It has been two days since the eruption of The Rift, and while the entire world remains in shock, the Republic of Korea is swiftly adapting to the changes.
Notably, the existence of Awakened Ones has been officially recognized by the government.
[A notice to all Awakened Ones: Please register at the administrative office nearest to your residence.]
[We would also like to inform you that Awakened Ones failing to self-report may be subject to punishment under special legislation.]
An urgent disaster text message was sent to the entire population.
In the blink of an eye, an Awakened One certification system was implemented. Through its spokesperson, the government announced its intentions to manage the headquarters and possessed Calamities of all Awakened Ones.
Especially amusing was the situation where Awakened Ones within the military faced postponements of their discharge dates, in some cases by several years.
– “What nonsense is this? Why the hell do I have to extend my service in my final year?”
– “This country really treats men like dogs.”
– “Haha! I’ve already completed my reservist duties, so screw you!”
– “Why don’t the Awakened Ones just not report themselves? How would they even find out?”
To which some replied, “Are there no Awakened Ones among their lackeys? It’s been stated that Awakened Ones can recognize each other.”
While there were certainly those who expressed grievances about the matter, it had only been roughly a month since the world had changed, and people’s understanding was still stuck within the framework of the old system.
Hence, instead of resisting governmental authority, Awakened Ones flocked to self-report in great numbers, and the government screened those who exhibited exceptional growth potential among them.
This was for handling the most fearsome of Calamities stationed at Namsan.
“Um… Are we going to be okay?”
“We’ll be fine, man.”
Awakened One Yoo Jun-seo joked and lightly patted the soldier’s shoulder.
“Once we capture this 4-Star Calamity, the president won’t be able to say a word against us. In fact, our service period might even be shortened.”
“Is it really going to be like that?”
“Look, over there, that fifth-class civil servant bowing to us. He’s a clerk. Normally, we’d be worlds apart from him, yet here he is bending over for us. From now on, Awakened Ones will be at the center of power. We need to grab a slice of it now. Understand? I’ll soon become the Director of the Awakened One Management Bureau, and when that day comes, I’ll make sure to take care of all Awakened Ones, including you…”
Yoo Jun-seo passionately lectured the soldier Awakened One accompanying him.
Though his words might have sounded unrealistic, like chasing after pipe dreams, the soldier swallowed hard upon seeing the 2-Star Calamity “ember fox” hovering around Yoo Jun-seo.
Indeed. The world is no longer as it once was.
With this Awakened One, reaching the top is not an impossibility.
“Hey, you really are something extraordinary, Lord.”
“Hey, stop calling me that.”
While he said it out loud, the corners of Yoo Jun-seo’s lips were twitching.
Boasting two 2-Star Calamities, ember foxes, on either side, he was already widely known by the grand title of Flame King due to their fire attributes.
Doesn’t it feel nice?
Top of the server, indeed.
What was once a commoner, Yoo Jun-seo, had become the representative of Awakened Ones overnight.
“Be careful. This is the beast’s habitat.”
“I know.”
They were heading toward Namsan.
The reason, of course, was to deal with the Hellfire Guardian.
Soon enough, the group of Awakened Ones confirmed the Hellfire Guardian coiled up sleeping in the crater.
[4★ Hellfire Guardian is sleeping.]
“Correct. It’s 4-Star.”
“It doesn’t look so tough, though.”
“That’s ridiculous. The bastard killed a thousand people during the last eruption.”
Jun-seo came from humble beginnings — a cautious man who always double-checked before crossing even a small bridge.
Thus, he discreetly signaled the soldiers without moving his ember fox forward.
He had no intention of taking unnecessary risks. He aimed to kill the Hellfire Guardian in one swift move while it slept.
The soldiers summoned their Calamities; leaf fairies and forest sprites appeared en masse.
But were they too noisy?
[4★ Hellfire Guardian’s eyes open.]
[4★ Hellfire Guardian is staring at you.]
“Shit! That bastard’s awake!”
“Shit!”
Someone’s urgent voice triggered a signal.
Bullets fired. The Hellfire Guardian became riddled with bullets but twisted its body as if only slightly irritated.
Then it roared.
[4★ Hellfire Guardian is enraged.]
Whoosh!
A mane resembling the sun unfolded.
Even from a distance, the searing heat was palpable.
“Summon your Calamities! Stop it from charging at us!”
At the soldier’s cry, the forest sprites and leaf fairies guided by the other soldiers surged toward the Hellfire Guardian.
However, with their grass attributes, they could not possibly match the fire attribute of the Hellfire Guardian. The sprites melted in a single breath, and the fairies were torn apart with a single kick.
“Aaaaaah!”
“Shit! Keep shooting!”
With a snap, the Hellfire Guardian killed one soldier and turned its bloodshot eyes toward Yoo Jun-seo.
“Shit! You’re insanely strong!”
Jun-seo signaled.
[2★ Ember Foxes attack.]
Before the Hellfire Guardian could charge, the two ember foxes bit into its hind legs.
Their fire attribute minimized the damage; it was only meant to restrain it. The baton had now passed to Jun-seo.
