Chapter 517 – Crossroads

“Oh, Shinwoo Hunter. Please take this.”

The association president suddenly cut my warm feeling short.

But I was actually glad.

I mean, it was about time.

“Oh, finally.”

“I brought it beforehand but didn’t manage to contact you.”

The Defensive Coat I had entrusted for repair had finally come back to me.

Honestly, it had ripped so badly at the time that I had forgotten about it.

But the Defensive Coat I got back now was as good as new, which was a relief.

“But what’s that stain?”

“Ah… Two hunters were munching on ice cream at the workshop… I couldn’t have thought…”

There was just a slight white stain left.

“No way, fuck. I can’t wipe this off because of the Defensive Coat’s effect.”

“……I’m sorry…”

“Sigh, there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s better than nothing, at least.”

[Could that really be ice cream? Maybe a byproduct of a fellatio?]

‘Shut it. I don’t want to think about it.’

Still, there was no issue functionally, so I decided to wear it.

“Hey? Master, what’s that?”

“Amulet.”

As I stuffed some items that held a bit of significance for me into my pockets.

A blank round I received on my first commission.

The dragon gem handed over by the Red Dragon.

And the dagger Kyoukyou gifted me.

Maybe it wasn’t the same for others, but these were precious amulets to me.

“That’s cool!”

“Right?”

It was proof that small bonds had continued.

Meanwhile, the association president stood up after taking account numbers from everyone.

Since those present were about to face the battlefield known as the Gate.

“Well, I’ll take my leave.”

“Take care.”

The association president also headed for his battlefield.

“I will deposit your fee as soon as it arrives at the association.”

“I hope it won’t turn into a donation.”

“It may sound amusing coming from someone who’s not even a hunter, but I wish you good luck.”

Once the association president left, everyone’s gaze turned to me.

Their eyes were filled with questions about what I was going to do next.

And Hyeji, representing them, spoke up.

“Shinwoo, what are you planning to do now?”

“Um… just a moment.”

Honestly, I didn’t have any brilliant plans.

After all, it was still an unknown Gate, with no knowledge of what lay beyond.

So, I secretly hoped as many hunters as possible would gather.

I intended to toss those hunters over to the other side of the Gate to use them as disposable scouts to understand the situation.

[Were you planning to treat these people the same way?]

‘No.’

But I had no intention of doing such a thing with those gathered here.

I didn’t come with some grand goal.

They simply gathered because they wanted to extend kindness to me.

There was no way I would let them take such risks.

『Honey, after this, let’s buy one more bag with the money we earned! I heard this one is limited edition!』

『……Please hold on. We already bought two bags last week…』

『What’s wrong with me buying just one bag? You’ve changed….』

Listening to their conversation, I couldn’t help but think.

“But why did you come to work like this, Swan?”

“……I got caught…”

“By those Red Dragons?”

“……In stocks.”

“It’s kind of funny for me to say this, but you’re really an idiot!”

Not only did they show kindness toward me, but they also gathered for purely financial reasons.

Seeing their struggles, my heart felt a little sore.

It seemed that good-hearted people weren’t getting their proper rewards in this world.

In that moment, a thought flashed through my head.

It was the maximum kindness I could extend to them.

And a way to somewhat address their financial issues.

“Wait a second, everyone, pay attention!”

At the same time, it was the ultimate revenge that could mess with every hunter gathered here.

More precisely, all the hunters who weren’t here with us.

No, I meant those bastards who wasted the term “hunter.”

Moral guilt?

There was none.

I simply couldn’t allow those guys to live comfortably.

[……You really intend to do this, huh.]

‘Well, what’s it to you? If those bastards wanted to complain, they should have shown up. Right?’

[Thinking about it, it’s infuriating. You must go through with it.]

Soon, the questioning gazes that I had felt earlier began to focus on me again.

“Shinwoo, did you come up with any good ideas?”

“Not really, but it’s about something else for a bit.”

And facing those gazes, I broke into a slight smile.

With expectations about something that would unfold in a slightly distant future.

“How about everyone making as much money as possible this time?”

At that moment, the nature of the gazes directed my way changed slightly.

From simple questions to a longing for material wealth.

