I stood in front of a 2-story building. There were civilians and hunters alike present in the scene. It must've caused quite a stir as the gate is near other commercial buildings. It would be a problem if a dungeon break happened here, especially because of the rank. It would be utter chaos and hell to manage.
Then, the people around me started mumbling and chattering. After finding out who they were talking about, I unconsciously clicked my tongue.
--There! It's the Rounder Guild Master.
--He just finished checking out the gate, right?
--Yeah. I heard the gate's in the basement.
Choi Soohye walked out of the building while talking to some members of the Hunter Association. It seems that they are discussing the process of the gate's management. After a while, they lightly bowed to each other then the people from the association left. Hunters that of A-class then started to strengthen the barricade around the building and guarded the area in replacement of the police to prevent unauthorized people from going in. Since I just came here to take a look at the place, I was planning to leave immediately after confirming something but then my eyes met Choi Soohye's. His handsome and seemingly angelic face irritated me, as I knew how he really is. Meanwhile, he looked at me as if he'd seen a dead person come to life. But that didn't last long as he smiled right after.
He then walked towards me. I tensed up as the aura leaking from him was getting thicker and thicker.
"It seems that the Hollow Guild's Master has already heard of my discovery. News does come quickly these days, hm?"
I clenched my teeth as I listened to this prick talk–Choi Soohye, the only SS-class hunter of Pandemonium, and the man who made me suffer the most.
"Yes. My secretary's sibling was in this area and immediately called me after hearing the news."
"Aha, is that so?"
While that was one of the reasons, it wasn't the main one. It's because of a damn novel. Earlier this morning, I received an email from someone named 'Null' with an attached file to it.
___________
[Your story has kept me going for years and gave me hope and motivation to keep going.
As a way of giving my thanks, I would like to give you something as a present before my likely last breath.
Raich.txt
I hope that this message and file will help you in the adversaries you will face in the future.
Again, thank you.
- Null]
___________
When I first read it, I understood nothing. But when I clicked on the text file attached to it and read its contents, I found something odd.
A novel titled 'Raich'. Mentioned in it were words I'm familiar with, 'gates', 'dungeons', and 'hunters'. And the story was written from the point of view of Yuhan Raich. In other words, me.
I was the protagonist of this novel.
___________
「Pandemonium.
That was what the the regions in the boundary of North and East Asia was named after it was destroyed because of a sudden simultaneous dungeon break. While there are hordes of monsters that wrecked chaos in the region, the reason Pandemonium fell harder than it should was because of its lack of strong hunters that can deal with many high class monsters. And so, perhaps because of pity or conscience, a handful of high class hunters moved to Pandaemonium and started guiding the other hunters, eventually leading to the restoration of the region. Despite all their efforts, hunters in Pandemonium are looked down on and considered weak, whether that was true or not. But then one man proved the outsiders wrong.
Choi Soohye. Being an S-class right after Awakening and having an attribute that made him able to use all basic properties known at present, he rose up the ranks at a fast pace and reached SS-class in just a year, something that is unheard of. Because of this, he was deemed the strongest in Pandemonium and gained the respect of both insider and outsider hunters. But while most people think highly of him, I do not. That man is a wolf in sheep's clothing.」
___________
That was the intro of the novel.
Reading it was quite funny at first. I thought that the writer was trying to show how much hatred I had for Choi Soohye, which was already publicly known. But the further I read, I started to question how they knew about some things that were mentioned. 'A stalker that wrote fanfiction?', I thought, so I took another look at the email and the address of which it was from. I searched for them but to my surprise, it doesn't exist. Now, at this point, my concern worsened. I continued to read through the novel.
___________
「I would call it a usual day like any other if it wasn't for what I heard just now.
"Master! An SS-rank dungeon gate emerged in the F-4 district a few minutes ago!"
My eyes widened at the words that entered my ears. I was doubtful since a measurer sent by the Association would still need to determine the rank of the dungeon(that would take a day to do so) then an official meeting of the guilds will be held the day after the next to announce it, so knowing it's rank within minutes of it appearing was hard to believe.
