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Join the Server“You two should be particularly familiar with the destructive power of the Alphabet Gates.”
The moment Sung Ji-woo heard the words “Alphabet Gate,” his lips stiffened.
“There’s still one Alphabet Gate in the U.S. that hasn’t been sealed.”
That was a fact known to Sung Ji-woo—and indeed, to everyone in the world. The infamous Z Gate in America.
“Z Gate. I’m sure you’ve heard about it to some extent.”
“…Roughly, yes.”
Unlike Korea’s X Gate, which caused many injuries and dropouts, the Z Gate had an overwhelmingly high mortality rate.
While large, long-open gates were collectively called Alphabet Gates, the Z Gate stood out for the sheer number of casualties it produced.
It was also the very first gate to appear. Over 300 years had passed since its emergence. The Z Gate’s appearance had also signaled the manifestation of the first ability user.
When a massive gate suddenly opened in the American cornfields, people panicked, thinking the end of the world had come.
The first ability user, once called a legendary witch who brought the gate, was sometimes treated like an alien—and eventually was devoured by the Z Gate she had summoned.
Unlike Korea, which implemented a mandatory service system to maintain gate balance, the U.S. relied on voluntary recruitment; state-affiliated ability forces were responsible for guarding the gate.
The Z Gate spanned 80 floors, fewer than the 120 floors of X Gate.
This was the extent of Sung Ji-woo’s knowledge—from his special ability school curriculum.
Even though the Alphabet Gates still stood, they were like dormant volcanoes: terrifying in potential, but not constantly feared in everyday life. People knew disaster could strike, yet it often felt like someone else’s problem.
He recalled a photo of the Z Gate’s entrance: what had once been cornfields were now desolate, turned into a lifeless desert.
It was said that substances emanating from the Z Gate made it impossible for plants or other lifeforms to survive.
“Then why is the Z Gate suddenly…”
Morgan leaned forward from his chair.
“The situation with Z Gate is not good. The U.S. requested assistance from our association.”
Although the association had its headquarters in the U.S., it operated independently of the American government. State-controlled gates couldn’t be interfered with directly.
“If they requested help…”
“It means we might need to prepare for the worst.”
A sudden tension filled the air. Nothing had happened yet, but Sung Ji-woo stiffened.
A flash he had once seen briefly passed through his mind—the final moments in X Gate suddenly replayed. But it was only the past now, or perhaps a past that didn’t even exist anymore.
Click.
“…!”
Something landed in front of him, and Sung Ji-woo shivered at the faint sound and presence: grilled fish, its perfectly white flesh placed neatly on a plate.
The culprit was Yu Hiro.
Silent all this time, Yu Hiro had been preparing this. Seeing his calm expression, Sung Ji-woo let out a hollow laugh—the tension in his body evaporating.
“What…?”
“You mentioned it before.”
“…What?”
Had Sung Ji-woo really mentioned grilled fish? Yu Hiro leaned close and whispered:
“Eat. Have your meal.”
Ah—now he understood. Yu Hiro remembered him saying before the wedding, “Let’s eat well before we go.”
“….”
Sung Ji-woo couldn’t help but think how remarkable Yu Hiro was.
“Ah, please, help yourself. Enjoy it.”
Morgan gestured, encouraging him to eat, but Sung Ji-woo only drank bottled water. Though he hadn’t eaten yet, it felt like his stomach was weighed down. Entering an ordinary gate was one thing, but an Alphabet Gate was a completely different scale.
His mouth was dry. Morgan watched him silently.
“You successfully cleared the X Gate, right?”
Then Morgan shifted his gaze leisurely to Yu Hiro, who was slowly nibbling on dessert fruit. Yu Hiro met his stare without even nodding, as if testing him. The two silently appraised each other for a long while.
Jason, observing both of them, spoke first.
“We’ve received the X Gate operation reports from the Korean Association. But many details weren’t included… and when we inquired, the subject refused to provide statements.”
