[Management Bureau Chief Yoo Jun-seo, Promoted to S-Rank Awakened One]
– I admit, he’s quite the guy. Looks and abilities are separate things, after all.
– Yoo Jun-seo has been overshadowed by Nam Joo-yeon, but he stood out from the start. He was a member of the initial Hellfire Guardian extermination team and was also present during the last tower eruption. Since he’s already showcased all his capabilities, there’s nothing surprising this time.
– I thought the U.S. and China only have one or two of these ranks… but now he seems ready to shine on the international stage. Is he going to become one of the strongest?
– While it’s good, I’m unsure if the country giving special treatment to these individuals isn’t just wasting taxpayer money.
– If S-Rank Awakened Ones leave for overseas, what then? The state needs to keep them tied down.
– So, will you personally protect the country then? ㅋㅋ Aren’t we safe thanks to these people? It’d be better to cut useless politicians’ salaries.
– My heart swells with pride! The Republic of Korea has produced yet another S-Rank Awakened One. Isn’t this proof of national prosperity?! Once we were overshadowed by the great powers, but now it’s our time to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them. Korea’s potential is limitless! A country where the blood of a strong nation flows to produce S-Rank Awakened Ones! Our ancestors would be so proud! Long live the Republic of Korea!
-Why does this template retard keep commenting?
Yoo Jun-seo starts his day by checking the news articles.
More specifically, he doesn’t focus on the articles themselves but on the comments attached to them, paying particular attention to those with the most likes.
In that sense, today’s morning news comments were excellent. While some critical comments existed, the majority celebrating him with admiration took up the top spots.
Yoo Jun-seo’s shoulders quaked slightly.
“Uhuhuh.”
An unsettling smile slid through the gap in his slightly parted teeth.
Yoo Jun-seo turned his head to look at his new lackey standing guard beside him.
[4★ Guardian of Crimson Flames is monitoring you.]
Though the state window used the term “monitoring,” the Guardian of Crimson Flames had no eyes. In fact, it didn’t even have arms or legs. Yoo Jun-seo’s new Calamity was simply a suit of ebony armor encased in flames—a floating living armor.
Though the Guardian of Crimson Flames wasn’t a named calamity and its combat capabilities weren’t excellent because its tanking ability was the only thing that had been extremely enhanced, how important could that really be?
Yoo Jun-seo had a 4-Star Calamity, and it had given him the sweet title of S-Rank Awakened One.
That was all Yoo Jun-seo needed.
“Kang Se-na, so… don’t you think I should be referred to as Emperor of Flames rather than just King?”
“…What exactly are you blabbering about at this ridiculous hour?”
Kang Se-na, who was organizing documents, raised an eyebrow.
Despite her sharp gaze, Yoo Jun-seo felt a little deflated but didn’t stop talking.
“No, I was called Flame King when I was A-Rank, but now I’m incomparable S-Rank. I think I should be called something different from my old nickname. That’s basically it.”
Yoo Jun-seo tried to talk earnestly, but Kang Se-na sighed deeply.
How did this man manage to succeed in synthesizing a 4-Star Calamity?
“Truly, the end of times.”
Kang Se-na muttered so quietly it was almost inaudible to Yoo Jun-seo.
Seemingly, he had become entirely smitten with Nam Joo-yeon’s performance at the last meeting. Since Nam Joo-yeon’s departure for Daejeon, Yoo Jun-seo had been spouting meaningless talk about carrying on his legacy and the need for independence from the government.
But for some reason, he rolled the dice by using both of his 3-Star Calamities in a synthesis.
“Wow, that success is more surprising.”
In front of everyone’s eyes, his high-stakes gamble paid off.
By this point, Kang Se-na couldn’t help but admit it—Yoo Jun-seo wasn’t riding the wave; he had merely been extremely lucky.
“Anyhow, with Seoul’s power bolstered, it’s a good thing. If you truly want people to call you Emperor of Flames, I can provide guidelines to the press, but personally, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Why?”
“There’s already a highly renowned Awakened One known as the Dragon King. If someone claiming to be a latecomer starts self-declaring as emperor, there might be some backlash, wouldn’t there?”
“…Ah.”
Appealing to the absent Nam Joo-yeon’s argument convinced Yoo Jun-seo, who nodded and loudly proclaimed,
“Then I must meet Nam Joo-yeon!”
“Uh… what conclusion led you to that, Director?”
Kang Se-na wasn’t curious but asked anyway just by looking at Yoo Jun-seo’s expression.
“Dragon Emperor and Flame Emperor! Together known as Dual Emperors! The two guardians of the Republic of Korea!”
“…Hmph.”
At this point, she was seriously considering throwing in the towel.
“Director Yoo?”
Seo Ye-rin entered the office with a stack of documents.
“What is it now?”
Yoo Jun-seo seemed to have lost interest in most things, repetitively liking and disliking news article comments.
Seo Ye-rin cautiously began.
“Uh… there’s someone here who wants to see you…”
“Who? Don’t I look busy?”
“…Well, it’s someone quite… high up.”
“High-ranking?”
After wavering for a moment, Seo Ye-rin replied.