"Who did you hear this from? I can get a dungeon appearing but immediately knowing it's rank? I don't think so."
"My younger brother was around that area and called me. He saw Rounder Guild Master Choi Soohye there. Apparently, he was the one that discovered the gate and determined the rank."」
___________
I thought about it, is this really gonna happen?...No way. But looking back to the sender's message in that email, they were implying it, although vague. I haven't read through everything of this strange novel yet, but if everything mentioned in this would become true, it could be useful and helpful for me, the guild, and the people. It also sounded like that's what the sender wanted me to do. But another epiphany is still going on in my mind.
My train of thoughts was then cut by the door suddenly opening. My secretary, William, entered my office, huffing as if he ran here like there was no tomorrow, then looked at me with strange eyes.
"I...I'm s...sorry fo...for,hugh, disturbing...but..."
Then, It struck me. I felt like I knew what he was going to say.
"Master! An SS-rank dungeon gate emerged--"
"In the F-4 district, right?"
I cut off his words then he looked at me with surprise. It seems I was right. No, I was not exactly the one who's right.
"You've already heard, Master?"
I was in a daze. When I snapped out of it, I immediately looked back to my desktop.
[Raich.txt]
A novel that told the future from my point of view. But, if my concern is correct; if I was just a character--protagonist, made to live a story, then this novel is telling my fate.
"You've gotten quite pale, Raich," I flinched. "Is there something wrong?"
…I got too lost in my thoughts that I forgot this guy was in front of me. Choi Soohye stared at me with a frown. What's with that look?
"Don't mind me. I just haven't been feeling well since this morning," it's not a complete lie. "Why are you still here? Aren't you busy right now? I'd like it if you leave me alone."
"Guild Master Raich seems to be interested in the new dungeon though?" Choi Soohye's eyes narrowed as he smiled.
"..."
I was reminded of the email I received earlier so I answered nothing. While I would like our guild to gain ownership to this dungeon, I want to check if it was worth it or not by looking through the novel later. Well, even if it's worth it, this area is not in our guild's scope, but there's still a possibility we can get it, depending on the dungeon's contents.
"Hmm..."
Choi Soohye stared at me with interest. What, can't I also check the gate even for a moment? As if he read my mind, Choi Soohye laughed.
"Feel free to look around, Master Raich. You can take your time before our guild finishes building a gate watch here."
Wait, what did he say? Gate watch?
"You're talking as if Rounder has already gained rights for the dungeon."
I get that he's the one who found it but to immediately receive rights for it is outrageous.
"You're right, Master Raich. Our guild has already claimed it. Well, you might find it unfair but I did it for a reason. And that very reason is why the Association agreed to give it to us in the first place."
"And may I ask what that reason is?" I raised my brow as I asked.
"Hmm, don't tell me the Hollow Guild wants this SS-class dungeon? You look very displeased that we got to it first."
"I just find everything you do displeasing," I told him as Choi Soohye laughed. "In any case, I find it suspicious," then the laughter stopped. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me.
"Interesting…"
I heard him mutter but when I was about to retort, he suddenly interrupted me.
"Is that so? Hmhm, I should get going. Like I said earlier, you're free to look around if you'd like. Well then, I'll see you later, Hollow's Master."
He smiled then left.
"Yeah, no."
If possible, I don't want to see him again.
Choi Soohye walked away towards his car parked nearby, then drove off. What's with him today? Not only was his reaction to seeing me earlier was strange but also with just now…
- You've gotten quite pale, Raich. Is there something wrong?
That wasn't how it usually goes. He's usually stingy and too strict, so what's this sudden change?
...Anyhow, this novel.
It was right about the appearance of the gate. Which means, my conclusion about this novel telling my fate might be correct. And the sender, 'Null'…is it someone I know? I'm at a loss right now and the more I think, my head hurts.
