Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Shortcut

On one side of the labyrinth entrance, a small office existed.

I followed Lee Heeyeon in, sat on the sofa, and fiddled with the leather.

Not just soft, but a bit rough, the feeling was strange.

“It's made of kobold leather.”

Lee Heeyeon smiled softly.

“Would you like some tea?”

Lee Heeyeon who placed the tea on the sofa table sat perched opposite.

A refreshing scent soon filled the office.

“It's tea made by boiling green leaves. Made from the fallen leaves of the Life Water.”

Boiling tea with Nehemis's Life Water and drinking it.

A novel idea.

Naturally, I have no thought of refusing the tea.

A life of only tasteless and expensive elixirs in reality.

I should at least drink it in the tower.

Slurp.

Sweet and refreshing.

At the same time, a feeling that the string tightly pulling the mind loosens a bit.

Does it have the effect of recovering mental strength to some extent.

The exact effect was hard to know, but naturally the mood improved.

I asked Lee Heeyeon a bit softly.

“What did you call me for?”

It doesn't seem like she called for a bad matter.

Lee Heeyeon who maintained a low posture throughout guiding me and boiling tea.

Even now, she was looking at me with an uneasy expression.

While lightly trembling her pupils, she said.

“First···I hope you absolutely don't misunderstand. The association and the state have not the slightest thought of restraining or restricting Hunter Transcendence. I swear on everything I have.”

···A natural thing.

Awakener control that even China and Russia gave up.

There was no reason for Korea to do such a thing anywhere.

“...”

Situation judgment was fast.

But the actual words to bring out don't come to mind.

Was I originally this bad at speaking.

Or did my personality change because of the 8 years of imprisonment.

Honestly, I don't know well.

Is it the aftereffect of the accident, or because too much time has passed.

I couldn't accurately remember about the me before the accident.

As I kept my mouth shut, Lee Heeyeon continued speaking with a trembling voice.

“To speak honestly, Awakener Transcendence's growth speed is an absurd level. Especially this time, deducting 420 points, earning 4200 points, it's a figure that completely departs from common sense.”

I lightly nodded.

Meaning to say more.

Lee Heeyeon who lightly took a sip of tea took out something from her bosom.

This time too, that.

A business card.

At this point, it seemed certain that the basic manners of awakeners is handing over a business card.

I received the business card and examined it.

[Republic of Korea Hunter Association Personnel Management Department]

[Lee Heeyeon]

Affiliation and name, phone number and address.

A simple and clean business card.

“Could you look at the back once?”

At Lee Heeyeon's words, I flipped the business card to the back.

And paused for a moment.

A code that can't be seen on an ordinary business card was engraved.

“It's a connection code exclusive to awakeners provided by the association. Limited to domestic, a special line that can be used even in remote areas where communication and internet networks are cut off.”

Lee Heeyeon shone the code with the phone camera.

A new screen connected when pressing the connection code that floated on the screen.

There was nothing special.

It was all numbers and a few letters.

──────────────────

1. Emergency contact.

2. Information.

──────────────────

Lee Heeyeon said.

“If you press 1 in an emergency, you can contact me. If by any chance you are in a difficult situation and need help, the association will step forward for Mr. Transcendence. Whenever, in any situation.”

“...”

Instead of answering immediately, I was silent for a moment.

Words that they'll help me in any situation.

Sweet, but at the same time it also felt dangerous.

A double-edged sword.

The thought that came as soon as I heard it.

Once I start receiving the association's help, I'll also have to do corresponding work.

In the relationship between the state and hunters.

There's nothing as empty as words of unconditional favor.

“...It's not a wrong thought.”

As if reading my thoughts, Lee Heeyeon nodded.

“But rather than give and take, I hope you think of it as a kind of investment. In fact, the association also concluded that way.”

“...Investment, you mean?”

“Yes.”

Lee Heeyeon's eyes trembled, but resoluteness also existed.

“Awakeners who grow at this absurd speed are extremely rare. Moreover, if that's a mage···the association side and I concluded that it's practically close to impossible.”

Did they see me handling flame in the lobby.

They know I'm a mage.

The analysis itself was quite sharp.

“What we hope from Mr. Transcendence is nothing. And from now on, we absolutely won't do things against Mr. Transcendence's will. It's a bit naked but···.”

Lee Heeyeon lightly smiled.

“The association isn't foolish enough to cut the belly of the goose that lays golden eggs. So don't feel burdened, and I hope you accept our proposal as pure favor.”

···Clever calculation, clever statement.

Anyway, 10% of the points I earn unconditionally belong to the state.

Now it's a little over 400 points.

From now on, it's unknown whether it will become 4000 points or 40000 points.

That's why the association approached to form a friendly relationship with me.

“Next?”

At my words, Lee Heeyeon pressed 2 hard.

