Chapter 118
There are three main reasons why I decided to attempt reawakening. First, it’s inevitable and has a much higher success rate. Second, I can instantly gain tremendous wealth and honor.
And third…
If I become an S-rank Guide, I can provide my pair Esper who chose me with the most solid sanctuary in the world.
That alone made the adventure worth taking.
“If you believe in me, I think I can do better.”
Song Ji-hyeok said nothing. He turned his head away, avoiding my gaze, and silently gripped my hand tightly.
How much time passed? After letting out a long sigh, he looked into my eyes again. Only my image was reflected in his jet-black eyes. The same was probably true for me too.
“You’ve made up your mind, right?”
“…Yes. I’m sorry.”
Song Ji-hyeok slightly furrowed his brow at my added apology. That expression, which I once needlessly worried about, now evoked familiarity and reassurance.
After a moment, words of agreement finally flowed from Song Ji-hyeok’s mouth.
“Alright. But on one condition.”
One condition?
“If anything goes wrong, I’ll accompany you on your journey.”
“Ji-hyeok…”
“So, if you don’t want us to cross the river to the afterlife side by side, you must succeed. You must.”
Though it wore the shell of a threat, looking just slightly beneath the surface, I could feel how desperately he was pleading. Facing him, I showed a confident smile.
“Yeah, just trust hyung.”
Life is full of surprises. Who would have thought that after barely seeing the Guild Master from a distance for the past 7 years, I would have a private meeting with him for the second time in just a few days?
The Guild Master’s office was still magnificent, and the Guild Master still exuded his characteristic intimidating aura. The only difference from a few days ago was that there was now a tablet PC containing a contract on the table.
Yes, life is full of surprises. Who would have thought I’d be writing a new contract again after just a few months?
It seemed the Deputy Guild Master had the same thought. Dressed in a suit with a distinctive green brooch, she gave me a slight smile.
“This is the third new contract this year.”
“Yes.”
Contrary to expectations, the Korean Awakened Association obtained information about the reawakening cases before the announcement from America. Immediately, the Association summoned me and presented overwhelmingly favorable conditions, but I rejected that temptation and chose to renegotiate my contract with Sunrise Guild.
The Association might offer more in signing bonuses or annual salary, but I declined being manipulated according to their tastes under that pretext. When I said I would “proceed with priority negotiations with the guild” during the multi-party meeting, the atmosphere was completely polarized. The Association’s staff openly showed their displeasure, while the Deputy Guild Master gratefully smiled elegantly, just as she was doing now.
“Read it carefully, and sign if you agree.”
Although I had already meticulously reviewed it beforehand, it seemed a bit hasty to sign immediately, so I pretended to skim through it before picking up the pen. The Guild Master, who had been leisurely watching from the head seat, finally spoke.
“Are you prepared?”
“Yes.”
Thinking that half of any challenge is attitude, I answered confidently, and the Guild Master nodded with satisfaction. Then, I noticed him slightly frowning.
“You have nothing to worry about, but Song Ji-hyeok is the problem.”
Ah…
“I’m sorry.”
An apology naturally came out of my mouth. I couldn’t even gauge how much more of a commotion Song Ji-hyeok would cause this time if he found out I had suddenly departed for the dungeon.
I did have something prepared for that moment. I took out what I had brought from my combat vest pocket and held it out to the Guild Master.
“If Ji-hyeok gets angry, could you please give him this?”
I felt newly apologetic for making a personal request to the Guild Master. Contrary to my concern, the Guild Master showed an interested gaze.
“What is this?”
“I wrote a letter.”
“Hmm, good idea.”
On the day we dramatically agreed on the reawakening issue, Song Ji-hyeok made one request to me. He wanted to accompany me when the date for entering the dungeon was set.
I said I understood, but inwardly, I had different thoughts. I decided to leave when Song Ji-hyeok was absent, and I actually scheduled it that way with the Deputy Guild Master and team leaders. I thought that if Song Ji-hyeok were watching me walk into danger, if he called my name, I might lose focus and my mind would waver.
However, thinking that my choice might cause feelings of betrayal or hurt for Song Ji-hyeok, I wrote a letter filled with my sincere feelings. I wasn’t sure how much help it would be, but I hoped it would soothe his feelings a little.
Not long after, a knock was heard from beyond the door.
“The team leaders have arrived.”
“Let them in.”
Soon the door opened, and several robust individuals entered. They were the strong support team who would help with the raid for my berserking.
The number of people suddenly increased, crowding the sofa, but the atmosphere was strangely subdued. Breaking the somewhat heavy air, the Deputy Guild Master spoke.
“Have you all read the plan?”
“Yes.”
“Of course.”
“Your roles are crucial for ensuring Guide Lee Su-hyeon’s safety. I kindly ask for your best efforts.”
On cue, I bowed deeply toward them.
Gi-jun hyung’s help was immense in drafting the battle plan. When I expressed my wish to stay in Korea and attempt reawakening, hyung shared the data he had acquired without reservation, despite his worry for me. From selecting a dungeon suitable for my combat skills and abilities to methods for handling the aftermath of berserking, he literally explained everything from A to Z in detail.
While Gi-jun hyung provided the theoretical information, the Deputy Guild Master personally took charge of the practical preparations. As hyung recommended, we won the bid for an A-rank dungeon with plenty of small fry but very likely only one A-rank boss mob, and the Deputy Guild Master personally selected the minimal personnel to assist me.
The strategy was as follows: First, quickly eliminate the mob enemies, then A-rank Espers, including our team leader, would face the A-rank monster. Once the monster’s strength was somewhat depleted, they would pass the baton to me. After quickly depleting my energy and entering a berserk state, Senior Hee-seon would provide emergency treatment through guiding, and Team 1’s leader would transport me via teleportation.
Throughout this process, the coordination with our support team was crucial. In other words, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that my fate rested in the hands of those present here.
“Shall we get going then?”
Everyone stood up at the Deputy Guild Master’s words as she checked the time. After receiving encouragement from the Guild Master, we took the elevator down to the basement, where a vehicle was waiting to take us to the site.
The dungeon where I would soon engage in fierce battle was about an hour and a half away by car. I had memorized the manual Gi-jun hyung created to the point where I could recite it at a moment’s notice. I reassured myself that everything would be fine if I just executed according to the simulations I had repeatedly run in my head, but as the dungeon drew closer, my mental control reached its limits.
Though it wasn’t cold, I felt chills and my stomach churned with tension. My lips trembled, and I barely endured by biting them hard. With my gaze fixed outside the car window, I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my cold fingertips, revisiting the same thoughts.
‘It’s truly all or nothing.’
Either rise to S-rank greatness or lose my life.
‘I thought I would quietly live as an ordinary awakened and then retire… who knew such a dramatic moment would come in my life?’
Ironically, the reason the potential inherent in dual awakened was discovered relatively late was due to that very ability. Normally, people choose the side with the higher rank and take on those duties, and even when working as both an Esper and Guide, instinct naturally makes one cautious when side effects from energy conflicts arise.
If the dual awakened before me hadn’t gone berserk, or if they hadn’t overcome it and awakened, I would have lived my entire life as a C-rank awakened without knowing about the golden privilege given to me, ending my life that way.
‘Let’s be grateful just for being given the opportunity. What’s the big deal about a one-time life?’
While I tried to control my mind with somewhat contradictory thoughts, the car finally arrived at the site.
As I stepped out of the car, a lukewarm breeze blew against me. And suddenly, I paused. About 10 meters ahead, beyond the carelessly drawn control line, a gate with swirling red aura caught my eye.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