Anyways, he did say that I can take a look around. Should I? Hmm... I'll read the entire novel first, although I'm not sure how long it'll take. Let's really leave.
As I walked through a narrow alleyway, I felt my phone vibrate. I took it out of my pocket and when I saw the screen, the corners of my mouth raised. Seyoung was calling. When is she coming back from South Korea? It has been three years since we last hung out together. I tapped the green button on my phone then put it near my ears. Seyoung's voice was heard on the other side.
--Hello, Yu-ssi! Sorry, I haven't been able to call lately. I've been busy with work. I didn't know being a representative is this hard!"
"Haha, it's alright. Don't push yourself too much. How's your home country?"
--It's been well. Oh! Right, it hasn't been announced publicly yet but South Korea finally has their first SSS-rank hunter! Can you guess who it is~?"
A new SSS-rank hunter, huh. Then, one would expect it to be Park Cheolsu. He's the strongest SS-rank Hunter of Korea and is very active on dungeon raids, so one won't find it strange if he finally levelled up. But I have a different person in mind.
"Let's see, is it Cha Jaeyoon?"
Cha Jaeyoon, he's an S-rank hunter that uses a unique fighting style related to his former career as an idol--dance fighting. Sword dance was already a thing in the olden times but his style is more diverse. The type of dance and weapon he uses depends on the opponent. It's strange yet effective.
--Wow, you really are amazing! How did you figure it out?
So I was right. Well, every SSS-rank hunter seems to have their own world or is just plain weird so I thought it would be the same in this case.
"Figures, I just said what came to mind. That's quite a jump though, from S to SSS in one go. By the way, when are you coming back here?" I asked.
--I'm not sure yet. Probably a month more or so. Things are still pretty messy, especially since a dungeon break near my area just happened weeks ago. Plus, we're still dealing with the aftermath.
"I see. Be careful. Since you're busy, I'm hanging up. Be careful out there."
--Yes! Thanks~ I'll try to call again soon.
"Mhm."
-Beep!
'She sure got it tough. I should treat her to dinner once she comes back.'
After a brief call to the Guild, I headed home.
**
I ate the meal pack I bought on the way for lunch then opened the mail app on my phone. I checked through the inbox and found the email from earlier. Then, I downloaded the file for the novel and began reading it.
In the novel, I didn't visit the F-4 district but rather, went to the Association to confirm things. There, officials told me that Choi Soohye has taken responsibility for the new dungeon. The phone call with Seyoung was also included, just in a different setting. After reading all this, I've confirmed one thing. That this novel's events are real and will happen. Other than my actions affected from having read this, everything else was the same. That means I can trust this as a source. Though let's not fully rely on it, just in case. I continued reading and reached a certain scene.
It was the 'Masters' Meeting'. In this scene, I and other Guild Masters were in a meeting discussing the new dungeon.
"The date…"
August 14. It's today's date.
And if this happens in reality too, this meeting will be held tonight.
***
'Union Meetings' and 'Masters' meetings' are different. The former include executives of each guild and the Association and discuss public affairs that relate to gates, dungeons, and such, while the latter is exclusively for guild masters, where we mostly talk about confidential matters and resolve the silent wars that are happening among our ranks. We can't afford to be a mess right now because of how chaotic Pandaemonium already is. And as of now, there are 8 guilds managing the gates in Pandaemonium: Vienna, Rounder, Fuxiu, Red Dragon, Hollow, Azcazzi, Eden, and the newly founded Luzberg.
「What Choi Soohye said made everyone in the room dumbfounded.」
"...Did you just say, you won't let us participate?"
「He acted so nonchalantly, his smile ever so cunning as before. He nodded and looked at us with cold eyes.」
"Yes, you heard me correctly. Unless I change my mind later on, I won't let anyone go through that gate."
Right now, things are unfolding the same as I read earlier. Choi Soohye, for some reason, is forbidding us to enter or join a raid team for the SS-class dungeon he discovered just today. And in the novel, he even beat up the Red Dragon Guild Master for trying to accuse him of monopolization of the dungeon. And that scene is starting now.
