It has been two days since the Storm Dragon Tempestra was eliminated.
And during that time, I’ve been enduring days even more exhausting than the ordeal in Ilsan.
“Mr. Nam Joo-yeon, how does it feel to become the legendary hero who set the standard for S-Rank Awakened Ones, the first of its kind in South Korea?”
“I haven’t given it much thought.”
“Without a doubt, this is a historical achievement. There’s no story anywhere in the world about how such a significant four-star calamity was eliminated with this level of casualties. Even the White House in the United States is paying attention to this fact.”
“Well… even if you say that…”
This place is the Awakened One Management Bureau.
Meanwhile, I’m stuck here dealing with various documents and registration as an S-Rank Awakened One.
Ironically, I am once again being questioned by the staff in the very reception room I was dragged to for interrogation the other time.
“You should feel more proud.”
The female staff member at the Management Bureau tapped her ballpoint pen against the documents, seemingly dissatisfied with my response.
“The public expects S-Rank Hunters to have a certain star quality. In other words, Mr. Nam Joo-yeon should become a ray of hope in a crumbling world, a savior of the new era.”
“…What kind of star could I possibly be? Before the world turned into this, I was just an unemployed gamer.”
“Director Yoo Jun-seo also loved gaming and dropped out of high school. He even received a psychiatric diagnosis. But now he’s gaining ridiculous popularity in the media, isn’t he?”
The female staff shrugged her shoulders and pointed her pen at me.
“Mr. Nam Joo-yeon, you’ll achieve even greater fame than him. Since Director Yoo is called the Flame King, perhaps you will be… the Storm King? Dragon Slayer? No, since you command dragons, maybe Dragon King? Or Dragon Tamer?”
“…”
I wanted to cover her mouth with my hands at her ridiculous musings.
Fortunately, she seemed to notice my cringing expression and spared me further embarrassing titles.
“You shouldn’t hate it too much. Tremendous support comes with being an S-Rank Awakened One.”
“Support?”
“First off, you’ll receive a monthly stipend worth 1 billion won.”
At her words, my jaw dropped.
1 billion won. Before the world crumbled, this was a large sum of money I believed I’d never earn in a lifetime of work.
“Of course, given the current market situation, it may be difficult to spend that much, so the government will do its best to accommodate Mr. Nam Joo-yeon’s needs. We’ll prepare anything you desire within reason. If you want a luxury car, we’ll provide it. If you desire a penthouse, we’ll secure one for you. We’ll also arrange bodyguards if you request them.”
The following promises lacked any sense of reality as well.
Luxury cars, penthouses. Aren’t those the sort of extravagances only billionaire celebrities should consider?
I began to understand why Jo Geon-wook mentioned that Awoken Ones are the new power brokers in this world.
The woman added further.
“Women will line up to be the wife or even the concubine of an S-Rank Awakened One.”
“Th-That’s unlikely…”
“It’s true. Don’t you see the perfect example right here?”
The female staff suddenly tilted her head as if realizing something.
Her movement was rather alluring.
It was then that I noticed her attire was different from the last time I saw her.
First, three buttons of her blouse were undone, revealing the red lace of her bra underneath her pristine white shirt. Her skirt was also excessively short, making it seem like any wrong movement might expose something improper.
Not only her outfit but also her makeup was bold. Leaning on the desk, the staff member continued speaking to me.
“To put it frankly, despite your lack of interest so far, my name is Kang Se-na. I’m a section officer at the Management Bureau and a B-Rank Awakened One. I’m twenty-nine years old, confident in my body, and willing to adjust my appearance to fit Mr. Joo-yeon’s tastes at any moment…”
The woman Kang Se-na leaned forward toward me.
As a result, the valley between her breasts became even more conspicuous.
Considering I only have experience from a recreational establishment during my military days, this was quite shocking.
Naturally, I gulped, and Kang Se-na smirked before speaking.
“To celebrate becoming an S-Rank Awakened One, how about experiencing an S-Rank woman?”
…Even though she said that…
“I’m not interested.”
“…”
I refused outright.
Her eyebrows twitched as if she hadn’t expected rejection.
“Y-You… Is something wrong? Or are you concerned about risks like the #MeToo movement? We could have you sign a waiver in front of the camera…”
“No.”
“Could it be… you prefer men?”
“Not that. It’s just…”
I hesitated a moment before continuing.
“It’s simply not my type. Not at all.”
Kang Se-na’s eyes narrowed.
Had her ego been scratched? She returned to her usual businesslike expression and presented me with the Awakened One registration card.
Beside my name on the card was a clearly marked “S-Rank.”
“Yes. Then you can find a woman that suits your taste. Take care.”
“…Can I leave now?”
“What are you waiting for?”
