“Absolutely not! How can both S-Rank Awakened Ones leave Korea at the same time!”
Naturally, the government panicked.
The loss of two key Awakened Ones crucial to Seoul’s defense leaving for a foreign country—especially China, which is currently fraught with ominous rumors—was something they had every right to oppose.
However…
“Does the government have any authority to control Awakened Ones? Isn’t that entirely under the Association’s jurisdiction?”
Preparations had already been made behind the scenes.
With the Awakened Ones Special Law repealed, the government no longer had any means to hold us back.
What they ended up devising instead was persuasion.
“Still, for two esteemed figures vital to the pride of the Republic of Korea, any misfortune while in China would put the nation at great risk. Please, make the decision for your country…”
“There won’t be any issues. Don’t worry. We plan to return before the next eruption begins.”
I had roughly planned this journey for about a week.
With Mirien’s tracking magic in place, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find Karne.
“And besides, if the disappearance of merely two people causes the nation to falter, one could argue that it’s not much of a nation, right? Did the country do anything for the Awakened Ones during the last eruption? Didn’t you see us handle it all on our own without causing damage?”
“Ugh… Uuuuhh…”
As I shot back, the government official could no longer find words to argue with.
Yoo Jun-seo alternated his gaze between me and the man beside him before scratching the back of his head and giving an awkward smile.
“South Joo-yeon, but that was my line…”
“Does it even matter?”
I picked up the phone.
Before leaving with Yoo Jun-seo, there was one more person I needed to fetch. It wouldn’t be difficult to find him since Kang Se-na had already located him.
Shortly after, seeing the man dragged in like a criminal, I grinned.
“Why are you bringing me along?”
“Considering China, who better knows it than you?”
The nickname “Laoying,” China’s Scout.
Our guide and interpreter.
“We need someone who understands the situation in China well, and you’re the best choice, right? Isn’t that true?”
“I, well…”
Laoying reluctantly nodded.
In the end, the three of us boarded a private jet.
I wanted to bring Selene and Mirien as well, but there were eyes watching. I intended to summon them when necessary after we arrived on Chinese soil.
“But South Joo-yeon, will the government really let us go? What if they launch a surface-to-air missile and take out the plane…”
Yoo Jun-seo looked worried.
“That won’t happen.”
The government wouldn’t dare do something so rash.
I wasn’t flying alone; safety net Yoo Jun-seo was with me. As mentioned earlier, the government isn’t so foolish as to eliminate two S-Rank Awakened Ones crucial to Seoul’s defense for the sake of power. Besides, I had a five-star defense mechanism with me, and Mirien and Selene were keeping their keen eyes out for any unforeseen circumstances. There was no worry of death.
“By the way, did you know this is my first time on a plane?”
“Well, I didn’t know, and I don’t particularly care to.”
“Uh, uh, sorry.”
As the plane took off and Yoo Jun-seo engaged me in trivial conversation, I turned my gaze to Laoying.
Having two S-Rank Awakened Ones in front of him, he was like a mouse in front of two cats.
“So, Scout.”
“Y-yes! Yes!”
“How’s the current situation in China? Any significant difference since what we heard a few weeks ago?”
In response to my question, Laoying scratched the back of his head uneasily before speaking.
“Actually, the situation has deteriorated to the point where it’s impossible to accurately assess.”
“What do you mean?”
“A week ago, the Party issued an order. The 22 provinces were instructed to fend for themselves…”
“…Sounds like the Warring States period.”
“Yes, it’s quite similar. The Alliance managing China’s Awakened Ones has also become largely nominal, and most Awakened Ones, other than a few loyal figures, have fled to the provinces. Some have even escaped to India, Russia, or Mongolia.”
“Is China’s situation that dire?”
“Given the large population, the calamities emanating from the Rift also seem to be abundant. The crow calamities have increased so much that half of Hebei Province has fallen into their hands. It’s no longer a situation that one nation alone can handle.”
“Hmm.”
The mother of omens, Karne, whom I let loose, was causing a ruckus in China.
This could truly be called the Taiping Rebellion of the 21st Century.
“South Joo-yeon, we’re going to China to chase the actor, the Master of the Abyss, right? Does that mean all the turmoil in China is his doing?”