"Don't tell me Rounder is monopolizing the dungeon? You may have control over the management but completely denying us access and shares is unacceptable!" Red Dragon Guild Master Li Wenlong exclaimed as he shot up from his seat.
Obviously, the higher the class of the dungeon, the better the rewards and drops for clearing it is. Not only that, even if the guild have the rights for the dungeon, it doesn't mean they completely own it. For example, Fuxiu, a guild that focuses more on equipment development is in need of materials acquired from raids but doesn't have enough strength, possibly because of the dungeons high rank. In such case, when a dungeon like mentioned earlier appeared in their area but have insufficient power to raid it, rights will go to either the Association or a nearby stronger guild with a contract to Fuxiu that they will be supplied with the materials acquired from that dungeon. So it is understandable that the Red Dragon Guild Master would think that Choi Soohye is being selfish. After all, he won't let us have a part on the raids and rewards on top of already owning the rights. But I think this reaction is too much…His greed is showing.
"You're mistaken, Master Li. It's not that I don't want to share the rewards of the dungeon. Rather, it's that I can't," a smile was still on Choi Soohye's face.
"What are you even talking about?! I bet you're just abusing your status as the highest ranking hunter in this room. I've had enough!"
Right after he said that, Li Wenlong summoned a big fire on his hands that looked like a dragon. It's a smaller version of his signature skill 'Ignias', the face of the Red Dragon Guild. Three of the other guild masters with us warned Li Wengryu as the fire dragon rushed to Choi Soohye.
"Li Wenlong! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Stop at once, Red Dragon Guild Master!"
"It seems you're forgetting something, Master Wenlong," Choi Soohye remarked as he slapped the attacking fire dragon aside. "Summoning just the imitation won't be enough to break through my current level of fire resistance."
…Reading this scene beforehand made watching all this commotion feel bizarre.
"Sometimes I wonder how you even became a guild master." Choi Soohye sighed.
And right after he said this will be–
"Tch! M-master Raich…!" Li Wenlong looked at me. "Don't you loathe Choi Soohye? Please d-do something!"
–This.
It is true that my blood boils every time he acts smug. Choi Soohye was looking at me as if anticipating something while the others tensed up.
「"Tch! M-master Raich…!" Li Wenlong looked at me. "Don't you loathe Choi Soohye? Please d-do something!"
Everything that's happening right now is ridiculous. One is just greedy and the other's action is undecipherable. And if you think you can pull my personal grudges into this, you're wrong. I'm not that shallow, Li Wenlong.」
I decided to act the same as the me in that novel did.
「"Master Li."」
"Please get a hold of yourself."
Li Wenlong flinched.
It's the best choice in this situation. No one knows the whole story, so it's better to calm down and let it play out for now. Not only that, but there's something I found odd about Choi Soohye's actions this morning..
I glared at Choi Soohye. He gave back a meaningful stare.
"I can't get into details but please rest assured that this is for Pandaemonium's sake," he said as he fixed his position on his chair.
"He just called us here beforehand to warn us in advance since mentioning this in tomorrow's meeting might cause problems," I added. "Since this bastard didn't tell even me anything earlier, although he did with the Association, don't even expect answers anymore."
Choi Soohye chuckled.
"Then asking any more will be futile…" Fuxiu Guild Leader Xiao Ju Feng ruffled her hair in resignation. "Since it's you Master Choi, I hope your reason really is for everyone's benefit."
Vienna Guild Master Lourde Agreste suddenly burst out laughing. His eyes curved like an arc as he talked while trying to contain his laughter. "Then I'll leave you to it, our SS-man! Do let us know immediately once you've changed your mind."
"Of course." Choi Soohye was wearing his usual smile.
We didn't forget to mention some other matters that's of relevance to us at the moment. Discussions of solutions and consultations lasted for two more hours before we finally ended the meeting. Luzberg's Julie Heatherway and Li Wenlong did feel a bit awkward during the talk, the former being the youngest in the room and the latter having made a fool of himself at the start of the meeting. In the end, the meeting concluded peacefully with a couple hiccups in the middle.
