Boring Days

Thankfully, they were flexible with the time, so my contribution score didn’t drop.

It seems their mindset is that as long as you show up, it’s fine, since an Awakener’s life is full of variables.

I just crashed at Song Gi-woo’s place thinking, it’ll work out somehow, and I guess they were okay with it.

Thanks to that—

-I pushed my schedule back.

-Really?

[Essense: 15819/41843]

I’ve accumulated this much Essense.

I was debating which Demonic Wings skill to level up, but it was time to go to my community service, so I put it on hold for now.

Besides, I can’t level it up as Lee Han-gyeol anyway.

By the way, it seems that unlike the Demonic Horns, the Demonic Wings don’t remain when I change back into a man.

What a shame.

The Demonic Horns are so overpowered even when I’m an Elemental Mage, so I had high hopes for the Demonic Wings, too.

A flying Elemental Mage?

Wouldn’t that basically be a bomber plane?

Flying through the air, raining down lightning bolts—

…But I wonder when all the Expeditionary Force team members will be gathered.

Only when the team is assembled can I lead a gate expedition as a team leader, and only by repeating that and gaining experience will Elemental recognize me as a proper team leader.

Only then will members join my team, and only then can I start enjoying true guild life.

So far, it’s just been a cycle of training-practice-training-practice.

Of course, that’s because my growth rate is ridiculously fast, but boring is still boring.

If these are my worries as Lee Han-gyeol, then my worries as Seo A-gyeol are about Yoo Yi-jun.

What’s Yoo Yi-jun doing right now? Could David’s organization have actually been a decent place? But he was such an asshole, though.

But since I know almost nothing, that line of thought doesn’t last long.

So, back to my worries as Lee Han-gyeol—

This is all because my community service is so damn boring.

Since all I have to do is stand around, you’d think something interesting would happen eventually.

And it did.

“What? You’re telling me I’m an F-rank?”

“Please calm down.”

“That… That can’t be right. I’m telling you, it can’t be!”

“Guards.”

It doesn’t happen often, but every now and then, you get someone in denial.

They always insist on causing a scene, only to get subdued and dragged out.

I don’t mean to generalize, but the ones who cause a ruckus are usually pretty burly, or have a lot of tattoos, or both…

They must have had some confidence in themselves, because they always walk in looking so sure.

Everyone is weak right after they Awaken, so they probably let their imaginations run wild.

But once the results are in, they can’t accept their place in Awakener society.

Judging by their appearance… uh… they seem like the type to have a lot of, um… pride? In their station in life.

I’m not trying to be prejudiced, but… doesn’t showing off your tattoos like that mean you’re… overflowing with pride?

Or not. Whatever.

In the end, they can’t accept reality and throw a fit, but what can an F-rank or E-rank really do?

The weakest guards are D-rank, after all. (To be honest, it’s strange for an A-rank like me to be here, even if that’s just my guild rank and not my government one).

For reference, an F-rank is barely different from a non-Awakened person. That’s why they’re advised to just live a normal life.

Not that they really have a choice, even if they wanted to live as an Awakener.

An E-rank… maybe they could do guild office work? E-rank is also a pretty ambiguous rank for an Awakener.

The way they cause a scene and the way they get subdued are always pretty similar, but each one has its own unique flavor, so it helps pass the time.

They told me not to get involved in subduing them…

-Since you’re an Elemental Mage who wields fire and lightning… you don’t have to participate in the suppression. It’s a bit… dangerous to use against people, don’t you think…

But that didn’t mean I should ignore it completely. They told me to just keep an eye on things, since you never know what might happen.

Which means that whenever one of these scenes breaks out, I get to legally slack off (+ enjoy some good entertainment).

And well, there’s other entertainment, too, though it’s not as common as these outbursts.

“Mom, Mom! They said I’m a B-rank!”

