[Sudden Gate Occurrence After 2 Years. Quick Response by the Emergency Gate Response Unit 'Guardian' Averts Major Crisis.]

[Guardian Team 4's Leader, Bulldozer 'Ma Seokgi', Suffers 14 Weeks of Injury.]

[Late Reports from Citizens at the Scene. AAA-Class Monster 'Hydra' Suspected to Have Appeared as the Gate Boss. Verification in Progress via the Association.]

['Hydra' Annihilation Video on YouTube Goes Viral, Surpasses 100 Million Views.]

- Damn, that's cool. The Hydra just vanished in one hit.

- Wow, that's pure style. What was that?

- It looked like Ma Seokgi used some kind of skill at the end??

- Huh? Is Bulldozer really that strong? Isn't that almost S-Class level? And Ma Seokgi, who's known for close combat, using such a skill? Is it some kind of magic? Light or lightning-based... or maybe fire-based. What on earth is it? I really can't tell.

- If you watch the video, all the Guardians are incapacitated by the Hydra's howling, but only Ma Seokgi is moving. There's nothing else around, so he must have used his secret skill.

- So you're saying Bulldozer, known as A-Class, is actually more than that? He's been hiding it all this time and revealed his power at the last moment? Wow!

- Wow. I've never seen it in person. Hidden power... that's insanely cool.

- But isn't it a bit much to call the leader of Guardian Team 4 a hidden power?

- Were all the hunters and guilds asleep at that time? Why did only the Guardians have to struggle?

- Starting today, I'm a Ma Seokgi fan! Anyone know a Ma Seokgi fan site?

- Oh! Newbie? Welcome to Ma Seokgi's fan club 'Bulldog'.

- Bulldog? Hahaha.

- I never thought I'd hesitate for a minute because of the fan club name.

- Hahahaha.

The day after the Sudden Gate incident at Hongdae Station, the internet was buzzing.

It was the first Sudden Gate occurrence in Korea in two years, and the boss of this gate was none other than the notoriously difficult AAA-class monster 'Hydra'.

But what was even more of a hot topic was that 'Bulldozer' Ma Seokgi managed to tackle the Sudden Gate and the Hydra with just Guardian Team 4.

And that too, without a single casualty.

As a video taken by a citizen at the scene was released, public interest in that day grew even more.

Thus, 'Bulldozer', who was supposed to be resting in a hospital wrapped in bandages for weeks, unintentionally became the official 'hidden power'.

* * *

Bustling.

A busy office with people coming and going.

"Yes, author. I received your email. We'll proceed as planned."

"...You promised to submit the manuscript by today. The launch schedule is set, so we can't delay any longer."

"Sales? I'll check right away and get back to you. Yes."

This place, with a sign reading 'Gold Label' elegantly displayed on the wall, was one of the established mid-sized web novel publishers in Korea.

Though mid-sized, they managed over 100 authors, so the office was quite busy.

Amidst this, a small meeting was taking place in one of the conference rooms.

Hmm.

A man in his 30s, wearing a suit, silver-rimmed glasses, and a neatly trimmed beard, was stroking his chin as he looked at a tablet.

His name was Goo Kyungmo.

He was a veteran in the web novel industry, known for his keen instincts.

There was another rumor about him: when it came to editing, his passionate nature would kick in.

Because of this, there were quite a few authors who ended up in tears.

Despite this, his skills were top-notch, and the works he managed often became hits. Since last year, authors have been reaching out, wanting to work with him.

But this time, had his usually sharp instincts failed him?

Goo Kyungmo's face, as he looked at the tablet, seemed unusually troubled.

His gaze turned to the young man sitting across from him, wearing a deeply pulled-down cap.

As expected, the man in the cap was constantly watching Goo Kyungmo's reactions.

"Sigh."

Goo Kyungmo placed the tablet on the desk and let out a sigh.

"......"

Even someone without a clue could tell.

This reaction meant the manuscript was a flop.

Someone who had been so confident when they first arrived was now shrinking, just watching for any sign.

Goo Kyungmo finally spoke.

"Author, do you know what's most important in occupational stories?"

"...What is it?"

"It's the sense of reality, the delivery of the unique reality of that occupation."

"...Yes."

"Then what's important in hunter stories?"

"...I don't know."

Once someone's self-esteem hits rock bottom, even things they know become hard to answer.

"Combat. Combat! The thrilling battles of hunters taking down monsters! But your work lacks that. Instead of being thrilling, it makes you think, 'Huh? They catch them that easily? Are you kidding me?'"

"......"

"You can't underestimate monsters like that. We're lucky to have many hunters protecting us, but monsters are terrifying beings that even regular armies can't handle. So, what would an ordinary person think when faced with such dreadful monsters?"

But instead of understanding, Tae Ihyun tilted his head at the editor's passionate words.

It felt like talking to a wall, but the editor continued passionately.

"Despair. Despair. 'Ah, I'm going to die like this!'"

"...Ah, yes."

"The despair of ordinary people, the sacrifices of hunters, and the thrilling battles should all be mixed together. But!"

The editor tapped the tablet displaying the manuscript as he continued.

"Your work lacks that reality. Reality."

"......"

"How can monsters be wiped out in one hit by the protagonist? And the boss monster too? This isn't One Punch Guy. With such a messed-up power balance, what will you do after 100 chapters? Heck, even after 50 chapters, it seems hopeless."

"......"

"Do you understand? It needs to be entertaining, but it also needs to deliver a sense of reality that hits you in the chest. That way, the fun is multiplied and lasts longer. Again, reality is the most important. Do you understand?"

"...Yes."

Tae Ihyun's voice grew smaller at Goo Kyungmo's firm words.

