The Player Who Can't Level Up

“Are you saying you can cause a gate break at will?” Tae-Gu asked with a tense face. 

“Not exactly a break.” Gi-Gyu’s reply brightened Tae-Gu’s face visibly. It was an expected reaction since every country had tried to weaponize the gates since their inception. After all, controlling gate break was synonymous with having a nuclear bomb. Thankfully, no one had succeeded so far. 

“But something similar.” When Gi-Gyu said that, all the brightness left Tae-Gu’s face, leaving only darkness and concern behind.

***

Gi-Gyu and the association president had a long conversation about Gi-Gyu’s power and plan for the Iron Guild’s branch.

“Huh… Your growth seems limitless. Now you can even control gate monsters thanks to those Egos… I wish I could steal such power,” Tae-Gu murmured greedily.

“Sir, I can’t believe you just said that!” When Gi-Gyu exclaimed, Tae-Gu replied, “I’m only saying it because I know it’s impossible. But you should be careful. Many in the world wouldn’t understand or accept your power. Always be careful about what you say.”

“I will remember your advice, Sir,” Gi-Gyu answered with a smile. Tae-Gu seemed exhausted as he murmured, “So you need me to provide absolute control over the area…” 

Tae-Gu trailed off before nodding. “All right. I will do it.”

“Thank you, Sir!” Gi-Gyu shouted. The KPA (Korean Players Association) was an essential component of his plan since only they could block off an area.

Gi-Gyu wasn’t after just Rogers Han: His goal was to destroy the entire Iron Guild eventually. But first, he had to target the Korean branch. Gi-Gyu was a realist, so he knew that he couldn’t destroy the entire branch even with the Cain Guild’s help. After all, its strength was comparable to that of the top ten guilds in Korea. 

‘But if my plan works…’

If everything went without a hitch, he would cause the Iron Guild fatal damage. His lips curled up into a vicious grin as his mind raced. Gi-Gyu asked Tae-Gu, “And I have one more favor to ask.”

“What is it?” Tae-Gu asked easily. A few factors made Tae-Gu side completely with Gi-Gyu: Iron Guild’s attempt to branch out in Korea, the minimal authority KPA would have over this foreign branch, as well as the Global Players Association (GPA) and the Angela Guild’s involvement. Angela Guild’s dominance in Korea forced Tae-Gu to allow the Iron Guild branch’s entrance, but he had hoped to defy it one way or the other. Consequently, he was pleased to hear Gi-Gyu’s plan. If things worked out the way Gi-Gyu wished, Tae-Gu could get his revenge against the Angela Guild without getting directly involved. Since he had nothing to lose, he accepted Gi-Gyu’s request for help.

Gi-Gyu explained, “I need money and crystals. Of course, I’m not asking for them for free”—he took a pause—“I would like to receive as many requests as possible from you, Sir. I would prefer all missions that reward abundant crystals and money. I want to use my position as a mercenary to get what I need.” 

Gi-Gyu still had almost three months left to prepare, so he had to get to work immediately. 

***

As soon as Tae-Gu began giving him tasks, Gi-Gyu became very busy. Today, he had to clear another gate, so he went straight to the location with Sung-Hoon.

“Are you Ranker Kim Gi-Gyu?” When the on-site gate manager asked, Gi-Gyu nodded and showed his ring. The manager stammered in awe, “S-so you’re an association mercenary!”

Knowing Gi-Gyu didn’t want to waste any time, Sung-Hoon quickly stepped up. He said to the manager, “From now on, you can talk to me, Sir. I’m Morningstar’s secretary.”

“O-of course…” replied the manager with a trembling voice after checking the ring. While Sung-Hoon and the gate manager chatted, Gi-Gyu announced, “I’ll get right to it.”

“Go ahead, Player Kim Gi-Gyu!” After hearing Sung-Hoon, Gi-Gyu nodded and promptly jumped into the gate.

Closing an exceptional gate was usually the most profitable; sadly, they were rare. The only gates available nearby were normal ones, but the association only took responsibility for the tricky cases. The tricky ones usually were either of a high difficulty level, or with monsters which other players liked to avoid, or with unusually complicated architecture. 