In that moment, the Red Dragon, who seemed to need money the most, quickly spoke up.

『Y-yes! Friend! What’s your method? Tell me!』

“Ah, listen closely.”

And I smiled at the greedy gazes turning toward me.

This time, it was a smile wide enough to stretch from ear to ear.

“Immediately go all in on Elf Coin.”

Then, deep silence enveloped the room, and the nature of the gazes directed at me changed rapidly.

From the hope of a golden future to disappointment, contempt, and even hatred for someone babbling nonsense.

Even Elcia shot me a stern look and delivered a scolding.

“Master, that’s garbage!”

“……You shouldn’t be saying that…”

Still, I steadied my expression and continued.

“Anyway, go all in on Elf Coin. If you do, you won’t have to suffer financially anymore.”

『We came here because of our friendship with you, and you intend to exchange that for mere trash!!!』

“Don’t worry. I promise to raise it.”

Everyone was staring at me as if they were going to pierce my soul with their gazes.

“Promise.”

“Hey, Kim Shinwoo! What are you going to do if it all goes south? Are you going to pay for it?!”

I met their fierce gazes without backing down, standing even more confidently than before.

“Sure.”

“……What…? Really…?”

“I’ll take everything in my account, and if it’s not enough, I’ll work manual labor for life to reimburse everything.”

Honestly, I was confident I could skyrocket Elf Coin.

“Shinwoo, that’s too reckless!”

“Even if you’re my lord, I can’t agree to this one.”

“I can help with the reimbursement, but honestly, Shinwoo’s statement is too much.”

“It’s okay. You won’t have to reimburse anything with your money. It’s going to soar.”

And that Elf Coin, which didn’t even deserve to be called garbage.

『What, are you getting something for this?』

“Nothing.”

『Then why the hell?』

“Isn’t it only natural to receive a little return for how everyone gathered here?”

At my shocking statement, everyone hesitated while holding their phones.

Although they understood with their heads that they would at least break even if not gain any profit, their instincts desperately restrained them from taking action.

「GAZUA!!!!!!!!」

Only the AI Ninja showed no hesitation and went all in on Elf Coin.

Clearly, it seemed like the machine felt no hesitation compared to them.

Then, the financially distressed Spencer and Red Dragon hastened to speak.

“You, you, you really bought everything?! Why? How? Why?!”

『What the hell made you do such a reckless and foolish thing!』

The AI Ninja calmly began to explain to their panic.

「ShinwooSan promised!!!」

“……”

『……』

The AI Ninja’s slightly embarrassing statement.

Even with that overwhelming trust, others couldn’t quite bring themselves to move.

But the following short yet intense words from the AI Ninja made them act.

「HOXY……JJOL???」

Is responding to provocation a natural human instinct?

Or were they spitting from having been provoked by something that wasn’t even human?

Soon, everyone impulsively began to move their hands to buy Elf Coin.

“Fuck, how dare you do this without even knowing how to draw!”

『If it doesn’t rise, I’ll be using you as my first oh-nahole!』

Spencer and the Red Dragon couldn’t hold back their bubbling emotions and let it all out.

“With this money… How many super chats can I get… I’m going crazy…”

“Shit, if I lose this, it’s game over…”

And though they looked slightly troubled, they reluctantly bought from Cheonma and Ryu Kang-hyuk.

“Aren’t you buying separately?”

“It’s not my money; it’s all Fuhrer’s money anyway, so why would I meddle with it?”

“We are quite satisfied with our current living conditions.”

Only Haruka and the raccoon beastmen maintained their cool.

The former knew very well their circumstances, while the latter were content with their current positions.

Well, that was their choice, so I didn’t pressure them further.

After all, I had encouraged them enough, and any regrets afterward would be solely their responsibility.

“But Master, is that really possible?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Though I said it boldly, there was one prerequisite.

That none of us die and that we return alive.

Especially including Peace.

[Can you really do it?]

‘I will do it.’

[……Alright, keep it up.]

Of course, I would.

Since it seemed everyone was ready, I promptly handed them instructions.

While they were buying coins, I had one instruction in mind.

Thank goodness AI Ninja was here for this.

