Chapter 249: Before Entering the Gate

Chapter 249: Chapter 249: Before Entering the Gate

A very tall, heavily muscular man approached them, his broad shoulders and powerful build making him stand out even among the high-ranking Awakeners gathered nearby. His cropped black hair, thick eyebrows, and several prominent scars running across his arms gave him a rugged, intimidating appearance, while the relaxed expression on his face suggested that he was perfectly comfortable in the presence of other powerful individuals.

He glanced at Kang Ji-hoon and Yoon Ha-eun before directing his attention toward Ares.

"You must be Yoon Tae-ho. Nice to meet you."

The man extended his hand with an easy smile.

"I’m Park Tae-hyun, Guild Master of the Titan Guild."

Ares accepted the handshake.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Yoon Tae-ho."

Park Tae-hyun gave him an approving nod before studying him with undisguised curiosity.

"I heard you’re the newly recognized S-Rank Awakener. That’s quite an achievement, especially considering how difficult it is to reach that level in the first place. Tell me, what profession do you specialize in?"

"I’m a mage."

"A mage, huh?"

Park Tae-hyun’s eyebrows rose slightly.

"Interesting. You must be pretty strong to have earned an S-Rank classification as a mage. Those with specialized magical abilities can be incredibly valuable in high-level dungeon operations, particularly when the expedition encounters monsters with unusual defenses."

He gave Ares a friendly pat on the shoulder before continuing.

"How about joining the Titan Guild? We’re currently ranked second among South Korea’s guilds, and we have a reputation for producing some of the strongest combat Awakeners in the country. I can offer you excellent compensation, access to our facilities, and a place among our most elite personnel. If you decide to join us, I’ll make sure you receive treatment befitting an S-Rank Awakener."

"Hey, Park Tae-hyun!" Yoon Ha-eun immediately interjected. "Don’t listen to him, Mr. Tae-ho. He’s making it sound as though joining the Titan Guild would automatically solve all your problems."

Park Tae-hyun turned toward her with an incredulous expression.

"What’s that supposed to mean? I haven’t even finished explaining my offer."

"You’ve already explained enough. The Horizon Guild can provide him with everything you’ve mentioned, along with greater flexibility and a more suitable environment for someone who doesn’t necessarily want to be tied down by a guild’s internal affairs."

Kang Ji-hoon folded his arms.

"And what makes you think the Horizon Guild can offer him more than the Apex Guild? If we’re discussing facilities, financial resources, and high-ranking expeditions, I believe we have a considerable advantage."

"Then make a better offer," Yoon Ha-eun replied without hesitation.

Park Tae-hyun stared at the two of them before letting out a hearty laugh.

"Unbelievable. You two are actually competing over who can offer him the better deal."

He turned back toward Ares, still smiling.

"Well, I suppose I can’t blame them. An S-Rank Awakener who specializes in magic would be a valuable addition to any guild. Still, the decision is yours, so don’t feel pressured to accept an offer simply because the rest of us are eager to recruit you."

Ares appreciated the straightforward remark, but his answer remained unchanged.

"I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in joining any guild at the moment."

The three guild masters fell silent.

For a brief moment, they simply stared at him, as though they had expected him to at least consider their offers before declining them.

Kang Ji-hoon was the first to recover.

"You’re not interested in joining any guild? Not even temporarily?"

"That’s right. I prefer to handle my own affairs for now."

Yoon Ha-eun studied him carefully, apparently trying to determine whether he was being polite or genuinely had no interest in joining a guild.

"May I ask why? You would have access to considerably more resources if you were affiliated with an established organization, and being part of a guild doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your independence."

"I understand that, but I have other matters to attend to, and I don’t wish to take on responsibilities that I may not have time to fulfill."

Ares’s answer was calm and courteous, leaving little room for further persuasion without making the refusal seem personal.

Park Tae-hyun was the first to laugh.

"Fair enough! I can respect that. There’s no point in forcing someone to join us if they aren’t interested."

He reached into his pocket, retrieved a business card, and offered it to Ares.

"Still, if you ever change your mind, give me a call. My offer will remain open, and I’ll be happy to discuss the details with you whenever you’re available."

Ares accepted the card.

"Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind."

Kang Ji-hoon and Yoon Ha-eun exchanged glances before each offering their own business cards as well.