In that instant, people swarmed—

“To our guild—”

“If you happen to be an Elemental Mage—”

“We accept all types! If you—”

“If you’re a B-rank—”

Whoa, a B-rank.

If you’re C-rank or higher, the guild members stationed at the Awakened Center rush over to recruit you.

Just like when I got my first evaluation, they swarm you with pamphlets like crazy—

…Though it wasn’t quite that intense for me.

They’re probably rushing him like that because he’s a B-rank.

I’ve seen a few C-ranks, but this is the first time I’ve seen a B-rank here.

Then again, a government-certified B-rank is the same as me.

Besides, if his first evaluation is a B, there’s a high chance he’ll eventually reach A-rank.

A government-certified A-rank.

Officially, that’s the highest rank. Things like S-rank are just internal guild classifications.

I heard that when you become an A-rank, the government gives you all sorts of perks to prevent you from leaving the country.

There were a lot of them… I can’t remember.

To be honest, I do think I’ll probably reach A-rank myself someday.

Mana recovery skills, being a Spirit Summoner, whatever—my growth rate itself is just insanely fast.

[Magic Power: 467+130]

My Magic Power is about to hit 600.

It feels like I just hit 500, and now it’s already almost 600.

When I first Awakened, my Magic Power was 121. In less than a month, I’ve hit 600.

That’s why I don’t feel any envy or jealousy toward that guy who got B-rank right off the bat.

The kind of feelings I can see in the eyes of some of the guards.

It definitely seems like there’s a lot of envy and jealousy in Awakener society.

For Awakeners, ‘rank’ is basically a clear-cut ‘class’ that’s determined at random.

If I had been an E or D-rank, I probably would have looked at that guy with the same expression…

A few guards slowly approach the crowd surrounding the B-rank guy.

Looks like they’re going to gently disperse them.

I should probably keep my distance here, too. Just watch quietly from the side—

What the hell. Why are they glancing at me as they scatter? I didn’t even help break you guys up.

But one person stayed behind. Huh? That guy’s from my guild.

He wasn’t the staff member who was here when I got my evaluation, but I remember him because he’d come over and chat whenever things were slow.

The fact that he’s the only one sticking around means—

He’s gesturing for me to come over.

As I approached, he said, “This gentleman is also an Awakener from Elemental. As it happens, he’s also a government-certified B-rank, just like you.”

Ah. So this kid got Elemental Mage, too.

“Ah… Hello.”

“Hello.”

“If you have a moment, why don’t you have a chat with him? Since you have the same rank and the same trait, it should be helpful.”

He said, giving me a wink.

“Uh… I only Awakened less than a month ago myself.”

“Hey, that’s why you could be even more helpful. This man is a famous rising star in our guild.”

What’s with the surprise compliment?

“Um, could I ask you for some advice?”

“…Sure.”

It’s not like I had anything better to do, and I still remember that chaotic feeling of not knowing what to do right after Awakening.

…Though I guess I was a special case.

*

“So this is where you were working.”

“Yep.”

Turns out we’re the same age, so we started speaking casually. His name was Baek Seung-hoon.

“By the way, if I join as a rookie, does that mean I’ll be on your team?”

“Who knows? I have zero experience. I only Awakened less than a month ago, you know.”

“Still, becoming a team leader in just a month means you’re talented, right? I heard you were originally C+? C++, but now you’re A-rank.”

“I guess… so?”

“I don’t have any experience either, so that’s perfect. Since we’re on the topic, maybe I should join that Expeditionary Force to get some experience?”

“Like I said before, the Expeditionary Force is danger—”

“Hey, I’m kidding. I know gates are dangerous for newbies.”

“That’s a relief. If your element is Water, we might not work well together… oh, wait, I have Lightning, so it should be fine.”

“Ah, I want to get on that rising star track, too.”

“Keep it down. There are other people here.”

“Alright. Well, I’m gonna head out now.”

“Okay. Hit me up when you join Elemental.”

