The Player that Can’t Level Up

Chapter 204: The Gate Break (2)

Everyone gaped when they saw the giant gate glowing with blue light. The gate didnt do anything special, but everyone still felt overwhelmed due to its sheer size.

Dammit. If a gate that size breaks, then one of the Grigories whispered. A gates size didnt always dictate its class, but it was one of the deciding features. So, if the gate above them, which was the biggest anyone had ever seen, broke

And thats exactly what is about to happen, so keep quiet, Sung-Hoon replied with a playful grin. His words were light, but his tone wasnt. He felt overwhelmed as well, but he tried to hide it as best as he could.

Gradually, the blue gate began to change; thankfully, no monsters jumped out of it.

Well, not at first, anyway.

Ugh. one of the Grigories groaned, unable to endure the gates massive energy pressure. His legs shook as he watched powerful magic escape the gate. Normally, magical energy was invisible; for it to be visible to the naked eye, it had to be in undreamt of quantity and concentration. The gates energy slowly filled the surrounding area.

Then, the second change happened.

What the hell is this? a Grigory mumbled again. The gates energy was the most viscous energy they had ever sensed, but they had trained for days like these, so they could withstand the gates thick energy to some extent.

But the situation changed for a second time.

Plop.

Some players abruptly fell to their knees. And it wasnt because of the overwhelming pressure. The new energy that engulfed them was light and refreshing, like a spring breeze.

Yet

Blarghhhh! Some players began to vomit. The sensation that had been forced upon them felt too unfamiliar and strange. It was something they had never felt before.

El opened her palms and calmly explained, Death and Life became a part of Brunhearts gate a long time ago. So those who are used to it wont feel any difference, but its normal for these players who have never felt this before to react this way.

Gi-Gyus face turned rigid, and he replied, Im glad we evacuated the non-players.

Had the regular not been evacuated and El hadnt placed a protective barrier around them, this mix of Life and Death and magical energy may have killed them.

Finally, the third change happened. This time, no new type of energy left the gate. Instead

Everyone remained quiet as they felt various presences emerging from the gate.

Soon, Gi-Gyus creatures exited the gate.

Hart was riding the Griffin King.

Hal and the knights order were riding their Phantom Steed.

I-is that a helicopter? a Grigory whispered when he saw Old Man Hwang in something like a helicopter.

As usual, Hart approached Gi-Gyu first and greeted him respectfully, Grandmaster.

Hart controlled the Griffin King with ease and bowed deeply toward Gi-Gyu. Behind Hart stood the rest of Gi-Gyus creatures, including Botis, in line.

Hart looked up with a smile and announced, You are our god, Grandmaster.

Kwarrrrk! The rest of the gate monsters roared as they approached Gi-Gyu.

[A landmark has been proclaimed.]

The system dryly announced.

And lastly

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!

Loud metallic sounds began to echo around them.

Someone moaned in shock, I-is that a Tower?!

What appeared next was the tower Old Man Hwang had built inside Brunhearts gate.

***

Boss, the leader of the Grigories called out to Sung-Hoon, who outranked him.

Sung-Hoon replied casually, What is it?

May I ask you something? the leader asked.

Sung-Hoon was now the unofficial head of the Grigory. In other words, they werent following him because Tae-Shik had ordered themthey did so because they truly believed in him.

Of course. You can ask me anything, Sung-Hoon offered. At the moment, he was enjoying a well-deserved break.

Ranker Kim Gi-Gyu, or whatever his true rank is, I have a question about him. The Grigorys leader seemed confused about how to address Gi-Gyu. Ive thought about this before, but He is really a human, right? Or

The Grigory leader calmly explained, Either way, it doesnt matter. I really mean it. Our mission is to obey our orders. We, as a group, are willing to work with anyone to accomplish our mission.

The Grigory leader whispered, So Ill just ask you one thing, Boss.

Sung-Hoon sat up straight, believing the question would be an important one. Then, he nodded to give his permission.

The leader pointed out the window and asked, Hes really on our, I mean humanitys, side, right?

They were still in the lava-filled Bukhan River. In the middle of it was a new tower that had appeared from the gate. The Grigories were given a floor to rest.

Kwarrrk! The gate monsters were constantly roaring outside the tower. The griffins were flying around busily to make nests while the mantises and the other land monsters diligently dug various holes. It was quite a scene.

The players were most shocked by the skeleton soldiers constructing a building. Under Old Man Hwang and several other high-level skeletons leadership, they worked like a well-oiled machine.

Sung-Hoon stood up and answered, Youre right. I dont know if he is a human or not.

He sincerely continued, But

Sung-Hoon smiled slowly. The Grigory leader couldnt tell what this smile meant, but he remained silent and listened.

Sung-Hoon added, But hes definitely on our side. I can undoubtedly say that he is on humanitys side. I can guarantee that.

All the Grigory members nodded.

***

[You can look at the landmark map.]

[You can build a structure that connects the landmark and the gate.]

[...]

