Chapter 154
Of course, there won't be zero damage.
However, if they work together with Lee Seongjun at the center, they should be able to recover quickly.
No, it was clear that they would grow beyond the existing Korea to become one of the world's leading powers.
In other words, now was the optimal time to build a relationship with Korea.
'If they succeed in stopping the Black Gate, the status of Korea and Lee Seongjun will skyrocket.'
Countries around the world will use various methods to build relationships with Korea and Lee Seongjun.
But if they try to approach then, they'll just be one of many flies.
After all, memories and relationships built during times of plenty and happiness tend not to remain in memory.
Friendships built belatedly are ultimately nothing more than sandcastles.
'If you want to build true friendship and strong bonds, you need to be there during tough times and lend strength.'
If you want a close relationship with Lee Seongjun, you need to send support now when everyone else is avoiding it and watching cautiously.
However, the Cosmos Guild's department heads, their vision narrowed by lack of information and the fear instilled by the Black Gate, couldn't see that future.
"Please reconsider one more time."
"Is there any reason for us, the Cosmos Guild, to risk our lives for a small Eastern country like Korea?"
"If the Master were here, he would never send support to Korea."
Endless complaints poured in from the department heads seated in the conference room, but they couldn't change James's already made-up mind.
"I won't accept complaints. By the authority of acting Master officially recognized by Master Victor Wiseman, I order this. The Cosmos Guild will support Korea with all its might."
Faced with James's unyielding will, the department heads could no longer raise objections.
However, they weren't accepting the order willingly.
The department heads wore uncomfortable expressions as they sent disapproving looks.
"As you're acting with the Master's authority, we have no choice but to follow unconditionally... However, please bear full responsibility for any damages resulting from this decision, Vice Master James."
While it sounded like an ultimatum on the surface, the intent behind it was clearly a threat.
But there wasn't the slightest hint of wavering in James's expression.
'Lee Seongjun will become a king who conquers Asia and one of the absolute rulers who reign over the world.'
Starting with this Black Gate incident, if they build a strong relationship and work together, they could gain unconditional benefits.
It meant he was willing to endure any immediate losses.
No, he had to endure them.
'To reach the pinnacle, which could be called Cosmos's dream...! We must help Korea and build a relationship with Lee Seongjun.'
Having quickly calculated in his mind, James opened his mouth.
"Yes, all actions have consequences and responsibilities. I'll take full responsibility for any damage from this incident. However..."
James's gaze met the disgruntled expressions of the department heads as his voice trailed off.
"All future benefits will also belong to me, James Garner, and the department heads who follow me."
After delivering this confident declaration, James immediately stood up, his face bearing the brightest smile it had ever shown.
* * *
The main forces of the Cosmos Guild from America and the Aqua Guild from Japan officially entered Korea and joined the effort.
With only two guilds, the number of reinforcements wasn't particularly large.
However, their power was no exaggeration to say it rivaled that of a decent-sized army.
This wasn't an exaggerated expression.
Just the support troops sent by the Cosmos Guild alone included 10 hunters of SS-rank or higher, and their representative, Vice Master James, was a powerhouse rivaling top-tier Rankers.
Additionally, the Aqua Guild consisted of 100 elite ninjas composed of A-rank or higher hunters, and Mizunohara, a powerhouse reaching Ranker level, was personally participating.
Officially, Korea's current forces included 5 powerhouses reaching Ranker level and hundreds of elite hunters of A-rank or above.
They had assembled a force that could be called a major power without exaggeration.
This was quite welcome news from Lee Seongjun's perspective as well.
'...So their goodwill wasn't just empty words after all.'
The Cosmos and Aqua Guilds had occasionally expressed opinions that they could send support to Korea, but given that the Black Gate could be a life-threatening situation, he hadn't expected much substantial support.
However, the two guilds were volunteering help even in this truly critical situation.
Of course, he didn't think the two guilds were acting out of pure goodwill.
'They've all done some cost-benefit analysis before coming...'
This actually made him like the two guilds even more.
It meant they weren't half-wits who had given up thinking, consumed by the fear the Black Gate instilled.
'They're guilds worth working with in the future.'
He didn't even need to look far into the future.
They could make significant contributions in the immediate battle ahead.
While it could be said they had gained very reliable allies, they couldn't afford to relax completely.
No, looking at the situation itself, it could still be called the worst-case scenario without exaggeration.
"Of all things... a One-Way Gate."