An ordinary search window that floated on the pure white screen.

“The information side is no different from ordinary web searching. If you search the desired keyword, related information comes out in a row. Of course, the quality of the information is of a different dimension from general web or community.”

Lee Heeyeon searched several keywords.

The information was very diverse.

Not simply information about the tower and labyrinth.

Even domestic and foreign situations and power struggles between companies, information about offices.

The content continued following one after another.

“Korea isn't a hunter powerhouse because of population shortage, but in terms of information power, it's not inferior to most powerful countries. Just the data accumulated until now is enormously vast, and new information will be updated in real time. How about this much···.”

Lee Heeyeon smiled softly.

“Would it be a little sincerity shown to a monstrous mage who exceeded 4000 points in three labyrinth entries?”

#

I opened my eyes.

The rustling texture of the blanket was felt through Mana Thread.

Instead of getting up immediately, I accessed the code Lee Heeyeon handed over with the phone.

Already accessed yesterday.

The interface was intuitive enough that there was nothing to call usage method.

After moving to 2, the information part, I input the keyword.

[Yu Ji-seong Awakener Office]

──────────────────

[Located at Mapo-gu 391-29]

[Representative: Yu Ji-seong (28)]

In 2021, at the age of 23, entered the industry as a freelancer. While rising as an outstanding physical ability awakener, whether shocked by the sudden death of parents, turned his gaze to reality instead of the tower.

No major controversies while operating the office for 5 years.

A trustworthy fixer renowned for clean work processing not only to clients, but also to freelancers who took on requests.

The largest project recently undertaken is, in collaboration with Japan's large corporation Ruswik···.

──────────────────

I read through the information about Yu Ji-seong Office several times.

I learned the reason why Lee Heeyeon was particularly overflowing with confidence in the information part.

Some according to the importance of the work.

Sometimes matching the timeline.

High-quality information that could never be known in the community was perfectly organized.

“...Good.”

After showering, I left the motel.

I pressed the key in the parking lot.

Beep.

The car type Yu Seo-ha handed over was SM5, an old model.

When I asked to pick a plain car, she brought some sports car with an openable lid, so I picked any one of the office vehicles.

I started the engine and drove the car north.

Between Daerim-dong and Mapo.

While passing Seongsan Bridge, I suddenly looked east.

Beyond the Han River sparkling in the morning sunlight.

Skyscrapers created by high-rise buildings and luxury mansions were visible to the eyes.

If it wasn't for that accident that day, would I also have been living somewhere there.

Lee Taesik is probably living well in luxury somewhere there.

Suddenly I became curious.

A bug-like body that can't even take care of itself without Mana Thread.

But inside it, an enormous potential that can't even be dared to imagine exists.

In that ironic reality.

Just how far can I reach.

Screech!

Daerim-dong and Mapo weren't far.

I arrived at Yu Ji-seong's office and opened the back door and entered.

Was it because I contacted in advance.

The siblings who were sitting in the office chatting turned their heads to me.

“Seonghan-nim, you've come! You said you'd come yesterday, but changed the schedule so I was worried. You weren't injured anywhere, right?”

“...How could that be, sister.”

At Yu Seo-ha's words mixed with worry, Yu Ji-seong chuckled.

Then he came to me and received the Breath of Hatred.

A glass bottle full of transparent haze.

I was inwardly curious.

What do they do with that and how.

“The factors that affect the purity of the Breath of Hatred are quite diverse, but two are always picked as the most important.”

Yu Ji-seong muttered and grabbed a pen-shaped machine.

He placed the end of the pen on the bottle surface and pressed the button, a red line penetrates the glass bottle.

“How many were killed, how quickly they were killed.”

At Yu Ji-seong's words, I recalled memories.

The time it took to kill about 4000 kobolds.

Well.

About···5 seconds, maybe?

Suddenly with a beep sound, a numerical value floated up.

“...Huh?”

Yu Ji-seong tilted his head.

He brought the machine to the glass bottle and turned it here and there.

Beep, beep, the measurement sound continuously rang.

“Ugh, brother what are you doing···?”

In the end, as if frustrated, Yu Seo-ha stepped forward.

“This machine is a bit strange?”

“What's strange. It's one we newly bought this time.”

Yu Seo-ha holding the pen.

She brought the machine above the glass bottle and pressed the button.

···It doesn't look much different from Yu Ji-seong.

“Huh? Why is this like this?”

As expected, Yu Seo-ha also tilted her head.

Then she met eyes with Yu Ji-seong, and quickly turned her head.

At the same time, the gazes of the two toward me.

Yu Seo-ha who slightly furrowed her brow asked me.

“This···just what did you catch and fill it with···?”

[...I caught kobolds]

“...You went to the canyon?”

