying to help.]

“You cannot ask for help in a situation other than a personal top-ranked crisis.” Shin Eunah responded curtly and teleported to the coordinates given to her. She spread her mana throughout the gate to find the SS-rank monster and started moving. Teleporting inside the gate was much more difficult, so she instead relied on her high-speed movement.

[It’s because I personally want to help. I’m not really hoping forpayment!]

“You?”

[Yes!]

“You who refused to go to a gate because you had to shoot amovie?”

[Yes!]

“Why?”

[I really don’t want anything, so can I help you? I’ll use this to head there right away!]

Shin Eunah thought this woman was suspicious. She had been chosen because it was unlikely she would be a traitor, but now, as soon as an emergency had occurred in Korea, she contacted Eunah as if she had been waiting to offer help. There was no way it wouldn’t be suspicious.

“…Thank you. Then, pleasecome.”

[Yeah!]

But, even so, she had to accept the help. She decided to accept her and believe that it would be fine.

“Wow, this is really amazing!” Bridget showed up right away, wearing a gorgeous dress that made her look like she had dressed for a fashion show.

“Hello! It’s good to see you again!” When Bridget smiled at her, Shin Eunah felt a chill run through her body. She was clearly weaker than herself, but this woman was clearly dangerous to make her feel such tension. Shin Eunah’s face was stiff as she thought so.

“The situation seems urgent, so let’s go, quickly!”

“Miss Poulsen, you can head here. Please, as soon as possible.”

“Huh? Aren’t we movingtogether?”

“No.”

“Ah…” Her shoulders dropped with a very disappointed expression. What was she planning by wanting to move together? Shin Eunah’s eyesnarrowed.

‘Can I really entrust the rescue work to this one? No, then I have to give her gates where nobody is.’ Her thoughts were getting complicated as Bridget suddenly raised her head to face Eunah.

“But I’ll work hard, so once it’s over, just one date!”

“…Yes?”

“If that doesn’t work, even a cup of tea! If you promise me that, I’ll movefirst!”

“Wait, no, who… a date…?” However, Bridget Poulsen was already off. She pondered the meaning of what she said for about three seconds before heading off.

‘That woman is dangerous…!’

***

-You have acquired the Spatial Coordination (SSS) skill stone.

“…Admin.” Kang Shin-hyuk couldn’t help but ask even though he knew the situation was urgent.

“Isn’t the limit of general skill rarity SS+?”

-As a member who has already learned Soul Poison through a skill stone, I have no choice but to admire your sense of humor! 100HPbonus!

“Oh, I guess so.” A rare SSS skill stone related to space? It would receive tremendous attention even if he posted it on the trading board. What should he do with it in this currentsituation?

“I can’t afford to consider aptitude, right?”

-I don’t think it would be bad, at least.

“Thank you for your support.” He smiled and took it in without hesitation.

“Oh…!” Immediately, severe pain struck his mind. It felt like his brain was forcibly expanding. He instinctively used Golden Dragon to protect himself. He believed that this power that was specialized in strengthening all things could somehow protect his brain.

-You have absorbed the essence of the Skill Stone. Unique skill [Space Coordination (SSS)] has been awakened!

And his faith was rewarded. His brain, momentarily strengthened beyond its limits, succeeded in accepting the new changes as a new skill was inscribed into his body. However, the changes didn’t end there.

-Golden Dragon fighter has been greatly stimulated and has grown to SS+rank!

-Talent [Guardian Golden Dragon (SS)] has met one of the conditions for evolution. As soon as the remaining three conditions are met, the trait will evolve.

His eyes went wide. His Golden Dragon had grown, but now it was a higher rank than his spiritual power.

‘A condition for evolution, too.’ It was a message he had not seen for a while after his trait had grown. Although there were three conditions left, it felt like a miracle to find out it was possible.

“I want to look back on myself, but…” He couldn’t afford to think about it now. Because of the unique skill he just awakened, he had something else to focus on.

-This ability… it’s amazing!

“It’s not that great yet, but at least following the traces of the spatial movement that took place here is possible…” He could carry out short-distance spatial movement following those traces. What that meant was Kang Shin-hyuk could follow the tracks of all thirty-three monsters that had teleported from this spot and capture them.

-Go right away! This admin will take care of the calculations required for spatial movement!

“Okay, then this first!” With the help of the administrator, Kang Shin-hyuk performed the first spatial movement in his life. As soon as he moved, he immediately saw a disgusting giant insect attacking people. He stabbed his sword through it with all his power, preventing it from moving again.

“Are you okay?”

“Thanks to you… ah.” Kang Shin-hyuk recovered the corpse as a female superhuman who almost lost her life faced him. For some reason, the woman’s face stiffened. No, she looked like an adult at a distance, but her face still contained some childishness. Looking at her blue eyes, Kang Shin-hyuk sighed. The woman’s jaw was clenched as she spat out his name.

“…Shin Eun-hyuk.” They weren’t grateful eyes.

-Isn’t she asking for me to kill her?

Even the administrator was complaining.

It was Oh Hye-na, the daughter of Oh Joo-young, the former guild master of Vanguard that Kang Shin-hyuk had killed.