A One-Way Gate was a special type of gate that only allowed movement from the other world to Earth.
Unlike other gates where they could strike first, with a One-Way Gate they had no choice but to fight a defensive battle.
It meant they had to fight while protecting the capital, Seoul.
If they poured all their effort into the fight, it wouldn't be impossible.
But they couldn't guarantee that no variables would arise.
'So, if possible, I'd like to fight while securing the safety of the city as much as possible...'
To gather even a little information about the gate, Lee Seongjun headed right to the front of the portal where ominous red energy was surging.
Facing it at such close range made its scale feel even more massive, and questions naturally arose in his mind.
'How vast is the inside of the gate?'
Just looking at the visible size of the entrance, it would have a landmass at least the size of Gyeonggi Province.
'Maybe... it could be a world rivaling the size of Korea's territory.'
Various speculations came to mind, but nothing could be said with certainty.
There was no concrete information about what kind of world was inside the gate, what types of monsters were there, or how many would pour out.
'...It seems difficult to prepare in advance.'
As Lee Seongjun was frowning and watching silently, Jazan carefully approached from behind and spoke.
"...You look troubled."
"Yes, given the situation, I can't help but have a lot on my mind."
"Someone of your skill level probably isn't afraid or scared of the battle... You're likely worrying about minimizing damage to the city. I think I can ease that worry for you. Would you like to hear?"
Lee Seongjun tilted his head and turned his gaze to Jazan.
"Do you have a good method?"
"We can use the coordinate movement function of the Cheonbyeonmanhwangye installed in your house in reverse. To explain simply, we cover the gate's entrance with a barrier and change the location where monsters pour out from Seoul to an abandoned land."
The plan itself was excellent.
However, Lee Seongjun's expression still couldn't be called bright.
This was because it was just a plan after all.
"Is it possible?"
Having seen the barrier's abilities firsthand, he wasn't doubting Jazan's skills.
However, the size of the gate's entrance that had appeared was massive enough to cover the skies of Seoul.
Even for Jazan, a top-tier barrier master, creating such a large-scale barrier would certainly not be an easy task.
"...Given the scale, I can't guarantee perfect success as we can't calculate all the variables accurately. But with the help of Korea's sorcerers and spell casters, it shouldn't be impossible."
Lee Seongjun's eyes sparkled at Jazan's confident expression.
'This is the best option we have right now.'
In the current situation with no information, this was the most effective way to respond to the monster invasion in advance.
'Moreover, it's a zero-risk, high-return approach.'
As Jazan said earlier, there could be some variables that cause the barrier installation to fail.
But that was the extent of the risk.
Nothing would happen that could affect the battle itself.
Compared to that, the return if successful was substantial.
'We won't need to worry about defending the capital, Seoul.'
It meant they could completely block out the variables he had been constantly worrying about.
There was no reason to refuse Jazan's proposal.
"I'll request support from the Association to gather sorcerers and spell casters to help with your barrier installation, Jazan."
* * *
With Lee Seongjun's support request, the Korean government and Hunter Association immediately began the barrier installation work.
Given the full-scale support provided, the effects were substantial.
In less than a week, they succeeded in constructing the core of the barrier, leaving only the final deployment work.
As the barrier construction progressed smoothly, all main forces except for the minimum personnel needed to prepare for any possible variables moved to the coordinates Jazan had designated, a place once called the Military Demarcation Line.
As all plans were progressing sequentially and everyone was starting to relax, that's when it happened.
As always, accidents strike in the gaps.
Boom!
The quiet gate shook with a massive vibration.
'What's this?'
Lee Seongjun, who had volunteered to stand guard near the gate, shifted his gaze at the sudden change.
Crack!
With a sound like the world splitting apart, cracks began to appear in the gate floating above Seoul's skies.
'Already?'
The average time it took for monsters to break out of a gate, commonly called an Outbreak, was 30 days.
Yet the gate covering Seoul's sky was about to have an Outbreak in less than ten days.
It was a situation far beyond the original expectations.
As Lee Seongjun was staring at the gate with narrowed eyes, that's when it happened.
A round sphere, containing a flame burning inside, revealed itself outside the gate.
'What is that?'
If he had to compare it to something similar, it could be called a low-grade elemental.
But there were clearly different aspects.
The eerie black energy enveloping the sphere, the grotesque face of the dry skull inside, and its massive size comparable to a decent-sized car meant it absolutely couldn't be considered a normal elemental.