WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Ceaseless
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ I Became the Gate Summoner Hunters Obsess Over ◈
Chapter 25: [Exit Station] ➝ [Correct Station]
──────
❗This chapter contains illustrations that may be frightening.❗
There was a bit of a commotion(?) along the way, but.
After somehow safely reuniting with Team Leader Myo, who had been separated from us.
"Haah... Hey, let's exchange information first. So, what's with this person?"
"I picked him up on the way."
"No, I can see that... Haah, never mind."
Saying it would only make her own mouth hurt, Team Leader Oh bent over for a moment and examined the man, whose limbs had been severed and whose mouth had been sewn shut.
"He wasn't cut by a blade, but the cross-sections are too clean for him to have been torn apart. But if he was cut off this cleanly, as if carved out..."
"I believe he fell victim to a supernatural phenomenon."
"...There isn't any other possibility."
After a brief silence, Team Leader Oh recalled the Train Attendant we had encountered earlier. Frowning, she continued.
"There's a supernatural life-form on this train with the ability to kill someone without fail, you know? He's still alive, so he probably wasn't attacked by that thing, but there's a high chance he fell victim to some kind of anomaly like that."
"Have you already encountered that being?"
"Yeah. Fortunately, we were treated as 'guests' and only got a warning. If we'd been 'disruptive customers,' we'd probably be playing patty-cake with all the bastards who died before us by now."
"I see."
Afterward, the two team leaders silently stared at the limbless man for a while, then began rapidly sorting out the situation with concise questions and answers.
"But why is he so quiet? He looks alive, but he hasn't moved at all."
"He was in this condition when I first found him."
"What were the Special Characteristics of the car where you found him?"
"They are not significantly different from the car we are currently in. Also, his severed limbs were not found in that car."
"...You already tried a recovery ampoule, right?"
"Yes. It did not work."
"Tch. Then even a decent healer wouldn't be able to save him."
So we cleanly gave up on saving the man.
If a recovery ampoule had no effect at all, we judged that there was no way to save him with what we currently had.
Instead, they began discussing who the man was and how he had entered this place.
"He looks like a Hunter. Don't tell me he's from the corporate side?"
"After checking his body cam, he appears to be a Hunter employed by a subcontractor under Hanul Pharmaceuticals. Based on information shared by the Management Bureau, it appears they sent in subcontracted personnel first."
"Tch. Just like an exploitative company that burns through people. They smelled money, so they shoved people in first."
After roughly wrapping things up, Team Leader Oh scratched her head irritably. Then she happened to meet the eyes of Kang Yul, who had been quietly listening to their conversation.
After letting out a couple of awkward fake coughs like, "Ahem...! What I'm saying is...," she seemed to change the subject and asked Kang Yul a question.
"...Rookie. Does seeing this give you any thoughts?"
"Ah, yes. Actually, it does."
"It does?"
She had not really expected an answer, but Kang Yul immediately opened his mouth as if he had been waiting for those words.
"Yes. I was wondering when I should say it without interrupting the two of you, so I'm glad you asked."
He sincerely meant it.
Kang Yul had kept quiet because he did not want to interrupt the two veteran Hunters while they were focused on exploring.
Ding!
[You have discovered the Commuter Express Train (disruptive customer).]
[Exploration Rate increases.]
[Some information about the Gate has been revealed.]
And the high-quality information he had overheard was enough to uncover a new rule.
Scratch scratch scratch!
Tap.
Riiip!
Kang Yul began writing down the newly discovered information, including the information on Exit Station, so it could help with the exploration.
The moment he had copied everything down, they asked him about it. For Kang Yul, who had been waiting for a chance to speak, it could not have been more fortunate.
"Team Leader Oh. This is the new information."
"Ah... Yeah. Okay."
When Kang Yul handed Team Leader Oh the memo containing the new information, she accepted it with an embarrassed expression.
Team Leader Myo quietly stepped up behind Team Leader Oh and began reading the memo with her.
──────────────────
[Gate Compendium] - [Commuter Express Train]
──────────────────
■ Hazards
➤ Disembarking at the Wrong Station (Exit Station)
ㆍThe moment one gets off the train, all doors close, and they cannot be opened again by any means.
.
.
.
[Way Out]
※ The names of passengers who went missing at Exit Station are occasionally found on emergency-exit signs in real-world subway stations.
※ No one who has entered an exit bearing such a name has returned so far.
──────────────────
"...So getting off at the wrong station is an anomaly that guarantees death. Once you get off, you can't board the train again, so there's a high chance the other stations are the same."
