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nThe morning when the mysterious gate appeared.

nMin Sung sat in front of the table for a meal before heading out.

nThe meal that Ho Sung Lee prepared for Min Sung’s breakfast was tuna salad.

nHo Sung Lee finished cooking so quickly that he wondered how it was possible, but it was because it was a salad.

n“Protein is good for you in the morning, so I prepared a tuna salad for your breakfast. It won’t feel heavy.”

nMin Sung lifted his fork as he listened.

n

n

n“Is Woong and Sia asleep?”

n“Chef Jang left to go grocery shopping, and SIa is still sleeping.”

nMin Sung nodded and then put the salad and tuna into his mouth.

nThe crunchy salad was fragrant while the tuna was chewy and delicious.

nIt was a delicious flavor that he could eat without feeling burdened.

n“Sir, if the Dionysus Gods are behind this, was this their doing? Or did this happen because of a Beatrice ranker’s abilities?”

nHo Sung Lee asked as if he was mumbling to himself.

nMin Sung thought for a moment while chewing on the tuna before answering, “Who cares? We just have to get rid of it. It’s just like a swarm of locusts.”

nHo Sung Lee looked at Min Sung in shock.

nHe was in awe that he could compare it in such a way.

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n

n“Swarm of locusts? I guess that’s how it is for you.”

n“How does it feel for you?”

n“Hm… I’m not sure. A crisis to mankind?”

nMin Sung scoffed.

n“No matter how powerful you are, isn’t it a disaster if they decide to sneak around behind your back and destroy Earth?”

n“That’s why I’m heading out after breakfast.”

nHo Sung Lee nodded.

n“That’s true. But if it’s a ranker, they’re probably really fast, and if they just run away and commit terrorism…”

nHo Sung Lee trembled at the thought of it.

n“Just thinking about it makes me shiver. That would lead to great casualties.”

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n

nMin Sung let out a long sigh.

n“I can’t be responsible for everything.”

n“I’m sorry if I’ve burdened you.”

nMin Sung knitted his brows while stabbing his fork into his tuna and salad.

n“Since I’m the only one who can do it, I’m just doing everything I can.”

nHo Sung Lee looked into space with heavy eyes.

n“I’m sorry I’m not helpful.”

n“You’re doing a good job.”

nMin Sung got up after putting his fork down on his empty plate.

n“Things will be okay like they’ve always been, both for you and me.”

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n

nHo Sung Lee looked at Min Sung with touched eyes.

n“Now do the dishes and get ready to go.”

n“Yes, Sir!” Ho Sung Lee answered with a bright smile.

n***

nHo Sung Lee was driving toward their destination, but his sight wasn’t so good.

nAlthough it was still morning, it was dark as if it was nighttime.

nThat was because the sky was filled with clouds, and it was raining hard.

nSince that was how it was on the road, it was even worse on their way up the mountain.

nWhile they slowly made their way up, a light shined ahead of them.

nHo Sung Lee slowly pulled over and lowered the window.

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n

n“This is the Central Institute. This region is currently off lim… Oh! I apologize!”

nAs soon as the soldier from Central Institute checked Ho Sung Lee and Min Sung’s faces, he immediately saluted and paid his respects.

nHe then immediately commanded for them to make way.

nThe barricade was moved as a result, and Ho Sung Lee’s car was able to pass through the restricted area.

nThe car passed through the rough roads and stopped in front of their destination.

nFollowing the second identification check, the investigation team made a way for them to enter.

nHo Sung Lee got out of the car first and ran over to open the door for Min Sung.

nMin Sung got out of the car.

nAnd as soon as he got out, the investigation team brought them raincoats.

nWhile Ho Sung Lee accepted his, Min Sung lifted his hand in rejection.

nThe Central Institute soldier stared at Min Sung, who wasn’t getting wet in the rain, with his jaw dropped.

nOn the other hand, Ho Sung Lee, who put on his raincoat, stood next to Min Sung with his brows knitted because of the rain.

nDespite having grown a lot, Ho Sung Lee was still unable to catch up to Min Sung, who didn’t even get wet in the rain.

n“Let me lead the way,” said Ho Sung Lee, and Min Sung nodded.

nHo Sung Lee began to walk through the mud.

nMin Sung followed from behind, and they eventually arrived at the mysterious and fiery gate.

nThe monitoring team of Central Insitute was gathered around it.

nAs soon as Min Sung appeared, they paid their respects and stepped back.

nMin Sung and Ho Sung Lee stood in front of the gate.

nThey were standing in front of the gate, but nothing changed.

nNo system messages appeared, but the gate looked as though it was alive.

nThe fire around the gate was in the shape of a circle, and it was growing bigger while what looked like a black hole hovered in the center.

nThe gate resembled the eye of a dragon.

nJust the sight of the gate gave off an unpleasant feeling.

nMin Sung reached out his hand toward the gate.

nHe wondered if anything would change if he approached it.