“…”
I awkwardly stood up and left the reception room.
The real reason I rejected her wasn’t that Kang Se-na didn’t fit my type or anything trivial like that. With zero experience with women, I hardly had time to fuss about such preferences.
The reason was something else entirely — beyond the reception room window, on the rooftop of the building across, a gray-haired woman was glaring at me.
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene is watching you!]
“…”
And so, I had once again preserved the peace of the world.
*
“Shouldn’t we take some action against that she-cat sooner or later? Her very thought of scheming against you, my Lord, is unbearable.”
Sure enough, as soon as we left the Management Bureau, Selene vented her hostility towards Kang Se-na.
Had I not exercised immense restraint and rejected Selene’s suggestions earlier, she might have initiated a terrible massacre.
“Calm down, Selene. If we make the Management Bureau our enemy, we’ll have nowhere else to go.”
“…Yes. It was not my intention to disturb my Lord.”
Upon my sincere plea, Selene slightly bowed her head in agreement.
I let out a sigh of relief internally.
Managing Selene felt like carrying a nuclear bomb that could explode at any moment.
No, considering its destructive power, it might be more potent than a nuclear bomb. And it’s not just one bomb. There are already three great calamities in the world equivalent to Selene, and one of them keeps watching me.
“Selene, what do you think about this incident? Was it Mirien’s doing after all?”
“Yes, Lord. Your prediction was correct. Without Mirien’s interference, Tempestra wouldn’t have gone berserk.”
The Grace of Thunder is a lightning attribute buff skill.
Storm Dragon Tempestra couldn’t naturally acquire such a skill.
“Why do you think Mirien cast the Grace of Thunder on Tempestra?”
“Allow me to speculate… Perhaps it was ultimately done to help you, my Lord.”
“Help?”
“Mirien likely intended to exterminate the Awakened Ones surrounding you, my Lord.”
I frowned, and Selene turned her head towards the direction of the Yeouido Tower.
“Regardless of whether they’re Awakened Ones or the Management Bureau, they’re all trivial obstacles to your grand purpose. Mirien likely intended to clean them up in order to assist with your plan. Quite a clear solution, for Mirien’s standards.”
“…”
What plan is she talking about?
Even I didn’t know about this grand plan, yet my subordinates did.
It was maddening, but I couldn’t show it. I coughed lightly before speaking to Selene.
“Ahhh, it’s still too early.”
“Yes. I also respect my Lord’s intentions. Eliminating obstacles can wait until later.”
Fortunately, Selene trusted every word I said like clockwork.
“If you wish, my Lord, I will personally warn that witch Mirien not to interfere with your plans.”
Selene voiced her opinion. However, considering her significant record of misconduct, I needed to be cautious.
Didn’t she annihilate every nest in the south the last time I ordered her to suppress a nest?
I always had to be careful when issuing orders to Selene.
“Selene, sure. Discuss this with Mirien on my behalf. But there is a condition.”
“What is the condition?”
“Under no circumstances should you fight with Mirien.”
“Hmm…”
“Absolutely none.”
“…Yes, my Lord, if it’s your wish, I will comply.”
Reluctantly, Selene nodded at my request. It seemed she intended to confront Mirien if not for my explicit orders.
After conversing with Selene for a while, we reached near my house.
However, the vicinity of my home was far from peaceful.
“Huh…”
The noise of chatter. A crowd was densely packed.
Each member of the crowd held either a camera or a microphone, clearly waiting for someone.
They were obviously journalists and cyber stalkers.
I have no idea how they discovered my address, but they were waiting for the homeowner, the first S-Rank Awakened One of South Korea.
And that person, unfortunately, was me.
Click.
I pulled out my phone from my pocket and called the contact I had just received.
[This is a secure line. What is it, the illustrious S-Rank Awakened One Mr. Nam Joo-yeon?]
A somewhat brusque voice came through the other end of the line.
Ms. Kang Se-na still seemed to be holding a grudge for the earlier incident.
“Ms. Kang Se-na… Perhaps I need a penthouse after all.”
Upon hearing my words, Ms. Kang Se-na sighed quietly before responding.
[I’ll talk to the higher-ups tomorrow. It’s after work hours now.]
“It’s not tomorrow I need it, but right now. The press is blocking my house; I can’t get in.”
[…]
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
I get it.
This is a terribly awkward situation.
Fortunately, Ms. Kang Se-na wasn’t one to let a golden opportunity slip away. She lightly tossed the following words.
[There aren’t many safe houses we can prepare immediately. But, coincidentally, there is one available. Would you come over?]
“Yes, please.”
[Check the address I’ll send via message.]
Ms. Kang Se-na maintained a businesslike tone until suddenly adding:
[By the way, it’s my home.]
“…Pardon?”
What did she just say?