[Yes]

“Just how many did you catch at once···?”

[I caught about 4000. It took about 5 seconds]

“...”

“...”

Silence lingered for a moment.

Yu Ji-seong opened his mouth.

“Ah, in 5 seconds···.”

Yu Seo-ha let out a chuckle.

“4000···?”

The two faced each other.

Then burst into laughter.

“Hahahahahahaha.”

“Puhahaha···.”

Yu Seo-ha awkwardly cut the laughter and looked at me.

With eyes full of confusion, she asked.

“It's not a joke···right?”

I nodded.

[Not at all]

#

Yu Seo-ha said confidently.

“If this level of purity, you can easily receive 8 million won.”

An amazing thing.

Earning 8 million won with just a few hours of hunting.

From the position of staying at an 80,000 won inn, it was words I couldn't adapt to.

Yu Ji-seong shook his head.

“This isn't something to sell for money. You have to post it.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yes. The purity is 4.6 points. Completely crazy.”

The Breath of Hatred called the alpha and omega of alchemy.

The highest purity is 5.0 points.

From about 3.8 points or above it's recognized as high-grade, and if exceeding 4.0 points, it's evaluated as the highest grade material.

So the siblings being surprised wasn't strange either.

4.6 points is a numerical value that only the highest-level mages can create, it was said.

Ah.

Of course, since they're not leisurely enough to create the Breath of Hatred, in reality it has enormous value, it was said.

“A mage who can sweep 4000 kobolds in one shot is never common. If you just say it, they won't believe, but if you post a 4.6 point Breath, they'll believe to some extent.”

Yu Seo-ha nodded.

“So?”

“So what so. We have to receive better requests. If it's a high-grade designated request, it would be perfect.”

Hmm.

Something that doesn't match front and back.

I engraved letters in the empty air with Mana Thread.

[I clearly heard that you have to resolve several ordinary requests to be able to take on high-grade requests···.]

“Hahahahaha···please forget those words. It seems I went crazy for a moment.”

Yu Ji-seong laughed heartily.

“Turning such an enormous talent to ordinary requests is a national loss. I absolutely can't do that.”

[...]

“I'll appropriately adjust the request grade so you don't need to worry. Ah, since the words came out, would you like to check once if there's a request you like? Even if not designated requests, there are quite a few usable fellows.”

Quite welcome words.

High-level requests that not anyone can approach.

If it's the reward according to that, there might be something that can connect the severed nerves, I had been thinking all along.

[Good]

At my words, Yu Ji-seong hurriedly ran to the cabinet and returned holding a bunch of document files.

Thud!

Documents piled up like a mountain on the low sofa table.

Letting the words of Yu Seo-ha who scolded that there are too many go in one ear.

I focused on the documents.

The request content is outside of interest.

I only confirmed the rewards.

I had to confirm if there's a reward that can connect the nerves.

One sheet.

Two sheets.

Three sheets.

Rustle. Rustle.

Quite a bit of time flowed.

Yu Ji-seong left his seat saying he'll newly update information in my database.

Yu Seo-ha who was chattering next to me also started work processing holding a laptop.

Only the sound of keyboard tapping and paper turning heard for a while.

One sound disappeared.

When I raised my head, Yu Seo-ha who was looking at the laptop was nodding off with her head lowered.

Just how focused was I.

Outside had already become dark.

The guests of the office also decreased quite a bit, and Yu Ji-seong had left his seat at some point.

Why am I fine?

Thinking about it, sitting and turning papers are all done with Mana Thread, so it seems the body isn't particularly tired either.

Rustle. Rustle.

Like that, checking requests again for a while.

The Mana Thread turning the paper suddenly paused.

“...”

I wondered if there was something I needed.

There really was.

──────────────────

[Reward: Cursed Heart]

-Someone's heart whose identity is unknown. Mana can be injected to absorb the heart, but the method to reverse it is not known.

-30% physical ability decrease occurs per skill that hasn't reached the maximum level.

-When the skill reaches the maximum level, one out-of-hierarchy skill can be acquired each.

──────────────────

If skill level is low, physical ability decreases.

But it doesn't apply to me who has all skills at maximum level.

Moreover, now that I've already mastered 6 skills.

If I absorb the cursed heart, I might be able to learn 6 new skills.

Not simple 6 skills.

Since it said out-of-hierarchy skills.

Beyond the flame series, I might be able to learn skills of a completely new hierarchy.

Yes.

It was a reward that perfectly matched my trait like a puzzle piece.

I immediately extended Mana Thread.

I lightly shook and woke Yu Seo-ha who was nodding off, and extended the document.

“U···umm···?”

In front of Yu Seo-ha's eyes who was blinking with a blank expression, I engraved letters.

[This one]

Maybe I found a shortcut.

© Dome Hwangcha #1yy6t