"It also seems related to why every station name on the route map is designed to make you want to get off."
"Probably. But didn't it say the urge to get off gets stronger the closer we get to the terminal station?"
"Yes. The effect that makes people feel that urge may also be part of the anomaly."
"If the urge is weak because this is the first station, we'll have to be more careful as we go farther."
──────────────────
[Gate Compendium] - [Commuter Express Train]
──────────────────
■ Hazards
➤ Resignee (disruptive customer)
ㆍIf a passenger says anything related to quitting, resigning, or refusing to go to work inside the train, they are judged to have declared an 'intention to resign.'
ㆍMuttering something like, "I want to quit my job," or making a simple complaint is not recognized as an exception.
ㆍPassengers who declare an intention to resign immediately lose their status as 'guests' and are classified as 'disruptive customers.' They then become the Train Attendant's priority patrol targets.
ㆍIn accordance with the company's principle that "those who do not work shall not eat," a 'corrective procedure' is performed to instill the importance of labor and a sense of responsibility.
ㆍDisruptive customers whose corrective procedures are complete are left inside the train, unable to communicate or perform work normally, with only their ability to perceive pain remaining.
※ Even if one withdraws their intention to resign, the 'disruptive customer' classification is not revoked.
──────────────────
"...No wonder he didn't move even after losing his limbs. So he misspoke and received a procedure that turned him into an idiot."
"I believe the most important thing on this train is not losing one's status as a 'guest.'"
"I agree. Then the things we need to watch out for inside the train are misspeaking and the Train Attendant?"
"That is my assessment, assuming there are no Murderer Hunters."
However, the two team leaders had only just begun reading the memo.
[The doors are closing.]
As the doors closed and the train began moving toward the next station, we had to sit down, remembering the warning from the Train Attendant we had seen earlier.
#####
Rumble, rumble!
Rumble, rumble!
While the train headed toward the next station.
The two team leaders sat down and read through the notes Kang Yul had organized at an incredible speed, familiarizing themselves with the Gate's anomalies.
About five minutes passed.
"I have understood everything."
"I'm done too. See? Rule-type Gates are nothing special once you finish figuring them out. The rookie's ability is totally broken, totally broken~!"
"Ahaha... Thank you for the praise."
"Rookie, won't you come to Dobong District after all? If you come now, this senior will pull some strings for you even if I have to overstep my authority!"
"Do not touch him. He is directly under me."
"So what? Just because there's a goalkeeper, does that mean no goals get scored?"
The two team leaders nodded as if they understood everything, then began bickering again while acknowledging just how incredible Kang Yul's skill was.
But only for a moment.
Ding-dong!
[Our train will shortly arrive at Correct, Correct Station.]
[Guests whose destination is 'Correct,' please check once more that you have not left behind any belongings.]
[Guests who are unable to disembark at this station, please find another correct answer.]
[Also, please note that disturbance, disorderly conduct, and acts interfering with train operation are strictly prohibited inside the cars.]
[We hope you have a comfortable commute today as well.]
As the bizarre announcement that seemed to pierce into our heads rather than enter through our ears played again.
The two team leaders began looking around as if searching for something.
"Well, we'll bring the rookie over bit by bit."
"I will not give him to you."
"Yeah, I'll just take him. Anyway, it should be here too...?"
While bickering and searching for something, the two team leaders stopped their gaze on the train's electronic display at the same time, as if they had planned it.
They looked at the route map displayed on the screen and fell into thought for a while.
"It doesn't look like there are any other possibilities, does it?"
"That is correct."
Afterward, the two team leaders looked at one station and became certain it was the "destination" where we needed to get off.
Kang Yul also followed their gazes as if peeking at the answer and checked the name of the station where we needed to get off.
But honestly.
[Cheering Station]
'There...?'
After confirming the station where we needed to get off, Kang Yul could not help glancing at the two team leaders again with a puzzled expression.
He racked his brain, trying to infer why Cheering Station was where we needed to get off, but he could not think of a convincing reason.
As Kang Yul deeply debated whether he should ask about it or quietly go along since they knew the destination.
"Rookie! We only have to hold out for three more stops, so trust this senior!"
Did Team Leader Oh think Kang Yul was nervous because he was a new Hunter?
She patted him on the back and encouraged him to relax.
Team Leader Myo, who had watched this with an odd look in her eyes, briefly explained why we had to get off at Cheering Station.
"We will get off at Cheering Station. 'Cheering' has a similar meaning to the 'support' we originally set out to provide to the Ssangmun Station branch, so that is our destination."