Yoo Jun-seo, who had been listening to the story, interjected with a question.
I smiled wryly in response.
“Yes, more or less. Not a wrong assumption.”
It was rather an astute guess.
—
Black wings leave no survivors.
It has always been so wherever the touch of Karne, Mother of Omens, has reached.
The ground is riddled with decay, and streams of blood converge, transforming into Karne’s subjects.
“Come, my children. Let’s paint the world with our feathers.”
The Mother of Omens, Karne, faintly smiled, smoothing her lips veiled in the shadows.
Long ago, she had rid herself of lingering attachments.
She wasn’t strong enough to remain attached to severed ties. The title Mother of Life, Mother of All fell into ridicule long ago.
The last refuge of her heart, Actor, had abandoned her. What remained for Karne was only the instinct for destruction.
Then it happened.
A sudden, distant but familiar sensation brushed by, fleeting though unmistakable.
Karne, whose senses were the sharpest among all the great calamities, narrowed her eerie yellow eyes, her slit pupils facing east.
“Actor, my child, you’ve finally come to your mother.”
Her voice was low and gentle, yet laced with emotion that couldn’t be concealed.
She’d anticipated his arrival but hadn’t expected it now.
“How intriguing.”
This was a land thoroughly soaked in death, untouched by anyone daring to approach.
Karne had spread the omen of crows to deter Actor’s approach.
Yet here he came, her tiresome child, searching for her.
“Actor.”
Though not yet fully within reach, the encounter was imminent.
Her former master, now reduced to mere mortal, approached.
Karne’s lips curled slowly.
Licking them, she raised a hand, at which the crows around her crouching flew up.
Feeling a certain interest, Karne murmured quietly.
“Let’s see. Tell me your story.”
Fiery crimson energy began to swirl at her fingertips.
Having no intention to wait, she would go straight to him.
Her bare feet began to move eastward.
—
The flight itself didn’t take long.
Upon arriving at Chengdu International Airport and disembarking the private jet, we couldn’t help but face a chaotic scene.
“Is China usually this quiet?”
“The airport’s been closed for two months already. You two are essentially our only customers aside from freight planes.”
“That’s right. Counting you, there are three of us.”
Laoying’s expression crumpled.
Trying to escape didn’t look good. Grabbing his scruffy nape, I approached the crowd that had come to greet us.
Before anyone could speak, a man walked out from among them.
Being an Awakened One myself, I could immediately tell.
That man was an Awakened One.
“…Surely not S-Rank?”
“Yes… He recently became S-Rank. His codename is Lei Hu.”
“Lei Hu, huh. His appearance doesn’t sit well with me.”
I frowned.
Lei Hu looked closer to a thug.
Closely cropped hair, a square jaw, scruffy beard.
They say physiognomy is a science. I’ve had a few experiences with it.
Nailgun during the first eruption, Han Tae-geon from the second eruption, and Jeon Tae-min from Daejeon.
I readied myself to summon the Rock Crusher by manipulating my status window. Yoo Jun-seo tensed his body as well.
When the Awakened One Lei Hu reached us, he said something. Though in the accursed Chinese language I couldn’t understand the words, his tense tone and emphatic pronunciation clearly showed his hostility toward us.
“Hey, what’s this foul-smelling guy muttering about?”
I hit Laoying on the back of his head to request a translation.
He glanced at me nervously and cautiously asked.
“Should I translate it as is?”
“Of course, translations should be direct. What’s this about paraphrasing?”
“A, ahahaha.”
Laoying delivered the message with an awkward smile.
“Your hard travels here are much appreciated. My name is Lei Hu, and as a representative of the China Awakened Association, I’ve come to welcome you. I hope this meeting will lead to a good relationship.”
“But I told you not to paraphrase.”
“No, no! He really said that!”
Laoying argued urgently, and I furrowed my brows, looking at the Awakened One Lei Hu before me. He smiled faintly and extended a hand, speaking.
The translated message was the following.
“It’s an honor to meet the heroes of Korea. Please bear with my insufficient guidance.”
Lei Hu’s eyes were filled with respect for us.
“…Eh.”
He was an admirer.