“Can you check inside the Gate?”

「I’ll try with the Sub Camera!」

At my words, the AI Ninja flung one Sub Camera towards the Gate.

As soon as it passed through the Gate, the AI Ninja’s urgent voice rang out.

「Shit! Monster! Dangerous Monsters everywhere!!!」

There seemed to be a large number of monsters lurking inside the Gate.

Considering the AI Ninja usually kept calm, it must truly be bad.

Especially right after the Sub Camera passed through the Gate.

“So many?”

「Too many! Like Jot!」

But this wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

I didn’t know what was inside the Gate from the start.

With the variable of the unknown removed, only the confirmed fact of the monsters remained.

So what remained was the eradication of those monsters.

Soon, everyone armed with their weapons and abilities began to boldly step into the Gate.

Leading the charge were Hyeji, Cheonma, and Ryu Kang-hyuk, the strongest among us.

“I’ll take the lead; just follow me.”

“I will join as well!!! Those monsters destroyed my sanctuary!!!”

“……Oh, shit. Today was my wife’s birthday, wasn’t it…? I’m screwed…”

‘You left your birthday behind to go fishing, huh…?’

[The dead are speaking.]

At that moment, it seemed they instinctively realized that the rear was the safest.

“You better raise it! I’ve collateralized my house without my mom and dad knowing!!!”

『I’m counting on you… I don’t want to starve to death…』

『If you don’t let me buy the limited edition handbag, I’ll breathe fire like last time!!!』

“Fuhrer!!! Let’s go together!!!”

「ShinwooSan! After we return, present the HRS (Halmae Reality Shock) to the Japanese!!!」

Spencer and the Red Dragon couple, along with Haruka and the AI Ninja, hurriedly followed the strongest behind.

“Master! I’ll go ahead and clean things up! I’ll be counting on the Coin’s rise!”

“Take your time. I think things will be cleaned up by the time you arrive.”

“From now on, it’s the time for the wild heroines.”

After that, Elcia, Ayeon, and Caressy followed in as if they were going on a picnic.

“Saintess and everyone! I’ll cover you!!!”

“This time, I’ll unleash the forbidden unique martial art, Sichuan Penetrating Rescue Technique!”

“”””””””4K Palm Technique!!!””””””””

On the other hand, the raccoon beastmen charged in with poisons and deadly intentions to follow closely behind them.

In that brief moment, everyone present vanished.

And I was left standing just before the Gate.

In that moment, inexplicably, I felt a lump in my throat.

So much had happened, and yet some things hadn’t changed.

Still, many things had changed from the future prior to my regression.

So I was relieved that my efforts hadn’t gone completely to waste.

I had done my best without regression.

No, without regression, I had no choice but to struggle.

It felt like that was shining at this moment.

However, I had no intention of ending here.

No, this was merely the beginning.

The start of changing the worst future and welcoming a happy ending.

Even if it means getting hurt, I wouldn’t let anyone die.

I was now a part of that promise.

And I would definitely bring everyone back home.

[Are you ready?]

‘Of course.’

With that, I promised everyone.

And so, I stepped slowly into the Gate.

But the moment I stepped in as boldly as them…

There was nothing.

Not the countless monsters the AI Ninja mentioned.

Not even the people who had entered slightly ahead of me.

No sky, no ground, not even the most basic things.

Not a single shred of information related to my senses.

I could only perceive a dreamy, extremely sticky darkness.

[……This place… No way… Is it…?]

‘What the hell, fuck…’

At that moment, my instincts went into overdrive.

It was completely different from what I had expected? No.

Was I alone here without all those things? No.

Was I thrown into darkness without a clue? No.

The instinctive warning pointed to just one reason.

– “Welcome to both.”

‘This is bad.’

[Fuck!]

I heard that unwanted, annoying voice of Shaolin ringing in my ears.

As if whispered directly into my ear, it was too clear.

– “Spit out your impressions, you bugs.”

Simultaneously, a gooey black mass appeared before my eyes without warning.

“That’s pitch black. What a little black bastard.”

[Is this your mommy’s hole?]

– “You bastards!”

Something has clearly gone very wrong.

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