A Different Choice

“I would like to go with Hunter Na Himchan from the Tooji Guild.”

“…What?”

The guild I ultimately chose was Tooji.

Of course, Tooji Guild was also a well-known guild in Korea.

But I had been personally selected by Samjok-o, one of the top guilds in the country.

So my decision was enough to shock everyone.

“Tooji Guild?”

“Sure, they’re famous, but Woo-hyuk got picked by Samjok-o and Cat Eye too, right?”

As expected, whispers spread.

Even Won Jong-hyo stared at me blankly.

Samjok-o was one thing.

But Cat Eye?

There was no way I’d fall for such an obvious trap.

“W-Woo-hyuk, how about coming to our guild instead? You’ll learn a lot about magic.”

“Magic’s great, but I mainly fight up close. Basics matter, right?”

“We’ll even give you artifacts! We have plenty you’d like!”

“Why are you so desperate? Is there a reason I must join your guild?”

“Th-that’s…”

There it was.

A face screaming “This is a trap!”

His earlier apology had at least some acting.

Now he was sweating, scrambling for excuses.

Did he really think I’d fall for that fake smile?

We’d been in the same academy for six years.

Did he think I couldn’t tell?

“N-No, it’s just that it’ll really help you! And… it’s part of my apology.”

“I’ll accept the apology. But my decision won’t change.”

Shaking him off.

I walked toward Tooji Guild.

A loud laugh greeted me.

“Hahaha! You chose me! You’ve got good eyes! I’ll show you true passion and muscle!”

“Haha… please take care of me, Hunter Na Himchan.”

“Don’t worry!”

Tooji Guild.

Mostly close-combat hunters.

Bold personalities.

Straightforward methods.

No tricks.

Just raw strength.

‘It should appear now.’

Cat Eye aside.

Why did I choose Tooji over Samjok-o?

Simple.

Ding!

‘As expected.’

[Quest ‘Going Against the Grain’ completed.]

[Reward: 200,000 points.]

Points.

My quests often required going against expectations.

This time too.

Samjok-o training?

Of course it’s good.

But after graduation, offers would come anyway.

No need to bow early.

In fact—

Playing hard to get increases value.

So I chose what mattered now.

Points.

Crunch—

I heard teeth grinding.

Won Jong-hyo.

Staring at me with hostility.

His plan had failed.

“I choose Hunter Kang Woo-seok.”

“…I’ll go with Cat Eye Guild.”

Cha Seo-yeon and Won Jong-hyo made their choices.

Soon.

Everyone selected mentors.

Preparing for the gate.

Then—

A man and woman approached.

Behind him stood Cha Seo-yeon.

So the man must be Kang Woo-seok.

He stopped briefly.

“…What a shame.”

Then left.

“Jong-hyo, what now? This is awkward.”

“Damn it… how did he notice?”

“…Anyway, about the mana stone and promotion…”

In the end, Won Jong-hyo joined Cat Eye.

Mentor in name.

But he held power.

The guild master’s son.

That title alone was enough.

“Hyung, you haven’t even done anything yet.”

“…Still, it’s not my fault. He chose someone else.”

That was true.

Without choosing Cat Eye.

The plan failed.

Interfering with another mentor—

“Then we interfere anyway.”

“…What?”

“Forget mentors. Just wipe everything out at once.”

“Jong-hyo, you can’t attack hunters directly.”

That was a crime.

Hunters attacking hunters.

Even inside gates.

It meant being hunted forever.

Even for him.

But—

He smiled.

“Don’t worry. I won’t attack directly.”

“…You have a plan?”

“Yes.”

A way.

To eliminate Woo-hyuk.

Without dirtying his hands.

“Hahaha! Nervous? Don’t worry! I’m here!”

Thump! Thump!

“Yes… Hunter.”

His massive hands hit my back.

Muscles twitching.

Like the Minotaur.

Dense beyond normal.

Unimaginably strong.

“Hunter? Just call me hyung!”

“Is that okay?”

“Of course! We’ll be together the whole time!”

“Then… I’ll rely on you, hyung.”

“Haha! Good! We’re almost there!”

The gate.

Far larger than before.

Unlike the small one I saw earlier.

As we approached.

Soldiers stopped us.

“Please show your license.”

“Here you go!”

“…And the student?”

“Phoenix Academy. Field training.”

“…Confirmed. Be careful.”

We entered.

[Entering ‘Green Mountain Range’ Gate.]

A slight dizziness.

Normal.

But—

Wooooong—

‘What?’

Something else.

A vibration.

From my heart.

Familiar.

Yet strange.

‘Like when I awakened…’

During the Cerberus fight.

That same feeling.

Then—

It disappeared.

Light filled my vision.

“Hey! Snap out of it!”

“…Hyung?”

“You okay? That’s a bit much.”

When I opened my eyes—

A vast world.

Not a gate.

Another world.

An endless sky.

A distant horizon.

No walls.

“It’s huge.”

“Right? This is a safe gate.”

Safe gate.

Cleared of its boss.

But monsters still respawned.

And—

Sometimes created dungeons.

“For someone struggling just entering… pathetic.”

“…Why are you here?”

Won Jong-hyo.

Waiting.

With his mentor.

Seriously?

Why here?

“There are other gates too.”

“Coincidence.”

“Sure. You waited for me, didn’t you?”

“Shut up! You were almost expelled not long ago!”

“That was then. I’m stronger now.”

Did he really wait just to pick a fight?

Impressive in a way.

Back then, he bowed.

Now—

He showed his true face.

Grinding his teeth again.

He’ll ruin his gums at this rate.

“Be careful. You never know what happens inside.”

“What, planning a murder?”

“Heh.”

No answer.

He turned away.

Just for that?

Seriously?

“Hyung, you know him?”

“A classmate. Not close.”

“Hahaha! A rival then! Good! You need someone to clash with!”

“So where are we going?”

Gate training.

Routes vary.

Explore.

Or—

Dungeons.

His answer—

“Hahaha! Obviously! First, we conquer a dungeon!”

So it was the latter.