"If you reconsider, Mr. Tae-ho, don’t hesitate to contact me," Kang Ji-hoon said. "I’d still be very interested in discussing what the Apex Guild could offer you."

"The same goes for the Horizon Guild," Yoon Ha-eun added. "And unlike certain people, I won’t expect you to make a decision before you’ve had time to consider your options."

"Are you talking about me again?"

"If the shoe fits."

Park Tae-hyun laughed at their exchange, while Ares quietly put the three business cards away.

Before the guild masters could resume their argument, Han Seung-ho returned from the assembly area.

"Everyone, the preparations are complete. We are about to begin the briefing, so please gather with the other participants."

The three guild masters immediately turned toward him.

"Understood," Kang Ji-hoon replied.

Ares followed them toward the designated assembly area, where the participating Awakeners had begun forming organized groups according to their assigned teams and responsibilities. The earlier conversations gradually faded as the Association’s personnel directed everyone into position.

Within a few minutes, the entire gathering had settled into an orderly formation. ℯ

At the front stood the three S-Rank Awakeners who would serve as the expedition’s principal leaders: Kang Ji-hoon of the Apex Guild, Yoon Ha-eun of the Horizon Guild, and Park Tae-hyun of the Titan Guild.

Ares remained slightly behind them with Director Han Seung-ho, observing the assembled Awakeners.

There were hundreds of participants, including experienced guild members, independent Awakeners, specialized support personnel, and Association operatives. Some stood with confident expressions, their equipment carefully prepared for the operation, while others appeared noticeably tense as they looked toward the enormous blue Gate in the distance.

Although every person present had their own reasons for participating, they shared one responsibility.

They had to ensure that the S-Rank Gate was cleared before it became a threat to the surrounding population.

Han Seung-ho stepped forward and addressed the assembled Awakeners.

"Everyone, thank you for gathering here today. As you already know, an S-Rank Gate appeared last week, and after a preliminary assessment, the Association determined that a large-scale subjugation operation would be necessary. Our investigation suggests that the Gate contains a single boss-class monster, while most of the other creatures encountered within are estimated to be A-Rank or below."

He paused briefly, allowing the information to settle before continuing.

"However, I want everyone to understand that these findings should not be mistaken for a guarantee of safety. An S-Rank Gate remains an S-Rank Gate, and even a seemingly manageable dungeon can become dangerous if we underestimate the creatures inside or fail to cooperate with one another. Therefore, I expect every participant to follow the assigned formations, communicate any unusual findings immediately, and prioritize the safety of the entire expedition over personal achievements."

The director’s expression grew more serious.

"We are not entering that Gate to compete for recognition or to prove which guild is the strongest. We are entering because leaving an S-Rank Gate uncleared places countless lives at risk. Every monster we eliminate and every step we take toward the boss brings us closer to ensuring that the people outside these walls can continue living without fear of a disaster emerging from this Gate."

He turned slightly toward the three S-Rank guild masters.

"Guild Masters Kang, Yoon, and Park will oversee the primary combat operations, coordinate the major forces, and respond to any unexpected developments. Follow their instructions carefully, support your teammates, and do not separate from your assigned groups without authorization. If the situation changes, we will adapt accordingly, but no one should take unnecessary risks simply because they wish to distinguish themselves."

After finishing his briefing, Han Seung-ho stepped back and gave the three guild masters the floor.

Kang Ji-hoon moved forward first, his expression firm as he surveyed the Awakeners gathered before him.

"Everyone, we’ve all heard the warnings, so I won’t waste your time repeating them. What matters now is that we work together and carry out our responsibilities properly. Each of you has trained to reach this point, and I expect you to trust your abilities while remaining mindful of the people fighting beside you. No matter how powerful an individual Awakener may be, a large-scale operation cannot succeed without cooperation."

He paused, allowing his gaze to pass over the assembled groups.

"Some of you have cleared countless dungeons, while others may be participating in an operation of this scale for the first time. Regardless of your experience, remember that your decisions will affect more than yourselves. Watch your surroundings, communicate with your teams, and assist anyone who finds themselves in difficulty whenever you can do so without endangering the entire formation."

Yoon Ha-eun stepped forward after him, her confident voice carrying clearly across the assembly area.

"I agree with Guild Master Kang. We have the advantage of preparation, manpower, and information, but none of those things will matter if we allow carelessness to undermine our efforts. Keep your equipment ready, pay attention