nUpon seeing that, the Central Institute’s monitoring team and Ho Sung Lee flinched with surprise.

nBut no one could stop Min Sung.

nWhile everyone was surprised, Min Sung put his hand on the gate.

n“…”

nBut nothing changed.

nThe gate was simply the temperature of burning fire. Nothing more and nothing less.

nMin Sung withdrew his hand. He crossed his arms and stiffened his face.

nAside from the fact that the gate was growing, no other changes could be noted, so all they could do was watch the gate grow.

n“Let’s go back,” said Min Sung.

nHo Sung Lee showed a troubled look on his face.

nSince there was no change in the gate, it was meaningless to keep watching.

nThe rain from the sky began to slow down.

nJust as Min Sung turned away from the gate and Ho Sung Lee looked up at the lighter rain.

nRipppppp!

nThey heard a strange sound.

nMin Sung, Ho Sung Lee, and the soldiers of Central Institute all turned toward the gate.

nAnd that was when everybody’s faces except for that of Min Sung were washed over with shock.

nSomething was coming out of the gate.

nWhat came out first was long fingernails and after that was a head.

nIt was a small monster with dark skin, which resembled a human.

nWhatever it was, it crawled out of the gate and landed on the ground.

n“Grrrrr….”

nHo Sung Lee stared at the monster with a grimace.

nRed eyes and a naked body covered in black skin.

n“Demon creature?”

nJust as Ho Sung Lee mumbled, what popped out of the gate was a demon creature.

nIt was a creature of the Demonic Realm and the Devil King Veld’s creation.

n“Screeech!”

nThe demon creature opened his mouth and screamed.

nCountess sharp teeth stuck out while his long tongue squirmed outside his mouth.

nThe soldiers of Central Institute had a clear memory of demon creatures.

nCountless hunters had died because of the devils.

nAnd the hunters who still remembered it panicked and stepped back.

n“I thought something big would come out, but it’s just a demon creature.”

nHo Sung Lee stared at the gate resembling a dragon eye and continued, “Wait, is this just the beginning?”

nWhile Min Sung mumbled to himself…

n“Screeech!”

nThe demon creature ran toward Min Sung.

nThere was no need for him to use a weapon on the demon creature.

nAs soon as Min Sung reacted to take care of him, the demon creature disappeared before his eyes.

n“…?!”

nMin Sung immediately tensed up and stayed focus.

nThe demon creature, which situated behind Min Sung’s back, swung his long fingernails.

nMin Sung quickly turned around. He blocked his hand and swung his fist.

nBut the demon creature dodged his fist. He opened his mouth wide and clenched down on his teeth in an effort to bite Min Sung’s neck off.

nMin Sung quickly dodged it, so the demon creature bit onto nothing but the air.

nMin Sung then stared at the demon creature with a different gaze and stepped back to organize his thoughts.

nThat demon creature, which popped out of the red gate resembling demon eyes, was not the same demon creature Min Sung had known.

nThis one was at a completely different level.

nHe was very impressive.

n‘But how?’

nWhile Min Sung had such thoughts…

nThe demon creature changed his target.

nHis target was now Ho Sung Lee, who happened to be closer.

nHo Sung Lee immediately put his guard up as soon as the demon creature looked his way.

nHo Sung Lee, who was already emotionally prepared, gripped onto his sword and glared at the demon creature.

n‘No.’

n‘I don’t stand a chance.’

nBefore Min Sung could make a move.

nSlash!

nThe demon creature’s hand slashed through Ho Sung Lee’s heart.

nAnd then…

nCrack!

nThe demon creature pulled Ho Sung Lee’s heart out of his chest.

nBefore Ho Sung Lee could even become the Berserker, he instantly died.

nThe demon creature stared at Min Sung as he chewed on Ho Sung Lee’s heart.

nMin Sung clicked his tongue. He opened his item window and pulled out his Gungnir S.

nKaboommmm!

nUnder the light rain, thunder and lightning flashed from Min Sung’s sword across from the demon creature, who was eating Ho Sung Lee’s heart.

nThe devils that he had to deal with in the Demonic Realm had become stronger.

nIf the demon creatures were at this level, there was no telling how powerful the devils were.

nCountless devils would begin to pour out of that gate.

nMin Sung’s eyes were filled with emotion as he glared at the demon creature.

n“Is it good?” Min Sung asked.

nThe demon creature finished the heart. He licked his lips and smiled.

nAnd Min Sung smiled in response.

n“Keep on coming. This is bothersome, but I’ll still get rid of all of you.”

nA ghost-like light flashed from Min Sung’s eyes.

nMeanwhile, the demon creature prepared to attack once more.

nA ferocious light flashed in the demon creature’s eyes, but Min Sung simply laughed at him.

nJust because the demon creature had become stronger didn’t mean anything had changed.

n‘… This isn’t the Demonic Realm.’

nKaboom!

nMin Sung’s Gungnir flashed with thunder and lightning as it charged toward the demon creature.

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