The Gate Monopoly

1.

The foundation of the Space Era was, naturally, Gate Technology.

Thanks to these Gates, Humanity could travel to the farthest reaches of Space in a very short time.

Moreover, this Gate Technology was currently monopolized by an individual, with no Nation owning it.

“My company will manage the Gates.”

Doctor Space, who created the technology, was the owner of all Gates in the entire universe.

For a single individual to control something so immense was, under normal circumstances, impossible.

“If you don’t like it, don’t use it.”

However, no powerful figure dared to challenge Doctor Space.

It wasn't because Doctor Space was the light and future of Humanity, or out of respect.

“For the record, anyone who tries to pick a fight with me should give up on their dream of a long and healthy life. I can guarantee you that much.”

Most of the technology Humanity currently enjoyed, especially those related to lifespan and disease treatment, could only be used by Doctor Space.

Therefore, those in power dared not touch Doctor Space.

Separately, from the perspective of Space peace, it wouldn't be good for any specific Nation to own the Gates.

There were countless examples.

Just consider the Suez Canal: how many wars broke out over its ownership?

Rather than that, it was better for everyone if a transcendent being whom no powerful figures could challenge owned the Gates.

Of course, that statement always led to one particular question.

“You think I'd favor Korea just because I'm Korean?”

A question about Doctor Space's nationality.

“I don't think there's anyone who dislikes Korean politicians more than I do.”

But that had never been an issue.

In any case, the Gates were Doctor Space's property, and Doctor Space imposed several conditions on their use.

One of them was that all Nations using the Gates must prioritize their maintenance and repair.

There was no objection to this either.

What if you crossed a Gate, and then that Gate was destroyed?

It would be like the river you just crossed suddenly turning into the River Styx.

Those who had crossed the Gate had no choice but to exert all their effort to protect it.

Thanks to that, until now, Gates had occasionally stopped working or malfunctioned, but they had never been destroyed.

“The Gate was destroyed?”

But now, something that had never happened in the history of Humanity had occurred to Kim Seojun.

It was even before a full day had passed since Kim Seojun's enlistment.

Even Kim Seojun, who had experienced all sorts of things during his active duty, couldn't help but look dumbfounded in this situation.

Kim Seojun, at least, remained calm.

“Uh, uh, Staff Sergeant Kim, Staff Sergeant Kim, what should we do?”

Private First Class Park Boseop, who had delivered the news, was now practically in a state of panic, tears and snot streaming down his face.

That was normal.

“What about the Major? She's over there.”

Major Lee Hyena, sitting in a cramped Bunker, also had a grim expression.

Even she, a Psycher who had traversed all sorts of disasters, even dispatched here to hunt a Queen, seemed utterly lost in the face of the unprecedented catastrophe of Gate Destruction.

The moment he saw her, Kim Seojun surprisingly snapped back to his senses.

*If I lose my head, it's over.*

With even a Psycher losing her composure, someone had to speak up to get things moving.

*I have to go back to Earth. I didn't re-enlist to die here.*

More than anything, Kim Seojun had a reason, a clear reason, to return to Earth.

At that point, Kim Seojun slapped his cheeks with both hands.

*SMACK!*

A powerful sound, strong enough to make flesh tremble, echoed, and at the sound, Major Lee Hyena and Private First Class Park Boseop looked at Kim Seojun in surprise.

To them, Kim Seojun, his face red and swollen, spoke.

“First, let's get the situation straight. Major Lee Hyena, how did you hear about the Gate Destruction?”

“Well…”

At his question, Major Lee Hyena turned her head to look at the radio equipment in the Bunker.

“The news of the Gate Destruction had already been transmitted when I arrived at this Bunker.”

Hearing that, Kim Seojun immediately understood.

“It seems that when the Gate was destroyed, a communication was sent to all places capable of receiving one.”

“What do you think destroyed it?”

In response to Major Lee Hyena's follow-up question, Kim Seojun said.

“I think it's best not to dwell on that.”

“Not dwell on it?”

“Whatever it was, it's beyond our control. Whether it was caused by Mogs, some Military, or an accident, there's nothing we can do right now, especially without a Headquarters.”

At his words, Major Lee Hyena nodded.

“What we need to anticipate now is the future situation.”

As he spoke, Kim Seojun held up two fingers.

“For now, there are two immediately foreseeable situations. First, we cannot expect Off-world Support for the time being. Everything in Space must have been deployed for Gate maintenance and repair, or for war.”

At his words, both their expressions hardened further, and Kim Seojun said to them.

“Second, Planet Amotia, where we are, has now become an Apocalypse.”

“An Apocalypse?”

“Yes, just like in Apocalypse novels, this place will now see Survivors waging war against each other to live.”

At his words, everyone felt more doubt than fear.

They knew the situation was bad, but the word Apocalypse seemed a bit unfitting for the current circumstances.

But from Kim Seojun's perspective, it was different.

“Think about it. This place is overflowing with Mogs. But now, we can no longer expect External Support. When supplies run short, what exactly are we supposed to do?”