"For reference, 'cheering' can mean, 'You've got this!' But the Korean word also uses the characters for 'respond' and 'aid,' so it can have a meaning similar to support. Since we're commuting because of a support request, that's the correct answer for us."
"Ah... I see. Honestly, I didn't know that."
"It makes sense that you wouldn't. You're still a rookie, but we've been professional Hunters our whole lives."
"Synonym traps are frequently used in supernatural phenomena. Studying them separately will also help with your Hunter activities."
"I'll remember that."
The veteran Hunters' crash course continued for only a while.
Rumble, rumble!
Rumble, rumble!
Rumble... rumble...
Screeeech!
The train gradually slowed as if it were about to arrive at the station.
Before long, the platform came into view through the windows of the completely stopped train.
"..."
At that moment, Kang Yul thought that he had to get off the train immediately when he saw the platform outside.
Because.
[The doors are opening.]
Blue light.
It whispered inside Kang Yul's head.
This is the correct answer.
Get off quickly.
Ding!
[You have discovered the Commuter Express Train (Correct Station).]
[Exploration Rate increases.]
[Some information about the Gate has been revealed.]
──────────────────
[Gate Compendium] - [Commuter Express Train]
──────────────────
■ False Escape Route
➤ Correct Station
ㆍThe station name glows with blue light, and passengers who see it feel a powerful urge that tells them, "That place is the real answer."
ㆍAt this time, people dressed for work stand silently on the platform. The closer one gets, the more they all repeat the same words.
"This is the right place."
"Get off quickly."
"This is your last chance."
ㆍThey are all passengers who got off at Correct Station and failed to escape.
ㆍThe wraiths immediately smile and point toward the exit when they find a living passenger.
ㆍThe moment a passenger steps in the direction a wraith points, their shadow is caught by the floor and begins separating from their body.
ㆍPassengers whose shadows are completely taken cease to exist in reality and become beings who wait with the wraiths for the next train.
ㆍAfterward, the number of wraiths increases by one, and the most recently arrived passenger gives the first guidance to the next train.
※ The wraith who first says, "This is the right place," on Correct Station's platform is the victim who most recently got off at Correct Station.
──────────────────
"This is the right place."
When the doors opened, a man who looked like an ordinary office worker gestured at Kang Yul and spoke.
Kang Yul felt the urge to get off the train.
Kang Yul absentmindedly rose from his seat and took one step toward the doors.
"Get off quickly."
"This is your last chance."
Then a young-looking woman and man standing nearby chimed in.
Kang Yul felt the urge to get off the train immediately.
As if possessed by something, Kang Yul took two more steps, and the distance to the exit grew closer.
"Get off. Quickly. Get off. You have to. Home. Let's go back."
"Getoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoff"
"Cometoothisisthecorrectanswerthisistheexitweareyourdestinationgetoffquickly."
Then countless people standing nearby began speaking madly at Kang Yul.
The thought that he could return home through Correct Station if he took just one more step filled Kang Yul's mind.
"Come out¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡"
"Come out¡¡¡¡Get out here quickly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡"
"Youbecomethecorrectanswerwithustoo¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡"
Kang Yul was only one step away from becoming like those who had chosen the wrong answer.
Bang!
A sound that should never have been heard inside a subway train rang out.
Thud...
The being that had chosen the wrong answer and reached out to Kang Yul collapsed to the floor.
Then Kang Yul raised the Muggle's Magic Wand (Physical) in his hand and spoke quietly.
"You little fuckers. I let you go because I was curious how far you'd take it, and now what? You're telling me to die?"
Bang!
Thud...
"You bastards! Why don't you die too!"
"...Ah¿"
"Why¿"
"A gun¿ Why¿"
"What good would it do you to know that?"
Bang!
Thud...
"Ch... Cheater...¡"
"Comeout¡Comeoutandfightfairly¡¡¡"
"Why would I? You can't enter here anyway. It looks like you can't even move from where you're standing."
Click.
"I came close because I wasn't confident I could hit you from far away, but this is perfect. I can get some shooting practice in. Take good care of me until the train leaves, okay?"
"¡¡¡"
"¡¡¡"
For the roughly five minutes while the train was stopped, until it departed again.
The wraiths of Correct Station had the greatness of the Muggle's Magic Wand carved into their bodies.
Incidentally, at that time.
"...Hey, even if you're about to die, don't provoke the rookie. Never."
"Even with a knife held to my throat, I will not."
Kang Yul did not know it because he was busy shooting wraiths.
But as they watched this from their seats, the two team leaders once again resolved not to upset Kang Yul.
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