"Then, see you all tomorrow," Agreste concluded.
We had to prepare for tomorrow's Guild Meeting, so everyone went to do their own thing. As for me, I went to the Union's greenroom to fetch myself something to drink. There was the fact that I was genuinely thirsty, but it coinciding with my actions in the novel feels disturbing. Anyways, as soon as I enter the greenroom, that person should be in there. I turned the knob of the door then pushed it open.
"Heya Yuhan~. You're here?"
Xiao Ju Feng was there sipping on a cup of what I smell from here to be coffee. She looked like she was reading something off her phone before she turned to greet me.
"I wanted a drink to bring before leaving, so I came," I approached the dispenser beside Ju Feng and she handed me a paper cup with a lid to use.
"Tea or coffee? I'll get it."
"Tea, please."
She walked over to the cupboard as I filled the cup with hot water. Just as I finished filling up my cup, she handed me over the packeted teabag.
"Here, there's only Lady Grey."
"Alright, thanks," I took the packet and opened it.
"Yuhan, you…" she paused for a moment. "You went to the site of the dungeon this morning?" Ju Feng started up the topic I was waiting for.
It was still related to the new dungeon but perhaps because I mentioned going to F-4 district and talking to Choi Soohye there earlier, the conversation changed to this.
"Yeah. I was gonna tell you since the dungeon was within the area of your Guild's responsibility, but it flew over my head. Sorry."
It's true that I would've done that. In fact, the me in the novel also did that but because my mind got too preoccupied with the sudden revelation, the idea got out of my mind and forgot about it.
"No, It's alright. Rather, would you care to tell me what happened when you went there, in detail?"
What she was curious about seems to still be the same as what I read. So I told her what I saw when I went to the site. About the Association officials that were with Choi Soohye and my conversation with him. I omitted some unnecessary details and got straight to the point.
"I see. But it's strange isn't it?," Ju Feng's palm touched her cheek as she tilted her head. "Did he have a measuring skill? I mean, how else would he know that it was SS-rank? Is it like an SS-class hunter thing? I don't think so."
"I'm not too sure about it either. But, who knows? He keeps a lot of secrets."
She laughs lightly. "I guess you would know."
My tea was good to go, so I took a sip before putting the lid back on. While I did my thing, I noticed that Ju Feng's expression changed into a somewhat confused look. I knew what she was thinking, so I initiated the topic before she brought it up.
"Choi Soohye's acting unusual, isn't he?" I took another sip of my tea.
"Yeah, right? He usually just brushes off Li Wenlong-gu's idiotic antics, but it was unlike him to point it out."
When I read what she said in the novel, I got a bit confused and reread the argument scene again. It was then that I remembered that Choi Soohye was a pretty patient person when it comes to people. That's why it seemed off to Ju Feng, and probably even the other Guild Masters when Choi Soohye suddenly showed disappointment in Li Wenlong. It was just that I have seen that side of him so many times that it actually feels weirder to see him being soft-spoken. So, rather than his actions towards Li Wenlong earlier, I was more disconcerted by his sudden 'genuine' concern this morning.
"Mhm."
"Do you think something came up that he's like that?"
"I don't think so," I shook my head. "Anyways, I'll get going."
"Alright. Our conversation must've taken your time," Ju Feng winked. "See you later."
I didn't want to stay there for longer, so I left. I had to arrange this week's raid in Hollow's districts to prevent more dungeon breaks. Besides, I haven't read past this point in the novel, so I had to check in case a problem arises, so I can prepare for it in advance.
I was walking through the lobby when I noticed someone standing near the doors, leaned against the wall.
"Ah."
Choi Soohye and I locked eyes, his seeming to look through me inquisitively. It kind of pissed me off. After a few seconds of staredown, he just sighed, smiled at me, then left.
.....
"...What the hell was that?"