The association also dealt with the gates that were about to break. Many reasons could lead to a gate not being closed before their break. Such gates were always a huge public concern; therefore, the executive department or the Department of Gate Maintenance took care of them. 

To make money, Gi-Gyu decided to take on these time-sensitive gates. 

Sung-Hoon looked at his watch and murmured, “He’s a little late today.”

The manager exclaimed in confusion, “Pardon? But it has only been an hour since he went inside!” Sung-Hoon answered with a wordless smile and continued to watch the gate. About ten minutes later, everyone there except Sung-Hoon gasped in shock because the gate began closing. 

“W-what the?!” the manager stammered. In disbelief, he turned toward Sung-Hoon and asked, “B-but didn’t he go alone?” 

“He did.” Sung-Hoon shrugged nonchalantly. It was a B-grade gate, so, usually, most guilds would take days to close it. However, a single player cleared it in an hour or so—How could they not be shocked? 

As the gate closed slowly, Gi-Gyu’s silhouette appeared. Sung-Hoon lit a cigarette and hummed as he asked, “Never seen an association mercenary, huh?”

Riding on someone else’s coattails sure was fun.

***

“Would you like to drink with me?” Sung-Hoon offered Gi-Gyu a can of beer. Gi-Gyu silently accepted it, opened the can, and watched the river near the Ttukseom Hangang Park. 

It had been a month since he began touring various gates to make extra money. 

Sung-Hoon asked, “So, have you completed all the requests?”

“Yes, I closed all of them,” replied Gi-Gyu with a shrug. Oh Tae-Gu had named 18 gates the association was having difficulty closing. None of them were A-grade, but they were still anywhere from B to C-grade, which meant they weren't easy gates to close. No one could deny that closing so many gates within a month was amazing. 

Gi-Gyu explained, “I wish there were more for me to close, but I guess it will do since I don’t want to go outside Korea to do more.”

“Ha.” Sung-Hoon looked at him in disbelief. When Gi-Gyu didn’t respond, he changed the subject. “Two months left now.”

Gi-Gyu’s eyes turned eerie as Sung-Hoon asked, “What are your plans for the last two months?”

“Well”—Gi-Gyu took a sip of his beer—“I’ve collected all the crystals I need, but… I guess I can go to the Tower for some more.”

Oh Tae-Gu could only give the tricky gates to Gi-Gyu because everyone wanted to clear the normal or easy-to-clear gates. Also, many guilds depended on the profit from these easy gates, so he couldn’t let a single player monopolize all the gates, tricky and otherwise.

Gi-Gyu continued, “Then there is the stuff I got recently: I’ve to organize it too. Hmm… I think the time will pass by quickly.”

“I suppose,” Sung-Hoon replied indifferently. With a shrug, he added, “You’ve been doing so well recently, so I’m sure you’ll be fine.” 

Gi-Gyu finished the beer with a grin, crumpled the can, and looked for a trash bin. Even after looking for a while, he couldn’t find one, so he frowned and murmured, “Open.” 

Suddenly, a blue light appeared on top of Gi-Gyu’s shirt. Gi-Gyu threw the beer can inside Brunheart’s gate and shouted, “Take this can and throw it in a trash bin!” 

“Ha…” Sung-Hoon could only sigh as he watched the ridiculous scene. 

-Master! I’m not a trash bin!!!

Brunheart grumbled, but Gi-Gyu just grinned and raised his hand toward Sung-Hoon. Dazed, he handed his empty beer can to Gi-Gyu, who threw it inside the gate. Gi-Gyu felt certain that his gate manager lich, Hart, would train the skeletons well enough to take care of the beer cans. 

Sung-Hoon murmured, “Whenever I’m with you, I feel like I’m living in a different world, Player Kim Gi-Gyu.” 

Shrug.

Gi-Gyu shrugged without a word. He acted calm, but there was a storm raging inside his heart.

‘Anything can happen in these two months. Damn! The anxiety is killing me.’

