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Chapter 17 - Chapter 2.8

"Phenex. Also known as 'The One Who Sings of Eternal Rest.'"

Can we really win against something like that? I was more puzzled than worried.

"Aren't the other guild members coming with us?"

"No. It's just the two of us."

"But… if hunters have been failing for a whole month, that means it's incredibly strong, right?"

"It's not that strong. It's just that everyone keeps failing because of its abilities."

At the mention of abilities, I lowered my gaze back to the tablet. The text below the picture read:

[Those who are captivated by the voice of Phenex will voluntarily throw themselves into its mouth. If you encounter Phenex, do not be swayed by any sound. Those with weak minds will eventually suffer complete mental disintegration.]

I couldn't help but sigh as I read the last sentence.

[Do not summon out of foolish curiosity. Never forget that all those who have summoned him have been trapped in eternal rest.]

This was why he needed me.

An immortal body. No one was more suited to be Phenex's summoner than me.

"Is this why you said you needed me?"

As I asked, I looked him straight in the eyes, and Simeon promptly nodded.

"Please lend me your body, Mr. Hajae."

It wouldn't do any good to leave the gate open. The rift would only widen, and who knows what might come out of it. Someone had to stop it. But I couldn't help hesitating.

After all, it's demon summoning. Who would've thought that I, who had been living in a cathedral and even received baptism, would take on such a task? I've lived long enough to see strange things. Well, maybe my parents in heaven would be glad that this cursed body is finally being used for the sake of others.

As I quietly pondered, Simeon cautiously tested my reaction.

"So, what do you think?"

"Well, it's not like I have much choice… I'll do it."

A satisfied smile spread across his face.

"But don't I need a hunter's license to enter the gate?"

"I'll handle that. All you need to do is successfully summon him, Mr. Hajae."

It wasn't just anyone; it was Simeon who guaranteed it, so I didn't worry.

No, I'm the only one who needs to worry. It's my first time entering a gate, my first time stopping a rampaging entity, and, of course, my first time summoning a demon. And I don't have the power to help Simeon annihilate the demon.

"Are you sure you'll be okay facing it alone? For safety's sake, wouldn't bringing at least one guild member be better?"

I cautiously asked out of concern, but Simeon responded with a smile and set the date to go to the gate.

"I'll pick you up in three days."

His relaxed smile even reflected a sense of experience. Of course, he must have entered the gate many times and subdued artifacts, but that confidence surely came from his unique ability, recognized as S-rank.

It's time I learned about his unique ability, which only I have yet to learn. So, after finishing my meal and returning home, I immediately entered 'Simeon' into the search bar.

Fortunately, someone had already written an article about Simeon, and I read it thoroughly. The lengthy article was filled with videos of Simeon using his abilities to defeat monsters. As I carefully watched them one by one, I noticed something peculiar.

In every video, his hand movements were distinctly different. When facing A-rank monsters, he would overlay his middle finger on his index finger. That hand gesture is similar to placing small, light pieces in a game of Go. In another video, he used his thumb and index finger. It must be a game of chess involving pieces heavier and larger than those in Go.

In every video, he enjoyed a game. The types varied, from strategy games like Mahjong and Poker, where there's a clear winner and loser, to simple puzzles cleared through predetermined actions.

But the outcome was always the same. The moment Simeon declared victory, the monster collapsed helplessly. It didn't matter how strong or massive the beast was. In the end, only the victor and the defeated remained.

As I watched him use his abilities, I had somewhat expected it, but now I was certain.

Only Simeon, with his closed eyes, can see it. The puzzle embedded within living beings. The life-or-death game played just once. And the moment that elegant hand seizes victory, the defeated opponent breathes their last.

To the victor goes the glory, and to the loser, death.

The first move of the king will determine the fate of the game.

His unique ability, defined in simple terms, was known as 'The King's Gambit'.

****

Three days later, the promised day finally arrived.

I tried to study the gate more in-depth during that time, but I couldn't find any useful information online. Still, I discovered something important about the Daegwallyeong Gate I'd soon visit.

The hunter who failed to stop the rampaging entity  was still in a coma. According to the book Simeon showed me, the hunter must have been captivated by Phenex's voice and fallen into an eternal sleep.