Once he got going, Baek Seung-hoon was quite the chatterbox. It got a lot quieter after he left.

…

I’m bored.

Maybe I should have told him a few stories.

*

I get why Awakeners hate community service now.

It’s boring. Just… so boring.

I’d rather take a walk inside a gate than do this.

I finished a little late today.

Which makes sense, since I came in late.

Anyway, this is the third interview.

I’ve narrowed it down and prioritized three people, so this might be the last one.

Meeting each one individually is surprisingly annoying…

Later, I should dump the interviews on someone else.

Hmm… Se-hyuk? But he’s not officially part of Blue Forest, so I’d have to pick someone who is.

…Maybe it could be the person I’m about to meet.

His rank is on the low side, but he has experience running a guild.

I have no idea why someone like that would want to join my guild, though.

“Hello.”

“Yes, hello.”

Ahn Yu-su, a guild-rated D-rank Enhancement-type.

In reality, a guild D-rank could be a government-certified E-rank.

And if he’s an E-rank…

What could this man want from me?

*

It was nothing special.

-If you’ll just trust me this once! I’ll devote my entire being to you!

Apparently, the guild where he handled administrative work went bankrupt, and no other guild would take him after that.

A D-rank Enhancement-type meets the minimum qualifications for guild work, but it seems that after reaching an administrative position once, he’s not satisfied with just any job.

He said he ‘handled administrative work,’ but it must have been a fairly high-ranking position.

There was no particular reason he contacted me; it seems he just applied to every guild that was recruiting.

Though seeing my face seems to have motivated him more?

Blue Forest already has its existing executives handling the administration to some extent, so I doubt the guild will suddenly go bankrupt just because this one guy joins.

So, I decided to just accept him with a verbal contract.

Like I said, I need someone to dump the interviews on. I can’t have one of Blue Forest’s original executives handle it; I need someone who knows Narak’s secret.

But he’s a D-rank, so he probably can’t give much Essense. Pass.

He just failed to manage one guild; he’s not exactly a criminal, so it feels wrong to take his Innate Vital Energy.

I’d be better off finding a C-rank or higher criminal and sucking out both their Essense and Innate Vital Energy.

Song Gi-woo: Hello! I’m Song Gi-woo, the new guild member! It’s a pleasure to be here!

Ahn Yu-su: Hello. I’m Ahn Yu-su, also a new member. I look forward to working with you.

I invited both of them to the Narak messenger chatroom, and since there was activity in the chat, I sent a private message to Park Eun-su as well.

Park Eun-su, the acting Guild Master of Blue Forest. He’s a C+-rank Enhancement-type and was on the same team as Namgung Yoon during the Nokrim raid.

As for my promise to take all the guild members on a date, Park Eun-su and Kim Hee-an were still left.

Park Eun-su: I’m too busy these days for a date, Ma’am.

He started calling me ‘Ma’am’ after I defeated the Nokrim leader without a scratch.

Even though he’s older than me.

Park Eun-su: And please don’t worry too much about my wish.

Park Eun-su: The thought is more than enough, and I’m grateful just for you making me the Guild Master.

…Well, it’s true I made him the Guild Master.

Dumping the work on him still counts as making him the Guild Master, right?

Well, he says he’s busy with guild work, so it can’t be helped.

From the looks of it, his feelings for me aren’t the dark, creepy kind, but more like admiration? Something similar to that. I don’t know what he felt originally, though.

I see him around sometimes, and even when we meet, the white flame doesn’t change much.

He’s lucky. So lucky.

I was planning on sucking out a little Innate Vital Energy from all the Narak guild members except Park Se-hyuk, Song Gi-woo, and Ahn Yu-su.

He managed to avoid it.

It’s fine.

There’s still one more person, after all.

Kim Hee-an: Today? Today’s a bit difficult, but tomorrow works.

The next day.

Kim Hee-an: Can I bring a friend with me today?