FVN Chapter 21: Someone Else's Opportunity is Best Taken First (1)
Chapter 21: Someone Else's Opportunity is Best Taken First (1)
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
Chapter 21: Someone Else's Opportunity is Best Taken First (1)
By the time he finished a quick shower in the locker room, the sun had already set.
Kang Minho, who had come out earlier, approached Yoojin as he was leaving the sparring center.
"Hyung-nim. Why is your face...?"
Seeing Yoojin's face covered in bruises and swollen, his lips twisted in a grimace.
Seeing him desperately trying to hold back laughter, Yoojin's brow furrowed.
"Something happened."
"Keup, I understand."
"I'm hungry. Let's go grab something."
"I'll buy."
The group entered a nearby restaurant.
After placing a simple order...
While waiting for the food to arrive, Yoojin brought up the main topic.
"Are you aware of any recent issues in the Hunter world?"
"Most of it is just gossip, but Seongmin is obsessed with Hunternet, so I hear things here and there."
Hunternet.
It was an exclusive site that required Hunter certification to join.
'There's nothing that special even if you get in.'
Even after going through a rather complicated authentication process, there was almost no difference from other internet communities.
Any information worth spreading on Hunternet would be released on other communities not long after.
'I need to build an information network.'
After acquiring [Kronos' Pocket Watch], he had memorized the events of the past in his own way.
Opportunities he must seize.
People to bring to his side.
And.
The list of those to kill.
'I've memorized the major events, but there might be parts I've missed.'
That's the reason for building an information network.
By accessing various information, his dormant memories could be stimulated.
Nothing to lose.
Since he had called Kang Minho out anyway, Yoojin asked about the rumors circulating on Hunternet.
- Necrosis in Gangneung.
- The Gate that appeared in Ttangkkeut Village.
- Serial killings of Hunters.
He listened to the issues circulating on Hunternet, but there wasn't much to gain.
Clicking his tongue in disappointment...
"Come to think of it, isn't there a Gate that opened in Gimje and has been maintained for a long time?"
"What is it?"
"Ah... that Forgotten Temple, Hyung-nim."
Wait a minute.
The Forgotten Temple?
The corners of his mouth curled into a smile. The moment he heard that name, an event from his past life flashed through his mind.
'The Forgotten Temple hasn't been conquered yet, huh?'
Chuckle.
A laugh escaped his lips.
〔Is it another one of those fated opportunities?〕
'Our constellation seems displeased that I'm having it easy.'
〔A hero is tempered through trials and tribulations. The path my contractor walks is far too easy.〕
'I already went through a lot of hardship in my previous life, okay?'
While grumbling towards Kronos, the flow of conversation was interrupted.
“Hyung-nim?”
"Just lost in thought for a moment. More importantly, I want to hear about the Forgotten Temple."
“The Horizon Guild hasn't been able to conquer it for almost a year, so it seems like a break will happen soon.”
“So it's a flow-type, huh.”
Fixed-type Gates, like the [Ancient Garden], wouldn't cause a Gate break as long as the number of monsters was periodically reduced.
On the other hand, with flow-types, even if monsters were hunted, the mana density gradually increased.
If a Gate couldn't be conquered for a long time, the Gate's mana would eventually reach 100%, causing a break.
"Yes. I heard the density has entered a dangerous stage."
“That guild must have lost some face.”
“Indeed. I heard Horizon is releasing control of the Gate and allowing general Hunters to participate.”
Gate control.
Powerful guilds occasionally restricted access to certain Gates.
Rare monsters.
Byproducts found only within that specific Gate.
There were many other reasons for imposing control, but sometimes they would face backlash for controlling Gates they couldn't handle themselves.
“Have there been any talks of large guilds participating?”
“There are rumors that the Phoenix and Dawn guilds are showing interest, but...”
Phoenix, the second-ranked guild in Korea.
And Dawn, the third-ranked guild, joining the fray.
'If those two are in, it's certain.'