"Haa…"

I was anxious. Even with my immortal body, I could still end up in a coma.

I mentally prepared myself and got ready to go out. Since I had no idea what would happen inside the rift, I chose clothes that would be easy to move in. But in the end, I just wore my usual hoodie and cotton pants.

When I stepped out at the exact time we had agreed, I saw a familiar car in the villa's parking lot—a black sedan with darkly tinted windows. Although the license plate was different, it was the same model I had taken to the Korean restaurant a few days ago.

I got into the back seat without hesitation and greeted him warmly.

"Hello."

Once again, there was no reply.

Am I heading to Songdo to meet Simeon together? Perhaps he was already waiting at the gate. Anyway, it takes over two hours to reach Daegwallyeong from here. With nothing to do in the car, I quietly closed my eyes.

How much time had passed? The car jolted as if we had driven over a speed bump, waking me up. I yawned and rubbed my eyes in a daze when a deep male voice suddenly rang out.

"Good morning."

Startled, I turned to my side and saw Simeon sitting there. If the car wasn't moving, I would have opened the door and jumped out immediately. Instead, I clung to the corner and just stared blankly at him. Simeon smiled softly and whispered.

"You can sleep more if you want."

How could I possibly sleep in this situation… I was more awake than if I had been doused in ice water.

"Uh, when were you picked up?"

"Not too long ago. Maybe 30 minutes? I had some errands to run nearby."

I fell asleep without even noticing someone getting in beside me. It was all because I had trouble sleeping and was worrying about the gate.

Feeling embarrassed, I slowly turned my gaze out the window and was surprised by the view. When I fell asleep, we were still in a city full of buildings, but now, endless green fields were stretched before us.

"Where are we…?"

"We'll be there soon. The area near the gate is restricted, so we'll have to walk a bit."

I could see mountain ridges in the distance, so I could tell we were almost there. As we got closer to Daegwallyeong, I realized we were about to enter a gate. Simeon must have noticed the growing tension on my face as his voice softened.

"There's something I have to tell you before we enter the gate."

Simeon reached into his jacket's inner pocket and handed me something.

"First, take this."

It was a wristwatch. Without hour and minute hands, it was definitely a smartwatch. But with its black leather strap and antique silver bezel, it looked like an expensive analog watch. It was so light that I barely felt its weight in my hand.

I was curious why he gave me such a gift, but I put it on my wrist anyway.

"Why are you giving me this?"

I asked, puzzled, and Simeon wordlessly rolled up his sleeve.

What… is this? An identical watch was strapped to his wrist. The thought of it being a couple's item crossed my mind for a moment, but I quickly dismissed it. Fortunately, Simeon seemed too focused on the watch to notice the brief change in my expression.

"Try pressing this button."

Simeon pointed with his index finger to a small protrusion on the upper right side of the bezel. When I pressed the button, the screen displayed '72:00:00′. I pressed the button again, and the countdown began.

"72 hours…?"

What could that number mean? I tilted my head slightly, and Simeon kindly added an explanation.

"It's the maximum time a person can endure inside the gate."

"What happens if you exceed that time?"

"Your body slowly breaks down at the molecular level, eventually becoming a part of the entity."

....What? Wait a minute. Why are you only telling me this now?

It felt like I had just signed a contract without reading the fine print on the back. Moreover, the navigation system announced we were about to arrive at our destination. Now that we had reached Daegwallyeong, there was no turning back.

As I stared blankly at him, Simeon spoke in a cheerful tone.

"Technically, only the body disappears while the consciousness remains, but that hasn't been proven yet."

"Why…?"

"Because the dead don't talk."

Should I just back out now…? Of course, I had guessed that staying in the rift for too long wouldn't be good, but I didn't know there would be a time limit.

"So, we need to summon and eliminate Phenex within 72 hours, right?"

"That's correct."

Simeon acted just like a teacher, praising a model student. Meanwhile, I had hoped that I was wrong.

Well, I've already decided to go in, so I should think positively. I'll wrap this up quickly, even faster than the 72 hours. I'll find out the conditions to remove the collar, get a regular job, and then… disappear somewhere he can never find me.

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