[‘Parthenon’ Guild merges with martial arts group ‘Domun’. Is the largest guild in the country, ‘Guardian Gate’, under threat?]

[Elite small guild ‘Non-Target’ declares war on ‘Nine Dragons’ Guild! Who will claim Incheon?]

[‘Muguk’ Guild exterminates all demons involved in the mass murder in Suncheon! Laughs at some of the excessive public opinion!]

[Emergency Response Unit ‘Guardian’ records the worst application rate in history this year! Change is needed now!]

[The 8th S-rank in Korea appears! The protagonist is healer Kwon Jian! Revealed to be through a level-up route, not an original!]

[Rank 27 Magic Swordsman ‘Cha Sungwoo’ climbs to rank 13.]

Two years after overcoming the Chaos Gate.

The threat of the gates still exists.

But perhaps because humanity has overcome the greatest danger.

People quickly returned to their daily lives.

However, the competition among hunters and their guilds became fiercely intense.

Naturally, interest in them grew day by day.

- How long has it been since the Magic Swordsman entered the top 30, and he's already 13th? That's insane talent.

- At this rate, won't he take 1st place soon?

- Hey, do you think it's possible to beat the Do-hwang? Do-hwang is a total monster.

- Not a monster, a beast.

- There are so many formidable names under Do-hwang. I think the real competition starts now.

- But isn't that rank-up speed astonishing?

- That's undeniable.

- But why is Do-hwang 1st when there's also Noe-je? Is it because of retirement?

- What? Are you a newbie? Don't you know that? Tsk tsk.

- Just explain it instead of calling me a newbie. This is why veterans get criticized.

- That guy picks fights with anyone, just ignore him.

- It's not just retirement; the 12 Apostles are excluded from the global ranking. They're in a league of their own. I heard rankings can only be measured up to S-rank, and Legendary grades are immeasurable.

- Ah! So they're on a completely different level? Got it!

Becoming a hunter changes your life.

Of course, this applies to those B-rank and above.

If you become an S-rank hunter?

From then on, you're treated like a national guest.

The power an S-rank brings to a nation's strength is beyond imagination.

In other words, becoming an S-rank means your life is set.

You can live a luxurious life without worrying about money.

They can live a life more glamorous than any chaebol or superstar if they wish.

Without worrying about anyone's opinion.

Stand tall, proud, and confident!

Thus, a high-ranking hunter is the most envied and desired job in the world.

More than any other job! ...Certainly, it was.

* * *

A large auditorium in Hongdae, Seoul.

Many people were gathered there.

And

"In web novels..."

Their eyes were fixed on a woman standing on the podium.

"The most important thing is to capture people's interest. James Patterson once said, imagine you're telling a story to someone sitting across from you before you start writing. And make sure they don't leave out of boredom."

Many people were typing on their laptops, trying not to miss a word she said, while others were taking notes or recording with their phone apps.

"Sometimes, the setting might be clumsy, or there might be parts where the logic is lacking. As a writer, you should be careful not to make mistakes in those areas, but more importantly, ensure the reader doesn't leave the story out of boredom."

The writer on the podium was one of Korea's leading web novel authors.

Not confined to a single genre, she had succeeded across various genres, including fantasy, romance fantasy, and romance. Her recent writing guide, "What Story Lies Within You?" had garnered significant attention.

Today, she was giving a special lecture on web novels to commemorate the book's publication.

"No matter how solid the setting is and how flawless the logic, if it doesn't spark interest and isn't fun, the work is bound to fail. Remember, the most important thing in web novels is fun, fun, and fun."

Clap clap clap!

As many people gathered due to her popularity, the lecture concluded amidst great interest.

Murmur murmur.

"...I'm so envious. When will I ever be like that?"

"Dream big. I'd be happy if even one of my works became a hit like hers."

A group of young people made comments as they left the auditorium.

"Still, you debuted this time, right?"

"I didn't even make five million won by the end. What's there to envy?"

"Oh, I'd be happy if I made even a million won. You're spoiled!"

They were a group of aspiring writers, or more accurately, newbies who had just started.

They met through an open chat room and occasionally gathered to write in cafes or attend lectures like today.

Then,

"Hey? Isn't that No Seokgu?"

"Yeah, looks like he was here too."

The man they were looking at glanced at the group and then turned his head.

As if they were strangers.

The group started to get annoyed at his behavior.

"Wow. Did you see that jerk pretending not to know us? How can someone be like that?"

"Seriously. He used to teach us everything, from where to serialize to how many characters to write, when we knew nothing... He changes after one successful work."

"I had a bad feeling when he left the group chat right after his paid conversion was a hit. He's really unpleasant."

"Ugh! I have to succeed just to spite him."

"......"

Among the group grinding their teeth, one man with oversized horn-rimmed glasses and a large hoodie seemed particularly uninterested in the situation.

One of the group, now outside, spoke up.

"Hey. We're feeling down, so how about a beer? What do you say?"

"Sure, sure!"

"There's a place nearby with great snacks. Want to go there?"

"If the snacks are good, it'll just cost us more."

"So, are we just going to eat dried pollack until dawn again? If so, I'm not going."

"Alright, alright. Let's go. Isn't that what you want?"

"Yay! Let's go!"

"Oh. I'm going to head out now."

"What? You're bailing again? Our youngest is playing hard to get?"

"I have to write a manuscript by tomorrow. Haha."

"Really? Then there's no choice. But next time, no skipping out, okay?"

"Yes, I promise. See you."

With a friendly smile, he slung his bag over his shoulder and walked away briskly.

"Anyway, he's a mysterious guy."

"Yeah. There's something odd about him."

It wasn't meant in a bad way.

He fit in well with the group without excluding anyone and got along without any trouble.

However, no one had ever seen the face of the man who always appeared in a hoodie and large horn-rimmed glasses.

Well, it's more accurate to say that no one was particularly interested or meddled too much.

There were many unique characters in this field.

Well, whatever.

"Alright, let's have a blast today! Everyone, brace yourselves."

"Brace ourselves? I haven't been able to write anyway, so this is perfect!"

"Let's go!"

Just as the excited group was about to move.

Wiiing!!

A jarring and ominous sound suddenly filled the space.

"...Huh?"

It was the sound coming from the emergency evacuation speakers set up throughout the city.

In an instant, everyone's faces turned to stone.

And one of them said,

"Shit. We're screwed."

The ear-piercing siren sound.

It meant a gate had appeared right there.

* * *

Pause.

A man in a hoodie, listening to music.

He slowly came to a stop.

And as soon as he pulled out the earphones from his ears,

Wiiing!!

The blaring siren sound echoed loudly.

[This is an emergency disaster situation! From this moment, this area is a Red Zone! Citizens hearing this broadcast, please quickly head to the shelters as instructed!]

"What the hell is going on?"

"Honey! I'll call you back later! Yeah! Yeah!"

"How can you just walk leisurely in front of us? Do you want to die? Run! Run!"

People from nearby shops and buildings poured out.

Soon, people walking on the streets, and those in buses or cars.

A multitude of people scrambled, rushing towards the direction indicated by the screens installed on buildings.

It was like a scene from a disaster movie.

No, a disaster was indeed unfolding here.

"Of all times to happen. Really."

In the midst of the chaos, one person remained unfazed.

Sigh.

The man in a black hoodie and horn-rimmed glasses.

He let out a light sigh and scratched his head.

"Well, nothing I can do."

What could he mean?

After uttering these cryptic words, he took off his glasses and put them in his pocket.

And amidst the throngs of people running madly,

Zap!

With a short electric sound, the man in the hoodie vanished as if it were all a lie.