WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Ceaseless

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◈ I Became the Gate Summoner Hunters Obsess Over ◈

Chapter 26: [Correct Station] ➝ [Arrival Station]

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❗This chapter contains an illustration that may be scary.❗

❗We recommend viewing this chapter on mobile rather than PC.❗

That was how Kang Yul.

"N-no... I don't want to disappear...!"

Bang!

Thud...

For a while, sent the wraiths of Correct Station on to the afterlife.

"Why?! Why does a gun work on a wraith?!"

Bang!

Thud...

With the Muggle's Magic Wand (Physical).

"Leave! Hurry up and lea...!!!"

Bang!

Thud...

[...The doors are closing.]

In accordance with the last words of the final wraith, which had been farthest away, the train closed its doors and began heading for the next station.

Kang Yul watched the scenery of Correct Station recede, then returned to sit beside the two team leaders in order to observe subway etiquette.

Of course.

'Ah, but isn't indiscriminate gunfire on a subway a little(?) controversial?'

Like any human being, only after sitting down did he deeply regret the impulsive thing he had just done.

Still, Kang Yul thought he had a perfectly valid reason for his actions.

'They kept buzzing, "Get off the boat... no, get off the train. Kang Yul," so wasn't pulling out a gun the natural response...?'

Think about it.

If an accident occurred between someone carrying a gun and someone provoking that person, whose responsibility would be greater?

'Obviously the latter.'

Maybe twenty years ago in Korea, he would have received the ruling, "It is your fault for firing, no matter what!"

Bang, bang, bang!

"Guilty!"

But in modern Korea, the emergence of supernatural phenomena had made the right to bear arms for the protection of one's life, property, and liberty a basic right.

In other words, if someone did something deserving of getting shot, even a court would usually say, "This bastard died of natural causes. Why did you bring something like this here? Next case!"

As such.

Kang Yul concluded that he had valid grounds for his shooting spree, and that this did not constitute disturbing the carriage, causing a disturbance, or obstructing train operations...

'...This is okay, right?'

Honestly, he was a little... no, quite frankly, extremely scared.

As time passed and his mind gradually calmed down, he began to wonder whether this was an incident he could clean up.

More importantly.

'What if the team leaders get dragged into this too...?'

Kang Yul could not bear to face the team leaders if they suffered because of his sudden actions... but.

"Ah, that? Don't worry. Anyone else might have a problem, but the rookie will probably be fine."

"I believe Hunter Kang Yul will be fine."

Unexpectedly, the two team leaders seated on either side of him did not scold him.

Instead, they explained in voices full of certainty that, at least for Kang Yul, what he had just done would not fall under the category of being a disruptive customer.

"Um, what was it? You're holding a gun-shaped mystic artifact, right? Ordinary people can't mess with someone holding a gun, so the Train Attendant probably can't either. This place imitates the Korean subway system, after all."

Team Leader Oh swallowed the words that had risen to the tip of her tongue.

And you're an utterly ridiculous monster, so they probably won't want to fight you either.

"If you are truly anxious, asking the Train Attendant while it is on patrol would also be a good option."

Team Leader Myo also swallowed the words that had risen to the tip of her tongue.

In truth, it should have come to this carriage a long time ago. I believe it is deliberately avoiding us.

Anyway.

"Really...? That's such a relief..."

"What, did you think you caused an incident and got scared?"

"...Honestly, I was really scared that the two of you would be affected too."

"If it had been a situation worth stopping, we would have restrained you first."

"Ah... I suppose that's true."

After that, the two team leaders continued pampering their rookie monster until they reached the next station.

Somehow, Kang Yul's handgun became the subject of discussion, and they exchanged all sorts of stories.

"More importantly, Rookie. A handgun-shaped mystic artifact? You've got something quite rare."

"Aren't modern weapons made from byproducts fairly common?"

"Those are mass-produced weapons used in low-risk Gates. It would be insulting to compare them to a mystic artifact like your handgun."

"Is that so...?"

Kang Yul knew it was good, but he had not realized it was that valuable. As he stared at the handgun with a puzzled expression, Team Leader Myo pointed at it and explained.

"Hunter Kang Yul. Mystic artifacts are generally created when supernatural phenomena inhabit old objects. Therefore, sellers can name their price for modern equipment that works even in high-risk Gates."

"Then how much might this gun be worth...?"

"It is difficult to estimate its value. But if I had to put it into words, it is the sort of mystic artifact that collectors would offer blank checks for."

"!"

At that moment, Kang Yul realized that his Muggle's Magic Wand was far more amazing than he had thought.

Amazing enough that, once he got home, he resolved to send Friendly Merchant a long love confession... no, a long note packed with heartfelt gratitude.

Of course, to send such a note, he first had to leave this Gate in one piece.

Ding-dong.

[Our train will shortly arrive at Arrival, Arrival Station.]

[Guests whose destination is 'Arrival,' please check once more to make sure you have not left anything behind.]

['Arrival' on our train is possible only at this station, so guests whose destination is 'Arrival' must get off at this station.]

[Disturbing the carriage, causing a disturbance, and obstructing train operations are strictly prohibite...]

Bzzzt.