In his view, from now on, they should fear other humans more than Mogs.

“Furthermore, the Planet Amotia Korean Branch is outside the top 50 in terms of size and influence among the 81 Nations established on Amotia. We've even lost our Headquarters. It's as if we have no Nation. We will inevitably become the primary Target of Plunder.”

And when they heard that explanation, no one questioned Kim Seojun's opinion anymore.

Seeing their expressions, Kim Seojun said.

“To summarize, anything with a Korean Flag will now be a primary target of plunder. Before that happens, we must secure as much as we can.”

It was at that moment.

Major Lee Hyena, who had been listening, spoke.

“When I arrived at Headquarters injured, I requested additional equipment from the National Strategic Force. For mission execution, I had specified delivery to the mission area, not Headquarters. It should have arrived there by now.”

“Additional equipment, are you referring to Psycher-exclusive Equipment?”

“That's right.”

The moment he heard that, Kim Seojun said without hesitation.

“Private First Class Park Boseop, start the engine.”

2.

*VROOOM!*

A Military Truck was speeding across the Wasteland, and inside were three people.

It was Kim Seojun's party.

The moment they heard Major Lee Hyena's story, they immediately rushed to that location.

There was no reason to hesitate.

*A Psycher equipped with Exclusive Equipment is on a different level.*

If Major Lee Hyena, who had slaughtered Mogdogs with just a Battle Suit and a construction axe, were to wield proper weapons?

Moreover, each weapon issued to a Psycher was overwhelmingly powerful, beyond the wildest dreams of Regular Soldiers.

In the case of Specially Reinforced Bullets, there was a joke that when one bullet flew, a Space Marine flew with it!

In any case, this was something they had to secure first.

As they drove, Kim Seojun, sitting alone in the cargo bed, tried to adjust his Physical Condition.

His Physical Condition wasn't good due to the Stimpack Aftereffects.

*My Stamina seems to have hit rock bottom.*

Among them, the most difficult thing was the way his body sagged, in other words, stamina decline.

With his body exhausted, his mind couldn't help but feel muddled.

Moreover, the current situation was also extremely difficult.

It would be strange if his physical condition were good.

*If I start to slack off, there'll be no end to it.*

So Kim Seojun tried to distract himself, and immediately pulled *it* out.

Kim Seojun, with his microphone function turned off, said.

“Status Window.”

[Kim Seojun]

- Strength: 12

- Stamina: 18

- Owned Skills: Clairvoyance (F)

- Owned Talents: Dynamic Visual Acuity (C)

- Owned Points: 4,775pt

- Gold Tickets: 2

He saw the newly acquired results, and his eyes, as he looked at them, gleamed with admiration.

The results were that good.

*This is my lifeline.*

It meant that Kim Seojun's chances of survival had increased.

So there was no hesitation.

He wanted to use all these points immediately.

He didn't even hesitate about how to use them.

“Purchase and use 9 Bronze Tickets.”

Last time, when he opened a Silver Ticket, Stamina appeared, and since his Stamina Value was below 30 points, it increased his Stamina by 3 points.

That would mean that once a stat reached 30 points, it could no longer be increased with Bronze Tickets.

So there was no need to buy a 3,000-point Silver Ticket just to aim for a 3-point stat increase.

[You have purchased and used 9 Bronze Tickets.]

[Magic Power has increased by 3 points.]

[Stamina has increased by 5 points.]

[Strength has increased by 1 point.]

The results appeared immediately, and they were straightforward.

And Kim Seojun was satisfied with that.

While nothing spectacular appeared, from Kim Seojun's perspective, it was a no-lose situation no matter what he got.

Moreover, what he got wasn't bad at all.

*It's a relief that Stamina came up.*

Kim Seojun was grateful for the 5-point increase in Stamina.

Because he felt it.

That Stamina was more important than anything else to properly utilize his current abilities.

Most importantly, Kim Seojun still had two tickets left.

“Use Gold Tickets. Both of them.”

He used them without hesitation.

[Stamina appeared from the Gold Ticket! Your current Stamina is below 30 points. A Stat Bonus will be applied. Stamina has increased by 10 points.]

And the moment he saw the results, Kim Seojun's expression turned to surprise.

*Something incredible came out, didn't it?*

In consideration of the importance of Stamina in combat, this was far better than most skills or talents.

[You have acquired Hawk Eye Talent (F).]

“What?”

However, the moment he saw the subsequent reward, Kim Seojun involuntarily raised his voice.

“Hawk Eye?”

Information immediately appeared before Kim Seojun, who spoke in surprise.

[Hawk Eye]

- Rank: F

- Enhances vision and sight when used. The effect increases as the rank rises.

Kim Seojun was speechless after seeing that.

In that state, he raised his head.

Then he saw it.

*......My goodness.*

A distant rock, which he couldn't see clearly just moments ago, was now visible in detail.

As if he were using a telescope.

*My vision feels like 3.0? Is this even possible?*

It was an astonishing ability.

But what was even more surprising was that this wasn't a skill, but a talent.

That meant it was permanent!

And the fact that it could be enhanced meant that even greater effects were possible.

