Ch.67The Gatekeeper Is – 2

I faced the most terrifying nightmare.

To think I’d encounter The Elder, not even an A-grade villain.

And one who harbors such intense personal feelings toward me!

I couldn’t even curse. All that came out was a hollow laugh.

It was absurd. How could things get so twisted?

“Why are you laughing?”

Would he believe me if I said I wasn’t laughing with any ill intent?

That thought nearly burst from my throat.

The aura emanating from The Elder standing before me was the essence of death itself.

It might sound cliché, but there’s no better way to describe it.

The moment you face him, you can only think, “I’m dead.”

‘…Get a grip. Nothing good will come from losing your composure like this.’

I bit my lip until it bled, trying to hold onto my sanity.

First, the urgent task is to buy time.

Even if the students don’t know, the national ability users must have requested backup.

If they realized this was a villain attack and not monsters, they’d rush here immediately.

Since Academy students were ambushed, with luck, Jiyoon Han might come.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here like this.”

I deliberately answered in a voice just barely audible, to make The Elder speak more.

I was trying to buy time by any means necessary.

“It’s annoyingly noisy.”

That madman countered my plan in a different way.

He suddenly crushed the head of a villain fighting nearby.

Splat—!

With a gruesome sound, the villain’s body collapsed lifelessly.

Thanks to that, the national ability user fighting him was covered in blood and brain matter.

“You… you’re insane.”

The ability users backed away with expressions that said, “What kind of monster is this?”

Even the villains stopped fighting, as if thinking, “Our Elder is angry.”

The frontline that had been gradually pushed back now reached a stalemate.

I wondered if this was fortunate, then mentally shook my head.

What good is it if they retreat? The Elder has appeared.

Hundreds of villains don’t compare to a single Elder.

His very existence is a calamity—someone who would commit mass murder with a smile.

“Answer. Again.”

Did that crazy bastard decapitate his fellow villain just to hear my response?

Villains are truly different. I don’t want to associate with them or hear their circumstances.

Whatever their story, they’ve ultimately abandoned their humanity.

“…I meant I didn’t expect to see you like this.”

I didn’t want to answer, but I needed to buy time.

Support teams must be on their way by now. Until then, I have to wait.

By any means necessary. Even if I have to put on a show.

Whoosh—

“You probably didn’t expect to die like this either.”

…Bastard. Can’t he engage in proper villain dialogue?

Other villains babble on endlessly, even saying things they shouldn’t.

Why does this guy immediately thrust his spear at me the moment he sees me?

“I have one question, if I may.”

I was quite impressive for not speaking informally even in this situation.

It’s not like this villain would file a complaint, but still, it’s ridiculous.

“If you have business with me, does that mean you’ll let the people behind me go?”

Expectations? Honestly, I shouldn’t have any. Right, I shouldn’t.

But there’s always that slim possibility. Maybe he’ll let them go.

He already crushed the head of a villain who was fighting.

If I negotiate somehow, maybe I could at least get the students out.

“I’ll kill them all.”

But the answer was exactly what I had expected.

– The Third Eye is activated.

: Warning – Dangerous individual

: Warning – Dangerous individual

: Warning – Dangerous individual

The Third Eye has been continuously warning me.

It’s saying there’s absolutely no solution. This is truly impossible.

It’s telling me this is far beyond what I can handle.

To be honest, I think so too.

I can’t see a way out. Even Minseong Kang couldn’t handle him.

How could I possibly stop The Elder, who is far stronger than the current Minseong Kang?

‘No. It can’t be done. Never in a million years. Yes, it’s impossible…’

But if I back down because it’s impossible, what kind of Gatekeeper would I be?

No matter what, no matter who comes, I have to block them first, then think about what’s next.

There’s nothing complicated about it. Behind me are students.

I even volunteered to be the villainous Gatekeeper to save them.

How could I call myself a Gatekeeper if I don’t stop someone who wants to kill them?

“Huff.”

I glanced back briefly.

Students and national ability users who were fighting hard until just moments ago.

But now they all stand dazed with eyes full of despair.

They can’t even handle the A-grade villains right in front of them.

And now The Elder has appeared—someone who couldn’t be overcome even if dozens of A-grades came.

Anyone would despair in this situation.

Only a madman wouldn’t despair. Anyone who still clings to hope is either completely insane,

Or they’re hiding some legendary power.

‘…Yes. This is actually better.’

This is better. If he had said he’d let them go, I might have lost my resolve.

Yes. This is how a villain should be. This is what makes The Elder the most hopeless among villains.

And this way, I can fight more desperately.

“Thank you.”

“Hmm?”

Was it an unexpected response? The Elder tilted his head.