“National Security Office…”
“….”
Yoo Jun-seo snapped to attention immediately.
—
As soon as he returned to Seoul, he found that the Management Bureau building was hosting some event.
[Congratulatory Event for the Awakened One Management Bureau]
“…The taxpayers’ money is being wasted.”
What kind of event that celebrates the success of a single synthesis warranted such extravagance when they should be supporting soldiers?
Moreover, this event didn’t seem to be solely for Yoo Jun-seo. Newly appointed cabinet members were gathered, chatting informally.
“…Ah, Mr. Nam Joo-yeon…”
Most of them suddenly tensed when they saw him walk into the building.
This was due to the ruckus he had created in a recent meeting. Even those who weren’t present must have heard about the congressman with a broken nose who was still hospitalized.
To them, I must look like an asymmetrical force capable of overthrowing the government at a moment’s notice depending on my mood.
That’s probably why among the lively attendees of the Management Bureau’s event, there was only one person who approached me.
“Ah, Mr. Nam Joo-yeon! Please come in! Did your regional work go well?”
A-grade Awakened One Seo Ye-rin approached, evidently oblivious to how her cheerful greetings might appear to the watching congressmen.
Seo Ye-rin exchanged pleasantries before showing me her phone with a broad smile.
“Did you see this? You’ve got a solid rival now!”
[S-Rank Awakened One Dynasty Emerges… The Era of the Flame Emperor and Dragon Emperor, What Lies Ahead?]
“…What is this?”
It just occurred to me how much the press loves to exaggerate dramatically.
At that moment, I saw something shocking through Seo Ye-rin’s phone screen.
[My goodness, this is nothing but a sign of our nation’s prosperity… seeing how our Republic of Korea produces talents like these, our ancestors must be delighted…! The Flame Emperor and the Dragon Emperor protecting our nation, leading in the world will not be far from now! Citizens! Stand tall! The Republic of Korea… is advancing!] (Edit / Delete)
A typical nationalist template comment from a news article.
However, the concerning detail was the “Edit” button right next to the comment box.
So, the person who wrote this must have been…
“Could Miss Seo Ye-rin possibly be that passionate nationalist?”
I stumbled upon a fact I didn’t want to know.
They say ignorance is bliss.
The cheerful ignorance she had seemed to vanish in my eyes.
Nevertheless, I didn’t give her any hints but coughed and changed the topic.
“Anyways, Miss Seo Ye-rin, where’s Director Yoo Jun-seo, the guest of honor?”
Yoo Jun-seo wasn’t anywhere in the event hall.
Given his personality, he should have been standing on the podium for applause.
“He went to speak with some government officials, so he’s not at his seat.”
“Government officials? Talk?”
“Hmm… Sister Se-na said not to disclose it, but I think it’s better for Dragon Emperor to know.”
Seo Ye-rin had a brain capacity light enough to match her loose lips.
She gave me a subtle smile and whispered.
“It’s the National Security Office. Sister Se-na said it’s a direct organization under the president! Isn’t that impressive? Have you met them already, Mr. Nam Joo-yeon?”
“…Hmph.”
At that moment, I made eye contact with Kang Se-na approaching me.
She summarized the situation with a single wink of an eye.
The National Security Office summoned Yoo Jun-seo.
Whatever it implied, it wasn’t any scenario that seemed particularly satisfying.
“Miss Seo Ye-rin, as it happens to be our first meeting in a while, I would like to talk more, but I have an urgent matter. Unfortunately, we’ll meet another time and go out for a meal.”
“A, Ah! When’s the next time?!”
Seo Ye-rin didn’t understand subtleties.
“Th…en, let’s meet next week, next week.”
“Yes! Anytime works for me!”
Thus, I shook her off and headed to the outdoor restroom.
After confirming no one was tailing me, I summoned Mirien.
[Summoning 5★ Storm Mirien]
“Actor, why?”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard just now, but something seems a bit off. What do you think Yoo Jun-seo is discussing with the National Security Office?”
“…Mmm. What is that, anyway?”
Right. Mirien probably wouldn’t know.
And I suppose even the ignorant Selene wouldn’t either.
But as someone who grew up in this nation, I couldn’t hide the uneasy feeling.
“If you don’t know, you’ll find out. Can you track that guy Yoo Jun-seo? You’ve seen him before.”
“Actor, what do you think I am? As long as he doesn’t leave this planet, he won’t escape my watch.”
“Good. Track Yoo Jun-seo and find out what he’s discussing with the government.”
“Got it.”
Mirien’s body transformed into a stream of light and dissipated.
She would likely use tracking magic from the summit of the Tower.
In the meantime, I moved in the opposite direction. Since the Blue House was partly destroyed and the National Assembly houses the Tower of Mirien, the administrative office of the Republic of Korea, including the current presidential office, has been relocated to the Jongno district. Slipping into a nearby alley, I pulled my hood deep and called Selene.
[Summoning 5★ The Blackened Saint Selene]
“Selene.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Be prepared. Just in case.”
“For what, my Lord?”
“Preparations for a fight.”
It’s better to assume the worst.
