Chapter 28: The Day Has Come

The quest that Baek Eun-seol proposed.

Si-woo had to choose one of three gates and clear it.

Without a moment of hesitation, he picked the D-rank gate—the most difficult option available.

“Any reason why you chose the D-rank gate?”

“If I’m going to do this, I’d rather take on the hardest challenge.”

If the quest had required him to go solo, he would have picked the F-rank gate.

Taking on a gate alone for the first time was reckless, no matter how well he understood it in theory.

Because in actual combat—especially inside a gate—anything could happen.

‘Especially in a gate, where the unexpected is the norm.’

But with a party, the situation changed completely.

“I may not trust my own skills completely… but I can objectively trust my party members.”

With those two by his side, clearing a D-rank gate wouldn’t be an issue.

There was no need to rely on miracles.

“You once told me that gate clearing should never be a ‘challenge.’”

“That’s right. The moment you think, ‘We should be able to handle this,’ or, ‘We’re strong enough to move on to the next level,’ you’re already making a mistake.”

“That’s why I chose the D-rank gate.”

This wasn’t a challenge.

It was a calculated decision.

He was certain that with Saria and Im So-yeon, they could clear it safely.

“I’m relieved… at least you didn’t pick it just because of the name.”

Baek Eun-seol let out a small sigh of relief.

Her reaction made Si-woo tilt his head in confusion.

“…The name?”

“Yeah. The D-rank gate I found for you—”

“It’s called The Snow Woman’s Manor.”

The Snow Woman (Yuki-onna).

A yokai often appearing in Japanese folklore.

Dressed in a kimono, her long black hair flowing in the blizzard, she suddenly appears before travelers.

And lures them to their deaths.

The monsters that appeared in The Snow Woman’s Manor—the Yuki-onna—seduced Hunters in a way similar to their folklore counterparts.

“So that’s why this gate is famous among civilians.”

“They say even Hunters can’t compare to their beauty.”

Humanoid monsters.

Among them, the Yuki-onna ranked 2nd in terms of popularity.

“Unlike succubi, they’re not entirely specialized in seduction… but they’re born with Allure regardless.”

At Si-woo’s words, the two women nodded.

Just like how engraving awakenings changed a person, the moment a Yuki-onna manifested, it was destined to be beautiful.

Because Allure was embedded in their very existence.

“That’s why D-rank Hunters avoid this gate.”

“It’s popular among civilians for its allure, but for Hunters, it’s one of the top five most avoided monsters for the exact same reason.”

Unlike Si-woo’s Symbol of Allure, which had a stronger effect on women, the Yuki-onna’s charm worked on both genders.

However.

Compared to Si-woo’s engraving, the Yuki-onna’s allure could only control a limited number of people at once.

Hunters with mental barriers had a degree of resistance.

But—

For the average D-rank Hunter, forming a mental barrier required a level of mana control they simply didn’t possess.

“There are ways to avoid getting charmed… but no known way to cure it.”

The only countermeasure ever documented was to set up a mental barrier in advance.

Other methods were either impractical—or so dangerous that they weren’t even worth considering.

“At least hypnosis can be broken with external shock. Why doesn’t the same apply to allure?”

“It’s a matter of mechanics. Hypnosis is like locking your rationality inside a reinforced prison.”

“But allure? It’s like tattooing your rationality itself.”

A prison could be damaged and broken into.

But ink that had sunk deep into the skin?

Unless you cut out the affected flesh, there was no way to remove it.

“That’s why only a very small number of people can completely resist allure.”

People with unshakable convictions.

Or those who loved someone so deeply that they were willing to die for them.

Only such individuals could carve out the part of themselves that had been charmed.

Si-woo had never met anyone like that before.

But he had heard rumors.

“…It won’t be easy, will it?”

“‘Not easy’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.”

“It’s absolutely impossible.”

Baek Eun-seol, someone who had personally experienced allure, spoke with absolute certainty.

Resistance?

It wasn’t possible.

At the two women’s firm response, Si-woo simply nodded and raised his wrist.

“But if I’m there, the situation changes.”

He looked at his engagement engraving, shaped like a delicate bramble.

Finally—this engraving had a chance to work as it was meant to.

‘I’ve set the stage for you this much. Do your job properly for once.’

Scolding the engraving—though it could not hear him—Si-woo began coordinating their upcoming schedule.