There was a rumor Yoojin had heard in his previous life.
With a chilling warning, Yoojin headed towards the statue.
"Hyung-nim! Wait for us!"
Triggered by Kang Minho's high-pitched scream, the Little Runts team also shouldered their backpacks and entered the Gate one after another.
* * *
Whiiiiing—
A dry wind brushed past his cheek.
Brown earth, devoid of any moisture. Aside from a few weeds, the ground felt lifeless.
A massive temple stood before them.
It was a large structure that truly lived up to the name 'Forgotten Temple'.
As he channeled mana into the ring...
【Another fight?】
Fafnir suddenly popped out and shouted in an excited voice.
"W-what is that, hyung-nim?"
"A subordinate."
【It's a bit rude to pretend you don't know me, considering we're somewhat acquainted.】
A question mark appeared above Kang Minho's head.
"You know him, right? The earthbound spirit we held a memorial service for in the border region."
"Did you turn a soul we held a memorial service for into an undead?"
"I did it with his permission."
"If I die, please don't turn me into an undead."
"You think I can turn just anyone? You're too weak; even if I tried, you'd only become a measly zombie."
"That makes me dislike it even more."
Fafnir laughed heartily at Kang Minho's disgust.
The Little Runts team shuddered at the undead's presence.
"Ahem, before we start the raid in earnest, I'll give a brief explanation."
Kang Minyeong stepped forward and began her explanation.
[Forgotten Temple]
[Type - Flow Type]
[Entry Requirements: 1 - 2 Stars]
[Mana Density: 93%]
[Gate Area: Large]
"The entry requirement for the Forgotten Temple is up to 2 stars, but the actual difficulty of the raid is said to be 3 stars."
【What's the reason for that assessment?】
"The structure of the temple changes every day, and the environment is different each time."
Rumble—
As soon as Kang Minyeong finished speaking, a strange rumbling sound emanated from the Forgotten Temple.
The pillars supporting the temple shifted from side to side, causing a tremendous roar to echo everywhere.
Parts of the floor caved in or suddenly rose, and the structure of the Forgotten Temple shook and rearranged itself.
【I see. That must be it.】
The change that occurred every day.
This was the reason why the Forgotten Temple had remained unconquered for almost a year.
Every 24 hours, the structure of the temple would change, resetting everything.
The types of monsters in the temple would change, and the internal structure would be completely altered.
"Damn it. Retreat! If you get caught in the structural transformation, it's hard to survive."
"Has it been that long already?"
The Hunters who were hunting monsters or exploring the Gate structure hurriedly retreated.
Yoojin also watched the temple's transformation closely.
'If it's the same as I remember...'
In his past life, Jang Miseon, the Hunter who conquered the [Forgotten Temple], said this in an interview:
-The structure of the temple changes once a day.
-When you watch the temple change, there are pillars that don't move.
-The surfaces of the pillars have strange patterns engraved on them, which match the monsters that appear each time the temple's structure changes.
-When you align the symbols of the monsters with the pillar that forms the axis of transformation, it would transport you to the boss room.
'I can't believe I remember this.'
This gate became a global sensation because of its incredibly complex mechanics.
The endlessly transforming structure of the temple struck fear into anyone who dared enter.
【Anything else to explain?】
"I was going to mention the dangers, but it’s quicker to see for yourself.”
【If you’re inside when the structure shifts, you wouldn’t even have bones left to recover.】
A few minutes later.
The Forgotten Temple, having completed its reconstruction, was now shrouded in eerie silence, as if the earlier chaos had been a lie.
"Fafnir. I'll leave the lead to you."
【It’s the duty of a servant to protect their weak master. Don’t worry.】
[Using Unholy Blessing.]
[Using the Punishing Spike.]
He used holy spells effective against the undead on Fafnir.
After significantly boosting combat capabilities, they stepped into the temple.
‘Let’s see if my memory serves me right.’
Jang Miseon.
Don't feel too wronged.
You won't even know you've been robbed.
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]