6:00 A.M. Amsa, Gang-Dong, Seoul.

“You really did come at your convenience, huh.” Ryu Ji-Hu’s eyes were bloodshot.

The cold air blew between them as others gulped at the colder tone.

“Well, you did say that. Well, you can continue your nap if you want to.” Do-Yun said.

Ji-Hu had just closed his eyes when news of Do-Yun’s arrival came. He made sure to tell the squad that watched over the barricade to inform him immediately for a reason.

“No need. Are you ready to start now?” He asked.

“Anytime. But you don’t have to tag along.”

“I have to.” Ji-Hu threw the empty water bottle in the nearby trashcan.

“Hmm, you don’t trust me to complete the job?” Do-Yun tilted his head.

“It isn’t about trust, I had to agree to supervise you for a few raids,” Ji-Hu stated sternly.

“Pesky higher-ups.”

“That they are.” Ji-Hu put on his armor and eyed the laughing Do-Yun.

A maroon sweatshirt with black joggers, and below that he had slippers on. No heavy boots or shoes, simple slippers.

‘He’s going to challenge the gate like that?’ The soldier who brought Do-Yun here left with a questioning gaze.

“We have some spare equipment if you need it.” Ji-Hu said.

“Byung-ho, do you need some?” Do-Yun turned to his companion.

“If there is some I would be thankful.” He would like for Do-Yun to have some on as they would raid the Gate. But, he didn’t have any intention of wearing that.

“Da-Eun,” Ji-Hu said and she nodded.

“Follow me.” She walked away and Byung-Ho followed her.

They entered the second tent to the right and she flipped open the case in the corner. It contained multiple boxes of shoes.

“What’s your size?” She turned to Byung-Ho.

“280(size 10 USA).” He didn’t expect her to search for the shoes.

But he couldn’t interject because of how focused she became. It took a while to get the shoes of his size, unlike the vest. But, she handed another pair in a separate bag along with a spare vest.

“Carry this with you.” Byung-ho took the bag pushed upon him with a confused look.

“The floor inside Gates can be slippery at times. If that is the case you can hand him the boots.” Da-Eun said.

“Oh… thank you.” She was looking out for Do-Yun in case trouble appeared.

With the frown on her forehead, she didn’t appear like a friendly person. Even now it felt weird given her stern tone.

“I am not doing this for him. A single mistake inside the Gate can endanger the lives of the entire group. Keep that in mind.” She walked past leaving him stunned.

“Now don’t stand there daydreaming,” Da-Eun came back and shook him.

“A-Ah, yes, I am sorry. I am a little nervous after hearing that.” An embarrassed smile appeared on his face as they walked back.

‘Maybe I should’ve said that differently?’ Da-Eun glanced at Byung-Ho on the way back.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

She wanted him to be on his toes but didn’t expect him to be so rattled about this. In a way a better warning than this didn’t exist. Even then she felt bad about her tone. But, before she could decide what to say they arrived before the Gate again.

“Let’s go then,” Do-Yun stepped towards the Blue gate with no hesitation. Ji-Hu too walked in as the other two followed.

Their vision went dark for a split second before they arrived inside the Gate.

‘I hate this part…’ Da-Eun cringed.

It was like she passed through a pool of slime with no clothes on. The grimy and gross sensation that clung to her body with the slight dizziness made her puke the last time.

Even now it made her reel, but there was no time to focus on that. Alerted by the damp scent that hit her nostrils she narrowed her eyes to scrutinize her surroundings. Before her yet another dimly lit stone hallway extended straight ahead. The walls were ten meters apart with torches placed at regular intervals. The ceiling itself wasn’t that high and made her feel caged in.

“They are here already.” Do-Yun voice made them focus ahead, three wolves rushed toward them.

Their claws scratched against the floor and produced sparks as saliva dripped from their toothy maws. They had no intentions of hiding.

Da-Eun suppressed the unease building in her stomach and exhaled.

‘The normal protocol for the squad when facing the Monsters in the Gate is for the leader to intercep- That Idiot!!’ However, an angry growl left her mouth when Do-Yun rushed head first towards the wolves.