Seeing Tae Ihyun, who seemed to have merged with the chair, Goo Kyungmo sighed again.

His passionate nature, which flared up when it came to editing, slowly faded away.

"Sigh... I apologize if I was too harsh."

"Oh, no."

"I didn't mean to hurt you... Please take it as a sign of how important that aspect is."

"Yes......"

"Anyway, think about what I said today, rewrite it, and send it to me. I'll read it right away. You don't need to come in person next time; just send it by email, and we'll discuss it over the phone."

"...Yes. Thank you for your time."

Tae Ihyun bowed and left the office.

From a distance, his steps seemed heavy as he walked away.

His confident demeanor when he first entered was now completely deflated.

He wondered if he had been too harsh, but he steeled himself.

It's important to clearly point out what's wrong to help the author.

Letting them leave without understanding is harmful to both the author and the editor.

Still, he felt a bit sorry for how deflated Tae Ihyun seemed.

"Hey."

Someone approached Team Leader Goo Kyungmo, who was watching from afar.

"Couldn't you have gone a bit easier? You're going to scare the author away."

"Huh? What?"

"They could hear everything from the next meeting room."

"Oh, really? Haha."

"Is that the rookie you signed recently?"

"Yeah, that's him."

"Is he that hopeless?"

"He's got a long way to go. A very long way."

"Then why did you even sign him?"

"Well, there's something about his writing... a sense of desperation, maybe? I felt a certain passion. As I read, I just thought, 'I have to give this guy a chance.' Before I knew it, I'd already sent a contact email."

"What if you end up having to pay back the advance yourself?"

"Well, if it comes to that, so be it. Anyway, let's focus on our work."

"Sigh. I'm exhausted. So many manuscripts to read."

"We joined the company to do this kind of work, so no complaints."

The publishing office resumed its bustling activity.

* * *

In a peaceful neighborhood, not too crowded but not too isolated either.

A building with a convenience store on the first floor, a residence on the second, and a rooftop on the third had an old sign reading 'Taejongdae Convenience Store'.

Ding!

"Welcome."

At the sound of the convenience store door opening, Taejongdae turned his head.

It was Tae Ihyun, looking dejected.

He walked past the entrance counter and headed to the drinks section, picking up a few familiar beverages.

All the same kind, a grain drink made from rice called 'Morning Sunlight'.

"Hey, don't you get tired of that? Eat in moderation."

"Yeah, yeah."

Tae Ihyun opened one and took a sip before even paying, then walked out of the store.

A customer watching this asked the store owner curiously.

"Do you allow tabs here?"

"Nope."

"Then why did that guy...?"

"He's my son."

"Oh."

The customer, now understanding, began to pay for their items.

"I'm back."

Tae Ihyun, looking weary even climbing the stairs, awkwardly made his way to the second floor and entered the house.

He noticed his youngest brother, Tae Ijun, typing on a laptop under the sofa.

"Where's Mom?"

"At the market."

"And the hopeless one?"

"Guild meeting."

"I see."

Tae Ihyun dropped his bags carelessly and flopped onto the sofa.

"Sigh..."

"Did you hear the world's ending tomorrow? Why the deep sigh?"

Tae Ijun glanced at Tae Ihyun from under the sofa.

"What would you know, little brother? The deep worries of an adult."

"Got rejected again?"

"..."

Such a sharp intuition.

That's why quick-witted kids are...

"What kind of story can I actually write well?"

"So, what did they say?"

"Well, you see..."

A dejected Tae Ihyun recounted his day at the publishing house.

Afterwards, he had gone to a cafe to diligently revise and send the manuscript, but he had a feeling it would be rejected again.

"...I see."

Tae Ijun nodded.

"What's really the problem?"

He couldn't understand what was wrong.

He had always fought like that and seen things like that.

He wrote about his battles as they were, but they said it didn't make sense.

The problem was battles ending in one hit.

Why?

The only time it wasn't a one-hit was...

"...That one monster of doom."

The battle at the Chaos Gate.

79 hours, or precisely 79 hours, 17 minutes, and 8 seconds. It was the first and last time he had fought so hard for days.

A memory of a battle so dreadful he never wanted to experience it again.

But other than that, no other battle stood out.

For the 12 Apostles, who possessed power beyond the bounds of common sense or even imagination, it was the same for all of them.

Especially for Tae Ihyun.

Meanwhile, Tae Ijun spoke again.

"By the way, isn't it because you've never really observed how regular hunters fight?"

"I've seen it often enough. They all rush in with a roar and fall, and we always clean up."

"No, I mean, have you ever really observed how they fight? Have you?"

"...No?"

From Tae Ihyun's perspective, there was no reason to.

"Then it's settled. You should observe how regular hunters fight."

"Where would I see that? I can't just follow them into a low-level gate. Besides, I'm not a hunter anymore."

"Create a reason to follow them."

"How?"

"Go there. They'll help you with whatever you say."

"There? Where?"

"Sigh. Sometimes you're so smart, but other times you're clueless. Tsk tsk."

Tae Ijun clicked his tongue and answered Tae Ihyun, who still looked puzzled.

"The Hunter Association. The Korean Hunter Association."

"...Oh? Ah!"

Why hadn't he thought of that?

Tae Ihyun jumped up from the sofa.

He hurriedly gathered his things.

"...I'm going out again! Tell Mom I'll be back before dinner."

"Hey, no matter what, you should call ahead and make an appointment..."

Whoosh!

"...before you go..."

Before Tae Ijun could finish, Tae Ihyun had vanished.

"Sigh, that guy."

Watching the spot where his brother had disappeared, Tae Ijun just shook his head.

And so, a writer aspirant who had been struggling for two years headed to the 'Korean Hunter Association' for research.