Countless system announcements rang in Gi-Gyus ears. They were so loud and incessant that Gi-Gyu couldnt even understand half of them. When he shook his head, the announcements stopped.

Did it work? Hwang Chae-Il asked.

The tower had been built inside Brunhearts gate, but it now stood under the Bukhan River. Currently, Gi-Gyu, Sung-Hoon, and Hwang Chae-Il were on the top floor.

Congratulations, Mr. Hwang Chae-Il, said Gi-Gyu. Antecedently, Hwang Chae-Il couldn't leave Brunhearts gate, but that changed after Gi-Gyu had proclaimed his home and the surrounding area his landmark.

I guess this is like his control tower, Gi-Gyu thought. From here, Hwang Chae-Il could command everyone, with Gi-Gyus order and permission.

It obviously worked! Its a huge success! Old Man Hwang exclaimed. This turned out much better than we anticipated! Old Man Hwang gestured toward his son, Hwang Chae-Il.

Gi-Gyus eyes widened in surprise. The giant window that took up an entire wall slowly transformed into a map. Soon, he realized that it was a map of the surrounding area.

Sounding apologetic, Hwang Chae-Il explained, I think there are many more things possible here other than this map. But Im afraid I still havent figured out everything yet. I will try my best to learn them as quickly as possible.

Gi-Gyu waved his hand and replied, There is no need to apologize.

To lighten the awkward mood, Old Man Hwang suggested, Why dont you have a look at the map?

Gi-Gyu obeyed and walked up to the window.

Old Man Hwang continued, As you might have guessed, this is the map of our neighborhood.

Gi-Gyu nodded. But his expression changed when he realized that the map looked a little different.

Old Man Hwang had seemingly guessed Gi-Gyus thought as he explained, This place is now mixed with our gate, which is why it looks strange. Originally, it was a barrier-like gate created by the Caravan Guild. Now, its a mixture of that barrier, our neighborhood, and your gate.

Old Man Hwang turned toward the map and added, We initially wanted to connect this place to your gate by proclaiming it a landmark.

Gi-Gyu nodded in understanding, as Old Man Hwang was right.

Landmark Proclamation was a skill he had gained after becoming Ego Master. This skill worked the best for Brunheart. Based on Gi-Gyus understanding, he could use Land Proclamation to incorporate a designated area into Brunhearts gate.

This was exactly what Gi-Gyu wanted. He now had a much larger army of monsters. And this new place gave him and his creatures a place to grow and hide whenever necessary.

Its a fortress. Old Man Hwang smiled in satisfaction. At the moment, they were at war with the Caravan Guild and perhaps the whole world, so a fortress was exactly what they needed.

On top of it all When Old Man Hwang waved his hand, a part of the floor nearby rose to showcase the Crystal Heart, a part of Paimons inheritance. Earlier, Gi-Gyu had synced with it.

Thanks to this, our fortress is even more solid. Old Man Hwang waved his hand again, which made the map change. On the map, red lines suddenly appeared all around the Bukhan River.

Old Man Hwang explained, Its a barrier.

The blacksmiths hand moved again, connecting the red lines in a highly complex pattern. The barrier the Caravan Guild created here is now under our control. We were able to improve it further. And there is more.

The maps color changed under Old Man Hwangs control. He smiled and added, The energy in this entire area has thickened, and most of all Your Life and Death have spread to every corner of this place. Do you know what that means?

Does that mean that I can use more of my power here? Like you told me earlier, my enemies will become weaker in this place, and

Thats right! Old Man Hwang clapped his hands. So, just like you had hoped, this place has become your fortress. I think its safe to say that you will never be defeated in this place.

Gi-Gyu grinned in satisfaction and said, I guess all we have left to do is wait.

The reason he had proclaimed this place his landmark wasnt just to create a fortress for himself. There was something even more important he wanted to accomplish.

Gi-Gyu whispered, I need all of them to come and find me here.

Exactly! Old Man Hwang agreed.

Now, all they had to do was wait here. It didnt matter if it were his allies or his enemies that found him. He will fight the enemies and wait for his friends. And if his enemies continued to hide, then

Ill make them come to me.

Gi-Gyus smile slowly disappeared as he asked, So what happened to Lou, Sir?

***

-A gate break occurred under Koreas Bukhan River.

The reporter on TV spoke loudly. It appeared that she was confused and shocked. The situation was being taken very seriously.

-The entire world is watching this area closely. This also happens to be the home of the most wanted player, Kim Gi-Gyu.

The reporters voice sounded panicky as she continued,

-We were told that it was no ordinary gate break.

Click.

The TV was turned off.

The TV screen now reflected a woman sitting on a sofa. She grinned slowly and whispered, Very impressive

She suddenly burst into laughter, Hahahaha!

The woman flicked her finger, and someone appeared behind her. She ordered, Tell everyone that we have found him.

The man stared in silence.

What are you doing just standing there? I said I found my pupil! Baal?! Soo-Jung couldnt hide her grin as she said to Baal.