Chapter 41

— Yeah. You can do that, can’t you? You have a good relationship with all kinds of high-ranking people in the government.

— Oh… — Putting the phone at a distance for a bit, she took a deep breath before responding. — Do you have to go in there? —

— I have important business to attend to.

She stayed quiet for a while, and then she clicked her tongue and continued quietly:

— This is not a cheap favor.

— Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back.

— Yes, yes. Of course. You’re not going to die at the hands of that unknown monster, are you?

— If I were such a weak person, you wouldn’t be sponsoring me.

Even though Young-ju didn’t say anything out loud, Kang Yu could hear her swearing at him inside her head.

— Wait a bit. There’s a government officer there, right? Give him the phone.

— Okay. — Kang Yu slipped through the crowd of reporters and gave one of the military officers his phone.

— Again, the Players aren’t allowed to enter…

— Red Rose Guild Commander Chae Young-ju is on the line.

— What…? — The officer, concerned, immediately took the phone from Kang Yu’s hands.

The reporters were staring at Kang Yu with distrust and confusion in their eyes.

— Chae Young-ju…? Is he talking about thatChae Young-ju?

— Who is that person to Chae Young-ju? Was there a Player like that in Red Rose?

Ignoring the crowd’s noisy murmuring, the officer continued talking to Young-ju on the phone.

The soldier called a few more places and warily heaved a sigh.

— Oh Kang Yu… We got permission for you to enter the gate. You, as a member of the research team, have the right to study the creature and attack if necessary. You will be obliged to provide any and all information you get to the government. Do you consent?

Kang Yu, hearing that he had access to the gate, smiled widely.

— Of course. I will do a thorough study so that the people can sleep without worrying about this unknown creature, — Kang Yu proclaimed clearly without hesitation.

— Woah!

— Hurry… take a picture of him!

The journalists, smelling sensational news, pointed their camera lenses at him.

— If a member of a Guild has the right to enter, so do we! — At that moment, six people, pushing the journalists aside, came forward.

Five guys and one girl. All of them, looking at Kang Yu with disgust, moved to the entrance.

— I’m Kang Seon Soo from the Mir Guild!

— The guy that the Guild actively supports?

— It’s only been three months since he became a Player, and he’s already reached the Level B Gate?

It seems there was someone famous among them, making the crowd go wild.

The man named Kang Seon Soo, with his hair tucked into a ponytail, sauntered towards Kang Yu.

— So you’re the one who’s sponsored by Red Rose? — He looked at Kang Yu from head to toe, a nasty sneer curled on his lips.

He met Kang Yu’s eyes with an impertinent look.

— It must be you, since you have their high-end equipment.

Kang Seon Soo walked around Kang Yu with a smirk.

— What’s going on? Shouldn’t you have a bunch of teammates? Isn’t that part of their sponsorship?

The corners of Kang Yu’s lips twitched into a lazy smile, and he calmly replied:

— I’m much more comfortable hunting alone, so I don’t need the support of their teammates.

— Huh. I heard you hang out at the Level C Gate… Does this gate look like a Level C gate to you?

Where did this guy hear that from? He seemed to know quite a lot about Kang Yu.

Rumors of Young-ju personally offering to sponsor him must have spread quickly.

Kang Seon Soo deliberately kept picking on Kang Yu:

— You’re not all that special. There are people like you everywhere.

Kang Yu’s stretched smile began to fade away.

Seon Soo’s jokes were hurting his pride.

— It seems that you want to become famous by catching this unknown monster. Since when is it possible to be so self-assured when you only have four ranks?

‘Seon Soo.’

— Huh? Can’t you talk?

‘What’s wrong with you, Seon Soo?’

— Ha-ha-ha! Suddenly you’re acting dumb?

‘You’re dead, jerk.’

Kang Seon Soo, encouraged by Kang Yu’s silent behaviour, wrapped his hand around his neck.

— How’s that? You wanted to go on a walk in the gate, right? I’m taking care of you, I won’t let you die a dog’s death in there.

There was heavy silence.

Kang Yu’s serious expression changed to a smile and he nodded.

— I didn’t know you cared that much about me! — Kang Yu extended his hand to Seon Soo, offering a handshake. — Let’s go together. Actually, it wasa bit creepy for me to go there all by myself. —

Kang Yu gave his friendliest smile and cast a glance at the party.

The number needed to satisfy the Boer’s hunger was five.

‘There’s one extra.’

***