One week later.
Many things had changed.
[“Expectations and Concerns” – The Abolition of the Awakened One Management Law… What’s the Reason?]
The government seemed to have taken very seriously the warning I put out. Lawmakers, usually slow to act, moved faster than ever before.
First, the legislature abolished all laws related to the Awakened One Management Law.
The executive branch also recalled all external auditors stationed at the Awakened One Management Bureau, and the minister-level civil servants involved in the previous incident were summarily dismissed, finding themselves unemployed like Vienna sausages.
[The Sudden Abolition of Legislation Following the Assassination of High-Ranking Government Officials… What Lies Behind It?]
Of course, no matter how much it was about survival, it’s true that I had resorted to assassination, the last means, to push through my intentions.
The media and the public were paying attention to whether there might be a connection between the abolition of the Awakened One Management Law and the previous terrorist attack.
However, there was no evidence. Selene had quietly completed her mission, and the busybodies who threw out suspicions would never have dreamed that the Republic of Korea’s first S-Rank Awakened One was behind it all.
In the end, the theories remained mere suspicions.
—
“Seriously, wasn’t there a terrorist attack by Awakened Ones just last week? Why abolish the Awakened One Management Law? Did someone take a bribe? Honestly, this is making me nervous.”
“Seoul, you’re soon going to be in the same situation as the provinces. Get ready. It won’t be long.”
—
Though public sentiment was hostile, it wasn’t enough to stop the reorganization of the Awakened One Management Bureau.
After the tumultuous week, the Awakened One Management Bureau was renamed the Awakened One Association…
“Association President Yoo Jun-seo! How does it sound, Joo-yeon? Doesn’t it have a good ring to it?”
Yoo Jun-seo seemed to like the title of “Association President” very much, and for some unknown reason, he even donned a suit and applied wax to his hair before attending the unveiling ceremony.
I barely managed to suppress the urge to tease him about his hairstyle, which looked like it had been licked by a donkey. Still, restraining him required carrots more than sticks.
“It’s not bad. Truly, Yoo Jun-seo, the symbol of the Republic of Korea. How about wearing this outfit even during outbreaks?”
“Ah, good idea? Mr. Nam Joo-yeon, you really have an eye for detail, don’t you?”
Completely misunderstanding the sarcasm, Yoo Jun-seo grinned and picked up the scissors.
“I’ve always wanted to do this at least once in my life.”
“It appears so.”
“Heh.”
With a sinister smile, Yoo Jun-seo performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Applause erupted.
The Awakened One Management Bureau—now known as the Awakened One Association—had become an organization separate from the government.
Though there were still some overlapping authorities, the Association had gained the power to assert its will on equal footing with the government.
An organization by the Awakened Ones, for the Awakened Ones, and of the Awakened Ones.
“We’re going to be busy from now on.”
On the other hand, Kang Se-na, sitting beside me, had dark circles that extended almost to her cheeks, likely due to the backlog of work.
While Yoo Jun-seo only had to make appearances at formal events, the field workers were going to have a rough time.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Don’t mention it. I don’t feel like being consoled by a man who’s been rejected twice.”
Kang Se-na smirked as she said this, and we quietly watched the inauguration ceremony.
An unnamed minister who attended the event glanced around nervously, and when his eyes met mine, he jumped as if he were about to collapse. I barely managed to suppress a laugh.
Kang Se-na couldn’t help but chuckle for a while.
“It seems high-ranking officials are afraid of you, Mr. Nam Joo-yeon.”
“We must rule through fear; that’s how absolute rulers operate.”
Upon hearing my muttering, Kang Se-na looked at me with a surprised expression.
“Mr. Nam Joo-yeon, do you know something?”
“What is it?”
“You look completely different from the first time we met.”
“There’s been a lot.”
Much more than could be easily explained.
[The Rift is erupting.]
[You can collect various calamities during The Rift’s eruption.]
[Defeat calamities and dominate them. Dominated calamities will become loyal minions, strengthening your base.]
[Eruption will end in 6 hours.]
A few days later, a message announcing the fifth eruption appeared.
It was the first time we were facing an eruption as the Association, no longer as the Management Bureau. All eyes in Seoul were on us. Therefore, we had to be more determined than ever to ensure no harm came to civilians this time.
And…
“Hahaha! This is the Emperor of Flames!”
At the end of the day, I realized just how wonderful it was to have another S-Rank Awakened One.
[4★ Guardian of Crimson Flames uses skill «Undying Armor».]
Yoo Jun-seo’s 4-star calamity, Guardian of Crimson Flames, proved its worth right in the heart of Seoul.
This calamity, in the form of a massive armor, didn’t have an especially remarkable attack power. However, it boasted tremendous durability, high defense, and a skill set that provided all-around support to its party members, making it a tank class calamity.
In short, in situations like this, where many Awakened Ones work together to defend against waves, it performed just as effectively as my Storm Dragon.
Ku-koo-koo-koo!
When the Guardian of Crimson Flames swung its giant gauntlet, the road instantly turned into a sea of flames. One-star calamities crumbled into ash without even daring to touch the armor.
After all, even for a defensive calamity, four-stars are still four-stars.