He already messed things up with that mindless charge.

The two with her were just as surprised at that. Not by the sudden rush, but because of the speed and with what happened afterward.

“Let’s move fast, I need to make it in time for Breakfast.” Do-Yun walked ahead avoiding the bloodied floor.

‘What explosive power.’ Da-Eun glanced at the headless bodies on the way. The wolf's blood painted the brown walls as their brain matter and crushed bones slid to the floor.

Now she understood why he’d run so confidently. But, on the other hand, the scene made her look away.

‘Even Chung-Ae doesn’t pack this much of a punch with his magic.’ Ji-Hu kept pace with Do-Yun and examined his actions. They had seen the aftermath of Seok-Chon, but seeing it firsthand was different.

“We are already at the essence stones?” Da-Eun stated in disbelief.

Not even 20 minutes had elapsed and they arrived at the cavern where the Boss room’s door is at. She touched the floor and sure enough, it was slippery and the stones that stuck out on either side of the door were the same too. But, they covered the distance in half the time it took their squad.

‘He did that in slippers… what is this bastard made of?’ They didn’t even have to raise a finger during the whole raid.

“You guys want to mine 'em?” Do-Yun asked.

“If you don’t mind missing Breakfast,” Ji-Hu said.

“Onto the boss room then,” Do-Yun turned on his heel.

‘Good thing we can be free from this shit for today.’ Da-Eun followed after Ji-Hu with Byung-Ho. The troublesome part about raiding a Gate wasn’t the fight, but the collection.

Do-Yun pushed the door open and entered. This area was much larger than the stone cavern from before with a higher ceiling. And in the middle stood a wolf as tall as a small truck.

It growled as the sharp red gaze landed on Do-Yun who rushed forward. The red mane flowed like flames as it moved back.

‘Wait, that isn’t good.’ Ji-Hu eyes widened as the wolf revealed his knife-like canine. But, instead of going for the bite, it spewed red flames out of its mouth.

The flames continued forward like the waves of the ocean and spread in all directions.

“Hyung Wa—!!” Do-Yun heard Byung-Ho’s call but allowed the fire to envelop him.

In the sea of flames that surrounded him, he closed his eyes.

When a normal Human Awakens, he gains another system that runs through his entire body much like the nervous system but much more intricate and dense.

But, instead of blood, its job was to circulate the new energy that is absorbed and distribute it throughout the body, an energy circuit.

Aura rushed out from the rings near his heart. It spread throughout his body and slowly seeped out of it. It took the form of a thin barrier that covered him from head to toe. The barrier kept the relentless fire at bay. However, it wasn’t formed to protect his body.

‘If it wasn’t for the barrier my clothes would’ve burned.’ With a chuckle, Do-Yun expanded the range of his Magic Sensitivity further.

Even then all he saw was a sea of red, but as the ripples went farther he caught a darker shade of red in the shape of the wolf moving in the fire. However, he didn’t come for him.

“That’s a bad move.” He smirked.

The flames themselves were normal. If exposed to them for a few minutes they’d caused damage. The wolf used this attack as a smoke screen and also to limit his opponent’s movements. It could use it to its advantage and kill the blinded intruders who have even lost oxygen.

‘The best way to deal with a smoke screen is to blow it away.’ The aura gathered around his foot as he raised it. A widespread attack like this would have weak integrity. With Aura breaking the sparse links would be child’s play.

His feet struck the floor and the aura rushed around in a circular motion. The wolf's movements halted when the flames extinguished. It tried to move back and recast the curtain but a blur appeared in front of him.

“Too bad for you,” Do-Yun sent the aura to his hand.

Helpless, the wolf tried to bite down on him with his razor-sharp fangs but the hand that drove into his chest won. Do-Yun crushed the wolf’s heart. The light in its eyes vanished as the body stumbled.

It struck the floor when Do-Yun pulled his hand out. Blue blood slid off his arm as he turned around.

Amsa’s Blue Gate was cleared.