Hmm.
Someone was sprawled on the sofa, wiggling her toes as she watched TV.
"Man, this is seriously fun. Korean dramas are just on another level."
Munch munch.
Before she'd even finished the mouthful of snacks, she reached for the bag in her hand again.
"Huh? Already empty? Why do snack portions have to be so tiny these days? Up we go."
She half-rose, reaching for one of the countless snack bags on the table in front of the sofa.
But then,
"Stop."
Someone snatched the bag from her hand.
"Hey, why!"
"Dinner's soon. How many snacks are you planning to devour? And did you raid the first floor for these snacks and drinks again?"
"Well, our house is a convenience store—should I go buy them somewhere else? And even if I stuff myself with snacks, I can still eat dinner. Snacks fill the snack belly, and rice fills the rice belly."
"Then why'd someone leave dinner half-eaten the other day, claiming they were too full?"
A young guy playing a mobile game beside her muttered in response.
"And the real issue isn't that—it's constantly swiping snacks and drinks from downstairs."
"Hey, maknae. Zip it, or you're dead."
The eldest daughter's fierce glare at the maknae prompted a middle-aged woman to smack him on the back.
Smack!
"Ow! Ugh! That hurts! Mom!"
"What gives you the right to threaten people? And how fragile do you think I am? You calling it hurt just 'cause your weak mom tapped you?"
"Even Awakeners hurt when it hurts!"
"You little punk, treating your mom like an idiot."
"Ow, ow!"
Sigh.
Leaving the eldest daughter and mom's typical(?) bickering behind, the maknae let out a short sigh and picked up the remote.
"...Hey? Hey! Why're you changing the channel? I need to see the next episode!"
Tae Iseo growled at Tae Ijun once her mom dashed back to the kitchen at the sound of boiling soup overflowing.
Tae Ijun replied without even turning his head.
"Uh, the drama you were watching? No more episodes. Season 3's next year?"
"Eh? For real? Ugh, what a waste. I hate cliffhangers. Feels like stopping mid-shit. Poops gotta come out smooth and satisfying for that perfect... Huh? What's with that look?"
Sigh.
Maknae Tae Ijun frowned at his sister.
Why do people even like this stuff?
Hard to believe, but their eldest sister's popularity rivaled any idol's among Tae Ijun's high school friends—nobody his age disliked her.
Crimson Flame Tae Iseo.
Refined features, killer fashion sense, and above all, an S-Rank hunter leading Guardian Gate's 7th Squad, one of Korea's top guilds. Peak celebrity status.
But Tae Ijun, knowing her true self, could never share his friends' fervent admiration.
Graceful and stunning top hunter outside.
Utterly clueless, childish brat at home.
How could home and outside be night-and-day different?
She's a monster, plain and simple.
"Hey. What're you staring at?"
"Nothing. Doesn't matter. Just live like that."
Arguing was pointless; her existence was the problem.
Tae Ijun gave up on talking and slowly flipped channels.
Hm.
Nothing interesting. Better head to my room before dinner...
📰 Breaking News Seoul's Mapo-gu has experienced a Sudden Gate outbreak in certain areas. Nearby residents should avoid going out if possible. Those in newly designated Red Zones, please evacuate to shelters immediately.
Hm?
Tae Ijun's eyes caught the news as he idly flipped channels and tossed the remote aside.
"Huh? What? A Sudden Gate?"
Tae Iseo bolted upright from the sofa, eyes sharpening.
Hunter guilds and teams, including the Association's Gate Emergency Response Unit—the so-called Guardians—had a duty to prioritize conquering threatening gates and public safety above all.
Unless they were villains.
Mapo-gu, huh...
Not too far, not too close—an awkward distance from here.
...Should I go?
If it were truly her responsibility, a summons text would've come already.
No contact yet meant,
'A raid team suited to the gate's level is already deployed or en route.'
Still, Tae Iseo hesitated.
A tiny unease: what if something unexpected happened?
Hmm.
Better check it out.
She slowly rose.
But,
"Probably no big deal, right?"
Hm?
Her busy mind snapped to Tae Ijun.
He pointed at the TV.
"He said he had business there earlier."
"Who?"
Tae Ijun said casually to her baffled stare.
"Our family's two-year freeloading bum. Nah, the utter failure."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Gahhh!"
"Don't look back— just run!"
"But where?!"
"Hey! Hey! This way! This way!"
Several building screens smashed by monsters left the fleeing crowd lost.
The group scattered.
A few ducked into a clothing store.
"Th-this should be safe."
"Shouldn't we find a shelter now?"
"Screens are busted—how?"
"Phone maps. App's got it."
"Duh, gates block all Wi-Fi and crap."
"...So what now?"
"Hide till it's over."
"...Sniff."
Just hours ago, these aspiring writers buzzed about beer that night.
Now tears streamed, bodies shook.
Gate era or not, Sudden Gates were rare.
Normal gates took four days to overflow, plenty of evac time.
Hunters usually cleared them first anyway.
Sudden Gates dumped monsters instantly—civilian casualties high.
Worldwide, maybe ten a year.
Korea's last: Mokpo, two years back.
Rotten luck.
"Fuck... Dreamt bad omens yesterday. Shoulda stayed home, watched anime."
"Quit it. Who saw this coming?"
"Hic, sob sob..."
Hell on earth.
One wish: get home safe.
Please, please!
But monsters appeared outside.
"GRRRR."
Long ears, humanoid, sickly green—goblins.
"GOKAI."
"GAROOKAAR!"
Pack hunters, smashing everything, gibbering.
And,
Crash!
Glass shattered at their store.
"Eek!"
Involuntary scream.
"Shh!"
Too late.
"GRRRR?"
Goblins swarmed the shop.
They'd noticed.
"...Fuck... Fuuuuck."
Peeking: too many to outrun.
It's over.
Dying like this? Never crossed their minds.
One muttered blankly.
"Least if lucky... maybe regress?"
Absurd joke drew snickers.
And,
"GRRRRKAA!"
Goblins charged in—or tried.
BOOM!
Massive barrage engulfed them.
"You okay?!"
Black combat gear troops arrived, shield emblems on chests.
"W-we're saved!"
Gate Emergency Response—Guardians.
"This way, quick! We'll guide to shelter!"
A Guardian waved; writers bolted out.
More goblins swarmed the street.
Barrage pushed back, but endless foes pressed.
Then,
"Move."
A hulking man stepped forward, massive hammer in one hand.
"Haaap!"
KABOOM!
Hammer slammed ground—shockwave pulverized goblins.
"Isn't that Bulldozer Ma Seokgi?"
Whisper slipped out.
Famous in Korea.
Guardian 4th Squad Leader.
A-Rank melee powerhouse.
KUEEEK!
KABOOM!
BAM! BOOM!
KUEEEEEK!
Like his nickname, raw power crushed them.
How much time passed?
No goblins left.
"Phew. About done."
Ma Seokgi dropped his hammer.
"Alright. Team 1: Evac stragglers fast. Teams 2 and 3: With me, mop up rest."
Sir!
4th Squad mobilized.
'Still.'
Ma Seokgi shouldered his hammer, eyeing departing Team 1.
'Sudden Gate out of nowhere.'
Center measured A-Rank mana.
His team could handle it.
Lucky.
Minimal casualties so far.
Situation looked fine...
"C-Captain. Up there."
Hm?
All eyes but his locked on a high building.
A massive shadow loomed over them.
"Wh-what the hell is that...?"
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