Gi-Gyu didn’t doubt his ability to defeat Rogers: He worried about the other cogs since it wouldn’t be a simple 1v1. His enemy was invading his territory, and it was his duty and pleasure to get rid of the garbage. However, doing so ensured that he would have to accomplish his bigger goal: There was no turning back. 

‘I will destroy Ironshield and the Iron Guild.’

With renewed determination, Gi-Gyu closed the gate and quietly watched the river with Sung-Hoon. Tired of waiting, Sung-Hoon muttered, “He’s late.”

“When has he ever been on time?” Gi-Gyu didn’t seem too bothered. With a sigh, he added, “And he always shows up around the time when we begin talking about him.” 

Suddenly, the air behind Gi-Gyu began to crumple, and a man appeared from it—Go Hyung-Chul. His high level of stealth was enough to show that he was a very high-level player. “Are you guys talking behind my back again?”

With a frown, Go Hyung-Chul grumbled, “You surprise me every time I see you.” He thought he could sneak up on Gi-Gyu without being caught this time, but he failed again. 

Laughing playfully, Gi-Gyu turned to face the paparazzo and replied, “And you’re so rude, dude.” Sometime after they first met, Gi-Gyu learned that Go Hyung-Chul was the same age as him. 

The red-eyed paparazzo sat down beside Gi-Gyu and raised his hand demandingly. Sung-Hoon grumbled under his breath but still handed the paparazzo a beer can. 

Gi-Gyu tried to console Go Hyung-Chul, “You’re incredibly stealthy. Believe me. I’m sure even high rankers won’t recognize your presence. I’m just a special case.”

“Hmph! That’s why I’m forced to work for you right now.” Go Hyung-Chul snorted, but he didn’t seem offended. 

Gi-Gyu’s magic sensitivity was currently higher than ever, thanks to the Emperor of Black magic and all the hunting he did recently. Therefore, he could feel even the slightest magic ripple around him better than anyone. So, he wasn't lying when he said he was a special case. After all, no player could use a skill without employing some magic. 

In a much lighter tone, Gi-Gyu asked Go Hyung-Chul, “So did you bring me anything useful this time?”

“You asked me to find out the deal between the Angela Guild and the Iron Guild, yet you’re asking about it as if you’re talking about the weather,” When the player paparazzo complained, Gi-Gyu prodded, “Hurry up and tell me.”

Gi-Gyu had met Go Hyung-Chul four times in total; he had only got some useful trivia about Ironshield. 

‘I can’t believe Ironshield lost his right leg.’ Gi-Gyu assumed that Lucifer was behind this devastating injury. 

Go Hyung-Chul looked at Gi-Gyu and replied, “I have something big this time.”

“Are you sure?!” Sung-Hoon gasped in shock, and Gi-Gyu met Go Hyung-Chul’s eyes. His eyes glowing eerily, the player paparazzo continued, “But this will be the last.” 

Go Hyung-Chul was currently a player paparazzo, but he was still a player of the assassin category. In fact, he was considered the best in this field. His current title may lead some to believe that he was acquiring his information peacefully, but no one knew exactly what he did to discover these top secrets. 

However, Gi-Gyu and Sung-Hoon did know one thing: Go Hyung-Chul wasn’t going around with his expensive cameras, looking and waiting for things to happen. 

Go Hyung-Chul warned, “The last time I’m providing you information. I am done with your request as of today.” It was an announcement, not a request. 

“Is what you’re about to give me enough to satisfy me?” asked Gi-Gyu. 

Go Hyung-Chul turned to gaze at the river as he replied, “Probably.”

Neither Gi-Gyu nor Sung-Hoon prodded Go Hyung-Chul anymore. They remained patient until Go Hyung-Chul was ready to talk. As the serene river waves ate away at their minutes, Go Hyung-Chul finally murmured, “The rumor about Lee Sun-Ho’s injury is true. I don’t know what kind of injury he suffered, but I know he’s in a grave condition.”

Gi-Gyu’s face turned serious as Go Hyung-Chul added, “He needs the elixir.”