[...After checking, the VVIP guest has been confirmed as an exception.]

[We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the VVIP guest for using our train.]

[We hope you have another comfortable commute today.]

"...Hey, in all my life, I've never seen an anomalous phenomenon adjust itself to an individual."

"I do not believe we will ever be considered 'disruptive customers' on this train."

"Excuse me? What do you mean by that?"

"No, our rookie's the best."

"Not ours. He is directly under me."

"???"

#####

Although he did not fully understand why, Kang Yul heard the team leaders explain that his Muggle's Magic Wand (Physical) had apparently earned him something like VVIP status.

"Rookie. This station feels a little ominous, so be careful."

"Hunter Kang Yul. Please be careful not to act rashly at this station."

"Ah, yes."

Overwhelmed by the team leaders' sharp reactions, Kang Yul could not bring himself to ask, "VVIP...? How could that possibly be?"

The moment he noticed the grotesque platform faintly visible beyond the windows, Kang Yul instinctively understood that this station was dangerous, just as they had warned.

Thoom, thoom!

Thoom, thoom!

Thoom... thoom...

Screeeech!

As the train entered the platform, its speed gradually slowed, and an ominous light seeped into the carriage.

Then, when it came to a complete stop, the entire carriage was dyed red.

Shortly afterward, an announcement played and the doors opened, revealing a grotesque platform beyond them.

[The doors are opening.]

Ding!

[You have discovered the Commuter Express Train (Arrival Station).]

[Exploration Rate increases.]

[Some information about the Gate has been revealed.]

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[Gate Compendium] - [Commuter Express Train]

──────────────────

■ False Escape Route

➤ Arrival Station

ㆍThe entire platform is bathed in red light, and every object inside the station has a reddish hue.

ㆍThe moment the train enters the platform, a gentle warmth seeps into the carriage, and at the same time, someone's voice begins to echo in the passengers' minds.

"You worked hard today."

"Is it over now?"

"Dad! You're home!"

"You're home, big brother?"

ㆍThe voice differs for each passenger and sounds like the voice of the being they find most familiar and reassuring.

ㆍThe moment passengers look at the station name as if drawn by the voice, a powerful sense of relief fills them, along with the certainty that they have finally reached their destination.

That certainty moves the body before reason can intervene, causing passengers to leave the train without any suspicion.

ㆍBut the moment the doors close and the train departs, passengers belatedly realize it.

This is not their destination.

ㆍWhen they turn around, the train has already vanished without a trace, and no one else remains on the platform.

ㆍEven if they try to leave the station, there is no exit.

No matter how far they walk or run, they always arrive back at the platform where they first got off.

That is only natural. This is Arrival Station.

ㆍAt this point, passengers feel neither cold nor heat, hunger nor thirst, no matter how much time passes.

Instead, they become keenly aware only that their bodies are gradually becoming one with the station.

ㆍFirst, their skin peels away. Then their muscles and bones slowly begin to twist.

The transformation progresses very slowly, and their consciousness remains intact until the end.

The pain becomes clearer as time passes, but they are never allowed to faint or die.

ㆍOnce the transformation is complete, passengers become one of the station's objects, such as benches, signs, vending machines, pillars, trash cans, or advertising boards, and eventually even their sense of self collapses.

ㆍAfterward, the passengers who have become objects imitate the voice of the person they heard upon first entering the platform, luring new passengers into the station.

※ For this reason, every object at Arrival Station was once a passenger who believed they had finally reached their destination.

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The moment the train arrived at the station, Kang Yul felt a gentle warmth seep into the carriage.

He was not sure why, but it felt like the warm embrace of a mother.

At the same time, a familiar someone's voice began to echo in his mind... Wriggle?

Wriggle?

﹝Special Characteristics﹞

: It feels a deep fondness for you-?

...A voice?

Wriggle.

﹝Special Characteristics﹞

: It has realized that you are in danger.

: It is trying to find out where you are.

: It is about to head to where you are right now.

...Why is it not a voice?

Who are you─

...🪱?

■■─!

﹝Special Characteristics﹞

: It ■found■ you■.

: It ■thinks■ it ■has to■ ■come get■ ■you■■.

🪱 is coming!

🪱 has arrived!

🪱 has devoured the station─

Crunch!

Ding-dong.

[Due to an emergency situation, our train will depart immediately.]

[Guests on the platform, please board the train immediately.]

[The train can no longer wait at this station.]

[The doors will be closing.]

[We repeat.]

[The doors will be closing.]

[The doors will be closing.]

Wrig■!

﹝Special Characteristics﹞

: It ■wants■ you to return home■■ quickly.

: It is ■considering whether to chase■ ■you■■.

Ding-dong.

[We have an emergency announcement.]

[Please be advised that our operating plan has been changed to ensure safe operations.]

[Our train will prioritize the safety of the VVIP guest. Accordingly, all scheduled stops have been canceled, and the train will run only as far as Cheering Station.]

[We sincerely apologize to all passengers inconvenienced by this change in operations. A small compensation will be provided after you get off, and we ask for your understanding.]

[Once again, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the change in operations, and we hope you have a comfortable commute today.]

[Thank you.]

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