Your Girlfriend Was Amazing

Chapter 80: Let's Soar in Life...!

Let's Soar in Life…!

"Miss, are you sure we shouldn't call in some backup?"

"…"

"I know I might be going off-topic here, and you've probably got more knowledge than me, but this response to an S-class gate feels inadequate. Let's be real… this ain't your average gate. We don't know what kind of monsters might pop out the moment that gate wave hits. The idea of you handling it alone… I mean, I respect your strength, but if the defense gate fails, we're talking about potential casualties in the hundreds, maybe even millions…"

Kang Taemin was beyond desperate.

Trusting people is one thing, but preventing a gate failure? That's a whole different ball game. Yet here we are, Miss Melanie, trying to shield her company under the guise of ‘trust.'

Understandable, but…

Baek Taeyang might be stronger than yyour average student, but we're talking an S-class gate here. No matter how many times I say it, it never feels like enough. We need to get the hunter team in on this ASAP.

If only they weren't a global corporate giant…

Especially if Melanie wasn't tied to the Kaivan Group, notorious for butting heads with hunters, Kang Taemin would've made a fuss. Heck, if he still had his old reputation, he could've thrown his weight around.

This is seriously messed up…

Since Melanie and Baek Taeyang were the sole witnesses to the gate opening, his words lacked impact for now. However, if the news leaked and reporters announced his successful opening of an S-class gate… Now, that would mark Kang Taemin's genuine comeback.

But at the moment, it was just Melanie. He couldn't control the number of folks heading to the gate, so all he could do was complain.

"Miss, about your decision—"

"I understand. I see where you're coming from, and I'm well aware of the situation. You might think I'm being a bit green, putting my trust in a fellow student and toying with an S-class gate like this. But rest assured, I've got a plan up my sleeve as well."

"A plan?"

Buzzzz— Bzzzz—

The terrain surrounding the gate was treacherous mountainous terrain. So, the easiest way to deliver goods was through the air.

"As far as I know, once the gate's open, it can't be reopened, right?"

"Yeah… that's the gist…"

"But I heard that only applies if living beings go through… Is that right?"

"Yeah, that's the deal. You seem pretty clued in. Usually, if the defense or offense gate clearing takes too long, we put in a request for support…"

"Then how about opening it one more time?"

"Excuse me?"

The forest couldn't handle the chopper's propeller wind and shook violently as it approached, carrying a large case attached to a rope.

"What's that?"

Kang Taemin had never seen such a massive weapon case before. It was like a queen-size bed, fit for a hunter's arsenal.

"I got Baek Taeyang's weapon suitability report not long ago, so it's still in prototype phase, but… That should do the trick."

"What on earth are you talking about? Preparing for the gate wave and supplying items within the gate are two different things, right? I think it wouldn't hurt to prep, Miss—"

At first, Kang Taemin's voice boomed, but given the glaring status and economic gap, it dwindled.

Yet, there was a strange satisfaction in saying what needed to be said. It felt like giving a rich girl a reality check. And since his words hit the mark, the atmosphere didn't turn awkward.

"Yeah, I get it. You're concerned about the gate wave… I understand. You want to make your grand return as the opener in front of a press-packed audience."

"…"

Caught red-handed. Kang Taemin gritted his teeth at Melanie's words, feeling like he'd been sucker-punched. Gone was his flashy rhetoric, leaving only stunned silence, yet Melanie, ever chipper, found it all amusing.

"But my take is a bit different. The gate shut tight the moment Kim Minsoo stepped in. Meaning, it's a gate that only a handful need to tackle. Even if it's not a concept gate, that's my guess. So, there must be specific conditions to meet or a boss monster that's particularly tough… That's why I'm guessing it's a concept-based one. Blindly calling for backup without knowing what monsters might pop out seems reckless to me."

Kang Taemin couldn't help but think Melanie's argument bordered on absurdity. Both internal support and external precautions can be arranged as needed. Even if her theory held water, the solution was simple: keep an eye on the situation and keep the hunters at bay.

But.

Melanie was steadfast in her belief in Baek Taeyang's confident words to wait, looking pretty. She had full faith he'd clear the gate and open the doors for Kaivan Group.

I'm trusting you, Baek Taeyang…

Despite being a global heavyweight, Kaivan still struggled for recognition in Korea, home to the prestigious academy. No matter how many weapons they churned out, they'd always be compared to Victory Academy's offerings.

So, Melanie took a bold gamble. One moment to soar high and tidy up the mess left behind by Kim Minsoo.

Either way, support will come. It's just a matter of time.

Even if the gate was nestled deep in the mountains, detecting an S-class gate wave was only a matter of time.

Melanie's insinuation was clear: even if she didn't actively seek support, the hunter team would come knocking. Kang Taemin's only desire was to hasten the process a bit.

If I spin it right—a student called in an opener to open an S-class gate without requesting backup—I could control the narrative. It's a reckless, life-or-death gamble.

"Open that gate now. We're dropping in the weapon case."

"But… it might not land right in front of him. You know… if there's no safety zone within the gate area, it could end up anywhere, and he might not be able to retrieve it…"

"Don't sweat it. I've got that covered."

"Okay…"

Woom— Woom—

As if to say, "once opened, a gate won't wait for a second permission," the gate forcefully shoved Kang Taemin's hand away.

"Grraaaah!"

Kang Taemin exerted every ounce of strength in his hands, feet, buttocks, and waist.

If things go south, I'll just bounce off!

Facing overwhelming power, individuals are as feeble as roadside leaves. As Kang Taemin opened the gate, he pondered over and erased countless variables.

If the gate wave shows any signs, I'll just bail. As long as I'm not on the scene… But if the gate is successfully cleared…

Even if support didn't arrive, Kang Taemin believed Melanie would actively push for his cause. But even without it, he already had a tremendous connection in Baek Taeyang.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Baek Taeyang has a tight relationship with Chairman Choi Youngnam… No, Choi Youngnam feels more like the president of Baek Taeyang's fan club… There's gotta be a way for me to leverage that… And team leader Lee Minjoon is like the MC of the hunter world… Taeyang's network runs deep… This is a golden opportunity…

Even as his hands were shredded and blood flowed from the S-class gate's backlash, Kang Taemin calculated his potential gains.

‘This is an opportunity that can't be bought. Plus, with Baek Taeyang's sterling reputation, if I lend a hand, the PR machine will kick into high gear… Generous donations to orphanages and support for elder care facilities during the PR blitz will skyrocket public opinion… And folks in 2030s will wear the white t-shirts signed by Baek Taeyang and post selfies on social media…'

Knowing he couldn't sway Melanie's stubbornness, he cranked up his happiness circuit.

As long as Baek Taeyang cleared the gate as Melanie wished, there would be no hitches. And with support from Kaivan, the top dog in the weapons manufacturing industry? It's no brainer.

"It's openiiiing… Ahhhhh!!! Hurryyyy!!!"

With ear-splitting screams, the gate's interior was laid bare.

An empty expanse of white.

Before Melanie could even process it, she hastily tossed the helicopter-delivered weapon case into the void.

"We're done! It's in!"

"Wooooah!"

As the realization hit that the weapons were in, Kang Taemin, unable to endure the backlash any longer, was ejected.

Thud—

Melanie caught him just before he hit the rocks, and amidst the agony of torn flesh, he faintly smiled and muttered, "My life… is soaring again…"

Thinking of the luxury sports car he could now afford, Kang Taemin slowly closed his eyes. "I've done my part, time to take a breather."