Yu Hiro only shifted his gaze to Jason, unimpressed.
“I believe I’ve shared all that’s necessary.”
Jason knew the day ahead would be long.
“Yes, generally speaking, that would suffice. We’re not demanding anything unilaterally from Hunter Yu Hiro.”
Prior to coming to Korea, the association had already investigated Yu Hiro. But records of his prior hunting activity were scarce, and his success in X Gate occurred during mandatory service—making detailed information practically inaccessible.
Ultimately, anything beyond publicly available X Gate reports could only be obtained directly from him.
“…Officially, we are requesting your cooperation.”
Yu Hiro looked at him indifferently. They had expected him to be extraordinary, having cleared an Alphabet Gate alone. Yet he appeared far older in bearing than his actual age—was such gravitas possible for someone in their early twenties?
Jason, almost impossibly, saw Morgan in Yu Hiro—the same piercing resolve and aura.
“So, you intend to clear Z Gate as well?”
Yu Hiro noticed immediately, and Jason held his breath at the words.
“We’re prepared.”
Morgan’s words were firm. Plans for the Z Gate operation were already underway. Though classified, the association’s senior officers were debating methods to neutralize Z Gate even as they spoke.
Morgan had come to Korea specifically to meet Yu Hiro and persuade him to join.
Jason adjusted his posture, aware that they had to maintain a subordinate position without revealing their full hand. Sweating slightly, he wiped his palms on his pants, while Sung Ji-woo sipped water uncomfortably.
Jason refilled his glass with green tea, briefly exchanging glances with Sung Ji-woo.
“…Thank you.”
He felt communication would flow better this way than with Yu Hiro, whose attention remained fixed entirely on Sung Ji-woo. The objective reports from their mentor-student relationship paled in comparison to the rumors and stories circulating online.
Moments later, Sung Ji-woo carefully stood.
“I’ll step out for a bit,” he said, moving toward the exit. Yu Hiro seemed about to follow, but Sung Ji-woo gestured for him to stay.
Jason, sensing the cue, also rose. Morgan gave him a subtle nod.
“I’ll go have a smoke.”
Though not a smoker, Jason fidgeted with his pocket, walking quickly. Inside was a cigarette and lighter he didn’t even use.
First, he checked the restroom—but Sung Ji-woo wasn’t there.
Then he stepped outside. With other wedding guests crowding the hall, locating him was difficult.
After searching for some time, he finally spotted Sung Ji-woo leaning against a wall.
“You smoke?”
“Uh… no. Not at all.”
Jason had intended to offer one but Sung Ji-woo shook his head.
“I apologize if this caused any discomfort. It may have seemed abrupt, but circumstances prevented us from notifying you earlier. And this was an urgent matter…”
“It’s fine. Naturally, I understand.”
Sung Ji-woo knew better than anyone what would happen if an Alphabet Gate went awry.
Perhaps the world was already doomed. Perhaps survival had never been his fate.
He exhaled.
Then, a message long unseen appeared before his eyes.
[Quest. Survive in this world. (Unlock by completing conditions)]
[<Z Gate> recognized. Condition achieved.]
[Defeat the <Z Gate>.]
[Expected rewards: Acquire title <Guardian of the Z Gate>, unlock SSS-tier Supporter skill, acquire <World’s Strongest Supporter> title (grants buff effects when equipped)]
[Failure penalty: Death, destruction of this world, loss of <Guardian of Peace (2-person)> title, permanent deletion of ‘Records of Reincarnation’]
Sung Ji-woo stared at the empty air, eyes wide. The system window he had completely forgotten shimmered brilliantly once again, absurd as ever.
‘Defeat Z Gate… and survive in this world…?’
Jason followed his gaze, but saw nothing.
“Why are you suddenly staring…”
Before he could finish, a familiar notification sound pierced his mind:
[Special reward for <Guide of Peace>!]
[<Secret of the Reincarnator> unlocked. View content?]
Sung Ji-woo swallowed hard.
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