The K Chemistry Laboratory was, in fact, the former CK Research Building where Alpha and Omega had been experimented on.
It seemed that the research facility had gone under after the complete deletion of the database and the death of its director.
“By any chance, are the researchers here the same ones who were here before the takeover?”
“Regrettably, those individuals are all imprisoned due to their involvement in some form of human experimentation. We have either reassigned personnel within the group or hired new staff through open recruitment.”
We moved toward the auditorium.
Tables were filled with refreshments. In front of them sat the researchers. It seemed they were having a workshop since they’d heard some esteemed guests were visiting.
Yang Min-seo and I sat at the most luxurious table in the front row following the guidance provided.
“Now, let’s begin the presentation of this semester’s achievements. Today, we have with us Ms. Yang Min-seo, representing the chairman of K Group, and Mr. Shinnoda, the captain of the offensive team at Hero Academy and a member of the National Security Council.”
Clap clap clap.
The sound of applause and murmurs followed.
“Was our experiment really this important?”
“It seems the government is watching too.”
“I suddenly feel a lot of pressure.”
To me, as an Awakened One, it was all audible. Likely, Yang Min-seo heard it too. I leaned back comfortably in my chair.
The presenter turned on the PPT and started the presentation. It was filled with tedious theoretical explanations. I half-listened while letting the rest flow through one ear and out the other.
“Let me now explain the eggs that serve as the raw material. These eggs come from a monster resembling an eel. It’s probably due to the Gate collapse on some deserted island that these eggs have appeared in Earth’s oceans. They’re continually being collected off the coast of Busan.”
Sure enough, these were Leviathan eggs. Leviathan is a monstrous creature resembling a giant eel, with its adult form being roughly the size of a destroyer.
“Using the previously explained technology, we’ve been able to create items with performance similar to Dungeon Artifacts from these eggs.”
With a rumble, a mobile rack entered the auditorium. On it were two swords and two pairs of earrings. The prototypes lacked refinement in their appearance.
“By processing the monster within the egg before it hatches and utilizing the eggshell as well, we’ve created this equipment.”
Clap clap clap.
The researchers clapped. The fruits of their labor after working late every night deserved the pride they felt.
“Mr. Director and Mr. Councilman, would you care to try these out? Your heightened senses as an Awakened One will surely give you some insights. Haha.”
“Let’s do it then.”
We stood up and, under the researchers’ expectant gazes, equipped the swords and earrings.
<< Item Obtained >>
——————-<Item>——————-
◈ Name
Sword: ES455251
◈ Grade
— C
◈ Stats
Strength 100
Luck 300
◈ Description
Equipment made from the byproducts of Leviathan.
◈ Effects
Able to breathe underwater.
————————————
——————-<Item>——————-
◈ Name
Earrings: ES455247
◈ Grade
— B
◈ Stats
Intelligence 200
Luck 100
◈ Description
Equipment made from the byproducts of Leviathan.
◈ Effects
Able to walk on water when magic power is used.
————————————
The presenter observed us with satisfaction as we equipped the gear.
“Haha. Though I would love to gift these to you as souvenirs, they’re only prototypes, so I’m concerned about potential issues. There’s a chance the effects could fail mid-combat.”
His worries aside, seeing it register in the system suggested that it was functioning properly.
[It’s astonishing. That humans on a planet devoid of magic can create artifacts—albeit with somewhat fraudulent materials and luck—nevertheless remarkable.]
Even Laura briefly marveled at it. If the Dragon approved, this was truly commendable progress.
‘The technological prowess of Korea is unparalleled.’
My statement went unanswered.
“It actually works.”
“I’m very satisfied.”
We gave an appropriate response. While the stat boosts weren’t exceptional, it seemed these could provide affordable and effective mass-produced gear for lower-tier Awakeneds. Plus, the abilities were quite useful for sea-based scenarios.
‘The problem is the entity coming to reclaim these eggs soon. It won’t be easy.’
After the session ended, we headed to the hotel. It was already getting dark, so Yang Min-seo and I planned to stay overnight in Busan. We booked separate rooms, though she visited mine to converse.
“What are your thoughts?”
“It was truly impressive. If mass production is possible, lower-tier Awakeneds will be able to equip themselves adequately, thereby increasing their survival rates.”
“Ho ho. This is K Group.”
I decided to lie, just as I did with Isiah, claiming I could foretell the future. Given Yang Min-seo’s satisfaction with her company’s achievements, it wasn’t something she would abandon easily just because I asked her to.
“Min-seo, I have something to say.”
“Yes, hehe?”
Blushing, Yang Min-seo seemed flustered, her voice tremulous and unlike her usual demeanor.
*
Under the dim night sky, Yang Min-seo and Shinnoda were discussing the day’s presentation in his room.
Yang Min-seo, who wasn’t stupid, had already interpreted the lewd gaze and suggestive words she’d received earlier from the ‘Red Knight’.
‘Noda probably did that with Red Knight…’
Yang Min-seo, underdeveloped for her age, always felt her small stature emphasized from middle school. ‘You need to be at least that well-endowed to catch a man like Noda,’ she had thought, admiring the Red Knight’s physique.
‘And Han Yeon’s body is…’
The female student cohabiting with Shinnoda also had extraordinary figure.
“Min-seo, I have something to say.”
In the midst of this strange atmosphere, Shinnoda spoke with his signature baritone, making Yang Min-seo flush bright red upon realizing she was alone in a room with a young man.
“Y-yes?”
Her internal conflict was evident.
‘So sudden?! I’m not ready yet. Or, can something as simple as this bind Noda to me?’
Though she had been recognized by K Group’s chairman and became the head of the management division earlier than planned, she still had a long way to go to reach the top. Securing Shinnoda, a strong contender for the next S-rank, would be a perfect bonus.
“What is it? Why are you so flustered?”
“A-ah, it’s nothing.”
Taking a deep breath, he continued.
“Anyway, it might be hard to believe, but I have a skill that lets me foresee the future.”
“Huh? A skill…”
Yang Min-seo, who had been mentally preparing her response, felt her resolve falter. Quickly regaining composure, she focused on the meaning of ‘future foretelling’.
“As you know, I’m practically already A-rank. A first-year student being A-rank is nonsensical unless there’s some form of growth cheat.”
Yang Min-seo’s mind raced, yet her thoughts couldn’t keep up with the impact of his words.
‘It was strange. A first-year being A-rank… Moreover, multiple skills.’
If he could truly see the future and used it to gain advanced knowledge and cheat skills, it wouldn’t be impossible. He could easily locate the elusive dungeons that hunters searched for tirelessly by merely finding already cleared ones in the future.
“So, is it true? Is such a cheat skill real… or is it a dreamlike S-rank skill?”
“Yeah, it’s about that level. The foresight isn’t completely free-flowing; it’s fragmentary. Think of it like prophetic dreams.”
“I see.”
Shinnoda didn’t appear to be lying. It wasn’t his nature.
Yang Min-seo had her suspicions about hidden skills, and it seemed justified considering the extraordinary achievement of reaching A-rank by the first year.
Moreover, his growth was abnormally rapid. Yang Min-seo had a skill called ‘True Eye’ that allowed her to gauge an opponent’s strength. The first time she met Shinnoda, he was clearly D-rank. But after showing incredible power during his entrance exam, his growth skyrocketed:
D → C → B → A
A feat no one could accomplish within months.
‘At the time, I just assumed this sort of thing was possible in reality. But now, this backstory makes sense. There truly was a secret…’
Yang Min-seo nodded in agreement, deciding to recalibrate her approach. What started as just an effort to recruit Shinnoda transformed into a strategy to absolutely secure him.
