Chapter 43: The Gate That Closes

The artificial dungeon gate pulsed with unstable blue light. Sparks of lightning crawled across its surface, crackling every few seconds. The air around it smelled faintly of ozone and old stone.

Victoria stood in front of it with her arms crossed. Cole stood a step behind her, silent as usual. Julian Ashford shifted his weight from one foot to the other, staring at the swirling gate with a mixture of confidence and confusion.

"Miss Victoria," Julian finally asked, "why are we standing here?"

Victoria turned her head slightly. Her crimson eyes were calm, but there was no softness in them.

"Do you still want to join the elite team?"

Julian answered without hesitation. "Yes. I want to."

"Then this is your chance to prove it."

Julian looked back at the gate. "But I already completed this dungeon during the qualification exam. Why do I have to do it again?"

"You did," Victoria replied. "But that time you entered with a group. Your only goal was to pass the selection and become a WHA Hunter. This time is different. If you want to stand beside us, you need to show what you can do when there is no one to rely on."

Julian was quiet for only a second. Then he nodded firmly.

"I will."

Victoria held out a black bag. Julian took it automatically, still not understanding. When he opened it, he found sealed food packs, water bottles, and a few basic survival items meant for several days.

"Miss Victoria, I don’t think I need this," he said. "Once I finish the dungeon I’ll go home. This isn’t necessary."

Victoria said nothing.

Cole finally spoke, his deep voice carrying a dry edge.

"You need it, buddy. Or you might die of starvation." He smirked, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes. "Goodbye. It was nice meeting you. We’ll see you at the end of the road."

Julian frowned. Something about the way Cole spoke felt wrong, like a farewell instead of simple encouragement.

Before he could ask, Victoria gave a small nod toward the gate.

Julian adjusted the bag on his shoulder, took a breath, and stepped into the blue light.

The gate swallowed him.

Victoria raised her phone and called the control room.

"This is Victoria Hale. Seal Artificial Dungeon Gate 3 for one week. Release every monster inside at once. No one is allowed to open the gate under any circumstances until the time is up."

There was a pause on the other end.

"How many people entered the gate, Captain?"

"One."

Another pause, longer this time. The operator clearly wanted to question the order, but Victoria’s name carried weight that few people in the Association dared to challenge.

"...Understood."

The call ended.

Cole watched the gate in silence for a moment.

"Julian has a loud mouth," he said quietly, "but he’s a good person. I felt that much."

Victoria didn’t answer. Her expression remained unreadable as the blue light of the gate continued to pulse.

Her phone vibrated again. This time the caller ID showed a familiar name.

Rosalind Hale.

Victoria answered.

"Come to my office," her aunt said. "I need your help."

The Guild Master’s office occupied the highest floor of the main WHA building. When Victoria entered, Rosalind was standing by the wide window with her back turned, looking out over the city.

She turned around with a faint smile.

"The Crimson Queen finally has time to meet her aunt."

Victoria’s lips curved slightly. She stepped forward and accepted the brief hug Rosalind offered.

"I’ve been busy. You also said you would visit my home with your family, but you never came."

Rosalind sat down behind her desk and gestured for Victoria to take the seat across from her.

"My husband is still in the Haneul Republic. I decided it would be better to wait until he returns. We’ll come together then." Her eyes sharpened with mild curiosity. "Speaking of family... how is Daemon? I haven’t seen him at the guild since the selection. What happened? Where is he?"

Victoria’s expression shifted for only a fraction of a second before she controlled it.

"He went to help a friend. It was an emergency. He’ll return once the problem is resolved."

Rosalind studied her for a moment. She didn’t look fully convinced, but she didn’t press immediately.

"I see. Still, he needs to report in soon. If he stays absent much longer, I will have no choice but to terminate his position. There are many Hunters waiting for a spot on the elite track."

Victoria nodded once. "I’ll make sure he understands."

Rosalind leaned back slightly.

"The reason I called you here is simple. I need you to go to the Haneul Republic for a few days. My husband will receive you when you arrive. There’s a minor problem in one of the mountain regions. He didn’t give me a detailed report, but it should only take a few days."

Victoria’s brows drew together.

"I don’t want to participate in any S-level dungeon activity right now."

"This work isn’t related to a dungeon," Rosalind said smoothly. "That’s why I chose you. I know your situation." She smiled, but the smile carried understanding rather than pressure. "You can complete this."

Victoria was quiet for several seconds. Staying in the city meant her thoughts would keep circling back to Daemon. Leaving, even for a short mission, might give her mind a temporary escape.

Finally she nodded.

"I’ll go."

The office door opened without a knock.

Kael stepped inside, offering a polite bow toward Rosalind.

"Guild Master."

Rosalind gestured toward him.

"For your trip to the Haneul Republic, Kael has requested to accompany you. He travels there often. His presence should help you finish the work faster."

Victoria turned her head.

Kael offered her a clean, almost gentle smile.

"How are you, Victoria? Has your health improved?"

His tone sounded sincerely concerned.

Victoria gave a short nod. "I’m fine."

Rosalind stood.

"The company flight leaves tomorrow morning. Don’t be late."

Victoria stepped forward and exchanged a brief hug with her aunt before leaving the office. Kael followed a few steps behind her, maintaining a respectful distance.

As she walked down the quiet corridor, her phone vibrated once more.

A message from her mother, Evelyn Hale, appeared on the screen.

Come to the estate now. I need to tell you something.

Behind her, Kael watched the back of her in silence, the polite smile still resting on his face.