“Gate expeditions count as excused absences, right?”

“Of course. The Academy exists to train Hunters—there’s no reason to hold back students who want real-world practice.”

A voice echoed from seemingly nowhere.

The three of them instinctively turned.

“Hah. Not a single one of you looks surprised?”

“Well, Master, it wouldn’t be strange for you to appear anytime, anywhere.”

“Agreed.”

“I just sensed your presence from the start.”

“Tch. That’s why messing with geniuses isn’t fun.”

With a dramatic sigh, Jung Se-ah casually took a seat next to Si-woo.

“I heard from Baek Eun-seol. You’re taking on a gate?”

“Yes. I was going to ask for permission anyway, so this saves me the trouble.”

His gaze locked onto hers.

‘You’re not going to ban me from going this time, are you?’

That silent question lingered between them.

For so long, Jung Se-ah had strictly prohibited Si-woo from entering a gate.

Because.

She was terrified of him dying.

Not at the hands of monsters.

She had personally trained him. She knew he wouldn’t lose to something like a mere monster.

No.

The real fear was that in the isolation of a gate, with no one watching—

Si-woo might take his own life.

It was a selfish fear.

But it was why she had always stopped him from going in alone.

“…Are you going with a party?”

“Of course.”

That was the difference now.

Si-woo wasn’t alone anymore.

Even if he strayed toward the wrong path, someone would be there to pull him back.

Jung Se-ah exhaled slowly.

Then.

“Then there’s no problem. Go.”

Her gaze shifted to Saria and Im So-yeon.

As a woman, Jung Se-ah wasn’t thrilled about the two people standing beside Si-woo.

But as a Hunter, she had to acknowledge them.

Especially Im So-yeon.

‘Unlike the other two, she actually noticed me…’

Her potential far exceeded Jung Se-ah’s expectations.

Even if she grew at a normal pace, A-rank was guaranteed.

And if she continued clearing gates alongside Si-woo, reaching S-rank was only a matter of time.

‘Saria doesn’t have any major flaws either, and Si-woo… well, obviously, he doesn’t need to be mentioned.’

“Aside from the lack of a healer, it’s an ideal party.”

“Cut us some slack, Instructor. You know as well as anyone that high-level healers don’t just show up overnight.”

“Even so, it’s still a weak point.”

Si-woo’s party composition was remarkably solid.

A tank that could also move independently—Saria.

A frontline fighter who could redirect monster attacks and double as a damage dealer—Si-woo.

And finally, an assassin-type specialist capable of supporting the team and landing devastating sneak attacks—Im So-yeon.

“If only a healer could just fall from the sky, this party would be perfect.”

“You know, sometimes words have a way of coming true.”

With Si-woo, that wasn’t even a joke. If a healer really did fall out of the sky, no one would be surprised.

Jung Se-ah let out a small chuckle before shifting the conversation.

“So, when’s your first run?”

“Since we have Saria’s subspace storage, we don’t need to waste time preparing.”

Tomorrow at 1 PM.

Their first gate expedition would begin.

Finally, the day has come.

The day she had been waiting for—all this time.

“Tomorrow… ‘he’ will finally come to find me.”

I think I’m going insane.

No—I already have.

How many years have passed?

I can’t remember.

And even if I could, there’s no guarantee that my memories are real anymore.

That’s how long I’ve endured this eternal prison of time.

Through the haze of my fading memories, I’ve waited for him to return.

‘Kill them all.’

With this monster carved into my soul.

“So I need to prepare.”

I reach for something nearby and spread it across my face.

What is this?

I don’t remember its name.

I don’t even remember why I’m doing this.

My broken mind can’t recall what it is—can’t piece together its purpose.

I only apply it because my body commands me to.

‘I have to kill them.’

The engraving on my chest whispers to me.

It coaxes the monster I’ve become.

‘Do not forgive the intruders. Kill them. Leave none alive.’

“I wonder… when will you arrive, O Hero?”

Hero.

What does that word mean?

I don’t know.

I don’t understand.

And yet, the word spills from my lips.

My gaze shifts to the mirror.

Pale, deathly white skin.

Hair that has lost all color.

The reflection staring back at me is not me.

And yet.

I smile.

“…Is this how it’s done?”

When the so-called Hero arrives—

I’ll greet him with a bright, welcoming smile.