What if his vision became 5.0 or 7.0?

From that point on, they wouldn't be mere eyes.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them weapons themselves.

Crucially, Kim Seojun had *that*.

*Shick!*

Kim Seojun raised the gun in his hand, and immediately a red light emanated from the muzzle.

Seeing the result, Kim Seojun quietly closed his eyes.

There was no joy.

*Thank goodness.*

Instead, Kim Seojun only let out a sigh of relief at the fact that a lifeline had appeared in this hellish situation.

*Somehow, somehow, I'll get back.*

With that, he diligently made plans.

But Kim Seojun's efforts soon proved futile.

“Here it is!”

After driving for 2 hours and 22 minutes from the Bunker, Kim Seojun's party could see the location.

“Huh? There's nothing here?”

3.

“There's nothing here?”

*Thud!*

Before Private First Class Park Boseop could even finish his sentence, Major Lee Hyena immediately got out of the passenger seat and moved to the coordinate point.

And then she looked around.

“Hoo, hoo, hoo.”

The sound of her breathing was heavier than usual.

It meant she was flustered.

*W-why?*

Naturally, all her actions had been based on the assumption that she would recover these supplies.

But they were gone?

It was Kim Seojun who put an end to that confusion.

He said:

“Someone took them.”

In the direction Kim Seojun was looking as he spoke, there were Wheel Tracks.

But even at his words, Major Lee Hyena had doubts.

“Who?”

How could anyone know her supplies were here and take them?

Moreover, everything about Psycher Agents was usually treated as top secret.

“Did you request the supplies directly from Headquarters?”

“Directly?”

“You didn't have another Soldier or Staff do it for you?”

“That…”

The moment she received Kim Seojun's question, Major Lee Hyena's expression hardened abruptly.

“Surely they didn't sell information about a Psycher Agent's supplies?”

Kim Seojun said to her, still speaking as if she couldn't understand.

“Major, I'm here for the money. Private First Class Park Boseop is the same. Most of the Soldiers who come to Planet Amotia are here for the money. And it's not exactly surprising for corruption to appear in the Korean Military, is it?”

When she heard that, Major Lee Hyena no longer questioned him.

Of course, this wasn't always the case.

Primarily, Psycher Agents tended to do things themselves rather than having others do them for them.

Also, those who committed corrupt acts didn't often lay hands on Psycher Items.

But this time, both of those factors overlapped.

It was a confluence of bad luck.

And at the worst possible moment.

However, Kim Seojun didn't waste time lamenting, 'How unlucky,' at this fact.

He checked the Wheel Tracks.

*Press!*

He left his own footprint next to the Wheel Tracks and roughly compared the two.

There wasn't much difference.

*The degree of weathering isn't significant. I can't be certain, but the supplies were likely stolen less than an hour ago.*

At that point, he turned his head in the direction where the Wheel Tracks disappeared.

*The chances of failure are high.*

Unfortunately, it was impossible to track down the thieves by following only these wheel tracks across this vast planet.

Even if they looked clear now, one sandstorm would quickly erase them.

*And I can't even identify them.*

Most importantly, without knowing which Nation had stolen them, anything they did would just be a meaningless struggle.

*It's better to give up.*

Kim Seojun finally reached a conclusion.

“Those Chinese bastards did it again. Ugh, what a bunch of assholes.”

At that moment, Private First Class Park Boseop clicked his tongue and spoke, and the moment Kim Seojun heard him, he said in surprise.

“China?”

“Huh?”

“China, you say? These Wheel Tracks?”

“Uh, well, that is to say.”

At that question, Private First Class Park Boseop briefly became flustered and explained.

“The tire tracks, specifically the Tread Pattern, are from Jungwon Rubber Company, which makes tires for the Chinese. They make it very obvious that it's theirs. They even filed a Space Patent Application for their Tread Pattern. And only the Chinese use Jungwon Rubber products.”

“Are you sure? That only China uses them?”

“Uh... if you want my honest opinion, unless I absolutely had no choice, I wouldn't use Chinese-made tires when my life is on the line while driving.”

The moment he heard that, Kim Seojun turned his head.

“Major, I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Are the supplies locked?”

“Yes.”

The moment he heard that answer, Kim Seojun said.

“Private First Class Park Boseop, can you follow the tire tracks?”

“Yes.”

“Move out.”

And immediately, everyone got into the vehicle and moved out, and after about 30 minutes of driving, Kim Seojun narrowed his eyes.

*What's that?*

Then he pulled out his binoculars, and Kim Seojun said.

“Found them.”

“Huh?”

“Found the thieves.”

“Where are they?”

“They seem to be about 2 kilometers ahead of here.”

“Huh?”

“There's a very flashy Chinese flag attached, and in the truck's cargo bed, there's a large supply crate with a Korean flag on it.”

“Huh?”

Kim Seojun no longer spoke to Private First Class Park Boseop, who kept throwing out questions at his words.

*Click-clack!*

Instead, he drew his gun and said.

“Major Lee Hyena, I request Engagement Authorization.”