No matter the cost, he had to kill the beast himself. This was less about noble righteousness and more about base personal desire.
As Yoo Jun-seo, with resolved determination, drove his weapon into the gaping maw of the Hellfire Guardian…
[2★ Ember Foxes are overcome by fear.]
[4★ Hellfire Guardian is overcome by fear.]
A figure appeared beyond the ridge.
It had the form of a woman.
The woman, cloaked in a blazing veil, had long ash-colored hair.
The ember foxes, even the Hellfire Guardian, were startled, took a step back, and bowed their heads low.
“…W-Who’s that woman?”
“Is she Awakened?”
“No, it can’t be. It’s a… a Calamity.”
“A Calamity? Does a Calamity shaped like a person even exist?”
“She’s insanely strong, so she could.”
Jun-seo, standing closest, clearly saw it:
The name tag floating above her head.
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene]
Likely a name known to everyone worldwide.
One of the four great pillars of this world.
The Blackened Saint Selene had appeared in this location.
The flames cloaking her did not merely burn everything within reach; they melted the remaining forest sprites and leaf fairies.
A different league of flames.
No match for ember foxes.
Soon, The Blackened Saint Selene drew her sword toward the Hellfire Guardian.
Yoo Jun-seo, watching, managed to see the information of the sword she carried.
[5☆ Scorching Spike Sword]
“Five stars?! Even the equipment? Why?”
Until now, no wild Calamity had ever been seen with equipment.
That means, someone is controlling this Calamity.
Could they have farmed a 5-Star item in just ten days?
And even a 5-Star Calamity too?
[5★ The Blackened Saint Selene spreads conflagration.]
Whirls of searing flames enveloped the area where the Hellfire Guardian stood.
Without even a chance to scream, the Hellfire Guardian was engulfed by the flames and turned to ash.
That was the end.
[4★ Hellfire Guardian has been defeated.]
[Reward: 20Exp]
Experience points were shared among Yoo Jun-seo and the soldiers nearby.
Selene’s gaze then shifted to the soldiers and Yoo Jun-seo.
“…H, Hhmm.”
Jun-seo took a step back and tripped over a rock, falling over.
Was he about to die?
But, contrary to expectations, Selene showed disinterest, turning her head and began walking in the direction she came from.
As they breathed a sigh of relief, a plump civil servant who had been watching from a distance rushed toward them, shouting.
“Ah, Awakened One! May I ask for your name!”
Awakened Ones can identify other Awakened Ones and Calamities.
However, a bureaucrat who indulges in armchair theorization isn’t an Awakened One. Therefore, he mistakenly thought this Calamity was merely a powerful Awakened One.
A powerful Awakened One capable of killing a Hellfire Guardian with a single blow. Thus, it was natural to recruit them.
But this wasn’t an Awakened One.
It was a Calamity in human form.
“Hey! Stop it! That woman….”
Before Jun-seo could shout, Selene turned her head.
When the civil servant met her gaze, he forced a businesslike smile.
“I-I… am from the Awakened One Management Bureau. If you’d care to discuss matters at a nearby café?…”
“…”
“Ahaha. Our bureau has prepared various facilities for Awakened Ones. You’ll become a government affiliate…a hero… Here at our Bureau, you’ll receive an annual salary of five billion….”
“…”
“No, ten billion!”
“…”
“Anything… Anything you ask…”
As the civil servant continued to speak, his voice gradually faded away.
Regaining his senses, he realized the woman before him was not human.
After all, what human in their right mind would wander around in broad daylight in a bare nun’s habit? And what about this eerie atmosphere around her?
“Who are you…”
Soon, a voice filled with scorching anger came.
Although hoarse, it was clearly a melodious voice.
“…Are you offering me a bribe?”
“Huh?”
“My Lord is the Master of the Abyss and the Ruler of The Rift, Actor. How could one sword have two masters? Your actions amount to blasphemy and not only insult me but my Lord as well.”
“Uhmmm…”
The moment the civil servant tried to muster a sheepish smile,
Thud!
The Scorching Spike Sword pierced through his chest.
Blood spurted out.
“This is your punishment. Do not dare extend your filthy hand again. My only Lord is Actor. No one else.”
At the end of her speech, Selene shook the blood off her sword and turned.
Rising flames enveloped her body.
Moments later, she was nowhere to be found.
Except for something—
A plump man’s corpse lying still.
“…”
The soldier Awakened One and Yoo Jun-seo were lost, unable to process what had just happened.
After some time,
Yoo Jun-seo, regaining his composure, revisited what the 5-Star Calamity The Blackened Saint Selene had said.
“Ah… Ac… Actor?”
Yoo Jun-seo mumbled.
The incident would alone be enough to fill headlines for months to come. All centered around these two letters—Actor.
*
[The Blackened Saint Selene appears in Namsan!]
[Is Actor, the ruler of The Rift, behind this incident?]
[The government suspects the previous Hellfire Guardian incident was byActor, the Master of the Abyss…]
[…]
“…Shit.”
In the blink of an eye, I had become a public enemy.
Not the Lord of the Abyss but gone to the Abyss.
END
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