He still pointed his spear at me, but the chilling aura briefly diminished.

“Are you insane? Thanking me here?”

“I’m thanking you because I’m grateful. Thanks to you, everything has become very simple.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What I mean is.”

Huff, I exhaled and spoke my final words.

“You can’t pass, you fucking bastard.”

◎ The Silver Gatekeeper

: Characteristic activation conditions have been met.

: Characteristic is currently active.

: Adjusting opponent’s grade.

: Grade adjustment – Unidentifiable

What does “unidentifiable” even mean? Seriously, isn’t this too much?

Sigh, I exhale while staring at The Elder standing before me.

◎ Sole Arbiter

: Characteristic is currently active.

: This is an opponent who has not received promotion from Seojin Baek.

: Recognized as an examination target.

◎ Overtime

: Characteristic activation conditions have been met.

: Characteristic is currently active.

: Examination is possible despite undesignated location.

Thankfully, there was no mishap with my characteristics not activating.

Preparations are complete. All that’s left is to do my job.

“E-Examiner.”

Hana Kang, frozen in place, speaks with a trembling voice.

Until just moments ago, she was fighting well, but now it’s different.

The Elder was capable of subduing Platinum grades with just a glance.

That’s how enormous the gap between grades is.

I feel like I should say something. At least tell her “It’s okay.”

But with nothing certain, I couldn’t even do that.

All I could do was give her a smile.

– Gatekeeper characteristic is at maximum activation.

– All abilities have been amplified.

At least there was a slightly comforting message.

Maximum activation, huh? Well, at least I won’t die pathetically.

“You fucking bastard, you said.”

…For a moment, I wondered if my provocation was too strong.

The Elder’s eyes, which had sunk beyond depth into complete submersion, gave me chills.

I unconsciously gripped my sword handle until it nearly broke.

Otherwise, I felt I might lose consciousness from fear.

“Of all things.”

Of all things?

“That’s exactly what that crazy woman said to me at the end.”

As The Elder spoke, the world began to spin.

*

How, how can I possibly handle this situation…!

Hana Kang clutched her head, not knowing what to do.

Until just moments ago, she had shown the composure of a seasoned ability user.

She hadn’t been intimidated even when facing B-grade villains stronger than herself.

But the opponent who just appeared was a monster of an entirely different dimension.

‘It’s over. We’re all going to die.’

Hana wasn’t the only one reacting this way.

The other Platinum grades, all the students on field training,

And even most of the national ability users showed clear signs of despair.

“You can’t pass.”

Except for one person.

“You fucking bastard.”

At those sharp words, Hana Kang looked at Seojin Baek standing in front of her.

He was an A-grade level fighter. But the opponent was The Elder.

They were S-grade ability users called demigods.

No matter how skilled Seojin Baek was, this was a fight he absolutely couldn’t win.

Yet he stood blocking The Elder’s path.

With students behind him, as if saying they absolutely couldn’t pass.

BOOM—!

In an instant, Seojin Baek vanished before Hana Kang’s eyes.

He hadn’t moved or fled.

He had been directly hit by The Elder’s spear and was now spinning through the air.

“Examiner!!”

She could do nothing but call out in anguish.

Meanwhile, Seojin Baek crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.

“Ah…”

He must be dead. No one could survive that. How could anyone survive such a blow?

She’d heard that even A-grade ability users would have their limbs shattered in one hit.

The Spear Wraith wasn’t called that for nothing. He was a ghost that devoured people.

“Y-you bastard!”

She didn’t know where such courage came from. Or perhaps it was recklessness.

It didn’t matter. With a scream, Hana Kang’s magic struck The Elder.

“…”

With a thunderous sound, her magic hit The Elder directly.

But there was no damage at all. Despite taking a direct hit, he was completely unaffected.

“Ah…”

Witnessing this, Hana Kang collapsed to the ground.

It had been a strike using all her magical power, and the opponent hadn’t even dodged or blocked.

Yet she couldn’t even scratch him.

She was a Platinum grade at the Academy, called a promising talent.

She’d been praised for already surpassing B-grade level skills.

But at this moment, none of that mattered.

“How annoying.”

The Elder approached, limping with his spear lowered.

Before him, Hana Kang just sat there, unable to flee.

After looking at her briefly, The Elder swung his spear carelessly.

Not at Hana Kang’s heart, but toward someone behind him.

CLANG—!

“…You.”

“Where do you think you’re going? The examination is just beginning.”

Though his body was covered in blood from various wounds large and small,

The look in his eyes remained sharp without a speck of dust.

Hyuk Kwak couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

Indeed, it was fortunate he hadn’t killed this man last time.