>VWUUUUUUUUUMMMMMM<
The diminishing Gate that stood in a remote station, already surrounded by security officials, and cut off from the rest of civilization, began to warble.
Two silhouettes reflected on its blue and white surface, and in no time at all, the silhouettes became actual people.
The E Rank Hunter, Sung Han Soo, and the provisional Hunter, Aloe Vida.
A one would expect from a team that had their secret weapon, none of them were scathed. In fact, from the expression they had, it almost felt like they were just returning from a field trip.
They both exited the Dungeon ten minutes before the Gate would close, s very reasonable conclusion to their adventures within it.
The officers who stood outside the Gate watched them both emerge in grace. While not all of them had the courage and wit to be Hunters, they still served their nation by guarding the Gates and securing the area around it.
"Welcome back, Miss Vida."
"Welcome back, Hunter Sung."
Sung respond with his usual awkward greeting, however Aloe said nothing.
Instead...
"W-what is... this...?"
She seemed to be shaking a little, her body growing rigid as her eyes widened. It was as if she had entered a daze, but also felt completely in tune with reality.
"Miss Vida... is everything fine?" Sung Han Soo asked, a concerned expression forming on his face.
"... They're here." She whispered, a wide smile forming on her face.
"What? Who are here?"
"I sense two... Jared and... is that Kuzon? They're both here." Her teeth were displayed now, and excitement coursed through her.
"Ja...red? Are you talking about your—"
Before Han Soo could conclude his words, Aloe swiftly placed her hands on his shoulders, her expression showing immense seriousness.
"I have to go, Han Soo. Take care of all the remaining details."
"Wait... what?"
"My friends are here! I gotta go see them!"
"B-but—!"
"I'll make it up to you later, I promise!" Her elated voice kept soaring.
Han Soo quickly realized there was nothing he could say or do that would stop her. Since that was the case...
"F-fine. I'll do it.".
He had to just give up.
"Thanks, Han Soo!"
"Y-yeah, no pro—"
Before he finished his response, a bright light surged from Aloe's location, and in that brief moment it seemed like she disappeared.
Technically, she just flew to the location where she sensed them. However, with speeds already on par with the speed of light, it was bound to appear as teleportation in the eyes of most.
"Well..." Sung Han Soo looked at the protocol officers with an awkward look.
He had just gotten ditched in front of everyone. Even though he knew Aloe meant no harm, and he didn't really suffer any injury, he felt a little stung in his heart.
'She left so easily...'
In the end, even though he thought they were very close, they had only been together for over a month.
'I guess it's only right that she pays her proper friends more attention.'
*
*
*
"Jareeeeed!!!" Almost as soon as I sensed Aloe, she flung open the door of our suite and rushed in excitedly.
"Aloe! It's been a while." I grinned, watching her draw nearer with her staple brilliant smile.
I actually missed that quite a lot.
"Would you look at you in that getup." Aloe was dressed like a Hunter—with gear decorating her body like a costume.
"Haha! Well, I had to look the part. I guess you've already spoken to Chairman Sung and Director Baek, considering you're here."
"Damn straight." Kuzon's voice surged from his room, and he stepped out, looking as nonchalant as possible.
I could tell he was relieved to see Aloe, though.
"I'm so glad to see you guys are okay."
"Haha! No, we should be saying the same about you."
Aloe's warmth quickly pervaded the room, and it brought smiles on both my face and Kuzon's.
Despite the fact that the suite was heavy with negative emotions before she arrived, her mere presence changed everything.
This was what I loved most about Aloe.
"Oh my. We have a lot to discuss!"
*
*
*
It was evening already, but we spent hours just discussing our escapades in the strange new worlds we found ourselves in.
Of course, Kuzon explained the situation of how things were. He told her about how only a few of us were scattered, and how the rest were safe on Earth.
Thankfully, her optimism didn't vanish after all of that.
"Neron didn't even tell me anything..." She retorted, her cheeks almost pouted. "Anyway, I'm jealous of you guys. You had so much engaging adventures and fun. Mine has been very lackluster."
According to Aloe, after settling in South Korea, all she did was fight monsters and hang out with Sung Han Soo, pretty much her only friend in this world.
She explained the dead end she had reached on her researched, which I completely understood. I was even surprised when she voiced out her suspicions about the Zenith, and the information they might have been hoarding.
I was happy not to be the only one thinking in that direction.
'She's right, after all. The Zenith is suspicious.'
"So, what now?" Aloe interrupted my thoughts with her charming voice.
I could already tell her intentions from the expression she made.
"We're supposed to be on our way to the next world now, but Jared insists we remain here for a while on order to achieve his goals. Pretty insensitive, right?" Kuzon sighed, looking at Aloe for support and empathy.
'Poor Kuzon,' I thought to myself.
If there was anyone whom he could seek to support his ideology, they certainly wouldn't be Aloe.
She was the last person who would want to go back home now—not with a world in danger.
"I agree with Jared! Let's stay a while longer!" With a bright smile, and pumped fists, she nodded in total support
'As expected.' I smiled at Kuzon in absolute victory.
Aloe was not the type to abandon those in need of help. She had always been this type of person ever since I knew her.
'And now the majority is on my side.'
*
*
[A/N]
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