Disaster Order’s balance forms a very steep pyramid. While the difference between four-stars and five-stars isn’t exactly comparable, the difference between three-stars and four-stars calamities is substantial enough not to be overlooked.
Therefore, even a non-named four-star calamity was able to handle lower-tier calamities effortlessly.
[4★ Guardian of Crimson Flames uses skill «Regenerating Flame».]
A living armor that completely blocked a street while spewing bright red flames.
The sight of it made the Awakened Ones marvel, evoking the awe that every man secretly feels.
With three four-star calamities, Seoul was probably the safest city in the world during situations like the current eruption.
“How’s that, Miss Kang Se-na? Don’t I definitely qualify as S-Rank?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
While Yoo Jun-seo continued to spout his need for recognition, I looked over my status screen. At the same time, I issued a separate command to Mirien.
The goal was to scout for dangerous calamities and weed them out before the next wave.
[5★ Storm Mirien uses skill «Eye of the Storm».]
Mirien’s reconnaissance showed, fortunately, that no 4-star calamities would emerge during this eruption.
It was nothing short of miraculous. If a 4-star calamity were to run rampant in the heart of Seoul, the damage would have been immense.
[The Rift’s eruption has ended.]
[Strengthen your base using the calamities you’ve dominated.]
[Time until the next eruption: 13d 23h]
A few hours later, the fifth eruption ended.
Remarkably, there was no damage.
Even though it was larger than the previous fourth eruption, there were no civilian casualties — close to a miracle.
‘With this, the government can’t say anything bad about us anymore.’
Due to this incident, the Awakened One Association’s influence soared vertically, and a new wind would blow through the Republic of Korea.
A new system led by Awakened Ones.
Its protagonist would be this ordinary man who had served in community service.
“But, Se-na, I have an issue.”
While I was thinking about that, Yoo Jun-seo approached Kang Se-na with the restlessness of someone who really needed to use the bathroom.
Exhaling a deep sigh, Kang Se-na responded.
“Again?”
“It seems like the wax has all melted away due to the heat.”
Yoo Jun-seo clutched his limp, messy hair with a wry face.
At that moment, Kang Se-na and I made eye contact.
She silently pleaded with her eyes, “Please help me.”
I ignored her.
Ding.
[5★ Storm Mirien has completed calamity fusion.]
[Reward: 50 Exp / 3★ Wave Tracker]
[…]
[5★ Storm Mirien has completed calamity fusion.]
[Reward: 50 Exp / 3★ Ghostly Flame]
Over the next two days, I poured all the calamities obtained from the Daejeon Nest and the eruption into fusions.
As a result, I produced a total of five 3-star calamities.
Although I failed to obtain a 4-star calamity, there was nothing to lament since the game rules stated that the probability of obtaining a 4-star calamity through fusion was less than 5%.
Moreover, since the developers had not disclosed the fusion probability, I had manually calculated it using an Excel sheet.
In truth, Yoo Jun-seo pulling out a 4-star calamity at once was a rare case.
“This should be enough firepower for now.”
Anyway, the calamities I currently possessed included two 5-stars, three 4-stars, and eleven 3-stars.
A force equivalent to what would be needed to overthrow an entire nation.
While Mother of Omens Karne’s amassed followers may be more numerous, it would certainly not end in total defeat.
Still, Karne has the «Mother’s Call» skill, which ensures the fusion of summons. So her acquisition rate was quicker than my power buildup.
Hence, it is correct to confront Karne without delay.
“Let’s go, Selene, Mirien. To China.”
Said with great gusto after careful deliberation, my two major calamities responded tepidly.
“…Ugh.”
Selene nodded but her lips curved into a wavy shape, while Mirien calmly twisted her forefinger into her hair, curling it.
Their facial expressions clearly conveyed their reluctance to follow.
I sighed and asked.
“You two, why do you dislike Karne so much?”
Unable to watch any longer, I questioned, and differing answers came back.
“That woman is vulgar. She dares to seduce our Lord with indecent clothing and lewd behavior. Worse still, she even calls herself the mother of our Lord in that foul body! It is infuriating. Does she plan to claim Virgin Birth or what?”
“Both Asteria and Karne, that woman, are old hags. I don’t want to talk to old women.”
“… How have you two not fought until now?”
The more I witness this, the more amazed I am that the internal strife never happened back in the game.
“Well then, Lord, how do you plan to reach the location of that woman?”
“The government has prepared a chartered flight for me.”
“… And if they cause trouble?”
Selene asked with a worried expression.
Although the negotiations ended amicably, the unease remained that the government might still attempt to shoot down my plane.
“So, I’ve thought of a method.”
“What is it?”
“I plan to take someone else with me.”
“One person?”
Selene tilted her head.
I pulled out my phone and pressed one of the names in my contact list.
The dial tone didn’t last more than twice.
[Uh… Mr. Nam Joo-yeon? What is the matter with the Association…?]
Association President Yoo Jun-seo nervously answered the call.
Apparently, he found speaking to me quite ominous.
Of course, Yoo Jun-seo’s ominous premonition was going to hit the mark soon.
I grinned mischievously and said,
“Let’s go on a trip, shall we?”
[Huh?]
“To China.”
Just in case, I decided to take along a safety measure.
